Mg(2+)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of blood vessels and blood pressure lowering: role of NO

Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2000 Mar;278(3):R628-39. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.2000.278.3.R628.

Abstract

In vitro extracellular Mg(2+) concentration ([Mg(2+)](0)) produces endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxations in rat aorta in a concentration-dependent manner. These relaxant effects of Mg(2+) on intact rat aortic rings, but not denuded rat aortic rings, were suppressed by either N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), or methylene blue. The inhibitory effects of L-NMMA and L-NAME could be reversed partly by L-arginine. [Mg(2+)](0)-induced dilatation in vivo in rat mesenteric arterioles and venules was almost completely inhibited by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine and L-NMMA. Removal of extracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](0)) or buffering intracellular Ca(2+) concentration in endothelial cells, with 10 microM 1, 2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid-AM, markedly attenuated the relaxant effects of Mg(2+). Mg(2+) produced nitric oxide (NO) release from the intact aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner. Removal of [Ca(2+)](0) diminished the increased NO release induced by elevated levels of [Mg(2+)](0). In vivo infusion of increasing doses (1-30 microM/min) of MgSO(4), directly into the femoral veins of anesthetized rats, elicited significant concentration-dependent sustained increases in serum total Mg and concomitant decreases in arterial blood pressure. Before and after employment of various doses of MgSO(4), intravenous administration of either L-NMMA (10 mg/kg) or L-NAME (10 mg/kg) increased (i.e., reversed) the MgSO(4)-lowered blood pressure markedly, and intravenous injection of L-arginine restored partially the increased blood pressure effects of both L-NMMA and L-NAME. Our results suggest that 1) small blood vessels are very dependent on NO release for Mg(2+) dilatations and 2) the endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by extracellular Mg(2+) is mediated by release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor-NO from the endothelium, and requires Ca(2+) and formation of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta / drug effects
  • Aorta / physiology*
  • Blood Pressure / physiology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Magnesium / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / pharmacology
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / physiology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Vasodilation / drug effects
  • Vasodilation / physiology*
  • omega-N-Methylarginine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • omega-N-Methylarginine
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • Nos3 protein, rat
  • Magnesium
  • NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester