Abstract
We investigated portal vein (PV) contractility in diabetes using a mouse model (ob/ob mouse) of spontaneous noninsulin-dependent diabetic mellitus. Spontaneous phasic contraction in control mice (C57Bl) was increased in the presence of the thromboxane A2 analog 9,11-dideoxy-11α, 9α-epoxymethanoprostaglandin F2α (U46619) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. This response was enhanced under high glucose conditions (22.2 mM). Diacylglycerol (DG) was synthesized from glucose and was not affected by phospholipase C (PLC) inhibition under resting conditions in normal glucose. Inhibition of DG-induced PKC activation with 12-(2-cyanoethyl)-6,7,12,13-tetrahydro-13-methyl-5-oxo-5H-indolo-(2,3-α)pyrrolo(3,4-c)-carbazole (Gö6976), a calcium-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, was only observed under normal glucose conditions. High glucose levels enhanced PLC-independent DG formation followed by an induction of total phosphatidylinositol turnover via calcium-independent PKC activation in C57Bl mice. In ob/ob mice, the high glucose-induced enhancement of PV contraction in response to U46619 was suppressed. These findings suggest that these differences are associated with long-term exposure of tissue to a hyperglycemic state. Under high glucose conditions, DG derived from glucose fell below 50% in C57Bl mice. Moreover, the DG-related calcium-independent PKC was desensitized in ob/ob mice. These results suggest that suppression of the glucose-induced enhancement of PV contraction involves both a decrease in glucose-derived DG formation and reduction of the glucose sensitivity of DG-related PKC.
Vascular dysfunction is a major complication in diabetes (Chaudhuri, 2002). Due to the reduced quality of life in these patients, alterations of vascular contractile responses in hyperglycemia have been investigated by many groups. It has been suggested that intracellular systems are altered in vascular tissue in diabetes (Ozturk et al., 1996). The relationships between hyperglycemia and smooth muscle dysfunction are important to furthering our understanding of diabetes; however, the mechanisms underlying these dysfunctions remain poorly understood.
In the two principal groups of diabetics, it is well known that treatment with insulin improves hyperglycemia as well as the dysfunction in vascular tissue in insulin-dependent diabetic mellitus. Therefore, many types of insulin preparations have been used in insulin-dependent diabetic mellitus patients. Despite the fact that the majority of diabetic patients have noninsulin-dependent diabetic mellitus (NIDDM), effective medicine and care for vascular complications have not been established. Dysfunction of vascular contractility in NIDDM is variable, dependent in part on the specific vessel (Chaudhuri, 2002). Thus, an understanding of the dysfunction mechanisms in different vessels is necessary.
The portal vein (PV) functions as the main transfer vessel from the digestive organs to the liver. To effect a highly efficient transfer, the PV exhibits spontaneous intermittent rhythmic contractions (Miwa et al., 1997). Dysfunction of this tissue leads not only to reduction in blood supply to the liver but also to serious diseases such as varix mediated by reflux of blood (MacMathuna, 1992). We previously reported that the magnitude of the spontaneous phasic contractions in mouse PV was increased in the presence of the thromboxane A2 analog U46619 (Nobe et al., 2003). We also reported that the U46619-induced contraction was significantly enhanced under high glucose conditions (twice the level of the normal conditions; 22.2 mM). We believe that the extracellular glucose-dependent enhancement of PV contraction might be associated with the variable blood glucose levels in PV because the blood originating from digestive organs and the blood glucose levels depend on food intake and/or diabetic stage. An investigation of an intracellular signaling under high glucose conditions showed that the typical second messenger in phosphatidylinositol turnover (PI turnover), diacylglycerol (DG), was significantly increased in U46619 stimulation. This DG increase paralleled cellular protein kinase C (PKC) activity, suggesting that PKC activity accelerated a PI turnover mediated by DG kinase activation (Kanoh et al., 1989; Nobe et al., 1997). Based on these findings, we hypothesized that this acceleration of PI turnover contributed to the enhanced PV contraction. However, these studies were performed under short-term high glucose treatment of PV isolated from normal mouse (ddY mouse).
The results obtained from normal mouse PV treated with high glucose completely overlapped with the alterations observed in diabetes. In the present study, we investigated alterations of PV function in a spontaneous mouse model of NIDDM. The ob/ob mouse was selected for the NIDDM model because this homozygous strain is characterized by obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and a blunted response to insulin at the receptor and postreceptor levels (Coleman and Hummel, 1967; Chang and Schneider, 1970; Vicario et al., 1987; Meyerovitch et al., 1989). These findings indicate that the ob/ob mouse is a suitable model for a human type NIDDM.
The objective of this investigation involve both detection of alteration of contractile responses in NIDDM mouse PV and elucidation of the intracellular mechanisms. Utilization of the ob/ob mouse PV revealed that enhancement of U46619-induced PV contraction under high glucose conditions was suppressed; furthermore, both decreased DG formation and glucose sensitivity of DG-dependent PKC were observed.
Materials and Methods
Animals. Male C57Bl/6J obese mice (ob/ob) and their lean littermates (+/?; C57Bl) were purchased from Nippon Clea Corp. (Tokyo, Japan) at 5 to 8 weeks of age. Mice were housed at constant room temperature (20 ± 2°C) with 12-h light and dark cycles. Mice were fed standard mouse chow, which included 5% fat (Oriental Yeast Corp., Tokyo, Japan). Food and water were available ad libitum, and mice grew satisfactorily. At 8 weeks of age, animals were used for experiments.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Mice were fasted overnight (12 h) before the test. A basal glucose sample was obtained from each animal after administration of a 1 g/kg glucose solution by oral gavage. Blood samples were obtained at 10, 20, 30, and 60 min postgavage (Mathis et al., 2000). The glucose level in each sample was determined with a Tidex glucose analyzer (Bayer-Sankyo, Tokyo, Japan). Plasma immunoreactive insulin concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay using the polyethylene glycol method (Desbuquois and Aurbach, 1971). Blood samples were harvested in each type of mouse under 12-h fasted conditions.
Measurement of Blood Cell Movement in Mouse PV. Mice were prepared in a manner identical to that of the OGTT procedure described above. Mice, which had been 12-h fasted (resting) and treated with glucose (1 g/kg body weight; 30 min), were anesthetized with ether; subsequently, PVs were exposed. Blood cell movement in PV was measured with a noncontact type laser Doppler blood flow-meter (Omega Co., Tokyo, Japan). Data are expressed as “percentage of resting level”.
Vessel Preparation. Mice were anesthetized with ether. PVs were dissected and prepared for analysis as described previously (Nobe et al., 2003). Briefly, vessels were rinsed in cold bicarbonate-buffered physiological salt solution (PSS), and loose fat and connective tissue were removed. PSS, which contained 137 mmol/l NaCl, 4.73 mmol/l KCl, 1.2 mmol/l MgSO4, 0.025 mmol/l EDTA, 1.2 mmol/l KH2PO4, 2.5 mmol/l CaCl2, and 11.1 mmol/l glucose was buffered with 25.0 mmol/l NaHCO3; pH, when the solution was bubbled with 95% O2, 5% CO2, was 7.4 at 37°C. The endothelium was removed by gently rubbing the ring between the thumb and forefinger. The efficiency of endothelium removal via this method was confirmed histologically as described previously; removal of the endothelium did not significantly affect the amount of force generated in response to norepinephrine administration (data not shown).
PV Force Measurements. PVs were mounted on a hook attached to an isometric force transducer (NEC San-ei Instruments Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). Optimal tension was established by adjustment of the length of the vessels to a point where maximum peak-to-peak oscillations of spontaneous isometric contractions were observed (Nobe et al., 2003). This passive tension was maintained throughout the experiment. Data, which were obtained using Power Lab hardware, were analyzed using Chart Software (AD Instruments Japan, Tokyo, Japan).
Measurement of Total Mass of DG. The total mass of DG in each tissue was measured in a manner similar to that described in a previous report (Nobe et al., 1993). Isolated tissues were treated under various conditions in 200 μl of normal PSS or high glucose (HG-PSS). The reaction was terminated by addition of chloroform/methanol (1:2 by volume; 750 μl). Tissues were homogenized; subsequently, water and chloroform (200 μl of each) were added. The mixture was shaken followed by centrifugation at 1000g. The lower phase was removed and dried under N2 gas. The residue was redis-solved in chloroform (concentration, 2 μl/mg wet weight tissue). This sample was spotted on a thin layer chromatography plate (Silica Gel 60 with concentrating zone; Merck, Darmstadt, Germany). DG separation was effected with diethyl ether/heptane/acetic acid (75:25:1 by volume). The plates were dried and stained with 0.03% of Coomassie Brilliant Blue solution containing 30% of methanol and 100 mM NaCl for 30 min; plates were distained for 5 min in dye-free staining solution. Each thin layer chromatography plate was scanned; moreover, the density of each band was calculated using NIH Image software. Total mass of DG was determined from a dioreoyl-glycerol standard curve. Results were expressed as nanograms per milligram of wet weight tissue.
d-[14C]Glucose Incorporation into DG. Tissues were prelabeled with 33 mCi/ml d-[14C]glucose containing normal and HG-PSS at 37°C for 60 min (Lee et al., 1989; Inoguchi et al., 1994). U46619 and/or additional reagents were introduced after this treatment. After termination of these reactions, total lipids were extracted as described above. DG was separated on Silica Gel G thin layer plates and developed in hexane/ether/acetic acid (60:40:1). Spots on the silica gel were removed by scraping; subsequently, radioactivity of [14C]DG was measured on a liquid scintillation counter.
Measurement of PKC Activity. Fresh tissues treated under various conditions were homogenized with a glass homogenizer in 0.5 ml of ice-cold solution consisting of 20 mM 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid (pH 7.2), 250 mM sucrose, 1 mM dithiothreitol, 1 mM EGTA, 1 μg/ml pepstatin, 1 μg/ml leupeptin, and 50 μg/ml trypsin inhibitor (buffer A). The homogenates were centrifuged (1000g for 5 min) to remove the nuclei. Supernatants were decanted and pellets were washed once with buffer B (sucrose-free buffer A). The combined supernatants were centrifuged a second time (2000g for 30 min). Finally, the membrane and cytosol fractions were collected by centrifugation (100,000g for 60 min). PKC activity in the membrane (pellet) fraction was determined using an Amersham protein kinase C assay kit (Amersham Biosciences Japan, Tokyo, Japan).
Measurement of Myo-Inositol Incorporation. Measurement of myo-inositol incorporation was performed in a manner identical to the method of Conrad et al. (1991). [3H]Myo-inositol-prelabeled tissues were preincubated in the presence or absence of each reagent for 10 min; subsequently, 100 nM U46619 was added for 5 min. After termination of the treatment, incorporated [3H]phosphoinositides were analyzed.
Materials. [3H]Myo-inositol and d-[14C]glucose were purchased from PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences (Boston, MA). 9,11-Dideoxy-11α, 9α-epoxymethanoprostaglandin F2α (U46619); 12-(2-cyanoethyl)-6,7,12,13-tetrahydro-13-methyl-5-oxo-5H-indolo-(2,3-α)pyrrolo(3,4-c)-carbazole (Gö6976); phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA); and 1-(6[([17β]-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5[10]-trien-17-ly)amino]hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U73122) were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO). Calphostin C and Mallotoxin (Rottlerin) were acquired from Calbiochem-Novabiochem (San Diego, CA). All other reagents, which were of the highest purity, were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich, except as noted. U46619 was dissolved in ethanol, whereas calphostin C, Gö6976, and PMA were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide; no effects of vehicle were noted when total vehicle concentration was 0.03% or less.
Data Analysis. Values are presented as means ± S.E.M. obtained from at least five to 16 animals. Statistical analyses for multiple comparisons were preformed using analysis of variance for repeated measures followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test in the cases depicted in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. In the case of comparison with control (resting) response, repeated measures analysis of variance followed by Dunnett's test was used (Tables 1, 2, 3).
Results
Basic Characteristics of the C57Bl and ob/ob Mice. A significant increase in body weight (149.9%) was observed in the ob/ob mouse at 5 to 6 weeks of age relative to C57Bl (Table 1). As typical of diabetes, changes in blood glucose levels during fasting and after food intake (OGTT; 1 g/kg body weight; 30 min) were also investigated. After a 12-h fast, blood glucose levels in ob/ob mice were significantly higher than those in C57Bl mice (248.4% of C57Bl mice). OGTT led to increased glucose levels in C57Bl and ob/ob mice (144.8 and 112.8%, respectively); however, significant differences also remained. Insulin levels also increased in the ob/ob mice. Under conditions identical to those of OGTT, blood flow rate in PV was also examined (Table 2). After the 12-h fast (resting), blood cell movement in C57Bl mouse PV did not differ significantly from the corresponding value in ob/ob mice. This value was enhanced significantly by the OGTT (30 min) only in the C57Bl mouse. Blood cell movement was not influenced by glucose treatment in the ob/ob mouse. Direct treatment of 100 nM U46619 for PV significantly reduced blood cell movement in C57Bl and ob/ob mice.
U46619-Induced Contractile Responses in Mouse PV. Spontaneous phasic contractile responses were observed in both C57Bl and ob/ob mouse PVs (Fig. 1). In the nonstimulated resting state, a force of 1.2 millinewtons (mN) was applied as a minimum resting tone. The absolute peak value of the spontaneous phasic contraction was 2.18 ± 0.01 mN (n = 7). This response was maintained for at least 12 h in our organ bath system (normal PSS, pH 7.4, at 37°C). These spontaneous contractions were detected in both types of mice.
In the C57Bl mouse PV, treatment with U46619 increased the peak force in a concentration-dependent manner (Fig. 1A, left). Stable responses were developed 3 min after U46619 addition. Significant increases in the peak responses from the resting state were initially detected at 3 nM U46619; the maximal value was obtained at 100 nM U46619 (3.54 ± 0.34 mN; n = 7) and the EC50 value was 6.1 nM (n = 7). This contractile response returned to resting levels in approximately 5 min after removal of U46619 via exchange of the bath contents. After the rinse, identical U46619-induced responses could be elicited (data not shown). Changes in phasic contraction were measured under high glucose conditions in the presence or absence of U46619 (Fig. 1A, right). Treatment of PV with PSS containing 22.2 mM glucose (HG-PSS) for 30 min induced a slight increase in the peak values of the spontaneous contraction. Moreover, the increase in contractility elicited by U46619 was significantly augmented. Under high glucose conditions, 100 nM U46619 induced a maximal peak value of 4.38 ± 0.34 mN (n = 7), and the EC50 value was 3.3 nM (n = 7). Responses induced by U46619 under normal and high glucose conditions in C57Bl mice were similar to those described previously in the ddY mouse PV (Nobe et al., 2003).
In ob/ob mouse PV, both spontaneous contractions in the resting state and U46619-induced concentration-dependent increases were observed, which were similar to those of C57Bl mice (Fig. 1B, left). However, the enhancement of the contractile response was not observed under high glucose conditions (Fig. 1B, right). Maximal peak values of the contraction induced by 100 nM U46619 were 3.41 ± 0.25 and of 3.59 ± 0.33 mN (n = 7), respectively. Incubation with HGPSS for 12 h did not restore the U46619 response (data not shown).
To assess the U46619-induced contractile response in normal and HG-PSS, three parameters were extracted from the data presented in Fig. 1 (Fig. 2). The following parameters were defined in our previous article as follows (Nobe et al., 2003).
Amplitude. The “maximum-minimum” value in each phasic contraction was calculated. Results were expressed as an average in a 3- to 5-min window of stabilized response. Results were expressed in millinewtons.
Frequency. The number of contractile events in a 3- to 5-min window of stabilized response was counted. Threshold consisted of 30% of each spontaneous response. Results were expressed in cycles per minute.
ON-Time. Total seconds of force in excess of 20% of the maximal response induced by 100 nM U46619 in a 3- to 5-min window of stabilized response. Results were expressed as seconds per minute.
In the resting state of C57Bl mouse PV, the amplitude (minus the applied basal tension) was 0.98 ± 0.01 mN (n = 5). This amplitude increased in a manner dependent upon the U46619 concentration in C57Bl mice under normal conditions (Fig. 2A). Maximal values were detected with 10 nM U46619 (2.59 ± 0.16 mN; n = 5). After attainment of maximal amplitude, the readings fell to 20% of maximal values upon stimulation with 100 nM U46619. Under high glucose conditions, a similar pattern of change was observed. Although maximal amplitude occurred at 10 nM U46619 stimulation (5.33 ± 0.35 mN; n = 5), most values in HG-PSS were significantly larger than those in normal PSS. In the ob/ob mice, the amplitude increased depending on the U46619 concentration, which was similar to the response in C57Bl mice. Significant differences between ob/ob and C57Bl mice were not evident under normal conditions. After the treatment with HG-PSS, enhancements of the amplitude relative to corresponding values in normal PSS were detected at 6 to 30 nM U46619; however, the maximum enhancements were 44.2% of corresponding values present in C57Bl mice. Significant differences between ob/ob and C57Bl mice in HG-PSS were observed during stimulation with 3 to 100 nM U46619 stimulation.
The correlation between frequency and ON-time was graphed in C57Bl mice (Fig. 2B). In the resting state, frequency and ON-time displayed readings of 2.11 ± 0.01 cycles/min and 16.5 ± 0.06 s/min, respectively (n = 5). In a manner dependent on U46619 concentration, the frequency effectively increased relative to the ON-time values. Maximal frequency was detected during stimulation with 6 nM U46619 stimulation (3.02 ± 0.04 cycles/min). Subsequently, ON-time increased to maximal levels (60 s/min). These results revealed that the relationship between frequency and ON-time changed in a counterclockwise manner. Under HG conditions, the relationship also exhibited counterclockwise changes; however, ON-time readings were significantly enhanced during stimulation with U46619. During this period, frequency did not differ from those values present in normal PSS. In ob/ob mice, similar counterclockwise changes in the relationship between frequency and ON-time were detected in normal PSS (Fig. 2C). Frequency and ON-time in the resting state displayed readings of 1.85 ± 0.01 cycles/min and 14.5 ± 0.01 s/min, respectively (n = 5). Maximal frequency was detected during 6 nM U46619 stimulation (2.97 ± 0.02 cycles/min; n = 5); furthermore, ON-time indicated submaximal values during stimulation with U46619 at levels in excess of 10 nM. These responses were similar to the corresponding values in C57Bl mice. This relationship was not affected after treatment with HG-PSS. Significant differences were not detected under these conditions.
Effects of long-term preincubation under normal and high glucose conditions on the U46619-induced increase in amplitude were investigated in C57Bl and ob/ob mouse portal veins (Fig. 3). During the preincubation (0.5-12 h), fresh normal and high glucose PSS were exchanged every 30 min, and both temperature (37°C) and resting tension (1.2 mN) were maintained. After the incubation, 10 nM U46619 treated for 10 min and then amplitudes were calculated. The enhancements of high glucose-induced amplitude were detected during 0.5- to 12-h preincubation in C57Bl mouse (5.28 ± 0.11 mN in 12-h incubation). In ob/ob mouse portal vein, incubation in normal PSS did not alter the amplitudes compared with high glucose PSS. Moreover, the high glucose induced enhancement of amplitude could not be detected at least for 12-h incubation in high glucose PSS (2.30 ± 0.15 mN in 12-h incubation).
Alteration of Intracellular DG Levels in Diabetic Mouse PV. In C57Bl mice, the endogenous DG level in the resting state was 149.2 ± 7.26 ng/mg wet weight (n = 5) (Fig. 4). U46619 (100 nM) significantly elevated this level to 231.3 ± 10.6 ng/mg wet weight (n = 5). In normal PSS, the U46619-induced response was suppressed by pretreatment with the PLC inhibitor U73122 (1 μM; 10 min) with no affect on resting levels. Under the HG conditions, the resting level of DG increased significantly to 248.5 ± 22.1 ng/mg wet weight (n = 5). DG further increased to 294.2 ± 14.2 ng/mg wet weight (n = 5) upon stimulation with 100 nM U46619. Treatment with U73122 in HG-PSS did not significantly affect the U46619-induced increases in the endogenous DG level. In ob/ob mice, resting and U46619-treated values of endogenous DG levels in normal PSS were 149.7 ± 15.3 and 213.4 ± 14.7 ng/mg wet weight (n = 5), respectively. These values were very similar to the corresponding values in C57Bl mice. As for C57Bl mice, pretreatment with HG-PSS enhanced resting and U46619-treated DG levels (204.0 ± 10.2 and 255.7 ± 8.6 ng/mg wet weight, respectively; n = 5). Additionally, enhancement was not affected by the U73122 treatment. However, enhancement under HG-PSS in ob/ob mice was blunted; it was approximately 50% of the enhancement observed in C57Bl mice.
To elucidate the association between high glucose treatment and endogenous DG formation, incorporation of [14C]glucose into DG was measured (Table 3). In C57Bl mouse PV, formation of [14C]DG was not significantly elevated by treatment with 100 nM U46619 in normal PSS. However, the formation in HG-PSS as well as in the resting state was significantly enhanced by U46619 treatment. These enhancements exceeded 200% of the values in normal PSS. Under the HG-PSS, a U46619 induced increase in [14C]DG formation was not detected. In ob/ob mice, [14C]DG formation in normal PSS did not differ from the value in C57Bl mice. This value was not affected by the U46619 stimulation. Under high glucose conditions, [14C]DG formation was also enhanced in resting and U46619 treated tissues; in contrast, the enhancements were approximately 140% of those values obtained in normal PSS. The increases under high glucose conditions were significantly smaller than those in C57Bl mice.
Alteration of PKC Activity in Diabetic Mice PV. In C57Bl mice, the PKC activity in the membrane fraction of the nonstimulated resting state was 5.84 ± 0.24 pmol/min/mg protein (n = 5) (Fig. 5A). This activity increased significantly upon treatment of tissue with 100 nM U46619 (18.15 ± 0.88 pmol/min/mg protein; n = 5). To detect the specific inhibitory effects of the PKC inhibitors, we measured the time and dose dependence of the inhibitors (data not shown). From these preliminary trials, each condition was adopted as minimum concentration in the critical inhibitory range. Pretreatment with U73122 (1 μM; 10 min) significantly reduced the U46619-induced PKC activation (24.2% of U46619-induced activation). Both general types of PKC inhibitor (1 μM calphostin C) and a calcium-dependent PKC inhibitor (1 μM Gö6976) suppressed the U46619-induced PKC activation. In contrast, the calcium-independent PKC inhibitor, Rottlerin did not affect the responses. Moreover PKC activator (3 μM PMA) significantly enhanced the PKC activity in C57Bl mouse PV (19.15 ± 0.83 pmol/min/mg protein; n = 5).
Similar trials were performed under high glucose conditions. In the nonstimulated resting state in HG-PSS, PKC activity in the membrane fraction (19.96 ± 1.01 pmol/min/mg protein; n = 5) was significantly greater in comparison with the corresponding value in normal PSS. This increase was maintained under U46619 stimulation (21.48 ± 0.89 pmol/min/mg protein; n = 5); furthermore, it was not affected by pretreatment with U73122. Calphostin C and Rottlerin (1 μM; 5 min) reduced the PKC activity in HG-PSS; however, the effects were incomplete (11.48 ± 0.82 and 12.90 ± 0.76 pmol/min/mg protein; n = 5). Moreover, Gö6976 did not influence the PKC activity. Under high glucose conditions, PMA induced PKC activation; however, the value was not different from the value observed under normal conditions.
In ob/ob mouse PV, resting activity of PKC in normal PSS was similar to the value in C57Bl mice (Fig. 5B). PKC activity was 5.15 ± 0.28 pmol/min/mg protein (n = 5). Treatment with U46619 enhanced the PKC activity in ob/ob mice (9.02 ± 0.30 pmol/min/mg protein; n = 5). However, this U46619-induced increase in PKC activity was significantly smaller than that in C57Bl mice (31.1% of the increase in C57Bl mice). PLC and PKC inhibitors suppressed the U46619-induced PKC activation. PMA also enhanced the PKC activity. However, this value also was significantly lower than that of C57Bl mice. Under high glucose conditions, the enhancement of resting PKC activity displayed in the C57Bl mouse was not detected (4.24 ± 0.50 pmol/min/mg protein; n = 5). U46619 increased PKC activity; however, the activity did not exceed the corresponding level in normal PSS (7.47 ± 0.40 pmol/min/mg protein; n = 5). Activation of PKC after U46619 treatment was not affected by U73122. A calcium-independent PKC inhibitor (Rottlerin) reduced the activation; on the other hand, Gö6976 exerted no affect on the response. Treatment with PMA failed to induce PKC activity under high glucose conditions in ob/ob mouse PV.
Acceleration of PI Turnover in Diabetic Mice PV. To determined the total PI turnover activity, the incorporation of [3H]myo-inositol in mouse PV was investigated (Fig. 6). Tissues were incubated with [3H]myo-inositol under several conditions for 5 min; subsequently, intracellular [3H]inositolphospholipids were analyzed.
For the C57Bl mice in the resting state, the total mass of [3H]myo-inositol incorporation was 2384 ± 187.7 cpm/mg wet weight tissue (n = 5). This value was elevated significantly by 100 nM U46619 (7436 ± 655.8 cpm/mg wet weight tissue; n = 5). Moreover, this response was suppressed by pretreatment of U73122 (3038 ± 254.1 cpm/mg wet weight tissue; n = 5). On the other hand, treatment with HG-PSS significantly increased the resting levels of [3H]myo-inositol incorporation (6994 ± 180.6 cpm/mg wet weight tissue; n = 5). This increase was maintained by U46619 stimulation; moreover, it was not influenced by U73122 pretreatment.
For the ob/ob mouse PV, [3H]myo-inositol incorporation in normal PSS was similar to the response in C57Bl mice. Resting and U46619-treated responses were 2756 ± 579.5 and 6186 ± 112.6 cpm/mg wet weight tissue (n = 5), respectively. However, enhancement of the resting level in HG-PSS was not detected (2976 ± 238.0 cpm/mg wet weight tissue; n = 5). Under high glucose conditions, U46619 increased the [3H]myo-inositol incorporation (4026 ± 452.6 cpm/mg wet weight tissue; n = 5); however, the value was significantly lower than that observed in C57Bl mice. The response was not affected by U73122 treatment as well. These values were not different from those readings obtained in normal PSS. The inhibitory effects of U73122 were also detected in HG-PSS.
Discussion
Our current results indicate that the dysfunction of PV contraction in the NIDDM mouse model involves both alteration of the conversion of glucose to DG and reduction of glucose dependence of DG-dependent PKC. The ob/ob mouse is characterized by obesity and other complications of diabetes (Meyerovitch et al., 1991). We also detected a marked increase in body weight in comparison with lean littermates (C57Bl mouse) as well as increases in blood glucose and insulin levels (Table 1). OGTT results confirmed that ob/ob mice display sustained hyperglycemia despite fasting and food intake. These findings were in agreement with previous research (Meyerovitch et al., 1991). PV isolated from ob/ob mice demonstrated spontaneous phasic contractions in the nonstimulated resting state (Fig. 1B). This response was indistinguishable from the response in C57Bl mice (Fig. 1A). Significant enhancement of U46619-induced contractions under high glucose conditions in C57Bl mouse PV (Fig. 1A) was similar to that observed in our previous study (Nobe et al., 2003). The patterns of increases in amplitude and ON-time and lack of effect on frequency were well correlated with the response in ddY mouse (Nobe et al., 2003). These results would suggest that the contractile response in C57Bl mice was elevated under high glucose conditions, contributing to efficient blood cell movement (Table 2). We also confirmed the existence of 100 nM U46619-induced decreases in blood flow rate in PV. Why was the frequency unaffected? The basis for the minimal effects on frequency is unknown, largely due to an inadequate understanding of the regulatory mechanisms controlling this parameter.
In the ob/ob mouse PV, significant U46619-induced increases in the contractile response were detected (Fig. 1B); however, this increase was not influenced by the extracellular glucose concentration. Similar results were obtained after long-term preincubation of PVs in normal or high glucose PSS. The high glucose-induced enhancement of the contraction in the C75Bl mouse was maintained for at least 12 h of incubation. The enhancement could not be detected in the ob/ob mouse after preincubation (12 h) with normal PSS (Fig. 3). These results indicated that the U46619-induced PV contraction in the diabetic model was desensitized to extracellular glucose. The ob/ob mouse exhibited constitutive hyperglycemia (Table 1). Consequently, we believe that this reduction of the dependence on glucose is a chronic dysfunction, and it is attributable to long-term exposure of the PV to hyperglycemia. It may lead to decreased blood provision to the liver as well as decreased blood flow at the PV. It could precede serious conditions such as stagnation and/or high portal pressure. Alteration of blood cell movement was also confirmed in Table 2. Elevation in PV contraction induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine stimulation were documented in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice (Silva et al., 2003); however, the association of glucose level with PV contraction remains poorly understood.
The enhancement of PV contraction under high glucose conditions, including increases in both amplitude and ON-time (Fig. 2), has been detected previously. Therefore, we suggested that the regulatory mechanisms governing these parameters might be disabled under diabetic conditions. To identify the regulation and dysfunction, intracellular signaling systems were examined. We previously reported that the intracellular DG levels increased under high glucose conditions in ddY mouse PV (Nobe et al., 2003). Additionally, we suggested that this increase led to the enhancement of PV contraction mediated by an acceleration of PI turnover. In the present study, the alteration of intracellular DG level and its synthesis pathways in C57Bl and ob/ob mice were investigated.
In the C57Bl mouse PV under normal glucose conditions, U46619 induced a significant increase in total mass of DG (Fig. 4). This DG formation derived from phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis mediated by PLC. However, the total mass of DG was submaximally enhanced under high glucose conditions in the absence of U46619 stimulation. We found that the enhanced DG level in HG-PSS was a consequence of glucose incorporation via the de novo synthesis pathway (Table 3). These results indicated that the increase in intracellular DG level was dependent on different synthesis pathways under normal or high glucose conditions (Scheme 1A). DG formation from glucose has been described in some cell types (Rossi et al., 1991). Furthermore, it was suggested that DG formation was enhanced in hyperglycemia (Lee et al., 1989). It was also reported that the side chain (two acyl groups) conformation of DG was dependent on the formation route and that they play different roles (Dawson et al., 1984; Szule et al., 2002).
We hypothesized that the changes in the alteration of PV contractility under high glucose conditions may depend on which DG synthesis pathways were involved. To confirm this hypothesis, several downstream signal transduction pathways of DG were investigated. A major target of the DG signal is PKC. It is widely accepted that the DG-PKC signal pathway functions as a regulatory factor in vascular contraction (Lee and Severson, 1994). We measured PKC activities in PV membrane fractions (Fig. 5), attributable to the occurrence of DG as a membrane bound lipid. In the membrane fraction isolated from C57Bl mouse PV, PKC activities under conditions of resting and U46619 treatment were well correlated with the changes in total mass of DG (Figs. 4 and 5). Similar results were obtained in ddY mouse PV (data not shown). Moreover, data demonstrated that U46619-induced PKC activation is calcium-dependent (Gö6976-sensitive) under normal glucose conditions, whereas calcium-independent (Rottlerin-sensitive) PKC was activated under high glucose conditions (Fig. 5A). Rottlerin possesses selectivity for PKCδ in vascular smooth muscle (Wakino et al., 2001); as a result, this isoform might play a role in PV contraction. These observations indicated the possibility that the activation of PKC isoforms was distinguishable under normal and high glucose conditions and furthermore, this situation may arise due to different origins of DG formation. Alterations of PKC activity under high glucose conditions have been noted in some groups (Babazono et al., 1998; Ganz and Seftel, 2000). We believe that this is the first report of different types of glucose-dependent activation of PKC associated with DG formation. In vascular tissue, PKC induces not only calcium sensitization but also accelerated PI turnover mediated by activation of a specific component of the PI turnover, i.e., phosphorylation of DG kinase (Kanoh et al., 1989; Nobe et al., 1995). Both mechanisms contribute to the increase in vascular contraction.
As a measure of the total activity of the PI turnover under high glucose conditions, myo-inositol incorporation was measured (Fig. 6). This was enhanced by U46619 stimulation in normal PSS; moreover, PI turnover was suppressed by inhibition of PLC. This situation was similar to the alteration of DG levels (Fig. 4). Under high glucose conditions, PI turnover also accelerated in a manner that paralleled the changes in both DG and PKC activity without being affected by a calcium-dependent PKC inhibitor. These results indicated that the increased DG from incorporated glucose accelerated the PI turnover and was mediated by calcium-independent PKC activation. We suggest that enhancement of U46619-induced spontaneous contraction under high glucose conditions in C57Bl mouse PV involves the following steps: 1) an incorporation of glucose, 2) conversion to DG, 3) calcium-independent PKC activation, and 4) PI turnover acceleration (Scheme 1A). These physiological responses in PV contraction likely function as a mechanism to enhance hepatic blood flow rate during transient increases in blood glucose levels.
We next investigated steps are altered in the PV response in the NIDDM mouse model. We next considered the intracellular factors that may underlie the suppression of enhancement of the U46619-induced contraction under high glucose conditions. The U46619-induced increase in total mass of DG was enhanced under high glucose conditions; however, the increase in this level was only slight in comparison with that observed in C57Bl mice (Fig. 4). Moreover, incorporation of [14C]glucose into DG was also only a modest (approx. 40% increases; Table 3). These results indicated that incorporation of glucose and/or conversion of the glucose to DG had been reduced in ob/ob mouse PV (Scheme 1B). These phenomena agreed with the general observation that the reduction in the incorporation of glucose in NIDDM was mediated by insulin receptor desensitization (Pillay and Makgoba, 1991) and inactivation of glucose transporter (Khan and Pessin, 2002). We theorized that reduction of glucose incorporation and/or DG synthesis was a major cause of the suppression of enhancement of contraction under high glucose conditions in the ob/ob mice. However, enhancement of both DG level and [14C]glucose incorporation under high glucose conditions in ob/ob mice remained at levels that were approximately 50% of corresponding levels observed in C57Bl mice. Under the identical conditions, however, the high glucose-induced increases in amplitude and ON-time were, however, suppressed (Fig. 2). This indicated that the suppression of the high glucose-induced enhancement of contraction is not sufficiently explained by alteration of DG formation alone. Therefore, we hypothesized that the suppression might involve DG formation in addition to other mechanisms located in downstream relative to the DG signal in ob/ob mice.
To investigate this point, PKC activity in ob/ob mice was examined (Fig. 5B). The U46619-induced, calcium-dependent PKC activation in normal PSS was also detected in ob/ob mice; however, the level was significantly lower than that in C57Bl mice. Similar challenges under high glucose conditions revealed that submaximal activation of PKC in the resting state detected in C57Bl mice was reduced, whereas a slight increase was observed upon U46619 stimulation. Moreover, Rottlerin inhibited the PKC activity under high glucose condition. These changes in the PKC activity under high glucose conditions involved a calcium-independent PKC. We presumed that the high glucose-induced PKC activation was desensitized in ob/ob mouse PV; moreover, it might contribute to the suppression of the enhancement of the PV contraction (Scheme 1B). PMA-induced activation of PKC was inhibited only in ob/ob mice (Fig. 5) supporting our position. Alteration of PKC activity in diabetic vascular cells has been reported by several groups (Koya and King, 1998; Park et al., 1999); however, the finding of a reduced glucose-dependence reduction in PKC is novel to our study.
The effects of a reduced glucose dependence of PKC activity on PI turnover was investigated in ob/ob mice in terms of total PI turnover activity estimated via myo-inositol incorporation (Fig. 6). Inhibition of the U46619 activation of PI turnover was detected under conditions identical to PKC desensitization. We hypothesized that the reduction of the glucose dependence of PKC might induce an inactivation of PI turnover.
In the present study, we demonstrated that the blood glucose level (extracellular glucose level)-dependent enhancement of phasic contraction of PV in an NIDDM mouse model was suppressed under high glucose conditions. An alteration of the blood flow rate in OGTT (Table 2) supported this view. This dysfunction may reduce the blood supply to the liver as well as an increased PV pressure. A reduction of cellular DG formation from incorporated glucose seems to be one of the causes of this dysfunction. Moreover, it was suggested that the DG derived from glucose might be a different molecular species distinct from DG constructed from phosphatidylinositols by PLC by a calcium-independent PKC. In the ob/ob mouse, it was found that the calcium-independent PKC was desensitized under high glucose conditions and associated with the dysfunction of PV contraction in diabetes.
In conclusion, PV contraction in a NIDDM mouse model was desensitized to increases in blood glucose levels. This alteration likely involves both decreased DG formation from glucose and a reduction of the glucose dependence of the calcium-independent PKC activation.
Footnotes
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This work was supported in part by a Showa University Grant-in-Aid for Innovative Collaborative Research Projects and a Special Research Grant-in-Aid for Development of Characteristic Education from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture Sports, Science and Technology (to K.N. and Y.S.).
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DOI: 10.1124/jpet.103.062802.
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ABBREVIATIONS: NIDDM, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; PV, portal vein; PI, phosphatidylinositol; DG, diacylglycerol; PKC, protein kinase C; OGTT, oral glucose tolerance test; PSS, physiological salt solution; HG-PSS, high glucose physiological salt solution; PMA, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; PLC, phospholipase C; mN, millinewton.
- Received November 10, 2003.
- Accepted February 24, 2004.
- The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics