Vascular dysfunction induced by hypochlorite is improved by the selective phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitor vardenafil

Reactive oxygen species, such as hypochlorite induce oxidative stress, which impairs nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signalling and leads to vascular dysfunction. It has been proposed, that elevated cGMP-levels may contribute to an effective cytoprotection against oxidative stress. We investigated the effects of vardenafil, a selective inhibitor of the cGMP-degrading phosphodiesterase-5 enzyme on vascular dysfunction induced by hypochlorite. In organ bath experiments for isometric tension, we investigated the endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation of isolated rat aortic rings using cumulative concentrations of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Vascular dysfunction was induced by exposing rings to hypochlorite (100–400 µM). In the treatment groups, rats were pretreated with vardenafil (30 and 300 µg/kg i.v.). Immunohistochemical analysis was performed for the oxidative stress markers nitrotyrosine, poly(ADP-ribose) and for apoptosis inducing factor (AIF). Exposure to hypochlorite resulted in a marked impairment of acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of aortic rings. Pretreatment with vardenafil led to improved endothelial function as reflected by the higher maximal vasorelaxation (Rmax) to acetylcholine. Regarding endothelium-independent vasorelaxation, hypochlorite exposure led to a left-shift of SNP concentration–response curves in the vardenafil groups without any alterations of the Rmax. In the hypochlorite groups immunohistochemical analysis showed enhanced poly(ADP-ribose)-formation and nuclear translocation of AIF, which were prevented by vardenafil-pretreatment. Our results support the view that cytoprotective effects of PDE-5-inhibitors on the endothelium may underlie the improved endothelial function, however, a slight sensitisation of vascular smooth muscle to NO was also confirmed. PDE-5-inhibition may represent a potential therapy approach for treating vascular dysfunction induced by oxidative stress.