Hydrogen peroxide activates store-operated Ca2+ entry in coronary arteries

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Abnormal Ca2+ metabolism has been involved in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction associated with oxidative stress. Here, we have investigated the actions of H2O2 on store-operated Ca2+ (SOC) entry in coronary arteries and assessed whether it is impaired in arteries from a rat model of metabolic syndrome.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Simultaneous measurements of intracellular Ca2+ concentration and contractile responses were made in coronary arteries from Wistar and obese Zucker rats, mounted in microvascular myographs, and the effects of H2O2 were assessed.

KEY RESULTS H2O2 raised intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, accompanied by simultaneous vasoconstriction that was markedly reduced in a Ca2+-free medium. Upon Ca2+ re-addition, a nifedipine-resistant sustained Ca2+ entry, not coupled to contraction, was obtained in endothelium-denuded coronary arteries. The effect of H2O2 on this voltage-independent Ca2+ influx was concentration dependent, and high micromolar H2O2 concentrations were inhibitory and reduced SOC entry evoked by inhibition of the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase (SERCA). H2O2-induced increases in Fura signals were mimicked by Ba2+ and reduced by heparin, Gd3+ ions and by Pyr6, a selective inhibitor of the Orai1-mediated Ca2+ entry. In coronary arteries from obese Zucker rats, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and SOC entry activated by acute exposure to H2O2 were augmented and associated with local oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS H2O2 exerted dual concentration-dependent stimulatory/inhibitory effects on store-operated, IP3 receptor-mediated and Orai1-mediated Ca2+ entry, not coupled to vasoconstriction in coronary vascular smooth muscle. SOC entry activated by H2O2 was enhanced and associated with vascular oxidative stress in coronary arteries in metabolic syndrome.