Hyperhomocysteinemia impairs endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated vasorelaxation in transgenic cystathionine beta synthase-deficient mice

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is associated with endothelial dysfunction (ED), but the mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanism of HHcy-induced ED in microvasculature in our newly established mouse model of severe HHcy (plasma total homocysteine, 169.5 mu M). We found that severe HHcy impaired nitric oxide (NO)- and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-mediated, endothelium-dependent relaxations of small mesenteric arteries (SMAs). Endothelium-independent and prostacyclin-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxations were not changed. A nonselective Ca2+-activated potassium channel (K-Ca) inhibitor completely blocked EDHF-mediated relaxation. Selective blockers for small-conductance K-Ca (SK) or intermediate-conductance K-Ca (IK) failed to inhibit EDHF-mediated relaxation in HHcy mice. HHcy increased the levels of SK3 and IK1 protein, superoxide (O-2(-)), and 3-nitrotyrosine in the endothelium of SMAs. Preincubation with antioxidants and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) inhibitors improved endothelium-dependent and EDHF-mediated relaxations and decreased O-2(-) production in SMAs from HHcy mice. Further, EDHF-mediated relaxation was inhibited by ONOO- and prevented by catalase in the control mice. Finally, L-homocysteine stimulated O-2(-) production, which was reversed by antioxidants, and increased SK/IK protein levels and tyrosine nitration in cultured human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells. Our results suggest that HHcy impairs EDHF relaxation in SMAs by inhibiting SK/IK activities via oxidation-and tyrosine nitration-related mechanisms. (Blood. 2011;118(7):1998-2006)