Nitric oxide and coronary vascular endothelium adaptations in hypertension

Abstract

This review highlights a number of nitric oxide (NO)-related mechanisms that contribute to coronary vascular function and that are likely affected by hypertension and thus become important clinically as potential considerations in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of coronary complications of hypertension. Coronary vascular resistance is elevated in hypertension in part due to impaired endothelium-dependent function of coronary arteries. Several lines of evidence suggest that other NO synthase isoforms and dilators other than NO may compensate for impairments in endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) to protect coronary artery function, and that NO-dependent function of coronary blood vessels depends on the position of the vessel in the vascular tree. Adaptations in NOS isoforms in the coronary circulation to hypertension are not well described so the compensatory relationship between these and eNOS in hypertensive vessels is not clear. It is important to understand potential functional consequences of these adaptations as they will impact the efficacy of treatments designed to control hypertension and coronary vascular disease. Polymorphisms of the eNOS gene result in significant associations with incidence of hypertension, although mechanistic details linking the polymorphisms with alterations in coronary vasomotor responses and adaptations to hypertension are not established. This understanding should be developed in order to better predict those individuals at the highest risk for coronary vascular complications of hypertension. Greater endothelium-dependent dilation observed in female coronary arteries is likely related to endothelial Ca²⁺ control and eNOS expression and activity. In hypertension models, the coronary vasculature has not been studied extensively to establish mechanisms for sex differences in NO-dependent function. Genomic and nongenomic effects of estrogen on eNOS and direct and indirect antioxidant activities of estrogen are discussed as potential mechanisms of interest in coronary circulation that could have implications for sex- and estrogen status-dependent therapy for hypertension and coronary dysfunction. The current review identifies some important basic knowledge gaps and speculates on the potential clinical relevance of hypertension adaptations in factors regulating coronary NO function.

Keywords:

• eNOS
• oxidative stress
• polymorphism
• sex effect
• artery
• estrogen

Introduction to coronary hemodynamics in hypertension

Coronary blood flow is highly regulated to ensure an adequate matching of coronary perfusion to meet the metabolic demands imposed by a constantly beating heart.^1–4 The main mechanisms controlling coronary artery tone are: metabolic, myogenic, neurohormonal, and endothelial.^1,3,4 These factors all interact to determine myocardial perfusion, and the relative importance of each mechanism varies as a function of the anatomical location of the vessel type of interest in the vascular tree. For instance, large coronary arteries have a greater dependency on endothelium-dependent mechanisms for maintenance of proper tone, while smaller arterioles depend more on metabolic and myogenic mechanisms.^2,5,6 Vascular resistance is dependent on position in the vascular network with approximately 75% of the resistance lying in the arteries between 75–200 μm in diameter,^2,5,7 and resistance also varies depending on the location of the vasculature within the depth of the myocardium.^2,5,8

Several human^9–12 and experimental animal^13–22 studies indicate that coronary vascular resistance is increased, and coronary flow reserve is decreased with hypertension. The pathophysiology of hypertension is undoubtedly heterogeneous and a variety of animal models have been developed to investigate essential hypertension. The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model has been particularly useful since several defining characteristics of the SHR are similar to those observed in human essential hypertension including hemodynamic abnormalities, humoral and sympathetic nervous system involvement, renal abnormalities and vascular cellular adaptations.^23–28 For example, even though SHR can have similar coronary blood flow compared to their normotensive counterpart Wistar–Kyoto rats (WKY) on a ventricular mass-corrected basis,¹³ SHRs have higher coronary vascular resistance (CVR) over a wide pressure range,^14,19 and higher minimal CVR (lower maximal conductance) during maximal coronary vasodilation.^13,16

Changes in coronary hemodynamics accompanying hypertension occur as a result of both structural and functional adaptations in the coronary vasculature. Structural remodeling to hypertension includes hypertrophic and eutrophic inward remodeling and frank rarefaction, which can result in loss of up to half of the normal number of microvessels.^29,30 A number of genetic, neurohumoral, and local factors contribute.^{9,11,19,29–36} to these adaptations which result in increases in resistance, as well as reduced flow and increased diffusion distances, all of which impair oxygen delivery and organ function. Although nitric oxide (NO) likely contributes to the structural remodeling accompanying hypertension, the focus of this review does not include description of structural adaptations, and the reader is referred to other works dealing with these topics.^29,30,34,35 Rather, the current focus is on the contribution of vascular NO to the functional adaptations in the coronary circulation in hypertension.

Multiple endothelium-derived products may contribute to the control of the coronary vasculature.^37,38 For instance, it is quite apparent that one or more endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHFs) contribute greatly to the control of the coronary microcirculation.³⁹ Potentially important compensatory roles for EDHF may make these factors even more dominant in coronary vascular regulation under conditions of impairment of NO bioavailability.^40–46 The importance and emerging knowledge concerning EDHF notwithstanding, the focus of the current review is on NO and coronary adaptations to hypertension, and the reader is referred to the cited works for further information on EDHF in the coronary vasculature.

Several reports have suggested that altered NO bioavailability contributes to altered vasomotion seen in hypertension^38,47,48 and NO is the primary dilator of large epicardial coronary arteries^3,6,49 as well as a mediator of flow-induced dilation in the coronary microcirculation.^2,5,6 Given the potential importance of the NO system in the etiology of hypertensive large artery disease, and given the fact that studies in other vascular beds have revealed a number of patterns of regulation of the NO system, the importance of which is not known in the coronary bed and in hypertension, it is important to bring attention to these factors as they may be important clinically and therapeutically. Thus, this review attempts to highlight a number of factors that influence NO function and which may be relevant from both basic science and clinical perspectives of understanding the function of the coronary circulation in hypertension.

Nitric oxide bioavailability in the control of coronary hemodynamics in hypertension

The NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor N^ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) has been a useful tool in studies determining the NO component of flow and CVR alterations in the intact coronary circulation. Reductions in baseline coronary flow in the presence of L-NAME were smaller in SHR than in WKY hearts,^19,22 suggesting a reduced basal NO bioavailability in the coronary circulation of hypertensive animals. NO bioavailability is a function of the production and destruction of NO, and of the sensitivity of the target tissue to NO.⁴⁸ Further investigation revealed that the smaller L-NAME-dependent reduction in baseline coronary flow was not correlated to decreases in NO production, suggesting that increased destruction of NO and/or decreased sensitivity to NO contributed to the reduced basal coronary NO bioavailability in hypertension.²²

In contrast to baseline effects, acetylcholine (ACh)-stimulated dilation of the coronary circulation was similar in normotensive and hypertensive animals, and was abolished in both groups by L-NAME, suggesting stimulated NO release and/or bioavailability may be unaltered by hypertension in this vascular bed.⁵⁰ Further analysis revealed, however, that the relationship between CVR and NO production is altered in SHR hearts so a greater amount of NO production occurs despite a persistently much higher CVR than in WKY controls.¹⁸ Furthermore, inhibition of eNOS with l-arginine analogues also blunts constrictory responses in the majority of the coronary perfusion studies in hypertensive hearts,^19,21 suggesting that NO is contributing to constrictory responses in the hypertensive coronary vascular bed likely via its destruction by superoxide and the consequent effects of reactive species formed.⁵¹ This is supported by observations that supplementation of the coronary perfusate with the superoxide scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase restored the maximal endothelium-dependent dilation in hypertensive animals.²¹ Sensitivity to NO is likely not altered in hypertensive perfused heart studies,^18,21,22 acknowledging some dissenting reports.⁵² Together this evidence suggests that increased NO destruction is a dominant contributor to the reduced NO bioavailability and consequent elevated CVR in the intact coronary circulation of hypertensive animals. Complementary work using isolated blood vessels reveals additional details regarding potential mechanisms accounting for hypertensive adaptations in the coronary circulation.

Nitric oxide-mediated vasomotor function of isolated coronary arteries in hypertension

Studies using isolated coronary arteries and arterioles support the findings from the intact coronary circulation that endothelium-dependent dilatory function is impaired in hypertensive animals, and that reduced NO bioavailability, and increased oxidative stress contribute to the mechanism of this impairment (Figure 1). Indeed, in general, endothelium-mediated (drug- and shear stress-stimulated) dilation of isolated coronary arteries is reduced in hypertensive humans^11,53–57 and animals,^{19,21,32,36,45,51,52,58–62} while the endothelium-independent vasodilatory responses to sodium nitroprusside and adenosine are often unaltered.^{21,32,45,55,63} There are exceptions to these general observations^{18,33,50,63–66} and the vessel type (conduit vs resistance artery),^45,57 the mode of precontraction,³³ and the vasodilator protocol^45,64 must be scrutinized to compare and analyze mechanisms of coronary vasomotor control.

Figure 1 Factors affecting NO-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary arteries in hypertension. Chemical and hemodynamic forces on the luminal side of the endothelium stimulate eNOS production of NO which can be scavenged by superoxide or diffuse to the vascular smooth muscle cells. At the smooth muscle, available NO activates sGC ultimately affecting Ca²⁺ regulatory proteins, cytosolic [Ca²⁺], and contractile elements, thereby causing arterial relaxation. In hypertension, NO-bioavailability and relaxation of the coronary vascular smooth muscle can be altered due to many factors as discussed in the text and indicated in the Figure by the small arrows.

Abbreviations: BK, bradykinin; ACh, acetylcholine; R, receptor; L-Arg, L-Arginine; L-Cit, L-Citrulline; eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; nNOS, neuronal nitric oxide synthase; NO*, nitric oxide; O2*−, superoxide; ONOO⁻, peroxynitrite; VSM, vascular smooth muscle; sGC, soluble guanylate cyclase.

Agonist-induced dilation from the pre-contracted state is reduced^45,56,61,67 or eliminated^58,68,69 by inhibitors of eNOS in isolated coronary vessels from hypertensive animals, suggesting that NO remains an important component of vascular function even when its bioavailability is reduced in hypertension. In isolated pressurized coronary microvessels it was observed that removal of the endothelium increased the amount of myogenic constriction to a greater extent in SHR than in WKY over a wide pressure range.³¹ Similarly, inhibition of the endothelial NOS isoform eNOS resulted in greater constriction in the SHR at moderate-to-high pressures,³¹ while inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway did not affect the myogenic response in either WKY or SHR.⁷⁰ These studies suggest that NO is an important mediator of basal tone, especially at higher pressures, which are more likely to be physiologically relevant, especially in hypertension.

Regarding NO bioavailability in isolated arteries, while several reports suggest that NO production per se is not altered in isolated arteries from hypertensive animals,^18,22,66 a recent report indicates that hypertension is associated with an increase in arginase activity, which results in reduced basal and stimulated NO production.⁷¹ In general, however, increased local vascular superoxide production-induced destruction of NO is thought to be the major mechanism limiting NO bioavailability in isolated coronary vessels from hypertensive animals,^48,72 as also seemed to be the case when evaluating the intact coronary vascular bed.

The reaction rate of NO and superoxide is much faster than that of superoxide with superoxide dismutase.⁴⁷ Thus it is not surprising that in hypertension the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with an increased production of peroxynitrite in the heart and coronary blood vessels.^{47,48,73–75} The production of peroxynitrite itself has an impact on several pathways of vasodilation including reduced prostaglandin synthesis and inhibition of K⁺ channels.^8,76 Additionally peroxynitrite impairs NO production through oxidation of BH₄, a NOS co-factor^8,76–78 and also impairs the sGC-mediated response to NO.^8,76

Coronary hemodynamics and vasomotor activity in the eNOS knockout mouse

Given that hypertension is associated with impairments in NO bioavailability in the coronary vasculature as illustrated above, it is instructive to consider whether experimental models that specifically disrupt NO availability can provide insight to help understand and interpret hypertensive adaptations. One such model is the eNOS knockout mouse. Early work by Huang and colleagues demonstrated an increase in blood pressure (~20 mm Hg) in eNOS knockout (eNOS^−/−) compared to wild-type (WT) mice,⁷⁹ and subsequent studies have demonstrated that the blood pressure effect is age-dependent; absent at eight weeks, but elevated by up to ~50 mm Hg at 12 weeks.^80,81 These observations are consistent with the general view that NO is of critical importance in controlling vascular resistance and blood pressure.

The coronary vasculature of WT mice depends on NO for the majority of its overall total endothelium-dependent dilation since acute NOS inhibition eliminates most of the ACh-induced dilation in isolated preparations of the left anterior descending and left circumflex coronary arteries^82,83 and about half of the bradykinin (BK)-induced dilation in isolated heart preparations.⁴⁴ However, in the eNOS^−/−, overall total endothelium-dependent dilation of the coronary vasculature can be either unaltered,⁸³ reduced,⁴⁴ or eliminated⁸² when compared to WT littermates. Since dilatory responses to endothelium-independent dilators in eNOS^−/− are identical to those in WT in both isolated vessels^82,83 and perfused heart preparations,^40,44 these results suggest that alterations occur in the eNOS^−/− as a result of changes in the activity of other endothelium-derived vasodilators to compensate for the loss of eNOS-derived NO.

Little consensus has been reached as to the chemical identity of the dilator(s) released from the endothelium in eNOS^−/−. Possibilities include NO (derived from other NOS isoforms; iNOS, nNOS), prostacylin, and non-NO, nonprostanoid endothelium-derived dilators.⁴² For instance, in isolated coronary arteries, the specific nNOS inhibitor trifluoromethylphenylimidazole (TRIM) significantly reduced ACh-induced dilation in eNOS^−/− by approximately half, and additional COX inhibition with indomethacin almost completely eliminated this remaining ACh-induced dilation. In contrast, neither inhibitor affected the responses in WT vessels.⁸³ This suggests that nNOS-derived NO and prostacyclin may compensate for the loss of eNOS in eNOS^−/− to preserve coronary artery endothelium-dependent dilation. It is also possible that upregulation of cytochrome-P450 metabolites may be responsible for some of the compensatory endothelium-dependent dilation observed in the eNOS^−/− coronary vasculature.⁴⁴

Thus, although it is clear that overall endothelium-dependent dilation may be maintained in eNOS^−/− via compensatory changes in alternate dilatory pathways, the precise mechanisms signaling this compensation by alternate pathways is not resolved and seems to involve multiple factors.⁴² The hypertension itself, and the compensatory changes in endothelium-derived vasoactive pathways that occur in the eNOS^−/− model must be accounted for in studies utilizing this model to study the importance of eNOS and adaptations of the coronary circulation to hypertension. Known responses of NOS isoforms in hypertension may help to determine the mechanisms controlling compensatory responses in the regulation of coronary endothelial function. It could be important to understand this issue for the effective clinical/therapeutic management of vascular dysfunction in hypertension and other cardiovascular disease.

Adaptations in coronary NOS isoforms to hypertension

The NOS family of enzymes is composed of three isoforms; neuronal nNOS, inducible iNOS, and endothelial eNOS.⁸⁴ For all isoforms, NO production is controlled through protein expression level, and a number of post-translational mechanisms; however, many regulatory mechanisms are isoform-specific.⁸⁴ In terms of coronary vascular control in hypertension and heart failure, eNOS is the major isoform of interest, and is expressed in the coronary endothelium, the endocardium, and in cardiomyocytes;^85,86 however, nNOS and iNOS may also play a role in vascular control under certain conditions (Figure 1),^87–90 as alluded to above.⁸³

eNOS

Observations that eNOS expression level of coronary artery endothelium,⁵² and intramyocardial arterioles¹⁹ are reduced in SHR vs WKY animals have led to the suggestion that reduced eNOS expression contributes to the coronary endothelial dysfunction accompanying hypertension. However, other studies report that eNOS expression is actually increased in the coronary vessels in hypertension, suggesting that compensatory upregulation of this enzyme may be a strategy to help preserve vascular function.⁸⁵

In contrast to the disparate findings regarding coronary eNOS expression in hypertension,^19,52,85,88 eNOS levels in large systemic arteries such as the aorta are generally increased in hypertensive rats.⁴⁸ For example, eNOS protein expression was elevated by ~60% in male SHR compared to WKY thoracic aorta.⁹¹ Although eNOS expression is elevated in the SHR aorta, the elevated ROS environment because of increased NAD(P)H oxidase expression⁴⁸ may scavenge the available NO, and/or uncoupled eNOS could be producing ROS rather than NO,⁹² both of which would lead to the impaired NO-mediated dilation. The importance of these mechanisms in the coronary circulation in hypertension has not been resolved. In this regard, it will be important to assess the susceptibility of the coronary vascular bed to ROS-mediated reductions in NO bioavailability in hypertension via the actions of ROS sources such as NADPH oxidase and possibly uncoupled NOS activity.

Uncoupled eNOS has been the subject of several extensive reviews.^76–78,93 Briefly, this process is a result of reduced substrate l-arginine or cofactor BH₄. Under either of these conditions the flow of electrons is delivered to molecular oxygen and superoxide is formed.^76–78,93 In hypertensive animals chronic treatment with BH₄ has been shown to improve endothelium-dependent dilation though this treatment both increased NO production and reduced superoxide production.^74,94 These results suggest that at least part of the increased production of ROS and altered vasodilation may be explained by increased uncoupled eNOS-mediated production of superoxide, and subsequent reduced NO bioavailability. The reduction in BH₄ and/or increase in arginase⁷¹ may propagate the uncoupling of eNOS and enhance superoxide production under these conditions. It needs to be determined if uncoupled eNOS contributes to suppression of NO bioavailability in the coronary vascular bed in hypertension in order to determine if this should be a potentially important treatment target to correct the vascular dysfunction.

iNOS

The potential role for iNOS as a vasoactive NO source in the coronary vasculature of hypertensive animals is supported by observations of increased iNOS expression in many SHR tissues (including heart) which is attenuated by antioxidant treatment.⁸⁸ However, other studies show that iNOS activity is either no different between SHR and WKY,⁸⁵ or completely undetectable in either strain.⁹⁵ Similarly, in dogs with acute perinephritic hypertension, iNOS protein is undetectable in the heart and no difference in Ca²⁺-independent NOS activity is apparent between normotensive and hypertensive conditions.⁸⁶ Thus, the contribution of iNOS to altered NO production in hypertension remains unknown at this time. The involvement of iNOS may be complex, as this isoform is known to act in an uncoupled manner, producing superoxide in some diseased arteries (Figure 1).⁹⁰ It is also possible that the reduction in both BH₄ and l-arginine could account for increased superoxide production from uncoupled iNOS, as described above for eNOS.

nNOS

Isolated left anterior descending coronary arteries from eNOS^−/− exhibit similar overall total endothelium-dependent dilation in response to increased flow as do those from WT.⁸⁹ Flow-induced dilation of eNOS^−/− coronary arteries was inhibited by the nNOS specific inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-Ni), and by the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) to a similar extent as by L-NAME.⁸⁹ However, while L-NAME inhibited dilation in WT, 7-Ni had no effect in WT, suggesting that the vasodilatory role for nNOS-derived NO was limited to conditions under which NO availability from eNOS is impaired (ie, the eNOS^−/−), similar to the findings of a previous report that used the nNOS inhibitor TRIM to demonstrate a vasodilatory contribution of nNOS in isolated coronary arteries of eNOS^−/− but not WT.⁸³ The presence of nNOS protein in the coronary endothelium of eNOS^−/−, but not in WT animals⁸⁹ supports the functional findings. Thus, in the absence of eNOS, nNOS may be upregulated, and act through sGC to help maintain coronary flow-mediated dilation. This reveals a possible compensatory role for nNOS in the control of coronary vascular function in hypertension, especially if the elevated blood pressure associated with eNOS^−/− is involved in signaling the increase in nNOS expression.⁸³

The work with knockout animals and with isoform-specific pharmacological blockade reveals that shifts can occur in the origin of NO in the coronary vasculature under conditions of impairment of eNOS function and of oxidative stress, such as occurs in a variety of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. Currently, these adaptations are predominantly interpreted as compensatory changes to protect NO bioavailability under the indicated conditions. The findings highlight an important response that must be taken into account to understand the role of NO in coronary vascular adaptations to hypertension and in therapeutic interventions designed to protect coronary vascular function. Factors affecting individual variability in eNOS regulation could impact these considerations, including emerging evidence that gene polymorphisms in eNOS are associated with cardiovascular disease risk.

eNOS polymorphisms associated with hypertension and coronary vascular function

Gene polymorphisms in eNOS and resultant impacts on eNOS expression levels have been associated with increased risk of hypertension,⁹⁶ as well as a variety of conditions affecting the coronary circulation including coronary artery disease and coronary spasm.⁹⁷ However, little evidence is available regarding the precise mechanisms by which eNOS polymorphisms may lead to altered levels of cardiovascular disease. Although a variety of locus- and ethnicity-dependent polymorphism effects exist,⁹⁷ the current review will briefly focus specifically on the single nucleotide polymorphisms and grouped haplotypes that are associated with hypertension, and the limited known effects on coronary vascular function (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Effects of genetic factors and estrogen on eNOS function and NO bioavailability in coronary arteries with hypertension. Activation of the membrane-bound estrogen receptor can increase eNOS expression and activation as well as reduce the destruction of NO by superoxide, thereby increasing NO available for relaxation. Local hemodynamics, location in the coronary vascular bed, and genetic polymorphisms can also affect eNOS expression and may impact coronary relaxation in hypertension.

Abbreviations: R, receptor; ER, estrogen receptor; AT1, type 1 angiotension II receptor; NO, nitric oxide; O2*⁻, superoxide; ONOO⁻, peroxynitrite; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; Akt, protein kinase B.

An exon 7 polymorphism results in eNOS Glu298Asp, with the Glu298Asp variant associated with 2.3X greater odds of developing hypertension.^96,97 Several recent studies also associate eNOS combined haplotypes of the T-786C, Glu298Asp, and intron 4 polymorphisms with incidence of hypertension and plasma NO metabolites,^98,99 implying a functional change at the eNOS enzyme. Available information suggests that eNOS polymorphisms attenuate the eNOS promoter efficiency.^100,101 However, combinations of single polymorphisms can interact in a complex manner, and this supports the need to investigate haplotypes in order to assess and understand the role of eNOS polymorphisms in hypertension and vascular function.¹⁰¹

Although eNOS polymorphisms and altered coronary eNOS expression are associated with hypertension,^96,98,99 little direct evidence links mutations in the eNOS gene to specific mechanisms of coronary vascular dysfunction in hypertension. Certain polymorphisms for the 27 bp repeat at intron 4 and for the G894T have been associated with alterations in coronary vasomotor responses,^102,103 but this has not been assessed in a manner that allows for conclusions regarding the endothelium, or NO-dependency of the response. Thus, the precise mechanisms by which eNOS polymorphisms might affect coronary vascular function in hypertension have not yet been well established, and this important issue remains to be elucidated experimentally. In light of the involvement of NO in coronary hemodynamic and vasomotor adaptations to hypertension established in the previous sections, it is likely that human eNOS polymorphisms will be a factor contributing to the overall coronary vascular endothelial dysfunction accompanying hypertension in humans. Knowledge of the eNOS polymorphism status could be of possible diagnostic and therapeutic utility in the management of individual hypertensive patients as it may provide useful information concerning the potential severity of coronary vascular dysfunction.

Heterogeneity of eNOS expression in the coronary vascular bed

As might be expected from the known dependency of vasomotor control mechanisms on the position of a given vessel type in the vascular tree,^2,5,6 the distribution of the eNOS protein is likewise not uniform throughout the coronary vasculature of normal healthy hearts. Laughlin and colleagues demonstrated a reduced eNOS protein content per mg total vessel protein in the smallest porcine coronary resistance arteries (≤50 μM) compared to larger coronary arteries, despite a large reduction in the smooth muscle cell-to-endothelial cell ratio as coronary artery diameter decreases.¹⁰⁴ These data suggest that the largest coronary conduit vessels have a very large expression of eNOS protein in each endothelial cell. The authors postulate that the greater eNOS content in conduit arteries may be necessary to provide adequate NO for dilation of multiple layers of vascular smooth muscle, or may provide NO for dilation of downstream vessels.¹⁰⁴ The reported expression pattern for eNOS is consistent with a greater dependence on NO-mediated, endothelium-dependent dilation in larger arteries compared to the smallest arterioles.^2,5,6

The coronary artery is characterized by asynchronous hemodynamics, wherein the wall shear stress from blood flow is out of phase with the circumferential strain from blood pressure¹⁰⁵ and this may play a role in determining the heterogeneous eNOS expression in the coronary arterial tree.^106,107 Further support for the role of hemodynamics in eNOS protein expression comes from studies in miniature swine following prolonged aerobic exercise training.¹⁰⁸ Following weeks of training, eNOS protein content was increased by over 50% in coronary arteries and small and large arterioles, but unaltered in coronary conduit and intermediate arterioles,¹⁰⁸ suggesting that steady state adaptations to exercise hemodynamic stimuli include nonuniform changes in eNOS expression that lead to an NO-mediated improvement in coronary resistance artery endothelium-dependent dilation.¹⁰⁹

Thus, eNOS protein expression is nonuniformly distributed throughout the coronary vasculature, possibly as the result of local hemodynamic influences, and eNOS expression may be altered in response to changes in coronary hemodynamics caused by exercise (Figure 2). The hemodynamics of the coronary circulation are altered in hypertension^9,59 and likely affect the distribution of eNOS expression throughout the coronary vasculature. Whether the heterogeneous distribution of eNOS and NO-mediated vasomotor activity in the coronary vasculature may be altered by hypertension, and the mechanisms responsible have not been directly tested. If so, there may be implications for the loci of NO dependent events such as blood flow control, thrombosis, adhesion and cellular infiltration, and VSM hypertrophy and proliferation.

Sex-dependent function of the coronary vasculature and the role of estrogen

It is widely recognized that young adult females compared to males or postmenopausal females have a lower incidence of morbidity and mortality from coronary artery disease.¹¹⁰ It is likely that sex-dependent differences in vascular endothelial function contribute to this phenomenon. Direct studies of coronary vascular endothelium function have demonstrated greater maximal relaxations and sensitivity to endotheliumdependent agonists in isolated coronary arteries from healthy female compared to male pigs.¹¹¹ Furthermore, increases in intravascular pressure elicited smaller myogenic constrictions in isolated rat coronary arteries from females compared to males, and the larger diameters of the female coronary arteries were associated with higher endothelial Ca²⁺ concentrations and eNOS activity.¹¹² Elevated NO release from female compared to male coronary arteries has been observed in a number of studies,^113–115 and is consistent with findings in a variety of other artery types.

There is also a consistent sex-dependent effect in the endothelium-dependent NO-mediated vasorelaxation in hypertensive rats. Thus, although both male and female SHR have lower endothelium-dependent relaxation responses in isolated aortas compared to their respective normotensive WKY counterparts, ACh elicited greater relaxations in female than in male SHR aorta.^116,117 Furthermore, whereas high ACh concentrations result in re-contractions of isolated aortic segments from male SHR, this response did not occur in aortas of female SHR.^116,117 This general response was also observed in isolated aortas of stroke-prone SHR.¹¹⁸ These sex-dependent functional effects have not been studied in the coronary circulation of hypertensive animals. It would be valuable to systematically assess this and to determine the mechanisms accounting for sex-differences in the coronary vascular function in order to better understand the molecular and functional basis for sex differences in vascular disease, and to provide foundation for possible sex-dependent diagnostic and treatment strategies.

It is possible that estrogen-independent mechanisms contribute to sex differences in endothelium-dependent vasomotor function and eNOS expression and activity, but there is general consensus that estrogen is a major signal coordinating the sex-dependent vascular function and phenotype (Figure 2).^119–121 Estrogen treatment has been demonstrated to enhance coronary blood flow,^122–125 endothelial eNOS expression and activity levels,^126–129 and NO release.^{114,125,130,131} Estrogen’s effect on endothelium NO-mediated action may occur by endothelium dependent genomic, nongenomic, and antioxidant mechanisms in the coronary vasculature. Although these specific mechanisms have not been examined extensively in hypertension models, the following sections briefly outline evidence for these mechanisms affecting the coronary vascular bed, and are intended to provide provocation for further study in the context of sex-dependent coronary vascular phenotypes in hypertension.

Endothelium-dependent genomic action of estrogen in the coronary vasculature

Activation of estrogen receptors (ER) mediates the upregulation of eNOS^128,132 via a specific estrogen response element in the eNOS gene promoter region (Figure 2).¹³³ Muller-Delp and colleagues demonstrated that estrogen treatment increased eNOS protein in coronary arteries of ovariectomized ER_α-deficient mice.¹³⁴ However, eNOS levels were not restored to those seen in estrogen-treated ovariectomized wild-type mice, suggesting partial control through ER_α and ER_β. In human coronary artery endothelial cells, 17β-estradiol treatment resulted in significantly increased eNOS protein levels and attendant elevations in basal and A23187-induced NO release,¹³⁵ effects which were completely inhibited in the presence of ICI182,780, a specific estrogen-receptor antagonist. Collectively, these and other studies indicate that genomic effects of estrogen on eNOS expression could influence coronary vascular function and account for sex-differences. Application of this knowledge to studies of the coronary vascular bed of hypertensive individuals should be undertaken to assess whether these effects occur or are disrupted in hypertension and when estrogen status changes in hypertensive individuals.

Endothelium-dependent nongenomic action of estrogen in the coronary vasculature

At physiological concentrations, estrogen can modulate vascular tone by inducing rapid release of NO from the endothelium that is not dependent on eNOS transcription (Figure 2). For instance, 15 min of intracoronary 17β-estradiol infusion potentiated coronary microvascular vasodilator responses to ACh in postmenopausal women in an endothelium-dependent manner.¹³⁶ Animal models support this nongenomic activation of eNOS potentiating endothelium-dependent vasodilation.^126,129 Although enhanced basal NO levels in the female coronary vasculature have been attributed to sex differences in Ca²⁺-handling mechanisms of the vascular endothelium,¹¹² the stimulation of NO production during estrogen administration has also been reported to occur independently of Ca²⁺ mobilization.¹³⁷ This mechanism likely involves a functional signaling unit localized in the endothelial plasmalemmal caveolae where ERs and eNOS are found.¹³⁸ Estrogen binding thus leads to eNOS phosphorylation via ERK_1/2 and PI3-kinase/Akt-dependent pathways. Rapid release of NO occurs once eNOS has dissociated from caveolin-1 and united with the scaffolding protein Hsp90.¹³⁷ Regardless of the particular cell signaling mechanisms involved, these preliminary findings suggest an acute sensitivity to changes in estrogen that may have functional impact in the coronary circulation. It could be important to know whether this plays a role in heterogeneity between sexes and within females with different estrogen status, with respect to the overall control of the coronary vascular bed in hypertension as this could affect prevention, diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Antioxidant effects of estrogen on the coronary vasculature

The specific mechanisms of estrogen’s antioxidant effect are likely manifold and likely involve both genomic and nongenomic motifs.¹³³ One intriguing possibility related to vascular adaptations in hypertension involves potential effects of estrogen on AII-induced NAD(P)H oxidase activity.¹³⁹ Pretreatment of bovine coronary microvascular endothelial cells with 17β-estradiol prevented increases in NAD(P)H oxidase expression observed after 24 hours of AII stimulation alone. Inhibition of ERs by ICI182,780 did not alter the estradiol-induced decrease in AII-stimulated NAD(P)H expression, suggesting that the effect of estrogen was not ER-mediated.¹³⁹ However, estrogen administration did prevent AII-induced increases in type 1 angiotensin II receptors (AT₁).¹³⁹ It has been proposed that estrogen’s antioxidant effects may be mediated via this down-regulation of AT₁ receptors, causing decreased superoxide anion production and improved NO bioavailability. This estrogen signaling may occur via non-ER-dependent modulation of either the endothelial membrane properties, or via chemical antioxidant properties of estrogen itself.¹⁴⁰ Regardless of the specific mechanism linking estrogen to NAD(P)H oxidase expression in coronary vascular endothelium, these observations seem to be of great importance in the context of hypertension, as upregulation of vascular cell NAD(P)H oxidase is the major source of elevated vascular ROS which are thought to make a large contribution to the endothelial dysfunction accompanying hypertension.^48,72 Thus, this mechanism should be of interest in examining potential sex-dependent coronary vascular adaptations in hypertension.

Summary

Many specific details regarding the regulation of NO bioavailability in the coronary vascular bed in hypertension are still unclear. Compensations, both from non-NO endothelium-derived vasodilators, and possibly by other isoforms of NOS occur when eNOS functionality is impaired. There is some evidence that similar compensations may occur in hypertension, but much more research is required to define mechanisms of the compensatory changes and to describe the signals associated with hypertension that trigger these changes. Polymorphisms of eNOS have been associated with hypertension incidence, and some emerging data suggest that coronary vascular function is also associated with certain eNOS polymorhisms; although these are promising findings, again the mechanistic details linking eNOS polymorphisms with coronary vascular function in hypertension remain to be rigorously established. Changes in endothelium-dependent function contribute to sex differences in cardiovascular disease. It has been demonstrated that estrogen has several mechanisms of action that improve NO bioavailability, including some known to be altered in hypertension.

Based on known functional effects of the identified factors that regulate coronary vascular NO mechanisms, it is intriguing to speculate that these will also be important mechanisms in the coronary vascular adaptations to hypertension. Basic information concerning compensatory vasodilator pathways, NOS isoform shifts, eNOS polymorphisms and sex- and estrogen status-dependent effects on NO bioavailability may be very helpful in designing more effective prevention, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to deal with coronary vascular dysfunction in hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Acknowledgements

Related work in the authors’ laboratory is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. JT Kroetsch, AS Levy, and JCS Chung were supported by Canada Graduate Scholarships from NSERC. JWE Rush is Canada Research Chair in Integrative Vascular Biology. The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.