Nitric oxide contributes to 20-HETE-induced relaxation of pulmonary arteries.

In contrast to its constrictor effects on peripheral arteries, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) is an endothelial-dependent dilator of pulmonary arteries (PAs). The present study examined the hypothesis that the vasodilator effects of 20-HETE in PAs are due to an elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and the release of nitric oxide (NO) from bovine PA endothelial cells (BPAECs). BPAECs express cytochrome P-450 4A (CYP4A) protein and produce 20-HETE. 20-HETE dilated PAs preconstricted with U-46619 or norepinephrine and treated with the cytochrome P-450 inhibitor 17-octadecynoic acid and the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. The dilator effect of 20-HETE was blocked by the NO synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or by removal of endothelium. 20-HETE significantly increased [Ca(2+)](i) and NO production in BPAECs. 20-HETE-induced NO release was blunted by removal of extracellular calcium, as well as NO synthase inhibitors (L-NAME). These results suggest that 20-HETE dilates PAs at least in part by increasing [Ca(2+)](i) and NO release in BPAECs.