Abstract
We have recently reported that $Mg^{++}-deficiency$ showed endothelium dependent relaxation in isolated canine coronary arteries precontracted with $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$. To differentiate the release of EDRF or $PGI_2$ from the endothelium cells as the cause of vasorelaxation by $Mg^{++}-deficiency$, effects of several inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism on the relaxation by $Mg^{++}-deficiency$ were evaluated and also compared with that of acetylcholine. Ibuprofen and tranylcypromine ($10{\mu}M$), an inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase and $PGI_2$ synthetase, respectively, did not effect on $Mg^{++}-free$ induced vasorelaxation. Pretreatment of quinacrine ($10{\mu}M$), an inhibitor of phospholipase $A_2$ and also $Ca^{++}$ uptake, blocked vasorelaxation by $Mg^{++}-free$. But trifluoperazine ($10{\mu}M$), which is about as potent as quinacrine in the inhibition of $Ca^{++}$ uptake, did not effect on $Mg^{++}-deficiency$ induced vasorelaxation. NDGA ($10{\mu}M$), an inhibitor of lipoxygenase, completely restored $Mg^{++}-free$ induced vasorelaxation, even though pretreatment of that was not blocked which might be due to the characteristics of vasorelaxation of NDGA itself. Pretreatment of methylene blue ($10{\mu}M$), which is known as a inhibitor of EDRF through the blocking effect of guanylate cyclase, completely blocked vasorelaxation by $Mg^{++}-free$ as well as acetylcholine ($0.1{\mu}M$). Acetylcholine-induced dose response curve was also antagonized by pretreatment of quinacrine ($10{\mu}M$), but not by ibuprofen, tranylcypromine and NDGA. These results appear to suggest that $Mg^{++}-free$ induced vasorelaxation was mediated by the release of EDRF through the activation of phospholipase $A_2$ and noncyclo-oxygenase on arachidonate metabolism.