Life Sciences, cilt.255, 2020 (SCI-Expanded)
Aims: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is shown in ocular tissues and suggested to involve in the regulation of retinal circulation. However, the mechanism of H2S-induced relaxation on retinal artery is not clarified yet. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the role of several calcium (Ca2+) signaling and Ca2+ sensitization mechanisms in the relaxing effect of H2S donor, NaHS, on retinal arteries. Materials and methods: Relaxing effects of NaHS (10−5–3 × 10−3M) were determined on precontracted retinal arteries in Ca2+ free medium as well as in the presence of the inhibitors of Ca2+ signaling and Ca2+ sensitization mechanisms. Additively, Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus were evaluated by CaCl2-induced contractions in the presence of NaHS (3 × 10−3M). Functional experiments were furtherly assessed by protein and/or mRNA expressions, as appropriate. Key findings: The relaxations to NaHS were preserved in Ca2+ free medium while NaHS pretreatment decreased the responsiveness to CaCl2. The inhibitors of plasmalemmal Ca2+-ATPase, sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, Na+-Ca2+ ion-exchanger and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) unchanged the relaxations to NaHS. Likewise, Ca2+ sensitization mechanisms including, rho kinase, protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase were unlikely to mediate the relaxation to NaHS in retinal artery. Whereas, a marked reduction was determined in NaHS-induced relaxations in the presence of MLCP inhibitor, calyculin A. Supportively, NaHS pretreatment significantly reduced phosphorylation of MYPT1-subunit of MLCP. Significance: The relaxing effect of NaHS in retinal artery is likely to be related to the activation of MLCP and partly, to decrement in Ca2+ sensitivity of contractile apparatus.