20-HETE-mediated vasoconstriction by hemoglobin-O2 carrier in Sprague-Dawley but not Wistar rats

Hypothetically either decreased nitric oxide (NO) or increased O(2) could initiate 20-HETE-mediated vasoconstriction associated with hemoglobin-based blood substitutes (HBOC). To test this hypothesis, we infused Tm-Hb, an HBOC with low O(2) affinity, into isoflurane-anesthetized Wistar (W) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats after exchanging 20% of their blood with Ringer lactate. For comparison we infused an equal amount of BSA or BSA with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (BSA + NAME). Tm-Hb increased blood pressure (BP) and renal vascular resistance (RVR) equally in W and SD rats. Renal blood flow (RBF; Doppler ultrasound) decreased. BSA decreased RVR and raised glomerular filtration rate. BSA + NAME raised BP, RVR, and GFR. HET0016, an inhibitor of 20-HETE production, blunted BP and RVR responses to Tm-Hb and BSA+NAME in SD but not W rats. Arterial O(2) content with BSA was lower than with Tm-Hb but O(2) delivery was 60% higher with BSA because of higher RBF. BSA raised Po(2) (Oxylite) in cortex and medulla and reduced RVR. Tm-Hb decreased Po(2) and increased RVR. Switching rats from breathing air to 100% O(2) raised intrarenal Po(2) two- to threefold and increased BP and RVR. HET0016 did not alter hyperoxic responses. In conclusion, 20-HETE contributes to vasoconstriction by Tm-Hb in SD but not in W rats, and increased 20-HETE activity results primarily from decreased NO.