Interference of phorbolesters with endothelium-dependent vascular smooth muscle relaxation

Histamine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) in the pulmonary artery was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the phorbolester phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) (IC50: 70 nM) whereas EDR occurring in response to ionophore A 23187 was not affected by PDBu. The phorbolester 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4 alpha-PDD), which does not activate protein kinase C (PKC), was without effect on receptor- or ionophore-induced EDR. The observed inhibition of signal transduction by PKC activation is suggested to reflect phosphorylation of the GTP binding protein Ni.