Reactive oxygen species induced smooth muscle responses in the intestine, vessels and airways and the effect of antioxidants

Numerous experimental data confirm the importance of reactive oxygen specie s (ROS) in physiological activities of smooth muscles and in the pathogenes is of various diseases with altered function of smooth muscles. The present study shows that smooth muscles of the intestine, airways and vessels, as well as their epithelium, endothelium and innervations, might be important targets of the ROS action. We demonstrated differences among the actions of various ROS (endogenous, exogenous, produced enzymatically, non-enzymatica lly) as well as among their actions in different smooth muscle tissues. Our results indicate that ROS are involved in changes in muscle tone, membrane conductance, calcium homeostasis, calcium-dependent processes, as well as in eicosanoid and nitric oxide metabolism. The effects of antioxidative enz ymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase), of several drugs of natural origin ( e.g. Kampo Medicines) and synthetic agents (e.g. stobadine, nitrosopine, AC E inhibitors) suggest that smooth muscle tissues are useful models to study ROS action and drug intervention in ROS induced injuries.