Effects of defibrotide on leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction in the rat mesenteric vascular bed: Role of P-selectin

The effect of defibrotide on leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction and P-selectin surface expression on the microvascular endothelium were investigated. Intravital microscopy was performed in the rat mesenteric microcirculation. The rat mesentery was superfused either with Krebs-Henseleit solution (i.e., control) or 50 mu M N-G nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Defibrotide (40 mg/kg) was intravenously infused to control rats and to L-NAME superfused rats. P-selectin expression on mesenteric venules was also investigated by immunohistochemistry. L-NAME caused a significant, time-dependent increase in leukocyte rolling (13 +/- 5 to 101 +/- 18 cells/min; p < 0.001) and adherence (1.6 +/- 0.7 to 12 +/- 2.5 cells/100 mu m length of venule; p < 0.01) compared to control superfused rats. However, intravenous infusion of defibrotide (40 mg/kg) consistently decreased the L-NAME-induced leukocyte rolling (101 +/- 18 to 9.3 +/- 1.3 cells/min; p < 0.001) and adherence (12 +/- 2.5 to 1.9 +/- 1.1 cells/100 mu m length of venule; p < 0.01). Exposure of rat mesentery to L-NAME consistently increased P-selectin surface expression (p < 0.01) on the vascular endothelium which was significantly attenuated by defibrotide (p < 0.05). In vivo administration of defibrotide can reduce leukocyte rolling and adherence in the mesenteric rat microvasculature by attenuating P-selectin expression. Since P-selectin was upregulated by the specific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME, the present study also confirms the crucial role exerted by nitric oxide in attenuating leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction during various pathophysiological conditions.