Stimulation of protein kinase C activity may increase microvascular permeability to colloidal carbon via alpha-isoenzyme.

The vasculature of the isolated mesentery and small intestine was perfused with a gelatin-containing physiological salt solution in vitro. Various phorbol-related compounds that are known to have different affinities for the protein kinase C (PKC) isoenzymes, and bradykinin (BK), were tested for their ability to cause the microvascular endothelium to become permeable to injected colloidal carbon (CC). Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB), 12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate (DOPPA), thymeleatoxin (TMX), and resiniferatoxin (RFX), each at a concentration of 1 microM, were found to increase permeability. Pretreatment with the PKC inhibitor Ro 31-8220 (1 microM) significantly reduced the response to all of these compounds. Indomethacin (1 microM), on the other hand, reduced only the effect of RFX. 12-Deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate 20-acetate (DOPPAA) (1 microM) and BK (10 microM) did not increase CC leakage. These results suggest that the Ca(2+)-dependent PKC alpha-isoenzyme was involved in the increase in endothelial permeability. BK does not appear to stimulate PKC activity in this experimental situation.