Cyclic Stretch Alters Vascular Reactivity of Mouse Aortic Segments

Cyclic Stretch Alters Vascular Reactivity of Mouse Aortic Segments

Large, elastic arteries buffer the pressure wave originating in the left ventricle and are constantly exposed to higher amplitudes of cyclic stretch (10%) than muscular arteries (2%). As a crucial factor for endothelial and smooth muscle cell function, cyclic stretch has, however, never been studied in ex vivo aortic segments of mice. To investigate the effects of cyclic stretch on vaso-reactiv...

Isometric Stretch Alters Vascular Reactivity of Mouse Aortic Segments

Most vaso-reactive studies in mouse aortic segments are performed in isometric conditions and at an optimal preload, which is the preload corresponding to a maximal contraction by non-receptor or receptor-mediated stimulation. In general, this optimal preload ranges from about 1.2 to 8.0 mN/mm, which according to Laplace's law roughly correlates with transmural pressures of 10-65 mmHg. For phys...

Elevated cyclic stretch alters matrix remodeling in aortic valve cusps: implications for degenerative aortic valve disease.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cathepsins are proteolytic enzymes that are upregulated in diseased aortic valve cusps. The objective of this study was to investigate whether elevated cyclic stretch causes an increased expression and activity of these proteolytic enzymes in the valve cusp. Circumferentially oriented fresh porcine aortic valve cusp sections were stretched to 10% (physiologi...

Effects of Serotonin and Cyclic Stretch on Aortic Valves

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Acute Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Alters Vascular Reactivity Independent of ATP