The aim of this research is to investigate the vasorelaxing effects and mechanisms involved in the phytoestrogen α-zearalanol (α-ZAL) in rat thoracic aortas rings. Intact or endothelium denuded rat thoracic aortas rings were put in individual organ chamber to observe the endothelium-dependent or independent vasorelaxing effects of α-ZAL (10-10-10-5 M). The thoracic aortas rings were pre-contrac...

Active and inactive kallikrein or a kallikrein-like enzyme are found in the aorta, vena cava, and tail artery and veins of the rat. We studied the concentration of vascular kininogenase in rats with one-kidney, one clip renovascular hypertension and in unilaterally nephrectomized normotensive rats. Six weeks after surgery, active and total vascular kininogenase activity (active plus trypsin-act...

This study defines normal growth for the various aortic segments in 128 spontaneously aborted human foetuses aged 15-34 weeks. With the use of anatomical dissection, digital-image analysis (using the Leica Q Win Pro 16 system) and statistical analysis (ANOVA, regression equation), a range of length measurements for the ascending aorta, aortic arch and thoracic aorta was examined. No significant...

Thoracic aortic aneurysm represents a deadly condition, particularly when it evolves into rupture and dissection. Proper surgical timing is the key to positively influencing survival of patients with this pathology. According most recent guidelines, ascending aorta size ? 55 mm rate growth 0.5 cm per year are important factors for indication. Nevertheless, lot evidence show that ruptures dissec...

Contractions of rat thoracic aorta to vasopressin (VP) are threefold higher in females (F) than in males (M), primarily because nitric oxide (NO) attenuation of contraction is greater in M. To determine the role of the androgen receptor (AR) in this mechanism, vascular reactivity to VP was examined in thoracic aorta of the testicular-feminized male (Tfm) rat, which has an X-linked, recessive de...

Objectives- To provide a reference anatomy of the thoracic cavity vessels of the Rayini goat by using Computed tomography. Design- Experimented study. Animals- Five healthy Rayini goat. Procedures- Spiral CT images (with and without contrast media) were acquired from the thoracic region perpendicular to long axis of the body. CT windows were adjusted as necessary to have optimized images of ...

Abdominal aortic banding induces upregulation of the angiotensin II (Ang II) type-2 (AT2) receptor, thereby decreasing the contractile response to Ang II in the thoracic aorta of the rat. The aim of this study was to use a mouse model to clarify the mechanisms by which the banding elicits upregulation of the aortic AT2 receptor and the subsequent attenuation of Ang II responsiveness. Concomitan...

BACKGROUND Daming capsule (DMC), a traditional Chinese formula, has a lipid-modulating action with reduced adverse side effects as compared with other lipid lowering compounds. Since endothelial dysfunction often accompanies the hyperlipidemic state, we hypothesize that DMC might restore endothelial dysfunction produced by a high-fat (HF) diet. Importantly, we also investigate possible mechanis...

Levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gaseous signaling molecule, are reduced in the serum of individuals who smoke. We hypothesized that tobacco smoke influenced smooth muscle relaxation by decreasing H2S levels and this effect could also influence expression of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) and sulfonylurea receptor-2 (SUR-2). The aim of this study was to explore the effect of tobacco smoke on H2...

AIM The aim of this study was to investigate whether poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition improves endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced endothelial dysfunction (ED). METHODS Isolated rat thoracic aorta rings were incubated with ET-1 (10 nmol/L) in the presence or absence of either polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD; a cell-permeable superoxide radical scavenger, 41 U/mL) plus a...