Lead (Pb(2+)) exposure is related to increased blood pressure or hypertension of human or animals. Abnormal vascular relaxant responses of low level Pb(2+) exposed animals were reported by several studies. However, it is difficult to tell whether these effects were induced directly by Pb(2+) or not. In this study we hypothesized that Pb(2+) can directly affect the relaxation of vessels. Male Wi...

OBJECTIVE An inverse relationship between serum magnesium concentration and vascular calcification has been reported following observational clinical studies. Moreover, several studies have been suggesting a protective effect of magnesium on the vascular calcification. However, the exact mechanism remains elusive, and investigators have speculated among a myriad of potential actions. The effect...

The underlying mechanisms for the vasodilating effects of the tea catechin epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are still not fully understood. Besides nitric oxide (NO)-dependent effects, other modes of action are discussed. To elucidate whether the NO pathway is a prerequisite in mediating vasodilating effects, we investigated EGCG-induced vasorelaxation in isolated aortic rings of endothelial n...

BACKGROUND Vasomotor reactivity may contribute to the pathophysiology of ischemic injury. The atherosclerotic vessel may be particularly susceptible to vasoconstriction because of the damaged endothelial layer with resultant loss of vasodilatory factors. While dietary omega 3 fatty acids have been proposed to protect against vascular occlusion, it is not clear to what extent this results from a...

Background Anthocyanin is a component known to induce vasorelaxation and vasodilation in rat aortic rings [1] and is present in high amounts in New Zealand Sujon blackcurrant. During typing work in humans, an activity of low intensity, peripheral blood flow was increased by blackcurrant intake [2]. It is not known whether anthocyanin would affect the cardiovascular responses at different exerci...

Background Blackcurrant contains anthocyanin, a component known to induce vasorelaxation and vasodilation in rat aortic rings [1]. In humans, blackcurrant intake has been reported to increase peripheral blood flow [2], with higher anthocyanin intake having beneficial effects on cardiovascular function in women [3]. However, the effect of blackcurrant intake on cardiovascular function in enduran...

Background. Vasomotor reactivity may contribute to the pathophysiology of ischemic injury. The atherosclerotic vessel may be particularly susceptible to vasoconstriction because of the damaged endothelial layer with resultant loss of vasodilatory factors. While dietary o3 fatty acids have been proposed to protect against vascular occlusion, it is not clear to what extent this results from alter...

objective: diabetes is an important risk factor for cardiovascular events. the great percent of morbidity in patients with diabetes is due to endothelial dysfunction. the present study investigated the effects of hydroalcholic extract of nigella sativa (n. sativa)  on contractile and dilatation response of isolated aorta in streptozotocin (stz)-induced diabetic rat. materials and methods: rats ...

OBJECTIVES Several reports suggest that acute hyperglycemia affects male and female vascular beds differently. However, little is known about the interactions between hyperglycemia and gender in the vasculature. The objectives of our study were to investigate if there is a gender-based difference in the relaxation response of rat aorta after acute exposure to high glucose concentration, and the...

Experimental hypertension studies are few in the hooded (Aguti) rat. The present study was designed to investigate the usefulness of this rat strain for experimental hypertension studies and to test the hypothesis that the hypertension may be associated with a diminution of endothelium dependent and independent relaxations. Hypertension was induced in inbred hooded rats (n=8 each) by administer...