We previously reported that substance P (SP) and ATP evoke transient, epithelium-dependent relaxation of mouse tracheal smooth muscle. Since both SP and ATP are known to evoke transepithelial Cl- secretion across epithelial monolayers, we tested the hypothesis that epithelium-dependent relaxation of mouse trachea depends on Cl- channel function. In perfused mouse tracheas, the responses to SP a...

In cirrhosis, in splanchnic arteries, endothelium-dependent relaxation may persist even if overactive nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) are inhibited. In normal arteries, a significant endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine persists after NOS/COX inhibition. This relaxation is caused by smooth muscle cell (SMC) membrane hyperpolarization, which is sensitive to a co...

Exercise training of coronary artery disease patients is of considerable interest, since it has been shown to improve vascular function and, thereby, enhance blood flow into compromised myocardial regions. However, the mechanisms underlying exercise-induced improvements in vascular function have not been fully elucidated. We tested the hypothesis that exercise training increases the contributio...

1. Published data on the effects of red wine, ethanol and flavonoids on endothelium-dependent relaxation are equivocal. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of red wine, ethanol and selected flavonoids present in red wine on endothelium-dependent relaxation. 2. Aortic rings from New Zealand White rabbits were set up in organ baths (20 ml) and contracted with noradrenaline (...

The present study investigates the hypothesis that endothelium-dependent relaxation of vascular smooth muscle may be mediated through the formation of cGMP. Relaxation of the rat thoracic aorta to acetylcholine, histamine, and Ca++ ionophore A23187 was associated with increased levels of cGMP in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, whereas cAMP levels were unaltered. Removal of the endot...

cardiovascular disorders continue to constitute major causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. in this study, the effect of chronic administration of sesame (sesamum indicum l) seed feeding was studied on aortic reactivity of streptozotocin (stz)-diabetic rats. male diabetic rats received sesame seed-mixed food at weight ratios of 3% and 6% for 7 weeks, one week after diabetes in...

background and objective: cardiovascular disorders continue to constitute major causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. in this study, the effect of chronic administration of tribulus terrestris (tt) feeding was studied on aortic reactivity of streptozotocin (stz)-diabetic rats and some underlying mechanisms were investigated.    materials and methods: male diabetic rats receive...

BACKGROUND The plant-derived estrogen biochanin A is known to cause vasodilation, but its mechanism of action in hypertension remains unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects and mechanisms of biochanin A on the thoracic aorta in two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertensive rats. METHODS Hypertension was induced by clipping the left renal artery, and control age-...

An endothelin (ET)-converting enzyme inhibitor phosphoramidon (10 microM), an ET(AB)-receptor antagonist bosentan (10 microM) and an ET(A)-receptor antagonist BQ-123 (1 microM) potentiated endothelium-dependent relaxation of bovine coronary arteries in response to bradykinin (BK) at femtomolar to picomolar concentrations, but not at nanomolar concentrations. BQ-788 (3 microM), an ET(B)-receptor...

OBJECTIVE Application of ultrasound energy by an endarterectomy probe can facilitate the removal of atheromatous plaque, but the effect of this procedure on surrounding vessel structure and function is still a matter of experimental investigations. METHODS To determine whether ultrasound energy impairs the production of nitric oxide or damages vascular smooth muscle function, isolated canine ...