Introduction: Our previous studies showed that hydroalcoholic extract of leaf of Vitis vinifera relaxes the phenylephrine-induced contraction in rat thoracic aorta. This effect was dependent on endothelial integrity and NO-cGMP system. The vasorelaxant effect of extract was much lesser on KCl-induced contraction. We, therefore, postulated that K+ channels are involved. The main aim of the pr...

Introduction: Our previous studies showed that hydroalcoholic extract of leaf of Vitis vinifera relaxes the phenylephrine-induced contraction in rat thoracic aorta. This effect was dependent on endothelial integrity and NO-cGMP system. The vasorelaxant effect of extract was much lesser on KCl-induced contraction. We, therefore, postulated that K+ channels are involved. The main aim of the prese...

The root of Ostericum koreanum Maximowicz has been used as a traditional medicine called "Kanghwal" in Korea (or "Qianghuo" in China). The purpose of this study was to investigate the vasorelaxant activity and mechanism of action of an ethanol extract of the O. koreanum root (EOK). We used isolated rat aortic rings to assess the effects of EOK on various vasorelaxant or vasoconstriction factors...

atropine has been used to block cholinergic neurotransmission in basic research. large doses of atropine cause vasodilation of the blood vessels in the skin. this effect is apparently unconnected with the antimuscarinic activity of atropine and seems to be due to a direct action on the blood vessels. it has been suggested that atropine blocks muscarinic receptors at low doses and it induces the...

The effects of human adrenomedullin-(13-52) [hADM-(13-52)] were investigated in the rat pulmonary vascular bed and in isolated rings from the rat pulmonary artery (PA). Under conditions of controlled blood flow and constant left atrial pressure when tone was increased with U-46619, injections of hADM-(13-52) produced dose-related decreases in lobar arterial pressure. Pulmonary vasodilator respo...

Type 2 diabetic men commonly experience erectile dysfunction for which phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra) are often recommended. By preventing degradation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in vascular smooth muscle, these inhibitors also enhance arterial vasorelaxant effects of nitric oxide donors (which stimulate cGMP synthesis). In the present work, we confi...

We have previously demonstrated that pulmonary vasodilation in response to isoproterenol is attenuated in conscious dogs after left lung autotransplantation (LLA). Our present goal was to identify the cellular mechanism responsible for this dysfunction. Size- and position-matched pulmonary arterial rings were isolated from the right (control) and left (LLA) lungs of 23 dogs 1-14 mo post-LLA. Th...

BACKGROUND Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a worldwide problem. Despite increases in the development of synthetic drugs for hypertension treatment, the rate of untreated and uncontrolled hypertension remains high. These drugs are effective, but can also cause side effects. Approximately 80% of the world population uses herbal medicines...

It is known that cAMP and cGMP are important for vasorelaxation, and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) regulate their levels. Balloon angioplasty (BAL) is associated with reduced cAMP and cGMP levels, and inhibition of PDE-3 reduces restenosis. In this study, we found that BAL increased PDE-3 activity, which affected vasoreactivity of rat aortic rings 24-h post-BAL; these were compare...

BACKGROUND The root of Angelica dahurica Bentham et Hooker (Umbelliferae) has been used as a traditional medicine for colds, headache, dizziness, toothache, supraorbital pain, nasal congestion, acne, ulcer, carbuncle, and rheumatism in China, Japan, and Korea. Interestingly, it has been used in the treatment of vascular diseases including hypertension. The aim of this study was to provide pharm...