Although it is well established that changes in endothelial intracellular [Ca ] regulate endothelium-dependent vasodilatory pathways, the molecular identities of the ion channels responsible for Ca influx in these cells are not clearly defined. The sole member of the ankyrin (A) transient receptor potential (TRP) subfamily, TRPA1, is a Ca -permeable nonselective cation channel activated by elec...

Our previous study showed that arteriolar tone is enhanced in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2-DM) due to an increased level of constrictor prostaglandins. We hypothesized that, in mice with T2-DM, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is involved in the increased synthesis of constrictor prostaglandins, hence enhanced basal tone in skeletal muscle arterioles. Isolated, pressurized gracilis muscle arteriole...

PURPOSE Hyperglycemia, a hallmark of diabetes mellitus, is associated with retinal inflammation and impairment of endothelium-dependent nitric oxide (NO)-mediated dilation of retinal arterioles. However, molecular mechanisms involved in this diminished endothelial vasodilator function remain unclear. We examined whether inflammatory stress-activated kinases, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p3...

We reported that the endothelial dysfunction that develops with age was associated with a proinflammatory phenotype. In this study, we hypothesized that an increased production of proinflammatory cyclooxygenase (COX) products occurs before endothelial dysfunction. Dilations to acetylcholine (ACh) were recorded from pressurized renal arteries isolated from 3- and 6-mo-old C57Bl/6 male mice treat...

Despite preventive education, the combined consumption of alcohol and caffeine (particularly from "energy drinks") continues to rise. Physiologic perturbations by separate intake of ethanol and caffeine have been widely documented. However, the biologic actions of the alcohol-caffeine combination and their underlying subcellular mechanisms have been scarcely studied. Using intravital microscopy...

Pressure myograph systems are exquisitely useful in the functional assessment of small arteries, pressurized to a suitable transmural pressure. The near physiological condition achieved in pressure myography permits in-depth characterization of intrinsic responses to pharmacological and physiological stimuli, which can be extrapolated to the in vivo behavior of the vascular bed. Pressure myogra...

OBJECTIVE Studies have suggested that collateral vessels of the coronary and hind-limb circulations are more sensitive to activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels than are non-collateral vessels. The objective of the present study was to compare responses of microvascular non-collaterals, native collaterals and stimulated collaterals in the heart to three vasodilators which act through different...

Cocaine abuse is a significant problem among pregnant women. The present study tested the hypothesis that prenatal cocaine exposure impairs myogenic reactivity of coronary arteries in adult offspring. Pregnant rats received cocaine (30 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) or saline from days 15 to 21 of gestational age, and experiments were conducted in 3-month-old offspring. In pressurized coronary septal arter...

Although it is well established that changes in endothelial intracellular [Ca ] regulate endothelium-dependent vasodilatory pathways, the molecular identities of the ion channels responsible for Ca influx in these cells are not clearly defined. The sole member of the ankyrin (A) transient receptor potential (TRP) subfamily, TRPA1, is a Ca -permeable nonselective cation channel activated by elec...

There is a critical need to improve the performance and utility of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Several areas of UAV performance need to be improved for the next generation of UAVS to be used successfully in expanded future combat roles. For example current time aloft is only on the order of an hour or two for electric-powered UAVs. The current generation of UAVs lacks vertical takeoff and ...