Smooth muscle myosin heavy chains occur in 2 isoforms, SMA (slow) and SMB (fast). We hypothesized that the SMB isoform is predominant in the faster-contracting rat vena cava compared to thoracic aorta. We compared the time to half maximal contraction in response to a maximal concentration of endothelin-1 (ET-1; 100 nM), potassium chloride (KCl; 100 mM) and norepinephrine (NE; 10 microM). The ti...

KCl causes smooth muscle contraction by elevating intracellular free Ca2+, whereas receptor stimulation activates an additional mechanism, termed Ca2+ sensitization, that can involve activation of RhoA-associated kinase (ROK) and PKC. However, recent studies support the hypothesis that KCl may also increase Ca2+ sensitivity. Our data showed that the PKC inhibitor GF-109203X did not, whereas the...

In coronary artery bypass surgery, arterial grafts result in improved patency rates. However, these grafts frequently fail due to spasm. Papaverine has been used to prevent graft spasm, but its effect is short-lived. Botulinum toxin inhibits muscle contraction for about three months. We investigated the usefulness of botulinum toxin in preventing arterial grafts spasm in vitro. Samples of abdom...

Rhododendron dauricum L. is an ancient Chinese traditional herb. The pharmacological effects of R. dauricum extract have been shown in chronic tracheitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardiovascular effects of Rhododendron dauricum L. flavonoids (RF) on rats and its mechanisms. This study was performed in isolated vascular rings and a rat model of myocardial infarction and isola...

5-Hydroxytryptamine(1B) (5-HT(1B)) receptors have been implicated in mediating arterial contraction to 5-HT. Additionally, the 5-HT(1B) receptor has been reported to be "unmasked" by depolarizing stimuli. We hypothesized that 5-HT(1B) receptors in arteries from hypertensive animals, arteries reported to have a depolarized resting membrane potential in smooth muscle cells, are unmasked and parti...

Objective: Ziprasidone, aripiprazole, blonanserin, cyamemazine, and nemonapride are atypical antipsychotic drugs used for the treatment of schizophrenia. This study aimed to identify effects these in mice isolated bladder using organ bath systemMaterials Methods: The were injected intraperitoneally with 21 days. investigated on isoproterenol-induced relaxation responses carbachol-induced contra...

Rosa damascena flower is widely used for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. However, its pharmacological action on isolated ileum has not been studied. In this research, the effect of extract of flower petals of R. damascena Mill. growing in Kashan, Iran, on ileum motility was investigated. Hydroalcoholic extract was prepared by percolation method. A section of rat ileum was suspended in an organ...

Stiffness of live cardiomyocytes isolated from control and diabetic mice was measured using the atomic force microscopy nanoindentation method. Type 1 diabetes was induced in mice by streptozotocin administration. Histological images of myocardium from mice that were diabetic for 3 mo showed disorderly lineup of myocardial cells, irregularly sized cell nuclei, and fragmented and disordered myoc...

Aquaporins (AQPs) are expressed in the uterus, playing a physiological role during pregnancy. An osmotic pathway—through AQP5—may modify transient potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) function and uterine contraction. Our aim was to determine of TRPV4 antagonist citral regulation pregnant In vitro contractions were evoked by KCl response modified with citral. The expressions AQP5 measured RT-PCR Weste...

Abstract Introduction Hyperchloraemic acidosis is known to be associated with impaired renal function in post-operative patients. We have experimentally investigated whether elevation chloride and hydrogen ions the potential negatively impact porcine vasculature. Methods Porcine (RA) mesenteric (MA) arteries were placed Krebs-Henseleit solution (K-H), gassed 95%O2/5%CO2, prepared for isometric ...