Artemisia species, growing in almost all the northern hemisphere, is used in folk medicine of some countries as a remedy for hypertension. Since some cardiovascular disorders including hypertension are accompanied with altered responsiveness of vascular alpha-adrenergic receptors, the effect of aqueous Artemisia annua extract (100 and 200 mg kg-1) on a1-adrenoceptor agonist-induced contraction ...

in this study, the possible involvement of l-type voltage-operated calcium channels in the vasorelaxant effect of the flavonoid quercetin was investigated, using the isolated aortic rings from normal male rats. addition of quercetin (0.1 µm-1 mm) caused a significant dose-dependent relaxation of noradrenaline (na)- and kcl-preconstricted rings and nifedipine attenuated this response, especially...

The purpose of this study was to define early events during the angiogenic response of the aortic wall to injury. Rat aortic rings produced neovessels in collagen culture but lost this capacity over time. These quiescent rings responded to vascular endothelial growth factor but not to a mixture of macrophage-stimulatory cytokines and chemokines that was angiogenically active on fresh rings. Ana...

The relation between endothelin and acetylcholine (ACh) was examined and compared in aortas from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). The relaxation produced by ACh in an endothelin-induced contraction was less in aortas from WKY rats than in those from SHRSP. In aortas from WKY rats but not in those from SHRSP, the contraction produced by endot...

To evaluate the acute effect of lovastatin on diabetic endothelial dysfunction, we examined this effect on the aortic rings of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The endothelial function was assessed in aortic rings isolated from diabetic rats, 12 weeks after treatment with streptozotocin (45 mg/kg, i.p.). The concentration-response curve to acetylcholine (Ach) in the aortic rings precontracted with...

Background: The achievement of an effective compound for prevention/treatment of hypertension with fewer complications has been of interest in recent years. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the effects of L-citrulline pretreatment on the tension of isolated rat aortic tissues precontracted by different vasoconstrictors. METHODS: Sixteen male Wistar rats (300-350g) were randomly divided i...

The aim of the present study was to observe the effects of hypoxia on tensions of aortic rings of pika (Ochotona curzoniae) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. The aortic rings were prepared, and in vitro vascular ring perfusion was used to assay the effects of hypoxia or different drugs on contraction responses of the rings with or without endothelium. The results showed that, there was no difference...

To evaluate the acute effect of lovastatin on diabetic endothelial dysfunction, we examined this effect on the aortic rings of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The endothelial function was assessed in aortic rings isolated from diabetic rats, 12 weeks after treatment with streptozotocin (45 mg/kg, i.p.). The concentration-response curve to acetylcholine (Ach) in the aortic rings precontracted with...

1. The L-arginine-NO pathway has been implicated in the vasorelaxant effect of 17-beta-oestradiol. Here we have addressed the involvement of two distinct activation steps of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the 17-beta-oestradiol-induced vasorelaxant effect on rat aortic rings. 2. Rat aortic rings contracted with phenylephrine (PE) 1 microM relaxed in a concentration related fashion ...

Ischemia-reperfusion causes endothelial dysfunction. Prolongation of acidosis during initial cardiac reperfusion limits infarct size in animal models, but the effects of acidic reperfusion on vascular function are unknown. The present work analyzes the effects of acidic reoxygenation on vascular responses to different agonists in rat aortic rings. Arterial rings obtained from Sprague-Dawley rat...