title: Identification of capric acid as a potent vasorelaxant of human basilar arteries.
abstract: To determine whether naturally occurring fatty acids, especially saturated ones, might act directly as vasodilators, segments of human basilar arteries and umbilical arteries were precontracted submaximally with prostaglandin F2 alpha and then exposed to different saturated fatty acids (C4 through C16) or unsaturated fatty acids (C14:1, C18:1, C18:2, and C18:3) at concentrations from 4 microM to 4 mM. The results showed caprate (C10) to be the most potent vasorelaxant and basilar arteries to be more responsive (EC50 = 63 microM) than umbilical arteries (EC50 = 780 microM). Caprate also inhibited contractions elicited by KCl, serotonin, and the thromboxane analogue U46619. The relaxation was independent of the endothelium, and potency was not related to the weak capacity of caprate to inhibit Ca(2+)-induced contractions of K(+)-depolarized basilar arteries. The pattern of potencies for the arteries differed, but among unsaturated fatty acids the monounsaturated (C14:1, C18:1) were more potent than the polyunsaturated (C18:2, C18:3). Comparing the potencies obtained with the concentrations reported for the free fatty acid content of arteries, brain, and plasma indicates that these lipids could influence vasomotion in health and disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Ricca
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: el-Bauomy
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D019796:15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid; D000328:Adult; D001488:Basilar Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D003652:Decanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D011450:Prostaglandin Endoperoxides, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents
chemical_list: D003652:Decanoic Acids; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D011450:Prostaglandin Endoperoxides, Synthetic; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D019796:15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid; D002122:Calcium Chloride