title: Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3)-induced relaxation of the rat aorta.
abstract: Dietary consumption of fish and fish oil supplements, containing eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, has been associated with favorable alterations in the cardiovascular system, such as, a reduction in blood pressure. Therefore, the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3) on isometric tension of rat aortic smooth muscle were investigated. A concentration-dependent (1-127 microM) relaxation (6-30%) was induced by 22:6n3 in non-precontracted vessels. Docosaehexaenoic acid, concentration dependently (1-44 microM) reversed contractions of rat aortic rings induced by phenylephrine (7-43%) and by U44069 (8-52%). These results indicate that the relaxant effects produced by 22:6n3 in the rat aorta are concentration-dependent and not specific to the contractile agonist.
authors: Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0610.
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: Engler
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: Karanian
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Salem
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011450:Prostaglandin Endoperoxides, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D011450:Prostaglandin Endoperoxides, Synthetic; D010656:Phenylephrine; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; C028429:U 44069