Vasodilator responses to nitric oxide are enhanced in mesenteric arteries of portal hypertensive rats.
Nitric oxide (NO) is discussed as a mediator of the splanchnic hyperaemia in portal hypertension. We assessed the vasorelaxation by the NO-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine, the NO donor 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1) and forskolin, a stimulator of the adenylate cyclase pathway in potassium-preconstricted isolated perfused mesenteric arteries of portal vein-ligated and sham-operated rats. Dilator responses to acetylcholine and SIN-1 were significantly enhanced in vessels of portal vein-ligated rats as compared to sham-operated rats, whereas no difference was found in forskolin-induced vasodilatation. This suggests enhanced reactivity of the vasculature to NO in experimental portal hypertension.
Department of Medicine, Karl Franzens University, Graz, Austria.
A
A
Heinemann
R E
RE
Stauber
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000187:drug effects*; D008981:Molsidomine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C002385:linsidomine; D008981:Molsidomine; D000109:Acetylcholine