title: Vasoactive properties of keratin-derived compounds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Keratin proteins have been utilized as biomaterials for decades, and are currently under investigation for a variety of tissue regeneration and trauma applications. It has been suggested that certain keratins may have the capacity to act as a colloid in fluid resuscitation applications, providing viscosity and oncotic properties that may be beneficial during acute ischemic events. Oxidized keratin derivatives, also known as keratoses, show good blood and cardiovascular compatibility and thus are the subject of this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of keratose compounds will be assessed using a topload i.v. infusion model and observation of changes in the microvasculature of the cremaster muscle of rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Keratose resuscitation fluid (KRF) administration resulted in significant vasodilation in the cremaster muscle. This effect was blocked with pretreatment of l-NA to inhibit NO. Another keratin fraction, alpha-keratose, which is the primary viscosic compound, was not found to induce vasodilation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The apparent mechanism of vasodilation was found to be NO-mediated and isolated to a particular purified fraction, the KAP.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA.
authors: Fiesky
authors: F
authors: Nunez
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Trach
authors: Luke
authors: L
authors: Burnett
authors: Rahul
authors: R
authors: Handa
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Van Dyke
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Callahan
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007633:Keratins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007633:Keratins