title: The role of nitric oxide on the responses of curcumin-treated rat aorta.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) on the vascular responses of curcumin-treated rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The experimental groups included the control and curcumin-treated (200 mg/kg/day, p.o., for 4 weeks) group. The concentration response curves to receptor-dependent agent 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; 10--3x10- M) and receptor-independent agent potassium chloride (KCl; 5-100 mM) were observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The concentration response curves to 5-HT and KCl shifted to the right and the maximal response was significantly decreased in the curcumin-treated rat aortas. A pretreatment of rings with L-NAME (a NOS inhibitor, 10- M) increased both the sensitivity and maximal response to only 5-HT. No apparent histological changes were demonstrated in smooth muscle and connective tissue layers in the aortas of the control and curcumin-treated rat preparations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study suggest that NO release from endothelial cells modulates curcumin-treated rat aorta responses to 5-HT, but not to KCl (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 25).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Atalik
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gokbel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Okudan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belviranli
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Esen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D012701:Serotonin; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D003474:Curcumin; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester