title: Abnormal Rho-associated kinase activity contributes to the dysfunctional myogenic response of cerebral arteries in type 2 diabetes.
abstract: The structural and functional integrity of the brain, and therefore, cognition, are critically dependent on the appropriate control of blood flow within the cerebral circulation. Inadequate flow leads to ischemia, whereas excessive flow causes small vessel rupture and (or) blood-brain-barrier disruption. Cerebral blood flow is controlled through the interplay of several physiological mechanisms that regulate the contractile state of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) within the walls of cerebral resistance arteries and arterioles. The myogenic response of cerebral VSMCs is a key mechanism that is responsible for maintaining constant blood flow during variations in systemic pressure, i.e., flow autoregulation. Inappropriate myogenic control of cerebral blood flow is associated with, and prognostic of, neurological deterioration and poor outcome in patients with several conditions, including type 2 diabetes. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the role of inappropriate Rho-associated kinase activity as a cause of impaired myogenic regulation of cerebral arterial diameter in type 2 diabetes.
authors: The Smooth Muscle Research Group, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.
authors: Khaled S
authors: KS
authors: Abd-Elrahman
authors: Michael P
authors: MP
authors: Walsh
authors: William C
authors: WC
authors: Cole
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000378:metabolism*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018008:Myogenin / Q000378:metabolism*; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018008:Myogenin; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases
keywords: Ca2+ sensitization; actin cytoskeleton; autorégulation cérébrale; cerebral autoregulation; cytosquelette d’actine; muscle lisse vasculaire; myosin light chain phosphatase; phosphatase de la chaine légère de la myosine; sensibilisation au Ca2+; vascular smooth muscle