Inhibitory effect of tea polyphenols on hepatic preneoplastic foci in Wistar rats

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is one of the most widely used beverages worldwide and tea consumption has been shown to have an inverse correlation to the incidence of human cancers in epidemiological and experimental studies. In the present study, the protective effects of green tea polyphenols (GTP) and black tea polyphenols (BTP) in Wistar rats were assessed by medium-term bioassay, using altered hepatic foci (AHF) as end point. Animals were exposed to a single dose of diethylnitrosamine (DEN; 200 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally), and GTP (1%) and BTP (1%) were then administered orally together with 0.05% 2-acetyl aminofluorene (2-AAF) crushed and mixed in the diet for 8 weeks. Numbers of AHF were scored and analyzed by quantitative stereology using the Image analysis system from frozen liver tissue sections. Tea polyphenol supplementation resulted in a significant protection against AHF induction in Wistar rats. In addition, levels of the positive biomarkers: γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and glutathione-S-transferase (placental form) were reduced with GTP and BTP supplementation. Levels of the negative biomarkers adenosine triphosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase were also restored by GTP and BTP administration. Thus, these results show the hepatoprotective effects of GTP and BTP against DEN- and 2-AAF-induced AHF development.     

Stochastic simulation of hepatic preneoplastic foci development for four chlorobenzene congeners in a medium-term bioassay.

A combination of experimental and simulation approaches was used to analyze clonal growth of glutathione-S-transferase pi (GST-P) enzyme-altered foci during liver carcinogenesis in an initiation-promotion regimen for 1,4-dichlorobenzene (DCB), 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene (TECB), pentachlorobenzene (PECB), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Male Fisher 344 rats, eight weeks of age, were initiated with a single dose (200 mg/kg, ip) of diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Two weeks later, daily dosing of 0.1 mol/kg chlorobenzene was maintained for six weeks. Partial hepatectomy was performed three weeks after initiation. Liver weight, normal hepatocyte division rates, and the number and volume of GST-P positive foci were obtained at 23, 26, 28, 47, and 56 days after initiation. A clonal growth stochastic model separating the initiated cell population into two distinct subtypes (referred to as A and B cells) was successfully used to describe the foci development data for the four chlorobenzenes. The B cells are initiated cells that display a selective growth advantage under conditions that inhibit the growth of initiated A cells or normal hepatocytes. The simulation exercise for the four chlorobenzenes indicates a positive correlation between the estimated net growth rate of B cells during the 2-week regeneration period following partial hepatectomy and final foci volume at the end of the bioassay. This observation is consistent with the sensitivity analysis of model parameters. While TECB, PECB, and HCB all significantly increased foci volume, only HCB increased normal hepatocyte proliferation. Together, these results indicate that examining effects of chemicals on regenerative responses following partial hepatectomy may be a means for understanding the carcinogenicity potential of chlorobenzene compounds.     

Induction of preneoplastic altered hepatic foci following dietary sulphur supplementation

Sulphur is an essential micronutrient required by the body in low concentrations, but its high intake can lead to a serious health hazard. Sulphur compounds are reported to induce several toxic responses in animals, but so far no reports are available on the toxic effects of elemental sulphur, following dietary supplementation. The present investigation was carried out with the aim of providing an insight into the role of dietary supplementation of sulphur on the induction of altered hepatic foci (AHF) using medium term liver bioassay in Wistar rats. Induction of AHF are early neoplastic changes in rat liver in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated and 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF)-promoted hepatocarcinogenesis. The role of sulphur on induction of AHF was evaluated by the development of negative enzymatic foci for alkaline phosphatase (AlkPase), adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) and positive foci for marker enzymes, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), placental isozyme of glutathione-S-transferase (GST-P). A significant dose-dependent decrease in the relative and absolute liver weight of sulphur-administered rats was recorded. Dietary supplementation of 2% and 4% sulphur significantly induces both negative and positive focal areas in terms of area and counts for AHF. However, 1% sulphur administration failed to induce AHF up to significant levels. The results thus revealed the possible tumorigenic risk associated with the high sulphur-containing diet.     

Effects of resistant starch on colonic preneoplastic aberrant crypt foci in rats

This study was designed to determine the effects of resistant starch (RS) at different levels on the azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) at the pre-initiation (PI) and promotion (P) stages in Wistar rats. According to the consuming assigned diets, all animals received AOM at a dosage of 15 mg/kg once a week for two consecutive weeks. In experiment 1, four groups of rats (n=12) were given AOM after 3 weeks of consuming the AIN-76 (control group) and RS diets. In experiment 2, four groups of rats (n=12) were given AOM before 3 weeks of consuming the AIN-76 and RS diets. Rats were killed after 13 weeks of initial injecting AOM. Colons were fixed in formalin and ACF were quantified after staining. In experiment 1, rats fed RS had more ACF than that of the control fed rats. In experiment 2, rats fed RS had fewer ACF than that of the control fed rats. The results indicate that dietary RS suppresses AOM-induced ACF formation, only at the P stage. A significant dose-response effect was observed between suppression of ACF formation and dietary RS amount. However, RS promote the formation of ACF at the PI stage.     

大鼠肝微粒体细胞色素P450酶系检测方法学研究

目的 :建立大鼠肝微粒体蛋白含量以及肝微粒体细胞色素P4 5 0酶系含量与活性测定的紫外和荧光分光光度方法。方法 :应用差速离心法提取大鼠肝微粒体 ,Lowery法测定肝微粒体蛋白浓度 ,应用紫外和荧光分光光度法测定肝微粒体细胞色素P4 5 0酶系含量及活性。结果 :牛血清白蛋白标准曲线的线性范围为 2 5～ 2 5 0mg·L-1,最低检测限为2 5mg·L-1,相关系数r为 0 .9975 ;紫外分光光度法测定细胞色素P4 5 0和细胞色素b5含量及NADPH CytC还原酶活性的结果显示方法灵敏 ;测定氨基比林N 脱甲基酶、红霉素N 脱甲基酶活性的甲醛标准曲线 ,线性范围为 0 .0 5～ 0 .5mmol·L-1,最低检测限为 0 .0 5mmol·L-1,相关系数r为 0 .9988;测定 7 乙氧基香豆素脱烃酶活性的resorufin标准曲线线性范围为 1～ 8μmol·L-1,最低检测限为 1μmol·L-1,相关系数r为 0 .9998。结论 :紫外和荧光分光光度方法测定大鼠肝微粒体细胞色素P4 5 0酶系中 6种酶的含量及活性的灵敏可靠 ,重复性较好。     

Short-term oral administration of polybrominated biphenyls enhances the development of hepatic enzyme-altered foci in initiated rats

FireMaster BP-6 (FM), a commercial mixture of polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), has been shown to act as a tumor promoter in hepatocarcinogenesis assays in rats. Most hepatic tumor promoters must be administered for many weeks or months. Because FM is highly persistent in animal tissues, it was hypothesized that very short-term administration of FM would result in tumor promotion. Female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 185-215 g were initiated by a two-thirds partial hepatectomy followed by 10 mg diethylnitrosamine/kg body weight (BW) 24 h later. Thirty days later, rats were gavaged with FM in corn oil, at total doses of 0, 13, or 130 mg FM/kg BW. Half the dose was given on d 30, and the remaining half was given 24 h later. At 120 d after gavage the rats were killed and necropsied. Five liver sections from each animal were histochemically stained for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-positive enzyme-altered foci (EAF). EAF were significantly increased over control values in initiated rats given 130 mg FM/kg. In animals given 13 mg FM/kg, EAF were increased to a lesser extent but not significantly above controls. Enhancement of these EAF in initiated rats reflects tumor-promoting activity. In this study, 24-h administration of FM in initiated rats was sufficient to enhance hepatic EAF measured 120 d later in an rats was sufficient to enhance hepatic EAF measured 120 d later in an initiation-promotion protocol, and a dose of 13 mg FM/kg was apparently close to a possible no-effect threshold level for enhancement of EAF.     

Lack of promotional effects of groundwater contaminant mixtures on the induction of preneoplastic foci in rat liver.

F344 rats were exposed to drinking water mixtures of seven of the most common groundwater contaminants associated with hazardous waste sites [arsenic, benzene, chloroform, chromium, lead, phenol, and trichloroethylene (TCE)] as the full mixture or submixtures of the organic and/or inorganic chemicals. The lowest concentrations (1x) of the individual chemicals were environmentally realistic and below what would be expected to induce significant short-term toxicity. This study was intended to determine if previously reported increases in localized hepatocellular proliferation in response to these chemicals might be correlated with increased risk for hepatocarcinogenesis. Rats were exposed via a drinking water solution to the full seven- chemical mixture (at 1x and 10x concentrations), submixtures of the organic or inorganic chemicals (at 10x concentrations), a mixture of TCE, lead, and chloroform (TLC submixture at 10x and 100x concentrations), or deionized water as a control. The rats were evaluated for promotion of placental glutathione-S-transferase (GST-P) positive preneoplastic liver cell foci after diethylnitrosamine (DEN) initiation and partial hepatectomy. Focus formation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were evaluated after exposure to DEN or saline controls, the chemical mixtures or deionized water controls, or combinations of these treatments. The total number and area of GST-P positive foci in DEN-treated rats exposed to the full seven-chemical mixture was increased as compared with the DEN-water controls, but this was statistically significant only for total focus area in the 1x dose group. In DEN-treated rats, the inorganic or TLC submixtures resulted in a significant reduction in number and area of GST-P positive foci. Focus area also was decreased in the organic submixture-treated group, but not significantly. Hepatocellular proliferation was not significantly changed in the chemical mixture saline groups as compared with the mixture water controls. After DEN treatment, however, cell proliferation was significantly decreased after the 10x seven-chemical and organic mixture treatments and the 100x TLC mixture treatment. Different groups showed either increased or decreased apoptotic rates which did not correlate well with proliferation rates or focus formation. Mixtures of these seven chemicals, therefore, did not appear to act as promoters of hepatic foci at environmentally relevant concentrations, and some mixture combinations appeared to decrease promotional activity.     

Chemoprevention of preneoplastic liver foci development by dietary mushroom Agaricus blazei Murrill in the rat.

The chemopreventive potential of an Agaricus blazei (Ab) Murrill mushroom meal was investigated in a medium-term rat liver carcinogenesis assay. Male Wistar rats initiated for hepatocarcinogenesis with diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg i.p.) were fed during a 6-week period with the dry powdered mushroom strains Ab 29 or 26, each one with opened (OB) or closed basidiocarp (CB), mixed at 10% level in a basal diet. All experimental animals and controls were subjected to partial hepatectomy at week 3 and killed at week 8. Chemopreventive activity of the mushroom meal was observed for the Ab 29 (OB and CB) and Ab 26 (CB) strains in terms of the number of putative preneoplastic altered foci of hepatocytes which express either the enzyme glutathione S-transferase, placental form (GST-P+) or the transforming growth factor-alpha, and for the Ab 29 (OB) and Ab 26 (CB) strains on the size of GST-P+ foci. This was associated with inhibition of foci cell proliferation in the animals fed the Ab 29 (OB) and Ab 26 (CB) strains. The results suggest that the protective influence of the Ab meal against the DEN potential for rat liver carcinogenicity depends on both the strain and period of mushroom harvest.     

Enhancing effect of butylated hydroxytoluene on the development of liver altered foci and neoplasms induced by N-2-fluorenylacetamide in rats

The enhancement of hepatocarcinogenesis by butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in comparison with that by phenobarbital (PB) was studied by quantifying their effects on N-2-fluorenylacetamide (FAA)-induced preneoplastic and neoplastic rat-liver lesions. Hepatocellular altered foci identified by iron exclusion and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activity were induced by feeding 0.02% FAA for 8 wk. Subsequently, BHT was fed at concentrations of 300, 1000, 3000 or 6000 ppm for up to 22 wk after cessation of FAA exposure; PB was fed at concentrations of 316 or 500 ppm for comparison. The lower doses of BHT (300, 1000 and 3000 ppm) did not exert a significant effect on either foci development or the final yield of neoplasms. At 6000 ppm, BHT increased the number of foci, the area occupied by GGT-positive preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions and the neoplasm incidence, as did 316 and 500 ppm PB. Comparison of the effects of BHT and PB at equimolar concentrations revealed that BHT was a much weaker enhancer of liver carcinogenesis. Apparently, the effective dose range of BHT as an enhancer is rather restricted. On the basis of available evidence that BHT is nongenotoxic and exerts epigenetic effects, we conclude that BHT is a weak promoter of liver carcinogenesis.     

Effect of 17beta-estradiol on haloperidol effects in Wistar rats

It is established that the haloperidol catalepsy is much less pronounced in Wistar females than in males. Estradiol (10 mg/kg, i.p.) decreased intensity of the haloperidol catalepsy, reduced the haloperidol-induced increase in the dopamine turnover, and decreased the level of dopamine metabolites in nucleus accumbens of both female and male test animals. However, these effects are also more pronounced in females.     

Teratogenic effects of diphenyl diselenide in Wistar rats

Diphenyl diselenide is an organoselenium compound with potential therapeutic use. The present study evaluates the effects of single maternal subcutaneous injection of 50 and 100 mg/kg diphenyl diselenide [(PhSe)₂] at gestational days (GD) 6, 10 or 17 in Wistar rats. The highest dose of (PhSe)₂ was also administered at GD 7–12. External and internal fetal soft-tissue examination was performed at GD 20. No mortality was observed in fetuses or dams at any (PhSe)₂ treatment group. Neither did exposure to (PhSe)₂ cause significant changes to fetal body weight, organ weight, or fetal size when administered at GD 6–8, 10–12 or 17. Exposure to 100 mg/kg (PhSe)₂ at GD 9 produced significant changes in fetal biometry (crown-rump (CR) length) and body weight. No significant increase in the proportion of fetuses with external visible abnormalities was observed in groups exposed to (PhSe)₂. Skeletal anomalies were observed in fetuses in the GD 9–11 treatment groups and included incomplete ossification of cranial bones, misshapen and incomplete ossification of sternebrae, reduced sternebrae number, wavy and extra ribs, incomplete ossification of fore and hindpaw bones and incomplete ossification of sacral and caudal bones. We conclude that maternal administration of (PhSe)₂ during GD 7–12 led to increased incidences of these skeletal variations or anomalies, but did not cause externally visible malformations in rat fetuses.     

Reproductive adverse effects of fipronil in Wistar rats

The purpose of the present study was to investigate possible reproductive adverse effects of fipronil (Frontline TopSpot) in female Wistar rats. The pesticide was topically applied to rats (single dose) at different concentrations (70, 140 and 280 mg/kg) and hormonal analysis, estrous cycle, and pregnancy and outcome data were determined. Treatment with fipronil altered cyclicity of female rats lengthening the estrous cycle (days) after a single topic administration of 70 mg/kg (9.7+/-1.18) or 280 mg/kg (14.5+/-1.45) when compared to control (4.8+/-0.17). In the mating study fipronil reduced the pregnancy index (67%) in the highest dose group (280 mg/kg). Plasma progesterone and estradiol levels, obtained in different periods after treatment with fipronil (70 mg/kg), were significantly different 96 h after treatment, when compared to controls. In summary, the results of the present study indicate that fipronil may alter the normal functioning of the endocrine system and cause adverse reproductive effects in female rats.     

Tea consumption modulates hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes in Wistar rats

The antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities of green tea and its polyphenols have been reported. As bioactivation of the precarcinogens and detoxification of ultimate carcinogens are mainly carried out by hepatic metabolizing enzymes, we have investigated the modulation of these enzyme activities subsequent to tea consumption in rats. Female Wistar rats were divided into eight groups (n = 5). Six groups were given aqueous solutions (2%, w/v) of six different teas (New Zealand green tea, Australian green tea, Java green tea, Dragon green tea, Gunpowder green tea or English Breakfast black tea) as the sole source of fluid. One group was given a standard green tea extract (0.5%, w/v) while the control group had free access to water. At the end of four-weeks treatment, different cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform and phase II enzyme activities were determined by incubation of the liver microsomes or cytosols with appropriate substrates. CYP 1A2 activity was markedly increased in all the tea treatment groups (P < 0.05). CYP 1A1 activity was increased significantly in most of the groups except for the Madura, Gunpowder, and Java green tea-treatment groups. Cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase activity was significantly increased (P< 0.05) in the New Zealand, Gunpowder, and Java green tea-treatment groups. The microsomal UDP-glucuronosyl transferase activity remained unchanged or was moderately increased in most of the groups. The balance between the phase I carcinogen-activating enzymes and the phase II detoxifying enzymes could be important in determining the risk of developing chemically-induced cancer.     

Effects of pioglitazone on hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance in Wistar fatty rats

Effects of pioglitazone (5-[4-[2-(5-etyl-2-pyridyl)ethoxy] benzyl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione, AD-4833, also known as U-72, 107E) on peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance were examined using genetically obese-hyperglycemic rats, Wistar fatty. Pioglitazone was administered to fatty rats (3 mg/kg/d) and lean rats (10 mg/kg/d) for 6 days. Pioglitazone decreased hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia without affecting hyperinsulinemia in the fatty rats, and significantly reduced plasma levels of triglyceride and insulin without altering normoglycemia in the lean rats. The same rats were subjected to an isotopic method combined with a euglycemic clamp technique for assessing insulin sensitivity in hepatic glucose production (HGP) and peripheral glucose utilization (PGU). HGP decreased and PGU increased in response to infused insulin in the lean rats but did not in the fatty rats, indicating that insulin resistance was present in the liver and peripheral tissues of the fatty rats. Treatment with pioglitazone restored the responses of HGP and PGU to infused insulin in the fatty rats, but did not produce any changes in the lean rats. When the same levels of glycemia and insulinemia were established by 480 mU/h of insulin in both treated and control fatty groups, PGU was 1.5-fold higher and HGP was 3-fold lower in the pioglitazone treated group. Pioglitazone also corrected the abnormality in hepatic enzyme regulation by insulin of the fatty rats: glucose-6-phosphatase decreased and glucokinase increased, suggesting the increased response of the liver to insulin and the resultant suppression of HGP. Therefore, pioglitazone is expected to be useful for treating abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus through reducing insulin resistance of the peripheral tissues and liver.     

中药双利肝在肝纤维化与肝硬化形成中的作用

目的探讨中药双利肝在肝纤维化与肝硬化发展中的作用。方法采用大鼠饮用TAA(0.03%)4个月复制肝硬化动物模型,从第4个月始加用中药双利肝合剂灌胃,进行内毒素水平、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-琢、内皮素(ET)-1及一氧化氮(NO)的检测,以及组织学观察。结果用中药双利肝治疗后,内毒素水平、TNF-琢、ET-1及NO均有明显下降;肝组织胶原蛋白含量显著减少。结论中药双利肝通过抑制细胞因子介导的细胞-细胞相互作用所引起的肝星状细胞(HSC)激活,从而间接抑制肝纤维增生。     

地塞米松的诱导效应对环磷酰胺大鼠毒性的影响

目的:观察地塞米松(dexamethasone,DEx)对大鼠细胞色素P450的诱导效应致环磷酰胺(cyclophos-phamide,CPA)对肝脏、肾脏、骨髓和膀胱毒性的影响.方法:雄性Wistar大鼠用DEX 50mg·kg-1·d-1诱导4d后,d5分别ip CPA 0,150和200mg·kg-1后36h,观察实验动物肝脏、肾脏、骨髓和膀胱毒性表现.结果:单独DEX诱导具有轻微的肝脏毒性.CPA单次给药造成骨髓细胞G2M期细胞的比例稍有升高,出现明显的尿蛋白和尿潜血.DEX的诱导作用增加了CPA的毒性:对肝毒性的增强作用主要表现在血浆ALT升高,肝脏总巯基和蛋白巯基含量降低,肝脏组织肝窦狭窄,肝小叶空泡变性;对肾脏毒性增强表现在血浆BUN和Cr升高,尿液蛋白和潜血增加,肾近端小管变性和髓质出血.DEX和CPA 200mg·kg-1合并用药组骨髓细胞的G0/G1期细胞增多,S期细胞明显减少.病理检查表明DEX和CPA合并用药组膀胱发生炎症和出血.结论:DEX诱导后使CPA对大鼠的肾脏、膀胱和骨髓毒性进一步增强,而DEX具有一定的肝脏毒性,与CPA合并给药后肝毒性有增强趋势.     

Comparison of the short-term hepatic effects of orally administered citral in Long Evans hooded and Wistar albino rats

The short-term effects of citral on the liver have been studied in two strains of rat. Hepatomegaly was accompanied in citral-treated rats by an altered distribution of lipid and glycogen in the liver and peroxisome proliferation occurred in a manner reminiscent of that associated with some hypolipidaemic compounds. Specific biochemical markers supported the morphological changes in the peroxisomes. Cyanide-insensitive palmitoyl CoA oxidation showed, at the maximum, fourfold and threefold inductions in Wistar albino and Long Evans hooded rats, respectively. In addition, induction of cytochrome P-450 levels was greater in the Long Evans than in the Wistar rats, the maximal increases recorded being 81 and 27% respectively. A peroxisome-associated polypeptide of molecular weight 80,000 daltons (PPA-80) was induced, especially in Long Evans rats. No alterations in plasma triglycerides or total cholesterol were detected. The differential induction of the mixed-function oxidase system and the differential proliferation of peroxisomes in these two strains of rat suggest that citral may be metabolized differently in the two strains. The study indicates that peroxisomal and possibly also mitochondrial changes are involved in the action of citral on lipid metabolism.     

Citrinin and endosulfan induced teratogenic effects in Wistar rats

Dietary exposures to food pollutants such as mycotoxin(s) or pesticide(s) are most significant due to their adverse effects on the production and reproduction in animals and the human population. The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the teratogenic potential of citrinin (CIT) and endosulfan either alone or in combination in pregnant rats during gestational days 6-20. Endosulfan (1 mg kg(-1) body weight, by oral intubation) and CIT (10 mg kg(-1) feed, through diet) when administered either alone or in combination in pregnant rats caused significant teratogenic effects in the developing fetuses. There was no maternal mortality, however, reduced maternal weight gain and number of live fetuses and increased fetal resorptions were recorded in all the treated groups. The fetal body weights and crown to rump lengths were significantly decreased and the per cent gross, visceral and skeletal anomalies were significantly increased in the fetuses of dams of all the treated groups. The internal hydrocephalus, cerebellar hypoplasia, microphthalmia, contracted and notched kidneys, multilobulated liver, dilated renal pelvis, incomplete ossification of skull bones, rib anomalies and sacral and caudal vertebrae agenesis were the important fetal malformations. The occurrence of fetal gross, skeletal and visceral malformations was more severe in the combination group, suggesting an additive interaction of CIT and endosulfan in inducing developmental toxicity in Wistar rats.     

Strain-specific effects of acidic pH on contractile state of aortas from Wistar and Wistar Kyoto rats

The effects of acidosis were investigated on the resting and precontracted aortas from Wistar and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Decrease in pH from 7.4 to 6.5, having no effect on the resting tension of Wistar aorta, induced a marked contraction of WKY aorta. Acidic pH markedly relaxed the contraction to 300 nM phenylephrine in Wistar aorta, whereas in WKY aorta, it produced a biphasic response, an initial relaxation followed by potentiation of the contraction. In aortas loaded with fura 2-AM, phenylephrine caused an increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and a contraction in both Wistar and WKY rats. pH 6.5 produced a decrease in [Ca2+]i to a near-basal level and almost abolished the phenylephrine-induced contraction in Wistar rat aorta. However, in WKY aorta, a biphasic response, an initial decline and later a recovery of [Ca2+]i level, was observed. Interestingly, at similar sustained [Ca2+]i, the contractile response to phenylephrine in WKY aorta was potentiated under acidic pH conditions. Acidic pH-induced inhibition of the contraction to phenylephrine was unaffected by iberiotoxin, 4-aminopyridine, and glibenclamide (Ca2+-activated, delayed rectifier and ATP-sensitive K+ channel inhibitors, respectively), in aortas from both Wistar and WKY. Decrease in extracellular pH was associated with a rapid fall in intracellular pH (pHi) and the intracellular acidification profile was not different in both strains. All these results show that acidic pH induces strain-specific inhibitory and excitatory effects on the contractile state of aortas from Wistar and WKY rats, respectively. The sustained and transient relaxant responses to acidic pH in Wistar and WKY aortas, respectively, are due to decrease in [Ca2+]i levels, but this decrease in [Ca2+]i is independent of the activation of K+ channels.