自发性高血压大鼠主动脉血管功能的变化

目的探讨自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)血管舒缩功能变化及其可能机制.方法以32周龄SHR大鼠(n=7)为研究对象,年龄、性别配对的WKY(n=7)大鼠作对照组.观察离体胸主动脉环对不同血管活性物质的舒缩反应.结果 SHR主动脉环对乙酰胆碱(ACh)诱导的内皮依赖性舒张反应明显减弱;对ACh的内皮依赖性收缩反应明显高于WKY.L-NAME加强ACh的收缩作用;对硝普钠(SNP)的收缩反应在两组间无差别.结论 SHR大鼠存在内皮功能障碍,表现为内皮依赖性舒张作用减弱,其机制与内皮合成NO减少及内皮依赖性收缩作用增强有关.     

自发性高血压大鼠主动脉血管功能的变化

目的 探讨自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)血管舒缩功能变化及其可能机制。方法 以32周龄级极大鼠(n＝7)为研究对象，年龄、性别配对的wKY(n＝7)大鼠作对照组。观察离体胸主动脉环对不同血管活性物质的舒缩反应。结果 SHR主动脉环对乙酰胆碱(ACh)诱导的内皮依赖性舒张反应明显减弱；对ACh的内皮依赖性收缩反应明显高于wKY。L-NAME加强ACh的收缩作用；对硝普钠(SNP)的收缩反应在两组间无差别。结论 SHR大鼠存在内皮功能障碍，表现为内皮依赖性舒张作用减弱，其机制与内皮合成NO减少及内皮依赖性收缩作用增强有关。     

顺气化痰活血方对慢性间歇性低氧大鼠主动脉内皮功能的干预作用

目的研究顺气化痰活血方对慢性间歇性低氧(CIH)大鼠主动脉内皮损伤的保护作用。方法采用间歇性低氧舱复制CIH大鼠模型,将60只大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组和中药组。离体血管灌流技术,观察乙酰胆碱(ACh)、硝普钠(SNP)对苯肾上腺素(PE)预收缩产生的舒张效应;HE染色观察主动脉内皮细胞的形态变化;Western印迹测定主动脉组织内皮素(ET)-1蛋白表达的变化;酶转化法测定主动脉组织中一氧化氮(NO)的含量。结果与对照组比较,CIH后大鼠主动脉内皮细胞受损,主动脉组织NO含量明显降低,ET-1蛋白表达明显增加,对ACh内皮依赖性舒张反应明显降低(P<0.01);经中药干预后,主动脉内皮细胞受损显著减轻,NO含量显著升高,ET-1蛋白表达显著减少,对ACh内皮依赖性舒张反应显著增强(P<0.01或P<0.05)。结论顺气化痰活血方可促进CIH大鼠主动脉NO分泌并抑制ET-1表达,恢复NO/ET-1平衡,有效保护内皮细胞形态及功能。     

肾血管性高血压大鼠血管内皮细胞功能的变化

目的观察肾血管性高血压(RVH)大鼠血管内皮细胞功能的变化并探讨其机制。方法体重为160~180g健康雄性Wistar大鼠随机分成2组高血压模型(RVH)组及对照(C)组。术后4周,用颈动脉直接插管法测定大鼠血压,应用生物测定法观察大鼠离体主动脉舒缩反应及美蓝(MB)、L-NAME、硝普钠(SNP)、左旋精氨酸(L-Arg)对其的影响。结果RVH大鼠离体胸主动脉环对苯肾上腺素(PHE)引起的收缩反应比对照组明显增高,去除内皮后可消除两组差异。鸟苷酸环化酶抑制剂美蓝及NO合成酶抑制剂L-NAME可使对照组收缩反应增加较RVH组明显。RVH大鼠胸主动脉环由乙酰胆碱(Ach)引起的内皮依赖性舒张反应较对照组明显减弱,而对非内皮依赖性松弛剂硝普钠(SNP)的舒张反应两组间无显著差异。NO合成底物L-Arg能显著提高RVH大鼠内皮依赖性舒张反应。结论肾血管性高血压血管内皮依赖的收缩反应增强,舒张反应减弱。其机制是血管内皮产生和释放EDRF(NO)功能受损和(或)EDRF作用减弱,合成NO的底物L-Arg不足。     

肾血管性高血压大鼠血管内皮细胞功能的变化

目的观察肾血管性高血压(RVH)大鼠血管内皮细胞功能的变化并探讨其机制.方法体重为160～180 g健康雄性Wistar大鼠随机分成2组:高血压模型(RVH)组及对照(C)组.术后4周,用颈动脉直接插管法测定大鼠血压,应用生物测定法观察大鼠离体主动脉舒缩反应及美蓝(MB)、L-NAME、硝普钠(SNP)、左旋精氨酸(L-Arg)对其的影响.结果 RVH大鼠离体胸主动脉环对苯肾上腺素(PHE)引起的收缩反应比对照组明显增高,去除内皮后可消除两组差异.鸟苷酸环化酶抑制剂美蓝及NO合成酶抑制剂L-NAME可使对照组收缩反应增加较RVH组明显.RVH大鼠胸主动脉环由乙酰胆碱(Ach)引起的内皮依赖性舒张反应较对照组明显减弱,而对非内皮依赖性松弛剂硝普钠(SNP)的舒张反应两组间无显著差异.NO合成底物L-Arg能显著提高RVH大鼠内皮依赖性舒张反应.结论肾血管性高血压血管内皮依赖的收缩反应增强,舒张反应减弱.其机制是血管内皮产生和释放EDRF(NO)功能受损和(或)EDRF作用减弱,合成NO的底物L-Arg不足.     

左旋氨氯地平对自发性高血压大鼠内皮功能的保护作用

目的 探讨左旋氨氯地平对自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)内皮依赖性舒张功能的影响.方法 20只SHR随机分为左旋氨氯地平治疗组(SHR-A组)和高血压对照组(SHR-C组),同周龄WKY大鼠作为正常对照组(WKY组).左旋氨氯地平治疗12周后,检测各组大鼠胸主动脉对乙酰胆碱(ACh)和硝普钠(SNP)的舒张反应,以及血清NO、内皮素(ET)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的水平.结果 与SHR-C组相比,SHR-A组胸主动脉环对ACh的最大舒张反应明显增强(P<0.01).左旋硝基精氨酸甲酯能够消除两组之间的差异.3组大鼠胸主动脉环对SNP的最大舒张反应无统计学意义(P>0.05).SHR-A组与SHR-C组、WKY组比较血清NO、SOD浓度明显增加,而血浆ET水平显著降低(P<0.05).结论 左旋氨氯地平干预能够显著改善SHR血管内皮依赖性舒张功能,其作用机制可能与增加内皮NO的合成和释放有关.     

2型糖尿病大鼠不同病程期血管内皮依赖性舒张与内皮素相关

为探讨 2型糖尿病不同病程阶段血管内皮依赖性舒张受损与血浆内皮素之间的关系 ,制备 2型糖尿病大鼠模型 ,利用放射免疫测定法 ,观察大鼠造模 10周与 2 5周时 ,血浆内皮素浓度的变化 ,并利用离体主动脉环舒缩功能实验 ,研究内皮依赖性血管舒张功能损害情况 ,分析两者之间的内在联系。结果发现 ,2型糖尿病大鼠造模 10周时 ,与同龄正常大鼠比较 ,其主动脉内皮依赖性舒张反应明显减弱 ,并伴有血浆内皮素含量升高 ,当造模 2 5周时 ,主动脉内皮依赖性舒张功能进一步受损 ,但血浆内皮素含量不仅不升高 ,反而低于造模 10周的大鼠 (P <0 .0 5 )。结果提示 :2型糖尿病大鼠早期血管内皮依赖性舒张反应减弱可能与内皮素分泌过多有关 ,而晚期血管内皮依赖性舒张反应进一步受损可能与内皮素无关     

Cariporide对晚期氧化蛋白产物损伤血管内皮功能的保护作用

目的研究晚期氧化蛋白产物在体外能否直接损伤大鼠离体胸主动脉的内皮功能,及观察Cariporide对晚期氧化蛋白产物诱导的血管内皮损伤是否具有保护作用并探讨其可能的机制。方法雄性SD大鼠在戊巴比妥麻醉下,开胸切取胸主动脉,制成3~4mm血管环备用,按文献方法制备晚期氧化蛋白产物。用不同浓度晚期氧化蛋白产物(1、2和3mmol/L)和Cariporide孵育大鼠离体胸主动脉环,分别检测乙酰胆碱引起的内皮依赖性舒张反应和硝普钠引起的非内皮依赖性舒张反应。并测定血管组织中超氧化物歧化酶的活性、丙二醛及一氧化氮的含量。结果晚期氧化蛋白产物能损伤乙酰胆碱诱导的内皮依赖性舒张反应,且血管组织丙二醛含量增加,超氧化物歧化酶活性下降,一氧化氮释放减少。Cariporide(0.01~1μmol/L)与晚期氧化蛋白产物(3mmol/L)共同孵育血管环90min,能改善晚期氧化蛋白产物对血管内皮依赖性舒张反应的损害,丙二醛含量减少,超氧化物歧化酶活性升高,一氧化氮释放增加。结论Cariporide对晚期氧化蛋白产物所致血管内皮依赖性舒张反应的损害具有明显保护作用,其机制可能与抗氧化作用和促进一氧化氮的合成或释放有关。     

植物雌激素α-玉米赤霉醇内皮依赖性舒张效应的机制研究

目的探讨植物雌激素α-玉米赤霉醇(α-ZAL)对大鼠胸主动脉环内皮依赖性舒张效应中一氧化氮合酶(NOS)-NO-环磷酸鸟苷(cGMP)系统的作用。方法采用体外血管环灌流的方法,先用10-6mol/L苯肾上腺素预收缩血管。观察10-10～10-5mol/L6个不同浓度α-ZAL对内皮完整和去除内皮的大鼠胸主动脉环的舒张作用。α-ZAL10-10～10-8mol/L为低浓度组,α-ZAL10-7～10-5mol/L为高浓度组,0.1%乙醇浓度为对照组。在高浓度组中分别预先加用10-5mol/L左旋硝基精氨酸甲酯(L-NAME组)和亚甲蓝(MB组)并观察其影响,测定动脉环中内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)和cGMP含量及灌流液中NO含量变化。结果L-NAME组和MB组均可减弱高浓度组中α-ZAL的内皮依赖性胸主动脉环舒张作用(P<0.05,P<0.01);与对照组比较,高浓度组胸主动脉环中eNOS、cGMP含量及灌流液中NO含量增高(P<0.05,P<0.01);与高浓度组比较,L-NAME组可降低灌流液中NO含量及胸主动脉环中cGMP含量(P<0.05,P<0.01);MB组可降低胸主动脉环中cGMP含量(P<0.01)。结论α-ZAL的内皮依赖性舒张作用与NOS-NO-cGMP系统的激活有关。     

胰岛素抵抗大鼠内皮依赖性血管舒张功能研究

目的　探讨高脂饲料诱导胰岛素抵抗 (IR )动物模型的内皮功能变化及其机制。方法　高脂饲料喂养大鼠 4周 ,建立IR动物模型 ,并用正葡萄糖高胰岛素钳夹技术的葡萄糖输注率 (GIR)评价IR。观察大鼠离体主动脉对乙酰胆碱 (Ach)依赖性血管舒张功能反应和一氧化氮合酶 (NOS) 一氧化氮 (NO) cGMP功能状态。结果　 ( 1)高脂饲料组大鼠的GIR显著低于正常饲料组大鼠 (P <0 .0 1) ,且GIR水平与大鼠体重呈显著负相关 (r =-0 .75 ,P <0 .0 1)。 ( 2 )高脂饲料组大鼠离体主动脉条对Ach依赖性血管舒张功能反应显著降低 ,最大舒张反应降低 13 .8% (P <0 .0 1) ,高脂饲料组大鼠主动脉NO及cGMP浓度明显低于普通饲料组大鼠 (均P <0 .0 5 ) ,两组大鼠主动脉NOS浓度无明显差别。 ( 3 )大鼠主动脉条对Ach依赖性血管舒张功能反应与NO水平呈显著负相关 (r =-0 .65 ,P <0 .0 5 )。结论　 ( 1)应用正葡萄糖高胰岛素钳夹技术显示 ,在高脂饲料饲养 4周的大鼠建立了IR大鼠模型。 ( 2 )高脂饲料饲养大鼠的内皮细胞功能减弱 ,其机制与NO水平降低密切相关。     

Acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent vascular smooth muscle relaxation in nitroglycerin-tolerant isolated rat aorta

Summary Nitroglycerin (NTG) tolerance is recognized clinically, and its pharmacological mechanism has been thought to be due to a decrease in the accumulation of cyclic GMP (cGMP) which is a second messenger of NTG. Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) also relaxes vascular smooth muscle through the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and the production of cGMP. The purpose of this study was to investigate acetylcholine (ACh)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation and cGMP response in NTG-tolerant isolated rat aorta. Ring strips prepared from the thoracic aorta of male Wistar rats were mounted in tissue baths and contracted with 10^–6 M norepinephrine. NTG and ACh relaxation responses were compared before and after 1 h treatment with 5×10^–4 M NTG. The chronological changes in tissue cGMP levels by 10^–6 M NTG and ACh were compared between a control group (untreated) and NTG-tolerant group (treated with 5×10^–4 M NTG for 1 h). The NTG dose-response curve shifted markedly to the right, but the ACh dose-response curve shifted to the left after the induction of NTG tolerance. In the control group, both NTG and ACh elevated the tissue cGMP levels, but in the NTG-tolerant group only ACh elevated cGMP significantly. However, in the NTG-tolerant group, the cGMP increase induced by ACh was smaller than that in the control group.These results suggest that NTG tolerance does not decrease, but rather augments ACh-induced endothelium-dependent vascular smooth muscle relaxation in isolated rat aorta.     

Beta-migrating very low density lipoprotein attenuates endothelium-dependent relaxation in rabbit atherosclerotic aortas

We studied the effects of beta-migrating very low density lipoprotein (beta-VLDL) on the vascular responses of isolated thoracic aortic preparations taken from normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits. The endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was attenuated in the arteries from hypercholesterolemic rabbits that were fed a cholesterol-rich diet for 12 weeks. In these aortas, the lesional circumference of the atherosclerotic plaques (fatty streaks) was only 12.18 +/- 1.98%. The relaxation induced by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 or nitroglycerin was not altered. Preincubation with beta-VLDL significantly inhibited the relaxation due to acetylcholine, ATP, or A23187, especially in the aortas of hypercholesterolemic rabbits. However, beta-VLDL did not alter the response to nitroglycerin. Preincubation with high density lipoprotein had no significant effect on vessel relaxation. These results indicated that endothelium-dependent relaxation was already inhibited in the early stages of atherosclerosis, and that the atherogenic lipoprotein, beta-VLDL, further inhibited endothelium-dependent relaxation in atherosclerotic aortas. It may be that beta-VLDL also plays a role in determining the level of vascular tonus in atherosclerosis.     

Relationship between hypercholesterolaemia, endothelial dysfunction and hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: We have previously shown that in the rat a diet high in cholesterol and deficient in vitamin E and selenium results in hypercholesterolaemia and increased lipid oxidation. We utilized this model to determine whether rats given this diet develop impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation mediated by nitric oxide (NO) in mesenteric and in renal vessels. In addition, we tested whether the impairment is due to (i) decreased endothelial NO synthase activity, (ii) increased NO inactivation and/or (iii) increased production of the endothelium-derived constricting factors thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 and endothelin-1. We also investigated whether endothelial dysfunction induced by dyslipidaemia increases the sensitivity for the development of hypertension in response to high dietary salt. METHODS: Male Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats were divided into three groups and received a standard diet (control group), a high (4%) cholesterol diet (HChol), or a high cholesterol diet deficient in the anti-oxidants vitamin E and selenium (HChol-Def). The NaCl content of these diets was 0.5%. After 18 weeks we studied endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine (ACh) in aortas and in isolated perfused preparations of mesenteric arteries and kidneys. In some experiments, ifetroban, a thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor antagonist, was added to the organ bath or the perfusion buffer. Vascular responses to endothelin-1 as well as to BQ-123, an endothelin A receptor blocker, were studied in the isolated perfused kidneys. In addition, two extra groups of rats were fed a diet high in sodium chloride (2%): one of the groups received the normal cholesterol diet whereas the other group received the diet high in cholesterol and deficient in vitamin E and selenium. RESULTS: Compared to normocholesterolemic rats, responses to ACh were significantly impaired in aortas, mesenteric arteries and kidneys of HChol-Def rats (P < 0.01). Endothelial NO synthase activity (conversion of [14C]L-arginine to [14C]L-citrulline) was similar in aortas of control, HChol and HChol-Def rats; thus suggesting that impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in the HChol-Def rats was not due to decreased cNOS catalytic activity. Ifetroban improved the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in mesenteric vessels, but not in aortas and kidneys. Endothelin-1 (ET-1: 10(-13)-10(-11) mol/l) elicited NO-mediated relaxations in kidneys of control rats but not in kidneys of HChol-Def; blockade of ET-1 with BQ-123, an ET(A) receptor blocker, did not improve NO-mediated relaxation of HChol-Def. Despite impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in renal and mesenteric vessels, HChol-Def DSS rats failed to develop hypertension (systolic blood pressure 144 +/- 1 in control and 150 +/- 2 mmHg in HChol-Def) but manifested a significant increase in sensitivity to the pressor effects of a high (2% NaCl) dietary salt content during the initial 10 weeks of the study, although the final blood pressure at 18 weeks was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: These studies support the notion that (i) products of lipid oxidation may reduce NO bioactivity without affecting endothelial NO synthase mass or catalytic activity, (ii) the mechanisms involved in the endothelial dysfunction induced by hypercholesterolaemia and oxidized lipids may differ among vascular beds, and (iii) decreased NO bioavailability does not necessarily result in systemic hypertension, but it may enhance the sensitivity to the hypertensinogenic effect of dietary salt.     

Metformin treatment corrects vascular insulin resistance in hypertension

OBJECTIVE: In states of insulin resistance, the vasorelaxant actions of insulin are blunted, which may contribute towards the development of increased vascular tone/hypertension and reduced glucose uptake. To examine whether treating insulin resistance in hypertension restores the vascular actions of insulin, we studied the long-term effects of metformin on the contractile responses of isolated aortas from control and insulin-resistant, hyperinsulinaemic fructose-hypertensive rats in the presence and absence of insulin. DESIGN AND METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control, control metformin-treated, fructose and fructose metformin-treated groups (n = 8 per group). The treated groups received metformin (500 mg/kg per day for 6 weeks), following which isometric responses to noradrenaline (NA) and angiotensin II (A-II) were examined in thoracic aortas in the presence and absence of insulin (100 mU/ml for 2 h) using isolated organ-bath apparatus. In addition, endothelium-dependent and independent vascular responses to acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were also studied. RESULTS: Metformin treatment prevented the development of fructose-induced insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia and hypertension. Insulin attenuated the contractile responses to NA and A-II in control rat aortas; however, blood vessels from untreated fructose rats were refractory to insulin-induced vasodilation. Strikingly, long-term metformin treatment restored the vasodepressor actions of insulin in fructose rats. Metformin did not affect the contractile responses to NA or A-II in either control or fructose rats. In addition, metformin treatment restored ACh-induced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in aortas from fructose rats without affecting SNP-induced relaxation. CONCLUSIONS: These data show, for the first time, that long-term metformin treatment corrects vascular insulin resistance and improves endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in hypertension. These effects appear to be secondary to metformin-induced improvements in metabolic derangements (versus a direct vascular action of metformin). Improving the vascular effects of insulin may serve to decrease peripheral tone, attenuate blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity.     

Antihypertensive and vasodilator actions of antioxidants in spontaneously hypertensive rats

This study was designed to determine whether the antioxidants ascorbic acid, aminotriazole, and glutathione acutely reduce blood pressure (BP) by endothelium-independent or -dependent vasorelaxation in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Blood pressure of male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was measured before and 4 h after administration of antioxidants. Thoracic aortic rings with and without endothelium were suspended in organ chambers for isometric tension recordings. Each of the antioxidants, administered in vivo, significantly decreased blood pressure in SHR but had no significant effect on BP in WKY rats. The endothelium-dependent impaired relaxation of SHR aortic rings to acetylcholine (ACh) was improved by prior in vivo administration of each antioxidant. ACh-induced relaxations of aortic rings from WKY was not affected by prior antioxidant treatment. Addition of each antioxidant directly to the organ chamber containing SHR or WKY aortas produced dose- and endothelium-dependent relaxations. Moreover, antioxidant pretreatment of SHR aortic rings significantly potentiated ACh-induced relaxations in these aortas, suggesting that this effect was endothelium dependent. Relaxations induced by the antioxidants alone or by ACh in the presence of antioxidants were inhibited by addition of either xanthine plus xanthine oxidase or nitro-l-arginine. These findings suggest that either excess production of oxidants or a deficiency of antioxidant systems may contribute to the high blood pressure and the endothelium-dependent impairment of vascular relaxation in SHR.     

Effects of glucose tolerance on the changes provoked by glucose ingestion in microvascular function

Aims/hypothesis Hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia have opposite effects on endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in microcirculation, but the net effect elicited by glucose ingestion and the separate influence of glucose tolerance are unknown. Methods In participants with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or diabetic glucose tolerance, multiple plasma markers of both oxidative stress and endothelial activation, and forearm vascular responses (plethysmography) to intra-arterial acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) infusions were measured before and after glucose ingestion. In another IGT group, we evaluated the time-course of the skin vascular responses (laser Doppler) to ACh and SNP (by iontophoresis) 1, 2 and 3 h into the OGTT; the plasma glucose profile was then reproduced by means of a variable intravenous glucose infusion and the vascular measurements repeated. Results Following oral glucose, plasma antioxidants were reduced by 5% to 10% (p < 0.01) in all patient groups. The response to acetylcholine was not affected by glucose ingestion in any group, while the response to SNP was attenuated, particularly in the IGT group. The ACh:SNP ratio was slightly improved therefore in all groups, even in diabetic participants, in whom it was impaired basally. A time-dependent improvement in ACh:SNP ratio was also observed in skin microcirculation following oral glucose; this improvement was blunted when matched hyperglycaemia was coupled with lower hyperinsulinaemia (intravenous glucose). Conclusions/interpretation Regardless of glucose tolerance, oral glucose does not impair endothelium-dependent vasodilatation either in resistance arteries or in the microcirculation, despite causing increased oxidative stress; the endogenous insulin response is probably responsible for countering any inhibitory effect on vascular function.     

Vascular and renal effects of vasopeptidase inhibition and angiotensin-converting enzyme blockade in spontaneously diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats

BACKGROUND: The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes-induced vascular and renal complications. Vasopeptidase inhibitors simultaneously inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of vasopeptidase inhibition and ACE inhibition in preventing hypertension, endothelial dysfunction and diabetic nephropathy in spontaneously diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats. METHODS: Eight-week-old GK rats received omapatrilat (40 mg/kg) or enalapril (30 mg/kg) for 12 weeks, either during a normal-sodium or high-sodium diet (7% w/w). Blood pressure, arterial functions and renal morphology were determined. RESULTS: Blood pressure and albuminuria were increased in GK rats compared to non-diabetic Wistar controls. Endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation in response to acetylcholine (ACh) and endothelium-independent vascular relaxation in response to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were impaired in GK rats. Experiments with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), diclofenac, and L-NAME + diclofenac suggested that cyclooxygenase and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor components of endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation were also impaired. A high-sodium diet aggravated hypertension and diabetes-induced vascular and renal complications. Omapatrilat and enalapril normalized blood pressure and albuminuria during the normal-sodium diet, and effectively ameliorated diabetes-induced renal complications also during the high-sodium diet. However, omapatrilat improved endothelium-dependent relaxation to ACh to a greater extent (85 +/- 5%) than enalapril (68 +/- 6%, P < 0.05). Diclofenac pre-incubation eliminated this difference between omapatrilat and enalapril in ACh-induced vascular relaxation, suggesting that it was mediated, at least in part, via the cyclooxygenase pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Despite comparable blood pressure-lowering and renoprotective properties, omapatrilat may be more effective in preventing vascular dysfunction during diabetes compared to enalapril in GK rats.     

氯沙坦与赖诺普利对大鼠压力负荷性心血管重构的影响

目的：探讨心血管重构的结构、功能改变以及氯沙坦和赖诺普利的干预作用。方法：膈下腹主动脉缩窄法建立大鼠心肌肥厚模型。检测各实验组平均动脉压（mean avterial pressure,MAP)、心肌肥厚程度、胸主动脉内皮功能。结果：与假手术组相比，模型组MAP、左室重量（left ventricular weight,LVW)、左室重量指数（left venticuler mess index,LVMI)、心肌细胞横径（transverse diameter of myocardium,TDM)分别提高28．6％、20．5％、26．9％、17．9％（P＜0．01），胸主动脉环对乙酰胆碱（ACh)血管舒张反应明显降低（P＜0．01）；降压剂量氯沙坦与赖诺普利与非降压剂量氯沙坦干预后，能完全预防心肌肥厚，使胸主动脉环对ACh血管舒张反应正常化，以降压剂量氯沙坦作用最为明显；非降压剂量赖诺普利能改善心肌肥厚程度，但与假手术组有差异（P＜0．01），胸主动脉环对ACh血管舒张反应无改善。六组动物胸主动脉环对硝普钠（SNP）最大舒张反应均无差别，模型组反应曲线右移。结论：氯沙坦与赖诺普利能预防心肌肥厚，改善内皮功能，与剂量有一定关系。     

Effect of quercetin on altered vascular reactivity in aortas isolated from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The present work examined ex vivo the acute effect of quercetin on diabetic rat aortic ring reactivity in response to endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine, ACh) and endothelium-independent (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) relaxants, and to the alpha(1)-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (PE). Responses were compared to those of aortic rings from age- and sex-matched euglycemic rats. Compared to euglycemic rat aortic rings, diabetic rings showed less relaxation in response to ACh and SNP, and greater contraction in response to PE. Pretreatment with quercetin (10microM, 20min) increased ACh-induced relaxation and decreased PE-induced contraction in diabetic, but did not affect euglycemic rat aortic ring responses. Following pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 10microM), quercetin reduced PE-induced contractions in both aortic ring types, although l-NAME attenuated the reduction in the diabetic rings. Quercetin did not alter SNP vasodilatory effects in either ring type compared to their respective controls. These findings indicate that quercetin acutely improved vascular responsiveness in blood vessels from diabetic rats, and that these effects were mediated, at least in part, by enhanced endothelial nitric oxide bioavailability. These effects of quercetin suggest the possible beneficial effects of quercetin in vivo in experimental diabetes and possibly in other cardiovascular diseases.