Biomaterial Database

Regionalization of endothelium-dependent relaxation in the thoracic aorta of pregnant and nonpregnant guinea pigs. 1995

A R Gregg, and L P Thompson, and J E Herrig, and C P Weiner

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242-1080, USA.

Regional variation in the response of the thoracic aorta to contractile agonists has previously been demonstrated. Since the net contractile response reflects the interaction between smooth muscle activation and the release of endothelial substances, we hypothesize that agonist-stimulated release of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) also varies along the length of the thoracic aorta. The distribution of thoracic aorta estrogen receptors is also regionalized. Since pregnancy augments the release of endothelium-derived NO by acetylcholine (ACh) in some arterial beds, we further hypothesize that pregnancy enhances the stimulated release of NO from the thoracic aorta. Aortae were removed from nonpregnant and near term pregnant guinea pigs and cut into ring segments numbered sequentially proximal to distal. The rings were suspended at their optimal passive tension and submaximally contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha. Endothelium-derived NO-dependent relaxation to ACh increased moving proximal to distal along the aorta independent of pregnancy and ACh relaxation was unaffected by pretreatment with physostigmine to inhibit cholinesterase. The magnitude of the relaxation to carbachol among the different segments was similar to ACh. Pregnancy decreased the ED50 for ACh of segments from the middle and distal segments of the thoracic aorta. Relaxation to the NO donor sodium nitroprusside and the nonreceptor-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxing agent A23187 was uniform along the length of the aorta and independent of pregnancy. These experiments demonstrate regional variation in the stimulated release of endothelium-derived NO in the guinea pig thoracic aorta which is increased by pregnancy.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009569	Nitric Oxide	A free radical gas produced endogenously by a variety of mammalian cells, synthesized from ARGININE by NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE. Nitric oxide is one of the ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT RELAXING FACTORS released by the vascular endothelium and mediates VASODILATION. It also inhibits platelet aggregation, induces disaggregation of aggregated platelets, and inhibits platelet adhesion to the vascular endothelium. Nitric oxide activates cytosolic GUANYLATE CYCLASE and thus elevates intracellular levels of CYCLIC GMP.	Endogenous Nitrate Vasodilator,Mononitrogen Monoxide,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium-Derived,Nitrogen Monoxide,Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide,Monoxide, Mononitrogen,Monoxide, Nitrogen,Nitrate Vasodilator, Endogenous,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium Derived,Oxide, Nitric,Vasodilator, Endogenous Nitrate
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D011270	Pregnancy, Animal	The process of bearing developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero in non-human mammals, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Animal Pregnancies,Animal Pregnancy,Pregnancies, Animal
D004730	Endothelium, Vascular	Single pavement layer of cells which line the luminal surface of the entire vascular system and regulate the transport of macromolecules and blood components.	Capillary Endothelium,Vascular Endothelium,Capillary Endotheliums,Endothelium, Capillary,Endotheliums, Capillary,Endotheliums, Vascular,Vascular Endotheliums
D005260	Female		Females
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D000109	Acetylcholine	A neurotransmitter found at neuromuscular junctions, autonomic ganglia, parasympathetic effector junctions, a subset of sympathetic effector junctions, and at many sites in the central nervous system.	2-(Acetyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium,Acetilcolina Cusi,Acetylcholine Bromide,Acetylcholine Chloride,Acetylcholine Fluoride,Acetylcholine Hydroxide,Acetylcholine Iodide,Acetylcholine L-Tartrate,Acetylcholine Perchlorate,Acetylcholine Picrate,Acetylcholine Picrate (1:1),Acetylcholine Sulfate (1:1),Bromoacetylcholine,Chloroacetylcholine,Miochol,Acetylcholine L Tartrate,Bromide, Acetylcholine,Cusi, Acetilcolina,Fluoride, Acetylcholine,Hydroxide, Acetylcholine,Iodide, Acetylcholine,L-Tartrate, Acetylcholine,Perchlorate, Acetylcholine
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001013	Aorta, Thoracic	The portion of the descending aorta proceeding from the arch of the aorta and extending to the DIAPHRAGM, eventually connecting to the ABDOMINAL AORTA.	Aorta, Ascending,Aorta, Descending,Aortic Arch,Aortic Root,Arch of the Aorta,Descending Aorta,Sinotubular Junction,Ascending Aorta,Thoracic Aorta,Aortic Roots,Arch, Aortic,Ascending Aortas,Junction, Sinotubular,Root, Aortic,Sinotubular Junctions
D014664	Vasodilation	The physiological widening of BLOOD VESSELS by relaxing the underlying VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE.	Vasodilatation,Vasorelaxation,Vascular Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation,Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation, Vascular,Relaxation, Vascular Endothelium-Dependent,Vascular Endothelium Dependent Relaxation