Biomaterial Database

Influence of the endothelium on Ca2+ dependency of angiotensin II-induced contractions of rat aortic rings. 1993

P N van Heiningen, and P A van Zwieten

Pharma Bio-Research Int BV, Zuidlaren, The Netherlands.

Endothelium-dependent relaxation has been demonstrated to be involved in the regulation of vascular tone and extracellular Ca2+ was found to play a prominent role in this process. Since the dependency on extracellular Ca2+ appeared to differ considerably within the arterial tree, possibly as a consequence of vessel-related endothelium-dependent mechanisms, we investigated the effects of different compounds affecting Ca2+ entry (nifedipine, CoCl2) on angiotensin II-induced contractions of rat aortic rings with and without endothelium as well as the responses in a Ca(2+)-"free" solution. For this purpose, rat aortic rings were either undone from their endothelial layer by gentle mechanical rubbing or care was taken to keep the intima intact in case rings where endothelium were required. The presence of an intact endothelium was confirmed by acetylcholine-induced relaxation. A stronger responsiveness towards angiotensin I, both after a complete concentration-response curve and after a single maximal concentration of angiotensin II was observed in arterial segments without endothelium. The maximal contraction to a single concentration of angiotensin II (0.1 microM) in the rings without endothelium amounted to 75.8 +/- 3.8% of the preceding response to a supramaximal concentration of noradrenaline (= Emax). In rings without the endothelial layer, the contraction was 34.8 +/- 3.7% of Emax. This indicates an endothelium-induced relaxation in aortic rings with endothelium. After incubation with the Ca2+ entry blocker nifedipine (1 microM) both rings with and without endothelium were inhibited to the same extent, contractions amounted to 30.7 +/- 1.8% and 19.6 +/- 1.3% of Emax, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009131	Muscle, Smooth, Vascular	The nonstriated involuntary muscle tissue of blood vessels.	Vascular Smooth Muscle,Muscle, Vascular Smooth,Muscles, Vascular Smooth,Smooth Muscle, Vascular,Smooth Muscles, Vascular,Vascular Smooth Muscles
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002121	Calcium Channel Blockers	A class of drugs that act by selective inhibition of calcium influx through cellular membranes.	Calcium Antagonists, Exogenous,Calcium Blockaders, Exogenous,Calcium Channel Antagonist,Calcium Channel Blocker,Calcium Channel Blocking Drug,Calcium Inhibitors, Exogenous,Channel Blockers, Calcium,Exogenous Calcium Blockader,Exogenous Calcium Inhibitor,Calcium Channel Antagonists,Calcium Channel Blocking Drugs,Exogenous Calcium Antagonists,Exogenous Calcium Blockaders,Exogenous Calcium Inhibitors,Antagonist, Calcium Channel,Antagonists, Calcium Channel,Antagonists, Exogenous Calcium,Blockader, Exogenous Calcium,Blocker, Calcium Channel,Blockers, Calcium Channel,Calcium Blockader, Exogenous,Calcium Inhibitor, Exogenous,Channel Antagonist, Calcium,Channel Blocker, Calcium,Inhibitor, Exogenous Calcium
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
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
D000804	Angiotensin II	An octapeptide that is a potent but labile vasoconstrictor. It is produced from angiotensin I after the removal of two amino acids at the C-terminal by ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME. The amino acid in position 5 varies in different species. To block VASOCONSTRICTION and HYPERTENSION effect of angiotensin II, patients are often treated with ACE INHIBITORS or with ANGIOTENSIN II TYPE 1 RECEPTOR BLOCKERS.	Angiotensin II, Ile(5)-,Angiotensin II, Val(5)-,5-L-Isoleucine Angiotensin II,ANG-(1-8)Octapeptide,Angiotensin II, Isoleucine(5)-,Angiotensin II, Valine(5)-,Angiotensin-(1-8) Octapeptide,Isoleucine(5)-Angiotensin,Isoleucyl(5)-Angiotensin II,Valyl(5)-Angiotensin II,5 L Isoleucine Angiotensin II,Angiotensin II, 5-L-Isoleucine
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