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T Bennett

Publications and source records attributed to T Bennett.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Involvement of nitric oxide in the regional haemodynamic effects of perindoprilat and captopril in hypovolaemic Brattleboro rats.

1. Male, homozygous Brattleboro (i.e. vasopressin-deficient) rats were chronically instrumented with pulsed Doppler flow probes and intravascular catheters, and were studied 5 h after a subcutaneous injection of an hyperoncotic solution of polyethylene glycol to render them hypovolaemic, and hence dependent on the renin-angiotensin system for maintenance of haemodynamic status. Pilot experiments showed that, in this model, primed infusion of perindoprilat (0.05 mg kg-1 bolus, 0.05 mg kg-1 h-1 infusion) or captopril (0.2 mg kg-1 bolus, 0.2 mg kg-1 h-1 infusion) just abolished the pressor effect of angiotensin I (120 pmol), and had similar initial hypotensive and renal hyperaemic vasodilator effects. 2. Perindoprilat had more sustained hypotensive, and mesenteric and hindquarters vasodilator effects than captopril in the presence of saline. In the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME 3 mg kg-1 h-1), the renal vasodilator effects of perindoprilat were unchanged, whereas the other haemodynamic effects of perindoprilat and captopril were reduced. Hence, in the presence of L-NAME, all haemodynamic effects of perindoprilat were greater than those of captopril. 3. The renal hyperaemic vasodilator effects of acetylcholine were abolished by L-NAME and by perindoprilat, and were markedly reduced by captopril. However, since perindoprilat and captopril caused such marked renal hyperaemic vasodilatation themselves, it is feasible this change in baseline status contributed to their effects. It is unlikely this could be a full explanation of the results, because the haemodynamic effects of lemakalim were unchanged under any experimental conditions. 4. Bradykinin alone, or in the presence of saline, caused mesenteric hyperaemic vasodilatation whereas, in the presence of perindoprilat or captopril, bradykinin caused marked renal and mesenteric vasoconstrictions. However, in the additional presence of L-NAME, the mesenteric vasoconstriction was reduced, yet the hypotensive effect of bradykinin was augmented. One possible explanation of these observations is that, in the presence of L-NAME and either perindoprilat or captopril, bradykinin caused marked coronary vasoconstriction, leading to a reduction in cardiac output. 5. Neither perindoprilat nor captopril impaired the pressor, or renal, mesenteric, or hindquarters vasoconstrictor effects of L-NAME. Indeed, in their presence, the effects of L-NAME were generally enhanced, consistent with perindoprilat and captopril causing activation of nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms that were subsequently inhibited by L-NAME.

Acetylcholine↗

Mechanisms contributing to the regional haemodynamic effects of neurotensin in conscious, unrestrained Long Evans rats.

1. The regional haemodynamic effects of i.v. bolus doses of neurotensin (10-1000 ng) were assessed in conscious, unrestrained Long Evans rats chronically instrumented with miniaturized, pulsed Doppler probes. 2. Neurotensin caused increases in blood pressure, together with dose-related tachycardias and constrictions in the renal, superior mesenteric and hindquarters vascular beds. The tachycardia elicited by the 1000 ng dose of neurotensin was preceded by a transient bradycardia. 3. In the presence of phentolamine, the pressor effect of neurotensin (1000 ng) was converted into a hypotensive effect, accompanied by reduced tachycardic and constrictor responses in the renal, superior mesenteric and hindquarters vascular beds. The tachycardia was not preceded by a bradycardia. 4. In the presence of phentolamine and propranolol, the pressor and bradycardic responses to neurotensin were unaffected, whereas the tachycardia was abolished. The renal vasconstrictor effect was smaller, while the constrictions in the superior mesenteric and hindquarters vascular beds were not different from those in untreated rats. 5. In rats neonatally treated with capsaicin (50 mg kg-1, s.c.), the pressor effects elicited by neurotensin (300 and 1000 ng) were reduced as were the constrictor responses in the renal (at the dose of 300 ng), superior mesenteric (at the dose of 300 ng) and hindquarters (at both doses) vascular beds. The bradycardia elicited by neurotensin (1000 ng) was absent, whereas the tachycardia was potentiated. 6. The results indicate that in conscious, intact rats neurotensin appears to exert cardiovascular influences through activation of sympathoadrenal mechanisms and also through non-adrenergic effects on the heart, renal, superior mesenteric and hindquarters vascular beds. The latter effects appear to involve capsaicin-sensitive nerves.

Animals↗

Involvement of capsaicin-sensitive neurones in the haemodynamic effects of exogenous vasoactive peptides: studies in conscious, adult Long Evans rats treated neonatally with capsaicin.

1. The regional haemodynamic effects of i.v. bolus injections of bradykinin (0.05 or 0.5 nmol), cholecystokinin (0.175 or 1.75 nmol), substance P (0.01 or 0.1 nmol) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (0.05 or 0.5 nmol) were assessed in conscious, adult Long Evans rats that had been treated neonatally with either capsaicin (50 mg kg-1, s.c.) or vehicle. 2. In vehicle-treated rats, both doses of bradykinin were without effect on blood pressure, but caused tachycardia and hindquarters vasodilatation. Moreover, after the higher dose there were dilatations in the renal and superior mesenteric vascular beds. In capsaicin-treated rats the hindquarters vasodilator effects elicited by both doses of bradykinin were significantly reduced, while the tachycardia and responses in the renal and superior mesenteric vascular beds were unchanged. 3. In vehicle-treated rats, cholecystokinin caused dose-dependent increases in blood pressure accompanied by renal, superior mesenteric and hindquarters vasoconstriction followed, after the higher dose, by a hindquarters vasodilatation. The lower dose produced a tachycardia, while there was a bradycardia followed by a tachycardia after the higher dose. In capsaicin-treated rats, the pressor response, as well as the renal vasoconstrictor effects of cholecystokinin, were greater than in vehicle-treated rats, while the heart rate, superior mesenteric or hindquarters responses were not different. 4. In vehicle-treated rats, substance P produced a dose-dependent depressor response and tachycardia accompanied by dilatations in the renal and hindquarters vascular beds and constriction in the superior mesenteric vascular bed. In capsaicin-treated rats, the responses to the lower dose of substance P were not different from those in vehicle-treated rats, while the depressor response to the higher dose of substance P was slightly less than in vehicle-treated rats and the renal vasodilatation was absent.5. In vehicle-treated rats, calcitonin gene-related peptide caused dose-dependent hypotensive and tachycardic effects associated with dilatations in renal and hindquarters vascular beds and a constriction in the superior mesenteric vascular bed. After the higher dose, the renal vasodilatation was followed by a modest vasoconstriction. In capsaicin-treated rats, the depressor responses to both doses of calcitonin generelated peptide were slightly more prolonged than in vehicle-treated animals, whereas the heart rate and renal and mesenteric vascular conductance changes were not significantly different. However, there was a more sustained hindquarters vasodilator response to the higher dose of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the capsaicin-treated rats.6. The results suggest that peripheral, capsaicin-sensitive neurones are involved in the cardiovascular responses to exogenous bradykinin and cholecystokinin in conscious rats. It does not appear that the extent of involvement of these neurones is underestimated on account of development of marked supersensitivity to the peptides they normally release, since responses to such peptides (e.g. substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide) are relatively normal in capsaicin-treated rats.

Analysis of Variance↗

Effects of the neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, SQ 28,603, on regional haemodynamic responses to atrial natriuretic peptide or proendothelin-1 [1-38] in conscious rats.

1. Regional haemodynamic responses to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP, 0.5 nmol kg-1) or proendothelin-1 [1-38] (1.0 nmol kg-1) were assessed in the same conscious Long Evans rats before and 20 min after administration of the novel neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitor, SQ 28,603 (50 mg kg-1, i.v.). In a separate experiment, responses to endothelin-1 (0.5 nmol kg-1), angiotensin I (0.25 nmol kg-1) and angiotensin II (0.12 nmol kg-1) were measured before and after administration of SQ 28,603. 2. SQ 28,603 alone had no significant cardiovascular effects but caused significant prolongation of the hypotensive, tachycardic and renal and mesenteric vasoconstrictor effects of ANP. However, the early vasodilator and late vasoconstrictor responses in the hindquarters were not affected significantly. 3. SQ 28,603 caused significant attenuation of the pressor effects of proendothelin-1 [1-38] but the associated bradycardia was unchanged. SQ 28,603 caused a significant inhibition of the renal and mesenteric vasoconstrictor effects of proendothelin-1 and also inhibited the initial vasodilator and subsequent vasoconstrictor responses in the hindquarters vascular bed. 4. SQ 28,603 had no significant effects on the haemodynamic responses to endothelin-1, angiotensin I, or angiotensin II. 5. The results are consistent with SQ 28,603 not only inhibiting NEP that is involved in the degradation of ANP, but also suppressing activity of the enzyme involved in the conversion of proendothelin-1 [1-38] to endothelin-1.

Alanine↗

Coeliac haemodynamic effects of endothelin-1, endothelin-3, proendothelin-1 [1-38] and proendothelin-3 [1-41] in conscious rats.

1. Conscious, chronically-instrumented, Long Evans rats were given bolus doses of endothelin-1, endothelin-3 (both at 0.01 and 0.1 nmol kg-1), proendothelin-1 [1-38] and proendothelin-3 [1-41] (both 0.1 and 1 nmol kg-1) in order to compare their effects on coeliac haemodynamics, because it has been reported that, in conscious dogs, endothelin-1 has paradoxical, prolonged hyperaemic vasodilator effects in this vascular bed. Measurements were made also of mesenteric and hindquarters haemodynamics for comparison. In a separate experiment, endothelin-1 (0.1 nmol kg-1) was given before and 20 min after the onset of an infusion of mecamylamine (50 mumol kg h-1) to ensure that the responses measured were not confounded by rapid reflex changes in autonomic activity. 2. None of the peptides caused any increases in coeliac flow or any sustained rises in coeliac vascular conductance, although such changes were clear-cut in the hindquarters vascular bed following the higher dose of endothelin-1 and endothelin-3. In animals treated with mecamylamine the regional haemodynamic effects of the higher dose endothelin-1 were not different from those in animals with intact baroreflexes. 3. Although the lower dose of both endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 caused less marked coeliac, than mesenteric vasoconstriction, this difference was not apparent with the higher dose of the peptides, or with proendothelin-1 [1-38]. However, proendothelin-3 [1-41] had less marked coeliac and hindquarters vasoconstrictor effects than proendothelin-1 [1-38], in spite of both peptides causing similar changes in mesenteric haemodynamics.These differences could have been due to regional differences in the conversion of proendothelin-l [1-38] and proendothelin-3 [1-41] to endothelin-l and endothelin-3,respectively. Our findings contradict the proposition that exogenous proendothelin-3[1-41] is not converted into endothelin-3 in vivo.4. Since, in contrast to endothelin-1 and endothelin-3, proendothelin-1 [1-38] and proendothelin-3 [1-41] caused only small hindquarters vasodilatations, but large vasoconstrictions, it is feasible that the vasodilator responses to exogenous endothelin-l and endothelin-3 are pharmacological phenomena, and that, in vivo, the production of endothelins from proendothelins exerts widespread vasoconstrictor effects.

Animals↗

Inhibition of the haemodynamic effects of angiotensin II in conscious rats by AT2-receptor antagonists given after the AT1-receptor antagonist, EXP 3174.

1. Conscious, Long Evans rats (n = 10), chronically instrumented for the measurement of regional haemodynamics, were studied on 3 consecutive experimental days to assess responses to angiotensin II (AII) (125 pmol kg-1, i.v.) and noradrenaline (1 nmol kg-1, i.v.) in the absence and presence of the AT2-receptor antagonist, PD 123319 (10 mg kg-1, i.v.) (day 1), the AT1-receptor antagonist, EXP 3174 (1 mg kg-1, i.v.) (day 2), and PD 123319 (10 mg kg-1, i.v.) given 24 h after EXP 3174 (day 3). 2. In naive rats (day 1), PD 123319 did not antagonize the haemodynamic effects of AII or noradrenaline. EXP 3174 (day 2) caused a marked, prolonged blockade of the haemodynamic effects of AII but not those of noradrenaline. Twenty four h after administration of EXP 3174 (day 3) there was still significant attenuation of the haemodynamic effects of AII. However, administration of PD 123319 at this time caused a further inhibition (lasting 1 h) of the effects of AII but not those of noradrenaline. 3. An identical 3 day protocol was used in a separate group of rats (n = 6) in which the AT2-receptor antagonist, PD 123177, was given instead of PD 123319, and the results were essentially the same, i.e., PD 123177 significantly attenuated the haemodynamic effects of AII but only when given 24 h after EXP 3174.4. In a separate group of rats (n = 4), a low dose of EXP 3174 (60 pg kg-' i.v.) was given to naive rats in order to simulate the degree of inhibition of the effects of All seen after administration of AT2-receptor antagonists in animals pretreated with EXP 3174. This low dose of EXP 3174 did not produce a sustained inhibition of the effects of All and the time course of recovery of All responses was similar to that seen with PD 123319 or PD 123177 given after the high dose of EXP 3174.5. The apparent inhibition of the effects of AII by the AT2-receptor antagonists, PD 123319 and PD 123177, when these were administered 24 h after the AT,-receptor antagonist, EXP 3174, may have been due to the functional activation of AT2-receptors and/or loss of AT2-receptor antagonist selectivity,and/or the displacement of nonspecifically bound EXP 3174 by AT2-receptor antagonists. While the latter explanation seems the most likely, these results raise the possibility that nonpeptide, All-receptor antagonists that act at both AT,- and AT2-receptors may have therapeutic advantages over selective AT,-receptor antagonists.

Angiotensin I↗

Development of a rate adaptive pacemaker based on the maximum rate-of-rise of right ventricular pressure (RV dP/dtmax).

The maximum rate of rise of right ventricular pressure (RV dP/dtmax) may change in response to physiological stress and thereby provide an appropriate parameter upon which to base rate adaptive pacing. Initial feasibility testing was carried out in six patients using externally closed loop rate adaptive pacing with a pressure sensing lead (Model 6220) and an investigational VVI pulse generator (Medtronic, Model 2451). During exercise, maximum positive RV dP/dtmax increased from 223 +/- 55 to 405 +/- 181 mmHg.sec.1 (P less than 0.05). Based on these results, rate adaptive pulse generators using maximum positive RV dP/dt were implanted in 12 patients (Medtronic, Model 2503). Exercise treadmill testing in the VVI mode resulted in heart rates ranging from 69 +/- 6 beats/min at rest to 79 +/- 14 beats/min (n = 12; P greater than 0.05). In contrast, VVIR mode pacing rates ranged from 71 +/- 11 beats/min to 115 +/- 24 beats/min (n = 17; P less than 0.05). Holter recording showed heart rates ranging from 51 +/- 6 to 110 +/- 22 beats/min during activities of normal daily living (n = 9; P less than 0.05). Passive postural tilt resulted in rates of 69 +/- 8 beats/min in the supine position increasing to 74 +/- 14 beats/min with 60 degrees upright tilt (n = 16; P greater than 0.05). With up to 5-year follow-up data, there have been no late failures of pacing but one lead showed insulation failure with over- and undersensing after 4.5 years. A number of deficiencies were identified in the prototypes leading to modifications of a subsequent generation of rate responsive pacemaker based on RV dP/dtmax. These initial data demonstrate that rate adaptive pacing based on RV dP/dtmax responds in a physiological manner. This rate responsive system is of particular interest as it is based on a beat-to-beat parameter of cardiac mechanical function.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Feasibility of an implantable arrhythmia monitor.

Conventional Holter monitoring is of limited benefit in patients with infrequent symptoms suspected to be related to arrhythmia. A small recorder implanted subcutaneously might obviate many limitations of conventional monitoring. To determine the feasibility of obtaining adequate electrocardiographic signals from such a device, a prototype was temporarily implanted in 17 patients undergoing pacemaker implantation. The prototype contained four disc-shaped titanium electrodes, 0.21 inches in diameter embedded in epoxy. The four electrodes were in a square configuration spaced 0.72 inches center to center and were placed face down in a subcutaneous pocket in the left pectoral region. Bipolar recordings were made from a horizontal pair, a vertical pair, and both diagonal paris of electrodes (interelectrode distance 1.02 inches) and recorded on electromagnetic tape after filtering at 0.5-250 Hz. The mean peak-to-peak amplitude in each configuration was determined over a five-beat interval. Clear recordings were obtained from all 17 patients with recognizable P, QRS, and T waves. The amplitude of the signals obtained from the diagonal pairs of electrodes (175 +/- 51 and 170 +/- 54 microV) were greater than obtained from either the vertical pair (142 +/- 62 microV, P = 0.08 compared to diagonal electrodes) or the horizontal pair of electrodes (105 +/- 54 microV, P < 0.01). The maximum amplitude recorded from any configuration was 189 +/- 54 microV. In six patients the device was also tested with the electrodes face up in the subcutaneous pocket.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

Differences in hospital resource allocation among sick newborns according to insurance coverage.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether newborns' insurance coverage was associated with differences in the allocation of hospital services. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of computerized hospital discharge data, comparing resource allocation among newborns according to insurance status, controlling for race/ethnicity, diagnoses, hospital characteristics (ownership, teaching status, nursery level), and disposition. SETTING: All California civilian acute-care hospitals. PATIENTS: Population-based sample, excluding out-of-hospital and military hospital births. Resource allocation was studied among all newborns discharged in 1987 with evidence of serious problems (N = 29,751). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Length of stay, total charges, and charges per day. RESULTS: Sick newborns without insurance received fewer inpatient services than comparable privately insured newborns with either indemnity or prepaid coverage. This pattern was observed across all hospital ownership types. Mean stay was 15.7 days for all privately insured newborns (15.6 days for those with indemnity and 15.7 days for those with prepaid coverage), 14.8 days for Medicaid-covered newborns, and 13.2 days for uninsured newborns (P less than .001). Length of stay, total charges, and charges per day were 16%, 28%, and 10% less, respectively, for the uninsured than for all privately insured newborns (P less than .001). Resources for newborns covered by Medicaid were generally greater than for the uninsured and less than for the privately insured. Both uninsured and Medicaid-covered newborns were found to have more severe medical problems than the privately insured. CONCLUSIONS: The findings cannot be explained by differences in medical need or by differences in non-medically indicated services; they constitute prima facie evidence of inequities that need to be addressed by policy changes.

California↗

Human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-(8-37), but not -(28-37), inhibits carotid vasodilator effects of human alpha-CGRP in vivo.

Human alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide-(8-37) alone (up to doses of 30 nmol kg-1 min-1) had no significant effects on blood pressure, heart rate or common or internal carotid haemodynamics, although it caused significant, reversible, inhibition of the hypotensive, tachycardic, and common and internal carotid vasodilator effects of human alpha-CGRP (0.03 nmol kg-1 min-1) in conscious, Long Evans rats. Human alpha-CGRP-(28-37) up to doses of 300 nmol kg-1 min-1 had no cardiovascular effects itself and did not influence responses to human alpha-CGRP. These results are consistent with the carotid haemodynamic effects of human alpha-CGRP being due largely to activation of the CGRP1-receptor subtype.

Animals↗

Haemodynamic responses to nonhypotensive central hypovolaemia induced by lower body negative pressure in men and women.

Haemodynamic responses to low levels of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) were investigated in two groups of healthy, normotensive volunteers (8 men and 8 women) during two repeated experimental runs on two occasions, the latter determined by the different phases of the menstrual cycle in the women. The data consisted of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean blood pressure (MBP), pulse rate (fc), forearm blood flow (FBF) and forearm vascular conductance (FC). The resting cardiovascular status was similar in men and women, except that women had a significantly higher fc than men. LBNP (1.3, 2.7 and 4 kPa) had no significant effect on any BP variable or on fc. However, FBF and FC were reduced at all levels of LBNP. Significant overshoots in FBF and FC were seen in all subjects following the release of LBNP of 2.7 and 4 kPa and, in most cases, after release of LBNP of 1.3 kPa. There were no significant gender differences in any of the responses to LBNP. Furthermore, none of the cardiovascular variables measured showed significant differences between the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in women, either at rest or during exposure to LBNP, and the responses in the men on the two occasions were not different. These findings indicate that gender differences in responses to LBNP hypothesized previously are not apparent during and after exposure to low levels of LBNP.

Adult↗

Differential regional haemodynamic effects of the non-peptide angiotensin II antagonist, DuP 753, in water-replete and water-deprived Brattleboro rats.

Regional haemodynamic effects of DuP 753 were assessed in conscious unrestrained Brattleboro (i.e. vasopressin-deficient) rats, chronically instrumented with miniaturised pulsed Doppler flow probes and intravascular catheters. Responses to DuP 753 were assessed in water-replete animals and in animals following 14h water deprivation to render cardiovascular status dependent on the renin angiotensin system (RAS). In water-replete animals DuP 753 had little effect on mean arterial blood pressure, but there were dose-dependent tachycardias and increases in renal blood flow, associated with vasodilatations. There were also increases in mesenteric blood flow and vascular conductance, but these were not clearly dose-related; DuP 753 had no significant effects on hindquarters haemodynamics. In water-deprived animals DuP 753 caused dose-dependent hypotension, tachycardia, and renal and mesenteric vasodilatations; hindquarters vasodilatation was not dose-dependent. In both conditions, in the presence of DuP 753 (10 mg/kg), captopril had little additional effect. DuP 753 appears to be an extremely effective tool for assessing the role of the RAS in cardiovascular regulation.

Angiotensin II↗

Cardiovascular reflex responses in Bangladeshi and European subjects.

1. Cardiovascular responses to three different interventions, namely the Valsalva manoeuvre, deep breathing and a cold stimulus on the face, were studied in two ethnic groups (European and Bangladeshi) that have been shown to differ in the prevalence of hypertensive-vascular disease. The data obtained consisted of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure, heart rate measured by using a beat-by-beat non-invasive blood pressure monitor (the Finapres), forearm blood flow determined by venous occlusion plethysmography, and calculated forearm vascular resistance. 2. The resting haemodynamic status was similar in European and Bangladeshi subjects. However, Bangladeshi subjects showed a greater increase in heart rate, but only after 20 s into the Valsalva manoeuvre, and greater overshoots in mean blood pressure after the manoeuvre than the European subjects. Furthermore, after cold face stimulation the fall in forearm vascular resistance to baseline levels was delayed in Bangladeshi subjects relative to that in the European subjects. 3. There were no inter-group differences in the reflex bradycardia relative to mean blood pressure or in the cardiac baroreflex sensitivity estimated from systolic blood pressure and pulse interval after the Valsalva manoeuvre. In addition, values for the mean difference between maximum and minimum pulse intervals during deep breathing did not differ in Bangladeshi and European subjects. 4. These findings together suggest that, although cardiac vagal reflex responses appear similar in the two groups, sympatho-adrenal influences on the heart and vasculature may be greater in Bangladeshi subjects than in European subjects.

Adult↗

The effects of endothelin-1 and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester on regional haemodynamics in conscious rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

1. Resting haemodynamic status and responses to endothelin-1 (0.0004, 0.04, 0.4 nmol kg-1) and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg kg-1) were assessed in conscious, Wistar rats treated with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes mellitus, and in control animals treated with saline. 2. In the resting state, STZ-treated rats had a bradycardia relative to control animals (291 +/- 13 and 337 +/- 10 beats min-1, respectively), but mean arterial blood pressures were the same in the two groups (STZ-treated 109 +/- 3; control 114 +/- 4 mmHg). However, the STZ-treated rats had raised renal (105 +/- 9 units) and mesenteric (114 +/- 16 units) vascular conductances and reduced hindquarters vascular conductance (26 +/- 4 units) relative to control rats (renal, 80 +/- 6; mesenteric, 75 +/- 7; hindquarters, 37 +/- 3 units). 3. Increasing doses of endothelin-1 caused similar, early falls and subsequent rises in mean arterial blood pressures in both groups of rats. Although there were initial hindquarters vasodilatations with endothelin-1 that were not different in STZ-treated and control rats, there were subsequent renal and mesenteric vasoconstrictions that were greater in the former. Hence, the similar rises in mean arterial blood pressures must have been accompanied by a greater reduction in cardiac output in the STZ-treated rats. 4. L-NAME caused similar renal and mesenteric vasoconstrictions in control and STZ-treated rats, but there was a smaller pressor effect and an attenuated hindquarters vasoconstrictor response to L-NAME in STZ-treated rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Selective impairment of hindquarters vasodilator responses to bradykinin in conscious Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

1. Male, Wistar rats were treated with streptozotocin (STZ, 70 mg kg-1, i.p.) or saline and chronically instrumented with pulsed Doppler probes and intravascular catheters (implanted under sodium methohexitone anaesthesia) to allow assessment of haemodynamics in the conscious state 28 days later. 2. Control and STZ-treated rats received bolus doses of glyceryl trinitrate (10-80 nmol kg-1), acetylcholine (0.1-5 nmol kg-1) and bradykinin (0.3-30 nmol kg-1). 3. Although, as reported previously, STZ-treated rats had normal mean arterial blood pressure together with renal and mesenteric vasodilatations and hindquarters vasoconstriction relative to control rats, both groups showed similar hypotensive and regional haemodynamic responses to glyceryl trinitrate and acetylcholine. However, while the depressor effects of bradykinin were similar in control and STZ-treated rats, the former showed a hindquarters vasodilator response to bradykinin that was absent in the STZ-treated rats. 4. A loss of bradykinin-mediated vasodilatation in the hindquarters vascular bed in STZ-treated rats in the presence of normal, hindquarters vasodilator responses to other agents and normal bradykinin-mediated vasodilator responses in other vascular beds is consistent with existing evidence that the vasodilatation elicited by bradykinin in the hindquarters vascular bed is particularly dependent on nitric oxide synthesis and that this is impaired selectively in STZ-treated rats.

Acetylcholine↗