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Hemodynamic defense response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone injected into medial preoptic nucleus in rats.

The role of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and glutamate in central cardiovascular control was studied by microinjections (50 nl) of these agents into the medial or median preoptic nuclei of conscious rats (n = 49) with continuous recording of mean arterial pressure, heart rate, blood flow, and vascular resistance in hindquarter, renal, and mesenteric blood vessels. In addition, the effect of TRH on renal sympathetic nerve activity was studied in anesthetized rats. TRH (2.4-240 pmol) elicited the typical hemodynamic pattern of the "defense response" consisting of increased blood pressure, tachycardia, hindquarter vasodilation, and constriction of renal and mesenteric blood vessels. Maximum changes in cardiovascular variables after the 24-pmol dose were +12 +/- 2 mmHg (mean arterial pressure), +73 +/- 15 beats/min (heart rate), -21 +/- 6% (hindquarter resistance), +15 +/- 6% (renal resistance), and +31 +/- 6% (mesenteric resistance), P less than 0.05 compared with saline. In anesthetized rats, TRH at the 2.4-pmol dose increased renal sympathetic nerve activity (greater than 200%, n = 5, P less than 0.05 compared with control) with no effect on blood pressure or renal flow. Glutamate (10 or 100 nmol) produced a similar pattern of hemodynamic changes as TRH. Peak effects after the 100-nmol dose of glutamate were +16 +/- 2 mmHg (mean arterial pressure), +57 +/- 11 beats/min (heart rate), -31 +/- 3% (hindquarter resistance), +29 +/- 9% (renal resistance), and +87 +/- 22% (mesenteric resistance), P less than 0.05 compared with saline. The glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker MK-801 (300 micrograms/kg iv) attenuated the pressor-tachycardic responses to TRH and the pressor-mesenteric constrictor responses to glutamate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthesia↗

Mechanisms of vasodilatation in pregnancy: studies of the role of prostaglandins and nitric-oxide in changes of vascular reactivity in the in situ blood perfused mesentery of pregnant rats.

1. To examine the possible mechanisms of the vasodilatation and blunted pressor responses in late pregnancy, we have studied vascular reactivity of the in situ blood perfused mesenteric resistance vessels of 18-20 day pregnant Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). 2. Intra-arterial mean blood pressure (MBP) was lower in pregnant rats than in nonpregnant controls. There was no significant difference in basal mesenteric perfusion pressure (BPP) between groups. 3. Vascular reactivity to electrical stimulation (ES) or intra-arterial noradrenaline (NA), angiotensin II (AII) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) was decreased in the preparations from pregnant rats compared to that from nonpregnant controls. Noradrenaline spillover into mesenteric venous blood following ES was similar in pregnant and nonpregnant animals. 4. Indomethacin (5 mg kg-1, i.v.), an inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase, induced significant increases in reactivity to ES in both pregnant and nonpregnant groups while potentiating the responses to NA and AII in nonpregnant animals only and having no effect on AVP-induced contractions in the preparations from either pregnant or nonpregnant animals. 5. NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) (5 mg kg-1, i.v.), an inhibitor of nitric-oxide synthase, increased MBP and BPP in both pregnant and nonpregnant animals, but the difference in MBP between groups was still evident. 6. L-NOARG enhanced mesenteric vascular responses to ES, NA and AII in both pregnant and nonpregnant groups. Only the difference in NA responses between groups was abolished after pretreatment with L-NOARG. 7. These data show that vasoconstrictor responses to a variety of agonists are decreased in the in situ blood-perfused mesenteric resistance vessels of pregnant rats. Increase in endothelial-dependent nitric oxide generation could contribute to the vasodilatation seen in pregnancy but other mechanisms might also be involved. Cyclo-oxygenase products are not responsible for any decreased contractile responses in this preparation.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Octreotide in intestinal lymphangiectasia: lack of a clinical response and failure to alter lymphatic function in a guinea pig model.

Intestinal lymphangiectasia, which can be classified as primary or secondary, is an unusual cause of protein-losing enteropathy. The main clinical features include edema, fat malabsorption, lymphopenia and hypoalbuminemia. Clinical management generally includes a low-fat diet and supplementation with medium chain triglycerides. A small number of recent reports advocate the use of octreotide in intestinal lymphangiectasia. It is unclear why octreotide was used in these studies; although octreotide can alter splanchnic blood flow and intestinal motility, its actions on lymphatic function has never been investigated. A case of a patient with intestinal lymphangiectasia who required a shunt procedure after failing medium chain triglycerides and octreotide therapy is presented. During the management of this case, all existing literature on intestinal lymphangiectasia and all the known actions of octreotide were reviewed. Because some of the case reports suggested that octreotide may improve the clinical course of intestinal lymphangiectasia by altering lymphatic function, a series of experiments were undertaken to assess this. In an established guinea pig model, the role of octreotide in lymphatic function was examined. In this model system, the mesenteric lymphatic vessels responded to 5-hydroxytryptamine with a decrease in constriction frequency, while histamine administration markedly increased lymphatic constriction frequency. Octreotide failed to produce any change in lymphatic function when a wide range of concentrations were applied to the mesenteric lymphatic vessel preparation. In conclusion, in this case, octreotide failed to induce a clinical response and laboratory studies showed that octreotide did not alter lymphatic function. Thus, the mechanisms by which octreotide induced clinical responses in the cases reported elsewhere in the literature remain unclear, but the present study suggests that it does not appear to act via increasing lymphatic pumping.

Adult↗

Regional differences in the response of isolated human vessels to vasoactive substances.

1. Crural, mesenteric and pulmonary vessels obtained during surgery were studied. Isometric tension was recorded and contractions were induced by potassium 127 mM (K), noradrenaline 18 microM (NA), prostaglandin F2 alpha 2.9 microM (F2 alpha), ergotamine 3.8 microM (Erg) or digoxin 1.0 microM (Dig). 2. Spontaneous myogenic activity was only observed in pulmonary veins. F2 alpha induced spontaneous activity in mesenteric arteries. 3. In all types of vessels, except in mesenteric arteries, the response to K+ had a greater amplitude than contractions developed by NA. Erg induced a slowly developing contraction in mesenteric veins but no contraction in mesenteric arteries. Dig induced a long-lasting monophasic response in arteries and a biphasic response in the veins. 4. After immersion for 30 min in a Ca-free medium the amplitudes to both NA and K+ were significantly reduced. The veins were more susceptible to the effects of Ca-deprivation than the arteries.

Digoxin↗

Enhanced endothelin activity prevents vasodilation to insulin in insulin resistance.

Although insulin-mediated vasodilation is impaired in insulin resistance, the mechanisms of this are unknown. We investigated factors mediating vasoactive responses to insulin in control and insulin-resistant rats. Responses to insulin in small mesenteric arteries from control and insulin-resistant rats were investigated after blocking endothelin-A receptors, cyclooxygenase, nitric oxide synthase, and potassium channels. In addition, insulin's effect on prostacyclin production in small mesenteric blood vessels was assessed by enzyme immunoassay. Insulin induced a concentration-dependent vasodilation in control arteries that was absent in arteries from insulin-resistant rats. However, in the presence of BQ610, an endothelin-A receptor antagonist, the response to insulin was normalized in insulin-resistant arteries. In control arteries, insulin-induced vasodilation was completely inhibited by indomethacin, meclofenamate, glibenclamide, or potassium chloride. In contrast, neither n-nitro-L-arginine nor the combination of charybdotoxin and apamin altered vasodilation to insulin. In insulin-resistant arteries in the presence of BQ610, vasodilation was also inhibited by indomethacin, glibenclamide, and potassium chloride. Insulin increased prostacyclin production in small mesenteric blood vessels from both groups of rats to a similar degree. Insulin-induced vasodilation in small rat mesenteric arteries is mediated through prostacyclin- and ATP-dependent potassium channels. However, insulin-resistant arteries do not vasodilate to insulin unless endothelin-A receptors are blocked. Thus, impaired relaxation to insulin in insulin-resistant rats is due to enhanced vasoconstriction by endothelin, which offsets a normal vasodilatory response to insulin.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Hypophysectomy and saralasin on mesenteric vasoconstrictor response to vasopressin.

The dose-response relationship of the mesenteric resistance vessels to vasopressin was studied in anesthetized laparotomized cats before and after hypophysectomy and again during the plateau phase of the response to a prolonged infusion of [Sar1-Ala8] angiotensin II (saralasin), a competitive antagonist of angiotensin II. Hypophysectomy and saralasin each caused an increase in superior mesenteric arterial conductance. Before hypophysectomy infusion of 0.5 mU/(min.kg) of vasopressin caused mesenteric conductance to decrease from 0.168 to 0.156 ml/(min.kg.mmHg), a change of only 0.012 units. After hypophysectomy, the same dose reduced conductance from 0.227 to 0.179 mU/(min.kg.mmHg), a change of 0.048 units. During the plateau phase of the response to saralasin, 0.5 mU/(min.kg) of vasopressin reduced conductance from 0.281 to 0.201 ml/(min.kg.mmHg), a change of 0.079 units. Hypophysectomy and saralasin had little effect on the mesenteric vasoconstrictor response to high doses of vasopressin (2.0-10 mU/(min.kg). The ineffectiveness of low doses of vasopressin on the mesenteric resistance vessels of the intact anesthetized, surgically stressed animal may be due in part to the already constricted state of the bed caused by endogenous vasopressin and angiotensin and in part due to an opposing vasodilator influence, the reflex withdrawal of the vasoconstrictor effect of endogenous vasopressin.

Angiotensin II↗

Effects of niflumic acid on alpha1-adrenoceptor-induced vasoconstriction in mesenteric artery in vitro and in vivo in two-kidney one-clip hypertensive rats.

The influence of niflumic acid (3 and 10 microM), a Cl- channel antagonist, on cirazoline-induced vasoconstriction in isolated perfused mesenteric artery (5 ml/min) from two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) hypertensive and sham normotensive rats was examined. In addition, the effect of a single i.v. bolus injection of niflumic acid (3 mg/kg) on cirazoline-mediated reduction in vascular conductance in superior mesenteric artery was determined in pentobarbital-anaesthetized hypertensive and normotensive rats. Bolus injections of cirazoline induced a dose-dependent transient increase in the perfusion pressure in vitro. In the presence of niflumic acid, cirazoline-mediated vasoconstriction was significantly inhibited. Cirazoline-induced vasoconstriction in isolated mesenteric beds was also significantly inhibited following perfusion with Cl(-)-free buffer. Pre-perfusion of mesenteric blood vessels with Cl(-)-free buffer resulted in a significantly greater inhibition of cirazoline-mediated vasoconstriction in sham normotensive rats than in hypertensive rats. We found that in Cl(-)-free buffer, cirazoline-mediated vasoconstriction could be further inhibited by niflumic acid. Intravenous infusion of cumulative doses of cirazoline in vivo caused a dose-dependent decrease in superior mesenteric vascular conductance. Pretreatment with niflumic acid significantly impaired cirazoline-mediated decreases in vascular conductance. Our results indicate that chloride ions play an important role in alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstriction in mesenteric blood vessels. In addition, the contribution of chloride ions in alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstriction in blood vessels from hypertensive rats appears to be reduced.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Chronic alcohol consumption lowers blood pressure but enhances vascular contractility in Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of chronic alcohol consumption upon blood pressure, blood pressure reactivity and vascular contractility in Wistar rats. DESIGN: Wistar rats were fed a liquid diet containing 36% ethanol; control rats were pair fed. METHODS: Rats were maintained on diets for 18 weeks. Indirect systolic blood pressure was measured weekly. Catheters were implanted for assessment of direct arterial pressure and blood pressure reactivity to norepinephrine, angiotensin II and ethanol injections. In a subgroup of rats, contractility of isolated mesenteric resistance vessels was measured. RESULTS: In comparison with simultaneously pair-fed controls, ethanol-treated rats developed significantly lower blood pressure within 3 weeks of exposure to alcohol; this continued throughout the study. Despite the reduction in blood pressure, in vitro assessment of vascular contractility in mesenteric resistance vessels indicated that ethanol consumption significantly enhanced vascular contractility to norepinephrine and attenuated the vasodepressive effects of ethanol. Measurement of blood pressure reactivity to infused pressor agents showed no difference between controls and ethanol-treated rats in response to norepinephrine but a significantly attenuated pressor response to angiotensin II was observed in ethanol-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS: The blood pressure results contrast with reports of elevated blood pressure in Wistar rats given ethanol in drinking water. This disparity may be due to nutritional factors. Increased vascular contractility combined with hypotension suggests that cardiovascular regulatory systems offset the direct effects of ethanol upon the vasculature. This view is reinforced by the lack of difference between groups in blood pressure reactivity to norepinephrine. The attenuated angiotensin II responses in the ethanol-treated rats suggests altered levels of circulating angiotensin II in this group.

Alcoholism↗

[Inhibition of spontaneous lymph vessel contraction evoked by transmural stimulation].

In isolated sections of mesenteric lymphatic vessels, the constrictory responses to transmural electrical stimulation were studied. Inhibition of the spontaneous rhythm occurring primarily at low frequencies was revealed as well as the inhibition following the excitatory effect of high--frequency stimulation. Analysis of the transmural inhibition showed the latter to occur as the result of activation of adrenergic nervous plexus and to be fulfilled by the beta--adrenoreceptors.

Animals↗

[The rheological properties of the large lymphatic vessels].

The resiliency module of the cuff of the bull mesenteric lymphatic vessels' lymphangion in the circular direction within physiological limits of transmural pressure is, on the average, (3.1 +/- 0.4) x 10(4) H.m-2. The resiliency differential module depends on the functional state of smooth muscle cells. In maximal activation of the myocytes' contractile apparatus, the resiliency module of the muscle cuff increases by 1.7 times and, against the background of the myocytes relaxation, it decreases by 1.6 times. The valvular portion of the lymphangion is more rigid and its resiliency module changes rather insignificantly in contraction or relaxation of smooth muscle cells. High distensibility of the muscle cuff provides for the capacitance function and for the self-regulation of its pumping function. Rigid wall of the valvular portion eliminates the insufficiency of the valves at a high transmural pressure and maintains an efficient work of the valvular apparatus.

Animals↗

Cardiovascular hypertrophy does not predispose to genetic hypertension.

It has been proposed that cardiovascular hypertrophy precedes and contributes to the development of genetic hypertension. In a genetically segregating population we determined whether susceptibility to high blood pressure was associated with cardiovascular structural abnormalities in youth. In 9-week old male F2 rats derived from a cross of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and inbred normotensive Donryu (DRY) rats we determined left ventricular mass (LVM) by echocardiography and the media-lumen ratio (MLR) of mesenteric resistance vessels by biopsy. Direct mean arterial pressure was measured in the same rats at 20 weeks of age. The ranges of LVM and MLR in young F2 rats encompassed values seen SHR and DRY at this age. However, no correlation was observed between LVM or MLR and subsequent blood pressures at 20 weeks of age. The blood pressure of F2 rats with cardiovascular structural phenotypes within the SHR range was no higher than the remainder of the F2 population. These studies do not support the hypothesis that hypertrophy of the heart or mesenteric resistance vessels confer susceptibility to the development of genetic hypertension.

Animals↗

Multidetector row computed tomography findings from ischemia to infarction of the large bowel.

OBJECTIVE: MDCT is performed as first imaging examination for patients with acute abdomen in most Emergency Departments. Clinical suspicion of ischemic colitis and infarction is related to specific findings, however, differential diagnosis as well as the staging for a confirmed ischemic affection may be critical. The individual signs from ischemia to infarction of large bowel is a captivating topic. In this study, we report our experience of the MDCT assessment of acute colonic disease from vascular mesenteric disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the MDCT findings of 71 patients admitted to our attention for acute abdomen, with final proven diagnosis of colonic ischemia and/or infarction made by surgery and/or endoscopy. CT-scanning of the abdomen and pelvis was performed after i.v. contrast medium administration, using a multidetector row CT equipment. We correlated the presence of parietal disease, the evidence of mesenteric arterial or venous vessels occlusion, the parietal features as well as others findings, such as free fluid and/or air in peritoneal recess or in retroperitoneum, with the surgical and/or endoscopic findings. RESULTS: Analysis of our data showed a segmental (84%) or complete (16%) involvement of the colon; 57 cases were related to ischemia, 14 to infarction. Inferior mesenteric vessels defect of opacification was noted in 10 cases. Various degree of wall thickening and parietal enhancement, peritoneal fluid, mural or portal-mesenteric pneumatosis were compared to evidence of mesenteric arterial or vein occlusion and to final proven diagnosis. A classification in a multi-stage grading for both decreased of arterial supply or impaired venous drainage disorders was done. CONCLUSIONS: A grading scale from ischemia to infarction affecting the large bowel from arterial or venous mesenteric vessels origin has been not previously reported in a series at our knowledge. MDCT findings may support the clinical evaluation of patients affected by acute colon from vascular disorders. In particular, it seems to provide effective and valuable information's in differentiating etiology and stage of disease.

Abdomen, Acute↗

Indomethacin improves the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations in small mesenteric arteries of the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxations may be of primary importance in hypertension, if this impairment were to occur in resistance arteries. Therefore, endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine were studied in the mesenteric resistance vessels of spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats. Rings with and without endothelium were suspended in a myograph filled with physiological salt solution at 37 degrees C and aerated with 95% O2/5% CO2; the isometric tension was recorded. Acetylcholine caused relaxations only in rings with endothelium. In the spontaneously hypertensive rat, relaxations were impaired and markedly biphasic with an early rapid relaxation followed by a secondary contraction. Indomethacin inhibited the secondary response and augmented the duration of the relaxations induced by acetylcholine in the arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats. These findings suggest that the decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine in mesenteric resistance vessels of the spontaneously hypertensive rat is due to the release of a constrictor prostanoid which partly offsets the response of the vascular smooth muscle to endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s).

Acetylcholine↗

Development of blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats after withdrawal of long-term treatment related to vascular structure.

We have studied the effects of long-term treatment with different antihypertensive drugs on blood pressure and mesenteric resistance vessel structure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), both during treatment and after withdrawal of treatment. Young SHR were treated from 4 to 24 weeks with five different drugs: perindopril (1.5 mg/kg per day), captopril (60 mg/kg per day), hydralazine (25 mg/kg per day), isradipine (42 mg/kg per day) and metoprolol (130 mg/kg per day). At 24 weeks, 24-h mean blood pressures (MBP), measured invasively, were 121 mmHg (perindopril), 137 mmHg (captopril), 140 mmHg (hydralazine), 149 mmHg (isradipine) and 146 mmHg (metoprolol), compared to control values of 177 mmHg (SHR) and 132 mmHg (Wistar-Kyoto rats, WKY). Mesenteric resistance vessel structure, measured as media:lumen ratio (m:l), was also reduced to different extents: to WKY-level by perindopril (m:l = 4.4%), to midway between SHR- and WKY-levels by captopril, hydralazine and isradipine (m:l = 5.9%), and not at all by metoprolol (m:l = 6.8%). When treatment was discontinued, low MBP (ca 151 mmHg) persisted for 12 weeks in rats treated with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (perindopril and captopril), but rose rapidly in rats which had received the other treatments. At 3-12 weeks after withdrawal of treatment vascular structure was closely correlated with the blood pressure expected from the SHR- and WKY-control values, as were the left ventricle: body weight ratios. The results suggest that the ability of a drug to control vascular structure during treatment is not in itself a predictor of a persistent effect on blood pressure after withdrawal of treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The ratio between thickness of media and internal radius in cerebral, mesenteric and renal arterial vessels in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

1. Larger arterial vessels of 15-day-old spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats showed significantly greater media/internal radius ratio than those of Wistar-Kyoto rats in the brain, kidney and mesentery. 2. Since larger cerebral and renal arteries of adult SH rats did not differ from controls the above results indicate the presence of a non-pressure-dependent vascular abnormality in young SH rats. 3. There were marked differences between the vascular beds of adult SH rats in the increase of media/radius ratio. Thus the changes were evident in all sizes of mesenteric arteries but only in the smallest cerebral arteries.

Aging↗

Development of an experimental apparatus for investigating lymphatic pumping activity of murine mesentery in vivo.

The present study has been attempted to establish a modified intravital microscope system for investigating murine lymphatic pumping activity in vivo and evaluate whether or not there is rhythmic pumping activity of murine mesenteric lymphatic vessels in vivo. We designed and constructed a custom organ chamber with a semicircular channel (8 mm in radius, 5 mm in width, 3 mm in depth), being suitable for the superfusing of murine mesentery in vivo. A marked lymphatic pumping activity was observed in the mesenteries of DDY mice. The maximal and minimal diameter and frequency in the pumping activity were 60.9 +/- 1.0 microm, 53.7 +/- 1.8 microm and 12.8 min(-1) (n = 5), respectively. Both NE (norepinephrine, 10(-8)-10(-6) M) and TEA (tetraethylammonium, 1-10 mM) caused dose-dependent constriction of the mesenteric lymphatic vessels in the mice. These findings suggest that a modified intravital microscope system with a specially designed and constructed edge-monitoring device enables us to investigate in vivo lymphatic circulation in murine mesenteries.

Animals↗

Theoretical bases for vascular selectivity of Ca2+ antagonists.

The purpose of these studies was to characterize mechanisms of activation of vascular tissues in order to clarify possible theoretical bases for Ca2+-antagonist (CAt) selectivity. Activation of rabbit aorta, mesenteric artery, and mesenteric resistance vessels by agonists and depolarizing potassium (K+) solution, and inhibition by CAts were studied by measurement of contractions, 45Ca fluxes, and membrane potentials (via intracellular electrodes). We found that the CAts studied (D-600, diltiazem, and nisoldipine) inhibited K+-induced Ca2+ influx and contractions in a closely correlated manner, suggesting inhibition of Ca2+ entry as their primary, if not sole, mechanism of action. Diltiazem and nisoldipine had no effect on intracellular Ca2+ release or on the contractile protein system. The following evidence was obtained to support the tenet that norepinephrine (NE) and 80 mM K+ open two distinct Ca2+ channels, one receptor-operated (ROC) and the other potential-operated (POC): (a) NE activated the rabbit aorta without eliciting a change in membrane potential; (b) NE activation of the rabbit mesenteric resistance vessels was accompanied by membrane depolarization, but this depolarization was blocked by 10(-5) M diltiazem, whereas that induced by 80 mM K+ was not; (c) 45Ca influx stimulated by 80 mM K+ and that stimulated by a maximal [NE] were additive when the two agents were administered together in the aorta and the resistance vessels; (d) the Ca2+-channel agonist Bay K8644 opens the POC but not the ROC in rabbit aorta, as it is capable of stimulating Ca2+ influx in addition to 10(-5) M NE, but not to 80 mM K+; (e) the CAts show selective inhibition of the POC over the ROC in the aorta, whereas diltiazem preferentially inhibits the ROC in the resistance vessels; and (f) alpha adrenoreceptor occupation, phosphodiesterase inhibition, or dibutyryl cyclic AMP selectively inhibits the POC over the ROC in the aorta.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The activity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the rat mesenteric vasculature.

Rat isolated, perfused mesenteric blood vessels have been used to determine whether non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) display selectivity for inhibition of vasoconstrictor responses to noradrenaline compared with those to calcium. The rank order of potency of the NSAIDs for inhibition of responses to noradrenaline was: meclofenamate greater than flufenamate = diclofenac greater than indomethacin greater than fenbufen greater than phenylbutazone greater than ibuprofen greater than ketoprofen greater than naproxen greater than paracetamol (included as an inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase). All NSAIDs show selectivity for noradrenaline (mean selectivity molar ratio = 0.19; s.e.m. 0.15-0.23) but there was a positive correlation (r = 0.98, P less than 0.001) between inhibition of responses to noradrenaline and those to calcium. The depressant effect of meclofenamate and of fenbufen, the most potent and most selective in the series, respectively, on responses to noradrenaline, was completely reversed to control values by prostaglandin E2. The results support previous findings that inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase in rat mesenteric blood vessels leads to a loss of response to noradrenaline. Comparison of the present data for inhibition of responses to noradrenaline in the mesentery with published data indicates that the mesentery bears a greater similarity to other in-vitro rather than in-vivo models for screening NSAIDs.

Animals↗