Modulation of vein function by perivascular adipose tissue.

Although a number of studies have shown that perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) attenuates arterial contraction through the release of perivascular-derived relaxation factors (PVRF), the role of PVAT in modulating venous function and its mechanism(s) remained unknown. Here we examined the role of PVAT in the modulation of vascular function in the inferior vena cava. Venous rings from male Wistar rats were prepared with both endothelium and PVAT intact, with either PVAT or endothelium removed, or with both endothelium and PVAT removed for functional studies.