Endothelial function in a mouse model of myeloperoxidase deficiency.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity is suggested to reduce the function of vascular nitric oxide, thereby contributing to endothelial dysfunction, although data in rodents are inconclusive. We examined vascular contractile and relaxant responses in MPO-deficient (MPO(-/-)) and wild-type mice to investigate the role for myeloperoxidase in the development of endothelial dysfunction. Carotid and saphenous arteries were taken from 8-month-old mice and studied in a myograph.

Effects of rosuvastatin on cardiovascular morphology and function in an ApoE-knockout mouse model of atherosclerosis.

This study investigated the effects of rosuvastatin on plaque progression and in vivo coronary artery function in apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-KO) mice, using noninvasive high-resolution ultrasound techniques. Eight-week-old male ApoE-KO mice (n = 20) were fed a high-fat diet with or without rosuvastatin (10 micromol.kg(-1).

Imaging of atherosclerosis in WHHL rabbits using high-resolution ultrasound.

Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits provide an animal model of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic progression. However, a large individual variation in plaque progression rate calls for serial investigations, as do treatment studies. In contrast to histopathology, transthoracic ultrasound imaging of the aortic arch is a noninvasive technique suitable for repeated investigations.

Amplitude and velocity of mitral annulus motion in rabbits.

Objective: During recent years, the amplitude and the maximal systolic velocity of the mitral annulus motion (MAM) have been established as indices of the left ventricular systolic function and the maximal diastolic velocity of the annulus motion has been suggested as an index of diastolic function. The main aims of the present study were to investigate the feasibility of these techniques in rabbits and to investigate age-related changes concerning these variables.

Methods: Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were investigated by echocardiographic M-mode and pulsed tissue Doppler.

Candesartan Causes Long-lasting Antagonism of the Angiotensin II Receptor-mediated Contractile Effects in Isolated Vascular Preparations: a Comparison with Irbesartan, Losartan and its Active Metabolite (EXP-3174).

Candesartan is a new angiotensin II type 1 (AT 1 ) receptor blocker. It displays insurmountable antagonism of angiotensin II responses, binding tightly to and dissociating slowly from the AT 1 -receptor. The purpose of this study was to compare the duration of angiotensin II antagonism by the AT 1 -receptor blockers candesartan, irbesartan, losartan and its active metabolite EXP-3174 in an isolated tissue preparation.

Mechanistic differences of various AT1-receptor blockers in isolated vessels of different origin.

The functional inhibitory characteristics of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARB) candesartan; irbesartan; and losartan and its active metabolite EXP 3174 (EXP) were studied in rabbit aortic strips and rat portal vein preparations in vitro. Moreover, plasma-protein binding was determined, and the binding was high (>98. 5%) for all ARBs.