Chronic cystamine treatment inhibits small artery remodelling in rats.

Background/aims: We investigated whether the tissue transglutaminase inhibitor cystamine is able to inhibit remodelling of small arteries in vivo, a possibility suggested by recent in vitro experiments.

Methods: Using osmotic minipumps, phenylephrine, cystamine and/or amlodipine were infused for 1-2 weeks into 9-week-old Wistar rats. Small arteries were then removed for pressure myograph investigation.