Vasorelaxant effects of 2-nitro-1-phenyl-1-propanol in rat aorta.

2-Nitro-1-phenyl-1-propanol (NPP) is a nitro alcohol that is known as an intermediate in the synthesis of sympathomimetic agents, such as norephedrine. The present study investigated the vasoactive effects of NPP on rat aorta. In endothelium-intact aortic rings, NPP fully relaxed contractions that were induced by phenylephrine, KCl, and U-46619.

Sodium bicarbonate treatment prevents gastric emptying delay caused by acute exercise in awake rats.

Physical exercise, mainly after vigorous activity, may induce gastrointestinal dysmotility whose mechanisms are still unknown. We hypothesized that physical exercise and ensuing lactate-related acidemia alter gastrointestinal motor behavior. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of short-term exercise on gastric emptying rate in awake rats subjected to 15-min swimming sessions against a load equivalent to 5% of their body weight.

In-vitro characterization of the pharmacological effects induced by (-)-α-bisabolol in rat smooth muscle preparations.

The present study deals with the pharmacological effects of the sesquiterpene alcohol (-)-α-bisabolol on various smooth-muscle preparations from rats. Under resting tonus, (-)-α-bisabolol (30-300 µmol/L) relaxed duodenal strips, whereas it showed biphasic effects in other preparations, contracting endothelium-intact aortic rings and urinary bladder strips, and relaxing these tissues at higher concentrations (600-1000 µmol/L). In preparations precontracted either electromechanically (by 60 mmol/L K(+)) or pharmacomechanically (by phenylephrine or carbachol), (-)-α-bisabolol showed only relaxing properties.

Inhibitory effects of sertraline in rat isolated perfused kidneys and in isolated ring preparations of rat arteries.

Objectives: Sertraline is often prescribed to patients suffering with end stage renal disease, but its action on kidney has not been investigated. We aimed to investigate the pharmacological action of sertraline on rat kidney with emphasis on the underlying mechanisms involved in the vascular actions of the drug.

Methods: The effects of sertraline were evaluated in rat isolated perfused kidneys and on ring preparations of mesenteric or segmental rat renal artery.