KCNQ channels have been identified in arterial smooth muscle. However, their role in vasoregulation and chronic vascular diseases remains elusive. We tested the hypothesis that KCNQ channels contribute to periadventitial vasoregulation in peripheral skeletal muscle arteries by perivascular adipose tissue and that they represent novel targets to rescue periadventitial vascular dysfunction. Two models, spontaneously hypertensive rats and New Zealand obese mice, were studied using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, the patch-clamp technique, membrane potential measurements, myography of isolated vessels, and blood pressure telemetry. In rat Gracilis muscle arteries, anticontractile effects of perivascular fat were inhibited by the KCNQ channel blockers XE991 and linopirdine but not by other selective K + channel inhibitors. Accordingly, XE991 and linopirdine blocked noninactivating K + currents in freshly isolated Gracilis artery smooth muscle cells. mRNAs of several KCNQ channel subtypes were detected in those arteries, with KCNQ4 channels being dominant. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, the anticontractile effect of perivascular fat in Gracilis muscle arteries was largely reduced compared with Wistar rats. However, the vasodilator effects of KCNQ channel openers and mRNA expression of KCNQ channels were normal. Furthermore, KCNQ channel openers restored the diminished anticontractile effects of perivascular fat in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Moreover, KCNQ channel openers reduced arterial blood pressure in both models of hypertension independent of ganglionic blockade. Thus, our data suggest that KCNQ channels play a pivotal role in periadventitial vasoregulation of peripheral skeletal muscle arteries, and KCNQ channel opening may be an effective mechanism to improve impaired periadventitial vasoregulation and associated hypertension.

These findings provide evidence that endothelial M(3) receptors mediate cholinergic vasodilation in murine retinal arterioles via activation of NO synthase.

The results suggest an interaction of NE and hypoxia in enhancing vasoreactivity, which may be important for the pathogenesis of AKI. The effect of NE+hypoxia in ILA is mediated by several adrenergic receptors and requires the p38 MAPK activation.

Background and Purpose BK channels play important roles in various physiological and pathophysiological processes and thus have been the target of several drug development programmes focused on creating new efficacious BK channel openers, such as the GoSlo‐SR compounds. However, the effect of GoSlo‐SR compounds on vascular smooth muscle has not been studied. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that GoSlo‐SR compounds dilate arteries exclusively by activating BK channels. Experimental Approach Experiments were performed on rat Gracilis muscle, saphenous, mesenteric and tail arteries using isobaric and isometric myography, sharp microelectrodes, digital droplet PCR and the patch‐clamp technique. Key Results GoSlo‐SR compounds dilated isobaric and relaxed and hyperpolarised isometric vessel preparations and their effects were abolished after (a) functionally eliminating K+ channels by pre‐constriction with 50 mM KCl or (b) blocking all K+ channels known to be expressed in vascular smooth muscle. However, these effects were not blocked when BK channels were inhibited. Surprisingly, the Kv7 channel inhibitor XE991 reduced their effects considerably, but neither Kv1 nor Kv2 channel blockers altered the inhibitory effects of GoSlo‐SR. However, the combined blockade of BK and Kv7 channels abolished the GoSlo‐SR‐induced relaxation. GoSlo‐SR compounds also activated Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 channels expressed in HEK 293 cells. Conclusion and Implications This study shows that GoSlo‐SR compounds are effective relaxants in vascular smooth muscle and mediate their effects by a combined activation of BK and Kv7.4/Kv7.5 channels. Activation of Kv1, Kv2 or Kv7.1 channels or other vasodilator pathways seems not to be involved.

Sympathetic denervation enhances L-type Ca channel-dependent signaling in renal but not in mesenteric arteries. This effect may be partly explained by the decreased VSMC membrane potential in denervated renal arteries.

A sex-specific, nitric oxide-mediated effect via angiotensin II type 2 receptors underlies the sex differences in the response of interlobar arteries to angiotensin II. Our findings may help understanding sex differences in renal hemodynamics and blood pressure control.

The Src tyrosine kinase family contributes to the signalling mechanism mediating serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT))-induced vasoconstriction. These kinases were reported to influence the calcium sensitivity of the contractile apparatus. Whether Src kinases affect also the intracellular calcium concentration during constriction of intact arteries is unknown. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that constriction of arteries is associated with a Src kinase-dependent alteration of the intracellular calcium concentration. Contractility of gracilis arteries of Wistar rats was studied using isometric and isobaric myography. The intracellular calcium concentration was measured simultaneously with tension by FURA-2 fluorimetry. Inhibition of Src kinases with 10 μM PP2, 30 μM dasatinib and 100 μM AZM 475271 resulted in a strong attenuation of 5-HT-induced contractions. Vessel incubation with 10 μM PP3, an inactive analogue of PP2, had no effect. Removal of the endothelium did not alter vessel contractile responses to 5-HT nor the action of the Src-kinase inhibitor PP2. The PP2-mediated inhibition of 5-HT-induced contraction was associated with a reduced response of [Ca] to 5-HT. In particular, inhibition of Src kinases attenuates 5-HT-induced calcium influx as well as calcium release from intracellular stores. In contrast, the calcium sensitivity of the contractile apparatus and the filling state of the sarcoplasmic reticulum were not influenced by Src kinases during 5-HT-induced contractions. We conclude that Src kinase activation is a powerful mechanism to produce vasoconstriction of small skeletal muscle arteries of rats. This effect is endothelium-independent. The data further suggest that the action of c-Src kinases is associated with a change in the intracellular calcium concentration that involves Ca entry and Ca release pathways.

Objective: We developed an in vitro model for vasospasm post subarachnoid hemorrhage that was suitable for investigating brain vessel autoregulation. We further investigated the effects of iodinated contrast medium on the vascular tone and the myogenic response of spastic cerebral vessels. Method: We isolated and perfused the superior cerebellar arteries of rats. The vessels were pressurized and studied under isobaric conditions. Coagulated blood was used to simulate subarachnoid hemorrhage. The contrast medium iodixanol was applied intraluminally. Results: Vessels exposed to blood developed significantly stronger myogenic tone (65.7 ± 2.0% vs 77.1 ± 1.2% of the maximum diameter, for the blood and the control group, respectively) and significantly decreased myogenic response, compared with the control groups. The contrast medium did not worsen the myogenic tone or the myogenic response in any group. Conclusion: Our results show that deranged myogenic response may contribute to cerebral blood flow disturbances subsequent to subarachnoid hemorrhage. The contrast medium did not have any negative influence on vessel tone or myogenic response in this experimental setting.Keywords: brain ischemia, cerebral angiography, contrast media, hemodynamics, intracranial aneurysm, intracranial vasospasm, subarachnoid hemorrhage. RESUMOObjetivo: Desenvolvemos um modelo in vitro para vasoespasmo subsequente à hemorragia subaracnóide que foi adequado para investigar a autorregularão dos vasos cerebrais. Em seguida investigamos os efeitos o meio de contraste iodado no tônus vascular e na resposta miogênica dos vasos cerebrais espásticos. Método: Isolamos e perfundimos as artérias cerebelares superiores de ratos. Os vasos foram pressurizados e estudados em condições isobáricas. Sangue coagulado foi utilizado para simular hemorragia subaracnóide. O meio de contraste iodixanol foi aplicado intraluminarmente. Resultados: Os vasos expostos ao sangue desenvolveram aumento significativo do tônus miogênico (65.7 ± 2.0% vs 77.1 ± 1.2% do maior diâmetro, para o grupo de sangue e o grupo controle, respectivamente) com resposta miogênica significativamente menor do que aquela dos controles. O meio de contraste iodado não piorou o tônus miogênico ou a resposta miogênica em nenhum dos grupos. Conclusão: Nossos resultados mostram que uma resposta miogênica pode contribuir para as alterações de fluxo sanguíneo cerebral subsequentes à hemorragia subaracnóide. O meio de contraste iodado não teve nenhuma influência negativa no tônus vascular ou na resposta miogênica neste modelo experimental.Palavras-chave: isquemia cerebral, angiografia cerebral, meio de contraste, hemodinâmica, aneurisma intracraniano, vasoespasmo intracraniano, hemorragia subaracnóide.Cerebral delayed vasospasm is a severe complication following spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Vasospasm is an important cause of death and contributes 10-12% to the overall mortality after SAH, which reaches approximately 50% within the first month 1,2,3 .There is nowadays no speci...