Diet-induced obesity impairs endothelium-derived hyperpolarization via altered potassium channel signaling mechanisms.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The vascular endothelium plays a critical role in the control of blood flow. Altered endothelium-mediated vasodilator and vasoconstrictor mechanisms underlie key aspects of cardiovascular disease, including those in obesity. Whilst the mechanism of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilation has been extensively studied in obesity, little is known about the impact of obesity on vasodilation to the endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH) mechanism; which predominates in smaller resistance vessels and is characterized in this study.

Methodology/principal findings

Membrane potential, vessel diameter and luminal pressure were recorded in 4(th) order mesenteric arteries with pressure-induced myogenic tone, in control and diet-induced obese rats. Obesity, reflecting tha

SUBMITTER: Haddock RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3025034 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature