TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of chronic treatment with a low dose of nicorandil on the function of the rat aorta during ageing
AU - Raveaud, Stéphanie
AU - Mezin, Paulette
AU - Lavanchy, Nicole
AU - Starcher, Barry
AU - Mecham, Robert P.
AU - Verdetti, Jean
AU - Faury, Gilles
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - It is known that ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels regulate the membrane potential of smooth muscle cells and vascular tone. Because their activity is altered during ageing, many pharmacological treatments aimed at improving KATP channel and cardiovascular functions have been evaluated. Nicorandil, a KATP channel opener, nitric oxide (NO) donor and anti-oxidant, induces vasodilation, decreases blood pressure and exhibits cardioprotection in ageing, as well as after ischaemia-reperfusion. In the present study, using tension myography and biochemical and histological techniques, we investigated the effects of chronic (2 months) low-dose nicorandil (0.1 mg/kg per day) treatment on the function of rat aorta during ageing (in 4-, 12- and 24-month old rats). The results showed that chronic nicorandil treatment significantly improves mechanical relaxation and noradrenaline induced vasoconstriction in aged rats. At all ages, the nicorandilinduced vasodilation was primarily mediated by its NO donor group. Nicorandil treatment resulted in an additional 0.5-1 elastic lamella in the aorta and decreased total protein, collagen and elastin content in the aortic wall at all ages. However, in 4-month-old rats, nicorandil significantly increased the elastin : total protein ratio by 19%. In contrast with results of previous studies that used high doses of nicorandil (i.e. 60 mg/kg per day), low-dose nicorandil treatment in the present study did not lead to a progressive desensitization to nicorandil and may be beneficial in improving arterial function in ageing or cardiovascular diseases.
AB - It is known that ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels regulate the membrane potential of smooth muscle cells and vascular tone. Because their activity is altered during ageing, many pharmacological treatments aimed at improving KATP channel and cardiovascular functions have been evaluated. Nicorandil, a KATP channel opener, nitric oxide (NO) donor and anti-oxidant, induces vasodilation, decreases blood pressure and exhibits cardioprotection in ageing, as well as after ischaemia-reperfusion. In the present study, using tension myography and biochemical and histological techniques, we investigated the effects of chronic (2 months) low-dose nicorandil (0.1 mg/kg per day) treatment on the function of rat aorta during ageing (in 4-, 12- and 24-month old rats). The results showed that chronic nicorandil treatment significantly improves mechanical relaxation and noradrenaline induced vasoconstriction in aged rats. At all ages, the nicorandilinduced vasodilation was primarily mediated by its NO donor group. Nicorandil treatment resulted in an additional 0.5-1 elastic lamella in the aorta and decreased total protein, collagen and elastin content in the aortic wall at all ages. However, in 4-month-old rats, nicorandil significantly increased the elastin : total protein ratio by 19%. In contrast with results of previous studies that used high doses of nicorandil (i.e. 60 mg/kg per day), low-dose nicorandil treatment in the present study did not lead to a progressive desensitization to nicorandil and may be beneficial in improving arterial function in ageing or cardiovascular diseases.
KW - ATP dependent potassium channels
KW - Ageing
KW - Arterial mechanics
KW - Arteries
KW - Cardiovascular system
KW - Collagen
KW - Elastic fibres
KW - Elastin
KW - Nicorandil
KW - Vasoactivity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=72449146324&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2009.05174.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2009.05174.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 19473347
AN - SCOPUS:72449146324
VL - 36
SP - 988
EP - 994
JO - Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology
JF - Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology
SN - 0305-1870
IS - 10
ER -