Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHODS: We studied 18 female and 18 male New Zealand White rabbits that were randomly divided in two groups of 9 animals each and fed either a standard or a cholesterol diet (0.75%) for 15 weeks. RESULTS: In cholesterol-fed rabbits the percentage of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta was identical in females and males and was inversely correlated with the maximal aortic relaxation to acetylcholine as assessed in organ chamber experiments (females: P < 0.0008, males: P < 0.0002). Importantly, the cholesterol diet induced a significantly (P < 0.025) more severe impairment of maximal vasorelaxation to acetylcholine in males from 78.4 +/- 1.2% to 29.4 +/- 10.2%) compared to females (from 84.4 +/- 1.2% to 60.7 +/- 8.5%). Both male gender (P < 0.0001) and the extent of impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation (P < 0.0002) were associated with a reduced aortic sensitivity to S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L- penicillamine, which releases NO into the organ bath. In contrast, the aortic sensitivity to the organic nitrates pentaerythritol tetranitrate and isosorbide 5- nitrate, which release NO after enzymatic metabolization within the smooth muscle, was not reduced. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the impairment of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation induced by atherosclerosis is dependent on gender. This may be due to a greater degradation of extracellular NO in the vessel wall of males.
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Authors | G Kojda, B Hüsgen, A Hacker, D Perings, E M Schnaith, E Kottenberg, E Noack |
Journal | Cardiovascular research
(Cardiovasc Res)
Vol. 37
Issue 3
Pg. 738-47
(Mar 1998)
ISSN: 0008-6363 [Print] England |
PMID | 9659458
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Cholesterol, Dietary
- S-nitro-N-acetylpenicillamine
- Vasodilator Agents
- Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate
- pentrinitrol
- Penicillamine
- Isosorbide Dinitrate
- isosorbide-5-mononitrate
- Acetylcholine
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Topics |
- Acetylcholine
(pharmacology)
- Animals
- Aorta
- Arteriosclerosis
(physiopathology)
- Cholesterol, Dietary
(administration & dosage)
- Endothelium, Vascular
(drug effects, physiopathology)
- Female
- In Vitro Techniques
- Isosorbide Dinitrate
(analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)
- Male
- Penicillamine
(analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)
- Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate
(analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)
- Rabbits
- Sex Factors
- Vasodilation
- Vasodilator Agents
(pharmacology)
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