Abnormalities of endothelium-dependent responses in mesenteric arteries from Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats are improved by chronic treatment with thromboxane A2 synthase inhibitor.

Takayuki Matsumoto, Eri Takaoka, Keiko Ishida, Naoaki Nakayama, Eri Noguchi, Tsuneo Kobayashi, Katsuo Kamata

Index: Atherosclerosis 205(1) , 87-95, (2009)

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Abstract

Thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) is thought to contribute to the development of diabetic complications. We tested the hypothesis that the impaired endothelial function seen in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats (a type 2 diabetic model) might be improved by chronic treatment with ozagrel, a TXA(2) synthase inhibitor. In mesenteric arteries from OLETF rats (40-46 weeks old) [vs. those from age-matched Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats]: (1) ACh-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, NO-mediated relaxation, and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-type relaxation were all reduced; (2) ACh-induced cyclooxygenase-dependent contraction was enhanced; (3) endothelium-derived contracting factor (EDCF)-mediated contraction was enhanced; (4) ACh-stimulated nitrite production was reduced but the nitrate/nitrite ratio was increased; and (5) ACh-stimulated production of TXA(2) was increased. Chronic treatment with ozagrel (100mg/kg/day for 4 weeks, starting when they were 36-42 weeks of age) partly corrected the above abnormalities. These results suggest that ozagrel has normalizing effects on endothelial functions in OLETF mesenteric arteries, at least partly by increasing endothelium-derived relaxing factors (i.e., NO and EDHF) signaling and reducing EDCF signaling.