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Urotensin II evokes potent vasoconstriction in humans in vivo
Author(s) -
Böhm Felix,
Pernow John
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1038/sj.bjp.0704448
Subject(s) - vasoconstriction , vasodilation , in vivo , plethysmograph , medicine , brachial artery , urotensin ii , endocrinology , chemistry , pharmacology , biology , blood pressure , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology
The peptide urotensin II (U II) evokes potent vasoconstriction in non‐human primates. In human blood vessels studied in vitro variable effects of U II are reported; vasoconstriction, vasodilatation or no response. It is therefore of importance to determine the vascular effect of U II in humans in vivo . U II (0.1 – 300 pmol min −1 ) was infused into the brachial artery of nine healthy volunteers. Changes in forearm blood flow (FBF) were determined by venous occlusion plethysmography. U II induced dose‐dependent reduction in FBF. A threshold response was obtained by 1 pmol min −1 , and the highest dose of U II (300 pmol min −1 ) reduced FBF by 31±4% ( P <0.01). FBF returned to baseline values within 30 min. This study demonstrates that U II produces potent vasoconstriction in humans in vivo . British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 135 , 25–27; doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0704448