Cyclosporine augments reactivity of isolated blood vessels

Fred S. Lamb, R. Clinton Webb

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

78 Scopus citations

Abstract

Administration of cyclosporine (CS) as an immunosuppressive agent in clinical transplantation is associated with multiple side effects including nephrotoxicity and hypertension. These two effects could be related in that the renal changes may be secondary to alterations in organ blood flow. The present studies investigate the ability of CS to augment contractile responsiveness in blood vessels from normotensive rats. Isometric force generation was measured in isolated tail arteries and portal veins. CS (8.3×10-6M) potentiated tail artery contractile responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation, exogenous norepinephrine, and increases in extracellular potassium concentration. Portal veins undergo spontaneous contractions which are related to the firing of calcium-driven action potentials in the smooth muscle cells. CS significantly increased the frequency of these spontaneous contractile events. These results suggest that components of CS toxicity may involve a direct action on vascular smooth muscle and/or on vascular adrenergic neurotransmission.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2571-2578
Number of pages8
JournalLife sciences
Volume40
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 29 1987
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cyclosporine augments reactivity of isolated blood vessels'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this