Methanol-induced contraction of canine cerebral artery and its possible mechanism of action
Abstract
In the present report, we investigated the effects of methanol on canine basilar cerebral arterial rings. Our data indicate that acute methanol exposure (5-675 mM) induces potent contractile responses of cerebral arteries in a concentration-dependent manner. Pharmacological antagonists, such as propranolol, phentolamine, haloperidol, methysergide, naloxone, diphenhydramine, and cimetidine, did not exert any effects on these methanol-induced contractions. Likewise, a potent antagonist of cyclo-oxygenase, and subsequent synthesis of prostanoids (i.e., indomethacin), failed to exert any effect on methanol-induced contractions. No differences in responsiveness to methanol in canine cerebral arteries were found in vessel segments with or without endothelial cells. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) partially attenuated methanol-induced contractions, while withdrawal of extracellular Mg2+ ([Mg2+]o) potentiated the contractions. In the complete absence of [Ca2+]o, 10 mM caffeine and 400 mM methanol induced similar, transient contractions followed by relaxation in K(+)-depolarized cerebral vascular tissues. Methanol-induced contractions were, however, completely abolished by pretreatment of tissue with 10 mM caffeine. Our results ...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Antipsychotic Drugs
Antipsychotic drugs are a class of medication primarily used to manage psychosis (including delusions, hallucinations, paranoia or disordered thought), principally in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Discover the latest research on antipsychotic drugs here