[Role of ROK in contraction of rat femoral arteries after 14 d tail suspension].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the role of Rho associated kinase (ROK) in contraction of rat femoral arteries after 14 d tail suspension.

METHOD

Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (CON) and 14 d -30 degrees tail suspension group (TS14d). Analysis was performed on the contractile responses of perfused femoral arterial rings from both TS14d and CON rats to KCl, phenylephrine (PE), and U-46619 in the presence of Y-27632.

RESULT

Arterial rings from TS14d rats displayed a reduced contractile response to KCl and PE but not significantly to U-46619. In the response to KCl, Y-27632 caused a concentration-dependent relaxation and significantly larger decrease of contraction in tissues from TS14d rats. Y27632 nearly abolished the tonic component of KCl-induced contraction when its dose was increased from 10(-6)mol/L to 10(-5) mol/L. It had also an inhibitive effect on the PE and U-46619-induced contraction and caused significantly larger decrease in U-46619 but not in KCl or PE induced contraction in tissues from TS14d rats.

CONCLUSION

ROK activity may be enhanced and play a compensational role in rat femoral arteries after TS14d.