RESUMEN
AIM: The objectives of the present study were to examine the effect of Jumi(JM) extraction on relaxation of isolated rat aortic rings,and to elucidate its mechanisms.METHODS: The thoracic aortic rings with and without endothelium of male Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted on a bath system.Vasodilatation of aortic rings preconstricted with 10-6 mol/L of phenylephrine(PE) was measured.RESULTS: JM extraction(0.5-8 g/L) caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in aortic rings.The extent of relaxation was larger in endothelium-intact aortic rings than that in endothelium-denuded aortic rings.Both L-NAME [a nitric oxide synthase(NOS) inhibitor] and high potassium(20 mmol/L KCl) partly abolished the relaxation action of JM extraction in endothelium-intact aortic rings.Pretreatment with L-NAME also inhibited the relaxation response to JM extraction in endothelium-denuded aortic rings.After incubation with JM extraction,NOS activities enhanced both in endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortic rings.CONCLUSION: JM extraction causes relaxation of aortic rings through endothelium-dependent and independent pathways.The mechanisms might be involved in NOS and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor.