Ascorbate blocks acetylcholine- and bradykinin-induced vasodilatation in retinal vascular bed of the bovine isolated perfused eye

Li-xin XU ^A, Xiao-bo XIA ^B, Aman Shah Abdul Majid ^C, Dan Ji ^B

This study provides insight to EDHF-mediated vasomotor response, as well as various eye disorders caused by dysfunctional retinal arteries, like central retinal artery occlusion.

Abstract

Background: The regulation of retinal blood flow is largely dependent on alteration of vascular tone of the retinal arterioles in response to local mechanical and chemical stimuli. Such vasomotor activity can be modulated by the release of vasoactive factors from the endothelium. As most blindness-causing disorders are associated with abnormal retinal blood flow, it is critical to determine the abnormality of microcirculation control involved. Methods: The present study developed a model in isolated bovine retinal vascular bed to study agonist-induced vaso-relaxation. Both acetylcholine and bradykinin were used to stimulate vaso-relaxation and the effects of NOS inhibitor and prostacyclin and ascorbate (Vitamin C) were examined. Results: Both acetylcholine and bradykinin efficiently stimulated such a non-traditional vaso-relaxation that neither NO nor prostacyclin is involved. Hence this process was linked to the mediator belonging to endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). As a concentrated anti-oxidant in eyes, ascorbate showed capability to block acetylcholine- and bradykinin-induced vasodilatation in bovine retinal arteries. Conclusion: Acetylcholine and bradykinin induces EDHF-mediated vaso-relaxation in bovine retinal blood vessels which is blocked by ascorbate. This study provides insight to EDHF-mediated vasomotor response, as well as various eye disorders caused by dysfunctional retinal arteries, like central retinal artery occlusion.

Keywords: vasodilator, acetylcholine, bradykinin, bovine retinal artery

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