Mechanisms of U46619-induced contraction of rat pulmonary arteries in the presence and absence of the endothelium

Thromboxane A2 and endothelial dysfunction are implicated in the development of pulmonary hypertension. The receptor-transduction pathway for U46619 (9,11-dideoxy-9a, 11a-methanoepoxy prostaglandin F2a)-induced contraction was examined in endothelium-intact (E+) and denuded (E-) rat pulmonary artery rings. Artery rings were mounted on a wire myograph under a tension of 7–7.5 mN at 37°C and gassed with 95% O2/5% CO2. Isometric recording was made by using Powerlab data collection and Chart 5 software.