Functional Effects of Alagebrium (ALT-711)–Isolated Rat Carotid Artery

Objective: In our study, the effects of glycosylated protein cross-link breaker, alagebrium was investigated on isolated rat carotid artery using myography. Alagebrium showed vasodilator effect on carotid artery rings; particularly, this effect was significantly increased in endothelium-intact rings.

Materials and Methods: To clarify the vasodilator mechanism of alagebrium, different antagonists such as N(G)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), glibenclamide, indomethacin, metoprolol, propranolol, tetraethylammonium, and calcium channel activator BAYK-8644 were used to reverse this effect.

Results: Relaxation% responses to alagebrium were more significantly increased in intact endothelium than in denuded arteries. Blocking vasodilation related to channels (K-ATP, PGI2, BKca) and receptors (ß1, ß2) did not reverse the relaxation response to alagebrium. Vasodilator response to alagebrium was only slightly decreased after L-NAME incubation and significantly decreased after BAYK-8644 incubation.

Conclusion: Results of present study suggest that the mechanism of alagebrium-induced vasodilator effect may include the blockage of L-type calcium channels and partially of the nitric oxide synthase enzyme.

Cite this article as: Toprak C, Sirmagul B, Yigitaslan S. Functional Effects of Alagebrium (ALT-711)–Isolated Rat Carotid Artery. Eurasian J Med 2017; 49: 188-92.