A comparison of spasmogenic and relaxant responses in aortae from C57/BL/KsJ diabetic mice with those from their non-diabetic litter mates.

We have investigated the responsiveness of thoracic aorta from the C57/BL/KsJ-db/db mouse (a model of type II diabetes) using a small-vessel myograph. The maximum tension developed in response to phenylephrine was greater in diabetic mice compared with non-diabetic (+/?) mice (2.7 +/- 0.1 and 1.8 +/- 0.1 mN/mm, respectively). Responses to phenylephrine were enhanced in tissues from both phenotypes when preincubated with L-NAME (100 mumol/l) and after the addition of oxyhaemoglobin (3 mumol/l), suggesting that endogenous NO release occurs in both. The maximum relaxation to carbachol was less in db/db mice (32 +/- 4%) than in +/? mice (49 +/- 5%) whilst that to sodium nitroprusside was similar (> 90%). However, the concentration-effect curve to both vasorelaxants in db/db mice lay to the right of that in the +/? mice. These results suggest that the responsiveness of the vasculature is altered in the db/db mouse. Since this mouse is a model of type II diabetes this may be a consequence of hyperglycaemia and/or insulin resistance.