In this study, the effect and effect mechanisms of [Pyr1]apelin-13, the dominant apelin isoform in the human cardiovascular tissues and human plasma, on vascular contractility were investigated. The vascular rings obtained from the thoracic aortas of the male Wistar Albino rats were placed in the isolated tissue bath system. After the equilibration period, [Pyr1]apelin-13 (10 −9 to 10 −6 M) was applied cumulatively to the aortic rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine in the plateau phase. The protocol was repeated in the presence of specific signaling pathway inhibitors (F13A, L-NAME, dorsomorphin, TEA, U0126, or indomethacin) to determine the effect mechanisms of [Pyr1]apelin-13. [Pyr1]apelin-13 induced a dose-dependent relaxation in the pre-contracted aortic rings. APJ, eNOS, AMPK, and potassium channel inhibition statistically significantly decreased the vasodilator effect of [Pyr1]apelin-13. MAPK and COX inhibition didn't statistically significantly changed the vasodilator effect of [Pyr1]apelin-13. In conclusion, [Pyr1]apelin-13 relaxes the rat thoracic aorta via APJ, NO, AMPK, and potassium channels.

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In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of irisin on vascular smooth muscle contractility in rat thoracic aorta, and the hypothesis that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1/2) signalling pathway, voltage-gated potassium (KV) channels, small-conductance calcium-activated potassium (SKCa) channels, and large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BKCa) channels may have roles in these effects. Isometric contraction-relaxation responses of isolated thoracic aorta rings were measured with an organ bath model. The steady contraction was induced with 10-5 M phenylephrine (PHE), and then the concentration-dependent responses of irisin (10-9-10-6 M) were examined. Irisin exerted the vasorelaxant effects at concentrations of 10-8, 10-7, and 10-6 M compared to the control group (p<0.001). Besides, MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126, KV channel blocker XE-991, SKCa channel blocker apamin, and BKCa channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA) incubations significantly inhibited the irisin-induced relaxation responses. In conclusion, the first physiological findings were obtained regarding the functional relaxing effects of irisin in rat thoracic aorta. The findings demonstrated that irisin induces relaxation responses in endothelium-intact aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, this study is the first to report that irisin-induced relaxation responses are related to the activity of the MEK1/2 pathway, KV channels, and calcium-activated K+ (SKCa and BKCa) channels.

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