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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

In vitro Measurements of Tracheal Constriction Using Mice
Published on: June 25, 2012
Mechanical and electrophysiological effects of isoprostanes on bronchial arterial smooth muscle
L J Janssen1, T Tazzeo, J Miller
1Father Sean O'Sullivan Research Centre, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph's Hospital, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. janssenl@mcmaster.ca
Abstract:
We investigated the mechanical and electrophysiological responses of human and porcine bronchial arterial smooth muscle to isoprostanes (metabolites of membrane lipid peroxidation). These evoked a constrictor response which was sensitive to blockade of thromboxane receptors, as well as to a non-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor and an inhibitor of Rho-kinase. The patch clamp technique was used to characterize the K+ and Ca2+ currents in these tissues, and to show that isoprostanes caused a brief enhancement of K+ currents followed by prolonged and marked suppression of the same.
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