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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Evaluation of Cerebral Blood Flow Autoregulation in the Rat Using Laser Doppler Flowmetry
Published on: January 19, 2020
Angiotensin II-induced vasodilatation in cerebral arteries is mediated by endothelium-derived hyperpolarising factor
Angelica Wackenfors1, Petter Vikman, Elisabeth Nilsson
1Division of Experimental Vascular Research, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. angelica.wackenfors@med.lu.se
Abstract:
The angiotensin II-induced vasodilatation was evaluated in rat middle cerebral artery, especially regarding endothelium-derived hyperpolarising factor (EDHF), by use of a pressurised arteriograph. The angiotensin II dilatation was partly antagonised by inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and cyclo-oxygenase. The remaining dilatation was inhibited by the potassium channel blockers, charybdotoxin and apamin, providing direct evidence that angiotensin II induces EDHF-mediated dilatation in cerebral arteries. The angiotensin II dilatation was blocked by the angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptor blockers candesartan and PD 123319. Both angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptors were detected on the endothelium by immunohistochemistry.
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