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Aortic vasoreactivity during a postnatal critical window of the pancreas in rats
Maria Esther Rubio-Ruiz1, Alvaro Vargas-González, Mariana Monter-Garrido
1Department of Physiology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano 1, Tlalpan, México DF 14080, Mexico.
Insights
A critical window in early life affects aortic vasoreactivity, potentially predisposing to cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome (MS) rats show altered vascular responses, highlighting early-life influences on adult heart health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Developmental Biology
- Metabolic Syndrome Research
Background:
- Insulin and glucose levels fluctuate during the postnatal period, impacting vascular reactivity.
- Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with altered glucose and insulin metabolism, and triglyceride levels.
- Aortic vasoreactivity changes during development may have long-term health implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in aortic vasoreactivity during the postnatal critical window.
- To compare vasoreactivity in control rats, developing MS rats, and during different postnatal ages.
- To determine the influence of insulin and glucose on vascular responses in early life.
Main Methods:
- Studied aortic vasoreactivity in 21- and 28-day-old control and MS rats.
- Developed MS in Wistar rats by administering 30% sucrose solution from weaning.
- Measured KCl- and norepinephrine (NE)-induced contractions and acetylcholine-mediated vasorelaxation.
Main Results:
- KCl-induced contraction increased with age and was higher in MS rats compared to controls.
- Norepinephrine-induced contraction increased from day 12 to 28 and was higher in MS rats.
- Insulin-induced contraction potentiation increased with age and was higher in MS rats, while vasorelaxation to acetylcholine was reduced in MS rats.
Conclusions:
- A postnatal critical window exists for aortic vasoreactivity development.
- Altered vasoreactivity during this window, influenced by metabolic factors, may predispose to adult cardiovascular diseases.
- Early metabolic disturbances can lead to lasting changes in vascular function.
Abstract:
Changes in aortic vasoreactivity during the postnatal pancreatic critical window, where insulin and glucose, which modify vasoreactivity, are elevated, were studied and compared to those in control and metabolic syndrome (MS) rats. Twelve 21- and 28-day-old rats were used. To develop MS rats, male Wistar animals were given 30% sucrose in drinking water since weaning and used when 6 months old. Glucose and insulin levels were higher during suckling and decreased after weaning, and insulin and triglycerides levels increased in MS rats. Contraction elicited by norepinephrine (NE) was stronger than KCl contraction at all ages. KCl-induced contraction increased with, age being stronger in control rats; it further increased in MS rats. Norepinephrine-induced contraction increased from day 12 to day 28 but stabilized from day 21 to day 28; it was stronger in controls and increased in MS rats. Vasorelaxation to acetylcholine in NE precontracted rings did not change during the neonatal period, being similar to MS rats and lower than in controls. Insulin-induced increase in contraction elicited by KCl increased from day 12 to day 28 and increased from control to MS rats. There is a postnatal critical window in vasoreactivity that might predispose to cardiovascular diseases in adults.
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