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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Assessment of Vascular Tone Responsiveness using Isolated Mesenteric Arteries with a Focus on Modulation by Perivascular Adipose Tissues
Published on: June 3, 2019
Vasodilator signals from perivascular adipose tissue
1Medical Clinic for Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Charité Campus Virchow Klinikum, Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) and Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany. maik.gollasch@charite.de
Visceral fat influences blood vessel tone through adipocyte-derived relaxing factor (ADRF), potentially hydrogen sulfide (H2S). This ADRF opens potassium channels, impacting cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Area of Science:
- Vascular biology and physiology
- Adipose tissue function
- Cardiovascular and metabolic disease mechanisms
Background:
- Visceral fat accumulation is linked to metabolic disturbances and increased cardiovascular disease risk.
- Periadventitial adipose tissue plays a paracrine role in regulating arterial vascular tone.
- This regulation involves transferable mediators (adipokines) from adipocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the adipocyte-derived relaxing factor (ADRF) involved in visceral artery vasoregulation.
- To elucidate the mechanism of ADRF-mediated vasorelaxation.
- To explore the role of ADRF in hypertension and metabolic disease.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the role of periadventitial adipose tissue in visceral artery vasoregulation.
- Characterized the properties of the unidentified ADRF.
- Examined the involvement of specific ion channels (K(v), K(ATP)) in ADRF action.
- Considered hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as a potential ADRF candidate.
Main Results:
- An unidentified ADRF from visceral periadventitial adipocytes mediates endothelium-independent vasorelaxation.
- ADRF primarily acts by opening voltage-dependent potassium (K(v)) channels in smooth muscle cells.
- KCNQ (K(v) 7) channels are implicated, while K(ATP) channels play a minor role.
- Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is proposed as a potential ADRF.
Conclusions:
- Visceral periadventitial adipose tissue exerts paracrine control over arterial tone via ADRF.
- Alterations in this control are observed in models of hypertension and metabolic disease.
- ADRF and its targets represent potential therapeutic targets for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.
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