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Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Mesenteric Artery Contraction and Relaxation Studies Using Automated Wire Myography
Published on: September 22, 2011
[Involvement of nucleotide receptors in the regulation of vascular function]
Abstract:
A novel function of ATP as a signal molecule was described nearly 50 years ago. Since then many receptors that could be activated via ATP, ADP, UTP, UDP and adenozine binding were discovered. The mechanism of signal transduction as well as quite complicated regulation of changes of extracellular nucleotides concentration is currently studied. Purinergic signaling in blood vessels is mostly engaged in vascular tone regulation thus maintaining proper blood pressure. ATP coreleased with noradrenaline from perivascular sympathetic nerves cause vasoconstriction whereas ATP in blood vessel lumen stimulate endothelial cells to release endothelium derived relaxing factor. Nucleotides and nucleosides contributes also to growth and differention of new blood vessels. Changes in purinergic signaling is commonly observed in cardiovascular diseases that plague our times, that is why nucleotide receptors seems to be good pharmacological target.
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