Vasodilatory effects of betaine on isolated rat pulmonary artery rings

The aim of this study was to investigate the vasodilatory effects of betaine, an alkaloid isolated from Lycium barbarum, on isolated pulmonary artery rings in rats and its possible mechanisms. Pulmonary vessels of normal Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and pre-contracted using norepinephrine. Then, betaine was cumulatively added in differing concentrations (0.02-0.14 mg/mL), and the tension curve was observed and recorded. Changes in the tension of the pulmonary artery rings with an intact endothelium and a dissected endothelium were recorded. The interactions among betaine and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, indomethacin, 4-aminopyridine, barium chloride, and glibenclamide were evaluated. The experimental results show that betaine can relax the pulmonary artery rings pre-contracted by norepinephrine. Furthermore, pre-incubation with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and indomethacin did not inhibit betaine vasodilation, demonstrating that vasodilation by betaine is endothelium-dependent. Additionally, pretreatment of pulmonary artery rings with 4-aminopyridine and glibenclamide had no effect on betaine. However, pretreatment of pulmonary artery rings with barium chloride attenuated the effects of betaine. In conclusion, the vasodilatory effects of betaine on pulmonary artery rings is associated with inward rectifier potassium channels.