[Effect of benzarone on the oxygen consumption and the mechanical activity of vascular smooth muscle]

The influence of 2-ethyl-3-(4-hydroxy-benzoyl)-benzofurane (benzarone, Fragivic) on the energy metabolism of the wall of the rabbit common carotid artery and the rat portal vein was investigated by measuring the oxygen consumption of in vitro incubated vessel segments. Benzarone increased the oxygen consumption of the carotid artery either in whole vessel wall segments or in intima-media preparations. The increase was concentration-dependent. The basal tone of the artery did not change during incubation. Benzarone decreased the oxygen consumption of the portal vein, while spontaneous phasic activity was blocked and the basal tone lowered. The results suggest that, besides its antagonistic effects on mediators of muscle contraction, benzarone influences the metabolism of the smooth muscle cells directly. An uncoupling effect on the oxidative phosphorylation, which would be consistent with the antiinflammatory properties of benzarone, is discussed.