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Calcium dobesilate increases endothelium-dependent relaxation in endothelium-injured rabbit aorta

E Ruiz1, T Tejerina

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, 28040, Spain.

Pharmacological Research
|November 10, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Calcium dobesilate (DOBE) improves vascular health by restoring endothelial function in injured rabbit aortas. This angioprotective agent demonstrated significant restoration of endothelium-dependent relaxation after 30 days of treatment in an ex vivo model.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Calcium dobesilate (DOBE) is an orally administered angioprotective agent used for vascular diseases like diabetic retinopathy.
  • Its precise mechanism of action, particularly in restoring endothelial function, requires further elucidation.
  • Previous in vitro findings prompted an ex vivo investigation into DOBE's efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To correlate in vitro findings with an ex vivo model of endothelium injury induced by vitamin D2 overdose.
  • To investigate the effect of different Calcium dobesilate (DOBE) dosages on endothelial function in a rabbit model.
  • To determine the time-dependent efficacy of DOBE in restoring vascular health.

Main Methods:

  • Male New Zealand White rabbits were subjected to two treatment protocols: 10 days and 30 days.
  • Endothelial injury was induced using vitamin D2 (200,000 IU/day) for the initial 2 days.
  • Rabbits received varying doses of Calcium dobesilate (DOBE) (50 mg/kg/day or 500 mg/kg/day) post-injury.
  • Vascular reactivity was assessed using cumulative concentration-response curves for norepinephrine (NA), acetylcholine (ACh), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP).

Main Results:

  • Calcium dobesilate (DOBE) treatment shifted the norepinephrine (NA) concentration-response curve downwards in both protocols.
  • Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine (ACh) decreased in hypervitaminotic rabbits but was restored to normal levels in both DOBE-treated groups after 30 days (Protocol 2).
  • Endothelium-independent relaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was only reduced in hypervitaminotic rabbits during the 10-day protocol (Protocol 1).

Conclusions:

  • Calcium dobesilate (DOBE) demonstrates efficacy in restoring endothelial functionality in endothelium-injured rabbit aortas.
  • A treatment duration of 30 days is necessary for DOBE to significantly restore endothelium-dependent relaxation.
  • These findings support the angioprotective role of DOBE and highlight the importance of treatment duration for its therapeutic effect.

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