Table 1. Parameters of maximal response (Emax, mmHg) and sensitivity (pD2) of dose-response curves to phenyleprine in the aorta, before (E+) and after (E-) endothelial damage and after NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 µM) incubation, in the presence (HgCl2 E+) and absence of mercury chloride (E- HgCl2).

	n	Emax (%)	pD2
CT E+	39	93.5±2.52	−6.47±0.08
HgCl2 E+	39	117±3.45 *	−6.77±0.10*
CT E-	07	128±3.08	−8.06±0.04
HgCl2 E-	08	129±3.37	−8.34±0.24
CT E+	06	93±4	−6.4±0.09
L-NAME CT	06	183±15.3 *	−7±0.09 *
HgCl2 E+	05	113±4.78	−6.6±0.14
L-NAME + HgCl2	05	168±8.94 *	−7±0.05 *

Results are expressed as means ± SEM of the no. of animals shown in Figs. 1– 3. P<0.05 vs. CT (E+) (*).