Figure 3.
Vascular reactivity to Ang II in endothelium-intact omental arteries from normal pregnant women. Coperfusion of MMP-1 (2.5 ng/mL) through the vessel lumen significantly enhanced vascular reactivity to Ang II. Perfusion of a specific PAR-1 inhibitor (n = 4), a specific ROCK inhibitor (n = 4), or a specific ETA receptor blocker (n = 4) abolished MMP-1–mediated enhancement of vascular reactivity to Ang II (n = 11). d P < .0001 compared to Ang II alone and inhibitory treatments for that dose. Ang II indicates angiotensin II; ETA, endothelin 1 type A; MMP-1, matrix metalloproteinase 1; NS, nonsignificant for treatment effects; PAR, protease-activated receptor 1; ROCK, RhoA kinase.