Sahna, EKurcer, ZOzturk, FCengiz, NVardi, NBirincioglu, MOlmez, E2024-08-042024-08-0420001043-6618https://doi.org/10.1006/phrs.1999.0629https://hdl.handle.net/11616/93230The effects of chronic oral administration of ethanol (7.2% daily during 24 weeks) on the contractions induced by phenylephrine (Phe) and the endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine (ACh) were studied in rat thoracic aorta. Ethanol pretreatment significantly attenuated the contractile responses to Phe, resulting in parallel shift of the concentration-response curve to the right. EC50 values of Phe were 64.6 +/- 11.2 and 95.5 +/- 8.5 nmol l(-1) in control and ethanol-fed rats, respectively. On the other hand, either calcium-induced contractions or relaxation responses to ACh and sodium nitroprusside were similar in the vessels of the control and ethanol-treated rats. These results suggest that chronic ethanol ingestion significantly attenuates the alpha(1)-adrenergic-induced contractions but does not affect the relaxation responses mediated by nitric oxide in rat aortic rings. (C) 2000 Academic Press.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessethanolalpha-adrenergicnitric oxiderat aortaArticle4166296331081633110.1006/phrs.1999.06292-s2.0-0033848748Q1WOS:000087617200004Q3