| Summary: | Background/Aim. Atherosclerotic-occlusive changes could be observed in
orofacial branches of the external carotid artery. Atherosclerosis-induced
ischemia caused alteration in production and release of endothelial factors.
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of carotid artery
occlusion (10, 30 and 60 min) on vascular effects of norepinephrine (NOR)
and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the isolated glandular branch of the rabbit
facial artery, the main feeding artery for the submandibular gland. Method.
Changes in isometric tension were recorded in organ bath studies with
arterial rings, before and after carotid artery occlusion. Results.
Concentrationdependent vasocontractile effect of NOR was significantly
augmented after 30 and 60 min of carotid occlusion, but only in the rings
with intact endothelium. Given alone, NPY showed no effect in isolated
glandular branch of the rabbit facial artery, but enhanced NOR
vasoconstriction in all the investigated rings. NOR vasocontractile effect
enhancement in the presence of NPY was attenuated after 30 and 60 min of
carotid occlusion. Also, enhancement of NOR vasoconstriction by NPY was
significantly higher in endothelium-intact rings compared to
endotheliumdenuded rings obtained after 30 and 60 min of carotid occlusion.
Conclusion. The present investigation provides results of increased
vasocontractile effect of NOR and decreased enhancing effect of NPY on NOR
vasoconstriction in the rabbit facial artery after carotid occlusion that is
related to altered endothelium function.
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