Abstract
Background Tacrolimus (FK506) is widely used as an immunosuppressive drug in small bowel transplantation. However, its precise effects on the vascular tone of the transplanted organ have not been studied. This study aimed to clarify the effects of FK506 on the porcine mesenteric artery. Methods The effects of FK506 on the changes in cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+]i) and force using fura-2 fluorometry were investigated in mesenteric arterial strips of the porcine small intestine. The effects of FK506 on the activity of voltage-dependent Ca 2+ channels and receptor-operated Ca 2+ channels using high K + (118 mmol/L K +) depolarization and thromboxane A 2 analog (U46619) stimulation were also examined. Results FK506 inhibited the force development induced by 118 mmol/L K + depolarization and 1 μmol/L U46619 stimulation in a concentration-dependent manner. The extent of inhibition of this contraction was greater than that of the K +-induced contraction, and its inhibitory potency was about 10-fold. FK506 (10 μmol/L) inhibited the increases in [Ca 2+]i (24.9% ± 7.4%) and the force development (52.0% ± 5.6%) induced by 1 μmol/L U46619, respectively. Conclusions FK506 induces arterial relaxation by decreasing [Ca 2+]i. Pretreatment of a graft with FK506 may reduce the risk of vasospasm, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and thrombosis in small bowel transplantation.
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