Abstract

Ranolazine (RN) is a drug used in the treatment of chronic coronary ischemia. Different clinical trials have shown that RN behaves as an anti-diabetic drug by lowering blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. However, RN has not been shown to improve insulin (IN) sensitivity. Our study investigates the possible facilitating effects of RN on the actions of IN in the rabbit aorta. IN induced vasodilation of the abdominal aorta in a concentration-dependent manner, and this dilatory effect was due to the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the formation of nitric oxide (NO). On the other hand, IN facilitated the vasodilator effects of acetylcholine but not the vasodilation induced by sodium nitroprusside. RN facilitated all the vasodilatory effects of IN. In addition, IN decreased the vasoconstrictor effects of adrenergic nerve stimulation and exogenous noradrenaline. Both effects were in turn facilitated by RN. The joint effect of RN with IN induced a significant increase in the ratio of p-eNOS/eNOS and pAKT/AKT. In conclusion, RN facilitated the vasodilator effects of IN, both direct and induced, on the adrenergic system. Therefore, RN increases vascular sensitivity to IN, thus decreasing tissue resistance to the hormone, a key mechanism in the development of type II diabetes.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.