Coronary Arteries

The coronary arteries supply blood to the myocardium of the heart and are a key consideration in cardiovascular safety assessment; even small drug-mediated changes in the vascular tone of coronary arteries could increase the risk of angina or myocardial infarction. We are able to assess the potential for drug-mediated effects on human isolated coronary arteries and provide comparisons to coronary arteries from commonly used preclinical species. A few key advantages of our coronary artery model:

  • Both IC50 and pA2 values can be determined
  • Customized protocols and options to conduct studies to GLP
  • A variety of reference compounds available on request (angiotensin II, 8-arginine vasopressin, mephedrone, 5-HT)
  • Organ bath or wire myograph studies are possible

Image: Isolated coronary arteries in a Petri dish.

coronary arteries-1

Angiotensin receptors
This model uses coronary arteries to assess the effect of your test article on vasoconstriction via angiotensin receptors or in comparison to AT1 receptor agonists.

5-HT (serotonin) receptors and 5-HT
This model assesses the effect of your test article on vasoconstriction via 5-HT (serotonin) receptors in comparison to 5-HT (serotonin).

5-HT (serotonin) receptors and sumatriptan
This model assesses the effect of your test article on vasoconstriction via 5-HT (serotonin) receptors in comparison to sumatriptan.

5-HT (serotonin) receptors in denuded arteries
This model assesses the effect of your test article on vasoconstriction of denuded arteries via 5-HT (serotonin) receptors in comparison to 5-HT.

Opioid & opioid-like receptors
This model uses coronary arteries to assess the effect of your test article on vasoconstriction via opioid and opioid-like receptors.

Vasopressin & oxytocin receptors
This model uses coronary arteries to assess the effect of your test article on vasoconstriction via vasopressin and oxytocin receptors.