Subcutaneous Resistance Arteries
Our state-of-the-art assays focus on subcutaneous resistance arteries, offering critical insights into drug effects on peripheral vascular resistance and systemic blood pressure regulation. Subcutaneous arteries and arterioles, which lie beneath the dermis, play a pivotal role in determining total systemic peripheral vascular resistance (TPR). These small vessels, capable of significant dilation and constriction, are key to understanding vascular control mechanisms.
Image: One of our scientists dissecting subcutaneous resistance arteries.
Why Choose Isolated Arteries for Vascular Safety Assessment?
- Proven Methodology: The most significant discoveries about vascular biology, particularly the endothelium and smooth muscle, have come from studies using isolated arteries and arterioles. These studies have advanced our understanding of key neurohormonal regulators like nitric oxide (NO), endothelin, and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF).
- Human and Animal Models: While animal studies remain vital, they don't fully capture human vascular biology. Our assays offer the unique advantage of using isolated human tissues, providing more accurate predictions of drug effects in humans. Human tissue obtained from operating theatres allows direct comparisons with animal tissue, giving valuable insights into therapeutic drug activity.
- Regulatory Compliance: The data generated from our assays can be used in regulatory submissions to assess the propensity of drugs to cause vasoconstriction or vasodilatation. We offer studies conducted in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations, ensuring the highest standards of data integrity.
Key Features of Our Subcutaneous Arteries Assay
- Detailed Vascular Assessment: We measure drug-induced vasoconstriction and vasodilatation to evaluate the potential impact on blood pressure. Our assays are designed to mimic in vivo conditions as closely as possible, ensuring that in vitro results are predictive of in vivo outcomes.
- Comprehensive Comparisons: Our assays allow for direct comparison with reference vasodilators and vasoconstrictors, providing a thorough evaluation of your test articles.
- Advanced Techniques: We use cutting-edge technologies, such as wire myographs, to measure changes in artery tone under isometric conditions. This setup enables precise measurements of micro-Newton changes in force, reflecting active vasoconstriction or relaxation of the artery.
Customizable Protocols and Experimental Set-up
Understanding that every research project has unique needs, we offer customized protocols tailored to your specific requirements. Whether you need a particular assay configuration or additional analysis, our expert scientists are ready to collaborate with you to ensure your study's success.
Image: The myograph consists of two stainless steel “jaws”. One jaw is connected to a moveable micrometer, the other to a highly sensitive force transducer capable of measuring micro-Newton changes in force.
This assay uses subcutaneous resistance arteries to assess the effect of your test article on vasoconstriction via adrenoceptors.
This assay uses subcutaneous resistance arteries to assess the effect of your test article on vasoconstriction via 5-HT (serotonin) receptors.
This assay uses subcutaneous resistance arteries to assess the effect of your test article on vasoconstriction via prostanoid (thromboxane) receptors.
Vasodilation in subcutaneous resistance arteries
These assays determine whether your test articles cause vasodilatation (vasodilation) in human subcutaneous resistance arteries. Several reference compounds are available, including acetylcholine, desmopressin, bradykinin, milrinone, or sodium nitroprusside.
This assay uses subcutaneous resistance arteries to assess the ability of your test article to induce vasodilation via endothelium-dependent mechanisms and provides a comparison with known vasodilators such as acetylcholine.
This assay assesses the effect of your test article to induce vasodilation via endothelium-independent mechanisms and provides a comparison with the effects of a direct nitric oxide (NO) donor such as SNP.
This assay uses subcutaneous resistance arteries to assess the ability of your test article to induce vasodilation via endothelium-dependent mechanisms and provides a comparison with known vasodilators such as acetylcholine.
This assay uses subcutaneous resistance arteries to assess the effect of your test article on vasodilation via PDE3 receptors.
This assay uses subcutaneous resistance arteries to assess the effect of your test article on vasodilation via vasopressin & oxytocin receptors.
Diseased arteries
These assays use ischemic subcutaneous resistance or muscular arteries to determine the effects of your test article ex vivo. For ischemic arteries, bradykinin or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) can be used as reference compounds. PDA-angiotensin 1 can be used for atherosclerotic arteries.
This assay uses ischemic resistance arteries to assess the effect of your test article on vasodilation via bradykinin receptors.
This assay uses ischemic resistance arteries to assess the effect of your test article on vasodilation via nitric oxide (NO) donors.
This assay uses atherosclerotic resistance arteries to assess the effect of your test article on vasoconstriction via angiotensin receptors.