Figure 1
3-MP mimics the vasorelaxant properties of H2S. (A) Similarly to NaHS, 3-MP elicits decreases in perfusion pressure (vasorelaxation) in preconstricted mesenteric arterial bed in a concentration-dependent manner. Test agents were administered as successive boluses (each in 100 µL volume). The inset shows a typical vasorelaxation curve to 3-MP as recorded by PowerLab data acquisition software (*p < 0.05, n = 4/group). (B) 3-MP similarly to NaHS, induced skin microvessel dilation as measured by a PeriFlux 5000 laser-Doppler flow meter placed on the shaved dorsal skin of anesthetized animals (*p < 0.05 versus vehicle, n = 4/group). (C) 3-MP similar to NaHS, induces concentration-dependent decreases in blood pressure in anaesthetized rats. The left carotid artery was cannulated and connected to a pressure transducer (ADInstruments) to detect changes in the arterial blood pressure. Intravenous bolus injection of 3-MP at 0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg of body weight and NaHS at 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg of body weight elicited transient decreases in mean arterial blood pressure (*p < 0.05 versus vehicle; n = 3/group). (D) IP injections of 3-MP at 1 mg/kg to rats resulted in increased circulating levels of H2S as measured by the AzMC fluorescent probe at 30 min; the circulating H2S response to the injection of NaHS is shown as a positive control (*p < 0.05 versus vehicle; n = 3/group). In all bar graphs, mean ± SEM values are shown.