Figure 8: Nr2f2^mutant rats demonstrated superior vascular function compared with hypertensive rats.

(a) Mesenteric arteries from male hypertensive rats (n=9) and Nr2f2^mutant rats (n=4) were dissected and mounted as described under the Methods section. Endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (Ach) was assessed by adding increasing concentrations of ACh (0.001–1 μM) to the vessel preparation. Relaxation to ACh was expressed as a percentage of the level of pre-constriction induced by submaximal dose of phenylephrine. (b) Cumulative concentration-response curves (CCRC) to phenylephrine (0.1–100 μM) of mesentery were recorded from wild-type hypertensive (n=9) and Nr2f2^mutant rats (n=4). Results are expressed as mean±s.e. (c) Mesenteric arteries from male hypertensive (n=5) and Nr2f2^mutant rats (n=5) were dissected and mounted as described under the Methods section. Endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was assessed by adding increasing concentrations of SNP (1–100 μM) to the vessel preparation. Relaxation to SNP was expressed as a percentage of the level of pre-constriction induced by submaximal dose of phenylephrine. Data were analysed by t-test. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001. NS, Not significant.