Chylomicron remnants potentiate phenylephrine-induced contractions of rat aorta by an endothelium-dependent mechanism

The effects of chylomicron remnants on endothelium-dependent contraction of rat aorta were studied in vitro. Chylomicron remnant particles were prepared in vivo from male Wistar rats and were incubated with aortic rings for 45 min before concentration contraction response curves were constructed to phenylephrine. Both native and oxidised chylomicron remnants significantly increased vessel sensitivity to this agonist. Oxidised chylomicron remnants also significantly increased the maximum response. This potentiation was abolished by endothelial removal, but was still evident in the presence of Nω-nitro- -arginine, with or without cyclo ( -α-aspartyl- -prolyl- -valyl- -leucyl- -tryptophyl) (BQ-123), indomethacin or superoxide dismutase. The study demonstrates, for the first time, that lipoprotein particles of dietary origin potentiate vascular contractions. This effect is endothelium-dependent, but is not due to inhibition of basal nitric oxide production or to stimulation of endothelin, superoxide or a cyclo-oxygenase-derived product.