Endothelial Denudation of Isolated Human Internal Mammary Artery Segments

The research carried out during the last 3 decades gave us deeper insight into our understanding of the complexity of the vascular endothelium. Previously perceived as an inert cellular lining, it is now appreciated as a complex endocrine organ regulating vascular function via the release of vasoactive autocoids as well as influencing platelet activity. 

Vascular endothelial denudation leads to loss of endothelial function and a subsequent increase vascular sensitivity to vasoactive autocoids. This has been a fundamental method to assess the role of the endothelium of an isolated vessel preparation in vascular reactivity studies. Previous vascular reactivity studies have denuded the vascular endothelium of isolated vessel via mechanical and chemical approaches. Chemical endothelial denudation through treatment with detergent is considered unsafe and has been found to compromise the viability of the smooth muscle cell. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>