Figure 9

Mean arterial pressure (A), heart rate (B) and overall vessel recruitment (C) in control and diabetic rats. Changes were assessed during infusion of ACh (3.0 μg/kg/min), SNP (3.0 μg/kg/min), combined; L-NAME (10 mg/kg iv. bolus) + meclofenamate (2 mg/kg iv. bolus), combined + ACh and combined + fasudil (10 mg/kg iv.) relative to baseline (lactate 3.0 ml/hr). A, Diabetic rats had a significant decrease in blood pressure during combined + fasudil treatment compared to baseline. B, Heart rate was significantly reduced in diabetic animals during fasudil treatment compared to baseline and control rats. C, Diabetic rats had significantly greater vessel recruitment during combined NOS/COX blockade compared to control animals. Control, n = 6 and diabetic, n = 8. Values expressed as mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, ^P < 0.001 vs. baseline. †P < 0.05 vs. control.