RECEPTOR-MEDIATED PATHWAYS OF ENDOTHELIUM ACTIVITY IN EXPERIMENTAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS

The pharmacological characterization of endothelial receptor activity during the progression of atherosclerosis in Watanabe heritable hyperl ipidemic (WHHL) rabbits was examined. The data presented show that pro gression of atherosclerosis affects endothelial receptor functionality in different ways. Nucleotide receptor activity is preserved for long er than that of the other endothelial receptors, i.e. muscarinic- and P-2y-purinoceptors. This difference means that, in WHHL rabbit aorta, some mechanisms proposed to explain impaired endothelium-mediated rela xation in atherosclerosis must be excluded. It is therefore hypothesiz ed that atherosclerosis in genetically hyperlipidemic animals selectiv ely influences the receptorial arrangement of endothelium, as in other published examples of selective remodeling of receptors in arteries. Endothelial cell receptors may become a new interesting target for the development of drugs to treat atherosclerosis.