Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/Vascular Permeability Factor Produces Nitric Oxide–Dependent Hypotension

Abstract

Abstract In vitro studies suggest that vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF/VPF) may stimulate release of nitric oxide (NO) from endothelial cells. To investigate the hemodynamic consequences of recombinant VEGF/VPF administered in vivo, recombinant human VEGF/VPF was administered as a bolus dose of 500 μg to anesthetized (n=6) or conscious (n=5) New Zealand White rabbits, as well as anesthetized rabbits with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia (HC; n=7). Anesthetized Yorkshire farm pigs (no specific dietary pretreatment) were studied before and after receiving 500 μg intravenous (IV; n=5) or intracoronary (IC; n=5) VEGF/VPF. In anesthetized, normal rabbits, mean arterial pressure (MAP) fell by 20.5±1.4% ( P