Pharmacological Characteristics of the Inhibitory Effects of Docosahexaenoic Acid on Vascular Contractions Studied in Rat Mesenteric Artery

Abstract

DHA and EPA are found to more pronouncedly inhibit prostanoid receptor-mediated contractions than other constrictor responses of the mesenteric artery via endothelium-independent mechanisms. These inhibitory effects of ω-3 PUFAs on prostanoid receptor-mediated contractions may partly underlie the mechanisms by which these ω-3 PUFAs elicit protective actions against circulatory disorders.