Cyclo-oxygenase-2, endothelium and aortic reactivity during deoxycorticosterone acetate salt-induced hypertension

Abstract

COX-2 expression increases during DOCA-salt hypertension, and mediates production of factors that enhance rat aortic contractility in response to norepinephrine. Our data also suggest a role for increased oxidative stress, which is at least in part dependent on enhanced COX-2 expression, in the mechanism(s) of enhanced aortic contractility in response to norepinephrine during DOCA-salt hypertension.