Mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxation of human internal mammary artery induced by (-)-epicatechin

Evidences have suggested that flavanol compound (-)-epicatechin is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. One of the mechanisms of its cardioprotective effect is vasodilation. However, the exact mechanisms by which (-)-epicatechin causes vasodilation are not yet clearly defined. The aims of the present study were to investigate relaxant effect of flavanol (-)-epicatechin on the isolated human internal mammary artery (HIMA) and to determine the mechanisms underlying its vasorelaxation. Our results showed that (-)-epicatechin induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of HIMA rings pre-contracted by phenylephrine. Among the K+ channel blockers, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and margatoxin, blockers of voltage-gated K+ (KV) channels, and glibenclamide, a selective ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels blocker, partly inhibited the (-)-epicatechin-induced relaxation of HIMA, while iberiotoxin, a most selective blocker of large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BKCa), almost completely inhibited the relaxation. In rings pre-contracted by 80mM K+, (-)-epicatechin induced partial relaxation of HIMA, whereas in Ca2+-free medium, (-)-epicatechin completely relaxed HIMA rings pre-contracted by phenylephrine and caffeine. Finally, thapsigargin, a sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, slightly antagonized (-)-epicatechin-induced relaxation of HIMA pre-contracted by phenylephrine. These results suggest that (-)-epicatechin induces strong endothelium-independent relaxation of HIMA pre-contracted by phenylephrine whilst 4-AP- and margatoxin-sensitive KV channels, as well as BKCa and KATP channels, located in vascular smooth muscle, mediate this relaxation. In addition, it seems that (-)-epicatechin could inhibit influx of extracellular Ca2+, interfere with intracellular Ca2+ release and re-uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum. [Display omitted]