The influence of chylomicron remnants on endothelial cell function in the isolated perfused rat aorta

A system for the perfusion of the isolated rat aorta which allowed the study of both the uptake of chylomicron remnants by the artery wall and their effects on endothelial function was developed. Perfusion for 2 h with 125I-labelled native or oxidised (by treatment with copper sulphate) chylomicron remnants showed that small amounts became associated with the artery wall (0.111±0.034 and 0.216±0.082 ng protein/mg tissue, respectively). Tests on endothelial function were carried out in vessel rings prepared after perfusion of the aortas in the presence or absence of chylomicron remnants for 2 h. After perfusion of the vessels with oxidised chylomicron remnants, the maximum response to phenylephrine (PE) was significantly increased (from 0.34±0.06 to 0.51±0.04 g/mg tissue; P