NADPH oxidase activity and function are profoundly greater in cerebral versus systemic arteries

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that the superoxide generating enzyme NADPH oxidase may play a functional role in regulating cerebral vascular tone. We tested whether the activity, function, and expression of NADPH oxidase differs between rat cerebral and systemic arteries. Superoxide production by basilar (BA), middle cerebral (MCA), carotid (CA), renal (RA), and mesenteric (MA) arteries and aorta (AO) was measured using lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. Superoxide production from NADPH oxidase was localized and semiquantified using dihydroethidium. Vascular functional responses were assessed in a myograph or organ bath. Vascular Nox4 protein expression was measured using Western blotting. Super..