Analysis of the ghrelin receptor-independent vascular actions of ulimorelin

Abstract

Ulimorelin (TZP101) is a ghrelin receptor agonist that stimulates intestinal motility, but also reduces blood pressure in rodents and humans and dilates blood vessels. It has been proposed as a treatment for intestinal motility disorders. Here we investigated the mechanisms through which ulimorelin affects vascular diameter. Actions of ulimorelin on wall tension of rodent arteries were investigated and compared with other ghrelin receptor agonists. Saphenous, mesenteric and basilar arteries were obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats (male, 8 weeks) and saphenous arteries were obtained from wild type or ghrelin receptor null mice. These were mounted in myography chambers to record artery wall ten..