Effects of asymmetric dimethylarginine on renal arteries in portal hypertension and cirrhosis

Table 3 pD₂ values and maximal responses of the concentration-response curves to N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and asymmetric dimethylarginine in renal arteries from Sham, partial portal vein ligation, and bile duct ligation groups, after precontraction with norepinephrine

	n	pD2	Emax (mg)
Sham
L-NAME	8	5.35 ± 0.17	370 ± 36
ADMA	8	4.20 ± 0.08e	400 ± 26
PPVL
L-NAME	8	5.30 ± 0.16	365 ± 30
ADMA	8	4.11 ± 0.09e	388 ± 25
BDL
L-NAME	8	5.24 ± 0.16	285 ± 29ac
ADMA	8	4.79 ± 0.16ace	310 ± 27ac

pD₂, - log M of substance causing 50% of the maximal contraction; Emax, maximal contraction; n = number of rats;

^aP < 0.05 vs Sham group with the same treatment,

^cP < 0.05 vs PPVL group with the same treatment and

^eP < 0.05 vs L-NAME treatment in the same group. ADMA: Asymmetric dimethylarginine; L-NAME: N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester.