Cerebral vascular dysfunction in TallyHo mice: a new model of Type II diabetes

The purpose of this study was to characterize vascular responses and to examine mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in TallyHo mice, a new polygenic model of Type II diabetes. Responses of cerebral arterioles and carotid arteries were examined in vivo by using a cranial window and in vitro by using tissue baths, respectively. Dilatation of cerebral arterioles (baseline diameter = 33 +/- 1 micro m) in response to acetylcholine, but not to nitroprusside, was markedly reduced (P < 0.05) in TallyHo mice. Responses of cerebral arterioles to acetylcholine in TallyHo mice were restored to normal with polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase (100 U/ml; a superoxide scavenger). Responses to acetylcholine were also greatly impaired (P < 0.05) in the carotid arteries from TallyHo mice. Phenylephrine- and serotonin-, but not to KCl- or U46619-, induced contraction was increased two- to fourfold (P < 0.05) in carotid arteries of TallyHo mice. Responses to phenylephrine and serotonin were reduced to similar levels in the presence of Y-27632 (an inhibitor of Rho kinase; 3 micro mol/l). These findings provide the first evidence that vascular dysfunction is present in TallyHo mice and that oxidative stress and enhanced activity of Rho kinase may contribute to altered vascular function in this genetic model of Type II diabetes.