Figure 2.

The relative contribution of the endothelium-derived mediators to the total dilatation Schematic illustration of the respective shares of NO, prostaglandins (PG) and EDHF in the ACh-stimulated vasodilatation, before and after organ culture, calculated as percent of the total dilatation induced by ACh, based on the maximum contraction for each mediator. In control arteries, 39 % of the dilatation was mediated by NO, 22 % by prostaglandins and 39 % by EDHF. In cultured arteries, 27 % of the dilatation was mediated by NO, 12 % by prostaglandins and 61 % by EDHF.