Vascular effects of vanadate.

The present experiments demonstrate that vanadate (sodium orthovanadate) given i.v. to anesthetized cats induces a marked, transient and reversible constriction of visceral arteries, including the renal artery, whereas the femoral and carotid artery escape constriction. The constriction of the renal artery is accompanied by a pronounced reduction of glomerular filtration rate and urine production. The vasoconstriction appears to be caused by a direct effect of vanadate on the vessel wall, but the mechanism of action is not established.