Vasodilator effects of clonidine on the mesenteric arterial beds in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Clonidine, an alpha 2-agonist, caused a concentration-dependent vasodilation of the mesenteric arterial beds in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. The clonidine-induced vasodilation was inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine, and the inhibition was reversed by L-arginine. The concentration-dependent vasodilation was not significantly different between normotensive and hypertensive rats. These results suggest that clonidine has an endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant action in the resistance artery such as rat mesenteric arterial bed, and the endothelium-dependent vasodilator effects of clonidine in the mesentery may be involved in the depressor effect of the drug.