Abstract
SMOOTH muscle of isolated mammalian arteries in a state of active tonic contraction will relax when exposed to light1–3. Other types of mammalian smooth muscles are insensitive to light or much less sensitive than vascular smooth muscle. When other types of smooth muscle are treated with nitrite ion (an ion which increases the photosensitivity of rabbit aortic strips1), they, too, become very sensitive to light. This report deals with the effects of ultraviolet and visible radiation on non-vascular smooth muscle, especially after treatment with NaNO2.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Furchgott, R. F., Pharm. Rev., 7, 183 (1955).
Furchgott, R. F., Ehrreich, S. J., and Greenblatt, E., J. Gen. Physiol., 44, 499 (1961).
Furchgott, R. F., Fed. Proc., 21, 319 (1962).
Ehrreich, S. J., Kao, C. Y., and Furchgott, R. F., Fed. Proc., 22, 309 (1963).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
EHRREICH, S., FURCHGOTT, R. Relaxation of Mammalian Smooth Muscles by Visible and Ultraviolet Radiation. Nature 218, 682–684 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/218682a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/218682a0
This article is cited by
-
Activation of an Endogenous Opsin 3 Light Receptor Mediates Photo-Relaxation of Pre-Contracting Late Gestation Human Uterine Smooth Muscle Ex Vivo
Reproductive Sciences (2020)
-
Combination of laser and human adipose-derived stem cells in repair of rabbit anal sphincter injury: a new therapeutic approach
Stem Cell Research & Therapy (2019)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.