Sodium orthovanadate, a powerful vasoconstrictor in the gills of the common eel, Anguilla anguilla

• Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
• Main Authors: Bell, M. V., Kelly, K. F., Sargent, J. R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1979
• Subjects: Aquatic Science; Anguilla anguilla
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315400042740; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0025315400042740

Sodium orthovanadate added internally is a powerful vasoconstrictor in perfused, irrigated gills of Anguilla anguilla . The anion is active at concentrations as low as 10 -7 M and its action is antagonized by β-adrenergic vasodilators such as adrenaline and isoprenaline. These effects are discussed in terms of the known mode of action of vanadate as an inhibitor of (Na + + K + )-dependent ATPase. The biological and pharmacological effects of naturally occurring vanadate are assessed.