SODIUM ORTHO-VANADATE, A POWERFUL VASOCONSTRICTOR IN THE GILLS OF THE COMMON EEL, ANGUILLA-ANGUILLA

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. © 1979, Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. All rights reserved.