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

Abstract
Sodium orthovanadate added internally is a powerful vasoconstrictor in perfused, irrigated gills ofAnguilla anguilla. The anion is active at concentrations as low as 10-7M 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.