Oxidative metabolism in smooth muscle cells: Methods and materials relating thereto

A method for screening compounds for potential efficacy as therapeutic agents which comprises incubating, in a medium suitable for the support of oxidative metabolism,

• a cell or tissue sample which comprises smooth muscle cells with (a) a specimen, agent or combination of agents known to effect an increase in oxidative metabolism of the cell or tissue sample which is not attributable to a contractile demand for ATP;
• and (b) a test compound;
• measuring a marker of oxidative metabolism;
• and
• detecting an absence or reduction of the increase in oxidative metabolism not attributable to a contractile demand for ATP and which is normally effected by the specimen, agent or combination of agents, any such absence or reduction being indicative of the test compound having potential efficacy as a therapeutic agent.