Additionally, increased RhoA activation has beenlinked to endothelial dysfunction, increased peripheral vascular resistance andhypertension.40 Despitethe activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway, acute ethanol intake didnot affect the contractile response induced by phenylephrine or theendothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine in the mesenteric artery.These results suggest that RhoA activation here described probably occurs before theonset of severe functional abnormalities. The gene discussed is RHOA; the disease is endothelial dysfunction.