AJP - Heart Calcium Transients and Cell-Sarcomere
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 274: H202-H208, 1998;
0363-6135/98 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Nase, G. P.
Right arrow Articles by Boegehold, M. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Nase, G. P.
Right arrow Articles by Boegehold, M. A.
Vol. 274, Issue 1, H202-H208, January 1998

Postjunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors are not present in proximal arterioles of rat intestine

Geoffrey P. Nase and Matthew A. Boegehold

Department of Physiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-9229

    ABSTRACT
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

The purpose of this study was to evaluate two potential stimuli for nitric oxide (NO) release in rat intestinal arterioles during sympathetic nerve activation. To determine whether these vessels contain endothelial alpha 2-adrenoceptors linked to the L-arginine-NO pathway, intravital microscopy was used to study the response of first-order arterioles (1As, 20-40 µm ID) to direct application of 1) the selective alpha 2-agonist BHT-933 and 2) norepinephrine (NE) or sympathetic nerve stimulation before and after alpha 1- or alpha 2-receptor blockade. The effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation on 1A wall shear rate (WSR) was also determined to evaluate the possibility of hemodynamic shear stress as a stimulus for NO release. BHT-933 had no effect on 1A diameter, whereas NE produced dose-dependent constrictions of 5 ± 3 to 15 ± 3 µm, which were usually abolished by the alpha 1-antagonist prazosin but unaffected by the alpha 2-antagonist idazoxan. Sympathetic nerve stimulation at 3, 8, and 16 Hz induced constrictions of 4 ± 1, 8 ± 2, and 17 ± 4 µm, respectively, and these constrictions were also usually abolished by prazosin but unaffected by idazoxan. Resting WSR averaged 1,997 ± 163 s-1 and decreased to 1,587 ± 209, 1,087 ± 195, and 537 ± 99 s-1 during 3-, 8-, and 16-Hz nerve stimulation. These results suggest that alpha 2-adrenoceptor-dependent pathways do not influence either resting tone or sympathetic constriction of proximal arterioles in the intestinal submucosa and that luminal shear stress in these vessels significantly decreases with sympathetic constriction. It therefore appears unlikely that either alpha 2-receptor activation or changes in hemodynamic shear serve as stimuli for arteriolar NO release during periods of increased sympathetic nerve activity.

microcirculation; adrenergic receptors; endothelium-derived relaxing factor; nitric oxide; sympathetic nerves

    INTRODUCTION
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

WE HAVE RECENTLY REPORTED that arteriolar responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation are increased after inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and that excess L-arginine completely reverses this effect (28). In a subsequent study (29), we found that arteriolar sympathetic constriction is similarly increased after disruption of endothelial function and that L-NMMA has no effect on this response after endothelial disruption. These findings indicate that the activity of endothelium-derived NO attenuates sympathetic neurogenic constriction in the intestinal arteriolar network.

Although the above studies afford no insight into the stimulus for arteriolar NO release during increased sympathetic nerve activity, the triggering event could be the activation of endothelial alpha 2-adrenoceptors by neurally released norepinephrine (NE). These receptors have been identified in cultured arterial endothelial cells from a number of species (5, 12, 24) and in cultured microvascular endothelial cells from rat cerebral cortex (21) and epididymal fat (39). Pharmacological evidence of endothelial alpha 2-adrenoceptors that mediate vascular relaxation has been obtained from various conduit arteries in the rat (4, 11, 25), dog (2, 14, 18, 25, 26), and pig (3, 5, 14, 34), and the role of NO in this relaxation is supported by findings in both conduit and resistance arteries of the pig coronary vasculature (5, 18, 34, 38), rat mesenteric artery (4), and arterioles of the rat spinotrapezius muscle (27). However, there can be considerable heterogeneity in adrenoceptor populations among and within different vascular beds (17, 23, 30, 31); e.g., there appear to be no endothelial alpha 2-receptors in arterioles of the rat cremaster muscle (31). To our knowledge, there have been no investigations concerning the possible existence of arteriolar alpha 2-receptors linked to NO release in the rat intestine.

The luminal shear stress associated with blood flow represents another possible stimulus for arteriolar NO release during periods of increased sympathetic nerve activity. Hemodynamic shear stress is considered to be an important stimulus for sustained microvascular NO release under resting conditions (6, 19), and this influence can attenuate the constriction of rat mesenteric artery segments during adrenergic nerve stimulation in vitro (37). Although we recently observed that wall shear rate actually falls in rat mesenteric arteries during sympathetic nerve stimulation in vivo (28), shear stress could remain unchanged or even increase in downstream intestinal arterioles if the effect of local diameter reduction is greater than the effect of decreased flow velocity.

To gain a better understanding of the interplay between the endothelium and sympathetic nerves in the arteriolar network, we set out to evaluate the possible contribution of alpha 2-adrenoceptors and hemodynamic shear stress to NO release during sympathetic constriction. We evaluated the effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation on arteriolar wall shear rate in the superfused rat intestine and also attempted to determine whether these microvessels contain functional alpha 2-adrenoceptors capable of promoting vascular smooth muscle relaxation. Intravital microscopy was used to assess arteriolar diameter and hemodynamic responses to 1) the selective alpha 2-receptor agonist BHT-933 and 2) NE and perivascular nerve stimulation before and then after alpha 2- or alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockade.

    METHODS
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Surgery and intravital microscopy Male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 7-8 wk (Harlan Sprague Dawley, Indianapolis, IN) were anesthetized with thiopental sodium (100 mg/kg ip) and placed on a heating mat to maintain a 37°C rectal temperature. The trachea was intubated to ensure a patent airway, and the rat was allowed to breathe spontaneously. In thiopental-anesthetized rats, arterial blood gases are maintained within normal ranges during unaided breathing through a trachea tube (8), indicating uncompromised ventilation. The right carotid artery was cannulated for direct measurement of arterial blood pressure with a Gould P23 ID pressure transducer. Experiments were conducted only if mean arterial pressure was >90 mmHg.

The small intestine was prepared for observation using a technique developed by Bohlen and Lash (10). A midline abdominal incision was used to expose the terminal portion of the small intestine (ileum), and a 14- to 16-cm loop of ileum was gently exteriorized without disturbing any of its feed vessels or neural inputs. The loop of ileum was initially bathed in a warm electrolyte solution (Normosol, Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL) and then continuously superfused with a physiological electrolyte solution (119 mM NaCl, 25 mM NaHCO3, 6 mM KCl, and 3.6 mM CaCl2) warmed to 37°C and equilibrated with a mixture of 5% O2-5% CO2-90% N2 (pH 7.35-7.40). Isoproterenol (10 mg/l; Sigma, St. Louis, MO) and phenytoin (20 mg/l; Parke-Davis, Morris Plains, NJ) were added to the superfusate to suppress intestinal motility. At these concentrations, isoproterenol and phenytoin have no effect on resting arteriolar tone in this vascular bed (9, 28). After exteriorization of the ileum, chyme was flushed from the lumen through two small incisions made 6 cm apart along the antimesenteric border. Four sutures were then tied to this border at 1-cm intervals, and the bowel was draped over a transparent pedestal. Finally, as much of the preparation as possible was covered with polyvinyl film, with the continuous superfusate flow directed beneath the film to prevent its equilibration with atmospheric O2.

Arteriolar responses to the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist BHT-933 (see below) were also evaluated in rat spinotrapezius muscle. For these experiments, the rats were anesthetized, intubated, and cannulated as described above, and the right spinotrapezius muscle was surgically exteriorized as previously described (6). With this approach, the muscle is gently drawn away from the body wall without disturbing any of its feed vessels or neural inputs and secured with silk ligatures over a transparent pedestal. A three-sided superfusion chamber is then placed around the muscle and in contact with the animal's back to form an enclosed reservoir, and the muscle is continuously superfused with the physiological electrolyte solution warmed to 35°C and equilibrated with a mixture of 5% CO2-95% N2 (pH 7.35-7.40).

After exteriorization of either the intestine or spinotrapezius muscle, the rat was transferred to the stage of an Olympus BHMJ intravital microscope (Hyde Park, NY) that was coupled to a charge-coupled device videocamera (Dage-MTI, Michigan City, IN). Video images were displayed on a Panasonic high-resolution video monitor and stored on videotape for off-line analysis. Observations were made with a ×10 eyepiece and Nikon ×10 or ×20 water-immersion objectives (final video magnification ×730 or ×1,460). Arteriolar inner diameters were measured off-line during videotape replay with a video image shearing monitor (IPM, San Diego, CA), and center-line red cell velocities were measured on-line with an optical Doppler velocimeter (Microcirculation Research Institute, Texas A & M University).

Experimental protocols. The first series of experiments was designed to determine whether intestinal arterioles are capable of alpha 2-receptor-mediated dilation by evaluating the effect of BHT-933, a selective alpha 2-agonist (32), on first-order arterioles (1As) before and then during exposure to the selective alpha 2-antagonist idazoxan (16). For application of BHT-933, glass micropipettes beveled to an outer tip diameter of 6-8 µm were filled with 10-5 or 10-8 M BHT-933 dissolved in superfusate and connected to a Picospritzer II pressure ejection system (General Valve, Fairfield, NJ). A micromanipulator was used to position the pipette tip in light contact with the outer vessel wall, and BHT-933 was ejected at a pressure of 5, 15, or 30 psi for 1 min. The 10-5 and 10-8 M pipette concentrations of BHT-933 were chosen based on an earlier assessment of arteriolar responsiveness to BHT-933 in superfused rat striated muscle (17). After a 2-min recovery period, this sequence was repeated two more times so that responses to all three levels of the agonist (applied in random order) could be evaluated in the same vessel. Next, a 1-ml bolus of either 10-5 or 10-8 M BHT-933 was added directly to the tissue bath (final superfusate concn of 3 × 10-7 or 3 × 10-10 M, respectively), and the 1A response was measured for 3 min. After agonist washout and measurement of the arteriolar response to the remaining bolus of BHT-933, the series of pipette and bolus applications was repeated using only the BHT-933 vehicle.

Next, idazoxan was added to the superfusate, and after a 15-min equilibration period, the local and bolus applications of BHT-933 were repeated during continued idazoxan application. For idazoxan application, a stock solution was infused into the superfusate delivery line via syringe pump, with the stock concentration and pump speed adjusted to achieve a final idazoxan concentration of 10-5 M in the solution bathing the intestine. Idazoxan at a local concentration of 10-6 M maximally inhibits alpha 2-mediated responses in a variety of arteries (2, 11, 14), but we used a superfusate concentration of 10-5 M to ensure an effective concentration within the arteriolar wall, where nearby blood flow acts as a diffusive sink (17). Finally, adenosine was added to the superfusate (final concn 10-3 M), and passive arteriolar diameter was measured.

In a second series of experiments, the efficacy and selectivity of BHT-933 as an alpha 2-agonist was verified by evaluating its effect on spinotrapezius muscle arterioles, which have previously been shown to possess vascular smooth muscle alpha 2-adrenoceptors (27). BHT-933 was applied to spinotrapezius muscle arcade arterioles before and then during idazoxan exposure using the protocol described above, except that BHT-933 ejection at 30 psi could not be used because of significant vessel movement in response to the pressure pulse.

A third and fourth series of experiments were designed to directly explore the possibility that sympathetic adrenergic constriction of intestinal arterioles is accompanied (and therefore modulated) by the activation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. In the third series of experiments, NE was delivered directly to the arteriolar wall via pressure ejection, and the response was measured before and then during exposure to either idazoxan or the selective alpha 1-antagonist prazosin. For NE application, glass micropipettes (2-3 µm outer tip diam) were filled with 10-6 M NE, and NE was ejected at 5, 10, and 15 psi (randomized) for 1 min. After two additional NE applications at the remaining ejection pressures (separated by a minimum 3-min recovery period), the series of NE ejections was repeated in the presence of either prazosin (superfusate concn 10-6 M) or idazoxan (10-5 M). After superfusion of the first inhibitor for 20 min, the series of NE applications was repeated. Then, after a 30-min washout period, a final series of NE applications was made in the presence of the second inhibitor. The two inhibitors were used in random order. Finally, adenosine (10-3 M) was added to the superfusate for measurement of passive arteriolar diameter.

In the fourth series of experiments, a bipolar platinum electrode was secured in a micromanipulator and used to stimulate the sympathetic postganglionic efferents traveling along an upstream mesenteric artery-vein pair. For stimulation, the electrode and artery-vein pair were raised slightly above the superfusate, and the nerves were stimulated with square-wave pulses from a Grass SD-9 stimulator at supramaximal voltage (7-10 V) and 3-ms duration. Stimulation did not alter mean arterial pressure. For these experiments, a 1A was selected for study, and after a 1-min control period, the nerves were stimulated for 1 min at a frequency of 3, 8, or 16 Hz (randomized). After a recovery period to allow a complete return to control diameter, this sequence was repeated two more times for stimulation at the two remaining frequencies. This perivascular nerve stimulation induces a widespread frequency-dependent constriction that is completely blocked at all levels of the arteriolar network by the nonselective alpha -adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine (20, 28), verifying that these responses are due to sympathetic nerve activation. After sympathetic nerve stimulation under the normal superfusate, either prazosin or idazoxan (randomized) was added to the superfusate as described above, and the series of nerve stimulations was repeated after exposure to the inhibitor for 20 min. Then, after a 30-min washout period, the final series of nerve stimulations was repeated in the presence of the second inhibitor. Finally, adenosine (10-3 M) was added to the superfusate for measurement of passive arteriolar diameter.

For the third and fourth series of experiments, a 30-min washout period between application of the first and second blockers was used because in experiments in which we applied prazosin first and subsequently observed complete inhibition of responses to NE or sympathetic nerve stimulation (see RESULTS), these responses were fully restored by the time idazoxan was added after 30 min of washout. Because idazoxan had no effect on responses to NE or sympathetic nerve stimulation, it was not possible to directly verify the completeness of its washout. Instead, we relied on the findings of other investigators, who have reported that idazoxan's effects are completely reversed after a 30-min washout period (11).

Data and statistical analysis. The effect of BHT-933, NE, or sympathetic nerve stimulation on arteriolar diameter was quantified as the absolute difference between the diameter at maximal response (averaged over at least 15 s) and that during the preceding control period. In all cases, the maximal response was attained within the 1-min stimulation or ejection period.

In the fourth series of experiments, arteriolar diameter (D) and center-line red cell velocity (VRBC) were measured and used for calculation of mean red cell velocity (VM, mm/s), volume flow (Q, nl/s), and wall shear rate (WSR, s-1) as follows
<IT>V</IT><SUB>M</SUB> = <IT>V</IT><SUB>RBC</SUB>/1.6
Q = <IT>V</IT><SUB>M</SUB> × (&pgr; <IT>D</IT><SUP>2</SUP>/4)
WSR = 8 × (<IT>V</IT><SUB>M</SUB>/<IT>D</IT>)
The correction factor of 1.6 represents the ratio of center-line red cell velocity to mean velocity for vessels down to 10 µm in diameter (40).

All data are expressed as means ± SE, and statistical analysis was carried out using commercially available software (SigmaStat, Jandel Scientific). Repeated-measures procedures were used to compare responses before and after a given treatment in the same animal. To assess differences in responses to application of BHT-933 before vs. after idazoxan treatment, mean values were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). For evaluation of 1) differences in NE responses before vs. after prazosin or idazoxan treatment and 2) differences in vascular responses to three levels of sympathetic stimulation before vs. after inhibitor treatment, comparisons were made using two-way ANOVA with post hoc analysis via the Newman-Keuls multiple range procedure. The significance of all tests was assessed at P < 0.05.

    RESULTS
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Effect of an alpha 2-receptor agonist on intestinal and spinotrapezius muscle arterioles. A total of four rats (204 ± 9 g body wt) were used to evaluate the effect of BHT-933 on intestinal 1A diameter. The mean resting diameter of arterioles studied here (n = 7) was 21 ± 3 µm, and mean passive diameter measured at the end of the experiment was significantly greater, averaging 38 ± 4 µm. Figure 1 shows that neither direct application of BHT-933 to the arteriolar wall nor addition of BHT-933 to the superfusate had any effect on 1A diameter. In the presence of idazoxan, which had no effect by itself on resting diameter (20 ± 2 µm under 10-5 M idazoxan), there was also no observable vasodilation or vasoconstriction during application of BHT-933. Vehicle application had no effect on arteriolar diameter.


View larger version (57K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 1.   Bar graph shows diameter of intestinal arterioles during direct application of 10-8 M (A) and 10-5 M (B) BHT-933 at 5, 15, and 30 psi and to bolus additions of BHT-933 directly to superfusate. Two different bolus additions were made, resulting in a final superfusate concentration of 3 × 10-10 M (A) or 3 × 10-7 M (B).

To confirm that BHT-933 at the concentrations we used is capable of eliciting a selective alpha 2-mediated response when alpha 2-receptors are present, three rats (196 ± 4 g body wt) were used to evaluate the effect of BHT-933 on spinotrapezius muscle arcade arterioles. The mean resting diameter of the arterioles studied here (n = 6) was 13 ± 1 µm, and mean passive diameter was significantly greater, averaging 20 ± 3 µm. Figure 2 shows that direct application of BHT-933 to the arteriolar wall and bolus addition of BHT-933 to the superfusate caused significant dose-dependent constrictions from control. Constrictions to 5 and 15 psi and bolus application averaged 2 ± 1, 3 ± 1, and 5 ± 2 µm, respectively, with 10-8 M BHT-933 (Fig. 2A) and 3 ± 1, 6 ± 2, and 5 ± 2 µm, respectively, with 10-5 M BHT-933 (Fig. 2B). All constrictions to BHT-933 were completely blocked by 10-5 M idazoxan, except at the highest agonist bath concentration, where a slight but significant constriction remained (Fig. 2B).


View larger version (46K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 2.   Bar graph shows diameter of spinotrapezius muscle arcade arterioles during direct application of 10-8 M (A) and 10-5 M (B) BHT-933 at 5 and 15 psi and to bolus additions of BHT-933 directly to superfusate. Two different bolus additions were made, resulting in a final superfusate concentration of 3 × 10-10 M (A) or 3 × 10-7 M (B). * P < 0.05 vs. corresponding control.

Effect of NE on intestinal arterioles. A total of four rats (211 ± 6 g body wt) were used in these experiments. The mean resting diameter of the arterioles studied here (n = 7) was 20 ± 3 µm, and mean passive diameter was significantly greater, averaging 35 ± 2 µm. Figure 3 shows that direct application of NE (pipette concn of 10-6 M) to the arteriolar wall at pressures of 5, 10, and 15 psi induced constrictions of 5 ± 3, 10 ± 3, and 15 ± 3 µm, respectively, and that these constrictions were unaffected by 10-5 M idazoxan (constrictions of 6 ± 3, 9 ± 3, and 13 ± 4 µm from control). In contrast, responses to NE were abolished or greatly reduced in the presence of 10-6 M prazosin.


View larger version (30K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 3.   Bar graph shows change in intestinal arteriole diameter in response to 5-, 10-, and 15-psi applications of NE during superfusion with normal superfusate (control), 10-5 M idazoxan, and 10-6 M prazosin. Control responses and those in presence of idazoxan represent significant constrictions at all applications. However, in presence of prazosin, only response to NE at 15 psi represents a significant constriction from preapplication diameter. * P < 0.05 vs. corresponding control response.

Effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation on arteriolar diameter and wall shear rate. A total of three rats (203 ± 4 g body wt) were used to determine the effect of perivascular nerve stimulation on 1A diameter. The mean resting diameter of the arterioles studied here (n = 6) was 40 ± 5 µm, and mean passive diameter was significantly greater, averaging 62 ± 4 µm. Figure 4 shows that perivascular nerve stimulation at 3, 8, and 16 Hz induced constrictions of 4 ± 1, 8 ± 2, and 17 ± 4 µm, respectively, and that addition of idazoxan to the superfusate had no significant effect on the constrictions at 3- or 16-Hz stimulation (5 ± 2 and 21 ± 4 µm, respectively). In contrast, idazoxan significantly enhanced the arteriolar response to 8-Hz stimulation (12 ± 2 µm). As with NE application, responses to nerve stimulation were abolished or greatly reduced in the presence of 10-6 M prazosin.


View larger version (28K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig. 4.   Bar graph shows change in intestinal arteriole diameter in response to 3-, 8-, and 16-Hz sympathetic nerve stimulation during superfusion with normal superfusate (control), 10-5 M idazoxan, and 10-6 M prazosin. Control responses and those in presence of idazoxan represent significant constrictions at all stimulation frequencies. However, in presence of prazosin, only response to 16-Hz stimulation represents a significant constriction from prestimulation diameter. * P < 0.05 vs. corresponding control response.

An additional four rats (199 ± 6 g body wt) were used to determine the effect of perivascular nerve stimulation on 1A WSR. The mean resting diameter of the arterioles studied here (n = 6) was 46 ± 3 µm, and mean passive diameter measured at the end of the experiment was significantly greater, averaging 70 ± 6 µm. Table 1 shows that calculated resting WSR averaged 1,997 ± 163 s-1 and that during perivascular nerve stimulation at 3, 8, and 16 Hz WSR dropped significantly to 1,587 ± 209, 1,087 ± 195, and 537 ± 99 s-1, respectively.

                              
View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 1.   Effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation on diameter and hemodynamic variables measured in first-order intestinal arterioles

Resting and passive diameters for the arterioles studied in this protocol were significantly greater than those studied in the other protocols. There is a marked heterogeneity in 1A diameters within the rat intestine, and smaller segments were chosen more often for BHT- 933 and NE application because 1) they tend to have a more clearly defined inner wall than larger segments, and 2) in the case of the BHT-933 experiments, we wanted the 1As to be reasonably close in size to the spinotrapezius muscle arcade arterioles that we studied for comparison (13 µm). Because the sympathetic nerve stimulation experiments required red cell velocity measurements and there was sometimes a small degree of intestinal motility, larger segments were routinely chosen to ensure that the velocity sensors would remain over the vessel lumen at all times. Despite the difference in size, the segments studied in this protocol were from the same portion of the network as those studied in the other protocols.

    DISCUSSION
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

We have recently reported that, in rat intestine, the magnitude and rate of arteriolar responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation are significantly increased after exposure to the NO synthase inhibitor L-NMMA (28). In that study, L-NMMA also caused a modest increase in resting arteriolar tone, but a similar augmentation of resting tone by another method did not enhance sympathetic constriction, ruling out a nonspecific effect of L-NMMA. Finally, L-NMMA's effect on sympathetic constriction could be completely reversed by excess L-arginine (28). In a second study, the sympathetic constriction of intestinal arterioles was similarly increased after inactivation of the arteriolar endothelium with CO2 embolization, and L-NMMA had no effect on sympathetic constriction after this procedure (29). Taken together, these findings indicate that endothelium-derived NO is an important modulator of sympathetic neurogenic constriction in the arteriolar network of rat intestine.

The current study focused on the possibility that endothelial alpha 2-adrenoceptors and/or hemodynamic shear stress could play pivotal roles in the release of NO during sympathetic constriction in the rat intestine. The salient findings of this study are that potential alpha 2-receptor stimuli such as 1) the agonist BHT-933 and 2) NE or sympathetic nerve stimulation after alpha 1-blockade have no effect on proximal arteriolar tone in this vascular bed and that alpha 2-blockade has no effect on the response of these arterioles to directly applied NE or sympathetic nerve stimulation. These findings argue against the existence of functional alpha 2-adrenoceptors in this segment of the intestinal microvasculature and therefore against their postulated involvement in the NO-dependent attenuation of sympathetic constriction (28, 29). In addition, the marked reduction in arteriolar wall shear rate that we observed during sympathetic nerve stimulation is not consistent with an important role for hemodynamic shear stress as a continuing stimulus for NO release under these conditions.

Vascular smooth muscle adrenoceptors. In rat striated muscle, the constriction of proximal arterioles to exogenously applied NE is mediated jointly by smooth muscle alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors (17, 27, 31). In contrast, the constriction of these arterioles in response to increased sympathetic nerve activity is mediated solely by alpha 1-receptors (30). Our finding that alpha 1-receptor blockade virtually abolishes both NE- and sympathetic nerve-induced constriction of proximal arterioles in the rat intestine (Figs. 3 and 4) highlights the difference in functional adrenoceptor populations that can exist among different microvascular beds within the same species. Others have reported that adrenergic constriction of arterioles and small arteries is mediated entirely by alpha 1-adrenoceptors in rat mesentery (1, 22, 35), and our current findings extend these observations into the intestinal arteriolar network downstream from these mesenteric vessels.

Endothelial adrenoceptors. There is indirect evidence for endothelial alpha 2-receptors in a number of conduit arteries. In the endothelium-intact state only, the application of selective alpha 2-agonists or NE in the presence of alpha 1- and beta -blockers causes relaxation of coronary, carotid, and femoral arteries of the dog (2, 14, 18, 25, 26), coronary, carotid, femoral, renal, and mesenteric arteries of the pig (3, 5, 14, 34), and the aorta, mesenteric, and tail arteries of the rat (4, 11, 25). There is mounting evidence from the rat and other species that, where present, this alpha 2-dependent relaxation is mediated by endothelial NO release (4, 18, 27, 34, 38). For example, the alpha 2-dependent relaxation of rat mesenteric artery rings is abolished not only by endothelial removal but also by NO synthase inhibition (4). However, endothelial alpha 2-receptors are apparently not present in all arterial vessels. Selective alpha 2-agonists have no significant vasoactive effect on canine mesenteric arteries (13), and receptor autoradiography has not provided direct evidence of these receptors in some other conduit arteries, including two of the vessels mentioned above (dog coronary artery and rat aorta; Ref. 36). This could reflect a true absence of receptors or, in some cases, receptor concentrations below detection levels for this technique (36).

In light of previous intravital microscopy studies, our current findings suggest that, as with conduit arteries, endothelial alpha 2-receptors are not present in all microvascular networks. There is evidence for such receptors in rat spinotrapezius muscle, where L-NMMA has been found to potentiate arteriolar responses to NE before but not after alpha 2-blockade (27). In rat cremaster muscle arterioles, L-NMMA augments alpha 2-adrenergic tone to a greater extent than alpha 1-adrenergic tone, raising the possibility of enhanced NO release during alpha 2-receptor activation (31). However, additional findings from this latter study support a different interpretation that does not involve endothelial alpha 2-receptors, i.e., that basally released NO interferes with alpha 2-adrenergic tone more than alpha 1-adrenergic tone. In addition to the findings detailed above, we also observed that alpha 1-receptor blockade with prazosin did not uncover a dilator response to sympathetic nerve stimulation or NE application (Figs. 3 and 4), as would be expected if there were an alpha 2-mediated relaxing influence that was normally masked by alpha 1-mediated constriction.

Hemodynamic shear. The shear stress associated with luminal blood flow is considered to be an important stimulus for endothelial NO release (6, 19), and the establishment of luminal flow through isolated rat mesenteric arteries leads to an endothelium-dependent attenuation of the response to sympathetic nerve stimulation (37). In light of these findings, we also evaluated the possibility that basally released NO could be responsible for the attenuation of sympathetic arteriolar constriction due to a preservation of normal hemodynamic shear stress. However, we found that sympathetic nerve stimulation at 3, 8, and 16 Hz reduced the average 1A wall shear rate by 20, 45, and 73%, respectively (Table 1), apparently due to a predominant effect of reduced flow velocity. This finding argues against the importance of hemodynamic shear as a stimulus for continued NO release under these conditions.

Although the current findings discount two potential stimuli for endothelial NO release in intestinal arterioles during increased sympathetic activity, other possibilities remain unexplored. For example, recent evidence suggesting that high O2 levels can inhibit arteriolar NO release (33) raises the possibility that the flow-related decrease in arteriolar wall PO2 during sympathetic nerve stimulation (7) could lead to increased endothelial NO release. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate this and other potential mechanisms of arteriolar NO release during periods of increased sympathetic activity. Further studies are also necessary to determine whether NO limits arteriolar sympathetic constriction via the direct interruption of smooth muscle transduction events or via prejunctional inhibition of NE release. There is evidence of both mechanisms in large arteries (15), but this issue has not been investigated at the microvascular level.

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors gratefully acknowledge the expert technical assistance of Kim Wix in this study.

    FOOTNOTES

This investigation was supported by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grants HL-44012 and HL-52019.

Address for reprint requests: M. A. Boegehold, Dept. of Physiology, PO Box 9229, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-9229.

Received 9 December 1996; accepted in final form 11 September 1997.

    REFERENCES
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

1.   Angus, J. A., A. Broughton, and M. J. Mulvany. Role of alpha -adrenoceptors in constrictor responses of rat, guinea-pig and rabbit small arteries to neural activation. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 403: 495-510, 1988[Abstract/Free Full Text].

2.   Angus, J. A., T. M. Cocks, and K. Satoh. alpha 2-Adrenoceptors and endothelium-dependent relaxation in canine large arteries. Br. J. Pharmacol. 88: 767-777, 1986[Medline].

3.   Angus, J. A., T. M. Cocks, and K. Satoh. The alpha  adrenoceptors on endothelial cells. Federation Proc. 45: 2355-2359, 1986[Medline].

4.   Bockman, C. S., I. Gonzalez-Cabrera, and P. W. Abel. Alpha-2 adrenoceptor subtype causing nitric oxide-mediated vascular relaxation in rats. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 278: 1235-1243, 1996[Abstract/Free Full Text].

5.   Bockman, C. S., W. B. Jefferies, and P. W. Abel. Binding and functional characterization of alpha-2 adrenergic receptor subtypes on pig vascular endothelium. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 267: 1126-1133, 1993[Abstract/Free Full Text].

6.   Boegehold, M. A. Flow-dependent arteriolar dilation in normotensive rats fed low- or high-salt diets. Am. J. Physiol. 269 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 38): H1407-H1414, 1995[Abstract/Free Full Text].

7.   Boegehold, M. A., and P. C. Johnson. Periarteriolar and tissue PO2 during sympathetic escape in skeletal muscle. Am. J. Physiol. 254 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 23): H929-H936, 1988[Abstract/Free Full Text].

8.   Bohlen, H. G. Enhanced cerebral vascular regulation occurs by age 4 to 5 weeks in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Hypertension 9: 325-331, 1987[Abstract/Free Full Text].

9.   Bohlen, H. G., and R. W. Gore. Preparation of rat intestinal muscle and mucosa for quantitative microcirculatory studies. Microvasc. Res. 11: 103-110, 1976[Medline].

10.   Bohlen, H. G., and J. M. Lash. Topical hyperglycemia rapidly suppresses EDRF-mediated vasodilation of normal rat arterioles. Am. J. Physiol. 265 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 34): H219-H225, 1993[Abstract/Free Full Text].

11.   Bullock, G. R., S. G. Taylor, and A. H. Weston. Influence of the vascular endothelium on agonist-induced contractions and relaxations in rat aorta. Br. J. Pharmacol. 89: 819-830, 1986[Medline].

12.   Buonassisi, V., and J. C. Venter. Hormone and neurotransmitter receptors in an established vascular endothelial cell line. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 73: 1612-1616, 1976[Abstract/Free Full Text].

13.   Chiba, S., and M. Tsukada. Vasoconstrictor responses of isolated and perfused canine mesenteric arteries to alpha adrenoceptor agonists. Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. Ther. 271: 241-248, 1984[Medline].

14.   Cocks, T. M., and J. A. Angus. Endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary arteries by noradrenaline and serotonin. Nature 1305: 627-630, 1983.

15.   Cohen, R. A. Role of the endothelium in vascular adrenergic neurotransmission. In: Endothelial Regulation of Vascular Tone, edited by U. S. Ryan, and G. M. Rubanyi. New York: Karger, 1990, p. 155-169.

16.   Dabire, H. J. Idazoxan: A novel pharmacological tool for the study of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. J. Pharmacol. 17: 113-118, 1986[Medline].

17.   Faber, J. E. In situ analysis of alpha -adrenoceptors on arteriolar and venular smooth muscle in rat skeletal muscle microcirculation. Circ. Res. 62: 37-50, 1988[Abstract/Free Full Text].

18.   Flavahan, N. A., H. Shimokawa, and P. M. Vanhoutte. Pertussis toxin inhibits endothelium-dependent relaxations to certain agonists in porcine coronary arteries. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 408: 549-560, 1989[Abstract/Free Full Text].

19.   Friebel, M., K. F. Klotz, K. Ley, P. Gaehtgens, and A. R. Pries. Flow-dependent regulation of arteriolar diameter in rat skeletal muscle in situ: role of endothelium-derived relaxing factor and prostanoids. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 483: 715-726, 1995[Medline].

20.   Furness, J. B., and J. M. Marshall. Correlation of the directly observed responses of mesenteric vessels of the rat to nerve stimulation and noradrenaline with the distribution of adrenergic nerves. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 239: 75-88, 1974[Abstract/Free Full Text].

21.   Karnushina, I. L., M. Spatz, and J. Bembry. Cerebral endothelial cell culture. 1. The presence of beta 2- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors linked to adenylate cyclase activity. Life Sci. 30: 849-858, 1982[Medline].

22.   Kong, J., D. A. Taylor, and W. W. Fleming. Functional distribution and role of alpha-1 adrenoceptor subtypes in the mesenteric vasculature of the rat. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 268: 1153-1159, 1993[Abstract/Free Full Text].

23.   Langer, S. Z., and P. E. Hicks. Alpha-adrenoceptor subtypes in blood vessels: physiology and pharmacology. J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. 6: S547-S558, 1984.

24.   Liao, J. K., and C. J. Homcy. The release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor via alpha 2-adrenergic receptor activation is specifically mediated by Gialpha 2. J. Biol. Chem. 268: 19528-19533, 1993[Abstract/Free Full Text].

25.   Matsuda, H., E. Kuon, J. Holtz, and R. Busse. Endothelium-mediated dilations contribute to the polarity of the arterial wall in vasomotion induced by alpha 2-adrenergic agonists. J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. 7: 680-688, 1985[Medline].

26.   Miller, V. M., N. A. Flavahan, and P. M. Vanhoutte. Pertussis toxin reduces endothelium-dependent and independent responses to alpha-2 adrenergic stimulation in systemic canine arteries and veins. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 257: 290-293, 1991[Abstract/Free Full Text].

27.   Nakamura, T., and R. L. Prewitt. Effect of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine on arcade arterioles of rat spinotrapezius muscles. Am. J. Physiol. 261 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 30): H46-H52, 1991[Abstract/Free Full Text].

28.   Nase, G. P., and M. A. Boegehold. Nitric oxide modulates arteriolar responses to increased sympathetic nerve activity. Am. J. Physiol. 271 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 40): H860-H869, 1996[Abstract/Free Full Text].

29.   Nase, G. P., and M. A. Boegehold. Endothelium-derived nitric oxide limits sympathetic neurogenic constriction in the intestinal microcirculation. Am. J. Physiol. 273 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 42): H426-H433, 1997[Abstract/Free Full Text].

30.   Ohyanagi, M., J. E. Faber, and K. Nishigaki. Differential activation of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors on microvascular smooth muscle during sympathetic nerve stimulation. Circ. Res. 68: 232-244, 1991[Abstract/Free Full Text].

31.   Ohyanagi, M., K. Nishigaki, and J. E. Faber. Interaction between microvascular alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors and endothelium-derived relaxing factor. Circ. Res. 71: 188-200, 1992[Abstract/Free Full Text].

32.   Pieter, B. M., W. M. Timmermans, and P. A. Van Zwieten. Post-synaptic alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the circulatory system of the pithed rat: selective stimulation of the alpha 2-type by B-HT 933. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 63: 199-202, 1980[Medline].

33.   Pries, A. R., J. Heide, K. Ley, K. F. Klutz, and D. Gaehtgens. Effect of oxygen tension on regulation of arteriolar diameter in skeletal muscle in situ. Microvasc. Res. 49: 289-299, 1995[Medline].

34.   Richard, V., F. C. Tanner, M. Tschudi, and T. F. Luscher. Different activation of L-arginine pathway by bradykinin, serotonin, and clonidine in coronary arteries. Am. J. Physiol. 259 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 28): H1433-H1439, 1990[Abstract/Free Full Text].

35.   Silva, E. G., T. Feres, L. M. Viana, P. Okuyama, and T. B. Paiva. Dual effect of clonidine on mesenteric artery adrenoceptors: agonistic (alpha-2) and antagonistic (alpha-1). J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 277: 872-876, 1996[Abstract/Free Full Text].

36.   Stephenson, J. A., and R. J. Summers. Autoradiographic analysis of receptors on vascular endothelium. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 134: 34-40, 1987.

37.   Tesfamariam, B., and W. Halpern. Modulation of adrenergic responses in pressurized resistance arteries by flow. Am. J. Physiol. 253 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 22): H1112-H1119, 1987[Abstract/Free Full Text].

38.   Tschudi, M., V. Richard, F. R. Buhler, and T. F. Luscher. Importance of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in porcine coronary resistance arteries. Am. J. Physiol. 260 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 29): H13-H20, 1991[Abstract/Free Full Text].

39.   Wagner, R. C., P. Kreiner, R. J. Barrnett, and M. W. Bitensky. Biochemical characterization and cytochemical localization of a catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in isolated capillary endothelium. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 69: 3175-3179, 1972[Abstract/Free Full Text].

40.   Zweifach, B. W., and H. H. Lipowsky. Pressure-flow relations in blood and lymph microcirculation. In: Handbook of Physiology. The Cardiovascular System. Microcirculation. Bethesda, MD: Am. Physiol. Soc., 1984, sect. 2, vol. IV, pt. 1, chapt. 7, p. 251-308.


AJP Heart Circ Physiol 274(1):H202-H208
0363-6135/98 $5.00 Copyright © 1998 the American Physiological Society



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
L. C. Duling, T. W. Cherng, J. R. Griego, M. F. Perrine, and N. L. Kanagy
Loss of {alpha}2B-adrenoceptors increases magnitude of hypertension following nitric oxide synthase inhibition
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, November 1, 2006; 291(5): H2403 - H2408.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
B. A. Sauls and M. A. Boegehold
Adenosine linking reduced O2 to arteriolar NO release in intestine is not formed from extracellular ATP
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, September 1, 2001; 281(3): H1193 - H1200.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
J. L. Tuttle and J. C. Falcone
Nitric oxide release during {alpha}1-adrenoceptor-mediated constriction of arterioles
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, August 1, 2001; 281(2): H873 - H881.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
B. A. Sauls and M. A. Boegehold
Arteriolar wall PO2 and nitric oxide release during sympathetic vasoconstriction in the rat intestine
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, August 1, 2000; 279(2): H484 - H491.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Gastrointest. Liver Physiol.Home page
Z. Ming, C. Han, and W. W. Lautt
Nitric oxide mediates hepatic arterial vascular escape from norepinephrine-induced constriction
Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, December 1, 1999; 277(6): G1200 - G1206.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
N. Iida
Nitric oxide mediates sympathetic vasoconstriction at supraspinal, spinal, and synaptic levels
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, March 1, 1999; 276(3): H918 - H925.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
A. Aaker and M. H. Laughlin
Diaphragm arterioles are less responsive to alpha 1- adrenergic constriction than gastrocnemius arterioles
J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2002; 92(5): 1808 - 1816.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Nase, G. P.
Right arrow Articles by Boegehold, M. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Nase, G. P.
Right arrow Articles by Boegehold, M. A.


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online