Changes in vasomotion pattern and local arteriolar resistance during stepwise pressure reduction

Changes in vasomotion parameters and their consequences for local arteriolar resistance were studied in transverse arterioles and their first order side branches in the tenuissimus muscle of 10 young urethane anesthetized rabbits during stepwise reduction of arterial pressure, using intravital microscopy. To assess the influence of vasomotion on mean local arteriolar resistance, the effective vascular diameter, as a measure of mean flow carrying capacity, was calculated. The contribution of vasomotion to the mean local resistance is limited in transverse arterioles, but important in first order side branches, dominating the flow fluctuations in the downstream capillaries.During pressure reduction, an over-all increase in vasomotion cycle length and amplitude was found in both transverse arterioles and first order side branches, concomitant with an increase in effective arteriolar diameter and a decrease in local blood flow and reduced velocity, as a measure of wall shear rate. Flow autoregulation was observed in 70% of the arterioles. The changes in cycle length and amplitude showed only limited correlations with local blood flow, reduced velocity, arterial pressure and effective arteriolar diameter. This indicates that it is unlikely that only one of these variables is responsible for the changes in the vasomotion parameters.Supported by Medigon/Zwo (Grant 900-517-157).     

Comparison of vascular distensibility in the upper and lower extremity

AIM: Because of the great differences in hydrostatic pressure acting along the blood vessels in the erect posture, leg vessels are exposed to greater transmural pressures than arm vessels. The in vivo pressure-distension relationship of arteries, arterioles and veins in the arm were compared with those of the leg. METHODS: Experiments were performed with the subject (n = 11) positioned in a pressure chamber with an arm or lower leg (test limb) extended at heart level through a hole in the chamber door. Intravascular pressure in the arm/lower leg was increased by stepwise increasing chamber pressure to +180 and +210 mmHg, respectively. Diameters of blood vessels and arterial flow were measured using ultrasonographic/Doppler techniques. Changes in forearm and lower leg volumes were assessed using an impedance technique. The subject rated perceived pain in the test limb. RESULTS: The brachial and radial arteries were found to be more distensible than the posterior tibial artery (P < 0.001). Likewise, the distension was more pronounced in the cephalic than in the great saphenous vein (P < 0.001). In the brachial artery, but not in the posterior tibial artery, flow increased markedly at the highest levels of distending pressure (P < 0.001). At the highest intravascular pressures, the rate of change in tissue impedance was greater in the forearm than the lower leg (P < 0.01). At any given level of markedly increased pressure, pain was rated higher in the arm than in the leg (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It seems that the wall stiffness of arteries, pre-capillary resistance vessels and veins adapts to meet the long-term demands imposed by the hydrostatic pressure acting locally on the vessel walls.     

Contributions of pressure and flow sensitivity to autoregulation in mesenteric arterioles.

The relative influence of presence and flow on dilation of arterioles with pressure reduction was examined in preparations of cat mesentery. Erythrocyte velocity and diameter were measured in individual arterioles during stepwise reduction in mesenteric arterial pressure. Volume flow was calculated from velocity and diameter data. Approximately half of the arterioles which dilated with pressure reduction also showed an increase in volume flow. In a second series of experiments, a graded reduction of flow in single arterioles was produced by local downstream occlusion. Graded occlusion caused dilation. In a third series, flow in single arterioles was completely stopped by downstream occlusion, and arterial pressure was then lowered. Most arterioles dilated with pressure reduction. In a fourth series, flow in the total preparation was completely stopped and static intravascular pressure set by a reservoir. Elevation of static pressure typically produced arteriolar constriction. We conclude from these studies that the mesenteric arteriole is sensitive both to intravascular pressure and flow, with the former probably more important than the latter in the phenomenon of autoregulation.     

Effects of venous pressure elevation on myogenic vasoconstrictive responses to static and dynamic arterial pressures

In order to establish the nature of the stretch-evoked dynamic properties of vascular smooth muscle in arterioles, we have examined the static and dynamic effects of both arterial pulse pressure and elevated venous pressure on the resistance vessels (arteries and arterioles) in an intestinal mesenteric preparation derived from dogs. The dynamic myogenic response to stretch stimuli was directly related to both the frequency of arterial pulse pressure (1-20 c/min) and the level of venous pressure (0-45 mmHg). Under elevated venous pressure (20 mmHg), the mean arterial flow decreased with an increase in the frequency of arterial pulse pressure. The arteriolar vascular tone (namely, vascular resistance) was seen to be enhanced. We found that elevated venous pressure promotes active constriction (9-53%) of arteriolar smooth muscle (myogenic mechanism). The elevation of venous pressure also caused a rhythmic constriction (vasomotion) in the site of both vein and artery, which was completely abolished by an alpha-blocker (phentolamine). The results suggest that during venous pressure elevation a very pronounced myogenic constriction in terminal arterioles is caused by either a local neural reflex or a propagated myogenic response in the arteriolar network.     

G tolerance vis-à-vis pressure-distension and pressure-flow relationships of leg arteries

During increased gravitoinertial (G) load in the head-to-foot direction, pressures in dependent vascular beds are commonly raised to levels capable of distending precapillary vessels, which, in turn, may reduce arterial pressure, and hence compromise the capacity to withstand G load (G tolerance). We hypothesized that distensibility in precapillary leg vessels would be lower in a group of subjects possessing high G tolerance (H; n?=?7; relaxed G tolerance?=?6.6?±?0.8 G) than in a group with low G tolerance (L; n?=?8; G tolerance?=?3.9?±?0.3 G). The groups were matched with regard to gender, age, weight, height, and resting arterial pressure. Arterial pressure-distension and pressure-flow experiments were performed with the subject supine in a pressure chamber with a lower leg protruding to the outside. Increased intravascular pressure in the blood vessels of the outside leg was accomplished by stepwise increasing chamber pressure to 240?mmHg. Diameter and flow in the posterior tibial artery were measured by ultrasonographic/Doppler techniques. Pressure-induced increments in arterial diameter and flow were more pronounced (p?相似文献   

Autoregulatory reactions of the skeletal muscle arterioles to a decrease in arterial pressure

Internal radius, wall thickness, and blood flow rate are measured in ratm. cremaster arterioles of different orders of branching under normal and stepwise decreased arterial pressure. Two types of reactions to a 20% decrease in arterial pressure are observed: active autoregulatory reaction (42% vessels) and passive reaction (58%). It is shown that relative changes in the diameter of arterioles in autoregulatory and passive reactions depend on the relative thickness of arteriolar wall and becomes more pronounced as this parameter increases. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 9, pp. 267–270, September, 1997     

Pulsatile pressure and flow in the mesenteric vascular bed of the cat

Summary The transmission of arterial pressure and flow pulse through the mesenteric vascular bed was studied in 18 experiments on cats. Pressures were measured in the superior mesenteric artery and in small mesenteric veins, red blood cell flow velocities in mesenteric microvessels smaller than 60 diameter. Venous pressures were found to show heart beat synchronous oscillatory components of 0.2–0.5mmHg amplitude. Venous pressure pulses were delayed in time in comparison to the arterial pressure pulses: mean transit times varied between 85 and 110 msec. Blood flow velocities in arterioles and venules were generally pulsatile, the amplitude of the arteriolar pulses averaging 52.5% of mean velocity, of the venular pulses 32.5%. The velocity pulses were found to be similar in shape as flow pulses in larger arteries. Infusion of vasoactive drugs showed transmission of arterial pulses to be inversely dependent upon vascular resistance. It is concluded that the concept of complete damping of the arterial pulse during the passage of blood through the intestinal vascular bed cannot be maintained. Two different mechanisms of pulse transmission are discussed: direct hydraulic transmission through the capillary network and transmission across the vascular wall from the arteriole to the venule.Supported by USPHS Grant HE-08977.     

急性上肢哑铃训练对颈总动脉硬度和血液动力学的影响

抗阻力训练对于动脉硬度的影响存在着相互矛盾的结果。为研究不同负荷的急性上肢哑铃训练对颈总动脉硬度和血液动力学的影响,选择10名健康男性志愿者,年龄（21 ± 2）岁,分别进行5 kg和7 kg负荷的哑铃上肢曲臂训练各50次,两种负荷中间休息30 min。用彩色超声多普勒记录静息状态及不同哑铃负荷训练后颈总动脉的管径和轴心流速波形,用电子自动血压计同步测量心率和肱动脉血压。基于检测的实验数据,用经典血液动力学理论对颈总动脉硬度、压力-应变弹性模量以及相关血液动力学参数进行分析和计算。结果表明,受试者经过急性上肢哑铃训练后,心率、最大轴心流速、收缩压和最大壁面切应力等血液动力学参数明显增大,而颈总动脉管径、平均流量率、平均血压等参数没有明显变化。此外,在经过5 kg哑铃训练后,最大流量率和平均轴心流速显著增加,最小轴心流速显著减小,颈总动脉硬度、压力-应变弹性模量、舒张压、最小壁面切应力和振荡剪切指数无明显变化;而7 kg哑铃训练后,颈总动脉硬度、压力-应变弹性模量、振荡剪切指数明显增加,舒张压、最小壁面切应力显著降低,平均轴心流速和轴心流速最小值无明显变化。上肢急性哑铃训练会明显改变部分血液动力学参数,在高负荷训练时会急性增加颈总动脉的硬度。     

Contribution of local blood flow regulation mechanisms to the maintenance of arterial pressure in upright position during epidural blockade

The contribution of local blood flow regulation mechanisms to the maintenance of arterial pressure in upright position was studied in 5 normal subjects. Central sympathetic blockade was induced by epidural anesthesia. Blood flow in anterior tibial muscle in both legs and in brachioradial muscle in one arm was measured by the local 133Xe washout technique. Arterial blood pressure was recorded directly from the radial artery. Slow head-up tilt (about 30 degrees) caused a decrease in blood flow of about 36% in the dependent legs and in arm remaining at heart level. Arterial pressure decreased by about 10%. Blockade of the local sympathetic veno-arteriolar "axon reflex" in one leg by injection of phentolamine into the common femoral artery caused a vasodilatation in the ipsilateral muscle, while muscle blood flow did not change in the other leg or arm. Within 20 s after the injection of phentolamine arterial pressure decreased by about 7%. This cannot be explained by a "systemic" effect because injection of phentolamine into the femoral vein did not effect arterial pressure within the first 40 s. Vasoconstriction due to blood-borne factors is ruled out since preventing the increase in vascular transmural pressure in the leg by inducing counterpressure locally, abolished the vasoconstriction. Thus, the results suggest that the local veno-arteriolar "axon reflex" together with myogenic mechanisms contribute to the maintenance of arterial pressure in the upright position.     

Elastic porous tube model of reactive hyperaemia

Reactive hyperaemia is the term given to the temporary increase in blood flow that follows release of an occlusion of the arterial supply. Measurement of reactive hyperaemia in the leg below the knee is useful in assessment of the vascular system, as resting flows remain unaffected even in the presence of quite severe occlusive arterial disease. An elastic porous tube representation of the vascular system is used to develop equations for the variation of the mean pressure, flow and vessel calibre in the vascular system. The tube represents the arteries and large arterioles, which respond passively to changes in pressure. Leakage through the tube walls represents flow into the small arterioles, which respond actively to the rise in pressure following release of the occlusion by constricting (the myogenic response). The capillaries are represented by rigid tubes, and the venous system is represented by a single compliant vessel. The model predicts variations in the flow, pressure and vessel calibre that are in agreement with experimental observations, and identifies that the pressure gradient is important in determining the initial transient increase in the flow following release of the occlusion. The subsequent development in the flow is governed by the small arteriolar flow, which is determined by the magnitude and duration of the myogenic response.     

A comparison of Doppler ankle pressures and skin perfusion pressure in subjects with and without diabetes

Doppler ankle pressure measurements may be misleading in some patients because medial calcification has made the arteries of the leg incompressible. This problem is especially common in diabetics. Medical calcification that is not severe enough to make an artery clinically incompressible may cause an increased stiffness of the arterial wall that will limit the accuracy of Doppler ankle pressure measurements. A comparison of skin perfusion pressure, using an isotope technique, and Doppler ankle pressures was made in 226 subjects, diabetic and non-diabetic. Patients with incompressible arteries were excluded from the study. The slopes of the regression lines relating skin perfusion pressure to Doppler ankle pressure in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects were significantly different (P = 0.03). This result was consistent with the hypothesis that diabetic subjects have arteries that are less compressible than normal arteries and may make Doppler ankle pressure measurements in diabetic subjects misleading over the whole range of pressures recorded.     

Micropuncture evaluation of the importance of perivascular pH for the arteriolar diameter on the brain surface

Summary A micropipette technique was used to induce local changes of the bicarbonate concentration of the cerebro-spinal fluid surrounding arterioles on the exposed cerebral cortex of anaesthetized rats and cats. Injection volumes of a few nanoliters caused circumscribed and pronounced changes of the diameter of the arterioles under study: mock spinal fluid without bicarbonate dilated, while a solution containing 25 meq/l of bicarbonate constricted the vessels. In such experiments the localpCO₂ of the arteriolar wall remains practically constant, since it is set by thepCO₂ of the arterial blood and of the cerebral tissue. Hence the microinjections essentially consisted in a local change of the pH of the fluid surrounding a small segment of a cerebral arteriole. Since metabolic changes of the nervous tissue changes the periarteriolar pH, it is probable that local pH induced vasomotor changes of the type reported here participate in the so called metabolic regulation of the cerebral blood flow which underlies the local adaptation of the cerebral blood flow to changing functional demands.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Distensibility in human veins as affected by 5 weeks of repeated elevations of local transmural pressure

The objectives were to investigate the effects of repeated increments in local intravascular pressure (pressure training; PT) on (1) distensibility in two arm veins, and (2) pain in the arm induced by markedly increased intravascular pressure. Elevation of venous distending pressure (DP) in an arm was induced by placing the subject (n = 8) in a pressure chamber with one arm protruding to the outside via a port in the chamber door, and increasing chamber pressure. During 5 weeks, venous DP in one arm was repeatedly (3 × 40 min/week) increased (65–105 mmHg). Pressure–distension relationships were determined in the brachial and cephalic veins by measuring diameter changes by ultrasonography during stepwise increments in DP to 180 mmHg. In the brachial vein, the diameter change in response to an increase in DP from 30 to 180 mmHg (distensibility) was reduced (P < 0.05) in the pressure-trained arm (11%) compared to that in the control arm before (23%) and after (21%) PT. The cephalic vein showed a similar response with a reduced (P < 0.05) distensibility in the pressure-trained arm (20%) compared to that in the control arm before (29%) and after (25%) PT. At any given DP, arm pain was less (P < 0.05) in the pressure-trained arm than in the control arm before and after PT, presumably reflecting the reduced venous distensibility in the pressure-trained arm. The results support the concept that the distensibility of venous walls adapts to meet the demands imposed by the prevailing local transmural pressures.     

Adrenergic stimulation of the rat mesenteric vascular bed: a combined micro- and macrocirculatory study

The sympathetic nervous system is one of the primary factors controlling vascular resistance. Vascular smooth muscle contraction by sympathetic stimulation is mediated primarily by alpha-adrenoceptors. In this study, we investigated the effects of different forms of adrenergic stimulation on simultaneously measured macro- and microcirculatory dynamics in the rat mesenteric vascular bed. Macrocirculatory effects were measured by means of registration of changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and blood flow feeding this tissue via a miniaturized Doppler flow probe around the superior mesenteric artery. Microvascular changes were measured at the level of A2 arterioles by means of intravital microscopic registration of arteriolar diameters and red blood cell velocity (RBC vel). Topical or intra-arterial application of noradrenaline caused a dose-dependent decrease in arteriolar diameter and RBC vel at doses that did not cause significant systemic effects. On the other hand, during intravenous application of noradrenaline or other vasopressor substances an increase in MAP and decrease in organ (Doppler) blood flow was not parallelled by a decrease in arteriolar diameter or RBC vel. In contrast, RBC vel increased in a dose-related manner, whereas arteriolar diameter only secondarily decreased to a small degree. Similar results were obtained when the sympathetic nervous system was activated by means of electrical stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus. These data indicate that adrenergic stimulation can elicit different vascular responses. The ultimate microvascular effect depends upon the way of stimulation or route of drug administration.     

Can arteries of skeletal muscles act as a circulatory bottleneck during heavy exercise?

It is generally assumed that almost no pressure gradient exists in the aorta and large arteries. This holds truth in rest, but during heavy exercise, when the resistance of arterioles in active skeletal muscles is diminished, the remaining resistance of large and small arteries might become significant and limit the maximal perfusion rate. To describe this idea better, a simplified model of vasculature based on the textbook data on circulation are described. The model suggests that the mean arterial pressure (MAP) acts as a hydrostatic pressure reserve that backups sudden changes in the local flow demands. During exercise, reduced resistance in arterioles changes the pressure profile along the arterial tree, making the pressure gradient along arteries more important and arteries become the circulatory bottleneck. Adequately high MAP and the shear stress arterial dilatation are both needed to allow sufficient flow through them. For a normal adult person, the model predicts that a hydrostatic pressure reserve allows almost sixfold increase in arterial flow before it is exhausted. A reduced resistance in arteries (shorter, more elastic arteries) can be expected in a young person, while in an atherosclerotic hypertensive person, reduced hydrostatic pressure reserve and the shear stress responsiveness would compromise the skeletal muscle performance during exercise.     

Short-term unilateral leg immobilization alters peripheral but not central arterial structure and function in healthy young humans

Short-term leg immobilization is an acute model of inactivity, which induces vascular deconditioning. The present study was conducted to determine if short-term leg immobilization induced alterations in central and peripheral conduit artery structure (diameter and compliance), function (resting blood flow and mean wall shear rate), and peripheral flow-mediated dilation. Healthy participants (n?=?7 women and n?=?8 men) were studied before and after 12?days of unilateral leg immobilization. Carotid artery structure and function were unaltered with immobilization indicating that the unilateral immobilization did not have a detectable effect on this representative central artery. In contrast, peripheral measures of arterial structure at the common femoral and popliteal arteries showed significant reductions in both the immobilized and non-immobilized limbs but to a greater extent in the immobilized limbs. Specifically, femoral and popliteal artery compliance and femoral artery diameter were reduced in both the immobilized and the non-immobilized limb (p?<?0.05) while popliteal artery diameter was reduced only in the immobilized leg. Popliteal artery flow-mediated dilation, an indicator of peripheral artery function, was increased in the immobilized limb, which parallels reports in paralyzed limbs of spinal-cord-injured individuals. The time course of vascular alterations with inactivity likely follows a sequence of adaptations in arterial structure and function reflecting differing initial flow patterns, and arterial wall composition, and diverse hemodynamic stimuli within different blood vessels.     

Microanatomical changes of intracerebral arteries in spontaneously hypertensive rats: a model of cerebrovascular disease of the elderly.

Changes occurring in intracerebral arteries of 24-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared with age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were assessed using microanatomical techniques associated with image analysis. Morphometric parameters investigated included arterial diameter, lumen area, wall area, and wall-to-lumen ratio. Intracerebral arteries (lumen diameter>46 microm) and arterioles (lumen diameter 46-10 microm) of frontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus were examined. In frontal cortex of SHR arterial wall hypertrophy and luminal narrowing were observed. In striatum, an increase of wall area not accompanied by luminal narrowing predominates resulting in arterial hypertrophy without vasoconstriction. In hippocampal arteries of SHR, luminal narrowing, without changes of wall area was found indicating the occurrence of remodeling. In brain areas investigated, hypertensive changes affected primarily arterioles. The demonstration of a sensitivity of intracerebral arteries to hypertension suggests that changes of these vessels may represent a cause of brain structural alterations occurring in hypertension. The specificity of alterations occurring in intracerebral arteries of brain areas investigated may account for the different localization of cerebral lesions in cerebrovascular disease. The possibility that microanatomical changes developed in intracerebral arteries of SHR may represent a model of cerebrovascular disease of the elderly is discussed.     

Corrosion cast of the vascularization of Mugil Cephalus gills

The spatial organization of the microcirculation in gills of Mugil Cephalus, was examined by scanning electron microscopic analysis of corrosion cast prepared by intravascular injection of methyl methacrylate. The afferent branchial artery originates from the ventral aorta and gives rise to afferent filamental artery. From the medio-lateral wall of the afferent filamental artery, afferent lamellar arterioles originate which supply one or more lamellae. The lamellar efferent arterioles, which drain the blood coming from the lamellae into the efferent filamental arteries, continue with the efferent branchial arteries and then the dorsal aorta. The techniques used so permitted to evaluate the structure and the interrelationships of the vascular pathways, explaining the regulation and the distribution of the blood flow in the gills.     

Augmented vasoconstrictor response to changes in vascular transmural pressure in patients with essential arterial hypertension

The vasoconstrictor response to increase in venous transmural pressure in subcutaneous tissue was studied in 9 patients with essential arterial hypertension. Subcutaneous blood flow was measured on the distal part of the forearm and at the lateral malleolus by the local ¹³³Xe washout technique. Increase in venous transmural pressure was obtained by lowering the area under study 40cm below midaxillary line in the recumbent subject. Average mean arterial pressure ± 1 S.E. was 133 ± 6 mmHg. The fractional increase in vascular resistance induced by arteriolar constriction was more pronounced in the hypertensive patients than in a normotensive control group. “Minimal vascular resistance” in the papaverine relaxed vascular bed was higher in the hypertensive patients than in the controls. Distensibility of the papaverine relaxed resistance vessels was diminished in the patients. Follow-up studies after 6–18 months of anti-hypertensive treatment indicate that the vasoconstrictor response as well as “minimal vascular resistance” are normalized, whereas the distensibility of the papaverine relaxed arterioles remained unaltered in the hypertensive patients. The results indicate that the arteriolar smooth muscle cells of hypertensive patients are subjected to reversible hypertrophy whereas the reduced distensibility of the resistance vessels is due to irreversible structural changes.     

Structural and Functional Analysis of Cerebral Basin Arteries in Different Periods of Hypertension

Structure of arteries of different diameter in early and late periods of hypertension caused by experimental coarctation of the aorta was studied by histological and morphometric methods. Blood pressure was measured directly via catheterization of the common carotid artery and used for evaluation of hemodynamic in the cerebral basin. It was shown that the late period of hypertension is characterized by dilatation of medium arteries and constriction and increase tone of small arteries and arterioles. Comparison of blood pressure parameters with the parameters of inner diameter and thickness of the tunica media attests to progressive decrease of permissible tensile strength and initiation of rapture of the wall of small arteries and arterioles during chronic hypertension.