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Effect of denervation on endothelium‐derived relaxing factor‐dependent relaxation in the rat cremaster muscle
Author(s) -
Gazdag Andre,
Chen LongEn,
Hagen PerOtto,
Seaber Anthony V.,
Urbaniak James R.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.1920140806
Subject(s) - medicine , endothelium derived relaxing factor , cremaster muscle , microcirculation , vasoconstriction , denervation , nitric oxide , endothelium , vasodilation , anesthesia , norepinephrine , acetylcholine , endocrinology , dopamine
Endothelium‐derived relaxation mediated primarily by endothelium‐derived relaxing factor/nitric oxide (EDRF/NO) is essential in the maintenance of vascular tone. However, little is known about the effects of denervation on EDRF‐mediated relaxation in the microcirculation after reimplantation. Using intravital videomicroscopy in the rat cremaster model, this study assessed the effect of acute and chronic denervation of the muscle, produced by severing the genitofemoral nerve, on EDRF‐mediated vasorelaxation. The results demonstrated that acetylcholine‐induced EDRF relaxation (10 −6 M) significantly relieved norepinephrine‐induced vasoconstrtction in small arteries (40–80 (μm diameter) in both the acute and chronic denervated muscles. There was no significant difference in the relaxant response between the denervated or innervated controls in each group or between the acute or chronic groups. This relaxation was prevented by methylene blue (10 −4 M). These findings suggest that EDRF‐mediated relaxation in the microcirculation is not dependent on tissue innervation. Thus the use of potent endothelial dependent agonists may be of use in cases of vasospasm postreimplantation. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss Inc.