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Arterial Myogenic Properties of the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat
Author(s) -
Hughes Jennifer M.,
Bund Stuart J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
experimental physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0958-0670
DOI - 10.1113/eph8702399
Subject(s) - myogenic contraction , vascular resistance , autoregulation , blood pressure , vasomotor , vasoconstriction , medicine , vasoconstrictor agents , contraction (grammar) , vascular smooth muscle , peripheral resistance , vasodilation , endocrinology , cardiology , smooth muscle , cardiac output
When subject to a transmural pressure gradient resistance arteries develop a spontaneous, intrinsically initiated contraction which varies according to the pressure stimulus and occurs in the absence of vasoconstrictor agonists. Such pressure‐dependent active changes in vascular tone are indicative of the vascular myogenic response and contribute to autoregulation and the setting of total peripheral resistance and hence blood pressure regulation. The myogenic behaviour of blood vessels provides the background tone upon which other vasomotor influences act. Hypertension is associated with a raised vascular resistance and in this article the evidence for increased myogenic activity contributing to the raised vascular resistance is reviewed. Although there are some cases that provide evidence for exaggerated myogenic responsiveness in resistance arteries taken from hypertensive animals it is not possible to conclude that enhanced myogenic contractile responses within normal pressure ranges contribute to the raised total peripheral resistance. However, the myogenic tone of the resistance arteries of the various vascular beds is subject to differing modulatory influences in hypertensive animals and their normotensive controls which may contribute to the aetiology of hypertension.