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RESPONSES OF HEPATIC MICROVESSELS
Author(s) -
Ho Margaret S. L.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
quarterly journal of experimental physiology and cognate medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0033-5541
DOI - 10.1113/expphysiol.1972.sp002152
Subject(s) - hepatic veins , vein , portal venous pressure , medicine , portal vein , ligation , artery , shock (circulatory) , anatomy , anastomosis , stimulation , portal hypertension , surgery , cirrhosis
The response of microvessels of the intact liver to various stimuli was observed in the anaesthetized rat by a modified transillumination technique, permitting photomicrography at any time during the direct microscopic observation. Adrenaline and noradrenaline appeared to have direct constrictor action on the portal venous branches, hepatic sinusoids and hepatic venous branches. Acetylcholine appeared to have a slight direct constrictor action on the hepatic sinusoids. Electrical stimulation of hepatic nerves showed that intrahepatic vessels were under sympathetic nervous control. The results of ligation of portal vein and hepatic artery indicated the presence of arterio‐venous anastomoses. Hepatic sinusoids, portal venous branches and hepatic venous branches were observed at first to constrict and then dilate in severe haemorrhage and traumatic shock.