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Oxidative stress and enhanced sympathetic vasoconstriction in contracting muscles of nitrate‐tolerant rats and humans
Author(s) -
Fadel Paul J.,
Farias III Martin,
Gallagher Kevin M.,
Wang Zhongyun,
Thomas Gail D.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.218917
Subject(s) - vasoconstriction , blood flow , medicine , oxidative stress , vasodilation , reactive oxygen species , skeletal muscle , sympathetic nervous system , endocrinology , oxygen delivery , oxygen , chemistry , cardiology , blood pressure , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Non‐technical summary Activation of sympathetic nerves decreases blood flow to resting skeletal muscle, but this vasoconstrictor effect normally is blunted during exercise so that blood flow can increase to the working muscles. In rats and humans treated with nitroglycerin for 1 week, we show that overproduction of reactive oxygen species prevents the usual attenuation of sympathetic vasoconstriction in the working muscles, resulting in muscle ischaemia during exercise. Improved knowledge about the effect that reactive oxygen species has on muscle blood flow regulation may help us to better understand the decreased exercise tolerance that occurs with age as well as with chronic disease.