Adrenergic innervation and reactivity of the blood vessels of different organs

• Published in: Fiziologicheskii zhurnal SSSR imeni I. M. Sechenova Vol. 73; no. 2; p. 139
• Main Authors: Govyrin, V A, Leont'eva, G R, Prozorovskaia, M P, Reĭdler, R M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Russia (Federation) 01-02-1987
• Subjects: Adrenergic Fibers; Animals; Arteries - analysis; Arteries - innervation; Catecholamines - analysis; Femoral Artery - innervation; Male; Mesenteric Arteries - innervation; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - physiology; Organ Specificity; Popliteal Artery - innervation; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Skin - blood supply
• ISSN: 0015-329X

The structural and functional heterogeneity in rat mesenteric and hind leg arteries has been established. The results of histochemical, biochemical and physiological studies showed the change of adrenergic plexus density, content and ratio of catecholamines and contractility of smooth muscle cells along the superior mesenteric artery. The proximal part of the artery is sparsely innervated and contains only traces of noradrenaline. It demonstrates small contractile response to nerve stimulation, noradrenaline and potassium chloride. Increased nerve density, noradrenaline content and responsiveness has been revealed in the distal part of the artery. The same correlation between the nerve density and vessel reactivity was obtained in hind leg arteries: the more innervated popliteal artery demonstrates more strong contractile response than the femoral artery. It has been also revealed the organ heterogeneity. In general, hind leg arteries are best innervated, contain more catecholamines and demonstrate increased maximal contractility in comparison to mesenteric arteries. The femoral and popliteal arteries have not phasic contractile activity which is very well expressed in the mesenteric ones.