title: Hyperosmolarity: effects on nerves and smooth muscle of cutaneous veins.
abstract: Helical strips from dogs' saphenous veins were mounted in an organ bath (Krebs-Ringer solution, 37 degrees C) for isometric tension recording. Additional strips were incubated with [7-3H]norepinephrine and mounted for superfusion and isometric tension recording. The perfusate was collected every 2 min for estimation of total radioactivity and for column chromatographic separation of [3H]norepinephrine and its metabolites. Increasing osmolarity by sucrose caused a slow contraction that was maximal at 500-550 mosM and was accompanied by a reduction in total 3H efflux. The contraction was unaffected by a Ca2+-free medium, alpha-adrenegic blockade, and beta-adrenergic stimulaton. It was depressed by cooling (29 degrees C) and by anoxia combined with a glucose-free medium. Contractions elicited by K+ and Ba2+ were augmented by hyperosmolarity, but those caused by sympathetic nerve stimulation, tyramine, and norepinephrine were depressed. The output of [3H]norepinephrine during nerve stimulation was reduced. Thus, the hyperosmolarity causes 1) contraction of vascular smooth muscle, 2) augmentation of the contractile response to K+ and Ba2+, 3) depression of the excitation caused by norepinephrine, and 4) inhibition of the neuronal release of norepinephrine.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001464:Barium / Q000494:pharmacology; D004285:Dogs; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010477:Perfusion; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology*; D013395:Sucrose; D014508:Urea; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001464:Barium; D013395:Sucrose; D014508:Urea; D011188:Potassium; D009638:Norepinephrine