title: Contractile properties of lymphatics from the human lower leg.
abstract: Lower leg lymphatics, taken from seven volunteers, were investigated in vitro. Isometric contractions were induced by noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), and the thromboxane A2 (TXA2)-mimetic U-44069. Noradrenaline induced phasic contractions in 6 of 7 segments. The amplitude of the contractions were up to 100% of a previous K+ (124mM)-induced contraction and the frequency at 10(-6)M of noradrenaline was 5-13 min-1. These contractions were unaffected by propranolol (10(-6)M), but they were abolished by phentolamine (10(-6)M). Noradrenaline had an Emax (tonic contraction) of 7% of the K+ (124mM) contraction (n = 7) and the pEC50-value was 6.9 (n = 3). The corresponding values for 5-HT were 21% (n = 5) and 6.4 (n = 3). PGF2 alpha elicited contractions in all segments investigated (Emax = 87%, pEC50 = 5.8, n = 5). U-44069 had high contractile capacity and potency in all investigated segments (Emax = 137%, pEC50 = 8.9, n = 7). Phasic contractions were elicited also by 5-HT, PGF2 alpha and U-44069. Compared to earlier studies of human peripheral lymphatics, these results show that there are regional differences in susceptibility to these vasoactive agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sjöberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Steen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011450:Prostaglandin Endoperoxides, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011450:Prostaglandin Endoperoxides, Synthetic; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D012701:Serotonin; C028429:U 44069; D015237:Dinoprost; D009638:Norepinephrine