title: Vasodilator action of prostaglandin E1 on microcirculation of rat cremaster muscle.
abstract: Vascular spasm is often present after microsurgical procedures, and its presence or absence can greatly influence the success rate of such operations. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is known to be a potent vasodilator and antiaggregator of small blood vessels. Using intravital videomicroscopy in the rat cremaster model, this study visually and quantitatively monitored changes in vessel diameter to observe the effect of PGE1 on the microcirculation and compared its action with that of 1% lidocaine. The results suggest that PGE1 (10 micrograms/ml) can significantly relieve epinephrine-induced vasoconstriction at the terminal arteriole, arteriole, and small artery level (vessel diameters 10-50 microns). The vasodilatory action of PGE1 is reflected by an increase in vessel diameter, and PGE1 may have a role in reversing vascular spasm after microsurgery, enhancing the survival rate of replanted extremities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Seaber
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Urbaniak
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D001160:Arterioles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002196:Capillaries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects; D010388:Pelvis; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D014743:Videotape Recording
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D008012:Lidocaine; D000527:Alprostadil; D004837:Epinephrine