title: Effects of bolus injections of leukotrienes and norepinephrine on forelimb vascular and lymphatic pressures.
abstract: Leukotrienes, lypoxygenase metabolites of arachadonic acid, have been reported to be potent vasoconstrictors in some organs. This study was undertaken to delineate the actions of leukotrienes on both vascular and lymphatic vessels in the canine forelimb. Bolus intra-arterial injections of 1 microgram and 10 micrograms of leukotriene B4, C4, and D4 and 1 microgram of norepinephrine were made into forelimbs perfused at constant flow. Norepinephrine significantly increased systemic, forelimb perfusion and small artery pressures. Lymphatic pressure was significantly increased from a control of 6.6 mmHg to a peak of 14.4 mmHg. Leukotriene B4 in either dosage, did not significantly affect vascular or lymphatic pressures. Leukotriene C4 (1 microgram or 10 micrograms) significantly increased systemic and forelimb arterial pressures but did not alter lymphatic pressure. Leukotriene D4 (1 microgram) significantly increased small artery pressure. Leukotriene D4 (10 micrograms) increased systemic and forelimb arterial pressures. Neither dosage of leukotriene D4 significantly affected lymphatic pressure. Repeat injection of norepinephrine after completion of all leukotriene injections again markedly increased systemic, forelimb arterial and lymphatic pressures. These data indicate that leukotrienes exhibit only mild constrictor effects on forelimb blood vessels and do not significantly affect forelimb prenodal lymphatic vessels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Uniformed Services, University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4799.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Dobbins
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Buehn
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dabney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013189:SRS-A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013189:SRS-A; D007975:Leukotriene B4; D009638:Norepinephrine