title: alpha-Adrenergic control of intestinal circulation in heat-stressed baboons.
abstract: The mechanisms involved in producing intestinal vasoconstriction during a hyperthermia-producing intestinal vasoconstriction during a hyperthermia-producing environmental heat stress are unknown. Five conscious baboons (Papio anubis), each with chronically implanted catheters and a flow probe around the superior mesenteric artery, were subjected to environmental heating (Ta 40-45 degrees C) to raise their arterial blood temperature (Tbl) 2.0-2.6 degrees C to approximately 39.5 degrees C. Accompanying the gradual rise in Tbl was a fall in mean superior mesenteric artery blood flow (MSMF) and a progressive rise in superior mesenteric vascular resistance (SMR). At peak Tbl, MSMF had fallen 28.8 +/- 0.6% (mean +/- SE) and SMR had risen 50.2 +/- 4.2%. To determine the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in producing this intestinal vasoconstriction, the baboon was subjected to environmental heating after induction of alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade by phenoxybenzamine or phentolamine. In this state, the rise in Tbl was accompanied by no change in MSMF and a slight, but not statistically significant, rise (7.8 +/- 3.8%) in SMR. Since alpha-receptor blockade nearly completely abolishes intestinal vasoconstriction during heat stress, this intestinal vasoconstriction must be mediated primarily by elevated sympathetic outflow.
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D006359:Heat Exhaustion / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D010215:Papio / Q000502:physiology*; D010643:Phenoxybenzamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D014655:Vascular Resistance
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D010643:Phenoxybenzamine; D010646:Phentolamine