Aerobic muscle contraction impaired by serotonin-mediated vasoconstriction.
Vasoconstriction mediated by serotonin (5-HT) inhibits muscle metabolism in resting constant-flow-perfused rat hindlimb and may do so by vascular shunting. In the present study, the effects of 5-HT on tension development and contraction-induced oxygen uptake by the sciatic nerve-stimulated gastrocnemius-plantaris-soleus muscle group of the perfused rat hindlimb and tension development by electrically stimulated isolated incubated soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles were examined. In both erythrocyte and erythrocyte-free perfusions, 0.25 microM 5-HT increased perfusion pressure and markedly decreased contraction-induced tension, oxygen uptake, and lactate release. The release of metabolic vasodilators from exercising skeletal muscle did not appear to affect 5-HT-mediated vasoconstriction; rather, vascular resistance increased during the period of muscle contraction. In contrast, vasoconstriction during muscle contraction mediated by alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation did not impair tension and was partially overcome by metabolic vasodilators. In addition, contraction of isolated incubated soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles was not affected by 5-HT addition to the incubation medium. We conclude that 5-HT impairs contractility of working muscle during the aerobic phase by limiting oxygen delivery through redistributing perfusate flow. The results are consistent with a vasoconstrictor action of 5-HT on larger vessels, perhaps at feed arteries external to the working muscle. When constricted by 5-HT, these vessels are apparently insensitive to metabolic vasodilatation.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
K A
KA
Dora
S
S
Rattigan
E Q
EQ
Colquhoun
M G
MG
Clark
D000332:Aerobiosis / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007773:Lactates / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D007773:Lactates; D012701:Serotonin; D019344:Lactic Acid