Splanchnic blood flow in man: evidence for mediation via a beta-adrenergic mechanism.
1. Superior mesenteric artery blood flow was examined by Doppler ultrasound in six male subjects aged 19-23 years during the infusion of saline (control), 10 and 40 ng of adrenaline min-1kg-1 for 30 min, or propranolol and 10 ng of adrenaline min-1kg-1 for 30 min, on four separate occasions. 2. Adrenaline infusion resulted in significant peak mean (SEM) rises in circulating adrenaline concentrations during the infusion period only [control, 0.20 (0.05) nmol/l; 10 ng of adrenaline min-1kg-1, 1.37 (0.29) nmol/l; 40 ng of adrenaline min-1kg-1, 3.73 (0.40) nmol/l; 10 ng of adrenaline min-1kg-1 and propranolol, 1.48 (0.16) nmol/l, P < 0.001 versus control]. These values are within the physiological range. 3. Superior mesenteric artery blood flow rose in a dose-dependent manner during the adrenaline infusions alone, but not during the infusion of adrenaline and propranolol [mean (95% confidence interval) area under the curve: control, -4.2 (-11 to +2.7)%; 10 ng of adrenaline min-1kg-1, +4 (-1 to 11.9)%; 40 ng of adrenaline min-1kg-1, +34 (+6.5 to +61.5)%; 10 ng of adrenaline min-1kg-1 and propranolol, -8.4 (-23 to +6)%]. 4. Superior mesenteric artery resistance fell during the adrenaline infusions alone and rose during the combined adrenaline and propranolol infusion [mean (SEM) area under the curve: control, 6.4 (2.7)%; 10 ng of adrenaline min-1kg-1, -2.9 (2.5)%; 40 ng of adrenaline min-1kg-1, -15 (1.4)%; 10ng of adrenaline min-1kg-1 and propranolol, 16.9 (10)%]. 5. These data suggest that splanchnic vasodilatation is mediated via a beta-adrenergic mechanism.
Department of Medicine, Bristol Royal Infirmary, U.K.
G D
GD
Braatvedt
M D
MD
Flynn
A
A
Stanners
M
M
Halliwell
R J
RJ
Corrall
D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000502:physiology*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000502:physiology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D011433:Propranolol; D004837:Epinephrine