title: Heparin attenuates norepinephrine-induced venoconstriction.
abstract: Reversal by heparin of norepinephrine-induced constriction of normal hand veins was studied. Venous size was measured using a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) during infusions of saline, norepinephrine, insulin and norepinephrine, and graded doses of heparin with norepinephrine. Heparin reduced the venoconstrictive effects of norepinephrine (p < 0.01), with the effects beginning at 18.5 nmol/min (0.05 U/min) and reaching a maximum between 185 nmol/min and 1.85 mumol/min (0.5 and 5 U/min). Maximal heparin-induced venorelaxation correlated with the maximal insulin effect within individuals (r = 0.8, p < 0.01) and was unchanged by the addition of insulin. Methylene blue, a non-specific inhibitor of the nitric oxide cGMP cascade, reduced heparin-induced venorelaxation. In conclusion, heparin in either physiologic or pharmacologic concentration attenuated norepinephrine-induced venoconstriction. A common mechanism of venorelaxation by heparin and insulin is not excluded given the correlation and lack of additivity of maximum effects and their inhibition by methylene blue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA.
authors.forename: F I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Hawari
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Shykoff
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Izzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000494:pharmacology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007328:Insulin; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D006493:Heparin; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase; D008751:Methylene Blue; D009638:Norepinephrine