title: Functional heterogeneity of large and small resistance arteries isolated from biopsies of subcutaneous fat: implications for investigation of vascular pathophysiology.
abstract: Few studies using human subcutaneous resistance arteries acknowledge the possibility of functional heterogeneity in these vessels. Large ( approximately 500 microm) and small (> or = 200 microm) resistance arteries (n=11) and veins (n=5) were identified using physical, structural and functional criteria in 14 biopsies of human gluteal fat. Endothelium-dependent relaxation was not evident in veins, while, unlike small resistance arteries (E(max) 95.74+/-1.86%; -log IC(50) 7.28+/-0.09), large resistance arteries with an intact endothelium failed to respond to acetylcholine. These results suggest that large resistance arteries may lack muscarinic receptors on the endothelium and emphasise the importance of careful vessel selection and characterisation in studies using human resistance arteries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Western General Hospital, Hugh Robson Building, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, Scotland, UK. phadoke@srv0.med.ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Hadoke
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Buckley
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001706:Biopsy; D002081:Buttocks / Q000098:blood supply; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014680:Veins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000109:Acetylcholine