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Related Experiment Videos

Sympathetic vasodilation in human muscle.

M J Joyner1, N M Dietz

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

Acta Physiologica Scandinavica
|March 1, 2003
PubMed
Summary
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Sympathetic vasodilator nerves in human skeletal muscle are not clearly demonstrated. Current evidence suggests adrenaline or local cholinergic mechanisms, rather than direct sympathetic nerve activity, mediate vasodilation.

Area of Science:

  • Neurophysiology
  • Autonomic Nervous System
  • Skeletal Muscle Physiology

Background:

  • The concept of sympathetic vasodilator nerves to skeletal muscle aligns with the 'fight or flight' response.
  • Early animal studies in the 1930s demonstrated sympathetic vasodilation in skeletal muscle during the 'defense reaction'.
  • By the mid-20th century, sympathetic cholinergic vasodilator nerves were established in animals, with circumstantial evidence suggesting their presence in humans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the existence and mechanisms of sympathetic vasodilator nerves in human skeletal muscle.
  • To reconcile conflicting evidence regarding cholinergic sympathetic vasodilation in humans.
  • To explore recent findings on nitric oxide's role in skeletal muscle vasodilation.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Review of historical animal and human studies on sympathetic nervous system responses.
  • Analysis of evidence for cholinergic and nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation.
  • Consideration of findings from pharmacological (atropine) and surgical interventions (sympathectomy).

Main Results:

  • Clear histological and electrophysiological evidence for sympathetic cholinergic dilator fibers is lacking in human skeletal muscle.
  • Human forearm vasodilation during mental stress, previously attributed to sympathetic cholinergic nerves, is atropine-sensitive but its direct nerve origin remains debated.
  • Recent research indicates that nitric oxide (NO) is crucial for skeletal muscle vasodilation in both humans and animals during sympathoexcitatory challenges.

Conclusions:

  • While animals possess distinct sympathetic cholinergic and NO-dependent dilator nerves to skeletal muscle, the mechanisms in humans differ.
  • Most sympathetic vasodilation responses observed in human skeletal muscle are likely mediated by circulating adrenaline or local cholinergic stimulation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) release.