Blood pressure and heart rate response to vasoactive agents in conscious diabetic rats

Blood pressure and heart rate responses to different vasoactive agents were observed in conscious streptozotocin-diabetic rats. An indwelling femoral artery catheter was used for direct measurement of arterial pressure and heart rate. The femoral vein was cannulated for drug administration. In a resting state diabetic rats showed lower heart rates and lower systolic blood pressure. The vasodepressor response to both acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside was decreased, while the heart rate increase induced by the baroreceptor reflex was not altered. Both the increase in blood pressure and the reflex bradycardia to norepinephrine were decreased in the diabetic group. When the change in heart rate was plotted against blood pressure in response to norepinephrine, there was no difference in the two groups of animals. The vasodepressor response to isoproterenol, hydralazine, and verapamil in diabetic rats was unchanged. The results demonstrate a decreased vascular responsiveness in diabetic rats to norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and nitroprusside. The diabetes-induced vascular system changes require further study to understand the mechanisms involved.