Alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic response in human isolated skin arteries during cooling

1. Dose-response curves for noradrenaline, phenylephrine and clonidine were determined isometrically in 2-mm cylindrical segments from human skin arteries at 24 degrees C and compared to those previously reported at 37 degrees C. 2. Noradrenaline (3 x 10(-10)-3 x 10(-4) M) induced dose-dependent contraction and the sensitivity was increased during cooling. Phentolamine (10(-6) M), prazosin (10(-6) M) or yohimbine (10(-6) M) produced a higher rightward shift of the control curve for noradrenaline during cooling. 3. Phenylephrine (10(-11)-3 x 10(-4) M) and clonidine (10(-11)-10(-6) M) caused dose-dependent contraction and the sensitivity of the arteries was augmented at 24 degrees C. 4. The arteries also showed a lower maximal contraction to the adrenergic agonists used and KCl (50 mM) during cooling. 5. The results suggest that cooling: (a) increases sensitivity of postjunctional alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors in human skin arteries and (b) depresses contractility of these arteries to alpha-adrenergic stimulation and direct activation of vascular smooth muscle.