Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Skeletal Muscle Neurovascular Coupling, Oxidative Capacity, and Microvascular Function with 'One Stop Shop' Near-infrared Spectroscopy
Published on: February 20, 2018
ATP overflow in skeletal muscle 1A arterioles
Heidi A Kluess1, Audrey J Stone, Kirk W Evanson
1Department of Health Science, Kinesiology, Recreation and Dance, 308V HPER Building, 1 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA. hkluess@uark.edu
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) overflow in rat arterioles originates mainly from nerves, with age influencing its levels. The endothelium helps reduce ATP release.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Vascular Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a key signaling molecule in vascular function.
- Understanding ATP release mechanisms and age-related changes is crucial for vascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the sources of ATP release in rat 1A arterioles.
- To examine how aging affects ATP overflow in these vessels.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and cannulation of rat gastrocnemius muscle 1A arterioles.
- Field stimulation and measurement of ATP overflow using specific biosensors.
- Pharmacological manipulation including tetrodotoxin and alpha1-receptor blockade; endothelial removal.
Main Results:
- ATP overflow occurred in two distinct phases post-stimulation, both abolished by tetrodotoxin, indicating neural origin.
- Endothelial removal increased ATP overflow, while alpha1-receptor blockade slightly decreased phase two overflow.
- ATP overflow levels varied with age, being lowest in 6-month-old rats and highest in 2- and 12-month-old rats.
Conclusions:
- Neural pathways are the primary source of ATP overflow in 1A arterioles.
- The endothelium plays a significant role in attenuating ATP release.
- Age-related changes in ATP overflow suggest alterations in vascular signaling with aging.
More Related Videos
10:54In Vivo Three-Dimensional Two-Photon Microscopy to Study Conducted Vascular Responses by Local ATP Ejection Using a Glass Micro-Pipette
Published on: June 7, 2019
10:46Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
Published on: July 16, 2013
Related Concept Videos
Energy Supply for Muscle Contraction
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
ATP Driven Pumps II: P-type Pumps
A typical P-type pump has three cytosolic domains: nucleotide-binding (N), phosphorylation (P), and activator (A) domains. These domains are connected to the membrane-spanning helices by short amino acid segments. ATP hydrolysis and covalent phosphoenzyme intermediate formation are crucial parts of the catalytic cycle. At the highly...
Cross-bridge Cycle
Smooth Muscle Contraction
The onset of contraction is triggered by an increase in calcium ions within the sarcoplasm, similar to the process in striated muscle. However, smooth muscles have a relatively smaller reservoir of the sarcoplasmic...
Arteries and Arterioles