Effects of dipyridamole on muscle blood flow in exercising miniature swine

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a vasodilator reserve exists in respiratory muscles and forelimb skeletal muscles in miniature swine during treadmill exercise. Blood flow (BF) was measured with radiolabeled microspheres during preexercise and before and after dipyridamole (DYP; 1 mg/kg iv) at 2 min of treadmill exercise at 11.2 (70% Vo2 max) and 17.6 km/h (Vo2 max). Muscle BFs were increased during exercise, and the relationship between exercise intensity and BF varied among the muscles. The high-oxidative extensor muscles and the flexor muscles attained peak BFs at 11.2 km/h, whereas the more superficial, lower oxidative extensor muscles showed increases in BF up to maximal exercise. During running at 11.2 km/h, DYP produced increases in BF only in cardiac muscle, respiratory muscle and the medial head of the triceps muscle (MHT), which is composed of 91% slow-twitch oxidative (SO) fibers. During maximal exercise (17.6 km/h), DYP produced a 31-mmHg decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and increases in vascular conductance in all muscles studied. BF was only increased in MHT and cardiac muscle. We conclude that vasodilator reserve remains in skeletal muscle and respiratory muscle even during maximal exercise in swine. If it is assumed that DYP-induced vasodilation in a muscle sample is indicative of adenosine production, these results suggest that SO skeletal muscle (MHT) and respiratory muscle are similar to cardiac muscle in that they produce adenosine even when adequately perfused. Furthermore, during maximal exercise, all skeletal muscle appears to produce adenosine, suggesting that muscle BF is restricted under these conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)