Length-dependent sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle in normotensive and hypertensive animals

Ring segments were obtained from the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), and Wistar (WST) rats and from the anterior tibial artery of normotensive and hypertensive dogs. Norepinephrine dose-response curves were generated at lengths relative to that for maximum force (Lmax) and at a specific preload (in grams). The doses of stimulus necessary to elicit 10 and 50% maximum force of contraction (ED10 and ED50) are greater at lengths less than Lmax than at Lmax for all groups. When SHR rings are compared with WKY or WST rings, ED10 or ED50 is the same at either length. The same result was found in comparing normal and hypertensive dogs. ED10 and ED50 from hypertensive groups were the same as their respective control groups when compared at the same preload. We conclude that sensitivity of the rat aorta and dog anterior tibial artery to norepinephrine depends on muscle length, this relationship is not altered in hypertension, and the conclusion on sensitivity in hypertension is the same for excised rings compared at the same length or at the same preload. Contractility (active stress) was lower (rats) or the same (dogs) but thickness was greater in the hypertensive groups than in their controls. The results show that a change in the vessel wall that can cause increased flow resistance and pressure is not in sensitivity or contractility but in wall thickness. Apparent differences in sensitivity from normal and hypertensive animals can be explained by an unchanged length-dependent sensitivity. The results also show that differences in body weight will affect a comparison of wall tension but not of sensitivity.