[Effect of the autonomic nervous system on muscle blood flow during and after contraction]

The effects of the autonomic nervous system on muscle blood flow during and after contraction were studied. Autonomic blocking agent or stimulant was infused into the ear vein of rabbits. Muscle blood flow was measured by heated thermocouple technique on the quadriceps femoris stimulated by current of 5Hz, 6V and 0,1 msec duration. There was a statistically significant reduction of the postcontraction hyperemia after infusion of phentolamine methylate. Isoproterenol also caused significant reduction in post-contraction hyperemia. On the other hand, epinephrine, norepinephrine and propranolol had no effect on the muscle blood flow. These results suggest that most of the changes in muscle blood flow are not affected by the autonomic nervous system but that, the system may play in the hyperemic reaction of the skeletal muscle.