Basic Characteristics of Systemic Arteries of Different Organs

The vessels of different organs may demonstrate functional heterogeneity depending on organ they supply. However, few works systematically examine arteries of different organs. We hypothesized that arteries of different organs will demonstrate different passive pressure-diameter responses and functional responses to contractile and dilatory agonists.

Mesenteric, sural, interlobar renal, basilar, and septal coronary arteries of Wistar rats were studied using wire myography.

Sural and coronary arteries had a slightly smaller diameter compared to other studied vessels. Passive elastic characteristics of the studied vessels were similar. Only sural and basilar arteries tended to develop considerable stretch-induced tone. Mesenteric, sural, and renal arteries demonstrated similar maximum contractile response to agonist of α₁-adrenoceptors methoxamine, while mesenteric arteries showed the lowest sensitivity to this agonist. The maximum contractile response and sensitivity of basilar artery to thromboxane A₂ analog U46619 were higher compared to coronary arteries. The smallest amplitude of maximum relaxation to acetylcholine was found for renal artery.

Our data demonstrate that even general characteristics of arteries like stretch-induced tone, sensitivity to contractile and dilatory agonists vary between the arteries of comparable caliber, but from different organs.