Different flow regulation mechanisms between celiac and mesenteric vascular beds in conscious rats

The aims of this study were to elucidate the vasoconstrictor mechanism that mediates the changes in celiac and mesenteric vascular resistances during vasoconstriction and hypertension induced by ganglionic blockade and to explore the preferential mechanism that contributes to the elevation of arterial pressure in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In conscious SHR and normotensive control rats, blood flow and arterial pressure were measured with an implanted electromagnetic flow probe and an indwelling arterial catheter. Peripheral vascular resistance was calculated as arterial pressure divided by regional flow. Celiac contribution to the hypertension in SHR was below average for the entire body and was smaller than that from the superior mesenteric bed. The increase of mesenteric resistance with arterial pressure elevation after ganglionic blockade suggests that mesenteric blood flow is regulated by a stretch-dependent myogenic mechanism, whereas celiac blood flow is regulated preferentially by the sympathetic neural mechanism. It is speculated that the flow superregulation in the mesenteric bed in SHR is due to the enhanced myogenic response and contributes to the early stage of hypertension.