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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Assessing Myogenic Response and Vasoactivity In Resistance Mesenteric Arteries Using Pressure Myography
Published on: July 6, 2015
Pressure-induced myogenic responses in human isolated cerebral resistance arteries
S J Wallis1, J Firth, W R Dunn
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, UK.
Background And Purpose:
Pressure-induced myogenic responses have been demonstrated in cerebral resistance arteries isolated from a number of species. In the present study, we determined the response of human isolated cerebral resistance arteries to a pressure stimulus.
Methods:
Arteries were set up in a pressure myograph and exposed to alterations in intravascular pressure.
Results:
Human isolated cerebral resistance arteries developed spontaneous intrinsic tone in response to a pressure stimulus over the pressure range of 20 to 90 mm Hg that was not apparent in the absence of extracellular calcium. This intrinsic tone may be an inherent property of the vascular smooth muscle, since it remained after functional removal of the endothelium.
Conclusions:
Human isolated cerebral resistance arteries spontaneously contract when exposed to raised intravascular pressure. This pressure-induced myogenic response may contribute to cerebral autoregulation of blood flow.
