Myogenic effects enhance norepinephrine constriction: inhibition by nitric oxide and felodipine

Myogenic, pressure-induced vasoconstriction may amplify the effects of circulating vasoconstrictors. Through intravital microscopy in cremaster arterioles (31 to 115 microm diameter), the relative contribution of myogenic responses (MR) to norepinephrine (NE)-induced constriction and the inhibitor potency of nitric oxide (NO) or a Ca2+ entry blocker (CEB), felodipine (F), were examined. In 24 anesthetized hamsters, a vessel occluder was placed around the aorta to control cremaster vessel inflow pressure (IP). NE infusion increased blood pressure (by 50 +/- 2 mm Hg) and induced significant constriction (24% +/- 9%) in small arterioles (< 65 microm) only. The constriction, which was not altered by adrenergic blockade, was dependent on the actual IP and was abolished when the IP increase was blocked. NO synthase (NOS) blockade unmasked a significant MR in large arterioles. F inhibited the MR predominantly in large vessels. In isolated microvessels, F completely blocked the pressure-induced Ca2+ increase and MR. We conclude that circulating NE constricts muscle arterioles mainly by a myogenic mechanism. NO effectively opposes MR in larger arterioles, thus restricting MR and vasoconstrictor reinforcement to a small section of the vasculature being tightly controlled by metabolic signals. MR, which otherwise would impair adjustment of peripheral resistance, is reduced by CEB predominantly in larger arterioles, similar to NO.