Evidence for an adrenergic innervation of the adrenal cortical blood vessels in rats.

• The aim of this study was to investigate the blood flow in the adrenal cortex of the rat. Relative changes in the adrenal cortical blood flow were continuously measured by Laser Doppler flowmetry in 33 chloralose-anaesthetized artificially ventilated rats during electrical stimulation (1 ms, 5 V) of the left great splanchnic nerve (LGSN), which conveys both pre- and post-ganglionic nerve fibres to the adrenal gland. Laser Doppler flux (LDF) was decreased and regional resistance (RR) was increased by augmenting nerve stimulation at increasingly higher frequencies (2, 4, 8, 20 and 40 Hz). The decrease in LDF, when compared to pre-drug stimulations at 4 Hz was partially or totally inhibited by the adrenergic blocking agents trimethaphan (TRIM), guanethidine (GUA) and alpha 1-blockade with prazosin (PRAZ). Furthermore, both the decrease in LDF and the increase in RR were either completely or partially blocked by stimulation at 40 Hz after TRIM-treatment and GUA-treatment. It is concluded that the adrenal cortex in the rat is innervated by post-ganglionic adrenergic nerve fibres, which are involved in the regulation of blood flow in the adrenal cortex.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adrenal Cortex

blood supply

innervation

Adrenal Medulla

drug effects

physiology

Animals

Blood Vessels

innervation

Electric Stimulation

Guanethidine

pharmacology

Laser-Doppler Flowmetry

Male

Nerve Fibers

physiology

Prazosin

pharmacology

Rats

Rats

Wistar

Regional Blood Flow

drug effects

physiology

Splanchnic Nerves

physiology

Sympathetic Nervous System

physiology

Trimethaphan

pharmacology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)