Desynchronized vasomotion and desynchronized fiber activation pattern enhance oxygenation in a model of skeletal muscle

Although the full physiological significance of vasomotion is still debated, it is generally thought to have a role in optimizing tissue oxygenation parameters. We study the effect of vasomotion rhythm in skeletal muscle on oxygen transport using a computational model. The model is used: (i) to test a novel hypothesis that “vasomotors” form a chemical network in which the rhythm adapts to meet oxygen demand in skeletal muscle and (ii) to study the contribution of desynchronized/chaotic vasomotion in optimizing oxygen delivery to skeletal muscle. We formulate a 2D grid model of skeletal muscle consisting of an interleaved arrangement of vessels and muscle fibers fired by a motor neuronal network. The vasomotors too form a network interacting by chemical means. When positive (negative) synapses dominate, the neuronal network exhibits synchronized (desynchronized) activity. Similarly, when positive (negative) chemical interactions dominate, the vessels exhibit synchronized (desynchronized) activity. Optimal oxygenation is observed when both neuronal network and vasomotor network exhibit desynchronous activity. Muscle oxygenation is thought to result by interactions between the fiber/neuron network and the vessel network; optimal oxygenation depends on precise rhythm-related conditions on the two networks. The model provides interesting insights into the phenomenon of muscle fatigue.     

A computational model that links non-periodic vasomotion to enhanced oxygenation in skeletal muscle

We propose a model of a capillary network in which chaotic capillary activity is crucial for efficient oxygenation of a muscle fiber. Tissue oxygenation by microcirculation is controlled by a complex pattern of opening and closing of precapillary sphincters, a phenomenon known as vasomotion. We model the individual precapillary sphincter as a non-linear oscillator that exhibits perfectly periodic vasomotion in isolation. The precapillary sphincters surrounding an active fiber are considered as a network; specific modes of interaction within this network result in complex patterns of vasomotion. In our model, efficient oxygenation of the fiber depends crucially on the mode of interaction among the vasomotions of the individual capillaries. Network interactions that lead to chaotic vasomotion are found to be essential for meeting the tissue oxygen demands precisely. Interactions that cause regular rhythmic patterns of vasomotion fail to meet oxygenation demands accurately.     

微血管自律运动在高血压发生发展中的变化和意义

微循环的异常,包括微血管的稀疏和（或）微血管结构的改变,可能参与了高血压的发生发展,是造成终末器官缺血和功能障碍直至衰竭的主要原因之一。根据文献报道,微血管自律运动调控血流动力学的同时还参与信息传递并适时作出反应,改善组织灌注不足、缺血、缺氧,缓解外周压力。已有研究发现,高血压发生发展过程中,微血管自律运动频率和振幅呈现复杂的变化,可能与内皮细胞功能不足、细胞间缝隙连接减少、平滑肌细胞钙离子内流增多及钙池功能异常引起膜电位改变等有关,本文将从微循环的角度阐述高血压状态下微血管自律运动的变化并对其机制做一简要概述。     

Neuropeptide Y1 receptors in the rat genital tract

Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, the expression of type 1 neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors (Y1-Rs) has been demonstrated in the rat genital tract. In the male Y1-R mRNA and Y1-R-like immunoreactivity (LI) were found in smooth muscles of predominantly arterioles and small arteries inside testis. Fibers showing NPY-LI could not be detected within testis but only in the tunica albuginea. These Y1-Rs are suggested to mediate vasoconstriction, possibly activated by NPY released from nerves in the tunica albuginea. In the female rat Y1-R mRNA, but not Y1-R-LI was found in vascular smooth muscles of arteries in the ovary and oviduct. In the oviduct Y1-R mRNA was also detected in the non-vascular smooth muscle layer. Fibers showing NPY-LI were found around blood vessels both in the ovary and oviduct. In the female genital tract also Y1-Rs may thus be involved in regulatory mechanisms mediating, for example, vasoconstriction.     

Role of membrane potential in vasomotion of isolated pressurized rat arteries

Vasomotion, the phenomenon of vessel diameter oscillation, regulates blood flow and resistance. The main parameters implicated in vasomotion are particularly the membrane potential and the cytosolic free calcium in smooth muscle cells. In this study, these parameters were measured in rat perfused-pressurized mesenteric artery segments. The application of norepinephrine (NE) caused rhythmic diameter contractions and membrane potential oscillations (amplitude; 5.3 +/- 0.3 mV, frequency; 0.09 +/- 0.01 Hz). Verapamil (1 microM) abolished this vasomotion. During vasomotion, 10(-5) M ouabain (Na(+)-K(+) ATPase inhibitor) decreased the amplitude of the electrical oscillations but not their frequency (amplitude; 3.7 +/- 0.3 mV, frequency; 0.08 +/- 0.002 Hz). Although a high concentration of ouabain (10(-3) M) (which exhibits non-specific effects) abolished both electrical membrane potential oscillations and vasomotion, we conclude that the Na+-K+ ATPase could not be implicated in the generation of the membrane potential oscillations. We conclude that in rat perfused-pressurized mesenteric artery, the slow wave membrane type of potential oscillation by rhythmically gating voltage-dependent calcium channels, is responsible for the oscillation of intracellular calcium and thus vasomotion.     

Central angiotensin II stimulates arteriolar vasomotion in conscious hamsters

Summary The effects of intracerebroventricular (icv) injections of 10 ng angiotensin II (ANG II) on mean arteriolar diameter and spontaneous arteriolar vasomotion were studied in subcutaneous tissue of conscious, restrained hamsters, using the skin fold window chamber preparation. Angiotensin II caused a significant decrease in mean arteriolar diameter which was associated with a significant elevation in the amplitude of vasomotion. The frequency of vasomotion did not change significantly. The central ANG II-induced effects on arteriolar vasomotion were not significantly altered by continuous intravenous (iv) infusion of hexamethonium (1 mg · kg^–1 · min^–1). In contrast, iv bolus injection of the vascular vasopressin receptor antagonist d(CH₂)₅Tyr(Me)AVP (10 g · kg^–1) 5 min prior to icv injection of ANG II significantly attenuated the effects of the neuropeptide on mean arteriolar diameter and the amplitude of vasomotion. These data indicate that central ANG II stimulation enhances arteriolar vasomotion in peripheral subcutaneous tissue of conscious hamsters and that this effect may be mediated by release of vasopressin.     

自发性高血压大鼠淋巴微循环功能变化及特点研究

目的:探讨自发性高血压大鼠(Spontaneously hypertensive rats,SHR)肠系膜淋巴微循环并对其特点进行分析。方法:以Wistar大鼠为对照组,SHR为实验组,分别取10只雄性8周龄Wistar大鼠和8周龄SHR(SHR8W)大鼠,麻醉、固定并暴露肠系膜后,在微循环活体显微镜下观察肠系膜微静脉及微淋巴管,并利用Vas-Track自动跟踪测量系统对视频进行定量检测,比较分析自发性高血压大鼠肠系膜白细胞流变学、舒缩速度、舒缩幅度、舒缩时长比等参数的变化。结果:SHR肠系膜白细胞滚动速度明显增加,炎症反应集中体现在30-40μm的微静脉上,与同周龄的Wistar大鼠相比,SHR肠系膜微淋巴管自律运动的相对振幅显著性降低(31.70%±11.70%vs 43.30%±12.40%,P0.05),舒张期的幅度、时长、传播速度分别受到显著性抑制(30.00±16.00μm,13.90±5.30μm/s,2.67±1.30 s versus 46.00±14.00μm,16.70±7.70μm/s,3.24±1.60 s,P0.001,P0.05,P0.001),收缩期的幅度、时长分别下降至34.00±17.0μm、1.04±0.48 s,而与对照组相比,SHR收缩期传播速度代偿性增高(34.60±14.05μm/s vs 32.00±11.30μm/s,P0.05)。结论:SHR肠系膜微淋巴管自律运动出现功能障碍;SHR肠系膜不同管径级别微静脉的分布是呈现不同的特点。     

Investigating high-amplitude oscillations in rat tail skin blood flow during core heating and cooling

In a separate paper, we describe high-amplitude oscillations in human skin blood flow (Q˙_sk). Using an open-loop model in rats, we independently modulated and clamped hypothalamic and skin temperatures. Central heating reliably induced these high-amplitude oscillations in tail Q˙_sk, which occurred at 0.41±0.03 Hz spanning 758.1±25.7 ms, and were comprised of high-amplitude peaks (496.8±87.6 AU) arising from a stable baseline (114.1±27.6 AU). Central cooling significantly reduced Q˙_sk, but not the amplitude, the frequency, width or baseline of the oscillations. These observations indicate that such high-amplitude oscillations are not primarily mediated via central thermal state. Instead, we believe these oscillations to be turned on by an elevated skin temperature.