Responses of isolated rabbit ear arteries to intra- and extraluminal L- and D-noradrenaline, L-adrenaline and histamine in the temperature range 37-3 degrees C

Response of Rabbit Ear and Femoral Arteries to 5-Hydroxytryptamine During Cooling

The effects of cooling on the response of cutaneous and non-cutaneous arteries to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were analysed.

Segments 2-mm long from rabbit central ear (cutaneous) and femoral (non-cutaneous) arteries were prepared for isometric tension recording in an organ bath at 37 and 24°C (cooling). 5-HT (10−9-3 times 10−4 M) induced concentration-dependent contraction of the arteries. The sensitivity and maximal contraction of ear arteries and only the maximal contraction of femoral arteries to this amine were reduced at 24°C.

Endothelium removal or pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 10−5  m) did not affect the response at 37°C but reversed the decreased sensitivity at 24°C in ear arteries, and neither procedure modified the reactivity at 24 or 37°C in femoral arteries to 5-HT. At both temperatures, the response of ear arteries to 5-HT was shifted to the right by phentolamine (10−6M) more than by the 5-HT antagonist, ketanserin (3 times 10−7M), and that of femoral arteries was shifted to the right by ketanserin or the 5-HT1/5-HT2 antagonist methysergide (3 times 10−7 M) more than by phentolamine, in arteries with and without endothelium.

These data concur with the proposition that the contraction to 5-HT is mediated mainly by α-adrenergic receptors in ear arteries and mainly by 5-HT-ergic receptors in femoral arteries, and suggest that cooling reduces the sensitivity of cutaneous, but not of deep arteries to 5-HT, probably by endothelium-nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms.

Effect of temperature on responses of dog isolated lingual and mesenteric arteries to vasoactive substances

1. The effects of temperature on submaximal vasoconstriction to an intraluminal administration of noradrenaline (NA), phenylephrine, tyramine and KCl were investigated in canine isolated and perfused lingual and mesenteric arteries, using the cannula-inserting method. 2. In lingual arteries, cooling (from 37 to 27 degrees C) caused significant depression of vasoconstriction to the four vasoactive substances used. Rewarming (to 37 degrees C) induced a significant augmentation of constriction by NA, phenylephrine and KCl, but not tyramine. 3. In mesenteric arteries, cooling depressed tyramine- and KCl-induced constrictions, but had no effect on NA- and phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction. Only in the case of KCl-induced constrictions did rewarming induce a potentiation of the vasoconstrictor response. 4. We conclude that: (i) cooling induces a depression of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and rewarming may induce a potentiation of Ca2+ channels in both arteries; (ii) alpha1-adrenoceptor-operated Ca2+ channels are depressed by cooling in lingual arteries but not in mesenteric arteries; and (iii) cooling may induce an attenuation of the re-uptake function in sympathetic nerve terminals in both arteries and this attenuation may be not rapidly restored by acute rewarming.

Enhancement of vasoconstrictor responses to 5-HT but no to methoxamine by cooling in isolated dog lingual and mesenteric arteries

The effect of temperature on submaximal vasoconstrictions to an intraluminal injection of serotonin (5-HT) and methoxamine was investigated in isolated and perfused canine lingual and mesenteric arteries, using the cannula insertion method. In both arteries cooling (from 37 degrees C to 27 degrees C) caused a remarkable enhancement of vasoconstriction to 5-HT, but did not to methoxamine. In lingual arteries, methoxamine-induced constrictions were strongly depressed, although those were slightly depressed in mesenteric arteries. It is assumed that 5-HT produces an important role to modulate vascular tonicity in low temperature conditions.

Effects of vasopressin on the sympathetic contraction of rabbit ear artery during cooling

In order to analyse the effects of arginine-vasopressin on the vascular contraction to sympathetic nerve stimulation during cooling, the isometric response of isolated, 2-mm segments of the rabbit central ear (cutaneous) artery to electrical field stimulation (1-8 Hz) was recorded at 37 and 30 degrees C. Electrical stimulation (37 degrees C) produced frequency-dependent arterial contraction, which was reduced at 30 degrees C and potentiated by vasopressin (10 pM, 100 pM and 1 nM). This potentiation was greater at 30 than at 37 degrees C and was abolished at both temperatures by the antagonist of vasopressin V1 receptors d(CH2)5 Tyr(Me)AVP (100 nM). Desmopressin (1 microM) did not affect the response to electrical stimulation. At 37 degrees C, the vasopressin-induced potentiation was abolished by the purinoceptor antagonist PPADS (30 microM), increased by phentolamine (1 microM) or prazosin (1 microM) and not modified by yohimbine (1 microM), whilst at 30 degrees C, the potentiation was reduced by phentolamine, yohimbine or PPADS, and was not modified by prazosin. The Ca2+-channel blockers, verapamil (10 microM) and NiCl2 (1 mM), abolished the potentiating effects of vasopressin at 37 degrees C whilst verapamil reduced and NiCl2 abolished this potentiation at 30 degrees C. The inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, L-NOARG (100 microM), or endothelium removal did not modify the potentiation by vasopressin at 37 and 30 degrees C. Vasopressin also increased the arterial contraction to the alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist BHT-920 (10 microM) and to ATP (2 mM) at 30 and 37 degrees C, but it did not modify the contraction to noradrenaline (1 microM) at either temperature. These results suggest that in cutaneous (ear) arteries, vasopressin potentiaties sympathetic vasoconstriction to a greater extent at 30 than at 37 degrees C by activating vasopressin V1 receptors and Ca2+ channels at both temperatures. At 37 degrees C, the potentiation appears related to activation of the purinoceptor component and, at 30 degrees C, to activation of both purinoceptor and alpha2-adrenoceptor components of the sympathetic response.

Role of the purinergic and noradrenergic components in the potentiation by endothelin-1 of the sympathetic contraction of the rabbit central ear artery during cooling

1. To examine the role of the purinergic and noradrenergic components in the potentiation of endothelin-1 on the vascular response to sympathetic nerve stimulation, we recorded the isometric response of isolated segments, 2 mm long, from the rabbit central ear artery to electrical field stimulation (1-8 Hz) under different conditions, at 37 degrees C during cooling (30 degrees C). 2. Electrical field stimulation produced frequency-dependent contraction, which was reduced during cooling (about 60% for 8 Hz). Both at 37 degrees C and 30 degrees C, phentolamine (1 microM) or blockade of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors with prazosin (1 microM) reduced, whereas blockade of alpha(2)-adrenoceptors with yohimbine (1 microM) increased, the contraction to electrical field stimulation. This contraction was increased after desensitization of P2-receptors with alpha, beta-methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate (alpha, beta-meATP, 3 microM) at 37 degrees C but not at 30 degrees C, and was not modified by blockade of P2-receptors with pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2,4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS, 30 microM) at either temperature. 3. Endothelin-1 (1, 3 and 10 nM) at 37 degrees C did not affect, but at 30 degrees C it potentiated in a concentration-dependent manner the contraction to electrical field stimulation (from 28 +/- 6 to 134 +/- 22%, for 8 Hz). At 37 degrees C, endothelin-1 in the presence of phentolamine or prazosin, but not in that of yohimbine, alpha, beta-meATP or PPADS, potentiated the contraction to electrical stimulation. At 30 degrees C, phentolamine or yohimbine reduced, prazosin did not modify and alpha, beta-meATP slightly increased the potentiation by endothelin-1 of the response to electrical stimulation. 4. The arterial contraction to ATP (2 mM) and the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist BHT-920 (10 microM), but not that to (-)-noradrenaline (1 microM), was potentiated by endothelin-1 at both 37 degrees C and 30 degrees C. 5. These results in the rabbit central ear artery suggest that the sympathetic response: (a) at 37 degrees C, could be mediated mainly by activation of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, with low participation of P2-receptors, (b) is diminished during cooling, probably by a reduction in the participation of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, and in this condition the response could be mediated in part by P2-receptors, and (c) is potentiated by endothelin-1 during cooling, probably by increasing the response of both postjunctional alpha(2)-adrenoceptors and P2-receptors.

Role of endothelin receptors, calcium and nitric oxide in the potentiation by endothelin-1 of the sympathetic contraction of rabbit ear artery during cooling

1. To examine further the potentiation by endothelin-1 on the vascular response to sympathetic stimulation, we studied the isometric response of isolated segments, 2 mm long, from the rabbit central ear artery to electrical field stimulation (1-8 Hz), under different conditions, at 37 degrees C and during cooling (30 degrees C). 2. Electrical stimulation produced frequency-dependent contraction, which was reduced (about 63% for 8 Hz) during cooling. At 30 degrees C, but not at 37 degrees C, endothelin-1 (1, 3 and 10 nM) potentiated the contraction to electrical stimulation in a dose-dependent way (from 43 +/- 7% to 190 +/- 25% for 8 Hz). 3. This potentiation by endothelin-1 was reduced by the antagonist for endothelin ETA receptors BQ-123 (10 microM) but not by the antagonist for endothelin ETB receptors BQ-788 (10 microM). The agonist for endothelin ETB receptors IRL-1620 (0.1 microM) did not modify the contraction to electrical stimulation. 4. The blocker of L-type Ca2+ channels verapamil (10 microM l-1) reduced (about 72% for 8 Hz) and the unspecific blocker of Ca(2+)-channels NiCl2 (1 mM) practically abolished (about 98%), the potentiating effects of endothelin-1 found at 30 degrees C. 5. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis with NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG, 0.1 mM) increased the contraction to electrical stimulation at 30 degrees C more than at 37 degrees C (for 8 Hz, this increment was 297 +/- 118% at 30 degrees C, and 66 +/- 15% at 37 degrees C). Endothelium removal increased the contraction to electrical stimulation at 30 degrees C (about 91% for 8 Hz) but not at 37 degrees C. Both L-NOARG and endothelium removal abolished the potentiating effects of endothelin-1 on the response to electrical stimulation found at 30 degrees C. 6. These results in the rabbit ear artery suggest that during cooling, endothelin-1 potentiates the contraction to sympathetic stimulation, which could be mediated at least in part by increasing Ca2+ entry after activation of endothelin ETA receptors. This potentiating effect of endothelin-1 may require the presence of an inhibitory tone due to endothelial nitric oxide.

Peptidergic modulation of the sympathetic contraction in the rabbit ear artery: effects of temperature

1. The effects of neuropeptide Y, endothelin-1, arginine-vasopressin and angiotensin II on the vascular contraction to sympathetic nerve stimulation were studied in isolated segments, 2 mm long, from the rabbit central ear artery, a cutaneous vessel, during changes in temperature (24 degrees -41 degrees C). 2. Transmural electrical stimulation (1-8 Hz, at supramaximal voltage) produced frequency-dependent contraction, and this response, partially blocked by tetrodotoxin (1 microM) and phentolamine (1 microM), was reduced by cooling (30 degrees C -24 degrees C) and was not modified by warming (41 degrees C), as compared to that recorded at 37 degrees C. 3. Pretreatment with neuropeptide Y (10, 30 and 100 nM) increased in a concentration-dependent manner the vascular contraction to sympathetic stimulation at every temperature studied, but this potentiation was greater during cooling (34 degrees C -24 degrees C) than at 37 degrees C or warming (41 degrees C). 4. Pretreatment with endothelin-1 (3 and 10 nM) or vasopressin (0.1, 0.3 and 1 nM) increased in a concentration-dependent manner the vascular contraction to sympathetic stimulation during cooling (34 degrees C -24 degrees C), but not at 37 degrees C or warming (41 degrees C). 5. Pretreatment with angiotensin II (0.1, 0.3 and 1 microM) did not modify the contraction to sympathetic stimulation at any temperature studied. 6. These results suggest that neuropeptide Y, endothelin-1 and vasopressin, but not angiotensin II, modulate the cutaneous vasoconstriction to sympathetic nerve stimulation by potentiating this vasoconstriction during cooling.

Cooling effects on nitric oxide production by rabbit ear and femoral arteries during cholinergic stimulation

1. Ear (cutaneous) and femoral (deep) arteries from rabbit were perfused at 37 degrees C and 24 degrees C (cooling) and the production of nitrite, as an index of nitric oxide production, was measured under basal conditions and cholinergic stimulation. 2. In both types of arteries under control conditions, the basal production of nitrite was similar at 24 degrees C and 37 degrees C. Compared with the control conditions, the basal production of nitrite was significantly lower in ear and femoral arteries without endothelium or treated with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10(-4) M) but it was similar in those treated with atropine (10(-6) M). 3. At 37 degrees C, methacholine (10(-7)-10(-5) M) increased the production of nitrite in ear and femoral arteries; this increase persisted during 30-60 min and was practically abolished by L-NAME (10(-4) M), atropine (10(-6) M), or removal of the endothelium. In ear arteries the total nitrite production to activation with methacholine was higher at 24 degrees C than at 37 degrees C due to this production persisted increased for a longer period (> 150 min), whereas in femoral arteries it was lower at 24 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. 4. It is suggested that: (a) the endothelium of rabbit ear and femoral arteries produce nitric oxide under basal conditions, which is increased by cholinergic stimulation, and (b) cooling potentiates endothelial nitric oxide production to cholinergic stimulation in cutaneous arteries, whereas it inhibits this production in deep arteries.

Cooling effects on the histaminergic response of rabbit ear and femoral arteries: role of the endothelium

The effects of cooling on the isometric response of rabbit isolated central ear (cutaneous) and femoral (non-cutaneous) arteries to histamine were determined at 37 degrees C and 24 degrees C (cooling). Under resting tension, both types of arteries contracted to histamine (10(-7)-10(-3) M), and the sensitivity of ear arteries, but not of femoral arteries was lower at 24 than at 37 degrees C. Chlorpheniramine (10(-7) M) blocked the contraction of both types of arteries to histamine at both temperatures. In ear arteries, endothelium removal or treatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10(-5) M) did not affect the contraction to histamine at 37 degrees C, but it reversed the decreased contraction at 24 degrees C. In femoral arteries, endothelium removal or L-NAME (10(-5) M) did not affect the response to histamine at 37 and 24 degrees C. Ear and femoral arteries precontracted with endothelin-1 (10(-8)-10(-7) M) and pretreated with chlorpheniramine (10(-5) M) relaxed to histamine (10(-7)-10(-4) M), and the sensitivity of this relaxation in ear arteries, but not in femoral arteries, increased at 24 degrees C. The relaxation of ear and femoral arteries to histamine was not modified by endothelium removal, L-NAME (10(-5) M) or meclofenamate (10(-5) M), but it was blocked by cimetidine (10(-6) M) at 37 degrees C and 24 degrees C. These results suggest: (1) ear and femoral arteries have contracting H1 and relaxing H2 receptors, probably located on smooth musculature, and (2) cooling reduces the contraction and increases the relaxation of cutaneous arteries to histamine: the reduction of this contraction could be caused by an augmented availability of endothelial nitric oxide, and the increment of this relaxation could be caused by an augmented sensitivity of H2 receptors of smooth musculature induced by cooling. These features do not seem to occur in deep vessels.

Role of the endothelium in the response to cholinoceptor stimulation of rabbit ear and femoral arteries during cooling

1. The role of the endothelium in the effects of cooling on the response to cholinoceptor stimulation of the rabbit central ear (cutaneous) and femoral (non-cutaneous) arteries was studied using 2 mm long cylindrical segments. 2. Concentration-response curves for acetylcholine (10(-9)-10(-5) M), methacholine (10(-9)-10(-5) M) and sodium nitroprusside (10(-9)-10(-4) M) were isometrically recorded in arteries under conditions, with and without endothelium or following pretreatment with the nitric oxide-synthesis inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10(-6)-3 x 10(-4) M) at 37 degrees C and at 24 degrees C (cooling). 3. Ear and femoral arteries showed endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine and methacholine at 37 degrees C and 24 degrees C. The extent of relaxation of the control ear arteries, but not of the control femoral arteries, to acetylcholine and methacholine increased during cooling. 4. L-NAME (10(-6)-3 x 10(-4) M) reduced in a concentration-dependent way the response of ear arteries to acetylcholine at both 37 degrees C and 24 degrees C, this reduction being more potent at 37 degrees C. L-Arginine (10(-5)-10(-3) M) reversed in a concentration-dependent manner the inhibitor effects of 10(-5) M L-NAME at both temperatures. 5. Sodium nitroprusside caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in both arteries that was endothelium-independent. However, the extent of relaxation to this nitrovasodilator in ear and femoral arteries was lower at 24 degrees C. 6. These results suggest that cooling augments the reactivity of cutaneous (ear) arteries, but not that of non-cutaneous (femoral) arteries to cholinoceptor stimulation by endothelium-mediated mechanisms.Cooling could therefore facilitate the stimulated release of endothelial nitric oxide in cutaneous vessels.

Cooling and response to adrenoceptor agonists of rabbit ear and femoral artery: role of the endothelium

1. The effects of cooling on the response of the rabbit central ear (cutaneous) and femoral (non-cutaneous) arteries to stimulation of adrenoceptors and the role of the endothelium in these effects, were studied in 2 mm long cylindrical segments. 2. Concentration-response curves for noradrenaline (10(-9)-3 x 10(-4) M), phenylephrine (alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist, 10(-9)-3 x 10(-4) M) and B-HT 920 (alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, 10(-7)-10(-3) M) were recorded isometrically in arteries with and without endothelium at 37 degrees C and at 24 degrees C (cooling). To analyze further the endothelial mechanisms in the responses to adrenoceptor stimulation during cooling, the effects of the adrenoceptor agonists on ear arteries in the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl esther (L-NAME) (10(-5) M) were also determined. 3. In every condition tested, the three adrenoceptor agonists produced a concentration-dependent arterial contraction and the order of potency in ear and femoral arteries was noradrenaline greater than or equal to phenylephrine greater than B-HT 920. The response of ear and femoral arteries to phenylephrine or B-HT 920 was blocked by prazosin (10(-6) M). Yohimbine (10(-6) M) decreased slightly the response of ear arteries and increased that of femoral arteries to B-HT 920. 4. The sensitivity of both ear and femoral arteries to the three adrenoceptor agonists was significantly lower at 24 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. 5. In ear arteries, endothelium removal or treatment with L-NAME did not influence the response at 37 degrees C, but did increase it during cooling to adrenoceptor stimulation.In femoral arteries, endothelium removal increased the sensitivity to noradrenaline and, especially, to B-HT 920 at 37 degrees C, but did not affect the response at 24 degrees C.6. The results suggest that: (a) rabbit ear and femoral arteries are equipped mainly with alpha 1-adrenoceptors;(b) at 37 degrees C, the contraction of the ear artery to adrenoceptor agonists is mostly endothelium-independent, and in the femoral artery the contraction to alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation is endothelium-dependent; (c) cooling inhibits the contraction to adrenoceptor agonists in both ear and femoral arteries: in the ear artery probably by increasing the availability of endothelial nitric oxide, but in the femoral artery by depressing the sensitivity of alpha-adrenoceptors in the smooth musculature.7. The results suggest that the endothelium may modulate the adrenoceptor response of cutaneous arteries during changes in temperature.

Alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic response in human isolated skin arteries during cooling

1. Dose-response curves for noradrenaline, phenylephrine and clonidine were determined isometrically in 2-mm cylindrical segments from human skin arteries at 24 degrees C and compared to those previously reported at 37 degrees C. 2. Noradrenaline (3 x 10(-10)-3 x 10(-4) M) induced dose-dependent contraction and the sensitivity was increased during cooling. Phentolamine (10(-6) M), prazosin (10(-6) M) or yohimbine (10(-6) M) produced a higher rightward shift of the control curve for noradrenaline during cooling. 3. Phenylephrine (10(-11)-3 x 10(-4) M) and clonidine (10(-11)-10(-6) M) caused dose-dependent contraction and the sensitivity of the arteries was augmented at 24 degrees C. 4. The arteries also showed a lower maximal contraction to the adrenergic agonists used and KCl (50 mM) during cooling. 5. The results suggest that cooling: (a) increases sensitivity of postjunctional alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors in human skin arteries and (b) depresses contractility of these arteries to alpha-adrenergic stimulation and direct activation of vascular smooth muscle.

The influence of body temperature on traumatic vasospasm

The effect of hypothermia on traumatically induced vasospasm was studied in an in vivo model of the rabbit ear artery. Spasm was induced by standardized compression of a 3.2 mm segment of the artery for 3 s. The internal diameter was continuously measured with the aid of an operating microscope during transillumination of the artery. Measurements were begun before spasm induction and continued until the spasm was completely resolved. Spasm was first induced at normothermia and then after reduction of the body temperature by 1.0 degrees C and 1.75 degrees C. The spasm was evaluated in terms of its duration, intensity (% reduction of initial diameter) and severity (area under the curve where diameter was plotted against time). The results were compared with those in a control group which was kept normothermic. Reduction of the body temperature caused a significant increase in the duration of the spasm and increased its severity, but did not influence its intensity.

Suppression of clonidine-induced vasoconstriction by cooling

Using the cannula inserting method, we investigated whether vascular responses to norepinephrine, phenylephrine, clonidine, tyramine and KCl were altered by cooling (37 degrees C to 27 degrees C) in isolated canine ear arteries. Vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine, phenylephrine and tyramine were slightly depressed or unchanged, whereas those to clonidine and KCl were significantly suppressed by cooling. It is suggested that activation of Ca channels via alpha-2 adrenoceptors may be depressed by cooling in dog ear arteries.

George E. Brown memorial lecture. Local modulation of adrenergic neurotransmission

The cardiovascular reflexes, by regulating the traffic in the sympathetic nerves, govern the amount of norepinephrine released from the nerve endings. However, the final adjustments in the amount of neurotransmitter available to activate the beta 1 receptors in the heart and the alpha receptors in the blood vessels take place at the sympathetic neuroeffector junction. Thus, a decrease in pH, hyperosmolarity, moderate increases in the concentration of K+ ion, adenosine and adenine nucleotides depress the release of norepinephrine at any given level of sympathetic nerve activity. These metabolic changes, which occur in active tissues, and in particular in adenosine, have been proposed as mediators of the accompanying local hyperemia. In addition, they apparently facilitate this local dilatation by disconnecting the blood vessels in the active tissues from sympathetic control. Acetylcholine, histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine are present in and around certain blood vessels and can activate specific receptors on the prejunctional fibers and cause vasodilatation by reducing the output of neutrotransmitter. Some of the norepinephrine released into the synaptic cleft may depress its continued release by activating prejunctional alpha receptors. In contrast, angiotensin II, by a local action on the nerve endings, can augment the release of transmitter. Decreases in local temperature reduce transmitter release but augment the affinity of the postjunctional alpha receptors for norepinephrine. The role of these local events at the neuroeffector junction, their physiologic significance and potential clinical importance are discussed in this review.

The effect of profound cooling on adrenergic neurotransmission in canine cutaneous veins

1. Experiments were performed to investigate how profound cooling affects adrenergic neurotransmission and vascular smooth muscle reactivity in isolated saphenous veins of the dog. 2. Cooling from 37 to 5 degrees C caused progressive depression of the contractile responses to high K+ solutions, illustrating the direct inhibitory effect of cooling on depolarization-induced contraction of the venous smooth muscle cells. 3. During prolonged cooling to 20, 15 and 10 degrees C, the contractile response to exogenous norepinephrine (10(-8)-10(-6) M) was augmented compared to that at 37 degrees C. At 5 degrees C responses up to 10(-7) M were also augmented, but those at higher concentrations were depressed. When veins contracted with 2 x 10(-6) M-norepinephrine were cooled to 20, 15, 10 and 5 degrees C, there was a further increase in tension; this increase slowly subsided to control values at 5 degrees C but was sustained at the other temperatures. 4. Cooling to 20 and 15 degrees C augmented the contraction caused by low but not high frequencies of electrical stimulation of the adrenergic nerve endings. Further cooling to 10 degrees C depressed, and at 5 degrees C abolished the response, demonstrating that profound cooling interrupted adrenergic neurotransmission. 5. In rings stimulated electrically at a low frequency (0.5 Hz), warming from 7 to 9 degrees C or from 9 to 11 degrees C, caused marked increases in tension. This may be explained by the combination of resumption of adrenergic neurotransmission and the increased responsiveness of the cutaneous venous smooth muscle cells to adrenaline. 6. The combination of enhanced affinity for noradrenaline combined with inhibition of neurotransmitter disposition probably permits the cutaneous veins to remain constricted during exposure to severe cold.