Effect of pulmonary blood flow on microvascular pressure profile determined by micropuncture in perfused cat lungs

5-Hydroxytryptamine-induced microvascular pressure transients in lungs of anaesthetized rabbits

We determined lung microvascular pressure transients induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT), by the micropuncture technique. We mechanically ventilated anaesthetized (halothane 0.8%), open-chested rabbits, in which we recorded pulmonary artery (PA), left atrial (LA) and carotid artery pressures and cardiac output. For 4-min periods of stopped ventilation, we constantly inflated the lung with airway pressure of 7 cmH2O, then micropunctured the lung to determine pressures in arterioles and venules of 20-25 microm diameter. An intravenous bolus infusion of 5HT (100 microg), increased total pulmonary vascular resistance by 59%. Prior to 5HT infusion, the arterial, microvascular and venous segments comprised 30, 50 and 19% of the total pulmonary vascular pressure drop, respectively. However 14 s after 5HT infusion, the PA-arteriole pressure difference (arterial pressure drop) increased 46%, while the venule-LA pressure difference (venous pressure drop) increased >100%. The arteriole-venule pressure difference (microvascular pressure drop) was abolished. The increase in the arterial pressure drop was maintained for 4.8 min, whereas the increased venous pressure drop reverted to baseline in <1 min. We conclude that in the rabbit lung in situ, a 5HT bolus causes sustained arterial constriction and a strong but transient venous constriction.

Pathophysiological role of endothelins in pulmonary microcirculatory disorders due to intestinal ischemia and reperfusion

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to investigate pulmonary microcirculatory disorders caused by intestinal ischemia reperfusion (IIR), and the pathophysiological roles of endothelin (ET) in acute lung injury (ALI).

METHODS

Male rats were pretreated with normal saline or a nonselective ET receptor antagonist (TAK-044) and subjected to IIR (60 min of intestinal ischemia and 180 min of reperfusion). The right upper lobe of the lung was examined by intravital confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

The size of arterioles and venules was not significantly reduced during IIR, but the functional capillary density (FCD) decreased significantly. TAK-044 improved the pulmonary microhemodynamics, inhibiting the accumulation of leukocytes, the pulmonary edema, and the decrease of FCD.

CONCLUSIONS

In the early stage of IIR, pulmonary microhemodynamics seemed more likely to be disturbed by the decrease of FCD, than by arteriolar or venular vasoconstriction. ETs decrease the FCD, promoting the interaction between leukocytes and pulmonary vessels.

Effect of hypoxia on pulmonary blood flow-segmental vascular resistance relationship in perfused cat lungs

To investigate the effect of alveolar hypoxia on the pulmonary blood flow-segmental vascular resistance relationship, we determined the longitudinal distribution of vascular resistance while increasing blood flow during hyperoxia or hypoxia in perfused cat lungs. We measured microvascular pressures by the micropipette servo-null method, partitioned the pulmonary vessels into three segments [i.e., arterial (from main pulmonary artery to 30- to 50-micron arterioles), venous (from 30- to 50-micron venules to left atrium), and microvascular (between arterioles and venules) segments] and calculated segmental vascular resistance. During hyperoxia, total resistance decreased with increased blood flow because of a reduction of microvascular resistance. In contrast, during hypoxia, not only microvascular resistance but also arterial resistance decreased with increase of blood flow while venous resistance remained unchanged. The reduction of arterial resistance was presumably caused by arterial distension induced by an elevated arterial pressure during hypoxia. We conclude that, during hypoxia, both microvessels and arteries >50 micron in diameter play a role in preventing further increases in total pulmonary vascular resistance with increased blood flow.

Flow-induced responses in cat isolated pulmonary arteries

Isolated, cannulated, endothelium-intact cat pulmonary arteries, averaging 692 +/- 104 microns in diameter, were set at a transmural pressure of 10 mmHg and monitored with a video system. Intraluminal flow was increased in steps from 0 to 1.6 ml/min by using a syringe pump. An electronic system held pressure constant by changing outflow resistance. Flow-diameter curves were generated in physiological saline solution. At constant transmural pressure, the arteries constricted in response to increased intraluminal flow. Constriction was not affected by removing extracellular Ca2+ but was abolished after treatment with ryanodine to deplete intracellular Ca2+ stores, with the endothelin-1 synthesis inhibitor phosphoramidon, with the endothelin A-receptor antagonist BQ-123, with the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine, or with glutaraldehyde to reduce endothelial cell deformability. The results indicate that isolated pulmonary arteries can constrict in response to intraluminal flow and suggest that constriction is mediated by endothelin-1 and depends on intracellular Ca2+ release and protein kinase C activation.