Alterations in sympathetic neuroeffector transmission to mesenteric arteries but not veins in DOCA-salt hypertension

We studied hypertension-associated changes in prejunctional alpha(2) adrenergic receptor (alpha(2)-AR) function using amperometry to monitor in vitro norepinephrine (NE) measured as oxidation currents. Vasoconstriction was measured using video imaging. NE release was induced by electrical stimulation of sympathetic nerves associated with mesenteric arteries (MA) and veins (MV) of sham and DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. NE oxidation currents were larger in DOCA-salt compared to sham MA; there were no differences between currents in sham and DOCA-salt MV. Increases in NE oxidation currents followed a multi-exponential time course in sham MA. In DOCA-salt MA and sham and DOCA-salt MV, the time course was mono-exponential. Yohimbine (alpha(2)-AR antagonist, 1 mu M), caused a mono-exponential increase in NE oxidation currents in sham and DOCA-salt MA. Yohimbine increased NE oxidation currents and constrictions more in sham compared to DOCA-salt MA and compared to MV. UK 14,304 (alpha(2)-AR agonist, 1.0 mu M), reduced currents less in DOCA-salt MA and sham and DOCA-salt MV compared to sham MA. Prazosin (alpha(1)-AR antagonist, 0.1 mu M) did not alter NE oxidation currents. Prazosin inhibited constrictions more in DOCA-salt compared to sham MA and almost completely blocked constrictions in sham and DOCA-salt MV. Prazosin-resistant constrictions in MA were blocked by the P2 receptor antagonist, PPADS (10 mu M). Prejunctional alpha(2)-ARs modify NE concentrations near neuroeffector junctions in MA and MV. alpha(2)-AR function is most prominent in MA and is impaired in DOCA-salt MA but not MV. Purinergic transmission predominates in sham MA. NE is the dominant vasoconstrictor in DOCA-salt MA and sham and DOCA-salt MV. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.