Role of k+atp channels and endothelium-derived relaxing factor in reactive hyperemia in the hindquarters vascular bed of the cat. Minkes, Robert K., Jos[acute]e A. Santiago, Timothy J. McMahon, and Philip J. Kadowitz. Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112
APStracts 2:0169H, 1995.
The mechanism underlying reactive hyperemia was investigated in the feline hindquarters vascular bed under natural and constant flow conditions. A 30-sec occlusion of the distal aorta produced a marked hyperemic increase in distal aortic blood flow that was attenuated by the K+ATP channel blocking agent, glybenclamide. When blood flow to the hindquarters vascular bed was held constant with a pump, interruption of blood flow for 5-90 sec periods produced reactive vasodilator responses that increased in magnitude and duration as the period of ischemia increased. The magnitude and duration of the reactive vasodilator responses were reduced by K+ATP channel antagonists and an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, whereas indomethacin had no significant effect. In the pulmonary vascular bed, under constant flow elevated tone conditions, a 30-sec period of ischemia produced a small reactive vasodilator response and a larger secondary vasoconstrictor response. The present data suggest that reactive hyperemia in the hindquarters vascular bed is mediated by the opening of K+ATP channels and nitric oxide release, and that the reactive hyperemic response is not pronounced in the pulmonary circulation.

Received 27 February 1995; accepted in final form 4 April 1995.
APS Manuscript Number H186-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Heart Circ. Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on  2 May 1995.