Presynaptic blockade of cutaneous vasoconstrictor nerves (VCN) abolishes the axon reflex (AR) during slow local heating (SLH) and reduces the vasodilator response. In a two-part study, forearm sites were instrumented with microdialysis fibers, local heaters, and laser-Doppler flow probes. Sites were locally heated from 33 to 40°C over 70 min. In part 1, we tested whether this effect of VCN acted via nitric oxide synthase (NOS). In five subjects, treatments were as follows: 1) untreated; 2) bretylium, preventing neurotransmitter release; 3) NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) to inhibit NOS; and 4) combined bretylium + l-NAME. At treated sites, the AR was absent, and there was an attenuation of the ultimate vasodilation ( P < 0.05), which was not different among those sites ( P > 0.05). In part 2, we tested whether norepinephrine and/or neuropeptide Y is involved in the cutaneous vasodilator response to SLH. In seven subjects, treatments were as follows: 1) untreated; 2) propranolol and yohimbine to antagonize α- and β-receptors; 3) BIBP-3226 to antagonize Y1 receptors; and 4) combined propranolol + yohimbine + BIBP-3226. Treatment with propranolol + yohimbine or BIBP-3226 significantly increased the temperature at which AR occurred ( n = 4) or abolished it ( n = 3). The combination treatment consistently eliminated it. Importantly, ultimate vasodilation with SLH at the treated sites was significantly ( P < 0.05) less than at the control. These data suggest that norepinephrine and neuropeptide Y are important in the initiation of the AR and for achieving a complete vasodilator response. Since VCN and NOS blockade in combination do not have an inhibition greater than either alone, these data suggest that VCN promote heat-induced vasodilation via a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism.
Nitric oxide and noradrenaline contribute to the temperature threshold of the axon reflex response to gradual local heating in human skin
