Paradoxical effects of acidosis on the noradrenaline-induced and neurogenic constriction of the rat tail artery at low temperatures

Although vasodilatation evoked by acidosis at normal body temperature is well known, the reports regarding effect of acidosis on the reactivity of the isolated arteries at low temperatures are non-existent. This study tested the hypothesis that the inhibitory effect of acidosis on the neurogenic vasoconstriction may be increased by cooling. Using wire myography, we recorded the neurogenic contraction of the rat tail artery segments to the electrical field stimulation in the absence and in the presence of 0.03-10.0 µmol/L noradrenaline. The experiments were conducted at 37oC or 25oC and pH 7.4 or 6.6 which was decreased by means of CO2. Noradrenaline at concentration of 0.03-0.1 µmol/L significantly potentiated the neurogenic vasoconstriction at 25oC, and the potentiation was not inhibited by acidosis. Contrary to our hypothesis, acidosis at a low temperature did not affect the noradrenaline-induced tone and significantly increased the neurogenic contraction of the artery segments in the absence and presence of noradrenaline. These effects of acidosis were partly dependent on the endothelium and L-type Ca2+ channels activation. The phenomenon described for the first time might be of importance for the reduction in the heat loss by virtue of decrease in the subcutaneous blood flow at low ambient temperatures.