scholarly journals Integration of skeletal muscle resistance arteriolar reactivity for perfusion responses in the metabolic syndrome

2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (6) ◽  
pp. R1771-R1782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson C. Frisbee ◽  
John M. Hollander ◽  
Robert W. Brock ◽  
Han-Gang Yu ◽  
Matthew A. Boegehold

Previous study suggests that with evolution of the metabolic syndrome, patterns of arteriolar reactivity are profoundly altered and may constrain functional hyperemia. This study investigated interactions between parameters of vascular reactivity at two levels of resistance arterioles in obese Zucker rats (OZR), translating these observations into perfusion regulation for in situ skeletal muscle. Dilation of isolated and in situ resistance arterioles from OZR to acetylcholine, arachidonic acid (AA), and hypoxia (isolated arterioles only) were blunted vs. lean Zucker rats (LZR), although dilation to adenosine was intact. Increased adrenergic tone (phenylephrine) or intralumenal pressure (ILP) impaired dilation in both strains (OZR>LZR). Treatment of OZR arterioles with Tempol (superoxide dismutase mimetic) or SQ-29548 (prostaglandin H2/thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist) improved dilator reactivity under control conditions and with increased ILP, but had minimal effect with increased adrenergic tone. Arteriolar dilation to adenosine was well maintained in both strains under all conditions. For in situ cremasteric arterioles, muscle contraction-induced elevations in metabolic demand elicited arteriolar dilations and hyperemic responses that were blunted in OZR vs. LZR, although distal parallel arterioles were characterized by heterogeneous dilator and perfusion responses. α-Adrenoreceptor blockade improved outcomes at rest but had minimal effect with elevated metabolic demand. Treatment with Tempol or SQ-29548 had minimal impact at rest, but lessened distal arteriolar perfusion heterogeneity with increased metabolic demand. In blood-perfused gastrocnemius of OZR, perfusion was constrained primarily by adrenergic tone, while myogenic activation and endothelium-dependent dilation did not appear to contribute significantly to ischemia. These results of this novel, integrated approach suggest that adrenergic tone and metabolic dilation are robust determinants of bulk perfusion to skeletal muscle of OZR, while endothelial dysfunction may more strongly regulate perfusion distribution homogeneity via the impact of oxidant stress and AA metabolism.

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (2) ◽  
pp. R307-R316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson C. Frisbee

This study tested the hypothesis that chronically elevated oxidant stress contributes to impaired active hyperemia in skeletal muscle of obese Zucker rats (OZR) vs. lean Zucker rats (LZR) through progressive deteriorations in microvascular structure. Twelve-week-old LZR and OZR were given 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (tempol) in the drinking water for ∼4 wk. Subsequently, perfusion of in situ gastrocnemius muscle was determined during incremental elevations in metabolic demand, while a contralateral skeletal muscle arteriole and the gastrocnemius muscle was removed to determine dilator reactivity, vessel wall mechanics, and microvessel density. Under control conditions, active hyperemia was impaired at all levels of metabolic demand in OZR, and this was correlated with a reduced microvessel density, increased arteriolar stiffness, and impaired dilator reactivity. Chronic tempol ingestion improved perfusion during moderate to high metabolic demand only and was associated with improved arteriolar reactivity and microvessel density; passive vessel mechanics were unaltered. Combined antioxidant therapy and nitric oxide synthase inhibition in OZR prevented much of the restored perfusion and microvessel density. In LZR, treatment with Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) hydrochloride and hydralazine (to prevent hypertension) impaired active hyperemia, dilator reactivity, and microvessel density, although arteriolar distensibility was not altered. These results suggest that with the development of the metabolic syndrome, chronic reductions in nitric oxide bioavailability, in part via the scavenging actions of oxidative free radicals, contribute to a loss of skeletal muscle microvessels, leading to impaired muscle perfusion with elevated metabolic demand.


2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (4) ◽  
pp. R975-R986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson C. Frisbee ◽  
Fan Wu ◽  
Adam G. Goodwill ◽  
Joshua T. Butcher ◽  
Daniel A. Beard

Previous studies have demonstrated that the metabolic syndrome is associated with impaired skeletal muscle arteriolar function, although integrating observations into a conceptual framework for impaired perfusion in peripheral vascular disease (PVD) has been limited. This study builds on previous work to evaluate in situ arteriolar hemodynamics in cremaster muscle of obese Zucker rats (OZR) to integrate existing knowledge into a greater understanding of impaired skeletal muscle perfusion. In OZR cremaster muscle, perfusion distribution at microvascular bifurcations (γ) was consistently more heterogeneous than in controls. However, while consistent, the underlying mechanistic contributors were spatially divergent as altered adrenergic constriction was the major contributor to altered γ at proximal microvascular bifurcations, with a steady decay with distance, while endothelial dysfunction was a stronger contributor in distal bifurcations with no discernible role proximally. Using measured values of γ, we found that simulations predict that successive alterations to γ in OZR caused more heterogeneous perfusion distribution in distal arterioles than in controls, an effect that could only be rectified by combined adrenoreceptor blockade and improvements to endothelial dysfunction. Intravascular 125I-labeled albumin tracer washout from in situ gastrocnemius muscle of OZR provided independent support for these observations, indicating increased perfusion heterogeneity that was corrected only by combined adrenoreceptor blockade and improved endothelial function. These results suggest that a defining element of PVD in the metabolic syndrome may be an altered γ at microvascular bifurcations, that its contributors are heterogeneous and spatially distinct, and that interventions to rectify this negative outcome must take a new conceptual framework into account.


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (5) ◽  
pp. R1124-R1134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson C. Frisbee

Skeletal muscle arterioles from obese Zucker rats (OZR) exhibit oxidant stress-based alterations in reactivity, enhanced α-adrenergic constriction, and reduced distensibility vs. microvessels of lean Zucker rats (LZR). The present study determined the impact of these alterations for perfusion and performance of in situ skeletal muscle during periods of elevated metabolic demand. During bouts of isometric tetanic contractions, fatigue of in situ gastrocnemius muscle of OZR was increased vs. LZR; this was associated with impaired active hyperemia. In OZR, vasoactive responses of skeletal muscle arterioles from the contralateral gracilis muscle were impaired, due in part to elevated oxidant tone; reactivity was improved after treatment with polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase (PEGSOD). Arterioles of OZR also exhibited increased α-adrenergic sensitivity, which was abolished by treatment with phentolamine (10-5 M). Intravenous infusion of phentolamine (10 mg/kg) or PEG-SOD (2,000 U/kg) in OZR altered neither fatigue rates nor active hyperemia from untreated levels; however, combined infusion improved performance and hyperemia, although not to levels in LZR. Microvessel density in the contralateral gastrocnemius muscle, determined via histological analyses, was reduced by ∼25% in OZR vs. LZR, while individual arterioles from the contralateral gracilis muscle demonstrated reduced distensibility. These data suggest that altered arteriolar reactivity contributes to reduced muscle performance and active hyperemia in OZR. Further, despite pharmacological improvements in arteriolar reactivity, reduced skeletal muscle microvessel density and arteriolar distensibility also contribute substantially to reduced active hyperemia and potentially to impaired muscle performance.


2004 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 764-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson C. Frisbee

The present study tested the hypothesis that enhanced vascular α-adrenergic constriction in obese Zucker rats (OZR) impairs arteriolar dilation and perfusion of skeletal muscle at rest and with increased metabolic demand. In lean Zucker rats (LZR) and OZR, isolated gracilis arterioles were viewed via television microscopy, and the contralateral cremaster muscle or gastrocnemius muscle was prepared for study in situ. Gracilis and cremasteric arterioles were challenged with dilator stimuli under control conditions and after blockade of α-adrenoreceptors with prazosin, phentolamine, or yohimbine. Gastrocnemius muscles performed isometric twitch contractions of increasing frequency, and perfusion was continuously monitored. In OZR, dilator responses of arterioles to hypoxia (gracilis), wall shear rate (cremaster), acetylcholine, and iloprost (both) were impaired vs. LZR. Treatment with prazosin and phentolamine (and in cremasteric arterioles only, yohimbine) improved arteriolar reactivity to these stimuli in OZR, although responses remained impaired vs. LZR. Gastrocnemius muscle blood flow was reduced at rest in OZR; this was corrected with intravenous infusion of phentolamine or prazosin. At all contraction frequencies, blood flow was reduced in OZR vs. LZR; this was improved by infusion of phentolamine or prazosin at low-moderate metabolic demand only (1 and 3 Hz). At 5 Hz, adrenoreceptor blockade did not alter blood flow in OZR from levels in untreated rats. These results suggest that enhanced α-adrenergic constriction of arterioles of OZR contributes to impaired dilator responses and reduced muscle blood flow at rest and with mild-moderate (although not with large) elevations in metabolic demand.


2006 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 465-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson C. Frisbee

As obese Zucker rats (OZR) manifesting the metabolic syndrome exhibit enhanced vascular adrenergic constriction and potentially an enhanced adrenergic activity vs. lean Zucker rats (LZR), this study tested the hypothesis that OZR exhibit an improved tolerance to progressive hemorrhage. Preliminary experiments indicated that, corrected for body mass, total blood volume was reduced in OZR vs. LZR. Anesthetized LZR and OZR had a cremaster muscle prepared for in situ videomicroscopy and had renal, splanchnic, hindlimb, and skeletal muscle perfusion monitored with flow probes. Arterial pressure, arteriolar reactivity to norepinephrine, and tissue/organ perfusion were monitored after either infusion of phentolamine or successive withdrawals of 10% total blood volume. Phentolamine infusion indicated that regional adrenergic tone under control conditions differs substantially between LZR and OZR, whereas with hemorrhage OZR exhibit decompensation in arterial pressure before LZR. Renal, distal hindlimb, and skeletal muscle perfusion decreased more rapidly and to a greater extent in OZR vs. LZR after hemorrhage. In contrast, hemorrhage-induced reductions in splanchnic perfusion in OZR lagged behind those in LZR, although a similar maximum reduction was ultimately attained. With increasing hemorrhage, cremasteric arteriolar tone increased more in OZR than LZR, and this increase in active tone was entirely due to an elevated adrenergic contribution. Norepinephrine-induced arteriolar constriction was greater in OZR vs. LZR under control conditions and during hemorrhage, with arterioles from OZR demonstrating early closure vs. LZR. These results suggest that a combination of reduced blood volume and elevated peripheral adrenergic constriction contribute to impaired hemorrhage tolerance in OZR.


2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (2) ◽  
pp. R522-R530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane A. Phillips ◽  
Francis A. Sylvester ◽  
Jefferson C. Frisbee

This study tested the hypothesis that evolution of the metabolic syndrome in obese Zucker rats (OZR) leads to impaired dilator reactivity of cerebral resistance arteries vs. responses determined in lean Zucker rats (LZR). Middle cerebral arteries (MCA) from 17-wk-old male LZR and OZR were isolated and cannulated with glass micropipettes. Vascular reactivity was assessed in response to challenge with ACh, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), reductions and elevations in Po2, 5-HT, and increased intralumenal pressure. Vessels were treated with the free radical scavenger 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (tempol) to assess the role of superoxide production in altering reactivity, and passive vascular wall mechanics was assessed in each vessel. Vascular superoxide production was assessed in isolated arteries using fluorescence microscopy. Vessel dilation to ACh and hypoxia was impaired in OZR vs. LZR, although responses to SNP were normal. Vessel constriction to 5-HT, elevated Po2, and elevated intralumenal pressure was enhanced in OZR vs. LZR. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated an increased superoxide production in arteries of OZR vs. LZR, correctable by incubation with tempol. Although treatment of vessels from OZR with tempol improved dilation to ACh and hypoxia, constrictor responses to 5-HT, elevated Po2, and pressure were not altered by tempol treatment. Indexes of vessel wall mechanics were comparable between groups. These results suggest that vasodilator reactivity of MCA of OZR in response to endothelium-dependent dilator stimuli is impaired vs. LZR and that this may represent a reduced bioavailability of signaling molecules due to oxidant scavenging. However, oxidative stress-independent increases in myogenic tone and constrictor reactivity may contribute to blunted dilator responses of cerebral microvessels.


2001 ◽  
Vol 281 (3) ◽  
pp. H1304-H1311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson C. Frisbee ◽  
David W. Stepp

This study determined alterations to nitric oxide (NO)-dependent dilation of skeletal muscle arterioles from obese (OZR) versus lean Zucker rats (LZR). In situ cremaster muscle arterioles from both groups were viewed via television microscopy, and vessel dilation was measured with a video micrometer. Arteriolar dilation to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside was reduced in OZR versus LZR, although dilation to aprikalim was unaltered. NO-dependent flow-induced arteriolar dilation (via parallel microvessel occlusion) was attenuated in OZR, impairing arteriolar ability to regulate wall shear rate. Vascular superoxide levels, as assessed by dihydroethidine fluorescence, were elevated in OZR versus LZR. Treatment of cremaster muscles of OZR with the superoxide scavengers polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase and catalase improved arteriolar dilation to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside and restored flow-induced dilation and microvascular ability to regulate wall shear rate. These results suggest that NO-dependent dilation of skeletal muscle microvessels in OZR is impaired due to increased levels of superoxide. Taken together, these data suggest that the development of diabetes and hypertension in OZR may be associated with an impaired skeletal muscle perfusion via an elevated vascular oxidant stress.


2015 ◽  
Vol 309 (11) ◽  
pp. H1846-H1859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven D. Brooks ◽  
Evan DeVallance ◽  
Alexandre C. d'Audiffret ◽  
Stephanie J. Frisbee ◽  
Lawrence E. Tabone ◽  
...  

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is highly prevalent in the North American population and is associated with increased risk for development of cerebrovascular disease. This study determined the structural and functional changes in the middle cerebral arteries (MCA) during the progression of MetS and the effects of chronic pharmacological interventions on mitigating vascular alterations in obese Zucker rats (OZR), a translationally relevant model of MetS. The reactivity and wall mechanics of ex vivo pressurized MCA from lean Zucker rats (LZR) and OZR were determined at 7–8, 12–13, and 16–17 wk of age under control conditions and following chronic treatment with pharmacological agents targeting specific systemic pathologies. With increasing age, control OZR demonstrated reduced nitric oxide bioavailability, impaired dilator (acetylcholine) reactivity, elevated myogenic properties, structural narrowing, and wall stiffening compared with LZR. Antihypertensive therapy (e.g., captopril or hydralazine) starting at 7–8 wk of age blunted the progression of arterial stiffening compared with OZR controls, while treatments that reduced inflammation and oxidative stress (e.g., atorvastatin, rosiglitazone, and captopril) improved NO bioavailability and vascular reactivity compared with OZR controls and had mixed effects on structural remodeling. These data identify specific functional and structural cerebral adaptations that limit cerebrovascular blood flow in MetS patients, contributing to increased risk of cognitive decline, cerebral hypoperfusion, and ischemic stroke; however, these pathological adaptations could potentially be blunted if treated early in the progression of MetS.


2014 ◽  
Vol 307 (12) ◽  
pp. H1714-H1728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson C. Frisbee ◽  
Adam G. Goodwill ◽  
Stephanie J. Frisbee ◽  
Joshua T. Butcher ◽  
Robert W. Brock ◽  
...  

Evolution of metabolic syndrome is associated with a progressive reduction in skeletal muscle microvessel density, known as rarefaction. Although contributing to impairments to mass transport and exchange, the temporal development of rarefaction and the contributing mechanisms that lead to microvessel loss are both unclear and critical areas for investigation. Although previous work suggests that rarefaction severity in obese Zucker rats (OZR) is predicted by the chronic loss of vascular nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, we have determined that this hides a biphasic development of rarefaction, with both early and late components. Although the total extent of rarefaction was well predicted by the loss in NO bioavailability, the early pulse of rarefaction developed before a loss of NO bioavailability and was associated with altered venular function (increased leukocyte adhesion/rolling), and early elevation in oxidant stress, TNF-α levels, and the vascular production of thromboxane A2 (TxA2). Chronic inhibition of TNF-α blunted the severity of rarefaction and also reduced vascular oxidant stress and TxA2 production. Chronic blockade of the actions of TxA2 also blunted rarefaction, but did not impact oxidant stress or inflammation, suggesting that TxA2 is a downstream outcome of elevated reactive oxygen species and inflammation. If chronic blockade of TxA2 is terminated, microvascular rarefaction in OZR skeletal muscle resumes, but at a reduced rate despite low NO bioavailability. These results suggest that therapeutic interventions against inflammation and TxA2 under conditions where metabolic syndrome severity is moderate or mild may prevent the development of a condition of accelerated microvessel loss with metabolic syndrome.


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