Neuroeffector mechanisms involved in the regulation of dog splenic arterial tone

Abstract

It has been recognized that sympathetic neurons release several transmitters but mainly adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), noradrenaline, and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Recently, we reported that periarterial nerve electrical stimulation (PNS) produced biphasic vasoconstrictions consisting of an initial transient, predominantly P2X-purinoceptor-mediated constriction followed by a prolonged, alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-mediated one in canine isolated splenic arteries. In this article, we tried to analyze the effects of several selective key drugs that influence the PNS-induced responses, and we functionally showed sympathetic transmitter releasing mechanisms by pharmacological analysis using purinergic, adrenergic, and NPYergic agonists and antagonists.