Cholinergic vasodilator mechanism in human fingers

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Am. J. Physiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5871998

Coffman, J D; Cohen, R A

The effect of a cholinergic agonist and antagonist on finger blood flow (FBF) was studied in 10 normal subjects. Total finger blood flow was measured by venous occlusion, air plethysmography, and capillary blood flow (FCF) by the disappearance rate of a radio-isotope from a fingertip injection. Methacholine in doses of 10-80 ..mu..g/min was given by constant infusion via a brachial artery catheter. Average FBF and vascular resistance were not significantly affected. However, the half time (t/sub 1/2/) of the disappearance rate decreased from 50.8 +/- 13.4 to 11.1 +/- 1.5 min; a decrease occurred in all subjects. In seven subjects, atropine (0.2 mg) had no affect alone but inhibited the effect of methacholine on FCF and prevented the redness and sweating of the forearm and hand that occurs with this agent. This study demonstrates a muscarinic cholinergic vasodilator mechanism in the fingertip that uniquely increase capillary blood flow.

• Research Organization: Boston Univ. Medical Center, MA
• OSTI ID: 5871998
• Journal Information: Am. J. Physiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Physiol.; (United States) Vol. 252:3; ISSN AJPHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

551001* -- Physiological Systems-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALCOHOLS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
AMINES
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BLOOD FLOW
BLOOD PRESSURE
BLOOD VESSELS
BODY
CAPILLARIES
CARDIOVASCULAR AGENTS
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CHOLINE
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DRUGS
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
IODIDES
IODINE 131
IODINE COMPOUNDS
IODINE ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
LIPOTROPIC FACTORS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PARASYMPATHOMIMETICS
PATIENTS
PHOSPHORS
QUATERNARY COMPOUNDS
RADIOISOTOPES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM IODIDES
TRACER TECHNIQUES
VASODILATORS