Experiments were performed on eight anesthetized dogs to study the response of the characteristic impedance (Zc) of the main pulmonary artery to changes in circulating blood volume. Pressure and flow were measured in the proximal main pulmonary artery under control conditions, after hemorrhage (-15% of the estimated blood volume), again under control conditions, and finally after volume expansion (+30% of the estimated blood volume). Two different methods were used to determine Zc from these recordings. With the frequency-domain method values for Zc were obtained by averaging the input impedance moduli between 2 and 15 Hz. With the time-domain method Zc was derived as the slope of the early ejection pressure-flow relationship. The values for Zc obtained with the two methods were not statistically different. In the time-domain method the average increase in Zc with hemorrhage was 30.7 +/- 7.4 (SE) %, and the average decrease with volume expansion was -21.1 +/- 5.0 (SE) %. Because the time-domain method allowed the values of Zc during control conditions and after hemorrhage to be obtained in the same pressure range, it was concluded that the observed changes were caused by a change in the activity of the smooth muscle in the pulmonary arterial wall. Similarly, it was concluded that the decrease in Zc after volume expansion was active in nature.
Exposure to ionizing radiation causes hypotension, cerebral ischemia and release of histamine (HA) and serotonin (5-HT). To investigate the relationship among these responses, rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) received physiological saline (i.v.), disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), antihistamines (AH, mepyramine and cimetidine), or methysergide (METH), then were given 25 Gy whole-body irradiation. Monkeys receiving DSCG, AH or METH had higher post-irradiation mean arterial blood pressure (MBP) than saline-treated controls. Compared to levels in controls, post-irradiation hippocampal blood flow (rCBF) levels were higher in monkeys receiving DSCG, AH or METH. Treatment with the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist methysergide was the most effective in maintaining both rCBF and MBP after irradiation. Results support the hypothesis that the irradiation-induced cerebral ischemia and, to some extent, the hypotension is mediated by serotonin through 5-HT2 receptor sites.
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