- Vasoconstriction
-
Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of the blood vessels resulting from contraction of the muscular wall of the vessels, particularly the large arteries, small arterioles and veins. The process is the opposite of vasodilation, the widening of blood vessels. The process is particularly important in staunching hemorrhage and acute blood loss. When blood vessels constrict, the flow of blood is restricted or decreased, thus, retaining body heat or increasing vascular resistance. Cutaneously, this makes the skin turn paler because less blood reaches the surface, reducing the radiation of heat. On a larger level, vasoconstriction is one mechanism by which the body regulates and maintains mean arterial pressure.
Substances causing vasoconstriction are called vasoconstrictors, vasopressors, or simply "pressors". Generalized vasoconstriction usually results in an increase in systemic blood pressure, but it may also occur in specific tissues causing a localized reduction in blood flow. The extent of vasoconstriction may be slight or severe depending on the substance or circumstance. Many vasoconstrictors also cause pupil dilation. Medications that cause vasoconstriction include antihistamines, decongestants and stimulants used to treat ADHD.
Contents
General mechanism
The mechanism that leads to vasoconstriction results from the increased concentration of calcium (Ca2+ ions) within vascular smooth muscle cells.[1] However, the specific mechanisms for generating an increased intracellular concentration of calcium depends on the vasoconstrictor. Smooth muscle cells are capable of generating action potentials, but this mechanism is rarely utilized for contraction in the vasculature. Hormonal or pharmokinetic components are more physiologically relevant. Two common stimuli for eliciting smooth muscle contraction is circulating epinephrine and activation of the sympathetic nervous system (through release of norepinephrine) that directly innervates the muscle. These compounds interact with cell surface adrenergic receptors. Such stimuli result in a signal transduction cascade that leads to increased intracellular calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum through IP3 mediated calcium release, as well as enhanced calcium entry across the sarcolemma through calcium channels. The rise in intracellular calcium complexes with calmodulin, which in turn activates myosin light chain kinase. This enzyme is responsible for phosphorylating the light chain of myosin to stimulate cross bridge cycling.
Once elevated, the intracellular calcium concentration is returned to its basal level through a variety of protein pumps and calcium exchangers located on the plasma membrane and sarcoplasmic reticulum. This reduction in calcium removes the stimulus necessary for contraction allowing for a return to baseline.
Factors and individual mechanisms
Factors that trigger vasoconstriction can be of exogenous or endogenous origin. Ambient temperature is an example of the former. Cutaneous vasoconstriction will occur because of the body's exposure to the severe cold. Examples of endogenous factors include the autonomic nervous system, circulating hormones and intrinsic mechanisms inherent to the vasculature itself (also referred to as the myogenic response).
Exogenous medications
Examples include amphetamines, antihistamines and cocaine. Many are used in medicine to treat hypotension and as topical decongestants. Vasoconstrictors are also used clinically to increase blood pressure or to reduce local blood flow. Vasoconstrictors mixed with local anesthetics are used to increase the duration of local anesthesia by constricting the blood vessels, thereby safely concentrating the anesthetic agent for an extended duration, as well as reducing hemorrhage.[2]
The routes of administration varies. They may be both systemic and topical. For example, pseudoephedrine is available systemic (i.e. orally ingested tablets like Sudafed), and topical (such as nose sprays like phenylephrine Neo-synephrine, and eye drops for pupil dilation purposes)
Examples include:
Vasoconstrictors Amphetamines antihistamines Cocaine LSD LSA Methylphenidate Mephedrone Oxymetazoline Phenylephrine Propylhexedrine Pseudoephedrine Stimulants Caffeine Tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride (in eye drops) Psilocybin Endogenous
Vasoconstriction is a procedure of the body that avoids orthostatic hypotension. It is a part of a body negative feed back loop in which the body tries to restore homeostasis.
For example, vasoconstriction is a hypothermic preventative in which the blood vessels constrict and blood must move at a higher pressure to actively avoid a hypoxic reaction. ATP is used as a form of energy to increase this pressure to heat the body. Once homeostasis is restored the blood pressure and ATP production regulates.
Vasoconstriction also occurs in superficial blood vessels of warm-blooded animals when their ambient environment is cold; this process diverts the flow of heated blood to the center of the animal, preventing the loss of heat.
Vasoconstrictor [3] Receptor
(↑ = opens. ↓ = closes) [3]
On vascular smooth muscle cells if not otherwise specifiedTransduction
(↑ = increases. ↓ = decreases) [3]Stretch ↑Stretch-activated ion channels depolarization --> - open VDCCs (primarily) --> ↑intracellular Ca2+
- ↑Voltage-gated Na+ channels -->
- more depolarization --> open VDCCs --> ↑intracellular Ca2+
- ↓Na+-Ca2+ exchanger activity --> ↑intracellular Ca2+
ATP (intracellular) ↓ATP-sensitive K+ channel ATP (extracellular) ↑P2X receptor ↑Ca2+ muscarinic agonists
e.g. acetylcholine↑muscarinic receptor M2 Activation of Gi --> ↓cAMP --> ↓PKA activity --> ↓phosphorylation of MLCK --> ↑MLCK activity --> ↑phosphorylation of MLC (calcium-independent) NPY NPY receptor adrenergic agonists
e.g. epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine↑α1 adrenergic receptor Activation of Gq --> ↑PLC activity --> ↑IP3 and DAG --> activation of IP3 receptor in SR --> ↑intracellular Ca2+ thromboxane ↑thromboxane receptor endothelin ↑endothelin receptor ETA angiotensin II ↑Angiotensin receptor 1 - On smooth muscle cells: Activation of Gq --> ↑PLC activity --> ↑IP3 and DAG --> activation of IP3 receptor in SR --> ↑intracellular Ca2+
- On endothelium: endothelin synthesis[4]
open VDCCs --> ↑intracellular Ca2+[5] Asymmetric dimethylarginine Reduced production of nitric oxide Antidiuretic hormone (ADH or Vasopressin) Arginine vasopressin receptor 1 (V1) on smooth muscle cells Activation of Gq --> ↑PLC activity --> ↑IP3 and DAG --> activation of IP3 receptor in SR --> ↑intracellular Ca2+ Arginine vasopressin receptor on endothelium Endothelin production[4] Various receptors on endothelium[4] Endothelin production[4] Pathology
Vasoconstriction can be a contributing factor to erectile dysfunction.[6] An increase in blood flow to the penis causes an erection.
Improper vasoconstriction may also play a role in secondary hypertension.
See also
- Addison's disease
- Inotrope
- Hypertension
- Nitric oxide
- Pheochromocytoma
- Shock
- Vasodilation
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
References
- ^ Michael P. Walsh, et all. Thromboxane A2-induced contraction of rat caudal arterial smooth muscle involves activation of Ca2+ entry and Ca2+sensitization: Rho-associated kinase-mediated phosphorylation of MYPT1 at Thr-855 but not Thr-697. http://biosupport.licor.com/docs/2005/BJ20050237.pdf.
- ^ Yagiela JA (1995). "Vasoconstrictor agents for local anesthesia". Anesth Prog 42 (3–4): 116–20. PMC 2148913. PMID 8934977. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=2148913.
- ^ a b c Unless else specified in box, then ref is: Walter F., PhD. Boron. Medical Physiology: A Cellular And Molecular Approaoch. Elsevier/Saunders. ISBN 1-4160-2328-3. Page 479
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rod Flower; Humphrey P. Rang; Maureen M. Dale; Ritter, James M. (2007). Rang & Dale's pharmacology. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 0-443-06911-5.
- ^ Walter F., PhD. Boron. Medical Physiology: A Cellular And Molecular Approach. Elsevier/Saunders. ISBN 1-4160-2328-3. Page 771
- ^ Richard Milsten and Julian Slowinski, The sexual male,bc,main point W.W. Norton Company, New York, London (1999) ISBN 0-393-04740-7
External links
- Definition of Vasoconstriction on HealthScout
- Cannabis arteritis revisited--ten new case reports
- Are coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease associated with tobacco or cannabis consumption
- Vasoconstrictor effects of Cannabis appear to inhibit Migraine (headache) attacks
Categories:
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
