Vasoconstriction/vasoconstrictors

FIGURE 9.14 Effects of adenosine receptor agonist 2-chloro-adenosine on vascular perfusion pressure of isolated perfused rat kidneys. Minor effects seen in untreated kidneys (filled circles) and pronounced vasoconstriction while vasodilatation in kidneys coperfused with subthreshold concentrations of a-adrenoceptor vasoconstrictor methoxamine and vasodilatatory activation of adenylyl cyclase with forskolin (open circles). Redrawn from [49]. 

As to be expected from a peptide that has been highly conserved during evolution, NPY has many effects, e.g. in the central and peripheral nervous system, in the cardiovascular, metabolic and reproductive system. Central effects include a potent stimulation of food intake and appetite control [2], anxiolytic effects, anti-seizure activity and various forms of neuroendocrine modulation. In the central and peripheral nervous system NPY receptors (mostly Y2 subtype) mediate prejunctional inhibition of neurotransmitter release. In the periphery NPY is a potent direct vasoconstrictor, and it potentiates vasoconstriction by other agents (mostly via Yi receptors) despite reductions of renal blood flow, NPY enhances diuresis and natriuresis. NPY can inhibit pancreatic insulin release and inhibit lipolysis in adipocytes. It also can regulate gut motility and gastrointestinal and renal epithelial secretion. 

Fbtentiates vasoconstrictor action of norepinephrine. Without glucocorticoids the vasoconstricting action is decreased, and blood pressure falls. 

Endothelin-1, one of the most potent physiologic vasoconstrictors, is an important contributor to HF pathophysiology.9 Endothelin-1 binds to two G-protein coupled receptors, endothelin-A (ET-A) and endothelin-B (ET-B). Endothelin-A receptors mediate vasoconstriction and are prevalent in vascular smooth muscle and cardiac cells. Endothelin-B receptors are expressed on the endothelium and in vascular smooth muscle, and receptor stimulation mediates vasodilation. Levels of ET-1 correlate with HF functional class and mortality. 

Vasopressin levels are increased during hypotension to maintain blood pressure by vasoconstriction. However, there is a vasopressin deficiency in septic shock. Low doses of vasopressin increase MAP, leading to the discontinuation of vasopressors. However, routine use of vasopressin is not recommended because of lack of evidence of efficacy. Vasopressin is a direct vasoconstrictor without inotropic or chronotropic effects and may result in decreased cardiac output and hepatosplanchnic flow. Vasopressin use may be considered in patients with refractory shock despite adequate fluid resuscitation and high-dose vasopressors.24,27-28... 

The endogenous release of the potent vasoconstrictor neuropeptide Y (NPY) is increased during sepsis and the highest levels are detected in patients with shock (A8). NPY is a 36-amino-acid peptide belonging to the pancreatic polypeptide family of neuroendocrine peptides (T2). It is one of the most abundant peptides present in the brain and is widely expressed by neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as the adrenal medulla (A3). NPY coexists with norepinephrine in peripheral sympathetic nerves and is released together with norepinephrine (LI9, W14). NPY causes direct vasoconstriction of cerebral, coronary, and mesenteric arteries and also potentiates norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction in these arterial beds (T8). It appears that vasoconstriction caused by NPY does not counterbalance the vasodilatator effects of substance P in patients with sepsis. The properties of vasodilatation and smooth muscle contraction of substance P are well known (14), but because of the morphological distribution and the neuroendocrine effects a possible stress hormone function for substance P was also advocated (J7). Substance P, which is a potent vasodilatator agent and has an innervation pathway similar to that of NPY, shows a low plasma concentration in septic patients with and without shock (A8). 

Vasoconstrictors. Many substances produced in the human body cause vasoconstriction under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Vasoconstrictors of particular importance include ... 

Vasopressin also plays an important role in short-term regulation of blood pressure through its action on vascular smooth muscle. This hormone is the most potent known endogenous vasoconstrictor. Two types of vasopressin receptors have been identified V, receptors mediate vasoconstriction... 

Vasopressin is a potent vasoconstrictor that increases blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance. It may have several advantages over epinephrine. First, the metabolic acidosis that frequently accompanies cardiopulmonary arrest can blunt the vasoconstrictive effect of epinephrine this does not occur with vasopressin. Second, stimulation of P receptors by epinephrine can increase myocardial oxygen demand and complicate the postresuscitative phase of CPR. Vasopressin can also have a beneficial effect on renal blood flow in the kidney, causing vasodilation and increased water reabsorption. 

Vascular endothelium also plays an important role in maintaining vascular tone. The endothelium can modulate both vasodilation and vasoconstriction through its ability to locally synthesize and release vasodilators such as nitric oxide, endothehum-derived hyperpolarizing factor, and PGI2, and vasoconstrictors such as endothehn, which in turn directly affect vascular smooth muscle activity. Stimulation of az-adrenoceptors located on the endothelial cells in certain vascular beds (such as the coronary artery) results in the release of nitric oxide and vasodilation. 

Mecfianism of Action Phenylephrine HCl is an alpha-receptor sympathetic agonist used in local ocular disorders because of its vasoconstrictor and mydriatic action. It exhibits rapid and moderately prolonged action, and it produces little rebound vasodilatation. Systemic side effects are uncommon. Therapeutic Effect Vasoconstriction and pupil dilation. 

In most forms of shock, intense vasoconstriction, mediated by reflex sympathetic nervous system activation, is present. Indeed, efforts aimed at reducing rather than increasing peripheral resistance may be more fruitful to improve cerebral, coronary, and renal perfusion. A decision to use vasoconstrictors or vasodilators is best made on the basis of information about the underlying cause, which may require invasive monitoring. 

Unfortunately, the patient with shock may not respond to any of these therapeutic maneuvers the temptation is then to use vasoconstrictors to maintain blood pressure. Coronary perfusion may be improved, but this gain may be offset by increased myocardial oxygen demands as well as more severe vasoconstriction in blood vessels to the abdominal viscera. Therefore, the goal of therapy in shock should be to optimize tissue perfusion, not blood pressure. 

Neurohumoral (extrinsic) compensation involves two major mechanisms (previously presented in Figure 6-7)—the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone hormonal response—plus several others. Some of the pathologic as well as beneficial features of these compensatory responses are illustrated in Figure 13-2. The baroreceptor reflex appears to be reset, with a lower sensitivity to arterial pressure, in patients with heart failure. As a result, baroreceptor sensory input to the vasomotor center is reduced even at normal pressures sympathetic outflow is increased, and parasympathetic outflow is decreased. Increased sympathetic outflow causes tachycardia, increased cardiac contractility, and increased vascular tone. Vascular tone is further increased by angiotensin II and endothelin, a potent vasoconstrictor released by vascular endothelial cells. The result is a vicious cycle that is characteristic of heart failure (Figure 13-3). Vasoconstriction increases afterload, which further reduces ejection fraction and cardiac output. Neurohumoral antagonists and vasodilators... 

Serotonin directly causes the contraction of vascular smooth muscle, mainly through 5-HT2 receptors. In humans, serotonin is a powerful vasoconstrictor except in skeletal muscle and heart, where it dilates blood vessels. At least part of this 5-HT-induced vasodilation requires the presence of vascular endothelial cells. When the endothelium is damaged, coronary vessels constrict. As noted previously, serotonin can also elicit reflex bradycardia by activation of 5-HT3 receptors on chemoreceptor nerve endings. A triphasic blood pressure response is often seen following injection of serotonin in experimental animals. Initially, there is a decrease in heart rate, cardiac output, and blood pressure caused by the chemoreceptor response. After this decrease, blood pressure increases as a result of vasoconstriction. The third phase is again a decrease in blood pressure attributed to vasodilation in vessels supplying skeletal muscle. Pulmonary and renal vessels seem especially sensitive to the vasoconstrictor action of serotonin. 

Sumatriptan Partial agonist at 5-HT1B/1D receptors Effects not fully understood may reduce release of calcitoningene-related peptide and perivascular edema in cerebral circulation Migraine and cluster headache Oral, nasal, parenteral duration 2 h Toxicity Paresthesias, dizziness, coronary vasoconstriction Interactions Additive with other vasoconstrictors... 

Endothelins exert widespread actions in the body. In particular, they cause dose-dependent vasoconstriction in most vascular beds. Intravenous administration of ET-1 causes a rapid and transient decrease in arterial blood pressure followed by a prolonged increase. The depressor response results from release of prostacyclin and nitric oxide from the vascular endothelium, whereas the pressor response is due to direct contraction of vascular smooth muscle. Endothelins also exert direct positive inotropic and chronotropic actions on the heart and are potent coronary vasoconstrictors. They act on the kidneys to cause vasoconstriction and decrease glomerular filtration rate and sodium and water excretion. In the respiratory system, they cause potent contraction of tracheal and bronchial smooth muscle. 

NPY produces a variety of central nervous system effects, including increased feeding (it is one of the most potent orexigenic molecules in the brain), hypotension, hypothermia, respiratory depression, and activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Other effects include vasoconstriction of cerebral blood vessels, positive chronotropic and inotropic actions on the heart, and hypertension. The peptide is a potent renal vasoconstrictor and suppresses renin secretion, but can cause diuresis and natriuresis. Prejunctional neuronal actions include inhibition of transmitter release from sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. Vascular actions include direct vasoconstriction, potentiation of the action of vasoconstrictors, and inhibition of the action of vasodilators. 

In vitro, U-II is a potent constrictor of vascular smooth muscle its activity depends on the type of blood vessel and the species from which it was obtained. Vasoconstriction occurs primarily in arterial vessels, where U-II can be more potent than endothelin 1, making it the most potent known vasoconstrictor. However, under some conditions, U-II may cause vasodilation. In vivo, U-II has complex hemodynamic effects, the most prominent being regional vasoconstriction and cardiac depression. In some ways, these effects resemble those produced by ET-1. Nevertheless, the role of the peptide in the normal regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure in humans appears to be minor. 

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