Greater post‐contraction hyperaemia below vs. above heart level: the role of active vasodilatation vs. passive mechanical distension of arterioles
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Authors
Lynn, Mytchel J. T.
Mew, Olivia K.
Drouin, Patrick J.
Liberman, Noah L.
Tschakovsky, Michael
Date
2020
Type
journal article
Language
en
Keyword
Distention , Forearm Blood Flow , Muscle Contraction , Myogenic Vasodilatation , Rapid Onset Vasodilatation , Transmural Pressure
Alternative Title
Abstract
We tested the hypotheses that increased post‐contraction hyperaemia in higher (H; below heart) vs. lower (L; above heart) transmural pressure conditions is due to (1) greater active vasodilatation or (2) greater transmural pressure‐mediated arteriolar distension. Participants (n = 20, 12 male, 8 female; combined mean age 24.5 ± 2 years) performed a 2 s isometric handgrip contraction, where arm position was maintained within or changed between H and L during contraction, resulting in four starting–finishing arm position conditions (LL, HL, LH, HH). Post‐contraction forearm blood flow (echo and Doppler ultrasound) was higher with contraction release in H vs. L environments (P < 0.05). However, contraction initiated in H did not result in greater vasodilatation (forearm vascular conductance; FVC) than contraction initiated in L, regardless of contraction release condition (peak FVC: LL 217 ± 104 vs. HL 204 ± 92 ml min−1 (100 mmHg)−1, P = 0.313, LH 229 ± 8 vs. HH 225 ± 85 ml min−1 (100 mmHg)−1, P = 0.391; first post‐contraction cardiac cycle FVC: same comparisons, both P = 0.317). However, FVC of the first post‐contraction cardiac cycle was greater for contractions released in H vs. L regardless of pre‐contraction condition (LL 106 ± 67 vs. LH 152 ± 76 ml min−1 (100 mmHg)−1, P < 0.05; HL 80 ± 51 vs. HH 119 ± 58 ml min−1 (100 mmHg)−1, P < 0.05). These findings refute the hypothesis that greater hyperaemia following a single contraction in higher transmural pressure conditions is due to greater active vasodilatation. Instead, our findings reveal a key role for increased transmural pressure‐mediated mechanical distension of arterioles in creating a greater increase in vascular conductance for a given active vasodilatation following skeletal muscle contraction.
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This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Greater post‐contraction hyperaemia below vs. above heart level: the role of active vasodilatation vs. passive mechanical distension of arterioles, The journal of physiology, Vol 598, Issue 1, pages 85-99, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1113/JP278476. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.