Role of the Endothelium and Smooth Muscle Tone in the Dilator Response of the Rabbit Coeliac Artery to Histamine

Abstract

The role of the endothelium and vascular tone was studied on histamine-induced relaxation and contraction of the rabbit coeliac artery. Histamine contracted the tissue via the release of noradrenaline (NA), an action blocked by prazosin and mepyramine but not influenced by endothelial removal. Tachyphylaxis readily developed to histamine-induced contractions. After a moderate tone (40-55%) was induced with NA, histamine relaxed the tissues concentration-dependently. This relaxation was absent when the endothelium was removed indicating that the receptors involved are located on the endothelium. When the tone was increased to 80-85% with NA, relaxation could only be demonstrated after blocking H1-receptors. Removal of the endothelium did not influence this response. The relaxant effect of histamine in both preparations, however, was blocked by metiamide indicating that it is H2-receptor mediated. In the rabbit coeliac artery, endothelial H2-receptors are readily activated at moderate tone while muscular H2-receptors are stimulated at high tone after blocking H1-receptors. The predominance of H2-receptors in this artery may serve the physiological function of vasodilation in the blood vessels of the stomach.