Simultaneous measurements of capillary filtration and diffusion capacities during graded infusions of noradrenaline (NA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) into the rat hindquarter vascular bed.

Abstract

The relationships between capillary diffusion capacity (PS) for Cr-EDTA respective capillary filtration capacity (CFC) and vascular resistance during graded intraarterial infusions of NA and 5-HT into the artificially constant flow perfused rat hindquarter vascular bed were investigated. During maximal vasodilatation PS for Cr-EDTA was some 5.5--5.7 ml/min x 100 g, CFC some 0.04 ml/min x mmHg x 100 g, while vascular resistance was 2.8 mmHg x ml-1 x min x 100 g (PRU100) and isogravimetric capillary pressure 12.8 mmHg on an average. Setting out from maximal vasodilatation, increasing doses of NA and 5-HT produced graded reductions in capillary surface area as reflected by progressive decreases in both PS for Cr-EDTA and CFC. These changes occurred simultaneously with progressive increases in both pre- and postcapillary resistances, causing elevations in both arterial and capillary hydrostatic pressures and hance in capillary fluid filtration at constant flow. Capillary hydrostatic pressure increased maximally to 45 mmHg (calculated for NA) and vascular resistance to some 21 mmHg x ml-1 x min x 100 g on an average. PS for Cr-EDTA decreased maximally to some 0.7--1 ml/min x 100 g for both NA and 5-HT and furthermore, the relationships between PS for Cr-EDTA and PRU100 for NA respective 5-HT were almost identical. This was taken to indicate that capillary surface area for nutritional exchange is affected similarly by both drugs. However, the CFU-PRU100 relationship was shifted towards some 30--50% higher CFC values for 5-HT than for NA at almost every level of vasoconstriction. This might suggest that 5-HT besides reducing capillary surface area also induced moderate increases in capillary permeability though increases in number and/or radius of large pores (gaps) (cf. Rippe, Kamiya & Folkow 1978). Even during NA-induced vasoconstriction, when virtually no changes in capillary permeability occurred, PS for Cr-EDTA was reduced to a relatively greater extent than CFC, the discrepancy being most pronounced during marked vasoconstriction. The significance of this finding is discussed.