J Physiol Wellcome Trust-funded researchers
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

Physiology in Press

First published online on June 4, 2004.
 Copyright © 2004 by The Physiological Society
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (Rapid PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
558/2/697    most recent
jphysiol.2004.065714v1
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Thompson, C. S.
Right arrow Articles by Kenney, W. L.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Thompson, C. S.
Right arrow Articles by Kenney, W. L.

Received April 2, 2004
Revised May 4, 2004
Accepted after revision May 28, 2004

Altered Neurotransmitter Control of Reflex Vasoconstriction in Aged Human Skin

Caitlin S. Thompson1 and W. Larry Kenney2*

1 Penn State University
2 Noll Physiological Research Center

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: w7k{at}psu.edu.

Cutaneous vasoconstriction (VC) in response to cooling is attenuated in older humans; however, mechanisms underlying this functional decline remain unclear. The present study tested the hypothesis that the contributions of noradrenaline (NA) and sympathetic cotransmitters to reflex-mediated cutaneous VC are altered with age. In eleven young (18-26 yr) and 11 older (61-77 yr) men and women, forearm skin blood flow was monitored at three sites using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) while mean skin temperature was lowered from 34°C to 30.5°C using a water-perfused suit. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC; LDF/mean arterial pressure) was expressed as percent change from baseline (% {Delta}CVCbase). Solutions of yohimbine + propranolol (Y+P), bretylium tosylate (BT), and lactated Ringer's were infused via intradermal microdialysis at each LDF site to antagonise {alpha}- and {beta}-adrenoceptors, block sympathetic release of NA and cotransmitters, and act as control, respectively. During cooling, VC was attenuated at the control site in older subjects compared to young subjects (-16±3 vs. -34±4% {Delta}CVCbase, P<0.001). Y+P attenuated VC in young subjects (-13±8% {Delta}CVCbase, P<0.001 vs. control) and abolished VC in older subjects (0±3% {Delta}CVCbase, P>0.9 vs. baseline). BT completely blocked VC in both age groups. Cutaneous VC in young subjects is mediated by both NA and sympathetic cotransmitter(s); however, reflex VC in aged skin is attenuated compared to young and appears to be mediated solely by NA.


Key words: Ageing • Blood flow • Thermoregulation




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
C. S. Thompson-Torgerson, L. A. Holowatz, N. A. Flavahan, and W. Larry Kenney
Rho kinase-mediated local cold-induced cutaneous vasoconstriction is augmented in aged human skin
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, July 1, 2007; 293(1): H30 - H36.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Physiol. Rev.Home page
G. Burnstock
Physiology and Pathophysiology of Purinergic Neurotransmission
Physiol Rev, April 1, 2007; 87(2): 659 - 797.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
C. S. Thompson-Torgerson, L. A. Holowatz, N. A. Flavahan, and W. L. Kenney
Cold-induced cutaneous vasoconstriction is mediated by Rho kinase in vivo in human skin
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, April 1, 2007; 292(4): H1700 - H1705.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.Home page
D. W. DeGroot and W. L. Kenney
Impaired defense of core temperature in aged humans during mild cold stress
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, January 1, 2007; 292(1): R103 - R108.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Exp PhysiolHome page
H. A. Kluess, J. B. Buckwalter, J. J. Hamann, D. S. DeLorey, and P. S. Clifford
Frequency and pattern dependence of adrenergic and purinergic vasoconstriction in rat skeletal muscle arteries
Exp Physiol, November 1, 2006; 91(6): 1051 - 1058.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.Home page
B. G. Helwig, S. Parimi, C. K. Ganta, R. Cober, R. J. Fels, and M. J. Kenney
Aging alters regulation of visceral sympathetic nerve responses to acute hypothermia
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, September 1, 2006; 291(3): R573 - R579.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
D. L. Kellogg Jr
In vivo mechanisms of cutaneous vasodilation and vasoconstriction in humans during thermoregulatory challenges
J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2006; 100(5): 1709 - 1718.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.Home page
C. S. Thompson, L. A. Holowatz, and W. L. Kenney
Cutaneous vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine are attenuated in older humans
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, May 1, 2005; 288(5): R1108 - R1113.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Physiol.Home page
C. S Thompson, L. A Holowatz, and W. L. Kenney
Attenuated noradrenergic sensitivity during local cooling in aged human skin
J. Physiol., April 1, 2005; 564(1): 313 - 319.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.Home page
T. E. Wilson, K. D. Monahan, D. S. Short, and C. A. Ray
Effect of age on cutaneous vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine in humans
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, November 1, 2004; 287(5): R1230 - R1234.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH
Copyright © 2004 The Physiological Society.