Modulation of endothelium-dependent responses by chronic alterations of blood flow

To determine whether the blood flow and O₂ tension to which a blood vessel is chronically exposed could modulate endothelium-dependent responses, these parameters were altered in the dog either by causing partial occlusion of the femoral artery or by creating a fistula between the femoral artery and vein. Blood flow was reduced by 75% in the clamped artery; mean arterial pressure was unchanged. In the vessels proximal to the fistula, blood flow was elevated and O₂ tensions were similar in the vein and artery. After 6 wk the femoral arteries and veins were excised, and their endothelium-dependent responses were studied in vitro. The endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine, adenosine diphosphate, and α₂-adrenergic stimulation were augmented in fistula-operated compared with sham-operated arteries. The responses to these agents in the clamp-operated vessels were not different from those of the sham-operated ones. Relaxation to arachidonic acid in the arteries showed an inverse relationship to blood flow. In the veins proximal to the fistula, the endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine were augmented and an endothelium-dependent relaxation to α₂-adrenergic stimulation was present; only a contractile response was observed in veins from the sham-operated limb in response to the latter. These studies suggest a pattern of increased endothelium-dependent relaxation in vessels exposed to chronically elevated blood flow.