Mucosal Hemodynamics in the Small Intestine of the Cat during Regional Sympathetic Vasoconstrictor Activation

S vanvik , J. Mucosal hemodynamics in the small intestine of the cat during regional.sympathetic vasoconstrictor activation. Acta physiol. scand. 1973. 89. 19–29. The hemodynamics of the small intestinal mucosa of the cat was studied during electrical stimulation of the regional sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerves. The indicator‐dilution technique used allowed for a quantitative and separate investigation of the “mucosal” as well as of the “villous” intravascular flows and volumes. After an initial, marked “mucosal” vasoconstriction, the “villous” intravascular plasma flow increased above control during prolonged sympathetic nervous activation in the face of a reduced intestinal venous outflow. Concomitantly blood flow of the entire mucosal layer stabilized at about control. Upon cessation of the nerve stimulation total venous outflow as well as “mucosal” blood flow showed an hyperemic response while “villous” plasma flow remained unchanged. The results thus suggest that blood flow in the intestinal villi is increased while flow in a more deeply situated region of the mucosa is decreased during regional sympathetic vasoconstrictor activation.