Key result
Lowering sodium and raising potassium increase rabbit aortic norepinephrine sensitivity, while varying pH does not.
Why the study?
The sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle to norepinephrine under varying extracellular pH and electrolyte conditions was not well characterized.
Population
Isolated rabbit aorta strips
Comparison
Varying extracellular pH (6.80 to 7.70) and sodium and potassium concentrations
Design
Preclinical experimental study
Authors
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Does not alter clinical management of acid-base or electrolyte balance with vasopressors; extends isolated tissue physiology while leaving in vivo relevance open.
Isolated rabbit aorta strips show remarkable stability in their contractile response to norepinephrine despite wide variations in extracellular pH and electrolytes.
Williamson et al. (1960) studied this question. Varying pH and electrolyte content vs. Baseline/normal pH and electrolyte concentrations was evaluated on Sensitivity/contraction of smooth muscle to norepinephrine. Varying pH from 7.14 to 7.56 did not alter rabbit aorta sensitivity to 10 µg/l norepinephrine, while lowering sodium and raising potassium increased sensitivity.
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