The Influence of Lysine-8-vasopressin, Oxytocin, and Adrenaline on Vascular Smooth Muscle in the Human Finger
Lysine-8-vasopressin, oxytocin, or adrenaline was administered by intravenous infusion to young women, and their effect on the critical opening pressure (COP) of digital vessels, vascular resistance in the finger, and systemic blood pressure was measured. All doses of lysine-8-vasopressin between 0.001 and 0.08 U/min increased the COP of digital vessels but only the largest dose raised blood pressure slightly. A dose of 0.04 U/min had little if any effect on overall vascular resistance in the finger. Nevertheless the smallest dose given (0.001 U/min), which is within the physiological range of secretion rate by the pituitary gland, increased the COP of digital vessels substantially. Oxytocin at doses of 5–160 mU/min had no apparent effect on COP or vascular resistance of digital vessels or on blood pressure. Adrenaline at 4 μg/min increased the COP of digital vessels substantially. The latter observation is consistent with the absence of β receptors in vessels of the skin of the fingers.