Vascular neuroeffector mechanisms in hypertension

Recent studies of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system indicate the presence of other vasoactive transmitters in addition to noradrenaline. There is now evidence suggesting ATP to be a co-transmitter of noradrenaline mediating the excitatory junction potential and the phentolamine-resistant component of the vasopressor response. In hypertension, changes in the neural regulation at both pre- and post-synaptic levels have been observed. In the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), abnormal feedback regulation through presynaptic adrenoceptors and increases in release and uptake by the perivascular nerves are well characterized. Whether similar changes in the ATP release mechanism occur in the SHR and other forms of hypertension remain to be determined. A more important role for ATP in the neural regulation of the SHR tail artery has been proposed. In future studies, the possible contribution of co-transmitters to the responses should be taken into consideration.Key words: hypertension, noradrenaline, ATP, sympathetic nervous system.