Release of endogenous NE from the mesenteric vasculature of WKY and SHR in response to PNS.

The release of endogenous norepinephrine (NE) from the mesenteric vasculature of the isolated mesentery of Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was determined in response to periarterial nerve stimulation (PNS). PNS caused a frequency-dependent release of NE that did not differ in WKY and SHR preparations at 4 to 10 Hz but was significantly greater from SHR preparations at 12 and 14 Hz. When expressed as NE release/stimulus, release was significantly greater from SHR preparations only at 14 Hz. Mesenteric vascular perfusion-pressure responses to PNS were significantly greater in SHR than in WKY preparations at 6 to 14 Hz. Mesenteric vascular perfusion-pressure responses to exogenous NE were significantly greater in SHR than in WKY preparations at all doses tested. Treatment of mesenteric vascular preparations from WKY and SHR with cocaine at two concentrations plus corticosterone to inhibit neuronal and extraneuronal NE uptake, respectively, increased PNS-induced overflow of NE significantly. There was no difference in the NE release/stimulus in response to PNS between WKY and SHR preparations after either concentration of cocaine. The enhanced PNS responses in SHR at higher frequencies appear to be due in part to decreased NE uptake.