Frusemide inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstriction in the rat in situ blood perfused mesentery.

Mesenteric perfusion pressure was measured in the in situ blood-perfused mesentery of anaesthetized rats. Increases in perfusion pressure were produced by mesenteric periarterial electrical stimulation at 3, 6 and 10 Hz before and after the administration of frusemide 5 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.) or vehicle. Loss of volume due to diuresis was prevented by replacement with intravenous saline. Frusemide did not cause any changes in blood pressure or baseline perfusion pressure. Responses to electrical stimulation were inhibited by frusemide (P less than 0.05) but unchanged by vehicle administration. Acute bilateral nephrectomy or treatment with indomethacin (2 mg/kg i.v.) prevented the inhibitory effect of frusemide on responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation. Responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation were potentiated by an infusion of angiotensin II (12 ng/min) into the mesenteric artery. This infusion did not alter either blood pressure or baseline perfusion pressure. Administration of frusemide 5 mg/kg i.v. attenuated the potentiating effect of angiotensin II on vasoconstrictor responses to electrical nerve stimulation. Frusemide may lead to the release of a prostanoid or prostanoid precursor which inhibits vascular constrictor responses.