Cooling augments vasoconstriction mediated by 5-HT1 and α2-adrenoceptors in the isolated equine digital vein: involvement of Rho kinase

Abstract

The vasculature of the equine digit fulfils an important role in thermoregulation. In other species, it has been found that cooling may enhance the response of cutaneous vessels to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and α2-adrenoceptor agonists. Translocation of α2-adrenoceptors to the smooth muscle cell membrane, mediated by Rho kinase, is thought to be involved in the cooling-enhanced response in mouse tail arteries. However, little is known about the effect of cooling on 5-HT receptor function. The present investigation compared the response of 5-bromo-6-(2-imidazolin-2-ylamino) quinoxaline (UK14304:1 nM to 30 μM), methoxamine (0.1 nM to 30 μM; in the presence of yohimbine 0.1 μM), 5-carboxamidot..