Control of blood pressure and hindlimb conductance during hemorrhage in conscious renal hypertensive rabbits

Abstract

We examined the response to hemorrhage in conscious normotensive and hypertensive rabbits under control conditions and during efferent blockade of 1) the hormones vasopressin (AVP) and angiotensin II (ANG II), 2) the autonomic nervous system, and 3) autonomic and hormonal inputs. We recorded mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and hindlimb conductance. The response to hemorrhage was unchanged with hormonal blockade alone. Blockade of the autonomic nervous system caused a faster rate of blood pressure decline, but the rate of decrease in hindlimb conductance was maintained at control levels. Blocking the autonomic nervous system and the hormones resulted in rapid blood pressure decline and an increase in hindlimb conductance. Although the three types of efferent blockade had a similar pattern of effects in normotensive and hypertensive rabbits, hypertensive rabbits exhibited less cardiovascular support during hemorrhage than normotensive rabbits. During hemorrhage, hypertensive rabbits had an attenuation of hindlimb vasoconstriction, a reduction in the heart rate-mean arterial pressure relationship, and reduced ability to maintain blood pressure compared with normotensive rabbits.