Muscle sympathetic activity and plasma concentrations of noradrenaline. 1984

B G Wallin

Microelectrode recordings of sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity in muscle nerve fascicles in man indicate that the outflow of sympathetic impulses is modulated by arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreceptors. Variations in the strength of the activity correlate closely to variations of diastolic blood pressure but there is no significant correlation between mean levels of sympathetic activity and blood pressure. In a given individual the level of activity is reproducible over many months but there are large interindividual differences. In the recumbent posture there is a linear correlation between the level of activity at rest and the plasma concentration of noradrenaline in forearm venous blood, both in normotensive subjects and in patients with essential hypertension. Preliminary data indicate that an isometric hand grip at 30% of maximal power induces approximately parallel changes of muscle sympathetic activity and plasma concentrations of noradrenaline. It is suggested that sympathetic outflow to muscles is an important determinant of the level of circulating plasma noradrenaline.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009132 Muscles Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals. Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D009638 Norepinephrine Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the ADRENAL MEDULLA and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and of the diffuse projection system in the brain that arises from the LOCUS CERULEUS. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic. Levarterenol,Levonorepinephrine,Noradrenaline,Arterenol,Levonor,Levophed,Levophed Bitartrate,Noradrenaline Bitartrate,Noradrénaline tartrate renaudin,Norepinephrin d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine Bitartrate,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:2),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+,-)-Isomer
D011311 Pressoreceptors Receptors in the vascular system, particularly the aorta and carotid sinus, which are sensitive to stretch of the vessel walls. Baroreceptors,Receptors, Stretch, Arterial,Receptors, Stretch, Vascular,Stretch Receptors, Arterial,Stretch Receptors, Vascular,Arterial Stretch Receptor,Arterial Stretch Receptors,Baroreceptor,Pressoreceptor,Receptor, Arterial Stretch,Receptor, Vascular Stretch,Receptors, Arterial Stretch,Receptors, Vascular Stretch,Stretch Receptor, Arterial,Stretch Receptor, Vascular,Vascular Stretch Receptor,Vascular Stretch Receptors
D001794 Blood Pressure PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS. Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000200 Action Potentials Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli. Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
D012867 Skin The outer covering of the body that protects it from the environment. It is composed of the DERMIS and the EPIDERMIS.
D013564 Sympathetic Nervous System The thoracolumbar division of the autonomic nervous system. Sympathetic preganglionic fibers originate in neurons of the intermediolateral column of the spinal cord and project to the paravertebral and prevertebral ganglia, which in turn project to target organs. The sympathetic nervous system mediates the body's response to stressful situations, i.e., the fight or flight reactions. It often acts reciprocally to the parasympathetic system. Nervous System, Sympathetic,Nervous Systems, Sympathetic,Sympathetic Nervous Systems,System, Sympathetic Nervous,Systems, Sympathetic Nervous

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