Effect of two-week tail suspension on forelimb and hindlimb [correction of hindlimd] small arteries in rats.

This study was aimed at comparing the effect of 2-week tail suspension on the characteristics of median artery and saphenous artery isolated from forelimb and hindlimb, accordingly. The segments of arteries were mounted in two-channel myograph for recording their isometric wall tension. In post-suspension rats segments of saphenous artery showed augmented sensitivity to noradrenaline and serotonin. More than two-fold decreased of EC50 was observed both before and after endothelium removal. Along with that, the sensitivity of median artery segments to vasoconstrictors was similar in post-suspension and control rats. However, the diameter of relaxed median artery in post-suspension rats was increased. Relaxation to acetylcholine compared to controls was augmented in both vascular regions of post-suspension rats being more pronounced in saphenous artery preparations.