Effects of prolonged cold storage on the responsiveness of isolated and perfused canine intermediate auricular artery.

Using the cannula inserting method, we investigated the effects of prolonged cold storage (5-7 days, at 4 degrees C) on vasoconstrictor responses of the isolated and perfused canine intermediate auricular artery to norepinephrine, tyramine, serotonin, histamine, prostaglandin F 2 alpha and potassium chloride. The vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine and potassium chloride were slightly enhanced by prolonged cold storage but not significantly, and those to serotonin and prostaglandin F 2 alpha were not influenced at all. On the other hand, the dose-response curve for tyramine shifted to the right in a parallel manner, and histamine-induced vasoconstriction was markedly potentiated by prolonged cold storage in a maximal increase in perfusion pressure. From these results, it is concluded that prolonged cold storage on the isolated canine intermediate auricular artery may not cause complete denervation of adrenergic nerve fibers and responsiveness to vasoactive substances except histamine remains almost the same in non-stored vessels.