Exercise-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction during combined blockade of nitric oxide synthase and beta adrenergic receptors.

We studied the effects of inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) (endothelium-derived relaxation factor) synthase in combination with alpha and beta adrenergic receptor blockade on pulmonary vascular tone during exercise. In paired studies, we exercised sheep on a treadmill at a speed of 4 mph, and measured blood flow and pressures across the pulmonary circulation with and without inhibition of NO synthase (N omega-nitro-L-arginine 20 mg/kg intravenous [i.v.]), alpha receptor blockade (phentolamine 5 mg i.v.), beta receptor blockade (propranolol 1 mg i.v.), and combined alpha and beta receptor blockade. Activation of both types of adrenergic receptors occurs with exercise, and because increased release in NO is hypothesized to occur during exercise, these studies were designed to determine the magnitude of effect and interactions of these competing dilator and constrictor influences. We found that inhibition of NO synthase raised pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) at rest and that, although a reduction in PVR occurred with exercise from this new baseline, vasoconstriction persisted. Combined beta blockade and NO synthase inhibition unmasked unopposed alpha vasoconstriction; PVR rose at rest and continued to rise with exercise; and mean pulmonary arterial pressures approached very high levels, 43.8 +/- 4.4 cmH2O. Using a distal wedged pulmonary artery catheter technique, most of the vasoconstriction was found to be in vessels upstream from small pulmonary veins. During exercise in sheep there appears to be a high degree of alpha and beta adrenergic-mediated tone in the pulmonary circulation. Endogenous production of NO actively dilates pulmonary vessels at rest and opposes potent alpha-mediated pulmonary vasoconstriction during exercise.

Adrenergic modulation of the pulmonary circulation during strenuous exercise in sheep.

In paired experiments, we exercised sheep at a constant rate of 4 mph on a treadmill and measured the hemodynamic effects of alpha receptor blockade (phentolamine 5 mg intravenously), beta receptor blockade (propranolol 1 mg intravenously), and combined alpha and beta receptor blockade. Beta blockade increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) at rest and during steady-state exercise compared with control runs. PVR decreased slightly at rest with alpha blockade, but it was not different during exercise from that of control runs. Combined alpha and beta blockade restored PVR to that of control runs, showing that the vasoconstrictor effect of beta blockade was due to unopposed alpha receptor activation. In all sheep an early rapid decrease in PVR within the first 20 s of the onset of exercise was followed by a smaller, slower change over the next 40 to 240 s. The early decrease in PVR was unaffected by either alpha or beta receptor blockade, suggesting that it was due to recruitment of nonmuscular microvessels. We conclude that alpha and beta receptor activation occurs during exercise but that the net vasoactive effect is neutral. The changes in PVR during normal exercise are a combination of rapid recruitment of microvessels followed by slower vasodilation of resistance vessels.

Failure of copper or vitamin D supplements to affect the dental condition of young sheep on two Wairarapa farms.

Regular injections of copper or vitamin D had no overall effect on growth rate, fleece weight, or the amount of wear of the central incisor teeth of sheep on two Wairarapa farms over 26 months. The greatest amount of tooth wear occurred during the period when soil ingestion (measured by acid-insoluble residue, titanium or aluminium in the faeces) was also greatest. Various indicators of copper, calcium or nutritional status were measured in the blood of control sheep and those receiving vitamin D or copper. At no sampling time was there a significant difference for any of these between groups on either farm. Pasture samples were analysed regularly for calcium, cobalt, copper, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, sulphur, zinc and percentage ash. At most times values were, on the basis of existing criteria, considered normal. Although the pasture calcium/phosphorus ratio fell below one on several occasions this did not result in a change in plasma calcium or phosphorus levels. On the basis of criteria established for pen-fed sheep, dietary available copper levels on both farms were considered low for much of the time. However, liver and blood copper values were adequate at alI times.

Mycobacterium asiaticum as a potential pulmonary pathogen for humans. A clinical and bacteriologic review of five cases.

Mycobacterium asiaticum was isolated from pulmonary material from 5 persons residing in Queensland, Australia. All patients had repeated positive specimens, but the organism was considered responsible for pulmonary mycobacteriosis in only 2 of them. This is the first report of disease caused by M. asiaticum. Clinical, bacteriologic, and epidemiologic details are presented.

Mycobacterium haemophilum causing lymphadenitis in an otherwise healthy child.

Suppurating submandibular lymphadenitis in an otherwise healthy infant was caused by Mycobacterium haemophilum, A fastidious organism which requires media supplemented with ferric ammonium citrate or haemoglobin for its growth. It is recommended that material from superficial lesions and lymph nodes collected for mycobacteriological investigations be cultured on media known to support growth of M. haemophilum.