ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT VASODILATION OF PROXIMAL CORONARY-ARTERIES FROM EXERCISE-TRAINED PIGS

We recently reported that alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction is blunted and adenosine-induced vasodilation is enhanced in proximal coronary arteries of exercise-trained miniature swine [C. L. Oltman, J. L. Parker, H. R. Adams, and M. H. Laughlin. Am. J. Physiol. 263 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 32): H372-H382, 1992]. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether this model of exercise training also alters endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses of proximal coronary arteries. Female Yucatan miniature swine were exercise trained (ET) on a motor-driven treadmill or were cage confined (Sed) for 13-20 wk. Exercise tolerance, heart weight-to-body weight ratios, and skeletal muscle oxidative capacity were all significantly greater in ET than in Sed animals. Vasodilator responses were evaluated in vitro by determining concentration-response curves by using vascular rings (3.5-4 mm in axial length) isolated from right and left coronary arteries. Vasorelaxation responses were determined, after tone had been produced with either 30 mu M prostaglandin F-2 alpha, 30 mM KCl, or 30 nM endothelin. Concentration-response curves were obtained to endothelium-dependent vasodilators including bradykinin (10(-9)-10(-6) M), substance P (10(-12)-10(-6) M), clonidine (10(-9)-10(-6) M), serotonin (10(-10)-10(-5) M), and the Ca2+ ionophore A-23187 (10(-10)-10(-6) M). Endothelium-independent vasodilator responses to sodium nitroprusside (10(-9)-10(-4) M) were not different between arteries from Sed and ET. Bradykinin, substance P, and A-23187 were potent vasodilators in arteries from both groups, whereas serotonin and clonidine did not consistently produce vasodilation. There were no significant differences between the vasodilator responses of arteries from ET and Sed pigs for any agent used in this study. We conclude that endothelium-dependent vasodilation of proximal coronary arteries is not altered in exercise-trained miniature swine.