Characterization of endothelium-dependent and -independent processes in occipital artery of the rat: relevance to control of blood flow to nodose sensory cells.

Circulating factors access cell bodies of vagal afferents in nodose ganglia (NG) via the occipital artery (OA). Constrictor responses of OA segments closer in origin from the external carotid artery (ECA) differ from segments closer to NG. Our objective was to determine the role of endothelium in this differential vasoreactivity in rat OA segments. Vasoreactivity of OA segments (proximal segments closer to ECA, distal segments closer to NG) was examined in wire myographs. We evaluated 1) vasoconstrictor effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in intact and endothelium-denuded OA segments in absence/presence of soluble guanylate cyclase (SGC) inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), 2) vasodilator responses elicited by the endothelium dependent vasodilator, acetylcholine (ACh), in intact or endothelium-denuded OA segments in absence/presence of ODQ, and 3) vasodilator responses elicited by NO-donor MAHMA NONOate, in intact OA segments in absence/presence of ODQ. Intact distal OA responded more to 5-HT than intact proximal OA. Endothelium denudation increased 5-HT potency in both OA segments, especially proximal OA. ODQ increased maximal responses of 5-HT in both segments, particularly proximal OA. ACh similarly relaxed both OA segments, effects abolished by endothelial denudation and attenuated by ODQ. MAHMA NONOate elicited transient vasodilation in both segments. Effects of ODQ against ACh were segment dependent whereas those against MAHMA NONOate were not. The endothelium regulates OA responsiveness in a segment-dependent fashion. Endothelial cells at the OA-ECA junction more strongly influence vascular tone than those closer to NG. Differential endothelial regulation of OA tone may play a role in controlling blood flow and access of circulating factors to NG.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates that the endothelium-dependent regulation of smooth muscle tone of occipital arteries is segment-dependent. Endothelial cells at the occipital artery-external carotid artery junction (entryway of blood flow to the nodose ganglia) more strongly influence vascular tone than those closer to the nodose ganglia. This differential endothelial regulation of occipital artery tone may control blood flow and access of circulating factors to the nodose ganglia.