Abstract
We sought to investigate the effect of the α1-adrenergic receptor blockade during handgrip exercise (Grip), isolated metaboreflex activation (Metabo), and cold pressor test (CPT) on coronary circulation in young (YW) and postmenopausal women (PMW). Ten YW and 9 PMW underwent two protocols: (1) 3 min of baseline followed by 3 min of CPT and (2) 3 min of rest, 3 min of Grip followed by 3 min of Metabo. Protocols were carried out under control conditions and α1-adrenergic receptor blockade (oral prazosin 0.03 mg·kg−1). Coronary blood velocity (CBV) and vascular conductance (CCI) were lower in PMW. Grip increased CBV only in YW (YW: Δ18.0 ± 21.1% vs. PMW: Δ4.2 ± 10.1%; p < 0.05), and the blockade did not change the CBV response to Grip in YW and PMW. During the Metabo, CBV returned to resting levels in YW and was unchanged from rest in PMW, before (YW:Δ1.7 ± 8.7% vs. PMW: Δ− 1.5 ± 8.6) and under the blockade (YW: Δ4.5 ± 14.8% vs. PMW: Δ9.1 ± 29.5%). CPT did not change CBV in both groups (YW: Δ3.9 ± 8.0 vs. PMW: Δ− 4.1 ± 6.2%), following the α1-blockade, CPT increased CBV only in YW (YW: Δ11.2 ± 12.8% vs. PMW: Δ2.2 ± 7.1%; p < 0.05 for group and condition). CCI decreased during Grip, Metabo, and CPT in YW and PMW, while the blockade prevented that decrease only in YW. The α1-adrenergic receptor plays a role in the control of coronary circulation in young women, evoking stronger vasoconstriction during CPT than Grip and Metabo in YW. PMW have impaired vasomotor control in the coronary circulation, which seems not to be caused by the α1-adrenergic receptor.
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Acknowledgements
The authors appreciate the time and effort of all women that volunteered to participate in this study. Professor Edmundo Drummond Alves Jr. facilitated contact with the participants from the PrevQuedas program. We also would like to thank all funding agencies, CAPES, CNPq, FAPERJ, and FINEP, for their financial support.
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EP and ACLN contributed to the study's conception and design. Data analysis was performed by MLG. Material preparation and data collection were performed by EPC, MLG, HRM, and PAM. The first draft of the manuscript was written by EP and MLG. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript, and read and approved the final version of this manuscript.
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Communicated by Ellen A Dawson.
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Gondim, M.L., Rocha, H.N.M., Mira, P.A.C. et al. Effects of alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade on coronary circulation in postmenopausal women. Eur J Appl Physiol 123, 2779–2790 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05267-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05267-4