Browsing by Author "Flood, Mary H."

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Capillary Tone: Cyclooxygenase, Shear Stress, Luminal Glycocalyx, and Hydraulic Conductivity (Lp)
(2015-04) Williams, Donna A.; Flood, Mary H.
Control of capillary hydraulic conductivity (Lp) is the physiological mechanism that underpins systemic hydration. Capillaries form the largest surface of endothelial cells in any species with a cardiovascular system and all capillaries are exposed to the flow‐induced force, shear stress (τ). Vasoactive molecules such as prostacyclin (cyclooxygenase product, COX) are released from endothelial cells in response to τ. Little is known about how COX activity impacts capillary Lp. The purpose here was to assess Lp in situ following an acute Δτ stimulus and during COX1/COX2 inhibition. Mesenteric true capillaries (TC) of Rana pipiens (pithed) were cannulated for Lp assessment using the modified Landis technique. Rana were randomized into Control and Test groups. Two capillaries per animal were used (perfusate, 10 mg·mL−1 BSA/frog Ringer's; superfusate, frog Ringer's or indomethacin (10−5 mol·L−1) mixed in frog Ringer's solution). Three distinct responses of Lp to indomethacin (TC2) were demonstrated (TC1 and TC2 medians: Test Subgroup 1, 3.0 vs. 1.8; Test Subgroup 2, 18.2 vs. 2.2; Test Subgroup 3, 4.2 vs. 10.2 × 10−7 cm·sec−1·cm H2O−1). Multiple regression analysis revealed a relationship between capillary Lp and systemic red blood cell concentration or hematocrit, plasma protein concentration, and Δτ (Test Subgroup 1, R2 = 0.59, P < 0.0001; Test Subgroup 2, R2 = 0.96, P = 0.002), but only during COX inhibition. Maintaining red blood cell and plasma protein levels within a normal range may control barrier function in a healthy state. Recovering barrier function may be an unrecognized benefit of transfusions during blood loss or edema formation.
Hematoloechus sp. attachment shifts endothelium in vivo from pro- to anti-inflammatory profile in Rana pipiens: evidence from systemic and capillary physiology
(American Physiological Society, 2023-08) Williams, Donna A.; Flood, Mary H.
This prospective, descriptive study focused on lung flukes (Hematoloechus sp., H) and their impact on systemic and individual capillary variables measured in pithed Rana pipiens, a long-standing model for studies of capillary physiology. Three groups were identified based on Hematoloechus attachment: no Hematoloechus (No H), Hematoloechus not attached (H Not Att), and Hematoloechus attached (H Att). Among 38 descriptive, cardiovascular, and immunological variables, 18 changed significantly with H. Symptoms of H included weight loss, elevated immune cells, heart rate variability, faster coagulation, lower hematocrit, and fluid accumulation. Important capillary function discoveries included median baselines for hydraulic conductivity (Lp) of 7.0 (No H), 12.4 (H Not Att), and 4.2 (H Att) × 10−7 cm·s−1·cmH2O−1 (P < 0.0001) plus seasonal adaptation of sigma delta pi [σ(πc–πi), P = 0.03]. Pro- and anti-inflammatory phases were revealed for Lp and plasma nitrite/nitrate concentration ([NOx]) in both H Not Att and H Att, whereas capillary wall tensile strength increased in the H Att. H attachment was advantageous for the host due to lower edema and for the parasite via a sustained food source illustrating an excellent example of natural symbiosis. However, H attachment also resulted in host weight loss: in time, a conundrum for the highly dependent parasite. The study increases overall knowledge of Rana pipiens by revealing intriguing effects of H and previously unknown, naturally occurring seasonal changes in many variables. The data improve Rana pipiens as a general scientific and capillary physiology model. Diseases of inflammation and stroke are among the clinical applications.