Mechanism of ATP-induced local and conducted vasomotor responses in isolated rat cerebral penetrating arterioles

Background: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a potent vascular regulator in the cerebral circulation, initiates conducted vasomotor responses which may be impaired after pathological insults. We analyzed the mechanism of ATP-induced local vasomotor responses and their effect on conducted vasomotor responses in rat cerebral penetrating arterioles. Methods: Arterioles were cannulated and their internal diameter monitored. Vasomotor responses to ATP were observed in the presence or absence of inhibitors, or after endothelial impairment. Smooth muscle membrane potentials were measured in some vessels. Results: Microapplication of ATP produced a biphasic response (constriction followed by dilation), which resulted in conducted dilation preceded by a membrane hyperpolarization. α,β-methylene-ATP or pyridoxal phosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulfonic acid (PPADS) blunted the ATP-mediated constriction and enhanced local and conducted dilation. N ^ω-monomethyl-L-arginine, endothelial impairment and N-methylsulfonyl-6-(2-propargyloxyphenyl) hexanamide (MS-PPOH) reduced the local dilation caused by ATP. The conducted dilation was attenuated by MS-PPOH and endothelial impairment, but not N^ω-monomethyl-L-arginine or indomethacin. Conclusion: ATP-induced conducted dilation is preceded by membrane hyperpolarization. Local ATP induces initial local constriction via smooth-muscle P_2X1 and subsequent dilation via endothelial P _2Y receptors. Nitric oxide, cytochrome P450 metabolites, and intermediate and large conductance K_Ca channels mediate dilation caused by ATP. ATP-induced conducted dilation is dependent upon both the endothelium and cytochrome P450 metabolites.