Fig. 4.

Impact of vasoactive agents on mesenteric blood flow in LPS-treated mice. A–C: effect of systemic norepinephrine (NE) in first-order (A), second-order (B), and third-order (C) branches of the mesenteric vascular tree. Following a 5-min baseline recording, saline (100 μl) was administered systemically, via an intravenous catheter in the left jugular vein, followed by a bolus injection of NE (30 μg/kg in 100 μl saline) 5 min later. Values are means ± SE; n = 5. D and E: effect of topical vasodilator sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 10 μM in saline) on mesenteric blood flow in first-, second-, and third-order vessels. D: flux recorded over 5-min baseline and following topical administration of SNP (2 pumps of aerosolized spray). E: AUC (×10³ flux units/time) for each mouse over 5-min baseline recording and 5-min response to SNP. Measurements for each animal are denoted by individual symbols (n = 12), and comparisons of baseline AUC with AUC post-SNP were assessed by Student's unpaired two-tailed t-test.