Figure 3.
Vaosconstriction of small arterioles after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was reversible. The microcirculation on the brain surface of rats after craniotomy was examined 24 hours after experimental SAH, as detailed in Materials and Methods. (A,D) Marked vasoconstriction was observed in arteriole 24 hours after SAH. (B) The vasoconstrictive effect was alleviated by normal saline irrigation initially, but rebound vasoconstriction noted 5 min after irrigation (C). (E) The vasoconstrictive effect was reversible by application of nitroglycerin (NTG). (F) Quantitatively, the diameters of the sa and ta were smaller in the SAH group than in the control group. The size of the primary arterioles (pa) was similar in both groups. The vasoconstrictive effect could be alleviated by normal saline irrigation or NTG application. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.