Shear stress‐induced angiogenesis in mouse muscle is independent of the vasodilator mechanism and quickly reversible

AIM: Is modulation of skeletal muscle capillary supply by altering blood flow due to a presumptive shear stress response per se, or dependent on the vasodilator mechanism? METHODS: The response to four different vasodilators, and cotreatment with blockers of NO and prostaglandin synthesis, was compared. Femoral artery blood flow was correlated with capillary‐to‐fibre ratio (C:F) and protein levels of putative angiogenic compounds. RESULTS: All vasodilators induced a similar increase in blood flow after 14 days, with a similar effect on C:F (1.62 ± 0.05, 1.60 ± 0.01, 1.57 ± 0.06, 1.57 ± 0.07, respectively, all P < 0.05 vs. control 1.20 ± 0.01). Concomitant inhibitors revealed differential effects on blood flow and angiogenesis, demonstrating that a similar response may have different signalling origins. The time course of this response with the most commonly used vasodilator, prazosin, showed that blood flow increased from 0.40 mL min(−1) to 0.61 mL min(−1) by 28 days (P < 0.05), dropped within 1 week after the cessation of treatment (0.54 mL min(−1); P < 0.05) and returned to control levels by 6 weeks. In parallel with FBF, capillary rarefaction began within 1 week (P < 0.05), giving C:F values similar to control by 2 weeks. Of the dominant signalling pathways, prazosin decreased muscle VEGF, but increased its cognate receptor Flk‐1 (both P < 0.01); levels of eNOS varied with blood flow (P < 0.05), and Ang‐1 initially increased, while its receptor Tie‐2 was unchanged, with only modest changes in the antiangiogenic factor TSP‐1. CONCLUSION: Hyperaemia‐induced angiogenesis, likely in response to elevated shear stress, is independent of the vasodilator involved, with a rapid induction and quick regression following the stimulus withdrawal.