Preferential Acetazolamide-Induced Vasodilation Based on Vessel Size and Organ: Confirmation of Peripheral Vasodilation with Use of Colored Microspheres

When carbonic anhydrase activity decreases, the regional blood flow (rBF) in organs increases as hypercapnia develops. However, the effects of acetazolamide (AZ)-induced vasodilation have not been estimated with respect to vessel size and organs. The aim of this study was to determine the diameter of the capillaries in various organs that respond to inhibition of carbonic anhydrase activity by AZ. White rabbits were anesthetized with urethane and ketamine and infused with AZ. While the systolic blood pressure (SBP), pH, hemoglobin concen tration, and base excess did not change, the partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) increased significantly and the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) decreased significantly with AZ. The rBF was calculated by using 3 different sizes (15, 25, and 50 μm) of colored microspheres (CM). The rBF measured with 15μm CM in the brain, kidneys, and liver increased in response to AZ, and the rBF in these organs was different with the different sizes of CM. Howev...