Measurement of Streaming Potentials of Mammalian Blood Vessels, Aorta and Vena Cava, in Vivo

Abstract

Attempts to measure streaming potentials in large rabbit blood vessels in vivo have been carried out. Streaming potentials, V(89), were measured by the introduction of microelectrodes through the wall of the blood vessel at separations greater than 1 cm. The outputs from these electrodes fed through calomel cells were amplified and recorded directly by using an Electronics for Medicine photorecorder (White Plains, N. Y.). "Effective streaming currents" were determined by running the output through a low impedence galvanometer while simultaneously measuring the resistance of the circuit V(8) were, therefore, calculated from two measurements and compared. Flow through vessels studied was measured using two different electromagnetic flowmeters. The results indicate that V(8) present in both aorta and vena cava are of the order of 5 to 10 mv. By using the Helmholtz-Smoluchowski equation into which flow was reintegrated, the numbers yield zeta potentials approximating 0.1 to 0.4 v in both aorta and vena cava. This number approaches the apparent upper limit for zeta (actually "interfacial potentials") potentials in biological systems. The measured "i.f." potential is considered as the interreaction of several physical and metabolic factors operating at the blood intimal interface. The polarity of the potential suggests that the interface is negative with respect to the blood flowing through the vessel. Interfacial potential and related V(8) are discussed in terms of their possible importance as a mechanism for maintaining vascular homeostasis in the living animal.

DC Electric Fields Induce Distinct Preangiogenic Responses in Microvascular and Macrovascular Cells

“…14 -Potentials range between 100 and 400 mV at the blood endothelial cell interface and arise from the flow of blood in large blood vessels. 27 Whether those endogenous EFs have any effect on angiogenesis in vivo is yet to be determined. Full maturation of new vessels into fully formed collateral circulation requires a vessel wall that contains SMCs and fibroblasts.…”

“…For example, -potentials arise from the flow of blood in large blood vessels and are 100 to 400 mV at the blood endothelial cell interface. 27 Injured and ischemic tissues also are polarized electrically, and this can produce a DC EF of Ϸ5.8 mV/mm across an 8-mm zone at the boundary with undamaged tissue. 11 New blood vessel formation is based on the capacity of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1s) to migrate, proliferate, elongate, and organize in 3 dimensions into tubules.…”

DC electric stimulation upregulates angiogenic factors in endothelial cells through activation of VEGF receptors

“…Endogenous EFs also are found in and around the vasculature. For example, ζ-potentials arise from blood flow in large blood vessels and are 100–400 mV at the blood endothelial cell interface [16]. Injured and ischemic tissues also are electrically polarized, and this can produce a DC EF of ~5.8 mV mm −1 across an 8-mm zone at the boundary with undamaged tissue [17].…”

Electrical stimulation inhibits neointimal hyperplasia after abdominal aorta balloon injury through the PTEN/p27Kip1 pathway

“…Researchers have discovered that there are several types of electric potential difference around the vascular endothelium and that these fields are critical in regulation of the generation and development of thrombosis [7]. Electric potential difference can be generated when the vascular endothelium is injured [7]. The electric current generated at the wound area and the surrounding epithelial area is a steady direct current (DC) [8].…”