Why does epinephrine cause vasodilation in the blood vessels of cardiac muscle but vasoconstriction in skin?

Question

Why is this benefical?

Answer 1

A hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla that is released into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress, as from fear or injury. It initiates many bodily responses, including the stimulation of heart action and an increase in blood pressure, metabolic rate, and blood glucose concentration. Also called adrenaline.
A white to brownish crystalline compound, C9H13NO3, isActions in the body
Epinephrine is a "fight or flight" hormone which is released from the adrenal glands whenever danger threatens. When secreted it floods out the endocrine gland into the bloodstream to instantly prepare the body for action in emergency situations. The hormone boosts the supply of oxygen and energy-giving glucose to the muscles making the individual more mentally alert and physically strong; only vital bodily processes occur.

Epinephrine plays a central role in the short-term stress reaction—the physiological response to threatening, exciting, or environmental stressor conditions such as high noise levels or bright light (see Fight-or-flight response). It is secreted by the adrenal medulla. When released into the bloodstream, epinephrine binds to multiple receptors and has numerous effects throughout the body. It increases heart rate and stroke volume, dilates the pupils, and constricts arterioles in the skin and gut while dilating arterioles in leg muscles. It elevates the blood sugar level by increasing catalysis of glycogen to glucose in the liver, and at the same time begins the breakdown of lipids in fat cells. Like some other stress hormones, epinephrine has a suppressive effect on the immune system.

Epinephrine is used as a drug to increase peripheral resistance via alpha-stimulated vasoconstriction in cardiac arrest and other cardiac dysrhythmias resulting in diminished or absent cardiac output, such that blood is shunted to the body's core. This beneficial action comes with a significant negative consequence—increased cardiac irritability—which may lead to additional complications immediately following an otherwise successful resuscitation. Alternatives to this treatment include vasopressin, a powerful antidiuretic which also increases peripheral vascular resistance leading to blood shunting via vasoconstriction, but without the attendant increase to myocardial irritability.

Because of its suppressive effect on the immune system, epinephrine is used to treat anaphylaxis and sepsis. Allergy patients undergoing immunotherapy may receive an epinephrine rinse before the allergen extract is administered, thus reducing the immune response to the administered allergen. It is also used as a bronchodilator for asthma if specific beta2-adrenergic receptor agonists are unavailable or ineffective. Adverse reactions to epinephrine include palpitations, tachycardia, anxiety, headache, tremor, hypertension, and acute pulmonary edema.

olated from the adrenal glands of certain mammals or synthesized and used in medicine as a heart stimulant, vasoconstrictor, and bronchial relaxant.

yes is complex appears to be contradicting itself in terms of effect on blood vessels, but seemingly works both ways. to dilate and constrict, the drug and body must work together to dilate vital organs and constrict the other.

Answer 2

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RE:
Why does epinephrine cause vasodilation in the blood vessels of cardiac muscle but vasoconstriction in skin?
Why is this benefical?

Answer 3

How Does Epinephrine Work

Answer 4

Epinephrine, aka adrenaline, is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress (so-called "fight or flight response").

Let's say you are fighting a bear. You are going to expend a lot of effort in order to run around and scratch and bite the bear. So you are going to need your heart to be cranking pretty hard.

On the other hand, you don't need a lot of blood flowing through the skin. It will help your heart and muscles if you shunt that blood over to them instead. Also, it will reduce peripheral bleeding when the bear inevitably gets his claws on you.

So, the effects on the heart and skin both happen in order to better equip you to fight the bear successfully.

Answer 5

Epinephrine causes vasodilation to increase blood pressure

Answer 6

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Answer 7

it doesn't cause vasodilation in cardiac muscle. it causes the heart muscle to pump stronger and faster, and the autoregulatory mechanisms in the heart cause coronary vasodilation to provide more blood flow to accomodate the increased work that the heart must do. but again, epinephrine does not directly cause coronary vasodilation.

Answer 8

What Does Epinephrine Do