Shortly after operation there is a leakage of the noradrenaline transmitter from the degenerating nerve terminals with and accompanying activation of the vascular receptor (the CVB was foudn to be reduced by 28%). When the transmitter has disappeared from the degenerating terminals, the neural influence of the vessels is abolished (the blood volume was increased by 34% compared to unoperated controls). About 2 weeks later, a pronounced denervation supersensitivity of the vascular receptors to circulating catecholamines develops (the CVB became nromal or even subnormal).
Another circumstance giving the impression of inconsistent results after denervation is that a difference in the effects of pre- and postganglionic operation is usually not fully considered.
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
Volume 28, Number 7 / July, 1972