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Endogenous muscarinic acetylcholine receptor signaling blunts α1-adrenergic vasoconstriction during higher-intensity handgrip exercise in humans

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The present study demonstrates that muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) signaling attenuates postjunctional α1-adrenergic signaling during higher-intensity exercise specifically within contracting skeletal muscle, thereby revealing endogenous mAChR signaling as a potential mechanism of functional sympatholysis. This is the first study to identify an endogenous signaling pathway that selectively modulates α1-adrenergic vasoconstriction specifically in contracting muscle in humans. These findings establish a novel physiological role for endogenous mAChR signaling in the regulation of muscle blood flow during exercise.

Source: American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology

DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00305.2024

Authors: Janée D. Terwoord, Frank A. Dinenno, Jennifer C. Richards, Christopher M. Hearon

Institutions: Rocky Vista University, Colorado State University, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Cardiovascular and exercise physiology

Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute