Why does acetylcholine causes vaso-dilation?

Answer 1

In some muscle tissue acetylcholine causes vaso-dilation, but not all. Norepinephrine is the opposite competor/effector of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is present in all preganglionic fibers, both parasympathetic and sympathetic. Acetylcholine is present in postganglionic parasympatic fibers, where norepinephrine is present in the postganglionic sympathetic fibers. In some tissues acetylcholine causes constriction. Can also reduce heart rate vi the vagus nerve. Acetylcholine is the only neurotransmitter used in the somatic nervous system! Acetylcholine can effect vasodilation by several mechanisms, including activation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase and prostaglandin (PG) production. In human skin, exogenous Acetylcholine increases both skin blood flow and bioavailable NO levels, but the relative increase is much greater in skin blood flow than NO. So this may lead us to speculate that acetylcholine may dilate cutaneous blood vessels through PGs, as well as NO. In some muscle tissue acetylcholine causes vaso-dilation, but not all. Norepinephrine is the opposite competor/effector of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is present in all preganglionic fibers, both parasympathetic and sympathetic. Acetylcholine is present in postganglionic parasympatic fibers, where norepinephrine is present in the postganglionic sympathetic fibers. In some tissues acetylcholine causes constriction. Can also reduce heart rate vi the vagus nerve. Acetylcholine is the only neurotransmitter used in the somatic nervous system! Acetylcholine can effect vasodilation by several mechanisms, including activation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase and prostaglandin (PG) production. In human skin, exogenous Acetylcholine increases both skin blood flow and bioavailable NO levels, but the relative increase is much greater in skin blood flow than NO. So this may lead us to speculate that acetylcholine may dilate cutaneous blood vessels through PGs, as well as NO.