scholarly journals Nitric oxide in rostral ventrolateral medulla regulates cardiac-sympathetic reflexes: role of synthase isoforms

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (4) ◽  
pp. H1478-H1486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi-Ling Guo ◽  
Stephanie C. Tjen-A-Looi ◽  
Liang-Wu Fu ◽  
John C. Longhurst

Our previous studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS)-containing neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM) are activated during cardiac sympathoexcitatory reflexes (Refs. 12 and 13 ). However, the precise function of NO in the rVLM in regulation of these reflexes has not been defined. Three isoforms of NOS, including neuronal NOS (nNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS), and endothelial NOS (eNOS), are located in the rVLM. We explored the role of NO, derived from different NOS isoforms in the rVLM, in processing cardiac-sympathetic reflexes using whole animal reflex and electrophysiological approaches. We found that, in anesthetized cats, increased mean arterial blood pressure and renal sympathetic nerve activity elicited by epicardial application of bradykinin (BK; 1–10 μg/ml, 50 μl) were significantly attenuated following unilateral rVLM microinjection of the nonselective NOS inhibitor, Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (50 nmol/50 nl), or a specific nNOS inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI; 5–10 pmol/50 nl; both P < 0.05). In contrast, the responses of mean arterial blood pressure and renal sympathetic nerve activity to cardiac BK stimulation were unchanged by unilateral rVLM microinjection of Nω-nitro-d-arginine methyl ester (inactive isomer of Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, 50 nmol/50 nl), 3–6% methanol (7-NI vehicle), N6-(1-iminoethyl)-l-lysine (250 pmol/50 nl; iNOS inhibitor), or N5-(1-iminoethyl)-l-ornithine (250 nmol/50 nl; eNOS inhibitor). Furthermore, in separate cats, we noted that iontophoresis of 7-NI (0.1 mM) reduced the increased discharge of cardiovascular sympathoexcitatory rVLM neurons in response to cardiac stimulation with BK ( P < 0.05). These neurons were characterized by their responses to inputs from baroreceptors, and their cardiac rhythmicity was determined through frequency and time domain analyses, correlating their discharge to arterial blood pressure and cardiac sympathetic efferent nerve activity. These data suggest that NO, specifically nNOS, mediates sympathetic cardiac-cardiovascular responses through its action in the rVLM.

2002 ◽  
Vol 282 (1) ◽  
pp. R122-R130 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Dean ◽  
M. Bago

The role of 5-hydroxytryptamine type 1A (5-HT1A) receptors in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) in the mediation of the sympathoinhibitory and hypotensive responses to severe hemorrhage was examined in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized rats. The control response to hemorrhage (1 ml/min to 50 mmHg) consisted of a fall in arterial blood pressure and an initial baroreflex increase in renal sympathetic nerve activity followed after 2 min by a rapid decline in blood pressure accompanied by a decrease in renal sympathetic nerve activity. In response to hemorrhage in animals in which the specific 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 was microinjected into the pressor area of the RVLM, the fall in blood pressure was delayed and attenuated while renal sympathetic nerve activity was increased and maintained above baseline. In barodenervated animals with blockade of RVLM 5-HT1A receptors, there was no change in renal sympathetic nerve activity in response to hemorrhage. These data suggest that renal sympathoinhibition elicited in response to severe hemorrhage is mediated by 5-HT1A receptors in the RVLM.


2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (4) ◽  
pp. R719-R725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean D. Stocker ◽  
Kimberly J. Keith ◽  
Glenn M. Toney

The present study was performed to determine whether sympathetic outflow and arterial blood pressure in water-deprived rats are dependent on the ongoing neuronal activity of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and heart rate were recorded in urethane-α-chloralose-anesthetized rats that were deprived of water but not food for 48 h before experiments. Acute inhibition of the PVN by bilateral microinjection of the GABAA agonist muscimol (100 pmol/side) significantly decreased RSNA in water-deprived rats (-26.7 ± 4.7%, n = 7) but was without effect in control rats (1.3 ± 6.3%, n = 7). Similarly, injection of muscimol produced a greater decrease in MAP in water-deprived rats than in control rats (-46 ± 3 vs. -16 ± 3 mmHg, respectively), although baseline MAP was not different between groups (105 ± 4 vs. 107 ± 4 mmHg, respectively). Neither bilateral microinjection of isotonic saline vehicle (100 nl/side) into the PVN nor muscimol (100 pmol/side) outside the PVN altered RSNA or MAP in either group. In addition, ganglionic blockade with hexamethonium (30 mg/kg iv) significantly decreased MAP in both groups; however, the decrease in MAP was significantly greater in water-deprived rats than in control rats (62 ± 2 vs. 48 ± 2 mmHg, respectively). Collectively, these findings suggest that sympathetic outflow contributes more to the maintenance of blood pressure in the water-deprived rat, and this depends, at least partly, on the ongoing activity of PVN neurons.


1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (6) ◽  
pp. H1819-H1826 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Segar ◽  
G. Hajduczok ◽  
B. A. Smith ◽  
D. C. Merrill ◽  
J. E. Robillard

The purpose of this study was to characterize the developmental changes in baroreflex function during fetal and postnatal life in sheep. Resting mean arterial blood pressure increased significantly from 55 +/- 2 mmHg in fetuses to 86 +/- 3 mmHg in newborn lambs and to 105 +/- 4 mmHg in 4- to 6-wk-old lambs. The sensitivity (gain) of the renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) response to baroreceptor stimulation was greater (P < 0.05) in fetuses (-7.7 +/- 1.9%/mmHg) than in newborn (-2.9 +/- 0.1%/mmHg) and 4- to 6-wk-old lambs (-2.2 +/- 0.2%/mmHg). The threshold and saturation pressures for the baroreflex function curve were lower (P < 0.05) in fetuses (44 +/- 2 and 61 +/- 2 mmHg) than in newborn (59 +/- 4 and 106 +/- 5 mmHg) or 4- to 6-wk-old lambs (78 +/- 5 and 132 +/- 6 mmHg). Similar findings were observed when the heart rate response to baroreceptor stimulation was examined. Additional experiments were performed in newborn and 4- to 6-wk-old lambs to determine whether the rise in arterial blood pressure associated with postnatal maturation contributed to baroreflex resetting. Sustained elevation of arterial blood pressure by 15–20 mmHg for over 90 min did not reset the baroreflex function curve in either newborn or 4- to 6-wk-old lambs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karim S Bandali ◽  
Uwe Ackermann

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) can excite cardiac nerve endings and invoke a decrease in arterial blood pressure and a reduction in renal sympathetic nerve activity. Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that this renal depressor reflex was invoked by systemic injection of ANP and not by the direct application of ANP to the epicardium, a major locus for vagal afferents. We now examine whether inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis impairs reflex responses that are normally associated with ANP injections. Renal sympathetic nerve activity, arterial blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded in anesthetized rats. Indomethacin was used to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis through the cyclooxygenase pathway. The ANP-mediated decrease in arterial blood pressure and renal sympathetic nerve activity, observed when prostaglandin synthesis was inhibited, did not differ significantly from the decreases observed in these parameters when prostaglandin synthesis was not inhibited. Heart rate remained unchanged. Our results suggest that the sympatho-inhibitory effects of ANP do not require prostaglandins as intermediary compounds.Key words: sympathetic nervous system, renal nerves, prostaglandins.


2009 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 589-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio L. Cravo ◽  
Ruy R. Campos ◽  
Eduardo Colombari ◽  
Mônica A. Sato ◽  
Cássia M. Bergamaschi ◽  
...  

Several forms of experimental evidence gathered in the last 37 years have unequivocally established that the medulla oblongata harbors the main neural circuits responsible for generating the vasomotor tone and regulating arterial blood pressure. Our current understanding of this circuitry derives mainly from the studies of Pedro Guertzenstein, a former student who became Professor of Physiology at UNIFESP later, and his colleagues. In this review, we have summarized the main findings as well as our collaboration to a further understanding of the ventrolateral medulla and the control of arterial blood pressure under normal and pathological conditions.


2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (5) ◽  
pp. R1261-R1268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Miyawaki ◽  
Ann K. Goodchild ◽  
Paul M. Pilowsky

The role of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT1A) receptors in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) on somatosympathetic, baroreceptor, and chemoreceptor reflexes was examined in anesthetized rats. Microinjection of the selective 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-di- n-propylamino tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) decreased arterial blood pressure and splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity (SNA). Electrical stimulation of the hindlimb evoked early and late excitatory sympathetic responses. Bilateral microinjection in the RVLM of 8-OH-DPAT markedly attenuated both the early and late responses. This potent inhibition of the somatosympathetic reflex persisted even after SNA and arterial blood pressure returned to preinjection levels. Preinjection of the selective 5-HT1A antagonist NAN-190 in the RVLM blocked the sympathoinhibitory effect of 8-OH-DPAT and attenuated the inhibitory effect on the somatosympathetic reflex. 8-OH-DPAT injected in the RVLM did not affect baroreceptor or chemoreceptor reflexes. Our findings suggest that activation of 5-HT1A receptors in the RVLM exerts a potent, selective inhibition on the somatosympathetic reflex.


1991 ◽  
Vol 260 (6) ◽  
pp. R1145-R1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Steele ◽  
D. G. Gardner ◽  
P. L. Xie ◽  
H. D. Schultz

In anesthetized rats with sinoaortic denervation, intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) resulted in decreased mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) (depressor effects), whereas icv angiotensin II (ANG II) produced increases in these variables (pressor effects). The depressor effects of ANP were slower in onset and longer in duration than the pressor effects of ANG II. Intracerebroventricular injection of the ANG II-receptor blocker sarthran or the ANG II-synthesis inhibitor captopril resulted in a significant reduction in MAP; HR and RSNA were not affected. Both sarthran and captopril abolished the depressor responses to icv ANP. In contrast, injection of an anti-rat ANP antibody, which blocked the depressor effects of icv ANP, did not by itself modify MAP, HR, or RSNA, nor did the antibody affect the pressor responses to icv ANG II. These data suggest that, in this animal model, the depressor effects of icv ANP are mediated by the inhibition of brain ANG II-dependent neural activity. These results also demonstrate that, in this preparation, the endogenous ANG II system actively contributes to the maintenance of basal MAP, whereas the central ANP system, at least in regions accessible to the antirat ANP antibody, plays little role in this maintenance.


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