Laryngeal and tracheobronchial cough in anesthetized dogs

1994 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 2672-2679 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Tatar ◽  
G. Sant′Ambrogio ◽  
F. B. Sant′Ambrogio

Tussigenic sensitivity of laryngeal and tracheobronchial regions to mechanical and chemical stimuli was compared in 22 urethan-alpha-chloralose-anesthetized dogs. In addition, the contribution of myelinated and unmyelinated vagal fibers in mediating laryngeal and tracheobronchial cough was investigated. The intensity of cough was evaluated from changes in esophageal pressure. Whereas all mechanical stimulations and citric acid inhalations into tracheobronchial region elicited cough, only 56.7% of mechanical stimulation and 33.3% of citric acid challenges to larynx were effective. The intensity of tracheobronchial cough was significantly higher than that of laryngeal cough. When mechanical stimulation was conducted under visual control (bronchofiberscope), cough elicitability was found to be higher from tracheal bifurcation and main stem bronchi (62.5–87.5%) than from any laryngeal structure (0–42.9%). During partial block of vagal conduction (cooling to 6 degrees C), mechanical and citric acid tracheobronchial stimulations failed to elicit cough and mechanical laryngeal stimulation was effective only in 1 of 10 dogs. Intensity of cough was strongly decreased when mechanical stimulation followed capsaicin administration into trachea (0.3 ml; 100 micrograms/ml) or intravenously (10 micrograms/kg). We conclude that, in anesthetized dogs, stimulation of tracheobronchial region is more effective and prompt in eliciting cough than stimulation of larynx, myelinated vagal afferent fibers play an important role in mediating mechanically and citric acid-induced tracheobronchial cough and mechanically induced laryngeal cough, and stimulation of tracheobronchial and pulmonary capsaicin-sensitive receptors strongly inhibits mechanically induced cough.

1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Ammons ◽  
M. N. Girardot ◽  
R. D. Foreman

Spinothalamic tract neurons projecting to medial thalamus (M-STT cells), ventral posterior lateral nucleus (VPL) of the thalamus (L-STT cells), or both thalamic regions (LM-STT cells) were studied in 19 monkeys anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. Twenty-seven M-STT cells were antidromically activated from nucleus centralis lateralis, nucleus centrum medianum, or the medial dorsal nucleus. Stimulation of VPL elicited antidromic responses from 22 cells and 13 cells were activated from both VPL and medial thalamus. Antidromic conduction velocities of M-STT cells were significantly slower than those of L-STT or LM-STT cells. M-STT cells were located in laminae I, IV, V, and VII with greater numbers found in the deepest laminae. L-STT cells were located mostly in lamina IV, whereas most LM-STT cells were found in lamina V. Twenty-four of 27 M-STT cells, all L-STT cells, and all LM-STT cells received input from both cardiopulmonary sympathetic and somatic afferent fibers. WDR cells were most common among the L-STT and LM-STT groups, whereas HT cells were the most common class in the M-STT cell group. Excitatory receptive fields of M-STT cells were large, and often bilateral. Receptive fields of L-STT cells were simple and never bilateral. Receptive fields of LM-STT cells could be similar to M-STT or L-STT cells. Thirty-three percent of the M-STT cells, 37% of the L-STT cells, and 62% of the LM-STT cells had inhibitory receptive fields. Inhibition was elicited most often by a noxious pinch of the hindlimbs. Sixteen of 23 (70%) M-STT cells received C-fiber cardiopulmonary sympathetic input in addition to A-delta-fiber input. The other 7 cells received only A-delta-fiber input. Only 45% of the L-STT cells and 38% of the LM-STT cells received both A-delta- and C-fiber inputs. The maximum number of spikes elicited by A-delta-input was related to segmental locations for L-STT cells with greatest responses in T2 and lesser responses in more caudal segments; however, no such trend was apparent for M-STT cells or for responses to C-fiber input for either group. Electrical stimulation of the left thoracic vagus nerve inhibited 7 of 18 M-STT cells, 10 of 16 L-STT cells, and 6 of 12 LM-STT cells. These results are the first description of visceral input to cells projecting to medial thalamus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


1975 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Foreman ◽  
A. E. Applebaum ◽  
J. E. Beall ◽  
D. L. Trevino ◽  
W. D. Willis

The responses of spinothalamic tract neurons were studied by extra- and intracellular recordings from the lumbosacral spinal cord in anesthetized rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). The neurons were identified by antidromic activation from the contralateral diencephalon. They were then classified by the mildest form of mechanical stimulation applied to the ipsilateral hindlimb. The effects of electrical stimulation of the nerve(s) supplying the receptive field were investigated. Graded electrical stimulation revealed that the threshold responses of spinothalamic tract neurons excited by weak mechanical stimuli occurred when the largest afferent fibers were activated. On the other hand, neurons that required intense mechanical stimulation for their excitation tended to have higher thresholds to electrical stimulation. Some spinothalamic tract cells were shown to receive monosynaptic excitatory connections from peripheral nerve fibers, although polysynaptic connections may generally be more important. An input from unmyelinated afferent fibers was demonstrated. It is concluded the primate spinothalamic tract neurons receive a rich convergent input from a variety of cutaneous receptors. The experiments provide some evidence for the most likely types of receptors.


1989 ◽  
Vol 256 (6) ◽  
pp. R1331-R1339
Author(s):  
K. H. Pitetti ◽  
G. A. Iwamoto ◽  
J. H. Mitchell ◽  
G. A. Ordway

We used a constant flow preparation to study the changes in left circumflex coronary arterial (LCCA) pressure and resistance evoked by electrical stimulation of branches of muscle, cutaneous, and mixed nerves in the hindlimb of anesthetized dogs. Stimulation (20 Hz) of all three nerve types at 20, 70, 100, and 200 times the voltage threshold that evoked compound action potentials significantly (P less than 0.05) increased LCCA resistance. Stimulation at three and five times threshold had no effect on this same variable. Cooling the nerve to 2-4 degrees C, temperatures that block myelinated nerve fibers, attenuated but did not abolish the increase in LCCA resistance. Combinations of beta- and alpha-adrenergic and cholinergic blockade established that the biphasic change evoked by nerve stimulation was due to an initial alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction followed by a metabolite-induced vasodilation. These data demonstrate that stimulation of muscle, cutaneous, or mixed nerve afferent C-fibers increases coronary arterial resistance by alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction.


1985 ◽  
Vol 248 (1) ◽  
pp. R113-R119
Author(s):  
M. M. Knuepfer ◽  
L. P. Schramm

Myelinated renobulbar sensory fibers project directly from the kidney to the dorsomedial medulla. They can be activated by punctate stimulation of the kidney. In these experiments we studied the physiological modality and the intrarenal locations of the receptors for renobulbar fibers. Renobulbar fibers were identified in recordings from the renal nerves of anesthetized rats. Although nonmyelinated renal afferent fibers were activated by increased intrarenal pressure and by chemical stimuli, no renobulbar fiber activated by punctate mechanical stimulation was activated by these other stimuli. Occasionally single fibers could be activated by punctate stimulation of two or more sites on the surface of the kidney, and responses from each site could be selectively blocked with a local anesthetic. Renobulbar fibers could be activated by electrical stimulation of discrete regions deep within the renal parenchyma. Increased intrarenal pressure increased the sensitivity of receptors to punctate stimulation but not to electrical stimulation of the kidney. We conclude that myelinated renal afferent fibers in the rat respond to external mechanical stimuli, lie deep within the renal parenchyma, and occasionally have more than one receptor.


1991 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 1042-1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Bolser ◽  
S. F. Hobbs ◽  
M. J. Chandler ◽  
W. S. Ammons ◽  
T. J. Brennan ◽  
...  

1. Spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons in the C3-T6 spinal segments were studied for their responses to stimulation of phrenic and cardiopulmonary spinal afferent fibers. A total of 142 STT neurons were studied in 44 anesthetized, paralyzed monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). All neurons were antidromically activated from the ventroposterolateral nucleus and/or medial thalamus. 2. Electrical stimulation of phrenic afferent fibers (PHR) excited 43/58 (74%), inhibited 2/58 (3%), and did not affect 13/58 (13%) of cervical STT neurons. Neurons with excitatory somatic fields confined to the proximal limb or encompassing the whole limb were excited to a significantly greater extent by electrical stimulation of PHR than were neurons with somatic fields confined to the distal limb. Mechanical stimulation of PHR by probing the exposed diaphragm excited 11/22 (50%), inhibited 3/22 (14%), and did not affect 8/22 (36%) cervical STT neurons. 3. The technique of minimum afferent conduction velocity (MACV) was used to obtain information about the identity of the PHR that excited 35 cervical STT neurons. Evidence was obtained for excitation of these neurons by group II and III PHR. The mean +/- SE MACV for all neurons was 14 +/- 2 m/s. 4. Electrical stimulation of cardiopulmonary spinal afferent fibers excited 41/57 (72%), inhibited 8/57 (14%), and did not affect 8/57 (14%) of cervical STT neurons. Neurons with excitatory somatic fields confined to the proximal limb or encompassing the whole limb were excited to a significantly greater extent by electrical stimulation of cardiopulmonary spinal afferents than were neurons with somatic fields confined to the distal limb. 5. Excitatory convergence of PHR and cardiopulmonary spinal afferent input was observed for 36/57 (63%) cervical STT neurons. 6. Electrical stimulation of PHR excited 36/84 (43%), inhibited 25/84 (30%), and did not affect 23/84 (27%) of thoracic STT neurons. All of these neurons received excitatory cardiopulmonary spinal afferent input. 7. Neurons were more likely to be excited by electrical stimulation of PHR if they were located in C3-C6 spinal segments. Furthermore, the net excitatory effect of PHR input decreased in more caudal segments, such that thoracic STT neurons were weakly excited relative to cervical STT neurons. 8. We conclude that cervical STT neurons with excitatory somatic fields that include or are restricted to proximal sites are excited by electrical or mechanical stimulation of PHR. Those effects demonstrate a physiological substrate for pain referred from the diaphragm to the shoulder in patients with pleural effusions or subphrenic abscesses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 612-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Schneider ◽  
E. R. Perl

1. Responses of dorsal horn neurons to cutaneous mechanical stimulation were studied in an in vitro preparation of hamster spinal cord with partially intact innervation from an isolated patch of hairy skin. Stable extracellular and intracellular recordings were obtained from cells with different mechanoreceptive properties similar to those reported for other species in vivo. Analyses were made of the intracellular responses of 25 dorsal horn neurons activated selectively by mechanical stimulation to the skin patch. 2. Bath application of the broad spectrum, excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptor antagonist, kynurenic acid (1 mM) blocked excitation of 7 of 8 high-threshold mechanoreceptive units by either cutaneous nerve volleys or mechanical stimulation of the skin. This concentration of kynurenic acid suppressed peripherally evoked responses in 8 of 14 neurons responsive to innocuous mechanical stimuli. 3. High-threshold mechanoreceptive neurons of the superficial dorsal horn exhibited one of three distinctive patterns of postsynaptic potentials in response to electrical stimulation of cutaneous afferent fibers: 1) a simple fast excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP), 2) a fast EPSP with a prolonged decay phase lasting between 100 and 1,000 ms, and 3) a multiphasic response dissociable on the basis of stimulus strength consisting of a fast EPSP followed by a hyperpolarizing inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) (duration 80–100 ms). Gentle mechanical stimuli initiated inhibition from areas adjacent to the high-threshold mechanically excitatory field; this suggests that membrane hyperpolarization in these neurons was evoked by input from low-threshold mechanoreceptors. 4. Bath application of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, 10 microM), a competitive EAA antagonist selective for non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) receptor subtypes, substantially or completely (56–100%) suppressed EPSPs evoked from cutaneous afferent fibers in high-threshold mechanoreceptive neurons. CNQX also decreased the membrane depolarization, the frequency of EPSPs, and the frequency of action potentials evoked by mechanical stimulation of the receptive field. 5. CNQX (10 microM) or kynurenic acid (1 mM) had considerably weaker effects on IPSPs than on EPSPs evoked from the periphery in superficial dorsal horn neurons. IPSP amplitudes were unchanged by these agents in some neurons and decreased by only 20–25% in others. 6. We conclude that L-glutamate acting on non-NMDA receptors mediates fast synaptic excitation of superficial dorsal horn neurons from peripheral mechanical nociceptors with myelinated fibers. Furthermore, the observations imply either an agent other than L-glutamate or one acting at different membrane receptors is a synaptic mediator for other peripheral afferent units including some activated by innocuous mechanical stimuli.


1990 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Berkley ◽  
H. Hotta ◽  
A. Robbins ◽  
Y. Sato

1. Electrophysiological techniques were used to characterize responses of afferent fibers in pelvic nerve of adult, virgin female rats to mechanical or chemical stimulation of internal reproductive organs and to mechanical stimulation of other pelvic organs. 2. In an in vivo barbiturate-anesthetized preparation, pelvic nerve afferent fibers responded to a wide variety of mechanical stimulation applied to restricted regions of the vaginal canal, caudal uterus (body and cervix), bladder, ureter, colon, or anus. 3. Single-fiber mechanoreceptive fields were invariably confined to a single organ. Notably, responses could be evoked not only by gentle stimulation of the unit's receptive field directly on the organ itself, but also by stimulating the field indirectly with intense stimulation through the appropriate part of a contiguous organ. This innervation feature is consistent with the separability of pelvic organ functions under innocuous conditions but their confusion under noxious ones. 4. Receptive fields on the reproductive organs extended from the caudal edge of the vagina to the uterine body (including the cervix) but were most often located in the fornix (vaginocervical junction). Most units had no or low levels of spontaneous activity. Their responses to mechanical stimuli were usually slowly or moderately adapting and time-locked to the stimulus. 5. Fibers with vaginal receptive fields (including the fornix) responded best either to vaginal distension with a balloon or, more often, to a probe moving along the internal vaginal surface in a direction toward the cervix. They were observed most frequently during the proestrus stage of the rat's estrous cycle. These fibers, therefore, seem particularly suited for relaying information about stimuli that occur during mating. 6. Fibers with receptive fields on the uterine cervix and body responded best to static pressure and were observed less frequently than those with vaginal fields, regardless of estrous stage. They were, however, sensitized by hypoxia. In addition, irritation of the uterus increased the probability of observing them. These fibers, therefore, may exert their primary function during reproductive conditions different from those of virgin rats, such as parturition. 7. Response activity of most of the mechanoreceptive afferent fibers supplying reproductive organs increased as the stimulus intensity increased into the noxious range; i.e., into a range in which the stimulus momentarily produced ischemia at the stimulus site. In addition, in an in vitro preparation, pelvic nerve fibers responded in a dose-dependent manner to injections through the uterine artery of bradykinin (BRAD) as well as to other algesic chemicals, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and KCl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 1669-1673 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Haxhiu ◽  
N. S. Cherniack ◽  
K. P. Strohl

In dogs tracheal secretion is enhanced reflexly and by locally acting mediators such as substance P (SP). To evaluate the role of these mechanisms on submucosal gland secretion in the larynx (L) and pharynx (Ph), we compared the effects of mechanical stimulation of intrapulmonary irritant receptors and stimulation of pulmonary C-fiber receptors by capsaicin (20 micrograms/kg iv) with the response produced by intravenous SP. In six alpha-chloralose-anesthetized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated dogs, submucosal gland secretion was monitored by analyzing the areas covered by hillocks of liquid and calculating the volume of secreted liquid (microliter) in the L and Ph. Mechanical stimulation of the carina increased both the number of hillocks and the volume of secreted liquid in the L. Excitation of pulmonary C-fiber receptors also increased the number of hillocks, and total volume of secreted liquid was elevated from 1.9 +/- 0.5 to 8.3 +/- 1.4 microliters (P less than 0.01). These responses were significantly reduced by prior cervical vagotomy and intravenous administration of atropine. Neither stimulation of irritant receptors nor stimulation of pulmonary C-fiber receptors caused discernible effects on Ph submucosal gland secretion. However, intravenous SP increased the number of Ph hillocks and elevated the volume of secreted Ph liquid from 1.0 +/- 0.6 to 10.2 +/- 1 microliters (P less than 0.01); similar responses to intravenous SP were observed in the L. Prior intravenous administration of atropine methylnitrate or bilateral vagotomy did not alter Ph or L secretory responses to intravenous SP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1979 ◽  
Vol 236 (3) ◽  
pp. R225-R230 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Brickman ◽  
F. R. Calaresu ◽  
G. J. Mogenson

Experiments were done in paralyzed rabbits anesthetized with either pentobarbital sodium or alpha-chloralose to test the possibility that the septum may alter the cardiovascular responses elicited by stimulation of somatic afferent fibers. Electrical stimulation of the lesser saphenous nerve (LSN), a branch of the sciatic nerve, at certain parameters elicited bradycardia, which could be abolished by bilateral vagotomy or intravenous injection of atropine methylbromide. Distinct and characteristic changes in mean arterial pressure and heart rate were elicited by electrical stimulation of histologically localized sites in five septal areas. Septal sites from which stimulation elicited bradycardia were chosen for the study of interaction between the septum and LSN. The cardiac slowing elicited by combined stimulation of the lateral septum and LSN was significantly greater than the sum of the responses elicited by separate stimulation of the two different structures. In contrast, the bradycardia elicited by combined stimulation of medial septal structures and LSN was significantly smaller than the sum of the individual responses. These experiments demonstrate that the magnitude of heart rate responses elicited by stimulation of somatic afferent fibers may be modified by the septum.


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