Cardiac sympathetic afferent stimulation augments the arterial chemoreceptor reflex in anesthetized rats

2007 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lie Gao ◽  
Yan-Xia Pan ◽  
Wei-Zhong Wang ◽  
Yu-Long Li ◽  
Harold D. Schultz ◽  
...  

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is well known to be associated with both an enhanced chemoreceptor reflex and an augmented cardiac “sympathetic afferent reflex” (CSAR). The augmentation of the CSAR may play an important role in the enhanced chemoreceptor reflex in the CHF state because the same central areas are involved in the sympathetic outputs of both reflexes. We determined whether chemical and electrical stimulation of the CSAR augments chemoreceptor reflex function in normal rats. Under anesthesia, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded. The chemoreceptor reflex was tested by unilateral intra-carotid artery bolus injection of potassium cyanide (KCN) and nicotine. We found that 1) left ventricular epicardial application of capsaicin increased the pressor responses and the RSNA responses to chemoreflex activation induced by both KCN and nicotine; 2) when the central end of the left cardiac sympathetic nerve was electrically stimulated, both the pressor and the RSNA responses to chemoreflex activation induced by KCN were increased; 3) pretreatment with intracerebroventricular injection of losartan (500 nmol) completely prevented the enhanced chemoreceptor reflex induced by electrical stimulation of the cardiac sympathetic nerve; and 4) bilateral microinjection of losartan (250 pmol) into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) completely abolished the enhanced chemoreceptor reflex by epicardial application of capsaicin. These results suggest that both the chemical and electrical stimulation of the CSAR augments chemoreceptor reflex and that central ANG II, specially located in the NTS, plays a major role in these reflex interactions.

1993 ◽  
Vol 265 (2) ◽  
pp. H770-H773 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Zhang ◽  
S. W. Mifflin

The nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) is the primary site of termination of arterial baroreceptor and chemoreceptor afferent fibers. Excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors within NTS have been shown to play an important role in the mediation of arterial baroreceptor reflexes; however, the importance of EAA receptors within NTS in the mediation of arterial chemoreceptor reflexes remains controversial. Therefore, in chloralose-urethan-anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, paralyzed rats, 4 nmol of the broad-spectrum EAA receptor antagonist kynurenic acid (Kyn) was injected into the NTS to observe the effects of EAA receptor blockade on the pressor responses evoked by either activation of ipsilateral carotid body chemoreceptors (by close arterial injection of CO2-saturated bicarbonate) or electrical stimulation of ipsilateral carotid sinus nerve (CSN). Under control conditions, activation of carotid body chemoreceptors and CSN stimulation evoked increases in arterial pressure of 27 +/- 2 (n = 24 sites) and 28 +/- 3% (n = 8), respectively. Kyn microinjection into NTS significantly reduced the pressor responses evoked by activation of carotid body chemoreceptors and electrical stimulation of the CSN for 20 and 25 min, respectively. Attenuation of pressor responses evoked by chemoreceptor activation were maximal at 20 min post-Kyn injection (13 +/- 2%), whereas CSN-evoked pressor responses were maximally attenuated at 15 min (6 +/- 4%). Microinjection into NTS of 4 nmol of xanthurenic acid, a structural analogue of Kyn with no EAA receptor antagonist properties, had no effect on chemoreceptor reflexes. We conclude that EAA receptors within NTS play an important role in the mediation of arterial chemoreceptor reflexes.


1976 ◽  
Vol 230 (4) ◽  
pp. 1003-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Uchida

The role of afferent cardiac sympathetic nerve fibers in the regulation of respiration has been examined. Application of potassium chloride or lactic acid solutions to the left ventricular surface of anesthetized vagotomized dogs resulted in a decrease in the manimum firing rate and shortening in period duration of firing of phrenic nerves. Also, application of the agents caused a decrease in amplitude and an increase in rate of respiratory thoracic movements. The same changes in phrenic nerve activity and respiratory movements were produced by coronary artery occlusion and centrifugal electrical stimulation of the left inferior cardiac nerves. The results indicate tachypnea that can be produced by excitation of afferent cardiac sympathetic nerve fibers.


2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (5) ◽  
pp. H1706-H1711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lie Gao ◽  
Zhen Zhu ◽  
Irving H. Zucker ◽  
Wei Wang

It is well known that cardiac sympathetic afferent reflexes contribute to increases in sympathetic outflow and that sympathetic activity can antagonize arterial baroreflex function. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that in normal rats, chemical and electrical stimulation of cardiac sympathetic afferents results in a decrease in the arterial baroreflex function by increasing sympathetic nerve activity. Under α-chloralose (40 mg/kg) and urethane (800 mg/kg ip) anesthesia, renal sympathetic nerve activity, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate were recorded. The arterial baroreceptor reflex was evaluated by infusion of nitroglycerin (25 μg iv) and phenylephrine (10 μg iv). Left ventricular epicardial application of capsaicin (0.4 μg in 2 μl) blunted arterial baroreflex function by 46% (maximum slope 3.5 ± 0.3 to 1.9 ± 0.2%/mmHg, P < 0.01). When the central end of the left cardiac sympathetic nerve was electrically stimulated (7 V, 1 ms, 20 Hz), the sensitivity of the arterial baroreflex was similarly decreased by 42% (maximum slope 3.2 ± 0.3 to 1.9 ± 0.4%/mmHg; P < 0.05). Pretreatment with intracerebroventricular injection of losartan (500 nmol in 1 μl of artificial cerebrospinal fluid) completely prevented the impairment of arterial baroreflex function induced by electrical stimulation of the central end of the left cardiac sympathetic nerve (maximum slope 3.6 ± 0.4 to 3.1 ± 0.5%/mmHg). These results suggest that the both chemical and electrical stimulation of the cardiac sympathetic afferents reduces arterial baroreflex sensitivity and the impairment of arterial baroreflex function induced by cardiac sympathetic afferent stimulation is mediated by central angiotensin type 1 receptors.


2014 ◽  
Vol 306 (10) ◽  
pp. H1464-H1471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luyao Ma ◽  
Baiping Cui ◽  
Yongfeng Shao ◽  
Buqing Ni ◽  
Weiran Zhang ◽  
...  

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, mainly as a result of neurohumoral activation. Acupuncture has been used to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the sympathetic nerve activity, heart function, and remodeling in CHF rats after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. CHF rats were randomly selected to EA and control groups for acute and chronic experiments. In the acute experiment, both the renal sympathetic nerve activity and cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex elicited by epicardial application of capsaicin were recorded. In the chronic experiment, we performed EA for 30 min once a day for 1 wk to test the long-term EA effects on heart function, remodeling, as well as infarct size in CHF rats. The results show EA significantly decreased the renal sympathetic nerve activity effectively, inhibited cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex, and lowered the blood pressure of CHF rats. Treating CHF rats with EA for 1 wk dramatically increased left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fraction shortening, reversed the enlargement of left ventricular end-systolic dimension and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, and shrunk the infarct size. In this experiment, we demonstrated EA attenuates sympathetic overactivity. Additionally, long-term EA improves cardiac function and remodeling and reduces infarct size in CHF rats. EA is a novel and potentially useful therapy for treating CHF.


1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (5) ◽  
pp. H1167-H1176 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. Weaver ◽  
S. Genovesi ◽  
A. Stella ◽  
A. Zanchetti

Stimulation of visceral receptors with bradykinin has been shown to cause reflex increases in sympathetic nerve activity and systemic arterial pressure. In this investigation, serosal receptors of the intestine were stimulated by bradykinin in anesthetized cats to 1) compare mesenteric and renal sympathetic responses, 2) compare hemodynamic responses in mesenteric and renal beds, and 3) determine changes in renal function. This stimulation in intact animals caused pressor responses, significantly greater excitation of mesenteric than renal nerves, significantly greater mesenteric than renal vasoconstriction, diuresis, natriuresis, and, in denervated kidneys, increases in fractional sodium excretion. In vagotomized, sinoaortic-denervated cats, stimulation of intestinal receptors caused excitation of mesenteric nerve activity greater than renal for only 30 s. This sympathetic reflex response led to pressor responses, equal mesenteric and renal vasoconstriction, diuresis, natriuresis, and increased fractional excretion of sodium only in denervated kidneys. When abdominal perfusion pressure was held constant with an aortic snare in these same animals, the sympathetic reflexes initially caused greater mesenteric than renal vasoconstriction and antidiuresis and antinatriuresis only in innervated kidneys. These findings demonstrate that the intensity of hemodynamic and renal responses to stimulation of visceral receptors correlates well with the magnitude of sympathetic nerve responses.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document