The influence of carotid sinus pressure on plasma atrial natriuretic peptide in anaesthetized rabbits

The effect of changes in carotid sinus perfusion pressure on plasma immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide (IR-ANP) was examined in anaesthetized rabbits, and the role of arterial pressure in mediating the changes in IR-ANP was assessed. Plasma IR-ANP was significantly greater (101.7 +/- 24.3 pg ml-1) when carotid sinus pressure was 60 mmHg than when it was 160 mmHg (27.1 +/- 8.6 pg ml-1). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was significantly greater when carotid sinus pressure was controlled at 60 mmHg compared to when it was 160 mmHg, but right atrial pressure (RAP) was not significantly different at the two carotid sinus pressures. The administration of hexamethonium attenuated the changes in MAP and heart rate (HR) which occurred in response to alterations in carotid sinus pressure, and abolished the change in plasma IR-ANP. The results suggest that an inverse relationship exists between carotid sinus pressure and plasma IR-ANP, and that the release of ANP in response to a reduction of carotid sinus pressure is mediated by the associated haemodynamic changes.     

Influence of substance P on carotid sinus nerve baro- and chemoreceptor activity in rabbits.

Substance P (SP) is abundant in the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) and has been implicated in baro- and chemoreceptor reflexes. We examined the effect of SP on blood pressure, heart rate, phrenic nerve activity, hindlimb perfusion pressure, and cardiac contractile strength in urethane-anesthetized rabbits with bilaterally cut cervical sympathetic, vagus, and aortic depressor nerves. Retrograde simultaneous injection of SP (0.5-2.7 micrograms/kg in 0.2-0.3 ml saline) into both carotid sinus areas via the internal carotid arteries decreased blood pressure (by 56%), heart rate (by 13%), cardiac contractility (by 25%) and phrenic nerve activity (by 77%). The effect on hindlimb perfusion pressure was variable. There was both a reflex effect and direct hindlimb vasodilation. In another group of rabbits, the carotid sinus areas were vascularly isolated and perfused with SP (0.19 micrograms/min dissolved in Locke's solution) or Locke's solution alone for 5 min. While carotid sinus perfusion pressure was maintained in the range of 80-120 mmHg, mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and unit activity from the CSN were recorded. SP increased the activity of 11 of 18 baroreceptor fibers and inhibited all of 20 chemoreceptor fibers. SP decreased mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate, but the changes were less than those obtained with injection of SP into nonisolated carotid sinus arteries because systemic effects of SP, which in some cases counteracted the reflex effects, were eliminated.     

推拿颈动脉窦降低体动脉压数学模型研究

颈动脉窦在不同的压力刺激下会对体动脉压及其它生理参数产生不同的影响。本文利用Ursino的短期调节动脉压的血液动力学模型,讨论了颈动脉窦在不同方波脉冲压推拿刺激下,体动脉压降低的特点。结果显示,方波脉冲的占空比不同,体动脉压下降的幅度,舒张压与收缩压之差及每搏心输出量都有不同的变化。     

Endothelin-1 mediates attenuated carotid baroreceptor activity by intermittent hypoxia

The objectives of the present study were to examine the effects of intermittent hypoxia (IH) on arterial baroreflex function and assess the underlying mechanism(s). Experiments were performed on adult male rats treated with 14 days of IH (15 s of hypoxia, 5 min of normoxia; 8 h/day) or normoxia (control). Arterial blood pressures were elevated in IH-treated rats, and this effect was associated with attenuated heart rate and splanchnic sympathetic nerve responses to arterial baroreflex activation. In IH-treated rats, carotid baroreceptor responses to elevated sinus pressures were attenuated. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels were elevated in the carotid sinus region of IH-treated rats, and this effect was associated with increased endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) activity, which generates biologically active ET-1. ET(A) receptor antagonist prevented the effects of IH on carotid baroreceptor activity. In IH-treated rats, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were elevated in the carotid sinus region, and antioxidant treatment prevented the effects of IH on ET-1 levels, ECE activity, carotid baroreceptor activity, and baroreflex function. These results demonstrate that 1) IH attenuates arterial baroreflex function, which is in part due to reduced carotid baroreceptor responses to elevated carotid sinus pressure, and 2) IH-induced carotid baroreceptor dysfunction involves reactive oxygen species-dependent upregulation of ET-1 signaling in the carotid sinus region.     

Observations on the structure and innervation of the carotid sinus complex in the African porcupine (Hystrix cristata)

The carotid arterial system of the porcupine Hysitrix cristota has been studied using light and electron microscopy. Emphasis has been placed on describing the structure and innervation of the carotid sinus area located at the origin of the internal carotid artery. The sinus wall has a largely elastic structure and a reduced smooth muscle content. A functional relationship is proposed between the elastic structure of the sinus wall and baroreceptor mechanisms.     

Baroreceptor influence on a spinal cardiovascular reflex

A stretch of the walls of the thoracic aorta, performed in vagotomized cats without obstructing aortic flow, induces increases in heart rate, myocardial contractility, and arterial pressure. These reflex responses are still present after high spinal section. Cats under chloralose-urethane anesthesia were vagotomized and one carotid sinus was isolated and perfused with arterial blood at constant flow. The contralateral carotid sinus nerve and both aortic nerves were sectioned. A stretch of the walls of the thoracic aorta between the 7th and 10th intercostal arteries induced a reflex increase in mean arterial pressure 29 +/- 2 mmHg (mean +/- SE). Stepwise increases of carotid sinus pressure (CSP) or electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus nerve induced stepwise decreases of this reflex response. At maximal baroreceptor stimulation (CSP 212 +/- 9 mmHg) the reflex response to aortic stretch was reduced by 42%. These experiments show that this spinal cardiovascular reflex is at least partially under the inhibitory control of the baroreceptor input.     

Exercise training and the arterial baroreflex

To test the hypothesis that endurance training would attenuate the carotid sinus baroreflex in rats, studies were undertaken with 25 nontrained (NT) and 22 trained (T) male Sprague-Dawley rats that were exercised for 11-14 wk. Maximal O2 consumption was significantly increased 10% after training. The left carotid sinus region was functionally isolated in anesthetized animals. Subsequently, static carotid sinus pressure was raised in 20-Torr increments from 95 Torr until a maximal response in systemic arterial pressure and regional blood flows was recorded. Compared with the NT group, baroreflex control of blood pressure and calculated regional resistance of the T animals was less responsive to changes in carotid sinus pressure. Resting blood pressure, heart rate, and changes in peripheral blood flow velocity were similar for the two groups. Peripheral sensitivity to phenylephrine-HCl and hexamethonium bromide were also similar in the T and NT groups. It was concluded that the arterial baroreflex control of blood pressure was attenuated by exercise training. These findings support the concept that the trained individual is at disadvantage during hypotensive episodes and that endurance training will attenuate the sympathetic component of the arterial baroreflex.     

Baroreflex responsiveness is maintained during isometric exercise in humans

The simultaneous rise in heart rate and arterial pressure during isometric handgrip exercise suggests that arterial baroreflex control may be altered. We applied incremental intensities of neck suction and pressure to nine healthy young men to alter carotid sinus transmural pressure. Carotid stimuli were delivered during 1) supine control, 2) "anticipation" of beginning exercise, and 3) handgrip (20% of maximum voluntary contraction). Anticipation was a quiet period, immediately preceding the beginning of handgrip, when no muscular work was being performed. Compared with control, the R-R interval prolongation and mean arterial pressure decline provoked by carotid stimuli were decreased during the anticipation period. These data suggest that influences from higher central neural locations may alter baroreflex function. Furthermore, we derived stimulus-response curves relating carotid sinus transmural pressure to changes in R-R interval and mean arterial pressure. These curves were shifted during handgrip; however, calculated regression slopes were not changed from control. The data indicate that isometric handgrip exercise has a specific influence on human carotid baroreflex control of arterial pressure and heart period: baroreflex function curves are shifted rightward during handgrip, whereas baroreflex sensitivity is unchanged. Furthermore, central neural influences may be partially involved in these alterations.     

Unloading arterial baroreceptors causes neurogenic hypertension

We developed a new model to examine the role of arterial baroreceptors in the long-term control of mean arterial pressure (MAP) in dogs. Baroreceptors in the aortic arch and one carotid sinus were denervated, and catheters were implanted in the descending aorta and common carotid arteries. MAP and carotid sinus pressure (CSP) averaged 104 +/- 2 and 102 +/- 2 mmHg (means +/- 1 SE), respectively, during a 5-day control period. Baroreceptor unloading was induced by ligation of the common carotid artery proximal to the innervated sinus (n = 6 dogs). MAP and CSP averaged 127 +/- 7 and 100 +/- 3 mmHg, respectively, during the 7-day period of baroreceptor unloading. MAP was significantly elevated (P < 0.01) compared to control, but CSP was unchanged. Heart rate and plasma renin activity increased significantly in response to baroreceptor unloading. Removal of the ligature to restore normal flow through the carotid resulted in normalization of all variables. Ligation of the carotid below a denervated sinus (n = 4) caused a significant decrease in CSP but no systemic hypertension. These results indicate that chronic unloading of carotid baroreceptors can produce neurogenic hypertension and provide strong evidence that arterial baroreceptors are involved in the long-term control of blood pressure.     

八肽胆囊收缩素对大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的抑制作用

在36只隔离灌流颈动脉窦区的麻醉大鼠上,观察了八肽胆囊收缩素(cholecystokinin octapepide,CCK-8)对颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的影响。其结果如下：(1)以CCK-8(0．1、0．5、1．0μmol／L)隔离灌流颈动脉窦区时,压力感受器机能曲线向右上方移位,曲线最大斜率(peak slope,PS)减小,反射性血压下降幅度(reflex decrease,RD)减少,阈压(threshold pressure,TP)和饱和压(saturation pressure,SP)均增高。其中RD、PS和TP呈明显的剂量依赖性;(2)用CCK-8的非特异性受体拮抗剂丙谷胺(100μmol／L)预处理后,能明显减弱CCK-8(0．50mol/L)对压力感受器反射的抑制;(3)预先灌流一氧化氮合酶(nitric oxide synthase,NOS)阻断剂(L-NAME,100μmol／L),不能阻断CCK-8(0．5μmol/L)对压力感受器反射的影响;(4)用Ca^2 通道激动剂Bay K 8644(500nmol／L)预处理后,也能明显减弱CCK-8(0．5μmol／L)对压力感受器反射的抑制作用。以上结果提示,CCK-8是通过作用于颈动脉窦压力感受器神经元末梢上的受体而起到抑制作用的,其机制可能为抑制了牵张敏感性通道,致使Ca^2 离子内流减少,而与内皮细胞释放NO无关。     

Counteraction of aortic baroreflex to carotid sinus baroreflex in a neck suction model.

Although neck suction has been widely used in the evaluation of carotid sinus baroreflex function in humans, counteraction of the aortic baroreflex tends to complicate any interpretation of observed arterial pressure (AP) response. To determine whether a simple linear model can account for the AP response during neck suction, we developed an animal model of the neck suction procedure in which changes in carotid distension pressure during neck suction were directly imposed on the isolated carotid sinus. In six anesthetized rabbits, a 50-mmHg pressure perturbation on the carotid sinus decreased AP by -27.4+/-4.8 mmHg when the aortic baroreflex was disabled. Enabling the aortic baroreflex significantly attenuated the AP response (-21.5+/-3.8 mmHg, P<0.01). The observed closed-loop gain during simulated neck suction was well predicted by the open-loop gains of the carotid sinus and aortic baroreflexes using the linear model (-0.43+/-0.13 predicted vs. -0.41 +/-0.10 measured). We conclude that the linear model can be used as the first approximation to interpret AP response during neck suction.     

17β-雌二醇抑制雄性大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受器反射

采用隔离灌流麻醉雄性大鼠颈动脉窦技术 ,观察了 17β 雌二醇 (E2 )对颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的影响。结果如下 :(1)以E2 (10 μmol/L)隔离灌流颈动脉窦区时 ,压力感受器机能曲线向右上方移位 ,曲线最大斜率(peakslope,PS)由 0 49± 0 0 3降至 0 2 5± 0 0 1(P <0 0 1) ,反射性血压下降幅度 (reflexdecrease,RD)由 7 37± 0 42kPa降至 3 49± 0 2 0kPa (P <0 0 0 1) ,阈压 (thresholdpressure ,TP)和饱和压 (saturationpressure ,SP)分别由 9 5 2±0 6 8kPa和 2 4 5 3± 0 48kPa增至 13 3± 0 11kPa (P <0 0 0 1)和 2 7 5 2± 0 2 0kPa (P <0 0 1) ,其中PS、RD、TP和SP呈明显的剂量依赖性 ;(2 )用雌激素受体阻断剂tamoxifen (1、5、10、30 μmol/L)预处理后 ,不能阻断E2 对压力感受器反射的抑制作用 ;(3)预先灌流NO合酶阻断剂 (L NAME ,10 0 μmol/L) ,可完全消除E2 (10 μmol/L)对压力感受器反射的抑制效应。以上结果表明 ,17β 雌二醇可通过非基因组机制抑制大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受器反射 ,其效应系E2 引起血管内皮细胞释放NO所致。     

The inhibition of efferent sympathetic activity by means of pressure stimulation of the carotid sinus pressoreceptors]

The influence of pressure stimulation of a barorecptor upon the activity of the sympathetic nerve branch terminating in the wall of the contralateral carotid bifurcation was studied on narcotized dogs. The potential activity of this branch is of efferent nature. On the average, 570 msec after the pressure load applied to the opposite carotid sinus preparation, a silent period occurred. The duration of this silent period and the activity of the sympathetic nerve branch depend on the internal pressure of the preparation. The influence of different structures (central and peripheral) on latency, total and partial inhibition of the sympathetic activity are discussed.     

Facilitation of chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia on carotid sinus baroreflex in anesthetized rats

Our previous study showed that chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) could prevent decreases in systemic arterial blood pressure (SABP) during acute hypoxia. However, the mechanism was not clear. The purpose of the present study was to observe whether the carotid sinus baroreflex (CSB) was involved in the antagonizing effect of CIHH on SABP decrease induced by acute hypoxia and to explore the underlying mechanism using perfusion technique in rat isolated carotid sinus area. After 14-day and 28-day CIHH exposure, the CSB in rats was enhanced markedly, manifesting as increases in PS and RD, and decreases in TP and SP. This facilitation of CSB was partly abolished by Glibenclamide (Gli, 10 μM), a K ATP channel blocker, but was not influenced by L-NAME (100 μM), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor. The results of the study suggested that CIHH facilitated CSB through opening the K ATP channels in carotid sinus of anesthetic rats and might be one of mechanisms of CIHH keeping SABP homeostasis during acute hypoxia.     

The efferent sympathetic activity of the rabbit renal nerve during local application of adrenaline to the carotid sinus]

Adrenalin solution (1:1000) administered at the carotid sinus, through excitation of the depressoric C-fibre system of the carotid nerve, induces a strong, lasting reflectoric decrease of arterial pressure with slowing heart rate, associated with an almost complete inhibition of the efferent sympathetic activity of the renal nerve. The efferent sympathetic activity, arterial blood pressure and heart rate, both at the onset and at the height of adrenalin action, show corresponding activity changes: the relative inhibition of the sympathetic nerve is strongest correlated with the depressoric blood-pressure effect, while the decrease of heart rate, related to the initial activity, is least pronounced.     

Fluid structure interaction with contact surface methodology for evaluation of endovascular carotid implants for drug-resistant hypertension treatment

Drug-resistant hypertensive patients may be treated by mechanical stimulation of stretch-sensitive baroreceptors located in the sinus of carotid arteries. To evaluate the efficacy of endovascular devices to stretch the carotid sinus such that the induced strain might trigger baroreceptors to increase action potential firing rate and thereby reduce systemic blood pressure, numerical simulations were conducted of devices deployed in subject-specific carotid models. Two models were chosen--a typical physiologic carotid and a diminutive atypical physiologic model representing a clinically worst case scenario--to evaluate the effects of device deployment in normal and extreme cases, respectively. Based on the anatomical dimensions of the carotids, two different device sizes were chosen out of five total device sizes available. A fluid structure interaction (FSI) simulation methodology with contact surface between the device and the arterial wall was implemented for resolving the stresses and strains induced by device deployment. Results indicate that device deployment in the carotid sinus of the physiologic model induces an increase of 2.5% and 7.5% in circumferential and longitudinal wall stretch, respectively, and a maximum of 54% increase in von Mises arterial stress at the sinus wall baroreceptor region. The second device, deployed in the diminutive carotid model, induces an increase of 6% in both circumferential and longitudinal stretch and a 50% maximum increase in von Mises stress at the sinus wall baroreceptor region. Device deployment has a minimal effect on blood-flow patterns, indicating that it does not adversely affect carotid bifurcation hemodynamics in the physiologic model. In the smaller carotid model, deployment of the device lowers wall shear stress at sinus by 16% while accelerating flow entering the external carotid artery branch. Our FSI simulations of carotid arteries with deployed device show that the device induces localized increase in wall stretch at the sinus, suggesting that this will activate baroreceptors and subsequently may control hypertension in drug-resistant hypertensive patients, with no consequential deleterious effects on the carotid sinus hemodynamics.     

New insights into differential baroreflex control of heart rate in humans

Recent data indicate that bilateral carotid sinus denervation in patients results in a chronic impairment in the rapid reflex control of blood pressure during orthostasis. These findings are inconsistent with previous human experimental investigations indicating a minimal role for the carotid baroreceptor-cardiac reflex in blood pressure control. Therefore, we reexamined arterial baroreflex [carotid (CBR) and aortic baroreflex (ABR)] control of heart rate (HR) using newly developed methodologies. In 10 healthy men, 27 +/- 1 yr old, an abrupt decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) was induced nonpharmacologically by releasing a unilateral arterial thigh cuff (300 Torr) after 9 min of resting leg ischemia under two conditions: 1) ABR and CBR deactivation (control) and 2) ABR deactivation. Under control conditions, cuff release decreased MAP by 13 +/- 1 mmHg, whereas HR increased 11 +/- 2 beats/min. During ABR deactivation, neck suction was gradually applied to maintain carotid sinus transmural pressure during the initial 20 s after cuff release (suction). This attenuated the increase in HR (6 +/- 1 beats/min) and caused a greater decrease in MAP (18 +/- 2 mmHg, P < 0.05). Furthermore, estimated cardiac baroreflex responsiveness (DeltaHR/DeltaMAP) was significantly reduced during suction compared with control conditions. These findings suggest that the carotid baroreceptors contribute more importantly to the reflex control of HR than previously reported in healthy individuals.     

链霉素对颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的抑制作用

在 2 3只隔离灌流颈动脉窦区的麻醉大鼠 ,观察了链霉素对颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的影响。结果如下 :(1)以链霉素 (10 0 μmol/L)隔离灌流大鼠左侧颈动脉窦区时 ,压力感受器反射机能曲线向左下方移位 ,曲线最大斜率 (PS)由 0 40± 0 0 1kPa降至 0 33± 0 0 1kPa (P <0 0 0 1) ,血压反射性下降 (reflexdecrease ,RD)幅度由 6 2 2±0 13kPa降至 5 0 2± 0 11kPa (P <0 0 0 1) ,阈压 (TP)、平衡压 (EP)和饱和压 (SP)则分别从 8 2 7± 0 2 5 ,12 71± 0 2 1和 2 4 41± 0 14kPa增至 10 33± 0 32 (P <0 0 1) ,13 33± 0 30 (P <0 0 1)和 2 6 11± 0 2 8kPa (P <0 0 1)。其中RD ,PS和TP的变化呈明显的剂量依赖性。 (2 )应用腺苷隔离灌流大鼠颈动脉窦区 ,引起颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的易化 ;在用链霉素预处理后 ,此易化效应不仅完全被阻断 ,且可使反射效应小于应用腺苷前的对照值。以上结果表明 ,链霉素对大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受器反射有明显的抑制作用。     

Short-duration spaceflight impairs human carotid baroreceptor-cardiac reflex responses.

Orthostatic intolerance is a predictable but poorly understood consequence of space travel. Because arterial baroreceptors modulate abrupt pressure transients, we tested the hypothesis that spaceflight impairs baroreflex mechanisms. We studied vagally mediated carotid baroreceptor-cardiac reflex responses (provoked by neck pressure changes) in the supine position and heart rate and blood pressure in the supine and standing positions in 16 astronauts before and after 4- to 5-day Space Shuttle missions. On landing day, resting R-R intervals and standard deviations, and the slope, range, and position of operational points on the carotid transmural pressure-sinus node response relation were all reduced relative to preflight. Stand tests on landing day revealed two separate groups (one maintained standing arterial pressure better) that were separated by preflight slopes, operational points, and supine and standing R-R intervals and by preflight-to-postflight changes in standing pressures, body weights, and operational points. Our results suggest that short-duration spaceflight leads to significant reductions in vagal control of the sinus node that may contribute to, but do not account completely for, orthostatic intolerance.