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.     

Ca^2＋参链霉素对大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受器反射影响中的作用

在２３只隔离灌流颈动脉窦区的麻醉大鼠上,观察了链霉素（ｓｔｒｅｐｔｏｍｙｃｉｎ,ＳＭ）对动脉压力感受器反射影响的离子机制。结果：（１）用ＳＭ（２００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）隔离灌流大鼠颈动脉窦区时,压力感受器机能曲线向右上方移位,曲线最大斜率及反射性血压下降幅度均减小（Ｐ〈０．０１）,提示ＳＭ对压力感受器反射的抑制作用;（２）预先灌流高Ｃａ＾２＋溶液（４ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）后,可部分消除ＳＭ（２００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）     

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.     

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。     

心房钠泵因子对颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的易化作用

Effects of atriopeptin II (APII) on the carotid sinus baroreflex in anesthetized rats and on the sinus nerve afferent activity in the anesthetized rabbits were investigated. The results were as follows: (1) By perfusing the isolated left carotid sinus with APII (1 microgram/ml) in anesthetized rats (n = 10), the threshold pressure (TP) of the carotid baroreflex did not show any change, while the equilibrium pressure (EP), the saturation pressure (SP) and the operating range (OR) were decreased from 101 +/- 2.8 to 95 +/- 2.0 mmHg (P less than 0.05), 202 +/- 5.2 to 168 +/- 6.1 mmHg (P less than 0.001) and 128 +/- 5.5 to 93 +/- 6.3 mmHg (P less than 0.001), respectively. The function curve of the baroreflex was shifted to the left and downward with a peak slope (PS) increased during perfusing with APII. In contrast, by perfusing the carotid sinus with sodium nitroprusside (NP, 0.5 micrograms/ml), TP and EP remained unchanged, whereas SP and OR were increased from 188 +/- 6.4 to 218 +/- 6.0 mmHg (n = 6, P less than 0.01) and from 107 +/- 6.9 to 132 +/- 7.6 mmHg (P less than 0.05), respectively. The function curve of the baroreflex and its PS were not affected by NP. The sinus nerve afferent activity was quite stable with the perfusion of carotid sinus at constant intrasinus pressure (ISP) in the rabbits (n = 6) and increased during the elevation of ISP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

腺苷对颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的易化作用

在27只隔离灌流颈动脉窦区的麻醉大鼠,观察了腺苷（adenosine,Ado）对颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的影响。所得结果如下：（1）以 Ado（125μmol／L）隔离灌流大鼠左侧颈动脉窦区时,压力感受器机能曲线向左下方移位,曲线最大斜率（PS）由0．37±0．02增至0 55±0．02kPa／KPa（P＜0．001）,反射性血压下降幅度（RD）由5．53±0．12增至7．76±0．36KPa;阈压（TP）、平衡压（EP）和饱和压（SP）则分别从8．60±0．27,12．53±0．30和23．69±0．15下降至5．63± 0．11kPa,10．89±0．29KPa和20．18±0．55KPa（P＜0．01－0．001 ）。其中RD,PS和TP的变化呈明显的剂量依赖性。（2）用腺苷选择性 A1受体拮抗剂（8－cyclopentyl－l,3－dipropylianthene,0．134mmol／L）预处理后,Ado的上述反射效应即被阻断。（3）先给予KATP通道阻断剂格列苯脲（glibenclamide．10μmol／L）亦可取消腺苷对压力感受器反射的影响。以上结果表明, Ado对大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受器活动有易化作用,这一作用似与腺苷A1受体介导的KATP通道开放有关。     

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.     

辣椒素对颈动脉窦压力感受性反射的易化作用

在30只隔离灌流颈动脉窦区的麻醉大鼠,观察了辣椒素(capsaicin,CAP)对颈动脉窦压力感受性反射的影响.结果显示(1)以CAP(1 μmol/L)隔离灌流大鼠左侧颈动脉窦区时,颈动脉窦压力感受性机能曲线向左下方移位,曲线最大斜率(peak slope,PS)由0.34±0.01增至0.42±0.01(P＜0.01),反射性血压下降幅度(reflex decrease,RD)由36.51±1.26增至45,01±0.71 mmHg(P＜0.01).阈压、平衡压和饱和压分别从70.43±2.09、95.5±1.71和177.60±1.37 mmHg下降至52.86±2.80、87.00±1.58、163.55±2.12 mmHg(P＜0.01).其中PS和RD的变化呈明显的剂量依赖性.(2)用香草酸受体亚型(vanilloid receptor subtypel,VRl)阻断剂钌红(ruthenium red,100 μmo1/L)预处理后,CAP的上述反射效应即被阻断.(3)先给予KArp通道阻断剂格列苯脲(glibenclamide,20 μmo1/L)也取消了CAP对压力感受性反射的影响.结果表明,CAP对大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受性反射有易化作用,此作用似与VR1介导的KATP通道开放有关.     

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.     

KATP通道开放剂对颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的易化作用

在30只隔离灌流颈动脉窦区的麻醉大鼠, 观察了KATP通道开放剂(cromakalim, Cro)对颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的影响.结果如下: (1)以Cro (10 μmol/L)隔离灌流大鼠左侧颈动脉窦区时, 压力感受器机能曲线向左下方移位, 曲线最大斜率 (PS) 由0.36±0.01增至0.48±0.01 kPa/kPa (P<0.001), 反射性血压下降幅度(RD)由5.78±0.14增至7.87±0.12 kPa (P<0.001);阈压(TP)、平衡压(EP)和饱和压(SP)则分别从8.34±0.35, 12.71±0.25和24.89±0.25下降至6.41±0.09 kPa, 11.78±0.24 kPa, 22.56±0.16 kPa (P<0.01～0.001).其中RD, PS和TP的变化呈明显的剂量依赖性.(2)用KATP通道阻断剂格列苯脲(glibenclamide, 10 μmol/L)预处理后, Cro的上述反射效应即被阻断.(3)先给予腺苷(adenosine, 125 μmol/L)则可以加强Cro对压力感受器反射的影响.以上结果表明, KATP通道开放剂Cro对大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受器反射有易化作用, 此作用是由KATP通道开放剂引起窦壁扩张而牵张压力感受器所致.     

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。     

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。     

Both central command and exercise pressor reflex reset carotid sinus baroreflex

In decerebrate unanesthetized cats, we determined whether either "central command," the exercise pressor reflex, or the muscle mechanoreceptor reflex reset the carotid baroreflex. Both carotid sinuses were vascularly isolated, and the carotid baroreceptors were stimulated with pulsatile pressure. Carotid baroreflex function curves were determined for aortic pressure, heart rate, and renal vascular conductance. Central command was evoked by electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) in cats that were paralyzed. The exercise pressor reflex was evoked by statically contracting the triceps surae muscles in cats that were not paralyzed. Likewise, the muscle mechanoreceptor reflex was evoked by stretching the calcaneal tendon in cats that were not paralyzed. We found that each of the three maneuvers shifted upward the linear relationship between carotid sinus pressure and aortic pressure and heart rate. Each of the maneuvers, however, had no effect on the slope of these baroreflex function curves. Our findings show that central command arising from the MLR as well as the exercise pressor reflex are capable of resetting the carotid baroreflex.     

缓激肽抑制麻醉大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受器反射

在36只隔离灌流左侧颈动脉窦区的麻醉大鼠上观察了缓激肽(bradykinin,BK)对颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的影响.结果如下:(1)以BK (1.0μmol/L)隔离灌流大鼠颈动脉窦区时,压力感受器机能曲线向右上方移位,曲线的最大斜率(peak slope,PS)由0.44±0.14降至0.31±0.01(P<0.01),反射性血压下降幅度(reflex decrease,RD)由6.85±0.18 kPa降至4.46±0.16 kPa (P<0.01),阈压(TP)由7.76±0.20增至10.04±0.09kPa (P<0.05),其中RD,PS和TP的变化呈明显的剂量依赖性.(2)用环氧酶抑制剂消炎痛(indomethacin,10 μmol/L)预处理后,对BK (1.0μmol/L)抑制压力感受器的作用无影响; (3)预先灌流NO合酶阻断剂(L-NAME,100μmol/L),则可完全消除BK (1.0μmol/L)对压力感受器反射的抑制效应; (4)预先给予转换酶抑制剂(captopril,20μmol/L),可加强BK对压力感受器反射的抑制作用.以上结果表明:BK对大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受器反射有抑制作用,此作用系BK引起血管内皮细胞生成NO所致.     

植物雌激素三羟异黄酮抑制麻醉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,观察了植物雌激素三羟异黄酮（genistein,GST）对颈动脉窦压力感受器反射的影响。其结果如下:（1）以GST（50μmol/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）由0.36±0.01降至0.23±0.01（P<0.001）;反射性血压下降幅度（reflex decrease,RD）由39.75±1.58降至27.00±0.60 mmHg（P<0.001）,阈压（TP）和饱和压（SP）分别从65.63±2.10和192.23±3.90升至82.05±1.95mmHg（P<0.001）和215.76±3.75mmHg（P<0.001）。其中RD、PS和TP呈明显的剂量依赖性;（2）用Ca2+通道激动剂Bay K 8644（500 nmol/L）预处理后,能取消GST（50 μmol/L）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,100μmol/L）,不能阻断GST（50μmol/L）对压力感受器反射的抑制效应。以上结果提示,GST可能通过阻断Ca2+通道途径而抑制大鼠颈动脉窦压力感受器反射,并非由血管内皮细胞释放NO所致。     

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.     

Dynamic characteristics of baroreflex neural and peripheral arcs are preserved in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Although baroreceptors are known to reset to operate in a higher pressure range in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the total profile of dynamic arterial pressure (AP) regulation remains to be clarified. We estimated open-loop transfer functions of the carotid sinus baroreflex in SHR and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Mean input pressures were set at 120 (WKY??? and SHR???) and 160 mmHg (SHR???). The neural arc transfer function from carotid sinus pressure to efferent splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) revealed derivative characteristics in both WKY and SHR. The slope of dynamic gain (in decibels per decade) between 0.1 and 1 Hz was not different between WKY??? (10.1 ± 1.0) and SHR??? (10.4 ± 1.1) but was significantly greater in SHR??? (13.2 ± 0.8, P < 0.05 with Bonferroni correction) than in SHR???. The peripheral arc transfer function from SNA to AP showed low-pass characteristics. The slope of dynamic gain (in decibels per decade) did not differ between WKY??? (-34.0 ± 1.2) and SHR??? (-31.4 ± 1.0) or between SHR??? and SHR??? (-32.8 ± 1.3). The total baroreflex showed low-pass characteristics and the dynamic gain at 0.01 Hz did not differ between WKY??? (0.91 ± 0.08) and SHR??? (0.84 ± 0.13) or between SHR??? and SHR??? (0.83 ± 0.11). In both WKY and SHR, the declining slope of dynamic gain was significantly gentler for the total baroreflex than for the peripheral arc, suggesting improved dynamic AP response in the total baroreflex. In conclusion, the dynamic characteristics of AP regulation by the carotid sinus baroreflex were well preserved in SHR despite significantly higher mean AP.     

窦内压升高和灌流腺苷激活颈动脉窦压力感受器时延髓内c-fos蛋白的表达

在14 只隔离灌流颈动脉窦区的大鼠, 观察了窦内压(ISP) 升高和灌流腺苷 (adenosine, Ado) 激活压力感受器时延髓内c-fos蛋白的表达.结果显示: 在孤束核、最后区、延髓腹外侧头端区和中缝苍白核可见Fos蛋白样免疫阳性反应(FLI)神经元分布, 且其数量随ISP升高而增多.在给定ISP下, 颈动脉窦内灌流Ado, 可使上述区域中FLI表达明显增多.根据以上结果, 得出如下结论: c-fos在压力感受器反射延髓通路中的表达, 可由ISP增高和灌流Ado而增强, 表明Ado对压力感受器反射有易化作用.     

EXPRESSION OF cfos IN THE MEDULLA OBLONGATA AFTER CAROTID BARORECEPTOR ACTIVATION BYELEVATED INTRASINUS PRESSURE AND ADENOSINE

在１４只隔离灌流颈动脉窦区的大鼠,观察了窦内压（ＩＳＰ）升高和灌流腺苷（ａｄｅｎｏｓｉｎｅ,Ａｄｏ）激活压力感受器时延髓内ｃｆｏｓ蛋白的表达。结果显示：在孤束核、最后区、延髓腹外侧头端区和中缝苍白核可见Ｆｏｓ蛋白样免疫阳性反应（ＦＬＩ）神经元分布,且其数量随ＩＳＰ升高而增多。在给定ＩＳＰ下,颈动脉窦内灌流Ａｄｏ,可使上述区域中ＦＬＩ表达明显增多。根据以上结果,得出如下结论：ｃｆｏｓ在压力感受器反射延髓通路中的表达,可由ＩＳＰ增高和灌流Ａｄｏ而增强,表明Ａｄｏ对压力感受器反射有易化作用。     

Differential effect of central command on aortic and carotid sinus baroreceptor-heart rate reflexes at the onset of spontaneous, fictive motor activity

Our laboratory has reported that central command blunts the sensitivity of the aortic baroreceptor-heart rate (HR) reflex at the onset of voluntary static exercise in conscious cats and spontaneous contraction in decerebrate cats. The purpose of this study was to examine whether central command attenuates the sensitivity of the carotid sinus baroreceptor-HR reflex at the onset of spontaneous, fictive motor activity in paralyzed, decerebrate cats. We confirmed that aortic nerve (AN)-stimulation-induced bradycardia was markedly blunted to 26 ± 4.4% of the control (21 ± 1.3 beats/min) at the onset of spontaneous motor activity. Although the baroreflex bradycardia by electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) was suppressed (P < 0.05) to 86 ± 5.6% of the control (38 ± 1.2 beats/min), the inhibitory effect of spontaneous motor activity was much weaker (P < 0.05) with CSN stimulation than with AN stimulation. The baroreflex bradycardia elicited by brief occlusion of the abdominal aorta was blunted to 36% of the control (36 ± 1.6 beats/min) during spontaneous motor activity, suggesting that central command is able to inhibit the cardiomotor sensitivity of arterial baroreflexes as the net effect. Mechanical stretch of the triceps surae muscle never affected the baroreflex bradycardia elicited by AN or CSN stimulation and by aortic occlusion, suggesting that muscle mechanoreflex did not modify the cardiomotor sensitivity of aortic and carotid sinus baroreflex. Since the inhibitory effect of central command on the carotid baroreflex pathway, associated with spontaneous motor activity, was much weaker compared with the aortic baroreflex pathway, it is concluded that central command does not force a generalized modulation on the whole pathways of arterial baroreflexes but provides selective inhibition for the cardiomotor component of the aortic baroreflex.