Effect of the adrenergic beta receptor blocker propranolol on the dilatation of cerebrocortical vessels evoked by arterial hypoxia

In order to elucidate the importance of adrenergic beta receptors in the regulation of cerebral microcirculation during arterial hypoxia, chloralose anaesthetized cats were treated with propranolol hydrochloride. Arterial hypoxia, lasting for approximately 4 min, was induced by respiring the animals with a gas mixture containing 7% oxygen balanced in nitrogen gas. Arterial hypoxia was induced in the same animals before and during continuous infusion of propranolol (0.05 mg/kg/min into the lingual artery). Cerebrocortical vascular volume ( CVV ) and NADH fluorescence were measured through a cranial window with a microscope fluororeflectometer . Control arterial hypoxia (no treatment) increased CVV and NADH reduction by 22.2 +/- 2% and 20.4 +/- 2.1%, respectively. Following 1 mg/kg propranolol treatment arterial hypoxia of the same severity resulted in only approximately 2/3 of the CVV response obtained during the control arterial hypoxia. Since arterial hypoxia induced similar changes in arterial blood gases, arterial blood pressure, and intracranial pressure in both cases, our results indicate that the cortical vasodilatation occurring during arterial hypoxia is due, at least in part, to the activation of adrenergic beta receptors.     

Possible sensory receptor of nonadrenergic inhibitory nervous system

To determine the sensory receptor of the nonadrenergic inhibitory nervous system (NAIS), 22 cats were anesthetized and serotonin was continuously administered (50-250 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 iv) to increase pulmonary resistance (RL) to 377 +/- 57% (SE) of the control value. We then 1) mechanically irritated the trachea, 2) intravenously administered capsaicin (5 micrograms/kg), or 3) induced hypoxia (arterial PO2 30-40 Torr) to stimulate irritant and bronchial C-fiber receptors, pulmonary C-fiber receptors, or the carotid body (chemoreceptors), respectively. After treatment with atropine (3 mg/kg iv) and propranolol (2 mg/kg iv), the serotonin-induced change in RL was reduced by 58.6 +/- 14.3% by mechanical irritation and 63.3 +/- 12.1% by intravenous capsaicin. However, hypoxia produced no dilatation of the airways. In further experiments, we employed capsaicin inhalation to stimulate bronchial C-fiber receptors. Inhaled capsaicin (0.1%, for 5 breaths) also reduced RL by 79.2 +/- 9.2% of the elevated value, after atropine and propranolol. Treatment with a ganglionic blocking agent, hexamethonium (2 mg/kg iv), abolished bronchodilator responses, implying that a reflex pathway through vagal nerves is involved in this phenomenon. These results suggest that pulmonary and bronchial C-fiber receptors may be involved as sensory receptors in NAIS reflex bronchodilatation.     

Chlordiazepoxide inhibition of reflex vagal bradycardia in the cat

The effect of chlordiazepoxide (CDZ) on phenylephrine-induced reflex vagal bradycardia was studied in cats anesthetized with chloralose. The sympathetic component of the reflex was eliminated by either pretreating the animals with propranolol (1 mg/kg, i.v.) or sectioning the spinal cord. In animals pretreated with propranolol, CDZ (3, 10 and 20 mg/kg, i.v.) produced a dose-related inhibition of phenylephrine-induced bradycardia. These doses of CDZ had no significant effect on phenylephrine-induced pressor responses. Similar results were obtained with CDZ in animals with spinal cords transected. Chlordiazepoxide did not prevent bradycardia evoked by electrical stimulation of the peripheral cut-end of the right vagus nerve. These results indicate that CDZ can inhibit reflex vagal bradycardia and that the inhibition involves a central action of the drug.     

Hemodynamic effects of a combination of clonidine and propranolol in conscious cirrhotic rats

The hemodynamic effects of the combination of clonidine and propranolol were studied in conscious rats with portal hypertension owing to secondary biliary cirrhosis. Pressure and blood flow measurements (radioactive microsphere method) were performed in three groups of eight rats before and after drug administration. The combined effects of clonidine (2 micrograms/100 g body wt., i.v.) and propranolol (0.2 mg/min for 10 min) were compared with those observed after administration of either clonidine alone or propranolol alone. The association of clonidine and propranolol induced significant decreases in portal pressure (30%) and portal tributary blood flow (43%), the magnitude of these changes being significantly more marked than that after administration of either clonidine alone (12 and 20%, respectively) or propranolol alone (16 and 17%, respectively). After the combination, no significant change in arterial pressure was observed, but cardiac output significantly decreased and systemic vascular resistance significantly increased. Renal blood flow decreased to a similar extent (40%) in the three groups. These findings indicate that the combination of clonidine and propranolol is more effective for reversing splanchnic hemodynamic changes than clonidine alone or propranolol alone. The additive effects of this association are in agreement with the action of clonidine and propranolol at different levels (central and peripheral) and on different receptors (alpha and beta). It suggests that an increase in sympathetic activity may play a major role in hemodynamic changes observed in experimental cirrhosis.     

The role of dopamine and serotonin in the prolongation of post-decapitation convulsions in mice.

L-DOPA (320 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the duration of the clonic phase of post-decapitation convulsions (PDC) by 60% in mice pretreated with the peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, Ro 4-4602 (50 mg/kg, i.p.). Assays of brains at the time of decapitation showed a 300% increase in dopamine (DM), an 80% reduction in serotonin (5-HT) and no change in norepinephrine (NE) levels. The effect of L-DOPA on PDC was not blocked by haloperidol (0.5 – 5.0 mg/kg), a blocker of DM receptors, nor by diethyldithiocarbamate (400 mg/kg) an inhibitor of NE synthesis. Parachlorophenylalanine (300 mg/kg × 3 days) produced an 80% reduction in 5-HT and a prolongation of PDC similar to that observed after L-DOPA. Prolongation of PDC was also seen after the 5-HT antagonists methysergide (5 mg/kg) and cinanserin (10 mg/kg), but not after cyproheptadine (10 mg/kg). The 5-HT precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (100 mg/kg), produced no change in PDC when used alone but inhibited L-DOPA's prolongation of PDC. The results suggest that L-DOPA acts by depleting 5-HT in bulbospinal pathways and thus enhancing reflex activity in the spinal cord.     

Effect of phenamine and gutimine and gutimine on adaptive changes in arterial pressure occurring during skeletal muscle contraction]

Effects of amphetamine (0,1--11 mg/kg) and gutimin (5--50 mg/kg) on the pressor reflex originating in the exercising muscle were studied on nonanesthetized decerebrate cats. Isometric exercise of the hind limb muscles was elicited by stimulating the spinal ventral roots L6--S1. Amphetamine (0.1 mg/kg) increased the level of arterial pressure and the amplitude of the pressor reflex. Higher doses of amphetamine decreased the pressor reflex to exercises and there was a fall of arterial pressure. Gutimin elevated the arterial pressure and failed to alter the pressor reflex to exercises.     

Attenuating effects of intrathecal clonidine on the exercise pressor reflex

We tested the hypothesis that intrathecal injection of clonidine, an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, attenuated the reflex cardiovascular and ventilatory responses to static muscular contraction in cats. Before clonidine (1 microgram in 0.2 ml), contraction-induced reflex increases (n = 10) in mean arterial pressure and ventilation averaged 25 +/- 3 mmHg and 359 +/- 105 ml/min, respectively, whereas after clonidine these increases averaged 8 +/- 4 mmHg and 200 +/- 114 ml/min, respectively (P less than 0.05). Clonidine had no effect on the heart rate response to contraction. Intrathecal injection of yohimbine (10 micrograms; n = 5), an alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist, but not prazosin (10 micrograms; n = 3), an alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist, prevented the attenuating effects of clonidine on the reflex pressor and ventilatory responses to contraction. Our findings were not due to the spread of clonidine to the medulla, because the reflex pressor and ventilatory responses to contraction were not attenuated by injection of clonidine (1 microgram) onto the medulla (n = 3). In addition, our findings were not due to a clonidine-induced withdrawal of sympathetic outflow, because intrathecal injection of clonidine (1 microgram) did not attenuate increases in arterial pressure and ventilation evoked by high-intensity electrical stimulation of the cut central end of the sciatic nerve (n = 5). Furthermore, our findings were not due to a local anesthetic action of clonidine, because application of this agent to the dorsal roots had no effect on the discharge of group IV muscle afferents. We conclude that stimulation of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in the spinal cord attenuates the reflex pressor and ventilatory responses to static contraction.     

A lipophilic, selective alpha1 -adrenoceptor agonist: 2-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenylimino)imida-zolidine (St 587)

A new compound (St 587) is described, which is a selective α₁ -adrenoceptor stimulating agent with lipophilic properties. This combination of characteristics is novel, since all α₁ -adrenoceptor agonists developed so far are hydrophilic. The α-adrenergic effects of 2-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenylimino) imidazolidine (St 587), a derivative of clonidine, were examined in several animal models. St 587 (1–10,000 μg/kg, i.v.) induced vasoconstriction in pithed, normotensive rats. This peripheral pressor activity was strongly antagonized by prazosin (0.1 mg/kg), but not affected by yohimbine (1 mg/kg). In intact, pentobarbitone-anaesthetized normotensive rats, St 587 (1–3,000 μg/kg, i.v.) evoked transient pressor responses, but a secondary fall in blood pressure and cardiac frequency was not observed. In pitched rats, St 587 (1–1,000 μg/kg) failed to modify the increase in heart rate produced by electrical stimulation of the cardioaccelerator sympathetic nerve fibres. St 587 (300 and 1,000 μg/kg) did not display central hypotensive activity, when injected into the left vertebral artery of anaesthetized cats. In addition, no hypotensive effect was observed when St 587 was administered i.v. to anaesthetized normotensive rats and cats. In mice, St 587 (10–10,000 μg/kg, i.p.) lacked sedative properties, since it did not prolong the hexobarbitone (75 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced loss of the righting reflex. The overall lipophilicity (log P′) of St 587 in the octanol/buffer (pH=7.4) reference system at 37°C amounted to 1.54. The experimental data suggest that St 587 is a lipophillic compound with selective α₁ - agonistic activity. The inability of St 587 to cause hypotension and sedation provides further evidence for the view that α₁ -adrenoceptors in the brain are not involved in the central hypotensive action and the sedation, caused by clonidine and related drugs. These effects are solely mediated by homogenous populations of α₂ -adrenoceptors.     

Modulation of reflexsympathetic discharge by the cholinergic agonist oxotremorine and by clonidine

The cholinergic agonist oxotremorene can produce marked centrally-mediated cardiovascular effects. In past experiments in anesthetized cats, oxotremorine reduced blood pressure and an evoked sympathetic reflex. However, unlike other sympathetic inhibitors, it decreased sympathetic outflow selectively, did not slow heart rate but prolonged the latency of an evoked sympathetic reflex. In view of these striking differences, effects of oxotremorine on another reflex involved in cardiovascular control were assessed in anesthetized cats and compared to those produced by clonidine. Stimulation of the carotid sinus nerve with short duration pulses evoked reflex firing in the splanchnic nerve. Oxotremorine (50 – 800 ug/kg i.v.) caused a dose-related decrease in blood pressure and inhibited the evoked potential at the higher doses (200–800 ug/kg) but did not prolong its latency. Clonidine produced similar effects. Thus, attenuation by oxotremorine of an additional fundamental cardiovascular reflex was demonstrated. Seletcive inhibition of sympathetic outflow by oxotremorine as well as its differential effect on the latencies of cardiovascular reflexes indicates that the compound influences medullary and descending sympathetic pathways in a complex manner and suggests that the inhibition occurs at more than one site.     

Mechanism of the cardiovascular response to systemic intravenous administration of leucine-enkephalin in the conscious dog

Leucine-enkephalin (Leu⁵-ENK) (35 μg/kg) increased heart rate and mean systemic arterial blood pressure following intravenous injection into chronically-instrumented, conscious dogs. Repeated injections at five-minute intervals were not associated with a diminished response. Naloxone (1 mg/kg) pre-treatment inhibited both heart rate and blood pressure increases. Prazosin (1 mg/kg) attenuated the increase in blood pressure but did not influence the heart rate response. Propranolol (1 mg/kg) attenuated the heart rate response but not the pressor response. Clonidine (30 μg/kg) attenuated the positive chronotropic effect of Leu⁵-ENK. Atropine (1 mg/kg) plus propranolol (1 mg/kg) blocked the heart rate response but the pressor effect was still present. The attenuation of the heart rate response by propranolol and the pressor response by prazosin suggests an adrenergic component to the enkephalin response; the reduction in the heart rate response by clonidine and atropine-propranolol indicates a role for cholinergic mechanisms in the chronotropic response. Hexamethonium (10 mg/kg) blocked the heart rate response and markedly inhibited the pressor response. Vagal interruption attenuated both heart rate and blood pressure responses. It is concluded that intravenous Leu⁵-ENK stimulates afferent pathways located in fibers which are contained in the vagosympathetic trunk to reflexly increase heart rate and blood pressure.     

The combined effects of dopamine (DA) and the DA antagonists EGYT-2509, chlorpromazine and haloperidol on the kidney function

In anaesthetized dogs renal function was investigated in four successive 20-min periods in four experimental series. (1) In the first series following the first period (serving as control) 2.5 micrograms/kg/min of dopamine (DA) dissolved in 0.5 ml/min of Ringer's solution was infused into the left renal artery (period 2), than during periods 3 and 4. It was found that first (period 2) and second (period 3) doses of DA induced a significant decrease of about 20-30% in renal vascular resistance, and an increase of about 15-25% in renal blood flow. At the same time, systemic arterial blood pressure fell by 10%. The other investigated parameters of the left kidney (Cinulin, CPAH, sodium, potassium and water excretion) did not differ from the respective parameters of the intact right kidney. (2) In the second experimental series following the first period (prior to period 2) 1.0 mg/kg of the DA antagonist EGYT 2509 was administered intravenously. Prior to the period 3 again 1.0 mg/kg of EGYT 2509 and prior to period 4 2.0 mg/kg of EGYT 2509 was given intravenously. During periods 2 through 4 2.5 micrograms/kg/min of DA was infused into the left renal artery. It could be ascertained that EGYT 2509 abolished the renal effects of DA while not inducing any decrease in arterial blood pressure. (3) In the third experimental series, following the control period, prior to periods 2,3 and 4, 1.0 mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg chlorpromazine respectively, was administered i.v. followed by the infusion of DA into the left renal artery. After the administration of chlorpromazine arterial blood pressure and renal vascular resistance fell concomitantly and DA failed to induce any further changes in these parameters. According to our experiments chlorpromazine abolishes the effect of DA on kidney function. (4) In the fourth series, prior to DA infusion the dogs were given 0.5 mg/kg (period 2) then again 0.5 mg/kg and finally 1.0 mg/kg of haloperidol intravenously. Haloperidol decreased arterial blood pressure as well as renal vascular resistance, thus renal blood flow did not change. Renal blood flow could then be increased by DA infused into the left renal artery. It seems that haloperidol could not abolish the vascular effects of DA in the kidney. Our experiments indicate that substance EGYT 2509 possesses the most marked dopaminergic antagonistic effect, chlorpromazine had also been effective, while haloperidol had proved to be practically ineffective.     

Baroreflexes originated in vertebral artery zones upon peripheral vein tonus, systemic arterial blood pressure, and external respiration

The investigation was intended to study the role ofbaroreceptors ofhemodynamically isolated zone of vertebral arteries in regulation of peripheral veins tonus, arterial pressure and external respiration. Pressure decrease in this vascular reflexogenic zone led to reflex responses of increase in femoral vein tonus, elevation of blood pressure level and stimulation of external respiration. The opposite reflex responses of cardio-respiratory functional system to initial pressure activation of vertebral arteries baroreceptors are observed. Basing on generalization of our own findings and similar physiological and morphological researches of other authors, it is established that afferentation from the vertebral artery zone is a reflexogenic factor of somatic muscles' veins tonus regulation. These reflexes of capacity vessels tonic activity changes are part of cardio-respiratory responses of maintaining the tissue gaseous exchange.     

Hemodynamic effects of procainamide and quinidine and the influence of beta-blockade before and after experimental myocardial infarction.

The use of antiarrhythmie drugs in combination has been limited because of possible side effects secondary to myocardial depression in the acute myocardial infarction patient. Therefore, we investigated in intact dogs (group I) the hemodynamic interaction of propranolol plus procainamide (subgroup A) or quinidine (subgroup B) and in dogs after experimental myocardial infarction produced by coronary artery ligation (group II). Infusion of procainamide (30 mg/kg over 5 min) in animals of group IA produced a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease of 30% in mean aortic pressure, a decrease of 40% in left ventricular dp/dt and 29% in cardiac output. When procainamide was reinfuse after propranolol (1 mg/kg), its hemodynamic effects were not significantly different from those observed before propranolol in both groups IA and IIA. Infusion of quinidine (10 mg/kg over 5 min) in animals of group IB (intact dogs) also produced significant decreases of 24% in mean aortic pressure and 38% in dp/dt while cardiac output was unchanged. However, these hemodynamic changes were seen only after beta-blockade and were significantly different from those obtained before propranolol, where heart rate increased by 14%, dp/dt by 30%, and cardiac output by 35%. These changes occurred despite a similar reduction in mean aortic pressure. This drug combination produced similar response in animals after coronary artery ligation (group IIB). In conclusion, we feel that the administration of propranolol does not prevent the depressive circulatory effects of procainamide. The combined use of quinidine and propranolol also has a negative circulatory effect although not as marked as the effects observed after procainamide with propranolol.     

The effects of clonidine on the kidney function in the anesthetized dog

Studies were performed to determine the mechanism by which the antihypertensive agent clonidine increased urine flow. The response of the kidney has been examined in four combinations. The parameters of renal function have been compared during volume expansion by 1.5-2.0% body weight Ringer solution. In the control animals, volume expansion by 2% body weight, resulted in a slight increase in sodium excretion and urine flow. In 10 anesthetized dogs 1.0 microgram/kg/min of clonidine infused i.v. during 30 minutes (the total amount of clonidine infused was 30 micrograms/kg) decreased the arterial blood pressure from 136 +/- 13 mmHg to 127 +/- 12 mmHg and elevated urine flow from 2.95 +/- 1.65 ml/min to 4.34 +/- 1.77 ml/min while the urine osmolality diminished from 399 +/- 107 mosm/l to 265 +/- 90 mosm/l and the glomerular filtration remained constant. In 5 animals 0.1 microgram/kg/min of clonidine was infused into the left renal artery (this dose is corresponding to the renal fraction of the cardiac output) without any effects in the left kidney. 1.0 microgram/kg/min of clonidine infused directly into the left renal artery produced vasoconstriction in the ipsilateral kidney, decreased the glomerular filtration rate and the urine flow. By contrast in the right kidney the urine flow rose without hemodynamic changes, and the urine osmolality became hypoosmotic compared to the plasma. In ten dogs 1.0 microgram/kg/min of clonidine and 1 mU/kg/min of arginine-vasopressin were infused intravenously. The vasopressin infusion superimposed on the clonidine could not inhibit the increase of the urine excretion, and the fall of the urine osmolality. The results suggest that the clonidine increases the renal medullary blood flow possibly via a direct mechanism, decreases the sympathetic outflow to the kidney and via an indirect pathway, mediated by the renin-angiotensin system. The renal medullary flow increase produces a washout of the medullary osmotic gradient, and the water reabsorption diminishes.     

The effect of 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine on post-decapitation convulsions

Previous data (1) have shown that L-DOPA increases the duration of the clonic phase of post-decapitation convulsions (PDC) in mice. It was suggested that this effect is produced by depleting 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the inhibitory bulbospinal pathways and thus enhancing reflex activity in the spinal cord. If this were true then L-DOPA administration should not influence clonic PDC in animals whose 5-HT pathways were destroyed. We therefore tested the effects of L-DOPA on mice 3 weeks after pretreatment with the 5-HT neurotoxin, 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine (5, 6-DHT) (50 μg/kg, intracerebroventricularly). All mice were given the peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, Ro 4-4602. 5,6-DHT halved the brain 5-HT levels and significantly increased the duration of clonic PDC. The administration of L-DOPA (320 mg/kg i.p.) to 5,6 DHT treated mice did not produce any further significant increases in duration. The administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) (100 mg/kg, i.v.) to 5,6-DHT treated mice, however, increased 5-HT to above control levels and reduced convulsions to control levels. Administration of both 5-HTP and L-DOPA to 5,6-DHT treated mice resulted in 5-HT levels and convulsion times which were also not significantly different from the controls. These data give additional indication that intact 5-HT nerve terminals are necessary for L-DOPA to prolong the duration of clonic PDC.     

Respiration in awake cats: sympathectomy and deafferentation of carotid bifurcations

Respiratory effects of sympathectomy of the carotid bifurcations and, in a subsequent experiment, bilateral carotid sinus nerve section were examined in six awake resting cats. In each intact and denervated state, sequential breaths were analyzed at 10-min intervals up to 80 min. Individual breath frequency (f), tidal volume (VT), and ventilation (V = f X VT) were determined. In individual cats, sympathectomy or deafferentation could cause significant increases or decreases in ventilation or no change. Thus the range of spontaneous variability in breath V as well as minute ventilation (VE), averaged for the group, were not consistently altered in the same direction by either sympathectomy or deafferentation of the carotid bifurcations. Interestingly, in most cats after both sympathectomy (5 of 6) and deafferentation (4 of 6), VT increased and f decreased relative to V. Despite this, after sinus nerve section in two cats arterial PO2 decreased and arterial PCO2 tended to increase relative to VE, suggesting possible effects of deafferentation on ventilation-perfusion balance. Sympathectomy also affected timing such that inspiratory time began to exceed 0.5 of the breath duration at a lower breath f; this effect of sympathectomy was reversed to intact values by subsequent sinus deafferentation. Thus, in eupneic awake cats, sympathetics normally suppress reflex modulation of central timing from carotid chemoreceptors and/or baroreceptors.     

充胀犬胸部降主动脉所致的升压效应

在17只麻醉开胸犬,观察局部充胀胸部降主动脉(TDA)对心血管活动的影响。主要结果如下:1.充胀 TDA 引起心率、心肌收缩力、肾及股薄肌灌注压和全身动脉血压增加;TDA 局部去神经后反应消失,表明上述心血管效应系 TDA 受牵张刺激引起的正反馈性神经反射现象。2.切断动物两侧颈迷走神经和窦神经后,充胀 TDA 引起的心血管效应增大。3.用心得安(1mg/kg)消除心脏的β-效应后,充胀 TDA 引起的升压反应有所减小;用酚妥拉明(3mg/kg)阻断血管的α-受体效应后,多数动物即不再出现血压增高,从而提示充胀TDA 时的血压升高主要是反射性外周阻力增加所致。在缓冲神经完整的条件下,上述 TDA加压效应是存在的,但主动脉弓和颈动脉窦缓冲反射对其有对抗作用。     

Nitric oxide modulates sympathoexcitatory cardiac-cardiovascular reflexes elicited by bradykinin

A number of studies have demonstrated an important role for nitric oxide (NO) in central and peripheral neural modulation of sympathetic activity. To assess the interaction and integrative effects of NO release and sympathetic reflex actions, we investigated the influence of inhibition of NO on cardiac-cardiovascular reflexes. In anesthetized, sinoaortic-denervated and vagotomized cats, transient reflex increases in arterial blood pressure (BP) were induced by application of bradykinin (BK, 0.1-10 microg/ml) to the epicardial surface of the heart. The nonspecific NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 10 mg/kg iv) was then administered and stimulation was repeated. L-NMMA increased baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 129 +/- 8 to 152 +/- 9 mmHg and enhanced the change in MAP in response to BK from 32 +/- 3 to 39 +/- 5 mmHg (n = 9, P < 0.05). Pulse pressure was significantly enhanced during the reflex response from 6 +/- 4 to 27 +/- 6 mmHg after L-NMMA injection due to relatively greater potentiation of the rise in systolic BP. Both the increase in baseline BP and the enhanced pressor reflex were reversed by L-arginine (30 mg/kg iv). Because L-NMMA can inhibit both brain and endothelial NOS, the effects of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI, 25 mg/kg ip), a selective brain NOS inhibitor, on the BK-induced cardiac-cardiovascular pressor reflex also were examined. In contrast to L-NMMA, we observed significant reduction of the pressor response to BK from 37 +/- 5 to 18 +/- 3 mmHg 30 min after the administration of 7-NI (n = 9, P < 0.05), an effect that was reversed by L-arginine (300 mg/kg iv, n = 7). In a vehicle control group for 7-NI (10 ml of peanut oil ip), the pressor response to BK remained unchanged (n = 6, P > 0.05). In conclusion, neuronal NOS facilitates, whereas endothelial NOS modulates, the excitatory cardiovascular reflex elicited by chemical stimulation of sympathetic cardiac afferents.     

Role played by P2X and P2Y receptors in evoking the muscle chemoreflex.

The role played by purinergic 2Y receptors in evoking the muscle chemoreflex is not well defined. To shed light on this issue, we compared the pressor responses with popliteal arterial injection of UTP (1 mg/kg), a selective P2Y agonist, with those to popliteal arterial injection of ATP (1 mg/kg), a P2X and P2Y agonist, and to alpha,beta-methylene ATP (50 mug/kg), a selective P2X1 and P2X3 agonist, in decerebrate unanesthetized cats. We found that injection of ATP and alpha,beta-methylene ATP increased mean arterial pressure by 19 +/- 2 and 15 +/- 4 mmHg, whereas UTP had no affect on arterial pressure. In addition, the pressor responses to injection of ATP and alpha,beta-methylene ATP were abolished by section of the sciatic nerve, demonstrating that they were reflex in origin. We conclude that P2Y receptors on thin fiber muscle afferents play no role in evoking the muscle chemoreflex.     

Relating drug-induced changes in carotid artery mechanics to cardiovagal and sympathetic baroreflex control

Previous evidence indicates that sensitivity of the baroreflex cardiovagal and sympathetic arms is dissociated. In addition, pharmacologic assessment of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) has revealed that cardiovagal, but not sympathetic, BRS is greater when blood pressure is increasing versus falling. The origin of this hysteresis is unknown. In this study, carotid artery distensibility and absolute distension (diameter) were assessed to test the hypothesis that vessel mechanics in barosensitive regions affect the BRS of cardiovagal, but not sympathetic, outflow. R-R interval (i.e. time between successive R waves), finger arterial blood pressure, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, and carotid artery dimensions (B-mode imaging) were measured during sequential infusions of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and phenylephrine (PHE). Systolic and diastolic common carotid artery diameters and pulse pressure were recorded to calculate distensibility of this vessel under each drug condition. Cardiovagal BRS was greater when blood pressure was increasing versus decreasing (p < 0.01). Sympathetic BRS was not affected by direction of pressure change. Distensibility did not differ between SNP and PHE injections. However, compared with SNP, infusion of PHE resulted in larger absolute systolic and diastolic carotid diameters (p < 0.001). Therefore, cardiovagal reflex hysteresis was related to drug-induced changes in common carotid artery diameter but not distensibility. The lack of sympathetic hysteresis in this model suggests a relative insensitivity of this baroreflex component to carotid artery dimensions and provides a possible mechanism for the dissociation between cardiovagal and sympathetic BRS.