Baroreceptor reflex and arterial rigidity in schoolchildren

In this work there is shown a variability of heart rate and time delay of pulse wave of main arteries in schoolchildren.There is used the function of ordinary coherence of HR and DPW (time delay of pulse wave). This function reflects the rate of statistical linear relation of two processes in heart and blood vessels. A high tone of sympathetic part of vegetative nervous activity in schoolchildren increases CO (cardeiac out), shortens the hard connection phase of HR and DPW and results in a new system characteristic--arterial rigidity. There are presented results of passive orthostatic test and pharmacological tests on activation of sympathetic part of vegetative nervous activity in schoolchildren with heart rate problems.     

Role of the autonomic nervous system in the reduced maximal cardiac output at altitude.

After acclimatization to high altitude, maximal exercise cardiac output (QT) is reduced. Possible contributing factors include 1) blood volume depletion, 2) increased blood viscosity, 3) myocardial hypoxia, 4) altered autonomic nervous system (ANS) function affecting maximal heart rate (HR), and 5) reduced flow demand from reduced muscle work capability. We tested the role of the ANS reduction of HR in this phenomenon in five normal subjects by separately blocking the sympathetic and parasympathetic arms of the ANS during maximal exercise after 2-wk acclimatization at 3,800 m to alter maximal HR. We used intravenous doses of 8.0 mg of propranolol and 0.8 mg of glycopyrrolate, respectively. At altitude, peak HR was 170 +/- 6 beats/min, reduced from 186 +/- 3 beats/min (P = 0.012) at sea level. Propranolol further reduced peak HR to 139 +/- 2 beats/min (P = 0.001), whereas glycopyrrolate increased peak HR to sea level values, 184 +/- 3 beats/min, confirming adequate dosing with each drug. In contrast, peak O(2) consumption, work rate, and QT were similar at altitude under all drug treatments [peak QT = 16.2 +/- 1.2 (control), 15.5 +/- 1.3 (propranolol), and 16.2 +/- 1.1 l/min (glycopyrrolate)]. All QT results at altitude were lower than those at sea level (20.0 +/- 1.8 l/min in air). Therefore, this study suggests that, whereas the ANS may affect HR at altitude, peak QT is unaffected by ANS blockade. We conclude that the effect of altered ANS function on HR is not the cause of the reduced maximal QT at altitude.     

Autonomic Effects of Music in Health and Crohn's Disease: The Impact of Isochronicity,Emotional Valence,and Tempo

BackgroundMusic can evoke strong emotions and thus elicit significant autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses. However, previous studies investigating music-evoked ANS effects produced inconsistent results. In particular, it is not clear (a) whether simply a musical tactus (without common emotional components of music) is sufficient to elicit ANS effects; (b) whether changes in the tempo of a musical piece contribute to the ANS effects; (c) whether emotional valence of music influences ANS effects; and (d) whether music-elicited ANS effects are comparable in healthy subjects and patients with Crohn´s disease (CD, an inflammatory bowel disease suspected to be associated with autonomic dysfunction).MethodsTo address these issues, three experiments were conducted, with a total of n = 138 healthy subjects and n = 19 CD patients. Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and electrodermal activity (EDA) were recorded while participants listened to joyful pleasant music, isochronous tones, and unpleasant control stimuli.ResultsCompared to silence, both pleasant music and unpleasant control stimuli elicited an increase in HR and a decrease in a variety of HRV parameters. Surprisingly, similar ANS effects were elicited by isochronous tones (i.e., simply by a tactus). ANS effects did not differ between pleasant and unpleasant stimuli, and different tempi of the music did not entrain ANS activity. Finally, music-evoked ANS effects did not differ between healthy individuals and CD patients.ConclusionsThe isochronous pulse of music (i.e., the tactus) is a major factor of music-evoked ANS effects. These ANS effects are characterized by increased sympathetic activity. The emotional valence of a musical piece contributes surprisingly little to the ANS activity changes evoked by that piece.     

PER3 polymorphism and cardiac autonomic control: effects of sleep debt and circadian phase

A variable number tandem repeat polymorphism in the coding region of the circadian clock PERIOD3 (PER3) gene has been shown to affect sleep. Because circadian rhythms and sleep are known to modulate sympathovagal balance, we investigated whether homozygosity for this PER3 polymorphism is associated with changes in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity during sleep and wakefulness at baseline and after sleep deprivation. Twenty-two healthy participants were selected according to their PER3 genotype. ANS activity, evaluated by heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) indexes, was quantified during baseline sleep, a 40-h period of wakefulness, and recovery sleep. Sleep deprivation induced an increase in slow-wave sleep (SWS), a decrease in the global variability, and an unbalance of the ANS with a loss of parasympathetic predominance and an increase in sympathetic activity. Individuals homozygous for the longer allele (PER3(5/5)) had more SWS, an elevated sympathetic predominance, and a reduction of parasympathetic activity compared with PER3(4/4), in particular during baseline sleep. The effects of genotype were strongest during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and absent or much smaller during REM sleep. The NREM-REM cycle-dependent modulation of the low frequency-to-(low frequency + high frequency) ratio was diminished in PER3(5/5) individuals. Circadian phase modulated HR and HRV, but no interaction with genotype was observed. In conclusion, the PER3 polymorphism affects the sympathovagal balance in cardiac control in NREM sleep similar to the effect of sleep deprivation.     

Quantifying cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activities using principal dynamic modes analysis of heart rate variability

The ratio between low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) spectral power of heart rate has been used as an approximate index for determining the autonomic nervous system (ANS) balance. An accurate assessment of the ANS balance can only be achieved if clear separation of the dynamics of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activities can be obtained, which is a daunting task because they are nonlinear and have overlapping dynamics. In this study, a promising nonlinear method, termed the principal dynamic mode (PDM) method, is used to separate dynamic components of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activities on the basis of ECG signal, and the results are compared with the power spectral approach to assessing the ANS balance. The PDM analysis based on the 28 subjects consistently resulted in a clear separation of the two nervous systems, which have similar frequency characteristics for parasympathetic and sympathetic activities as those reported in the literature. With the application of atropine, in 13 of 15 supine subjects there was an increase in the sympathetic-to-parasympathetic ratio (SPR) due to a greater decrease of parasympathetic than sympathetic activity (P=0.003), and all 13 subjects in the upright position had a decrease in SPR due to a greater decrease of sympathetic than parasympathetic activity (P<0.001) with the application of propranolol. The LF-to-HF ratio calculated by the power spectral density is less accurate than the PDM because it is not able to separate the dynamics of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. The culprit is equivalent decreases in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic activities irrespective of the pharmacological blockades. These findings suggest that the PDM shows promise as a noninvasive and quantitative marker of ANS imbalance, which has been shown to be a factor in many cardiac and stress-related diseases.     

Prenatal Adversities and Latino Children’s Autonomic Nervous System Reactivity Trajectories from 6 Months to 5 Years of Age

The purpose of the study was to determine whether mothers’ adversities experienced during early pregnancy are associated with offspring’s autonomic nervous system (ANS) reactivity trajectories from 6 months to 5 years of age. This cohort study of primarily Latino families included maternal interviews at 13–14 weeks gestation about their experience of a range of adversities: father’s absence, general social support, poverty level, and household density. ANS measures of heart rate, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (parasympathetic nervous system) and preejection period (sympathetic nervous system) were collected during resting and challenging conditions on children at 6 months and 1, 3.5 and 5 years of age. Reactivity measures were calculated as the mean of the responses to challenging conditions minus a resting condition. Fixed effects models were conducted for the 212 children with two or more timepoints of ANS measures. Interactions between maternal prenatal adversity levels and child age at time of ANS protocol were included in the models, allowing the calculation of separate trajectories or slopes for each level of adversity. Results showed no significant relations between mothers’ prenatal socioeconomic or social support adversity and offspring’s parasympathetic nervous system trajectories, but there was a statistically significant relationship between social support adversity and offspring’s heart rate trajectories (p<.05) and a borderline significant relationship between socioeconomic adversity and offspring’s sympathetic nervous system trajectories (p = .05). Children whose mothers experienced one, not two, social support adversity had the smallest increases in heart rate reactivity compared to children whose mothers experienced no adversity. The children whose mothers experienced no social support and no socioeconomic adversity had the largest increases in heart rate and preejection period respectively from 6 months to 5 years showing the most plasticity. Mothers’ prenatal adverse experiences may program their children’s physiologic trajectory to dampen their heart rate or sympathetic responsivity to challenging conditions.     

Sympathetic Tone Induced by High Acoustic Tempo Requires Fast Respiration

Many studies have revealed the influences of music, and particularly its tempo, on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and respiration patterns. Since there is the interaction between the ANS and the respiratory system, namely sympatho-respiratory coupling, it is possible that the effect of musical tempo on the ANS is modulated by the respiratory system. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the relationship between musical tempo and respiratory rate on the ANS. Fifty-two healthy people aged 18–35 years participated in this study. Their respiratory rates were controlled by using a silent electronic metronome and they listened to simple drum sounds with a constant tempo. We varied the respiratory rate—acoustic tempo combination. The respiratory rate was controlled at 15 or 20 cycles per minute (CPM) and the acoustic tempo was 60 or 80 beats per minute (BPM) or the environment was silent. Electrocardiograms and an elastic chest band were used to measure the heart rate and respiratory rate, respectively. The mean heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) were regarded as indices of ANS activity. We observed a significant increase in the mean heart rate and the low (0.04–0.15 Hz) to high (0.15–0.40 Hz) frequency ratio of HRV, only when the respiratory rate was controlled at 20 CPM and the acoustic tempo was 80 BPM. We suggest that the effect of acoustic tempo on the sympathetic tone is modulated by the respiratory system.     

The Effects of Drugs Used to Treat Obesity on the Autonomic Nervous System

Objective: Body fatness is partly under hypothalamic control with effector limbs, which include the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In previous studies we have shown, in both obese and never‐obese subjects, that weight increase leads to increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity, whereas weight decrease leads to decreased sympathetic and increased parasympathetic activity. We now report on the involvement of such ANS mechanisms in the action of anti‐obesity drugs, independent of change in weight. Research Methods and Procedures: Normal weight males (ages 22 to 38 years) were fed a solid food diet, carefully measured to maintain body weight, for at least 2 weeks, as inpatients at the Rockefeller University General Clinical Research Center. In a single‐blind, placebo/drug/placebo design, eight subjects received dexfenfluramine, seven phentermine (PHE), and seven sibutramine (SIB). ANS measures of parasympathetic and sympathetic activity included: determination of amount of parasympathetic control (PC) and sympathetic control (SC) of heart period (interbeat interval), using sequential pharmacological blockade by intravenous administration of atropine and esmolol. These autonomic controls of heart period are used to estimate the overall level of parasympathetic and sympathetic activities. Norepinephrine, dopamine, and epinephrine levels in 24‐hour urine collections were measured and also resting metabolic rate (RMR). Results: Sufficient food intake maintained constant body weight in all groups. PHE and SIB produced significant increases in SC but no change in PC or in RMR. In contrast, dexfenfluramine produced marked decreases in SC, PC, and RMR. For all three drugs, the effects on urine catecholamines directly paralleled changes in cardiac measures of SC. Discussion: ANS responses to PHE and SIB were anticipated. The large, and unanticipated, response to dexfenfluramine suggests further study to determine whether there could be any relation of these ANS changes to the adverse cardiovascular effects of treatment with dexfenfluramine.     

Increased p wave dispersion in elite athletes

Background

Few studies have been performed on P wave indices in athletes. The aim of this study was to determine the behaviour of maximum P wave duration (Pmax), minimum P wave duration (Pmin) and P wave dispersion (PWD) in young high performance athletes, as well as the relationship of PWD with training history, heart rate (HR) and echocardiographic parameters.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional observational study in 38 athletes of high performance in sports: water polo, distance running and weight lifting compared with 34 sedentary controls.

Results

The average age in both groups was 20.6 years. Note that PWD was increased in athletes (57 ± 14 ms vs. 40 ± 12 ms, p <0.001) while Pmin was significantly lower (57 ± 13 ms vs. 72 ± 13 ms, p <0.001), and there was no difference when comparing Pmax (114 ± 9 ms vs. 117 ± 14 ms, p> 0.05). The correlation between the duration of training (r = 0.511) and resting HR (r = 0.461) with PWD was significant (p <0.01).

Conclusions

PWD is increased in young athletes of high performance and was positively correlated with duration of training and baseline HR. The increase in PWD was secondary to a significant decrease in Pmin.     

Thyroid status influences baroreflex function and autonomic contributions to arterial pressure and heart rate

The effect of thyroid status on arterial baroreflex function and autonomic contributions to resting blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were evaluated in conscious rats. Rats were rendered hyperthyroid (Hyper) or hypothyroid (Hypo) with triiodothyronine and propylthiouracil treatments, respectively. Euthyroid (Eut), Hyper, and Hypo rats were chronically instrumented to measure mean arterial pressure (MAP), HR, and lumbar sympathetic nerve activity (LSNA). Baroreflex function was evaluated with the use of a logistic function that relates LSNA or HR to MAP during infusion of phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside. Contributions of the autonomic nervous system to resting MAP and HR were assessed by blocking autonomic outflow with trimethaphan. In Hypo rats, the arterial baroreflex curve for both LSNA and HR was shifted downward. Hypo animals exhibited blunted sympathoexcitatory and tachycardic responses to decreases in MAP. Furthermore, the data suggest that in Hypo rats, the sympathetic influence on HR was predominant and the autonomic contribution to resting MAP was greater than in Eut rats. In Hyper rats, arterial baroreflex function generally was similar to that in Eut rats. The autonomic contribution to resting MAP was not different between Hyper and Eut rats, but predominant parasympathetic influence on HR was exhibited in Hyper rats. The results demonstrate baroreflex control of LSNA and HR is attenuated in Hypo but not Hyper rats. Thyroid status alters the balance of sympathetic to parasympathetic tone in the heart, and the Hypo state increases the autonomic contributions to resting blood pressure.     

Differential Patterns and Determinants of Cardiac Autonomic Nerve Dysfunction during Endotoxemia and Oral Fat Load in Humans

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays an important role in regulating the metabolic homeostasis and controlling immune function. ANS alterations can be detected by reduced heart rate variability (HRV) in conditions like diabetes and sepsis. We determined the effects of experimental conditions mimicking inflammation and hyperlipidemia on HRV and heart rate (HR) in relation to the immune, metabolic, and hormonal responses resulting from these interventions. Sixteen lean healthy subjects received intravenous (i.v.) low-dose endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]), i.v. fat, oral fat, and i.v. glycerol (control) for 6 hours, during which immune, metabolic, hormonal, and five HRV parameters (pNN50, RMSSD, low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) power, and LF/HF ratio) were monitored and energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity (M-value) were assessed. LPS infusion induced an increase (AUC) in HR and LF/HF ratio and decline in pNN50 and RMSSD, while oral fat resulted in elevated HR and a transient (hours 1-2) decrease in pNN50, RMSSD, and HF power. During LPS infusion, ΔIL-1ra levels and ΔIL-1ra and ΔIL-1ß gene expression correlated positively with ΔLF/HF ratio and inversely with ΔRMSSD. During oral fat intake, ΔGLP-1 tended to correlate positively with ΔHR and inversely with ΔpNN50 and ΔRMSSD. Following LPS infusion, lipid oxidation correlated positively with HR and inversely with pNN50 and RMSSD, whereas HRV was not related to M-value. In conclusion, suppression of vagal tone and sympathetic predominance during endotoxemia are linked to anti-inflammatory processes and lipid oxidation but not to insulin resistance, while weaker HRV changes in relation to the GLP-1 response are noted during oral fat load.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01054989     

Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability in Dairy Cows with Different Temperament and Behavioural Reactivity to Humans

From the 1990s, extensive research was started on the physiological aspects of individual traits in animals. Previous research has established two extreme (proactive and reactive) coping styles in several animal species, but the means of reactivity with the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity has not yet been investigated in cattle. The aim of this study was the characterization of cardiac autonomic activity under different conditions in cows with different individual characteristics. For this purpose, we investigated heart rate and ANS-related heart rate variability (HRV) parameters of dairy cows (N = 282) on smaller- and larger-scale farms grouped by (1) temperament and (2) behavioural reactivity to humans (BRH). Animals with high BRH scores were defined as impulsive, while animals with low BRH scores were defined as reserved. Cardiac parameters were calculated for undisturbed lying (baseline) and for milking bouts, the latter with the presence of an unfamiliar person (stressful situation). Sympathetic tone was higher, while vagal activity was lower in temperamental cows than in calm animals during rest both on smaller- and larger-scale farms. During milking, HRV parameters were indicative of a higher sympathetic and a lower vagal activity of temperamental cows as compared to calm ones in farms of both sizes. Basal heart rate did not differ between BRH groups either on smaller- or larger-scale farms. Differences between basal ANS activity of impulsive and reserved cows reflected a higher resting vagal and lower sympathetic activity of reserved animals compared to impulsive ones both on smaller- and larger-scale farms. There was no difference either in heart rate or in HRV parameters between groups during milking neither in smaller- nor in larger-scale farms. These two groupings allowed to draw possible parallels between personality and cardiac autonomic activity during both rest and milking in dairy cows. Heart rate and HRV seem to be useful for characterisation of physiological differences related to temperament and BRH.     

Increased heart rate variability in mice overexpressing the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase

Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is implicated in various pathological conditions including Down's syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, and afflictions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). To assess the SOD1 contribution to ANS dysfunction, especially its influence on cardiac regulation, we studied the heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiac arrhythmias in conscious 12-month-old male and female transgenic mice for the human SOD1 gene (TghSOD1). TghSOD1 mice presented heart rate reduction as compared with control FVB/N individuals. All HRV parameters reflecting parasympathetic activity were increased in TghSOD1. Pharmacological studies confirmed that the parasympathetic tone was exacerbated and the sympathetic pathway was functional in TghSOD1 mice. A high frequency of atrioventricular block and premature ventricular contractions was observed in TghSOD1. By biochemical assays we found that SOD1 activities were multiplied by 9 and 4 respectively in the heart and brainstem of transgenic mice. A twofold decrease in cholinesterase activity was observed in the heart but not in the brainstem. We demonstrate that SOD1 overexpression induces an ANS dysfunction by an exacerbated vagal tone that may be related to impaired cardiac activity of the cholinesterases and may explain the high occurrence of arrhythmias.     

Effects of the cold pressor test on cardiac autonomic control in normal subjects

The cold pressor test (CPT) triggers in healthy subjects a vascular sympathetic activation and an increase in blood pressure. The heart rate (HR) response to this test is less well defined, with a high inter-individual variability. We used traditional spectral analysis together with the non-linear detrended fluctuation analysis to study the autonomic control of HR during a 3-min CPT. 39 healthy young subjects (23.7+/-3.2 years, height 180.4+/-4.7 cm and weight 73.3+/-6.4 kg) were divided into two groups according to their HR responses to CPT. Twenty subjects have a sustained increase in HR throughout the test with reciprocal autonomic interaction, i.e. increase in sympathetic activity and decrease vagal outflow. In the 19 remainders, HR decreased after an initial increase, with indication of involvement of both sympathetic and vagal outflow. Baseline evaluation of the subjects revealed no difference between the two groups. Nevertheless, a higher sympathetic activity at the skin level during CPT was present in the group with decreased HR. Further studies are needed to explain why healthy subjects react differently to the CPT and if this has potential clinical implications.     

Cholinesterase activities in the autonomic nervous system of rabbits with experimental allergic neuritis: A biochemical study

Utilizing a colorimetric method with acetylthiocholine iodide (AThCh) as substrate and eserine and ethopropazine as inhibitors, the activities of AThCh-splitting enzymes, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and non-specific esterase (ChE) were determined in different structures of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) from the left and from the right sides of rabbits with experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) and controls. The total activity of AThCh-splitting enzymes showed a highly significant decrease in the ganglion nodosum and in the ganglia of the thoracal and abdominal paravertebral sympathetic chain in rabbits with clinical symptoms of ANS-involvement. Lesser but still significant changes were found in EAN-rabbits with motor symptoms but without ANS symptoms. No definite changes could be found in the superior cervical ganglia, the cervical sympathetic trunk or the interganglionic portions of the abdominal and thoracal paravertebral sympathetic chains. In samples with decreased total enzyme activities, both AChE and ChE appeared to decrease to approximately the same extent. This study demonstrates that the activities of AThCh-splitting enzymes are decreased in EAN in parts of ANS innervating the heart, abdominal and pelvic organs, and suggests that enzyme activities not derived from the myelin sheath may be involved in the pathogenesis of this demyelinating disease.     

Nebivolol And Quinapril Reduce P-Wave Duration And Dispersion In Hypertensive Patients

We aimed to investigate the effects of nebivolol and quinapril treatments on P-wave duration and dispersion in hypertensive patients. Hypertensive patients who were in sinus rhythm were assigned to the two treatment groups and received either 20 mg quinapril/day or 5 mg nebivolol/day. P-Wave dispersion (PWD) was measured at baseline and after four weeks of treatment and defined as the difference between the maximum (Pmax) and the minimum (Pmin) P-wave duration. The study group consisted of 54 patients (Mean age: 53 ± 9 years, 46% women) with 27 patients in each group. At 4-week follow up both treatment groups showed a significant reduction (p< 0.001) in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Heart rate (HR) reduction was significant in patients receiving nebivolol (P=0.001). Both groups showed a similar (P=0.413 for PWD, p=0.651 for Pmax) but significant reduction in PWD (nebivolol: -16± 14, P< 0.0001 and quinapril: -13± 11, P< 0.0001) and Pmax (nebivolol: -10± 11, P=0.001 and quinapril: -9± 11, P=0.001). A 2 (Time) x 2 (Group) mixed-model repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that the main effect of Time was significant for Pmax (P=0.002) and PWD (P=0.008) after controlling for changes in SBP, DBP and HR. However, the main effect of Group and Time x Group interaction was not significant for both variables (All p values > 0.05). In conclusion, short-term treatment with nebivolol and quinapril produces a similar but significant reduction in Pmax and PWD in hypertensive patients. This effect is independent of blood pressure and heart rate changes.     

Neural antagonists modulate pulmonary vascular pressure-flow plots in conscious dogs

Multipoint pulmonary vascular pressure-cardiac index (P/Q) plots were constructed in conscious dogs during normoxia by graded constriction of the thoracic inferior vena cava to reduce Q. P/Q plots were generated with the autonomic nervous system (ANS) intact and following total autonomic ganglionic block, cholinergic block, and sympathetic alpha- and beta-adrenergic block alone and in combination. With the ANS intact, the relationship between the pulmonary vascular pressure gradient [pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP)--pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP)] and Q was linear with an extrapolated pressure intercept of 0 mmHg. Total autonomic ganglionic block increased PAP-PCWP over the entire range of Q studied (60-140 ml . min-1 . kg-1). Cholinergic block resulted in a small increase in PAP-PCWP at a Q of 60 ml . min-1 . kg-1, a small decrease in PAP-PCWP at a Q of 140 ml . min-1 . kg-1, but no change in PAP-PCWP over the midrange of Q. Sympathetic beta-adrenergic block increased, and sympathetic alpha-adrenergic block decreased PAP-PCWP over the entire range of Q studied. Combined sympathetic alpha- and beta-adrenergic block also increased PAP-PCWP at each level of Q. Thus the ANS, either directly or via circulating catecholamines, exerts an active regulatory influence on the pulmonary vascular P/Q relationship of intact conscious dogs during normoxia over a wide range of Q. Activation of sympathetic beta-adrenergic receptors results in pulmonary vasodilatation, whereas, alpha-receptor activation results in vasoconstriction. Surprisingly, based on the effects of total autonomic ganglionic block and combined sympathetic alpha- and beta-adrenergic block, the net effect of the ANS on PAP-PCWP/Q during normoxia appears to be pulmonary vasodilatation.     

Absence of neural modulation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in conscious dogs

Our objectives were 1) to quantify the magnitude of the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstrictor (HPV) response in conscious dogs by utilizing pulmonary vascular pressure-cardiac index (P/Q) plots and 2) to assess the extent to which the autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulates the HPV response. Multipoint P/Q plots were constructed in conscious dogs during normoxia and during bilateral alveolar hypoxia by stepwise constriction of the thoracic inferior vena cava to reduce Q. With the ANS intact, the pulmonary vascular pressure gradient (pulmonary arterial pressure-pulmonary capillary wedge pressure) increased (P less than 0.01) approximately twofold during hypoxia over a broad range of Q. The absolute magnitude of the HPV response was related (P less than 0.01) to the level of Q. We hypothesized that if ANS activation reduces the magnitude of HPV in intact dogs, then we would expect the magnitude of HPV to be increased both after combined sympathetic alpha-(phentolamine) and beta-(propranolol) adrenergic block and after total autonomic ganglionic block (hexamethonium). A marked HPV response (P less than 0.01) was observed after both combined sympathetic block and ganglionic block over a broad range of Q during alveolar hypoxia. The magnitude of the HPV response with the ANS intact, however, was not significantly different from the magnitude of HPV after combined sympathetic block (P = 0.45) or after ganglionic block (P = 0.64) at any level of Q. Thus, during bilateral alveolar hypoxia, the ANS does not appear to attenuate the HPV response of intact conscious dogs.