Arterial baroreflex function and cardiovascular variability: interactions and implications

The arterial baroreflex contributes importantly to the short-term regulation of blood pressure and cardiovascular variability. A number of factors (including reflex, humoral, behavioral, and environmental) may influence gain and effectiveness of the baroreflex, as well as cardiovascular variability. Many central neural structures are also involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular system and contribute to the integrity of the baroreflex. Consequently, brain injuries or ischemia may induce baroreflex impairment and deranged cardiovascular variability. Baroreflex dysfunction and deranged cardiovascular variability are also common findings in cardiovascular disease. A blunted baroreflex gain and impaired heart rate variability are predictive of poor outcome in patients with heart failure and myocardial infarction and may represent an early index of autonomic activation in left ventricular dysfunction. The mechanisms mediating these relationships are not well understood and may in part be the result of cardiac structural changes and/or altered central neural processing of baroreflex signals.     

A neural set point for the long-term control of arterial pressure: beyond the arterial baroreceptor reflex

Arterial baroreceptor reflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) has been proposed to play a role in long-term control of arterial pressure. The hypothesis that the "set point" of the acute RSNA baroreflex curve determines the long-term level of arterial pressure is presented and challenged. Contrary to the hypothesis, studies on the long-term effects of sinoaortic denervation (SAD) on arterial pressure and RSNA, as well as more recent studies of chronic baroreceptor "unloading" on arterial pressure, suggest that the basal levels of sympathetic nerve activity and arterial pressure are regulated independent of arterial baroreceptor input to the brainstem. Studies of the effect of SAD on the long-term salt sensitivity of arterial pressure are consistent with a short-term role, rather than a long-term role for the arterial baroreceptor reflex in regulation of arterial pressure during changes in dietary salt intake. Renal denervation studies suggest that renal nerves contribute to maintenance of the basal levels of arterial pressure. However, evidence that baroreflex control of the kidney plays a role in the maintenance of arterial pressure during changes in dietary salt intake is lacking. It is proposed that a "baroreflex-independent" sympathetic control system must exist for the long-term regulation of sympathetic nerve activity and arterial pressure. The concept of a central nervous system "set point" for long-term control of mean arterial pressure (CNS-MAP set point), and its involvement in the pathogenesis of hypertension, is discussed.     

Blunted arterial baroreflex causes "pathological" heart rate turbulence

Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality in developed countries. Recently, two post-myocardial-infarction risk predictors were introduced that are superior to all other presently available indicators: turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS). These parameters characterize the behavior of instantaneous heart rate after a ventricular premature beat, i.e., they describe the reestablishing of heart rate control after an acute perturbation. We propose that the dysfunction of an important cardiovascular control mechanism, the arterial baroreflex, is the mechanism behind these new potent markers. The hypothesis is tested by means of a physiological model involving the excitation generation in the heart, the hemodynamic situation in the aorta, and baroreceptor feedback mechanisms. The data show that a blunted baroreceptor response of the heart resembles patterns of heart rate turbulence that correspond to pathological values of TO and TS. The results of the model suggest that the recently established risk parameters TO and TS characterize baroreflex function, a known risk stratifier in patients.     

Aspects of cardiovascular reflexes in pathologic states

Cardiovascular reflexes that are mediated by receptors in the heart and blood vessels control a variety of important hemodynamic and humoral functions. The action of these receptors can be shown to be abnormal in several pathologic states. Left atrial receptors exhibit a depressed discharge sensitivity in dogs with chronic congestive heart failure caused by an aortocaval fistula. The reflex effects of atrial receptor stimulation are also depressed in heart failure. Left ventricular receptor stimulation has been implicated in the abnormal vascular responses to exercise in patients with aortic stenosis. The arterial baroreflex control of heart rate is abnormal in animals and humans with various forms of hypertension. Arterial baroreceptors from hypertensive animals show a resetting of their pressure-discharge curve to higher pressures. The arterial baroreflex is also depressed in chronic heart failure. This effect may result from an abnormality of the efferent limb of the reflex arc or from changes in the interaction between baroreceptors and cardiac receptors centrally. A final possibility may be abnormal arterial baroreceptor discharge characteristics in heart failure.     

Modulation of the baroreceptor reflex by the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus and perifornical area

Neurons within the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH) and perifornical area (PeF), which lie within the classic hypothalamic defense area, subserve the cardiovascular response to psychological stress. Previous studies have shown that electrical stimulation of the hypothalamic defense area causes inhibition of the cardiac and (in some cases) sympathetic components of the baroreceptor reflex. In contrast, naturally evoked psychological stress does not appear to be associated with such inhibition. In this study, we tested the effect of specific activation of neurons within the DMH and PeF on the baroreflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity and heart rate in urethane-anesthetized rats. Microinjection of bicuculline (a GABA(A) receptor antagonist) into the DMH caused dose-dependent increases in heart rate and renal sympathetic activity, shifted the baroreflex control of both variables to higher levels (i.e., increased the upper and lower plateaus of the baroreflex function curves, and increased the threshold, midpoint, and saturation levels of mean arterial pressure). The maximum gain of the sympathetic component of the baroreflex was also increased, while that of the cardiac component was not significantly changed. Increases in the midpoint were very similar in magnitude to the evoked increases in baseline mean arterial pressure. Microinjection of bicuculline into the PeF evoked very similar effects. The results indicate that disinhibition of neurons in the DMH/PeF region not only increases sympathetic vasomotor activity and heart rate but also resets the baroreceptor reflex such that it remains effective, without any decrease in sensitivity, over a higher operating range of arterial pressure.     

兔肾性高血压时的动脉压力感受器反射

14只雄性家兔在双肾缩扎术后12周,经氨基甲酸乙酯静脉麻醉,分别在缓冲神经完整、切断两侧减压神经或切断两侧窦神经后静注新福林或硝普钠升降血压以改变动脉压力感受器活动,观察其心率、后肢血管阻力和肾交感神经活动的反射性变化,并与正常血压兔的反射效应相比较。主要结果如下:(1) 动物双肾动脉缩扎后12周,平均动脉血压(131±9mmHg)较正常动物血压(95±10mmHg)有显著升高(P<0.001);(2) 缓冲神经完整时,新福林和硝普钠升降血压诱发的心率反射性变化与正常血压动物相比显著减弱(P<0.001),而后肢血管阻力和肾交感神经活动的反射性调节无明显改变,表明肾性高血压动物的心率反射性调节与外周循环的反射性调节机能不相平行;而由股动脉内直接注射新福林或硝普钠时,股动脉灌流压的增减幅度与正常血压动物相比并无明显差异;(3) 切断两侧减压神经或切断两侧窦神经后,在正常动物仅使反射性心率调节作用减弱,而后肢血管阻力和肾交感神经活动的反射性调节无明显改变;但在高血压动物,除心率的反射性调节进一步减弱外,新福林和硝普钠升降血压时后肢血管阻力和肾交感神经活动的反射性调节效应也显著地减弱(P<0.001),提示肾性高血压时动脉压力感受器反射的潜在调节能力降低。由此似表明,肾性高血压时动脉压力感受器反射     

Vascular reactivity and baroreflex function during hyperthermia in conscious rats

The hemodynamic responses to vasoconstrictor agents are blunted during heating in anesthetized rats. It is unknown whether reflex neural responses to these agents are also altered during hyperthermia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hyperthermia on the hemodynamic and baroreflex-mediated sympathetic neural responses to vasoactive agents in conscious, unrestrained rats. The splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity (SpNA) and systemic and regional hemodynamic responses to injections of phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside were measured during normothermia (37 degrees C) and hyperthermia (41.5 degrees C). The hemodynamic responses to phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside were blunted with heating, whereas the SpNA responses to both agents were augmented or unchanged. At 41.5 degrees C, the baroreflex curves relating heart rate (HR) and SpNA to mean arterial blood pressure were shifted to the right. The operating range and gain of the blood pressure (BP)-HR reflex were significantly reduced during heating, whereas the operating range of the BP-SpNA reflex was augmented at 41.5 degrees C. These results indicate that heating alters the cardiovascular and sympathetic neural responses to vasoactive agents in vivo. Furthermore, the data suggest that heating differentially affects arterial baroreflex control of HR and SpNA, shifting both curves toward higher BP values but selectively attenuating baroreflex control of HR.     

Microinjection of a cannabinoid receptor antagonist into the NTS increases baroreflex duration in dogs

Baroreceptor afferent fibers synapse in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of the medulla. Neuronal cannabinoid (CB)(1) receptors are expressed in the NTS and central administration of CB(1) receptor agonists affect blood pressure (BP) and heart rate. In addition, there is evidence that endocannabinoids are produced in the brain stem. This study examined whether changes in CB(1) receptor activity in the NTS modulated the baroreceptor reflex, contributing to changes seen in BP and heart rate. Baroreflexes were evoked in anesthetized dogs by pressure ramp stimulations of the isolated carotid sinus before and after microinjection of CB(1) receptor agonist WIN-55212-2 (1.25-1.50 pmol) or antagonist SR-141716 (2.5-3.0 pmol) into cardiovascular regions of the NTS. Microinjection of the SR-141716 did not affect baseline BP or baroreflex sensitivity. However, SR-141716 significantly prolonged the time needed to return to the baseline level of BP after the pressure ramp. Microinjection of WIN-55212-2 had no effect on the baroreflex. These data suggest that endocannabinoids can modulate the excitability of NTS neurons involved in the baroreceptor reflex, leading to modulation of baroreflex regulation.     

Effect of aging on baroreflex function in humans

Arterial blood pressure (BP) is regulated via the interaction of various local, humoral, and neural factors. In humans, the major neural pathway for acute BP regulation involves the baroreflexes. In response to baroreceptor activation/deactivation, as occurs during transient changes in BP, key determinants of BP, such as cardiac period/heart rate (via the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system) and vascular resistance (via the sympathetic nervous system), are modified to maintain BP homeostasis. In this review, the effects of aging on both the parasympathetic and sympathetic arms of the baroreflex are discussed. Aging is associated with decreased cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (i.e., blunted reflex changes in R-R interval in response to a change in BP). Mechanisms underlying this decrease may involve factors such as increased levels of oxidative stress, vascular stiffening, and decreased cardiac cholinergic responsiveness with age. Consequences of cardiovagal baroreflex impairment may include increased levels of BP variability, an impaired ability to respond to acute challenges to the maintenance of BP, and increased risk of sudden cardiac death. In contrast, baroreflex control of sympathetic outflow is not impaired with age. Collectively, changes in baroreflex function with age are associated with an impaired ability of the organism to buffer changes in BP. This is evidenced by the reduced potentiation of the pressor response to bolus infusion of a pressor drug after compared to before systemic ganglionic blockade in older compared with young adults.     

兔颈动脉窦和主动脉弓压力感受器反射效应的比较研究

对81只麻醉兔,在静脉注射新福林和硝普钠升降血压而改变动脉压力感受器活动的条件下,观察心率,后肢血管阻力和肾交感神经活动的反射性变化。主要结果如下:(1) 由新福林升高血压时,心率减慢、后肢血管阻力降低和肾交感神经活动抑制;硝普钠降低血压时引起相反效应。各指标的反射性变化有良好的可重复性。(2) 切断两侧减压神经或切断两侧窦神经后,静注新福林和硝普钠诱发的心率反射性变化均显著减弱(P<0.01);切断两侧减压神经较切断两侧窦神经后减弱得更为明显,其中对于新福林升压时的心率减慢反应差异显著(P<(0.05)。相反,对于新福林和硝普钠引起的后肢血管阻力反射性变化,与缓冲神经部分切断之前相比无明显差异;在对照肾交感神经活动已增高的基础上,硝普钠降压时肾交感神经活动的反射性兴奋效应降低,而新福林升压时的肾交感神经活动反射性抑制效应与神经切断前相比无明显差异。(3) 缓冲神经全部切断(SAD)后,新福林和硝普钠引起的平均动脉血压(MAP)变动幅度显著增大(P<0.05)。此时心率、后肢血管阻力和肾交感神经活动的反射调节效应均明显减弱(P<0.001)。(4) 进一步切断两侧迷走神经后,残留的反射效应即行消失。 以上结果表明,颈动脉窦和主动脉弓压力感受器传入以单纯相加的方式对心率进行反射性调节,以主     

Estimation of arterial and cardiopulmonary total peripheral resistance baroreflex gain values: validation by chronic arterial baroreceptor denervation

Feedback control of total peripheral resistance (TPR) by the arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreflex systems is an important mechanism for short-term blood pressure regulation. Existing methods for measuring this TPR baroreflex mechanism typically aim to quantify only the gain value of one baroreflex system as it operates in open-loop conditions. As a result, the normal, integrated functioning of the arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreflex control of TPR remains to be fully elucidated. To this end, the laboratory of Mukkamala et al. (Mukkamala R, Toska K, and Cohen RJ. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 284: H947-H959, 2003) previously proposed a potentially noninvasive technique for estimating the closed-loop (dimensionless) gain values of the arterial TPR baroreflex (GA) and the cardiopulmonary TPR baroreflex (GC) by mathematical analysis of the subtle, beat-to-beat fluctuations in arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, and stroke volume. Here, we review the technique with additional details and describe its experimental evaluation with respect to spontaneous hemodynamic variability measured from seven conscious dogs, before and after chronic arterial baroreceptor denervation. The technique was able to correctly predict the group-average changes in GA and GC that have previously been shown to occur following chronic arterial baroreceptor denervation. That is, reflex control by the arterial TPR baroreflex was virtually abolished (GA = -2.1 +/- 0.6 to 0.3 +/- 0.2; P < 0.05), while reflex control by the cardiopulmonary TPR baroreflex more than doubled (GC = -0.7 +/- 0.4 to -1.8 +/- 0.2; P < 0.05). With further successful experimental testing, the technique may ultimately be employed to advance the basic understanding of TPR baroreflex functioning in both humans and animals in health and disease.     

心力衰竭状态下的动脉压力感受器反射

心力衰竭是以心脏泵血功能降低（心输出量减少）为始动因素的临床综合征。心输出量降低首先引起动脉压力感受性反射失负荷,进而通过迷走-交感机制加快心率;同时,支配血管床的交感传出活动增强,进而增加总外周阻力。本文主要论述在心力衰竭状态下压力感受性反射在循环功能异常调控中的作用机制。本综述及我们近年的研究表明：（1）在心力衰竭状态下压力感受性反射功能明显减弱;（2）中枢血管紧张素Ⅱ和活性氧在压力感受性反射功能失调中发挥关键作用;（3）心交感传入刺激和化学感受性反射能抑制压力感受性反射;（4）适当的运动可以部分纠正异常的心血管反射活动。     

Blood pressure regulation in the three-toed sloth, Bradypus variegatus

The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of the baroreflex in blood pressure control in sloths, Bradypus variegatus, since these animals show labile levels in this parameter. Unanesthetized cannulated sloths were positioned in an experimental chair and the arterial catheter was coupled to a strain gauge pressure transducer. Blood pressure was monitored before, during and after the administration of phenylephrine (0.0625 to 4 microg/kg) and sodium nitroprusside (0.0625 to 2 microg/kg), bringing about changes in mean blood pressure from +/-30 mmHg in relation to control values. The relation between heart rate changes due to blood pressure variation was estimated by linear regression analysis. The slope was considered the reflex baroreceptor gain. The results (means+/-SD) showed that the reflex baroreceptor gain was -0.3+/-0.1 bpm/mmHg (r=0.88) to phenylephrine and -0.5+/-0.1 bpm/mmHg (r=0.92) to sodium nitroprusside, denoting a reduced reflex baroreceptor gain when compared with other mammals, suggesting that in sloths the baroreceptors are minimally involved in the buffering reflex response to these drugs. These findings suggest that the labile blood pressure could be influenced or be a result of this lowering in the reflex baroreceptor gain.     

Independent modification of baroreceptor and exercise pressor reflex function by nitric oxide in nucleus tractus solitarius

It has been suggested that nitric oxide (NO) is a key modulator of both baroreceptor and exercise pressor reflex afferent signals processed within the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). However, studies investigating the independent effects of NO within the NTS on the function of each reflex have produced inconsistent results. To address these concerns, the effects of microdialyzing 10 mM L-arginine, an NO precursor, and 20 mM N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an NO synthase inhibitor, into the NTS on baroreceptor and exercise pressor reflex function were examined in 17 anesthetized cats. Arterial baroreflex regulation of heart rate was quantified using vasoactive drugs to induce acute changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP). To activate the exercise pressor reflex, static hindlimb contractions were induced by electrical stimulation of spinal ventral roots. To isolate the exercise pressor reflex, contractions were repeated after barodenervation. The gain coefficient of the arterial cardiac baroreflex was significantly different from control (-0.24 +/- 0.04 beats.min(-1).mmHg(-1)) after the dialysis of L-arginine (-0.18 +/- 0.02 beats.min(-1).mmHg(-1)) and L-NAME (-0.29 +/- 0.02 beats.min(-1).mmHg(-1)). In barodenervated animals, the peak MAP response to activation of the exercise pressor reflex (change in MAP from baseline, 39 +/- 7 mmHg) was significantly attenuated by the dialysis of L-arginine (change in MAP from baseline, 29 +/- 6 mmHg). The results demonstrate that NO within the NTS can independently modulate both the arterial cardiac baroreflex and the exercise pressor reflex. Collectively, these findings provide a neuroanatomical and chemical basis for the regulation of baroreflex and exercise pressor reflex function within the central nervous system.     

Altered autonomic control in conscious transgenic rabbits with overexpressed cardiac Gsalpha

Both enhanced sympathetic drive and altered autonomic control are involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure. The goal of the present study was to determine the extent to which chronically enhanced sympathetic drive, in the absence of heart failure, alters reflex autonomic control in conscious, transgenic (TG) rabbits with overexpressed cardiac Gsalpha. Nine TG rabbits and seven wild-type (WT) littermates were instrumented with a left ventricular (LV) pressure micromanometer and arterial catheters and studied in the conscious state. Compared with WT rabbits, LV function was enhanced in TG rabbits, as reflected by increased levels of LV dP/dt (5,600 +/- 413 vs. 3,933 +/- 161 mmHg/s). Baseline heart rate was also higher (P < 0.05) in conscious TG (247 +/- 10 beats/min) than in WT (207 +/- 10 beats/min) rabbits and was higher in TG after muscarinic blockade (281 +/- 9 vs. 259 +/- 8 beats/min) or combined beta-adrenergic receptor and muscarinic blockade (251 +/- 6 vs. 225 +/- 9 beats/min). Bradycardia was blunted (P < 0.05), whether induced by intravenous phenylephrine (arterial baroreflex), by cigarette smoke inhalation (nasopharyngeal reflex), or by veratrine administration (Bezold-Jarisch reflex). With veratrine administration, the bradycardia was enhanced in TG for any given decrease in arterial pressure. Thus the chronically enhanced sympathetic drive in TG rabbits with overexpressed cardiac Gsalpha resulted in enhanced LV function and heart rate and impaired reflex autonomic control. The impaired reflex control was generalized, not only affecting the high-pressure arterial baroreflex but also the low-pressure Bezold-Jarisch reflex and the nasopharyngeal reflex.     

Cardiac sympathetic afferent stimulation impairs baroreflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity in rats

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

Arterial and cardiopulmonary reflexes in the regulation of the neurohumoral drive to the circulation

The integrative reflex control of the neurohumoral drive to the circulation by unmyelinated vagal afferents and arterial baroreceptor afferents is often complex and depends on a number of factors. These include 1) the initial condition or the existing inhibitory influence exerted by one receptor station, 2) alteration in gain or central response of one reflex as a result of afferent information from the other system, and 3) altered receptor sensitivity as a result of reflex changes in sympathetic outflow. With respect to the cardiopulmonary and arterial baroreflex control of renin release, the accompanying reflex hemodynamic changes may influence the magnitude of the renin response. Finally, recent data suggest that reflex increases in vasopressin by either reflex system may result in an inhibitory influence on sympathetic outflow. Thus, in this latter case, a central interaction results between two reflex responses.     

EVOLUTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR BARORECEPTOR CONTROL

During animal evolution the circulatory system has shown a progressive modification in structure, function and short-term control. Short-term circulatory control has evolved from the limitation of a rising blood pressure via a reflex bradycardia to bidirectional control of blood pressure by appropriate reflex changes in heart rate, vascular resistance and impedance. Relevant experimental data ranges from extensive in mammals to nugatory in invertebrates. Baroreceptor research in intervening animal groups is varied, being particularly sparse in birds. This research is reviewed. There are few interspecies comparisons of baroreceptor physiology. Available data is complicated by variation in the techniques employed for assessing baroreceptor function. In non-mammalian research the correlation of heart rate changes to pharmacologically induced changes in blood pressure predominate. In mammalian baroreceptor research methods based upon the ability of discrete baroreceptor sites to effect changes in the peripheral vasculature are more prevalent. All methods are susceptible to modification by other experimental variables, particularly the anaesthetic state of the animal. Available evidence shows a consistent response of a decreasing heart rate to baroreceptor loading throughout the vertebrates, with a progressive increase in the ability of the baroreceptors to change peripheral vascular resistance. These findings are consistent with the known, progressive trend from cholinergic to adrenergic control of the vascular system during evolution. Known baroreceptor sites appear to be located so as to protect the end-organ or-organs primarily at risk from inappropriate blood pressure changes; namely the gill vasculature in the fish, pulmonary circulation in the Amphibia and Reptilia, and the brain and heart in higher animal groups. It is postulated that the carotid sinus baroreceptors have developed in the Mammalia as a second functional baroreceptor site to provide extra protection against hypoperfusion of vital organs, particularly the heart and brain. In humans the dynamic aspects of cardiovascular carotid sinus control, particularly of skeletal muscle flow and integration with cardiopulmonary baroreceptors, may represent a specific response to the adoption of an upright stance. Extremes of environmental stress encountered in contemporary life may exceed the limitation of baroreceptor function in humans, as, for example, during gravitational loading particularly following periods of weightlessness and modification by endurance training.     

Oxytocinergic regulation of cardiovascular function: studies in oxytocin-deficient mice

Oxytocin (OT) has been implicated in the cardiovascular responses to exercise, stress, and baroreflex adjustments. Studies were conducted to determine the effect of genetic manipulation of the OT gene on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and autonomic/baroreflex function. OT knockout (OTKO -/-) and control +/+ mice were prepared with chronic arterial catheters. OTKO -/- mice exhibited a mild hypotension (102 +/- 3 vs. 110 +/- 3 mmHg). Sympathetic and vagal tone were tested using beta(1)-adrenergic and cholinergic blockade (atenolol and atropine). Magnitude of sympathetic and vagal tone to the heart and periphery was not significantly different between groups. However, there was an upward shift of sympathetic tone to higher HR values in OTKO -/- mice. This displacement combined with unchanged basal HR led to larger responses to cholinergic blockade (+77 +/- 25 vs. +5 +/- 15 beats/min, OTKO -/- vs. control +/+ group). There was also an increase in baroreflex gain (-13.1 +/- 2.5 vs. -4.1 +/- 1.2 beats x min(-1) x mmHg(-1), OTKO -/- vs. control +/+ group) over a smaller BP range. Results show that OTKO -/- mice are characterized by 1) hypotension, suggesting that OT is involved in tonic BP maintenance; 2) enhanced baroreflex gain over a small BP range, suggesting that OT extends the functional range of arterial baroreceptor reflex; and 3) shift in autonomic balance, indicating that OT reduces the sympathetic reserve.     

Analysis of afferent,central, and efferent components of the baroreceptor reflex in mice

Studies of genetically modified mice provide a powerful approach to investigate consequences of altered gene expression in physiological and pathological states. The goal of the present study was to characterize afferent, central, and efferent components of the baroreceptor reflex in anesthetized Webster 4 mice. Baroreflex and baroreceptor afferent functions were characterized by measuring changes in renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and aortic depressor nerve activity (ADNA) in response to nitroprusside- and phenylephrine-induced changes in arterial pressure. The data were fit to a sigmoidal logistic function curve. Baroreflex diastolic pressure threshold (P(th)), the pressure at 50% inhibition of RSNA (P(mid)), and baroreflex gain (maximum slope) averaged 74 +/- 5 mmHg, 101 +/- 3 mmHg, and 2.30 +/- 0.54%/mmHg, respectively (n = 6). The P(th), P(mid), and gain for the diastolic pressure-ADNA relation (baroreceptor afferents) were similar to that observed for the overall reflex averaging 79 +/- 9 mmHg, 101 +/- 4 mmHg, and 2.92 +/- 0.53%/mmHg, respectively (n = 5). The central nervous system mediation of the baroreflex and the chronotropic responsiveness of the heart to vagal efferent activity were independently assessed by recording responses to electrical stimulation of the left ADN and the peripheral end of the right vagus nerve, respectively. Both ADN and vagal efferent stimulation induced frequency-dependent decreases in heart rate and arterial pressure. The heart rate response to ADN stimulation was nearly abolished in mice anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (n = 4) compared with mice anesthetized with ketamine-acepromazine (n = 4), whereas the response to vagal efferent stimulation was equivalent under both types of anesthesia. Application of these techniques to studies of genetically manipulated mice can be used to identify molecular mechanisms of baroreflex function and to localize altered function to afferent, central, or efferent sites.