Blockade of NK-1 receptors in the lateral commissural nucleus tractus solitarii of awake rats had no effect on the cardiovascular responses to chemoreflex activation (original) (raw)

Sympathoexcitatory neurotransmission of the chemoreflex in the NTS of awake rats

American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 1999

Cardiovascular responses to chemoreflex activation by potassium cyanide (KCN, 20 μg/rat iv) were analyzed before and after the blockade of ionotropic or metabotropic receptors into the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) of awake rats. Microinjection of ionotropic antagonists [6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione or kynurenic acid (Kyn)] into the lateral commissural NTS (NTSlat), the midline commissural NTS (NTSmid), or into both (NTSlat+mid), produced a significant increase in basal mean arterial pressure, and the pressor response to chemoreflex activation was only partially reduced, whereas microinjection of Kyn into the NTSmid produced no changes in the pressor response to the chemoreflex. The bradycardic response to chemoreflex activation was abolished by microinjection of Kyn into the NTSlat or into NTSlat+mid but not by Kyn microinjection into the NTSmid. Microinjection of α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine, a metabotropic receptor antagonist, into the NTSlat or NTSmid produced no ch...

NMDA receptors in NTS are involved in bradycardic but not in pressor response of chemoreflex

The American journal of physiology, 1995

Activation of carotid chemoreceptors with intravenous potassium cyanide (KCN) produces increases in arterial pressure, bradycardia, and tachypnea. In the present study, we activated carotid chemoreceptors with KCN and the neurotransmission of the chemoreceptor reflex into the commissural nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) was blocked with phosphonovaleric acid (AP-5), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-selective antagonist. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of NMDA receptors in the cardiovascular and respiratory responses produced by chemoreceptor activation in unanesthetized rats. The pressor response to KCN was not changed after microinjection of three different doses of AP-5 into the NTS, whereas the bradycardic response was reduced in a dose-dependent manner. The increase in respiratory frequency in response to carotid chemoreceptor activation was also not affected by AP-5 microinjected into the NTS. The data indicate that the activation of the cardiovagal component...

Inhibitory action of (�)CP-96,345 on the cardiovascular responses to intrathecal substance P and neuropeptide K in the conscious freely moving rat

Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 1993

CP-96,345, a nonpeptide and highly selective NK-1 receptor antagonist, was tested acutely and chronically as an inhibitor of the cardiovascular responses induced by the intrathecal (i.t.) injection of substance P (SP) and neuropeptide K (NPK) in the conscious rat. When given at T-9 spinal cord level, NPK (0.65, 3.25 and 6.5 nmol) and SP (6.5, 16.25 and 32.5 nmol) produced increases in mean arterial pressure and heart rate. The cardiovascular responses to NPK were greater in intensity and duration than those produced by SP. The prior i.t. injection of (+_)CP-96,345 (0.65 and 6.5 nmol, 15 min earlier) inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the pressor response and the tachycardia induced by 6.5 nmol SP while 65 nmol of the antagonist was required to reduce the effects of 3.25 nmol NPK. However, both the SP and NPK-induced cardiovascular changes were blocked 2 days after the i.t. injection of 6.5 nmol (___)CP-96,345. Five days after a single i.t. injection of 6.5nmol (+_)CP-96,345, the cardiovascular response to SP remained unaffected while that of NPK was partially attenuated. Moreover, (+)CP-96,345 was active as an antagonist when given i.v. at the dose of 0.13 mg/kg. Conversely, (+)CP-96,345 failed to block the cardiovascular effect caused by the i.t. injection of 81 pmol bradykinin and did not produce any changes on resting blood pressure and heart rate when given alone either i.t. or i.v. The results indicate that (_+)CP-96,345 is a specific and long-acting antagonist which crosses the blood-brain barrier to block the action of SP and NPK in the spinal cord. Furthermore, these findings are consistent with the hypothesis that receptors of the NK-1 subtype mediate the cardiovascular responses evoked by the spinal action of neurokinins.

Involvement of the parabrachial nucleus in the pressor response to chemoreflex activation in awake rats

Autonomic Neuroscience, 2002

Activation of the chemoreflex with potassium cyanide (KCN, 40 Ag/rat, i.v.) in awake rats produces pressor and bradycardic responses as well as a tachypneic response. In the present study, we evaluated the involvement of the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) and the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) in the neural pathways of the cardiovascular responses to chemoreflex activation. The cardiovascular responses to chemoreflex activation were evaluated before and after bilateral microinjection of 2% lidocaine, a local anesthetic, into the PBN or PAG in order to block in a reversible manner the neuronal activity and axonal conduction of fibers of passage in these areas. The data show that the pressor response to chemoreflex activation 3 min after bilateral microinjection of lidocaine into the dorsolateral aspect of the PBN was significantly reduced in comparison to the control response (32 F 5 vs. 48 F 4 mm Hg, n = 7), with no significant changes in the bradycardic responses. The effect of lidocaine was reversible since the pressor response was back to control levels 15 min after microinjection of this anesthetic. Bilateral microinjections of lidocaine into the dorsolateral (n = 11) or lateral (n = 8) columns of the PAG in distinct groups of rats produced no significant changes in the pressor or bradycardic responses of the chemoreflex. These data indicate that the PBN is part of the neuronal pathways involved in the sympathoexcitatory component of the chemoreflex while the PAG is not. D

Involvement of L-glutamate and ATP in the neurotransmission of the sympathoexcitatory component of the chemoreflex in the commissural nucleus tractus solitarii of awake rats and in the working heart-brainstem preparation

The Journal of physiology, 2007

Peripheral chemoreflex activation with potassium cyanide (KCN) in awake rats or in the working heart-brainstem preparation (WHBP) produces: (a) a sympathoexcitatory/pressor response; (b) bradycardia; and (c) an increase in the frequency of breathing. Our main aim was to evaluate neurotransmitters involved in mediating the sympathoexcitatory component of the chemoreflex within the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS). In previous studies in conscious rats, the reflex bradycardia, but not the pressor response, was reduced by antagonism of either ionotropic glutamate or purinergic P2 receptors within the NTS. In the present study we evaluated a possible dual role of both P2 and NMDA receptors in the NTS for processing the sympathoexcitatory component (pressor response) of the chemoreflex in awake rats as well as in the WHBP. Simultaneous blockade of ionotropic glutamate receptors and P2 receptors by sequential microinjections of kynurenic acid (KYN, 2 nmol (50 nl)(-1)) and pyridoxalphosphat...

In vivo characterization of tachykinin receptors responsible for the central cardiovascular effects of substance P and neurokinin A

Regulatory Peptides, 1993

The tachykinms, substance P (SP), neuroklnin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB), admimstered centrally elicit in conscious rats distinct cardiovascular responses that are invariably associated with increased locomotion, excessive grooming behaviour and wet dog shakes . SP, NKA and NKB represent non-specific, naturally occurlng agonists for three tachykinln receptors, NK~, NK 2 and NK3, respectively. The mechanism of central NKA action is a matter of controversy since NK 2 receptors could not be convincingly demonstrated in the adult rat brim .

Contribution of excitatory amino acid receptors of the retrotrapezoid nucleus to the sympathetic chemoreflex in rats

2011

In the present study, we evaluated the role of glutamatergic mechanisms in the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) in changes of splanchnic sympathetic nerve discharge (sSND) and phrenic nerve discharge (PND) elicited by central and peripheral chemoreceptor activation. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), sSND and PND were recorded in urethane-anaesthetized, vagotomized, sino-aortic denervated and artificially ventilated male Wistar rats. Hypercapnia (10% CO 2 ) increased MAP by 32 ± 4 mmHg, sSND by 104 ± 4% and PND amplitude by 101 ± 5%. Responses to hypercapnia were reduced after bilateral injection of the NMDA receptor antagonist d,l-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (AP-5; 100 mm in 50 nl) in the RTN (MAP increased by 16 ± 3 mmHg, sSND by 82 ± 3% and PND amplitude by 63 ± 7%). Bilateral injection of the non-NMDA receptor antagonist 6,7-dinitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX; 100 mm in 50 nl) and the metabotropic receptor antagonist (+/−)-α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG; 100 mm in 50 nl) in the RTN did not affect sympathoexcitatory responses induced by hypercapnia. Injection of DNQX reduced hypercapnia-induced phrenic activation, whereas MCPG did not. In animals with intact carotid chemoreceptors, bilateral injections of AP-5 and DNQX in the RTN reduced increases in MAP, sSND and PND amplitude produced by intravenous injection of NaCN (50 μg kg −1 ). Injection of MCPG in the RTN did not change responses produced by NaCN. These data indicate that RTN ionotropic glutamatergic receptors are involved in the sympathetic and respiratory responses produced by central and peripheral chemoreceptor activation.

Chemoreceptor activity is normal in mice lacking the NK1 receptor

European Journal of Neuroscience, 2002

Substance P has been proposed to be an important neurotransmitter in the carotid body with the neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor, mediating excitation between the glomus cells and afferent nerve endings. In order to better understand the role of substance P, this study examined chemoreceptor afferent activity, in vitro, and tissue catecholamine levels and release in adult, wild-type mice and mice lacking the gene for the NK1 receptor (NK1-KO). Groups did not differ signi®cantly in body weight, carotid body dopamine content or carotid body norepinephrine content. In wild-type mice, single unit activity increased from 0.59 T 0.14 Hz to 19.78 T 2.27 Hz during superfusion with strong hypoxia (PO 2 » 25 Torr). Chemoreceptor activity in NK1-KO mice, increased from 0.71 T 0.23 to 21.50 T 3.62 Hz, and neither baseline or peak frequencies were signi®cantly different from the wild-type group. Less severe hypoxia (PO 2 » 45 torr), evoked peak activities of 12.50 T 1.88 and 10.64 T 3.72 Hz in wild-type and NK1-KO mice, which were also not signi®cantly different. In response to severe hypoxia, free-tissue catecholamine increased to 4.92 T 0.85 mM in wild-type mice and 4.26 T 0.63 mM in NK1-KO mice, which were also not signi®cantly different. It may therefore be concluded that loss of NK1 receptors has little effect on chemoreceptor function in the mouse, and thus they play, at best, a minor role in the hypoxic chemoreception process.

Pressor response to unilateral carotid chemoreceptor activation is not affected by ipsilateral antagonism of excitatory amino acid receptors in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of awake rats

Autonomic Neuroscience, 2001

. The importance of the integrity of the ipsilateral rostral ventrolateral medulla RVLM in the pressor response to activation of unilateral arterial chemoreceptors was evaluated. To achieve this goal, the left carotid body artery was ligated prior to the experiment and a guide cannula was implanted in the direction of the right RLVM, i.e. the side where the carotid body artery was kept intact. On the day Ž . of the experiment, the chemoreflex was activated with potassium cyanide KCN, i.v. before and after unilateral microinjection of kynurenic acid into the rostral or caudal aspect of the RVLM. The data indicated that microinjection of kynurenic into the rostral or caudal aspect of the RVLM produced no effect on the pressor response of chemoreflex activation. These data suggest that chemoreflex activation excites a neuronal network in which the processing of the sympatho-excitatory component of the chemoreflex is not restricted to an excitatory projection from the nucleus tractus solitarii to the ipsilateral RVLM. q