Maturation of carotid chemoreceptor sensitivity to hypoxia: in vitro studies in the newborn rat

1. A preparation was developed to record single-fibre chemoreceptor afferent activity from carotid bodies of newborn and adult rats in vitro. The response to severe hypoxia was studied as a function of developmental age in four age groups: 1-2, 4-7, 10-15 days and adult (25-30 days). 2. During superfusion with HEPES-saline at room PO2 and at 26 or 35 degrees C, afferent chemoreceptor activity could be recorded in all age groups. No significant difference was found among groups in baseline discharge frequency at 26 or 35 degrees C. 3. All chemoreceptors responded to anoxia (PO2 congruent to 0 Torr) with a rapid increase in discharge frequency. At 35 degrees C, peak discharge frequency of single chemoreceptor afferents was significantly greater in the adult (15.7 +/- 1.6 Hz, mean +/- S.E.M., n = 18) and 10-15 days (11.2 +/- 4.2, n = 8) compared to rats of 1-2 days (4.3 +/- 0.7, n = 14) and 4-7 days of age (3.9 +/- 1.0, n = 7). 4. At 2 min into the anoxia period, all chemoreceptor activities were reduced from their peak discharge levels. At 35 degrees C, this decrease was significantly greater in the adult compared to the newborn. 5. During the period of decreased activity during anoxia, the chemoreceptor discharge could not be increased by inter-stream injection of acetylcholine (100 micrograms) or dopamine (100 micrograms), although these drugs were effective in increasing discharge rate prior to hypoxia. 6. We conclude that: (1) postnatal maturation of chemoreceptor sensitivity to hypoxia is present in vitro, (2) maturation occurs between the first and second week after birth in the rat, and (3) the decrease in activity during prolonged anoxia is not greater in the newborn compared to the adult. Thus, maturational changes occur in the sensitivity of the glomus cell-nerve ending complex to hypoxia.

Ventilatory effects of prolonged systemic (CNS) hypoxia in awake goats

Hypoxia isolated to the carotid body (CB) can induce time-dependent progressive hyperventilation (ventilatory acclimatization) in the absence of brain hypoxia. The studies reported in this paper were designed to determine if CNS hypoxia in the absence of CB hypoxia would affect ventilation over a 4 h period. In addition, the effect of 4 h of CNS hypoxia on the ventilatory responses to central chemoreceptor stimulation and to isolated CB stimulation were also determined. The studies were carried out in awake goats with CB blood gases controlled by an extracorporeal circuit while systemic (CNS) blood gases were determined independently by the level of inhaled gases. Systemic arterial PO2 was reduced to 40 Torr while the CB was maintained normoxic and normocapnic. Systemic arterial PCO2 was kept isocapnic. The data obtained indicate that 4 h of CNS hypoxia produced mild hyperventilation that reached a peak after 30 min of hypoxia and was sustained for the entire period of hypoxia. There was no evidence of a time-dependent progressive hyperventilation, i.e. no acclimatization. In contrast to studies in which whole body hypoxia is induced, CNS hypoxia did not result in any changes in the ventilatory responses to either central or peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation after return to normoxic conditions. These findings suggest no significant role for CNS mechanisms induced by hypoxia in ventilatory acclimatization to hypoxia in goats.

Effect of verapamil on ventilatory and circulatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia in normal subjects

Recent investigations have shown that the calcium channel blocker verapamil attenuated the hypoxic ventilatory chemosensitivity of carotid body in animals. To determine whether this is also the case in humans, transient physiological chemodenervation by O2 breaths (withdrawal test) during sustained hypoxia (N = 7), and ventilatory and circulatory responses to progressive hypoxia and hypercapnia (N = 8) were examined after oral administration of verapamil. During sustained hypoxia after verpamil, there was a significant reduction of withdrawal response from 5th to 25th min value (p < 0.01), but not after placebo. On the other hand, no significant difference in ventilatory responses to progressive hypoxia and hypercapnia was observed after verapamil. Verapamil run reveals similar features with placebo run in circulatory parameters except blood pressure response, which tended to be suppressed by verapamil. We conclude that verapamil attenuates peripheral chemoreceptor activity with time during sustained mild hypoxia in normal adult humans and this may be explained by delayed depletion in intracellular Ca2+ for chemotransduction of the peripheral chemoreceptors.

Effects of doxapram on ionic currents recorded in isolated type I cells of the neonatal rat carotid body

Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were used to investigate the effects of the respiratory stimulant doxapram on K+ and Ca2+ currents in isolated type I cells of the neonatal rat carotid body. Doxapram (1-100 microM) caused rapid, reversible and dose-dependent inhibitions of K+ currents recorded in type I cells (IC50 approximately 13 microM). Inhibition was voltage-dependent, in that the effects of doxapram were maximal at test potentials where a shoulder in the current-voltage relationship was maximal. These K+ currents were composed of both Ca(2+)-activated and Ca(2+)-independent components. Using high [Mg2+], low [Ca2+] solutions to inhibit Ca(2+)-activated K+ currents, doxapram was also seen to directly inhibit Ca(2+)-independent K+ currents. This effect was voltage-independent and was less potent (IC50 approximately 20 microM) than under control conditions, suggesting that doxapram was a more potent inhibitor of the Ca(2+)-activated K+ currents recorded under control conditions. Doxapram (10 microM) was without effect on L-type Ca2+ channel currents recorded under conditions where K+ channel activity was minimized and was also without significant effect on K+ currents recorded in the neuronal cell line NG-108 15, suggesting a selective effect on carotid body type I cells. The effects of doxapram on type I cells show similarities to those of the physiological stimuli of the carotid body, suggesting that doxapram may share a similar mechanism of action in stimulating the intact organ.

Carotid body chemoreception in the absence and presence of CO2-HCO3-

Carotid body (CB) chemosensory responses to natural and pharmacological stimuli were studied in vitro in the presence and nominal absence of CO2-HCO3- in the perfusion-superfusion media. The CBs obtained from cats (n = 10), anesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone, were simultaneously perfused and superfused with a modified Tyrode solution at 36.5 +/- 0.5 degrees C, equilibrated respectively with PO2 of 120 and less than 20 Torr. The Tyrode, nominally free of CO2-HCO3- (HEPES-NaOH, pH 7.38, 310 mOsm), was used first. Subsequently the Tyrode containing HEPES-HCO3-, equilibrated with PCO2 of 36.8 Torr (pH 7.38) was used. Chemosensory discharges were recorded from the carotid sinus nerve. Both hypoxia (PO2 = 20-25 Torr) and ischemic hypoxia stimulated the discharge in the absence and presence of CO2-HCO3-. However, the presence of CO2-HCO3- significantly raised the baseline activity, augmented the speed, sensitivity and the maximal responses to both types of hypoxia. Hypercapnic perfusate (PCO2 = 65 Torr at pH 7.17) produced a peak response equally promptly in the absence and presence of CO2-HCO3- in the ongoing perfusate but generated a larger and more sustained response. Presence of CO2-HCO3- strongly potentiated the responses to cyanide (10(-10)-10(-7) mol) but less strikingly the responses to nicotine (10(-11)-10(-8) mol). Thus, the extracellular CO2-HCO3- significantly improved the response to hypoxia but was not essential for O2 chemoreception. The underlying mechanisms of the effect of CO2-HCO3- is likely to be mediated by the Cl(-)-HCO3- anion exchanger in the pH regulation of glomus cells.

Effects of pHi and pHe on membrane currents recorded with the perforated-patch method from cultured chemoreceptors of the rat carotid body

In this study we investigated the effects of intracellular pH (pHi) and extracellular pH (pHe) on whole-cell currents in cultured glomus cells of the rat carotid body and small, intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells of sympathetic ganglia. The use of the perforated-patch recording technique along with established methods of cytoplasmic acidification allowed us to carry out this study without greatly disturbing the cell's endogenous pH regulatory mechanisms. A reversible decrease in the outward K+ current (20-30%) was observed during acid loading of glomus (and SIF cells) using the K+/H+ ionophore nigericin (3 microM) and acetate (20 mM). A reversible decrease in the inward Na+ current was also observed in both cell types during nigericin application. Application of amiloride (0.1 mM) to the bathing solution inhibited recovery of the K+ current from an acid load implicating the Na+/H+ antiporter as a mechanism involved in pH homeostasis in glomus cells. A reversible decrease in K+ and Na+ currents was also observed during changes in pHe from 7.4 to 6.5. The effects of pHi on membrane currents, Ca2+ levels, and neurotransmitter release are discussed in the context of the role of glomus cells as primary transducers of chemosensory stimuli in arterial blood.

Dynamic ventilatory responses to CO2 in the awake lamb: role of the carotid chemoreceptors

In awake lambs we investigated the role of the peripheral chemoreceptors in producing dynamic ventilatory (VE) responses to CO2. The immediate VE response, within 15 s, to transient CO2 inhalation was studied in two groups: 1) five lambs before carotid denervation and 2) the same lambs after carotid denervation. The time course of VE responses during the first 60 s after a step change to 8% inspired CO2 was also studied in lambs after carotid denervation and in a group of six carotid body-intact lambs 10-11 days of age. Acute CO2 responses were assessed using step changes to various concentrations of CO2 + air and CO2 + O2, while VE was recorded breath by breath. Intact lambs exhibited a brisk VE response to step changes in CO2, beginning after 3-5 s. Hyperoxia altered but did not suppress the dynamic VE CO2 response when the carotid chemoreceptors were intact. Carotid denervation markedly reduced the VE response during the first 25 s after a CO2 step change, revealing the time delay required for the central chemoreceptors to produce an effective VE response. The residual VE response remaining after CD was thought to be mediated by the remaining aortic body chemoreceptors and was eliminated by adding O2 to the CO2 challenges. However, after carotid denervation, even with CO2 + hyperoxia, the onset of a small tidal volume response was apparent by 10-12 s.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ventilatory response to keto-doxapram in intact and carotid body denervated lambs

We aimed to investigate the role of the carotid bodies in the ventilatory response to keto-doxapram, and whether this response was dose-dependent; we studied two group (n = 5 per group) of awake, intact and carotid-body denervated (CBD) lambs, aged 10-15 days. At 20 min intervals, they received 0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 m g/kg mg/kg of keto-doxapram as an intravenous bolus infusion. Plasma keto-doxapram was measured (HPLC). Ventilation was recorded via a face mask and a pneumotachograph. In intact lambs, an immediate dose-dependent increase in minute ventilation (V1) was observed. At 2 min, VI increased from baseline by 125 +/- 28, 212 +/- 49, 378 +/- 41 and 637 +/- 92 mol.kg 1.min 1 (mean +/- SE, P less than 0.01) corresponding to the foregoing incremental doses. A significant correlation was observed between the peak VI and the corresponding plasma keto-doxapram concentrations (r = 0.73, P less than 0.0003). In CBD lambs, VI increased significantly less than in intact animals. In conclusion, early ventilatory response to keto-doxapram depends mainly on intact carotid bodies, and the effect is dose-dependent.

Contrasting effects of HEPES vs HCO3(-)-buffered media on whole-cell currents in cultured chemoreceptors of the rat carotid body

In this study we compared the effects of physiological bicarbonate/CO2-buffered media (BBM) with the commonly used N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethane-sulfonic acid (HEPES)-buffered media (HBM) on whole-cell currents in cultured rat arterial chemoreceptors (i.e. glomus cells) using the perforated-patch technique. Two separate effects were observed on switching from HBM to BBM. First, in the majority of cells tested (31 of 36) there was an increase in the leakage conductance (ca. 5 fold) and a concomitant increase in channel noise, which in preliminary studies appears to arise from the opening of large-conductance anion channels. Second, there was a reversible decrease in voltage-activated outward K+ current which we attribute to cytoplasmic acidification, catalysed by carbonic anhydrase in glomus cells.

Effects of body temperature on chemosensory activity of the cat carotid body in situ

The effects of changes in body core temperature (TB) upon the frequency of chemosensory discharges (fx) from one carotid nerve were studied in pentobarbitone anesthetized cats. Raising TB from 35 to 40 degrees C increased fx in some cats, an effect more commonly seen after contralateral carotid neurotomy. In other animals, the simultaneously increased alveolar ventilation counteracted the above effect. A multiple correlation analysis of global data showed predicted increases in fx in response to raising TB at different CO2 levels.

Ventilatory afterdischarge in the awake goat

Ventilatory afterdischarge (VAD) has been defined as a persistent gradually diminishing elevation of ventilatory activity that occurs after withdrawal of a variety of respiratory stimuli. The phenomenon has been well documented in the anesthetized cat, piglet, and lamb in response to electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus nerve. We sought to determine whether VAD could be demonstrated in the standing awake goat (n = 7) by use of an extracorporeal circuit to provide square-wave physiological stimulation of the carotid chemoreceptor (carotid body PO2 40 Torr). After 5 min of isolated carotid body stimulation, the mean time constants for diminishing inspired minute ventilation, tidal volume, and respiratory frequency were 27.7, 34.5, and 25.5 s, respectively. These results indicate that VAD does exist in the awake goat model. A critical factor for the demonstration of VAD is the maintenance of systemic arterial PCO2 (isocapnia) during the period of increased ventilatory activity. If arterial PCO2 is allowed to decrease even slightly during the hyperventilation, the magnitude and duration of VAD are greatly attenuated.

[Effects of left atrial stretch and carotid occlusion on the single unit activity of anterior and posterior hypothalamus in cat]

The effects of left atrial stretch (AS) and carotid occlusion (CO) on the single unit activity of anterior and posterior hypothalamus (AH and PH) were investigated in 40 urethan-chloralose-anesthetized cats. A total of 185 units with spontaneous discharge were recorded. 46.3% (44/95) of the neurons in AH and 23.3% (21/90) of those in PH were responsive to AS. Majority of the neurons affected by AS exhibited a decrease in firing rate. A few units only showed transient response during the onset and release of AS (on-off response). Out of the 185 units, 85 units were tested by both AS and CO, and 15 units (17.6%) were responsive to both interventions. Among them 11 (73.7%) were inhibited by AS and excited by CO. From the results mentioned above, it is suggested that: (1) AS may exert an inhibitory effect on the activity of neurons in AH. (2) The activity of neurons in PH may be also affected by AS. (3) The inputs from the atrial volume receptor and carotid baroreceptor converge on the same neuron of the hypothalamus.

Optical measurements of the dependence of chemoreception on oxygen pressure in the cat carotid body

The relationship between oxygen pressure (PO2) in the carotid body and carotid sinus nerve discharge was evaluated in the isolated perfused/superfused cat carotid body using the oxygen-dependent quenching of phosphorescence. Images of phosphorescence intensity arising from Pd-coproporphyrin within the microcirculation of the carotid body provided measurements of intravascular PO2. These measurements were substantiated by determining phosphorescence life-time. The carotid body was perfused in the isolated state via the common carotid artery with N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid-buffered Tyrode solution, pH 7.4, at a constant pressure of 80 mmHg. Superfusion was maintained with similar media equilibrated with 100% argon. PO2 in the exchange vessels was markedly less than that in the perfusate entering the carotid artery, 23 +/- 3 and 45 +/- 3 Torr for normoxic (111 +/- 15 Torr) and hyperoxic (345 +/- 72 Torr) perfusates, respectively. Chemosensory discharge rose slowly in response to a brief interruption of perfusate flow as PO2 steadily declined from either of these capillary PO2 values to approximately 10 Torr. Between approximately 10 and 3 Torr, chemosensory discharge increased strikingly, concomitant with an enhanced rate of oxygen disappearance, from -36 +/- 4 to -69 +/- 13 (92% change) and -28 +/- 3 to -48 +/- 3 (71% change) Torr/s for normoxic and hyperoxic perfusates, respectively. As PO2 fell below approximately 3 Torr, oxygen disappearance slowed and neural activity decayed. Thus the relationships between microvascular PO2 and chemosensory discharge and between oxygen disappearance and neural discharge suggest that oxygen metabolism in the carotid body determines the expression of oxygen chemoreception.

Carbonic anhydrase and chemoreception in the cat carotid body

To test the hypothesis that CO2 and O2 chemoreception in the carotid body (CB) may depend on its carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity, we used an in vitro cat CB preparation and studied the effects of methazolamide, a permeable CA inhibitor (pK 7.3), on the chemosensory responses to CO2, O2, and nicotine. The isolated CB was perfused and superfused with Tyrode solution, free of CO2-HCO3-, at 36.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C. The frequency of chemosensory discharges was recorded from the whole carotid sinus nerve. The responses to bolus injections (0.3-0.5 ml) of Tyrode solution equilibrated with PCO2 of 38-110 Torr, switching from HEPES to CO2-HCO3- Tyrode (PCO2 = 25-60 Torr) for about 3 min, hypoxic Tyrode (PO2 = 25-30 Torr) for 2-8 min, perfusate flow interruptions for approximately 4 min, and bolus injections of nicotine (4 nmol) were studied before, during, and after perfusion (30-45 min) with methazolamide (42.4 microM). Methazolamide reversibly inhibited, delayed, and reduced the responses to transient CO2 stimulus, diminished the onset of but not the late response to prolonged CO2 stimulus, and delayed but did not decrease the responses to hypoxia and perfusate interruption. The response to nicotine did not change. The results indicated that CA in the glomus cells played a crucial role primarily in the speed and magnitude of the initial response to CO2 stimulus and indirectly influenced O2 chemoreception. These effects were upstream from the nicotine receptor-mediated sensory response.

Ventilatory effects and interactions with change in PaO2 in awake goats

We utilized selective carotid body (CB) perfusion while changing inspired O2 fraction in arterial isocapnia to characterize the non-CB chemoreceptor ventilatory response to changes in arterial PO2 (PaO2) in awake goats and to define the effect of varying levels of CB PO2 on this response. Systemic hyperoxia (PaO2 greater than 400 Torr) significantly increased inspired ventilation (VI) and tidal volume (VT) in goats during CB normoxia, and systemic hypoxia (PaO2 = 29 Torr) significantly increased VI and respiratory frequency in these goats. CB hypoxia (CB PO2 = 34 Torr) in systemic normoxia significantly increased VI, VT, and VT/TI; the ventilatory effects of CB hypoxia were not significantly altered by varying systemic PaO2. We conclude that ventilation is stimulated by systemic hypoxia and hyperoxia in CB normoxia and that this ventilatory response to changes in systemic O2 affects the CB O2 response in an additive manner.

Cardiovascular responses to hypoxemia in sinoaortic-denervated fetal sheep

Fetal cardiovascular response to acute hypoxemia is characterized by bradycardia, hypertension, and redistribution of cardiac output. The role of aortic and carotid chemoreceptors in mediating these responses was examined in eight sinoaortic-denervated and nine shamoperated fetal lambs. Blood gases, pH, heart rate, arterial pressure, and blood flow distribution were determined before and during hypoxemia. In intact fetuses, heart rate fell from 184 +/- 12 to 165 +/- 23 beats/min (p less than 0.01) but increased from 184 +/- 22 to 200 +/- 16 beats/min (p less than 0.05) in the sinoaortic-denervated fetuses. Intact fetuses showed an early hypertensive response to hypoxemia, whereas the sinoaortic-denervated fetuses developed a delayed, progressive rise in blood pressure. In both groups, fetal cardiac output and umbilical blood flow were maintained; cerebral, myocardial, and adrenal blood flow increased, and pulmonary blood flow decreased. Peripheral blood flow decreased 39% (p less than 0.001) in intact fetuses but was maintained in sinoaortic-denervated fetuses. Vascular responses to hypoxia in the brain, heart, adrenal, and lungs are regulated primarily by direct local effects. During hypoxemia, peripheral chemoreceptors mediate bradycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction but do not appear to be crucial for immediate fetal survival.

Thermal effects on ventilation in cats: participation of carotid body chemoreceptors

In pentobarbitone anesthetized cats, raising body temperature from 37 to 40 degrees C by external heat increased respiratory frequency, tidal volume, frequency of spontaneous gasps and mean inspiratory flow. It reduced end-tidal CO2 pressure, together with inspiratory and expiratory durations. After bilateral section of the carotid nerves, raising body temperature still induced hyperventilation, but the increase in gasp frequency was less pronounced and no significant change in tidal volume was observed. In comparison to steady ventilatory values in the intact condition, significant reductions in tidal volume at 38 degrees C and in gasp frequency at 37, 39 and 40 degrees C were observed after bilateral carotid neurotomy. Brief hyperoxic tests induced transient decreases in tidal volume and increases in end-tidal CO2 pressure which were significantly larger at 40 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. These changes disappeared after bilateral carotid neurotomy. Anesthetic block of both carotid nerves produced transient reductions in tidal volume at any given temperature. We conclude that carotid body afferents contribute to the hyperventilation evoked by hyperthermia. After their interruption, such contribution is replaceable from other thermal afferents.

Short-term potentiation of breathing in humans

The purpose of this study was to determine if the increase in ventilation induced by hypoxic stimulation of the carotid bodies (CB) persists after cessation of the stimulus in humans. I reasoned that a short-term potentiation (STP) of breathing, sometimes called an "afterdischarge," could be unmasked by combining hypoxia with exercise, because ventilation increases synergistically under these conditions. Seven young healthy men performed mild bicycle exercise (30% peak power) while breathing O2 for 1.5 min ("control" state), and their CB were then stimulated by 1.5 min of hypoxic exercise (10% O2--balance N2). CB stimulation was then terminated by changing the inspirate back to O2 as exercise continued. Inspiratory and expiratory duration (TI and TE) and inspiratory flow and its time integral [tidal volume (VT)] were measured with a pneumotachometer. Inspired minute ventilation (VI) and mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI) declined exponentially after the cessation of CB stimulation, with first-order time constants of 28.6 +/- 6.7 and 24.6 +/- 1.6 (SD) s, respectively. The slow decay of VI was due primarily to potentiation of both TI and TE, although the effect on the latter predominated. Additional experiments in six subjects showed that brief intense CB stimulation with four to five breaths of N2 during mild exercise induced STP of similar magnitude to that observed in the hypoxic exercise experiments. Finally, the imposition of hyperoxia during air breathing exercise at a level of respiratory drive similar to that induced by the hypoxic exercise did not change VI significantly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of relative hypoxia and hypercapnia on intracellular pH and membrane potential of cultured carotid body glomus cells

Clusters of glomus cells, isolated from rat carotid bodies, were cultured for up to 2 weeks. Afterwards, we simultaneously measured the intracellular pH (pHi) and membrane potentials (Em) of single cells with pH-sensitive and KCl-filled microelectrodes. In 89 control cells (bathed in saline equilibrated with 50% O2 in N2) pHi was 6.87 +/- 0.014 (SE) and Em -36.3 +/- 0.45 mV. In 42 cells, switching to air (about 20% O2) lowered pHi in 60% of them by as much as 0.14 unit (mean decrease, 0.05). In the remaining cells, pHi increased by as much as 0.18 unit (mean increase, 0.06). Application of 2.5% CO2 in 50% O2 (balance N2) reduced the pHi in 90% of 47 cells by as much as 0.44 unit (mean decrease, 0.14). pHi increased to a maximum of 0.05 unit (mean increase, 0.04) in the others. Either stimulus depolarized or hyperpolarized glomus cells (-5 to 8 mV) in approximately equal proportions. There was a significant and positive correlation between delta Em and delta pHi. This observation confirms the idea that the Em of glomus cell is H(+)-dependent. Results do not agree with the acidic hypothesis for chemoreception.

The chick chorioallantoic membrane promotes survival of co-transplanted rat carotid bodies and nodose ganglia

Carotid bodies and nodose ganglia, removed from adult rats, were co-implanted onto the chorioallantois of 6- to 12-day chick embryos. Implants were rapidly vascularized and incorporated into the chorioallantoic membrane, where they survived and grew for up to 12 days. The morphological characteristics of grafted tissues were largely preserved. Regenerating axons from nodose neurons invaded the carotid body and contacted some glomus cells through morphologically immature synapses. Thus, the chick chorioallantoic membrane may be a useful substrate to study carotid chemoreceptor-sensory neuron interactions.

Expression of messenger RNAs for peptides and tyrosine hydroxylase in primary sensory neurons that innervate arterial baroreceptors and chemoreceptors

Retrograde fiber tracing and in situ hybridization were used to determine expression of mRNAs for preprotachykinin A (ppTA), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), preproenkephalin A (ENK), neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) and somatostatin (SOM) as well as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the petrosal ganglia primary sensory neurons which innervate carotid sinus baroreceptors and carotid body chemoreceptors. Perfusion of the carotid sinus with the retrogradely transported dye (Fluoro-Gold) labeled primary sensory neurons in petrosal ganglion. Numerous somata in the petrosal ganglion labeled with dye contained mRNAs for all the above peptides, except SOM. Moreover, TH mRNA was found in a substantial number of retrogradely labeled cells in the petrosal ganglion. This study provides information concerning which of the numerous peptides identified in sensory neurons of petrosal ganglion may be involved in modulation of the arterial baroreceptor and chemoreceptor reflexes.

Some reflex cardioinhibitory responses in the cat and their modulation by central inspiratory neuronal activity

1. Cats were anaesthetized with a mixture of chloralose and urethane, and were artifically ventilated. 2. An open pneumothorax was provided by two large-bore tubes which were sealed in the sixth intercostal space on each side. They were connected to a Fleisch pneumotachograph. Phasic changes in central inspiratory neuronal activity were measured quantitatively as changes in the volume of the pneumothorax during temporary interruption of artificial respiration, the volume of the lungs being held constant at their end-expiratory level. In this way the activity of slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptors was maintained constant. 3. Reflex cardioinhibitory responses were elicited by stimulation of (a) the carotid body chemoreceptors by intracarotid injections of cyanide; (b) the arterial baroreflex by controlled elevations of the blood pressure; (c) cardiac receptors by left atrial injections of veratridine; and (d) pulmonary C fibres (including J receptors) by right atrial injections of phenylbiguanide. 4. The effects of central inspiratory neuronal activity on pulse interval were assessed by comparing the values observed during the inspiratory and expiratory phases of the respiratory cycle in the control state and during stimulation of each cardiovascular receptor group. 5. The carotid chemoreceptor-induced bradycardia measured during the expiratory phase of respiration was reduced during inspiration to a value of about 15% of control. The central inspiratory drive was less effective in altering the reflex responses from the arterial baroreceptors and cardiac receptors, the corresponding values being 42 and 51% respectively. 6. In contrast, the bradycardia evoked by pulmonary C fibre stimulation was not significantly affected by the central inspiratory drive. 7. The differential nature of the modulation by the central inspiratory drive occurred independently of the integrity of the sympathetic nerve supply to the heart indicating that the cardiac efferents involved were largely fibres in the vagus nerves. 8. The possible explanation of these results in terms of central mechanisms is discussed.

Effect of waveforms of inspired gas tension on the respiratory oscillations of carotid body discharge

The responses of carotid body chemoreceptor discharge to repeated ramps (20- to 60-s forcing cycle durations) of inspired gas tensions were studied in spontaneously breathing and in artificially ventilated pentobarbitone-anesthetized cats. In all animals the mean intensity of chemoreceptor discharge followed the frequency of the forcing cycle, and superimposed on this were oscillations at the frequency of ventilation (breath-by-breath oscillations). The amplitude of the breath-by-breath oscillations in discharge was often large, and it waxed and waned with the forcing cycle. It was greatest when the mean level of discharge was falling and smallest near the peak of mean discharge. No qualitative differences were observed between PO2-alone forcing in constant normocapnia and PCO2-alone forcing in constant hypoxia. The variation in the amplitudes of breath-by-breath oscillations was shown to be due primarily to variations in the amplitudes of the downslope component of the discharge oscillation. Variations in the upslope component of individual oscillations were small. The factors responsible for the breath-by-breath oscillations are discussed, and it is concluded that the shape of the waveform of arterial gas tensions that stimulate the peripheral chemoreceptors departs markedly from that of a line joining end-tidal gas tensions. This causes breath-by-breath oscillations of discharge to be very large after an "off" stimulus. Reflex studies involving the forcing of respiratory gases should therefore include consideration of these effects.

Respiratory responses to aortic and carotid chemoreceptor activation in the dog

Respiratory responses arising from both chemical stimulation of vascularly isolated aortic body (AB) and carotid body (CB) chemoreceptors and electrical stimulation of aortic nerve (AN) and carotid sinus nerve (CSN) afferents were compared in the anesthetized dog. Respiratory reflexes were measured as changes in inspiratory duration (TI), expiratory duration (TE), and peak averaged phrenic nerve activity (PPNG). Tonic AN and AB stimulations shortened TI and TE with no change in PPNG, while tonic CSN and CB stimulations shortened TE, increased PPNG, and transiently lengthened TI. Phasic AB and AN stimulations throughout inspiration shortened TI with no changes in PPNG or the following TE; however, similar phasic stimulations of the CB and CSN increased both TI and PPNG and decreased the following TE. Phasic AN stimulation during expiration decreased TE and the following TI with no change in PPNG. Similar stimulations of the CB and CSN decreased TE; however, the following TI and PPNG were increased. These findings differ from those found in the cat and suggest that aortic chemoreceptors affect mainly phase timing, while carotid chemoreceptors affect both timing and respiratory drive.