Effect of atropine, propranolol, and atenolol on wave structure of heart rate oscillations in rats

Effect of Atropine on Adrenergic Responsiveness of Erythrocyte and Heart Rhythm Variability in Outbred Rats with Stimulation of the Central Neurotransmitter Systems

Single injection of muscarinic cholinoceptor blocker atropine (1 mg/kg) to outbred male rats reduced β-adrenergic responsiveness of erythrocytes (by 2.2 times) and the content of epinephrine granules on erythrocytes (by 1.5 times), significantly increased HR and rigidity of the heart rhythm, and manifold decreased the power of all spectral components of heart rhythm variability. Stimulation of the central neurotransmitter systems increased β-adrenergic responsiveness of erythrocytes (by 15-26%), decreased the number of epinephrine granules on erythrocytes (by 25-40%), and increased HR and cardiac rhythm intensity. These changes were most pronounced after stimulation of the serotoninergic system. Administration of atropine against the background of activation of central neurotransmitter systems did not decrease β-adrenergic responsiveness of erythrocytes (this parameter remained at a stably high level and even increased during stimulation of the dopaminergic system), but decreased the number of epinephrine granules on erythrocytes, increased HR, and dramatically decreased the power of all components of heart rhythm variability spectrum. The response to atropine was maximum against the background of noradrenergic system activation and less pronounced during stimulation of the serotoninergic system. Thus, substances that are complementary to cholinergic receptors modulated adrenergic effect on the properties of red blood cells, which, in turn, can modulate the adrenergic influences on the heart rhythm via the humoral channel of regulation. Stimulation of central neurotransmitter systems that potentiates the growth of visceral adrenergic responsiveness weakens the cholinergic modulation of the adrenergic influences, especially with respect to erythrocyte responsiveness. Hence, changes in the neurotransmitter metabolism in the body can lead to coupled modulation of reception and reactivity to adrenergic- and choline-like regulatory factors at the level of erythrocyte membranes, which can be important for regulation of heart rhythm.

Effect of adrenoblockers on slow (LF) waves in rabbit heart rate

Propranolol and atenolol were used to examine the role of the adrenergic system in the genesis of slow HR variations (waves) in rabbits, the animals characterized by pronounced sympathetic influences. The control experiments were performed with physiological solution and long-term records in intact rabbits. The harmonic (spectrum) analysis was performed with fast Fourier transform. The adrenoblockers produced no decrease in the power of slow waves. The study did not found the sympathetic genesis of slow variations in rabbit HR.

Age- and sex-related changes in heart rate variability under conditions of blockade or stimulation of peripheral adrenoceptor in outbred rats

Changes in heart rhythm variability were studied in male and female mature and 5-6-week-old rats under conditions of 7-day administration of β1-adrenoreceptor blocker atenolol (2.5 mg/kg) and α1-adrenoreceptor agonist phenylephrine (0.3 mg/kg). Atenolol administration to mature rats was followed by a slight deceleration of cardiac rhythm, a tendency to heart rate variability decrease in the HF range, and moderate increase in centralization of regulation. In 6-week-old rats, increased variability of cardiointervals and significant increase of centralization of the heart rhythm regulation due to an increase in the power of low-frequency waves (specifically VLF) were observed. In both mature and young rats, changes of heart rate frequency and variability in response to atenolol administration were more pronounced in females. Phenylephrine administration was followed by a significant heart rate deceleration, increase in cardiointerval variability and centralization of heart rate regulation in mature rats and by a decrease in heart rate variability in all frequency ranges in 6-week-old rats. In mature rats, changes in heart rate frequency and variability produced by phenylephrine administration were more pronounced in males; in young rats, the most strained heart rhythm developed in females.