Stellate ganglion influence on static compliance and surface layer lipids in cat lungs

Sympathetic nerve influence on alveolar type II cell ultrastructure

Pulmonary surfactant release from lamellar bodies in alveolar type II cells in response to exogenous and circulating catecholamines is well documented but sympathetic influences from direct nerve stimulation are not as extensively studied. In order to study sympathetic nerve influence on release, ultrastructure of type II cells was examined following one min stimulation of the stellate ganglion (SGS) which sends sympathetic fibers to lung parenchyma. The type II cell secretion was assessed by measuring volume density of lamellar bodies, interpreting decreased volume density to indicate increased secretion according to accepted stereologic principles. The present study showed lamellar body volume density was reduced 20.8% in type II cells of SGS animals. Multivesicular body volume density was increased 150% by SGS, but Golgi bodies were unchanged. These data are consistent with type II cell origin of at least some of the increased saturated phospholipid recovered from airspaces in previous SGS studies, and support the view that sympathetic nerve activity may contribute to surfactant homeostasis under some conditions.

Stellate ganglion stimulation with alpha and beta adrenergic blockade: effect on lung lipids and compliance in cats

Stellate ganglion stimulation (SGS) can alter lung lipids and reduce static lung compliance, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Phentolamine and propranolol were administered to anesthetized cats prior to stimulation in order to investigate SGS effects on lung lipids and compliance mediated via alpha and beta adrenergic pathways. Analysis of lung lavage revealed that SGS alone decreased cholesterol and the cholesterol/DSPC ratio which might be expected to decrease lung compliance. Alpha and beta blockade alone resulted in no changes from control in cholesterol or DSPC. Alpha blockade plus SGS yielded increased rather than decreased cholesterol and DSPC, while beta blockade prevented any change. A reduction in both static and dynamic lung compliance caused by SGS also was blocked by both alpha and beta blockade. Thus both the alpha and beta blockade prevented the SGS-induced decreases in cholesterol, cholesterol/DSPC ratio, and lung compliance. Furthermore, alpha blockade plus SGS resulted in increased TPL as well as cholesterol and DSPC. The data are consistent with the view that DSPC and cholesterol are released into the subphase by beta adrenergic mechanisms, and that their relative amounts may influence surface properties.

Beta adrenergic receptors and glucagon in seizures from exposure to oxygen at high pressure (OHP)

Previous studies have shown that sympathetic factors and blood glucose are of importance in the development of seizures and lung damage from OHP. In the present study we examined the influence of beta sympathetic agonists and blocking agents and glucagon on OHP toxicity. Rats were exposed to 6 ATA OHP and examined for time-to-seizure and lung damage. Pretreatment with propranolol increased the time-to-seizure by 70% and practolol by 50% without altering gross lung appearance or lung wet wt/dry wt. Propranolol and practolol also prevented brain glycogen depletion prior to seizure which otherwise occurred in subconvulsive exposure to OHP. Isoproterenol and glucagon pretreatment had no effect on time-to-seizure but isoproterenol did increase lung injury. Both practolol and propranolol block the beta-receptor influence on adenyl cyclase-stimulated second messenger production, while both isoproterenol and glucagon activate adenyl cyclase to produce second messenger. Our results may suggest a possible role for second messenger in mediating some of the acute toxic effects of OHP on the CNS.