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Khalilpour J, Zangbar HS, Alipour MR, Pakdel FQ, Zavari Z, Shahabi P. Chronic Sustained Hypoxia Leads to Brainstem Tauopathy and Declines the Power of Rhythms in the Ventrolateral Medulla: Shedding Light on a Possible Mechanism. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:3121-3143. [PMID: 37976025 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03763-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia, especially the chronic type, leads to disruptive results in the brain that may contribute to the pathogenesis of some neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The ventrolateral medulla (VLM) contains clusters of interneurons, such as the pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC), that generate the main respiratory rhythm drive. We hypothesized that exposing animals to chronic sustained hypoxia (CSH) might develop tauopathy in the brainstem, consequently changing the rhythmic manifestations of respiratory neurons. In this study, old (20-22 months) and young (2-3 months) male rats were subjected to CSH (10 ± 0.5% O2) for ten consecutive days. Western blotting and immunofluorescence (IF) staining were used to evaluate phosphorylated tau. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP or ∆ψm) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were measured to assess mitochondrial function. In vivo diaphragm's electromyography (dEMG) and local field potential (LFP) recordings from preBötC were employed to assess the respiratory factors and rhythmic representation of preBötC, respectively. Findings showed that ROS production increased significantly in hypoxic groups, associated with a significant decline in ∆ψm. In addition, tau phosphorylation elevated in the brainstem of hypoxic groups. On the other hand, the power of rhythms declined significantly in the preBötC of hypoxic rats, parallel with changes in the respiratory rate, total respiration time, and expiration time. Moreover, there was a positive and statistically significant correlation between LFP rhythm's power and inspiration time. Our data showed that besides CSH, aging also contributed to mitochondrial dysfunction, tau hyperphosphorylation, LFP rhythms' power decline, and changes in respiratory factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamal Khalilpour
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht Street, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran
| | - Hamid Soltani Zangbar
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht Street, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Reza Alipour
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht Street, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran
| | - Firouz Qaderi Pakdel
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Zohre Zavari
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht Street, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran
| | - Parviz Shahabi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht Street, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran.
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Garcia AJ, Viemari JC, Khuu MA. Respiratory rhythm generation, hypoxia, and oxidative stress-Implications for development. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2019; 270:103259. [PMID: 31369874 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2019.103259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Encountered in a number of clinical conditions, repeated hypoxia/reoxygenation during the neonatal period can pose both a threat to immediate survival as well as a diminished quality of living later in life. This review focuses on our current understanding of central respiratory rhythm generation and the role that hypoxia and reoxygenation play in influencing rhythmogenesis. Here, we examine the stereotypical response of the inspiratory rhythm from the preBötzinger complex (preBötC), basic neuronal mechanisms that support rhythm generation during the peri-hypoxic interval, and the physiological consequences of inspiratory network responsivity to hypoxia and reoxygenation, acute and chronic intermittent hypoxia, and oxidative stress. These topics are examined in the context of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, apneas of prematurity, and neonatal abstinence syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo J Garcia
- Institute for Integrative Physiology, Section of Emergency Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, 60637, IL, United States
| | - Jean Charles Viemari
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, P3M team, UMR7289 CNRS & AMU, Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, Marseille, 13005, France
| | - Maggie A Khuu
- Institute for Integrative Physiology, Section of Emergency Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, 60637, IL, United States
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Wakai J, Takamura D, Morinaga R, Nakamuta N, Yamamoto Y. Differences in respiratory changes and Fos expression in the ventrolateral medulla of rats exposed to hypoxia, hypercapnia, and hypercapnic hypoxia. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2015; 215:64-72. [PMID: 26001678 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Revised: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory responses to hypoxia and/or hypercapnia, and their relationship to neural activity in the ventrolateral medulla (VLM), which includes the respiratory center, have not yet been elucidated in detail. We herein examined respiratory responses during exposure of 10% O2 (hypoxia), 10% CO2 (hypercapnia), and 10% O2-10% CO2 (hypercapnic hypoxia) using plethysmography. In addition to recording respiration, Fos expressions were examined in the VLM of the rat exposed to each gas to analyze neural activity. Respiratory frequency was increased in rats exposed to hypoxia, and Fos-positive neurons were observed in the caudal VLM (cVLM) and medial VLM (mVLM). Tidal volume was increased in rats exposed to hypercapnia, and Fos-positive neurons were observed in the rostral VLM (rVLM) includes the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) and mVLM. Tidal volume was enhanced in rats exposed to hypercapnic hypoxia, similar to that in hypercapnia-exposed rats, and Fos-positive neurons were observed in the entire region of the VLM. In the mVLM and cVLM, double immunofluorescence showed Fos-immunoreactive nerve cells were also immunoreactive to dopamine β-hydroxylase, the marker for A1/C1 catecholaminergic neuron. These results suggested that hypoxia and hypercapnia modulated rhythmogenic microcircuits in the mVLM via A1/C1 neurons and the RTN, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wakai
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Daichi Takamura
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Morinaga
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Nakamuta
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Yoshio Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan.
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Siljehav V, Shvarev Y, Herlenius E. Il-1β and prostaglandin E2 attenuate the hypercapnic as well as the hypoxic respiratory response via prostaglandin E receptor type 3 in neonatal mice. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2014; 117:1027-36. [DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00542.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) serves as a critical mediator of hypoxia, infection, and apnea in term and preterm babies. We hypothesized that the prostaglandin E receptor type 3 (EP3R) is the receptor responsible for PGE2-induced apneas. Plethysmographic recordings revealed that IL-1β (ip) attenuated the hypercapnic response in C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) but not in neonatal (P9) EP3R−/− mice ( P < 0.05). The hypercapnic responses in brain stem spinal cord en bloc preparations also differed depending on EP3R expression whereby the response was attenuated in EP3R−/− preparations ( P < 0.05). After severe hypoxic exposure in vivo, IL-1β prolonged time to autoresuscitation in WT but not in EP3R−/− mice. Moreover, during severe hypoxic stress EP3R−/− mice had an increased gasping duration ( P < 0.01) as well as number of gasps ( P < 0.01), irrespective of intraperitoneal treatment, compared with WT mice. Furthermore, EP3R−/− mice exhibited longer hyperpneic breathing efforts when exposed to severe hypoxia ( P < 0.01). This was then followed by a longer period of secondary apnea before autoresuscitation occurred in EP3R−/− mice ( P < 0.05). In vitro, EP3R−/− brain stem spinal cord preparations had a prolonged respiratory burst activity during severe hypoxia accompanied by a prolonged neuronal arrest during recovery in oxygenated medium ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, PGE2 exerts its effects on respiration via EP3R activation that attenuates the respiratory response to hypercapnia as well as severe hypoxia. Modulation of the EP3R may serve as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of inflammatory and hypoxic-induced detrimental apneas and respiratory disorders in neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Siljehav
- Neonatal Research Unit Q2:07, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; and
| | - Yuri Shvarev
- Neonatal Research Unit Q2:07, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; and
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Eric Herlenius
- Neonatal Research Unit Q2:07, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; and
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Xu Y, Rui J, Zhao X, Xiao C, Bao Q, Li J, Lao J. Effect of isolated unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis on ventilation and exercise performance in rats. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2014; 196:25-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Revised: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Dean JB, Putnam RW. The caudal solitary complex is a site of central CO(2) chemoreception and integration of multiple systems that regulate expired CO(2). Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2010; 173:274-87. [PMID: 20670695 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2010.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2010] [Revised: 06/30/2010] [Accepted: 07/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The solitary complex is comprised of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS, sensory) and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV, motor), which functions as an integrative center for neural control of multiple systems including the respiratory, cardiovascular and gastroesophageal systems. The caudal NTS-DMV is one of the several sites of central CO(2) chemoreception in the brain stem. CO(2) chemosensitive neurons are fully responsive to CO(2) at birth and their responsiveness seems to depend on pH-sensitive K(+) channels. In addition, chemosensitive neurons are highly sensitive to conditions such as hypoxia (e.g., neural plasticity) and hyperoxia (e.g., stimulation), suggesting they employ redox and nitrosative signaling mechanisms. Here we review the cellular and systems physiological evidence supporting our hypothesis that the caudal NTS-DMV is a site for integration of respiratory, cardiovascular and gastroesophageal systems that work together to eliminate CO(2) during acute and chronic respiratory acidosis to restore pH homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay B Dean
- Dept. of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Hyperbaric Biomedical Research Laboratory, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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Pasaro R, Ribas-Salgueiro JL, Matarredona ER, Sarmiento M, Ribas J. Systemic inhibition of the Na(+)/H (+) exchanger type 3 in intact rats activates brainstem respiratory regions. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2009; 648:395-401. [PMID: 19536504 DOI: 10.1007/978-90-481-2259-2_45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
Selective inhibition of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger type 3 (NHE3) increases the firing rate of brainstem ventrolateral CO(2)/H(+) sensitive neurons, resembling the responses evoked by hypercapnic stimuli. In anesthetized animals, NHE3 inhibition has also been shown to stimulate the central chemosensitive drive. We aimed to analyze the respiratory-related brainstem regions affected by NHE3 inhibition in anaesthetized spontaneously-breathing rats with intact peripheral afferents. For that, c-Fos immunopositive cells were counted along the brainstem in rats intravenously infused with the selective NHE3 inhibitor AVE1599. A rostral extension of the ventral respiratory column which includes the pre-Bötzinger complex was activated by the NHE3 inhibitor. In addition, the number of c-Fos positive cells resulted significantly increased in the most rostral extension of the retrotrapezoid nucleus/parapyramidal region. In the pons, the intravenous infusion of AVE1599 activated the lateral parabrachial and Kölliker-Fuse nuclei. Thus, selective NHE3 inhibition in anaesthetized rats activates the respiratory network and evokes a pattern of c-Fos expressing cells similar to that induced by hypercapnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pasaro
- Department of Physiology and Zoology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain.
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Ribas-Salgueiro JL, Matarredona ER, Sarmiento M, Ribas J, Pásaro R. Respiratory response to systemic inhibition of the Na+/H+ exchanger type 3 in intact rats. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2008; 165:254-60. [PMID: 19154800 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2008.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2008] [Revised: 12/22/2008] [Accepted: 12/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) are a family of antiporters involved in the maintenance of neural steady-state intracellular pH. The NHE3 seems to be the predominant subtype in central chemosensitive cells. We aimed to analyze the effect of a selective NHE3 inhibition on the respiratory pattern in spontaneously breathing rats with intact vagi. Rats were intravenously infused for 10 min with the selective NHE3 inhibitor AVE1599 (Aventis Pharma Deustchland, 0.5 and 2 mg/kg) or with phosphate buffer. Whole-body plethysmography was used to monitor breathing pattern before, during, and up to 30 min after the drug infusion. Immunohistochemistry for the c-Fos protein was performed in the animal brains and c-Fos-positive cells were counted along the brainstem. Selective NHE3 inhibition induced a significant increase in the respiratory frequency and in the number of c-Fos immunopositive cells in the lateral parabrachial nucleus, the pre-Bötzinger complex and a rostral extension of the retrotrapezoid nucleus/parapyramidal region (p<0.05, ANOVA). We conclude that systemic administration of AVE1599 increases respiratory frequency and activates ponto-medullary areas implicated in the central control of breathing and chemoreception.
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Krause KL, Forster HV, Kiner T, Davis SE, Bonis JM, Qian B, Pan LG. Normal breathing pattern and arterial blood gases in awake and sleeping goats after near total destruction of the presumed pre-Botzinger complex and the surrounding region. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2008; 106:605-19. [PMID: 19095752 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.90966.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abrupt neurotoxic destruction of >70% of the pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötzC) in awake goats results in respiratory and cardiac failure (Wenninger JM, Pan LG, Klum L, Leekley T, Bastastic J, Hodges MR, Feroah TR, Davis S, Forster HV. J Appl Physiol 97: 1629-1636, 2004). However, in reduced preparations, rhythmic respiratory activity has been found in other areas of the brain stem (Huang Q, St. John WM. J Appl Physiol 64: 1405-1411, 1988; Janczewski WA, Feldman JL. J Physiol 570: 407-420, 2006; Lieske SP, Thoby-Brisson M, Telgkamo P, Ramierz JM. Nature Neurosci 3: 600-607, 2000; St. John WM, Bledsoe TA. J Appl Physiol 59: 684-690, 1985); thus we hypothesized that, when the preBötzC is destroyed incrementally over weeks, time-dependent plasticity within the respiratory network will result in a respiratory rhythm capable of maintaining normal blood gases. Microtubules were bilaterally implanted into the presumed preBötzC of seven goats. After recovery from surgery, studies were completed to establish baseline values for respiratory parameters. At weekly intervals, increasing volumes (in order 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 microl) of ibotenic acid (IA; 50 mM) were then injected into the preBötzC. All IA injections resulted in an acute tachypnea and dysrhythmia featuring augmented breaths, apneas, and increased breath-to-breath variation in breathing. In studies at night, apneas were nearly all central and occurred in the awake state. Breath-to-breath variation in breathing was greater (P < 0.05) during wakefulness than during non-rapid eye movement sleep. However, one week after the final IA injection, the breathing pattern, breath-to-breath variation, and arterial blood gases and pH were unchanged from baseline, but there was a 20% decrease in respiratory frequency (f) and CO(2) sensitivity (P < 0.05), as well as a 40% decrease in the ventilatory response to hypoxia (P < 0.001). In subsequent histological analysis of the presumed preBötzC region of lesioned goats, it was determined that there was a 90 and 92% reduction from control goats in total and neurokinin-1 receptor neurons, respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that 1) the dysrhythmic effects on breathing are state dependent; and 2) after incremental, near total destruction of the presumed preBötzC region, time-dependent plasticity within the respiratory network provides a rhythm capable of sustaining normal arterial blood gases.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Krause
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
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Bell HJ, Inoue T, Shum K, Luk C, Syed NI. Peripheral oxygen-sensing cells directly modulate the output of an identified respiratory central pattern generating neuron. Eur J Neurosci 2007; 25:3537-50. [PMID: 17610573 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2007.05607.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Breathing is an essential homeostatic behavior regulated by central neuronal networks, often called central pattern generators (CPGs). Despite ongoing advances in our understanding of the neural control of breathing, the basic mechanisms by which peripheral input modulates the activities of the central respiratory CPG remain elusive. This lack of fundamental knowledge vis-à-vis the role of peripheral influences in the control of the respiratory CPG is due in large part to the complexity of mammalian respiratory control centres. We have therefore developed a simpler invertebrate model to study the basic cellular and synaptic mechanisms by which a peripheral chemosensory input affects the central respiratory CPG. Here we report on the identification and characterization of peripheral chemoreceptor cells (PCRCs) that relay hypoxia-sensitive chemosensory information to the known respiratory CPG neuron right pedal dorsal 1 in the mollusk Lymnaea stagnalis. Selective perfusion of these PCRCs with hypoxic saline triggered bursting activity in these neurons and when isolated in cell culture these cells also demonstrated hypoxic sensitivity that resulted in membrane depolarization and spiking activity. When cocultured with right pedal dorsal 1, the PCRCs developed synapses that exhibited a form of short-term synaptic plasticity in response to hypoxia. Finally, osphradial denervation in intact animals significantly perturbed respiratory activity compared with their sham counterparts. This study provides evidence for direct synaptic connectivity between a peripheral regulatory element and a central respiratory CPG neuron, revealing a potential locus for hypoxia-induced synaptic plasticity underlying breathing behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold J Bell
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 4N1.
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Ferguson LM, Drummond GB. Acute effects of fentanyl on breathing pattern in anaesthetized subjects. Br J Anaesth 2006; 96:384-90. [PMID: 16449234 DOI: 10.1093/bja/ael011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The predominant effect of opioids on respiratory pattern during anaesthesia is an increase in the duration of expiration (an effect on 'timing'), but there may also be changes in tidal volume (an effect on 'drive'). Timing and drive are controlled by separate neuronal systems, but are infrequently considered individually. The effects of opioids on breathing are not well characterized clinically because changes in carbon dioxide and anaesthetic levels usually occur at the same time, and can obscure the effects of the opioid. METHODS To study these effects in isolation, we established stable mild hypercapnia in female patients breathing spontaneously during sevoflurane anaesthesia, and then gave fentanyl 0.5 microg kg(-1) i.v. End-tidal carbon dioxide and sevoflurane concentrations were maintained constant, and the changes in timing of inspiration, expiration and tidal volume were measured. RESULTS The duration of inspiration increased by 30%, and the duration of expiration increased by 95%. Tidal volume increased in proportion to inspiratory duration, and the pattern of flow during the breath was recognizably changed, with a reduction in the rate of increase of flow at the onset of inspiration. CONCLUSIONS Small doses of opioid given when anaesthesia and carbon dioxide are stable affect respiratory timing predominantly, but in addition changes in the pattern of motor output can be detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Ferguson
- University Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Edinburgh University, Scotland, UK
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Wu M, Kc P, Mack SO, Haxhiu MA. Ablation of vagal preganglionic neurons innervating the extra-thoracic trachea affects ventilatory responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2005; 152:36-50. [PMID: 16099224 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2005.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2005] [Revised: 07/01/2005] [Accepted: 07/04/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This study tested the hypothesis that during hypercapnia or hypoxia, airway-related vagal preganglionic neurons (AVPNs) of the nucleus ambiguus (NA) release acetylcholine (ACh), which in a paracrine fashion, activates ACh receptors expressed by inspiratory rhythm generating cells. AVPNs in the NA were ablated by injecting a saporin- (SA) cholera toxin b subunit (CTb-SA) conjugate into the extra-thoracic trachea (n=6). Control animals were injected with free CTb (n=6). In CTb treated rats, baseline ventilation and ventilatory responses to hypercapnia (5 and 12% CO(2) in O(2)) or hypoxia (8% O(2) in N(2)) were similar (p>0.05) prior to and 5 days after injection. CTb-SA injected rats maintained rhythmic breathing patterns 5 days post injection, however, tachypneic responses to hypercapnia or hypoxia were significantly reduced. The number of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactive cells in the NA was much lower (p<0.05) in CTb-SA rats as compared to animals receiving CTb only. These results suggest that AVPNs participate in the respiratory frequency response to hypercapnia or hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfei Wu
- Specialized Neuroscience Research Program, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Howard University College of Medicine, 520 'W' Street NW, Washington, DC 20059, USA
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