Autonomic cardiovascular control in conscious mice

The autism-associated Meis2 gene is necessary for cardiac baroreflex regulation in mice

Recent understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) showed that peripheral primary mechanosensitive neurons involved in touch sensation and central neurons affected in ASD share transcriptional regulators. Mutant mice for ASD-associated transcription factors exhibit impaired primary tactile perception and restoring those genes specifically in primary sensory neurons rescues some of the anxiety-like behavior and social interaction defects. Interestingly, peripheral mechanosensitive sensory neurons also project to internal organs including the cardiovascular system, and an imbalance of the cardio-vascular sympathovagal regulation is evidenced in ASD and intellectual disability. ASD patients have decreased vagal tone, suggesting dysfunction of sensory neurons involved in cardio-vascular sensing. In light of our previous finding that the ASD-associated Meis2 gene is necessary for normal touch neuron development and function, we investigated here if its inactivation in mouse peripheral sensory neurons also affects cardio-vascular sympathovagal regulation and baroreflex. Combining echocardiography, pharmacological challenge, blood pressure monitoring, and heart rate variability analysis, we found that Meis2 mutant mice exhibited a blunted vagal response independently of any apparent cardiac malformation. These results suggest that defects in primary sensory neurons with mechanosensitive identity could participate in the imbalanced cardio-vascular sympathovagal tone found in ASD patients, reinforcing current hypotheses on the role of primary sensory neurons in the etiology of ASD.

Sustained hypoxia in mice increases parasympathetic but not sympathetic tone

The autonomic profile of mice submitted to sustained hypoxia (SH) was not yet fully evaluated. Herein, we characterized the cardiovascular and autonomic profile of conscious freely moving mice submitted to SH using two sequential experimental protocols to evaluate the parasympathetic and sympathetic tone to the heart and the sympathetic tone to the vascular resistance. In the first protocol the sequence of antagonists was methyl-atropine followed by propranolol and then by prazosin, while in the second protocol the sequence was propranolol followed by methyl-atropine and then by prazosin. In SH the baseline heart rate was significantly lower than in control mice and the antagonism of the parasympathetic and sympathetic tone to the heart in both experimental protocols indicated an increased parasympathetic tone in SH mice and no changes in the sympathetic tone. Antagonism of the sympathetic tone to the vascular resistance with prazosin produced similar changes in arterial pressure in control and SH mice. Altogether these findings support the concept that mice submitted to SH present a significant increase in the parasympathetic but not in the sympathetic tone, which may explain why the baseline arterial pressure was not increased in SH mice.

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Autonomic profile of awake mice submitted to sustained hypoxia (SH) was evaluated by sequential pharmacological antagonists.

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Baseline heart rate in SH mice was lower and the tachycardic response to methyl-atropine was greater than in control mice.

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Fall in mean arterial pressure in response to prazosin was similar in control and SH mice.

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Parasympathetic tone to the heart of mice submitted to SH is increased while the overall sympathetic tone is not.

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These findings contribute to explain why mice, different of rats, are not hypertensive in response to SH.

Effects of chronic cholinergic stimulation associated with aerobic physical training on cardiac morphofunctional and autonomic parameters in spontaneously hypertensive rats

We investigated hemodynamic, cardiac morphofunctional, and cardiovascular autonomic adaptations in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) after aerobic physical training associated with chronic cholinergic stimulation. Fifty-four SHRs were divided into two groups: trained and untrained. Each group was further subdivided into three smaller groups: vehicle, treated with pyridostigmine bromide at 5 mg/kg/day, and treated with pyridostigmine bromide at 15 mg/kg/day. The following protocols were assessed: echocardiography, autonomic double pharmacological blockade, heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure variability (BPV), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). Physical training and pyridostigmine bromide reduced BP and HR and increased vagal participation in cardiac autonomic tonic balance. The associated responses were then potentialized. Treatment with pyridostigmine bromide increased HRV oscillation of both low frequency (LF: 0.2-0.75 Hz) and high frequency (HF: 0.75-3 Hz). However, the association with physical training attenuated HF oscillations. Additionally, treatment with pyridostigmine bromide also increased LF oscillations of BPV. Both treatment groups promoted morphofunctional adaptations, and associated increased ejection volume, ejection fraction, cardiac output, and cardiac index. In conclusion, the association of pyridostigmine bromide and physical training promoted greater benefits in hemodynamic parameters and increased vagal influence on cardiac autonomic tonic balance. Nonetheless, treatment with pyridostigmine bromide alone seems to negatively affect BPV and the association of treatment negatively influences HRV.

Opening the Schrödinger Box: Short- and Long-Range Mammalian Heart Rate Variability

Background

The interactions between the autonomic nervous system (ANS), intrinsic systems (e.g., endocrine), and internal pacemaker mechanisms govern short (milliseconds–seconds)- and long (seconds–minutes)-range heart rate variability (HRV). However, there is a debate regarding the identity of the mechanism underlying HRV on each time scale. We aim to design a general method that accurately differentiates between the relative contribution of the ANS and pacemaker mechanisms to HRV in various mammals, without the need for drug perturbations or organ isolation. Additionally, we aim to explore the universality of the relative contribution of the ANS and pacemaker system of different mammals.

Methods

This work explored short- and long-range HRVs using published ECG data from dogs, rabbits, and mice. To isolate the effects of ANS on HRV, ECG segments recorded before and after ANS-blockade were compared.

Results

Differentiation of the ANS from extrinsic and intrinsic pacemaker mechanisms was successfully achieved. In dogs, the internal pacemaker mechanisms were the main contributors to long-range and the ANS to short-range HRV. In rabbits and mice, the ANS and the internal pacemaker mechanisms affected both time scales, and anesthesia changed the relative contribution of the pacemaker mechanism to short- and long-range HRVs. In mice, the extrinsic mechanisms affected long-range HRV, while their effect was negligible in rabbits.

Conclusion

We offer a novel approach to determine the relative contributions of ANS and extrinsic and intrinsic pacemaker mechanisms to HRV and highlight the importance of selecting mammalian research models with HRV mechanisms representative of the target species of interest.

Autonomic and cholinergic mechanisms mediating cardiovascular and temperature effects of donepezil in conscious mice

Donepezil is a centrally acting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor with therapeutic potential in inflammatory diseases; however, the underlying autonomic and cholinergic mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we assessed effects of donepezil on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), HR variability, and body temperature in conscious adult male C57BL/6 mice to investigate the autonomic pathways involved. Central versus peripheral cholinergic effects of donepezil were assessed using pharmacological approaches including comparison with the peripherally acting AChE inhibitor, neostigmine. Drug treatments included donepezil (2.5 or 5 mg/kg sc), neostigmine methyl sulfate (80 or 240 μg/kg ip), atropine sulfate (5 mg/kg ip), atropine methyl bromide (5 mg/kg ip), or saline. Donepezil, at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, decreased HR by 36 ± 4% and 44 ± 3% compared with saline (n = 10, P < 0.001). Donepezil, at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, decreased temperature by 13 ± 2% and 22 ± 2% compared with saline (n = 6, P < 0.001). Modest (P < 0.001) increases in MAP were observed with donepezil after peak bradycardia occurred. Atropine sulfate and atropine methyl bromide blocked bradycardic responses to donepezil, but only atropine sulfate attenuated hypothermia. The pressor response to donepezil was similar in mice coadministered atropine sulfate; however, coadministration of atropine methyl bromide potentiated the increase in MAP. Neostigmine did not alter HR or temperature, but did result in early increases in MAP. Despite the marked bradycardia, donepezil did not increase normalized high-frequency HR variability. We conclude that donepezil causes marked bradycardia and hypothermia in conscious mice via the activation of muscarinic receptors while concurrently increasing MAP via autonomic and cholinergic pathways that remain to be elucidated.

Deletion of Orphan G Protein-Coupled Receptor GPR37L1 in Mice Alters Cardiovascular Homeostasis in a Sex-Specific Manner

GPR37L1 is a family A orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with a putative role in blood pressure regulation and cardioprotection. In mice, genetic ablation of Gpr37l1 causes sex-dependent effects; female mice lacking Gpr37l1 (GPR37L1^-/-) have a modest but significant elevation in blood pressure, while male GPR37L1^-/- mice are more susceptible to cardiovascular dysfunction following angiotensin II-induced hypertension. Given that this receptor is highly expressed in the brain, we hypothesize that the cardiovascular phenotype of GPR37L1^-/- mice is due to changes in autonomic regulation of blood pressure and heart rate. To investigate this, radiotelemetry was employed to characterize baseline cardiovascular variables in GPR37L1^-/- mice of both sexes compared to wildtype controls, followed by power spectral analysis to quantify short-term fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate attributable to alterations in autonomic homeostatic mechanisms. Additionally, pharmacological ganglionic blockade was performed to determine vasomotor tone, and environmental stress tests were used to assess whether cardiovascular reactivity was altered in GPR37L1^-/- mice. We observed that mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in female GPR37L1^-/- mice compared to wildtype counterparts, but was unchanged in male GPR37L1^-/- mice. GPR37L1^-/- genotype had a statistically significant positive chronotropic effect on heart rate across both sexes when analyzed by two-way ANOVA. Power spectral analysis of these data revealed a reduction in power in the heart rate spectrum between 0.5 and 3 Hz in female GPR37L1^-/- mice during the diurnal active period, which indicates that GPR37L1^-/- mice may have impaired cardiac vagal drive. GPR37L1^-/- mice of both sexes also exhibited attenuated depressor responses to ganglionic blockade with pentolinium, indicating that GPR37L1 is involved in maintaining sympathetic vasomotor tone. Interestingly, when these mice were subjected to aversive and appetitive behavioral stressors, the female GPR37L1^-/- mice exhibited an attenuation of cardiovascular reactivity to aversive, but not appetitive, environmental stimuli. Together, these results suggest that loss of GPR37L1 affects autonomic maintenance of blood pressure, giving rise to sex-specific cardiovascular changes in GPR37L1^-/- mice.

cAMP-dependent regulation of HCN4 controls the tonic entrainment process in sinoatrial node pacemaker cells

It is highly debated how cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent regulation (CDR) of the major pacemaker channel HCN4 in the sinoatrial node (SAN) is involved in heart rate regulation by the autonomic nervous system. We addressed this question using a knockin mouse line expressing cyclic adenosine monophosphate-insensitive HCN4 channels. This mouse line displayed a complex cardiac phenotype characterized by sinus dysrhythmia, severe sinus bradycardia, sinus pauses and chronotropic incompetence. Furthermore, the absence of CDR leads to inappropriately enhanced heart rate responses of the SAN to vagal nerve activity in vivo. The mechanism underlying these symptoms can be explained by the presence of nonfiring pacemaker cells. We provide evidence that a tonic and mutual interaction process (tonic entrainment) between firing and nonfiring cells slows down the overall rhythm of the SAN. Most importantly, we show that the proportion of firing cells can be increased by CDR of HCN4 to efficiently oppose enhanced responses to vagal activity. In conclusion, we provide evidence for a novel role of CDR of HCN4 for the central pacemaker process in the sinoatrial node.

The involvement of cAMP-dependent regulation of HCN4 in the chronotropic heart rate response is a matter of debate. Here the authors use a knockin mouse model expressing cAMP-insensitive HCN4 channels to discover an inhibitory nonfiring cell pool in the sinoatrial node and a tonic and mutual interaction between firing and nonfiring pacemaker cells that is controlled by cAMP-dependent regulation of HCN4, with implications in chronotropic heart rate responses.

A Universal Scaling Relation for Defining Power Spectral Bands in Mammalian Heart Rate Variability Analysis

Background: Power spectral density (PSD) analysis of the heartbeat intervals in the three main frequency bands [very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), and high frequency (HF)] provides a quantitative non-invasive tool for assessing the function of the cardiovascular control system. In humans, these frequency bands were standardized following years of empirical evidence. However, no quantitative approach has justified the frequency cutoffs of these bands and how they might be adapted to other mammals. Defining mammal-specific frequency bands is necessary if the PSD analysis of the HR is to be used as a proxy for measuring the autonomic nervous system activity in animal models. Methods: We first describe the distribution of prominent frequency peaks found in the normalized PSD of mammalian data using a Gaussian mixture model while assuming three components corresponding to the traditional VLF, LF and HF bands. We trained the algorithm on a database of human electrocardiogram recordings (n = 18) and validated it on databases of dogs (n = 17) and mice (n = 8). Finally, we tested it to predict the bands for rabbits (n = 4) for the first time. Results: Double-logarithmic analysis demonstrates a scaling law between the GMM-identified cutoff frequencies and the typical heart rate (HRm): fVLF-LF = 0.0037⋅ HR m 0.58 , fLF-HF = 0.0017⋅ HR m 1.01 and fHFup = 0.0128⋅ HR m 0.86 . We found that the band cutoff frequencies and Gaussian mean scale with a power law of 1/4 or 1/8 of the typical body mass (BMm), thus revealing allometric power laws. Conclusion: Our automated data-driven approach allowed us to define the frequency bands in PSD analysis of beat-to-beat time series from different mammals. The scaling law between the band frequency cutoffs and the HRm can be used to approximate the PSD bands in other mammals.

TRPA1 mediates the cardiac effects of acrolein through parasympathetic dominance but also sympathetic modulation in mice

Numerous studies have demonstrated that short-term air pollution exposure causes cardiac autonomic imbalance as measured by heart rate variability (HRV). We previously showed that a single exposure to acrolein, a ubiquitous gaseous component of air pollution, not only causes autonomic imbalance, but also increases arrhythmia through transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) cation channels. Thus, the goal of this study was to characterize acrolein-induced autonomic changes in both normal and TRPA1-knockout mice (KO). Conscious, unrestrained C57BL/6 (WT) and KO mice were exposed to 3 ppm acrolein for 3 h. Separate groups were treated with either atenolol (sympathetic blocker), atropine (parasympathetic blocker) or hexamethonium (autonomic neurotransmission blocker), immediately before exposure. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate (HR) were recorded continuously before, during and after exposure. Exposure to acrolein produced significant increases in standard deviation of normal-to-normal R-R intervals (SDNN), Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences (RMSSD) and Low-Frequency (LF), as well as an increase in arrhythmia in WT mice. Treatment with atenolol reduced this response while atropine enhanced it, and both drugs blocked the acrolein-induced increase in arrhythmia; hexamethonium had no effect. On the other hand, neither acrolein nor any drug had an effect in the KO mice. Thus, acrolein-induced HRV responses appear to be mediated by a combined parasympathetic and sympathetic modulation. KO mice did not demonstrate any increases in HRV with exposure to acrolein. These data demonstrate that the cardiac effects of irritant air pollutants likely involve disruption of homeostatic balance and altered regulation even in healthy animals.

Early-Life Persistent Vitamin D Deficiency Alters Cardiopulmonary Responses to Particulate Matter-Enhanced Atmospheric Smog in Adult Mice

Early life nutritional deficiencies can lead to increased cardiovascular susceptibility to environmental exposures. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of early life persistent vitamin D deficiency (VDD) on the cardiopulmonary response to a particulate matter-enhanced photochemical smog. Mice were fed a VDD or normal diet (ND) after weaning. At 17 weeks of age, mice were implanted with radiotelemeters to monitor electrocardiogram, heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV). Ventilatory function was measured throughout the diet before and after smog exposure using whole-body plethysmography. VDD mice had lower HR, increased HRV, and decreased tidal volume compared with ND. Regardless of diet, HR decreased during air exposure; this response was blunted by smog in ND mice and to a lesser degree in VDD. When compared with ND, VDD increased HRV during air exposure and more so with smog. However, smog only increased cardiac arrhythmias in ND mice. This study demonstrates that VDD alters the cardiopulmonary response to smog, highlighting the possible influence of nutritional factors in determining responses to air pollution. The mechanism of how VDD induces these effects is currently unknown, but modifiable factors should be considered when performing risk assessment of complex air pollution atmospheres.

Genetic background dominates the susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias in a murine model of β-adrenergic stimulation

In cardiovascular research, several mouse strains with differing genetic backgrounds are used to investigate mechanisms leading to and sustaining ventricular arrhythmias. The genetic background has been shown to affect the studied phenotype in other research fields. Surprisingly little is known about potential strain-specific susceptibilities towards ventricular arrhythmias in vivo. Here, we hypothesized that inter-strain differences reported in the responsiveness of the β-adrenergic pathway, which is relevant for the development of arrhythmias, translate into a strain-specific vulnerability. To test this hypothesis, we characterized responses to β-adrenergic blockade (metoprolol) and β-adrenergic stimulation (isoproterenol) in 4 mouse strains commonly employed in cardiovascular research (Balb/c, BS, C57Bl/6 and FVB) using telemetric ECG recordings. We report pronounced differences in the electrical vulnerability following isoproterenol: Balb/c mice developed the highest number and the most complex arrhythmias while BS mice were protected. Balb/c mice, therefore, seem to be the background of choice for experiments requiring the occurrence of arrhythmias while BS mice may give insight into electrical stability. Arrhythmias did not correlate with the basal β-adrenergic tone, with the response to β-adrenergic stimulation or with the absolute heart rates during β-adrenergic stimulation. Thus, genetic factors dominate the susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias in this model of β-adrenergic stimulation.

Deletion of neurturin impairs development of cholinergic nerves and heart rate control in postnatal mouse hearts

The neurotrophic factor neurturin is required for normal cholinergic innervation of adult mouse heart and bradycardic responses to vagal stimulation. Our goals were to determine effects of neurturin deletion on development of cardiac chronotropic and dromotropic functions, vagal baroreflex response, and cholinergic nerve density in nodal regions of postnatal mice. Experiments were performed on postnatal C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and neurturin knockout (KO) mice. Serial electrocardiograms were recorded noninvasively from conscious pups using an ECGenie apparatus. Mice were treated with atenolol to evaluate and block sympathetic effects on heart rate (HR) and phenylephrine (PE) to stimulate the baroreflex. Immunohistochemistry was used to label cholinergic nerves in paraffin sections. WT and KO mice showed similar age-dependent increases in HR and decreases in PR interval between postnatal days (P) 2.5 and 21. Treatment with atenolol reduced HR significantly in WT and KO pups at P7.5. PE caused a reflex bradycardia that was significantly smaller in KO pups. Cholinergic nerve density was significantly less in nodal regions of P7.5 KO mice. We conclude that cholinergic nerves have minimal influence on developmental changes in HR and PR, QRS, and QTc intervals in mouse pups. However, cholinergic nerves mediate reflex bradycardia by 1 week postnatally. Deletion of neurturin impairs cholinergic innervation of the heart and the vagal efferent component of the baroreflex early during postnatal development.

Involvement of Type 1 Angiontensin II Receptor (AT1) in Cardiovascular Changes Induced by Chronic Emotional Stress: Comparison between Homotypic and Heterotypic Stressors

Consistent evidence has shown an important role of emotional stress in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, studies in animal models have demonstrated that daily exposure to different stressor (heterotypic stressor) evokes more severe changes than those resulting from repeated exposure to the same aversive stimulus (homotypic stressor), possibly due to the habituation process upon repeated exposure to the same stressor. Despite these pieces of evidence, the mechanisms involved in the stress-evoked cardiovascular dysfunction are poorly understood. Therefore, the present study investigated the involvement of angiotensin II (Ang II) acting on the type 1 Ang II receptor (AT₁) in the cardiovascular dysfunctions evoked by both homotypic and heterotypic chronic emotional stresses in rats. For this purpose, we compared the effect of the chronic treatment with the AT₁ receptor antagonist losartan (30 mg/kg/day, p.o.) on the cardiovascular and autonomic changes evoked by the heterotypic stressor chronic variable stress (CVS) and the homotypic stressor repeated restraint stress (RRS). RRS increased the sympathetic tone to the heart and decreased the cardiac parasympathetic activity, whereas CVS decreased the cardiac parasympathetic activity. Additionally, both stressors impaired the baroreflex function. Alterations in the autonomic activity and the baroreflex impairment were inhibited by losartan treatment. Additionally, CVS reduced the body weight and increased the circulating corticosterone; however, these effects were not affected by losartan. In conclusion, these findings indicate the involvement of angiotensin II/AT₁ receptors in the autonomic changes evoked by both homotypic and heterotypic chronic stressors. Moreover, the present results provide evidence that the increase in the circulating corticosterone and body weight reduction evoked by heterotypic stressors are independent of AT₁ receptors.

Partial Raphe Dysfunction in Neurotransmission Is Sufficient to Increase Mortality after Anoxic Exposures in Mice at a Critical Period in Postnatal Development

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases often have abnormalities of the brainstem raphe serotonergic (5-HT) system. We hypothesize that raphe dysfunction contributes to a failure to autoresuscitate from multiple hypoxic events, leading to SIDS. We studied autoresuscitation in two transgenic mouse models in which exocytic neurotransmitter release was impaired via conditional expression of the light chain from tetanus toxin (tox) in raphe neurons expressing serotonergic bacterial artificial chromosome drivers Pet1 or Slc6a4. These used recombinase drivers targeted different portions of medullary raphe serotonergic, tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2)(+) neurons by postnatal day (P) 5 through P12: approximately one-third in triple transgenic Pet1::Flpe, hβactin::cre, RC::PFtox mice; approximately three-fourths inSlc6a4::cre, RC::Ptox mice; with the first model capturing a near equal number of Pet1(+),Tph2(+) versus Pet1(+),Tph2(low or negative) raphe cells. At P5, P8, and P12, "silenced" mice and controls were exposed to five, ∼37 s bouts of anoxia. Mortality was 5-10 times greater in "silenced" pups compared with controls at P5 and P8 (p = 0.001) but not P12, with cumulative survival not differing between experimental transgenic models. "Silenced" pups that eventually died took longer to initiate gasping (p = 0.0001), recover heart rate (p = 0.0001), and recover eupneic breathing (p = 0.011) during the initial anoxic challenges. Variability indices for baseline breathing distinguished "silenced" from controls but did not predict mortality. We conclude that dysfunction of even a portion of the raphe, as observed in many SIDS cases, can impair ability to autoresuscitate at critical periods in postnatal development and that baseline indices of breathing variability can identify mice at risk.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Many sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases exhibit a partial (∼26%) brainstem serotonin deficiency. Using recombinase drivers, we targeted different fractions of serotonergic and raphe neurons in mice for tetanus toxin light chain expression, which prevented vesicular neurotransmitter release. In one model, approximately one-third of medullary Tph2(+) neurons are silenced by postnatal (P) days 5 and 12, along with some Pet1(+),Tph2(low or negative) raphe cells; in the other, approximately three-fourths of medullary Tph2(+) neurons, also with some Tph2(low or negative) cells. Both models demonstrated excessive mortality to anoxia (a postulated SIDS stressor) at P5 and P8. We demonstrated fatal vulnerability to anoxic stress at a specific time in postnatal life induced by a partial defect in raphe function. This models features of SIDS.

Male prairie voles display cardiovascular dipping associated with an ultradian activity cycle

Mammals typically display alternating active and resting phases and, in most species, these rhythms follow a circadian pattern. The active and resting phases often are accompanied by corresponding physiological changes. In humans, blood pressure decreases during the resting phase of the activity cycle, and the magnitude of that "nocturnal dipping" has been used to stratify patients according to the risk for cardiovascular disease. However, in contrast to most mammals, prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) have periods of activity and rest that follow an ultradian rhythm with period lengths significantly <24h. While rhythmic changes in blood pressure across a circadian activity cycle have been well-documented, blood pressure patterns in species that display ultradian rhythms in activity are less well-studied. In the current study, we implanted pressure-sensitive radiotelemetry devices in male prairie voles and recorded activity, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) continuously for 3days. Visualization of the ultradian rhythms was enhanced using a 1h running average to filter the dataset. Positive correlations were found between activity and MAP and between activity and HR. During the inactive period of the ultradian cycle, blood pressure decreased by about 15%, which parallels the nocturnal dipping pattern seen in healthy humans. Further, the duration of inactivity did not affect any of the cardiovascular measures, so the differences in blood pressure values between the active and inactive periods are likely driven by ultradian oscillations in hormones and autonomic function. Finally, specific behavioral patterns also were examined. Both the instrumented animal and his non-instrumented cagemate appeared to show synchronized activity patterns, with both animals displaying sleep-like behavior for more than 90% of the inactive period. We propose that the prairie vole ultradian rhythm in blood pressure is an analogue for circadian blood pressure variability and can be used to study the long-term effects of commonly prescribed drugs on blood pressure dipping.

A Potential Link between the C5a Receptor 1 and the β1-Adrenoreceptor in the Mouse Heart

Purpose

Inflammation may contribute to the pathogenesis of specific cardiovascular diseases, but it is uncertain if mediators released during the inflammatory process will affect the continued efficacy of drugs used to treat clinical signs of the cardiac disease. We investigated the role of the complement 5a receptor 1 (C5aR1/CD88) in the cardiac response to inflammation or atenolol, and the effect of C5aR1 deletion in control of baseline heart rate in an anesthetized mouse model.

Methods

An initial study showed that PMX53, an antagonist of C5aR1 in normal C57BL6/J (wild type, WT) mice reduced heart rate (HR) and appeared to have a protective effect on the heart following induced sepsis. C5aR1 knockout (CD88-/-) mice had a lower HR than wild type mice, even during sham surgery. A model to assess heart rate variability (HRV) in anesthetized mice was developed to assess the effects of inhibiting the β₁-adrenoreceptor (β₁-AR) in a randomized crossover study design.

Results

HR and LF Norm were constitutively lower and SDNN and HF Norm constitutively higher in the CD88-/- compared with WT mice (P< 0.001 for all outcomes). Administration of atenolol (2.5 mg/kg) reduced the HR and increased HRV (P< 0.05, respectively) in the wild type but not in the CD88-/- mice. There was no shift of the sympathovagal balance post-atenolol in either strains of mice (P> 0.05), except for the reduced LF/HF (Lower frequency/High frequency) ratio (P< 0.05) at 60 min post-atenolol, suggesting increased parasympathetic tone of the heart due to the effect of atenolol administration. The HR of the WT mice were lower post atenolol compared to the CD88-/- mice (P = 0.001) but the HRV of CD88-/- mice were significantly increased (P< 0.05), compared with WT mice.

Conclusion

Knockout of the C5aR1 attenuated the effect of β₁-AR in the heart, suggesting an association between the β₁-AR and C5aR1, although further investigation is required to determine if this is a direct or causal association.

Autonomic cardiocirculatory control in mice with reduced expression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter

In cardiovascular diseases, sympathetic tone has been comprehensively studied, whereas parasympathetic tone has received minor attention. The vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT) knockdown homozygous (VAChT KD(HOM)) mouse is a useful model for examining the cardiocirculatory sympathovagal balance. Therefore, we investigated whether cholinergic dysfunction caused by reduced VAChT expression could adversely impact hemodynamic parameter [arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR)] daily oscillation, baroreflex sensitivity, hemodynamic variability, sympathovagal balance, and cardiovascular reactivity to restraint stress. Wild-type and VAChT KD(HOM) mice were anesthetized for telemetry transmitter implantation, and APs and HRs were recorded 10 days after surgical recovery. Changes in HR elicited by methylatropine and propranolol provided the indexes of sympathovagal tone. Cardiovascular reactivity in response to a restraint test was examined 24 h after continuous recordings of AP and HR. VAChT KD(HOM) mice exhibited reduced parasympathetic and elevated sympathetic tone. Daily oscillations of AP and HR as well as AP variability were similar between groups. Nevertheless, HR variability, patterns with two dissimilar variations from symbolic analysis, and baroreflex sensitivity were reduced in VAChT KD(HOM) mice. The change in mean AP due to restraint stress was greater in VAChT KD(HOM) mice, whereas the tachycardic response was not. These findings demonstrate that the cholinergic dysfunction present in the VAChT KD(HOM) mouse did not adversely impact basal hemodynamic parameters but promoted autonomic imbalance, an attenuation of baroreflex sensitivity, and a greater pressure response to restraint stress. These results provide a framework for understanding how autonomic imbalance impacts cardiovascular function.

Toll-like receptor 9 plays a key role in the autonomic cardiac and baroreflex control of arterial pressure

The crosstalk between the immune and the autonomic nervous system may impact the cardiovascular function. Toll-like receptors are components of the innate immune system and play developmental and physiological roles. Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and heart failure. Since such diseases are commonly accompanied by autonomic imbalance and lower baroreflex sensitivity, we hypothesized that TLR9 modulates cardiac autonomic and baroreflex control of arterial pressure (AP). Toll-like receptor 9 knockout (TLR9 KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were implanted with catheters into carotid artery and jugular vein and allowed to recover for 3 days. After basal recording of AP, mice received methyl-atropine or propranolol. AP and pulse interval (PI) variability were evaluated in the time and frequency domain (spectral analysis), as well as by multiscale entropy. Spontaneous baroreflex was studied by sequence technique. Behavioral and cardiovascular responses to fear-conditioning stress were also evaluated. AP was similar between groups, but TLR9 KO mice exhibited lower basal heart rate (HR). AP variability was not different, but PI variability was increased in TLR9 KO mice. The total entropy was higher in TLR9 KO mice. Moreover, baroreflex function was found higher in TLR9 KO mice. Atropine-induced tachycardia was increased in TLR9 KO mice, whereas the propranolol-induced bradycardia was similar to WT mice. TLR9 KO mice exhibit increased behavioral and decreased tachycardia responses to fear-conditioning stress. In conclusion, our findings suggest that TLR9 may negatively modulate cardiac vagal tone and baroreflex in mice.

The organ-protective effect of N-type Ca(2+) channel blockade

The six subtypes of voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCCs) mediate a wide range of physiological responses. N-type VDCCs (NCCs) were originally identified as a high voltage-activated Ca(2+) channel selectively blocked by omega-conotoxin (ω-CTX)-GVIA. Predominantly localized in the nervous system, NCCs are key regulators of neurotransmitter release. Both pharmacological blockade with ω-CTX-GVIA and, more recently, mice lacking CNCNA1B, encoding the α1B subunit of NCC, have been used to assess the physiological and pathophysiological functions of NCCs, revealing in part their significant roles in sympathetic nerve activation and nociceptive transmission. The evidence now available indicates that NCCs are a potentially useful therapeutic target for the treatment of several pathological conditions. Efforts are therefore being made to develop effective NCC blockers, including both synthetic ω-CTX-GVIA derivatives and small-molecule inhibitors. Cilnidipine, for example, is a dihydropyridine L-type VDCC blocking agent that also possesses significant NCC blocking ability. As over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system appears to contribute to the pathological processes underlying cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, NCC blockade could be a useful approach to treating these ailments. In this review article, we provide an overview of what is currently known about the physiological and pathophysiological activities of NCCs and the potentially beneficial effects of NCC blockade in several disease conditions, in particular cardiovascular diseases.

Cholinergic activity as a new target in diseases of the heart

The autonomic nervous system is an important modulator of cardiac signaling in both health and disease. In fact, the significance of altered parasympathetic tone in cardiac disease has recently come to the forefront. Both neuronal and nonneuronal cholinergic signaling likely play a physiological role, since modulating acetylcholine (ACh) signaling from neurons or cardiomyocytes appears to have significant consequences in both health and disease. Notably, many of these effects are solely due to changes in cholinergic signaling, without altered sympathetic drive, which is known to have significant adverse effects in disease states. As such, it is likely that enhanced ACh-mediated signaling not only has direct positive effects on cardiomyocytes, but it also offsets the negative effects of hyperadrenergic tone. In this review, we discuss recent studies that implicate ACh as a major regulator of cardiac remodeling and provide support for the notion that enhancing cholinergic signaling in human patients with cardiac disease can reduce morbidity and mortality. These recent results support the idea of developing large clinical trials of strategies to increase cholinergic tone, either by stimulating the vagus or by increased availability of Ach, in heart failure.

Trpm4 gene invalidation leads to cardiac hypertrophy and electrophysiological alterations

RATIONALE

TRPM4 is a non-selective Ca2+-activated cation channel expressed in the heart, particularly in the atria or conduction tissue. Mutations in the Trpm4 gene were recently associated with several human conduction disorders such as Brugada syndrome. TRPM4 channel has also been implicated at the ventricular level, in inotropism or in arrhythmia genesis due to stresses such as ß-adrenergic stimulation, ischemia-reperfusion, and hypoxia re-oxygenation. However, the physiological role of the TRPM4 channel in the healthy heart remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the role of the TRPM4 channel on whole cardiac function with a Trpm4 gene knock-out mouse (Trpm4-/-) model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Morpho-functional analysis revealed left ventricular (LV) eccentric hypertrophy in Trpm4-/- mice, with an increase in both wall thickness and chamber size in the adult mouse (aged 32 weeks) when compared to Trpm4+/+ littermate controls. Immunofluorescence on frozen heart cryosections and qPCR analysis showed no fibrosis or cellular hypertrophy. Instead, cardiomyocytes in Trpm4-/- mice were smaller than Trpm4+/+with a higher density. Immunofluorescent labeling for phospho-histone H3, a mitosis marker, showed that the number of mitotic myocytes was increased 3-fold in the Trpm4-/-neonatal stage, suggesting hyperplasia. Adult Trpm4-/- mice presented multilevel conduction blocks, as attested by PR and QRS lengthening in surface ECGs and confirmed by intracardiac exploration. Trpm4-/-mice also exhibited Luciani-Wenckebach atrioventricular blocks, which were reduced following atropine infusion, suggesting paroxysmal parasympathetic overdrive. In addition, Trpm4-/- mice exhibited shorter action potentials in atrial cells. This shortening was unrelated to modifications of the voltage-gated Ca2+ or K+ currents involved in the repolarizing phase.

CONCLUSIONS

TRPM4 has pleiotropic roles in the heart, including the regulation of conduction and cellular electrical activity which impact heart development.

Smooth muscle BK channel activity influences blood pressure independent of vascular tone in mice

The large conductance voltage- and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channel is an important determinant of vascular tone and contributes to blood pressure regulation. Both activities depend on the ancillary BKβ1 subunit. To determine the significance of smooth muscle BK channel activity for blood pressure regulation, we investigated the potential link between changes in arterial tone and altered blood pressure in BKβ1 knockout (BKβ1(-/-)) mice from three different genetically defined strains. While vascular tone was consistently increased in all BKβ1(-/-) mice independent of genetic background, BKβ1(-/-) strains exhibited increased (strain A), unaltered (strain B) or decreased (strain C) mean arterial blood pressures compared to their corresponding BKβ1(+/+) controls. In agreement with previous data on aldosterone regulation by renal/adrenal BK channel function, BKβ1(-/-) strain A mice have increased plasma aldosterone and increased blood pressure. Consistently, blockade of mineralocorticoid receptors by spironolactone treatment reversibly restored the elevated blood pressure to the BKβ1(+/+) strain A level. In contrast, loss of BKβ1 did not affect plasma aldosterone in strain C mice. Smooth muscle-restricted restoration of BKβ1 expression increased blood pressure in BKβ1(-/-) strain C mice, implying that impaired smooth muscle BK channel activity lowers blood pressure in these animals. We conclude that BK channel activity directly affects vascular tone but influences blood pressure independent of this effect via different pathways.

Evaluation of a technique to measure heart rate variability in anaesthetised cats

Analysis of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) are powerful tools to investigate cardiac diseases, but current methods, including 24-h Holter monitoring, can be cumbersome and may be compromised by movement artefact. A commercially available data capture and analysis system was used in anaesthetised healthy cats to measure HR and HRV during pharmacological manipulation of HR. Seven healthy cats were subjected to a randomised crossover study design with a 7 day washout period between two treatment groups, placebo and atenolol (1mg/kg, IV), with the efficacy of atenolol to inhibit β1 adrenoreceptors challenged by epinephrine. Statistical significance for the epinephrine challenge was set at P<0.0027 (Holm-Bonferroni correction), whereas a level of significance of P<0.05 was set for other variables. Analysis of the continuous electrocardiography (ECG) recordings showed that epinephrine challenge increased HR in the placebo group (P=0.0003) but not in the atenolol group. The change in HR was greater in the placebo group than in the atenolol group (P=0.0004). Therefore, compared to cats pre-treated with placebo, pre-treatment with atenolol significantly antagonised the tachycardia while not significantly affecting HRV. The increased HR in the placebo group following epinephrine challenge was consistent with a shift of the sympathovagal balance towards a predominantly sympathetic tone. However, the small (but not significant at the critical value) decrease in the normalised high-frequency component (HFnorm) in both groups of cats suggested that epinephrine induced a parasympathetic withdrawal in addition to sympathetic enhancement (increased normalised low frequency component or LFnorm). In conclusion, this model is a highly sensitive and repeatable model to investigate HRV in anaesthetised cats that would be useful in the laboratory setting for short-term investigation of cardiovascular disease and subtle responses to pharmacological agents in this species.

The soluble guanylate cyclase activator BAY 58-2667 protects against morbidity and mortality in endotoxic shock by recoupling organ systems

Sepsis and septic shock are associated with high mortality rates and the majority of sepsis patients die due to complications of multiple organ failure (MOF). The cyclic GMP (cGMP) producing enzyme soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is crucially involved in the regulation of (micro)vascular homeostasis, cardiac function and, consequently, organ function. However, it can become inactivated when exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The resulting heme-free sGC can be reactivated by the heme- and nitric oxide (NO)-independent sGC activator BAY 58-2667 (Cinaciguat). We report that late (+8 h) post-treatment with BAY 58-2667 in a mouse model can protect against lethal endotoxic shock. Protection was associated with reduced hypothermia, circulating IL-6 levels, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and mortality. In contrast to BAY 58-2667, the sGC stimulator BAY 41-2272 and the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor Sildenafil did not have any beneficial effect on survival, emphasizing the importance of the selectivity of BAY 58-2667 for diseased vessels and tissues. Hemodynamic parameters (blood pressure and heart rate) were decreased, and linear and nonlinear indices of blood pressure variability, reflective for (un)coupling of the communication between the autonomic nervous system and the heart, were improved after late protective treatment with BAY 58-2667. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the pivotal role of the NO/sGC axis in endotoxic shock. Stabilization of sGC function with BAY 58-2667 can prevent mortality when given in the correct treatment window, which probably depends on the dynamics of the heme-free sGC pool, in turn influenced by oxidative stress. We speculate that, considering the central role of sGC signaling in many pathways required for maintenance of (micro)circulatory homeostasis, BAY 58-2667 supports organ function by recoupling inter-organ communication pathways.

Hyperemic stress myocardial perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance in mice at 3 Tesla: initial experience and validation against microspheres

BACKGROUND

Dynamic first pass contrast-enhanced myocardial perfusion is the standard CMR method for the estimation of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and MBF reserve in man, but it is challenging in rodents because of the high temporal and spatial resolution requirements. Hyperemic first pass myocardial perfusion CMR during vasodilator stress in mice has not been reported.

METHODS

Five C57BL/6 J mice were scanned on a clinical 3.0 Tesla Achieva system (Philips Healthcare, Netherlands). Vasodilator stress was induced via a tail vein catheter with an injection of dipyridamole. Dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion imaging (Gadobutrol 0.1 mmol/kg) was based on a saturation recovery spoiled gradient echo method with 10-fold k-space and time domain undersampling (k-t PCA). One week later the mice underwent repeat anaesthesia and LV injections of fluorescent microspheres at rest and at stress. Microspheres were analysed using confocal microscopy and fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

RESULTS

Mean MBF at rest measured by Fermi-function constrained deconvolution was 4.1 ± 0.5 ml/g/min and increased to 9.6 ± 2.5 ml/g/min during dipyridamole stress (P = 0.005). The myocardial perfusion reserve was 2.4 ± 0.54. The mean count ratio of stress to rest microspheres was 2.4 ± 0.51 using confocal microscopy and 2.6 ± 0.46 using fluorescence. There was good agreement between cardiovascular magnetic resonance CMR and microspheres with no significant difference (P = 0.84).

CONCLUSION

First-pass myocardial stress perfusion CMR in a mouse model is feasible at 3 Tesla. Rest and stress MBF values were consistent with existing literature and perfusion reserve correlated closely to microsphere analysis. Data were acquired on a 3 Tesla scanner using an approach similar to clinical acquisition protocols, potentially facilitating translation of imaging findings between rodent and human studies.

Development of autonomic dysfunction with intermittent hypoxia in a lean murine model

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) has been previously shown in a lean murine model to produce sustained hypertension and reverse the diurnal variation of blood glucose (BG). Concomitant glucose infusion attenuated the hypertension but exacerbated the BG fluctuations. In this study, cardiovascular variability analysis was employed to track the development of autonomic dysfunction in mice exposed to room air (IA) or IH, in combination with saline or glucose infusion. Baroreflex sensitivity was found to decrease in all animals, except in the control group. Low-frequency power of pulse interval spectrum, reflecting vagal activity, decreased more rapidly in glucose relative to saline while low-frequency power of blood pressure, reflecting sympathetic activity, decreased more slowly in IH relative to IA. Ultradian (≈ 12 h) rhythmicity was substantially suppressed in IH groups. These findings suggest that IH acted to increase sympathetic activity while glucose infusion led to reduced parasympathetic activity. The combination of IH and hyperglycemia leads to progressively adverse effects on autonomic control independent of obesity.

Increased expression of HCN channels in the ventricular myocardium contributes to enhanced arrhythmicity in mouse failing hearts

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of pharmacological interventions to prevent sudden arrhythmic death in patients with chronic heart failure remains limited. Evidence now suggests increased ventricular expression of hyperpolarization-activated cation (HCN) channels in hypertrophied and failing hearts contributes to their arrythmicity. Still, the role of induced HCN channel expression in the enhanced arrhythmicity associated with heart failure and the capacity of HCN channel blockade to prevent lethal arrhythmias remains undetermined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We examined the effects of ivabradine, a specific HCN channel blocker, on survival and arrhythmicity in transgenic mice (dnNRSF-Tg) expressing a cardiac-specific dominant-negative form of neuron-restrictive silencer factor, a useful mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy leading to sudden death. Ivabradine (7 mg/kg per day orally) significantly reduced ventricular tachyarrhythmias and improved survival among dnNRSF-Tg mice while having no significant effect on heart rate or cardiac structure or function. Ivabradine most likely prevented the increase in automaticity otherwise seen in dnNRSF-Tg ventricular myocytes. Moreover, cardiac-specific overexpression of HCN2 in mice (HCN2-Tg) made hearts highly susceptible to arrhythmias induced by chronic β-adrenergic stimulation. Indeed, ventricular myocytes isolated from HCN2-Tg mice were highly susceptible to β-adrenergic stimulation-induced abnormal automaticity, which was inhibited by ivabradine.

CONCLUSIONS

HCN channel blockade by ivabradine reduces lethal arrhythmias associated with dilated cardiomyopathy in mice. Conversely, cardiac-specific overexpression of HCN2 channels increases arrhythmogenicity of β-adrenergic stimulation. Our findings demonstrate the contribution of HCN channels to the increased arrhythmicity seen in failing hearts and suggest HCN channel blockade is a potentially useful approach to preventing sudden death in patients with heart failure.

Hemodynamic actions and mechanisms of systemically administered α-MSH analogs in mice

α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) regulates important physiological functions including energy homeostasis and inflammation. Potent analogs of α-MSH, [Nle(4), D-Phe(7)]-α-MSH (NDP-α-MSH) and melanotan-II (MT-II), are widely used in pharmacological studies, but the hemodynamic effects associated with their systemic administration have not been thoroughly examined. Therefore, we investigated the hemodynamic actions of these compounds in anesthetized and conscious C57Bl/6N mice using peripheral routes of administration. NDP-α-MSH and MT-II induced mild changes in blood pressure and heart rate in anesthetized mice compared to the effects observed in conscious mice, suggesting that anesthesia distorts the hemodynamic actions of α-MSH analogs. In conscious mice, NDP-α-MSH and MT-II increased blood pressure and heart rate in a dose-dependent manner, but the tachycardic effect was more prominent than the pressor effect. Pretreatment with the melanocortin (MC) 3/4 receptor antagonist SHU9119 abolished these hemodynamic effects. Furthermore, the blockade of β(1)-adrenoceptors with metoprolol prevented the pressor effect and partly the tachycardic action of α-MSH analogs, while the ganglionic blocker hexamethonium abrogated completely the difference in heart rate between vehicle and α-MSH treatments. These findings suggest that the pressor effect is primarily caused by augmentation of cardiac sympathetic activity, but the tachycardic effect seems to involve withdrawal of vagal tone in addition to sympathetic activation. In conclusion, the present results indicate that systemic administration of α-MSH analogs elevates blood pressure and heart rate via activation of MC(3/4) receptor pathways. These effects and the consequent increase in cardiac workload should be taken into account when using α-MSH analogs via peripheral routes of administration.

Cardiac electrophysiology in mice: a matter of size

Over the last decade, mouse models have become a popular instrument for studying cardiac arrhythmias. This review assesses in which respects a mouse heart is a miniature human heart, a suitable model for studying mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias in humans and in which respects human and murine hearts differ. Section I considers the issue of scaling of mammalian cardiac (electro) physiology to body mass. Then, we summarize differences between mice and humans in cardiac activation (section II) and the currents underlying the action potential in the murine working myocardium (section III). Changes in cardiac electrophysiology in mouse models of heart disease are briefly outlined in section IV, while section V discusses technical considerations pertaining to recording cardiac electrical activity in mice. Finally, section VI offers general considerations on the influence of cardiac size on the mechanisms of tachy-arrhythmias.

Subtle alterations in breathing and heart rate control in the 5-HT1A receptor knockout mouse in early postnatal development

We hypothesized that absence of the 5-HT(1A) receptor would negatively affect the development of cardiorespiratory control. In conscious wild type (WT) and 5-HT(1A) receptor knockout (KO) mice, we measured resting ventilation (Ve), oxygen consumption (Vo(2)), heart rate (HR), breathing and HR variability, and the hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR) at postnatal day 5 (P5), day 15 (P15), and day 25 (P25). In KO mice compared with WT, we found a 17% decrease in body weight at only P5 (P < 0.01) and no effect on Vo(2). Ve was significantly (P < 0.001) lower at P5 and P25, but there was no effect on the HCVR. Breathing variability (interbreath interval), measured by standard deviation, the root mean square of the standard deviation (RMSSD), and the product of the major (L) and minor axes (T) of the Poincaré first return plot, was 57% to 187% higher only at P5 (P < 0.001). HR was 6-10% slower at P5 (P < 0.001) but 7-9% faster at P25 (P < 0.001). This correlated with changes in the spectral analysis of HR variability; the low frequency to high frequency ratio was 47% lower at P5 but 68% greater at P25. The RMSSD and (L × T) of HR variability were ~2-fold greater at P5 only (P < 0.001; P < 0.05). We conclude that 5-HT(1A) KO mice have a critical period of potential vulnerability at P5 when pups hypoventilate and have a slower respiratory frequency and HR with enhanced variability of both, suggesting abnormal maturation of cardiorespiratory control.

Control of cardiovascular variability during undisturbed wake-sleep behavior in hypocretin-deficient mice

The central neural mechanisms underlying differences in cardiovascular variability between wakefulness, non-rapid-eye-movement sleep (NREMS), and rapid-eye-movement sleep (REMS) remain poorly understood. These mechanisms may involve hypocretin (HCRT)/orexin signaling. HCRT signaling is linked to wake-sleep states, involved in central autonomic control, and impaired in narcoleptic patients. Thus, we investigated whether HCRT signaling plays a role in controlling cardiovascular variability during spontaneous behavior in HCRT-deficient mice. HCRT-ataxin3 transgenic mice lacking HCRT neurons (TG), knockout mice lacking HCRT peptides (KO), and wild-type controls (WT) were instrumented with electrodes for sleep recordings and a telemetric blood pressure transducer. Fluctuations of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart period (HP) during undisturbed wake-sleep behavior were analyzed with the sequence technique, cross-correlation functions, and coherent averaging of SBP surges. During NREMS, all mice had lower SBP variability, greater baroreflex contribution to HP control at low frequencies, and greater amplitude of the central autonomic and baroreflex changes in HP associated with SBP surges than during wakefulness. During REMS, all mice had higher SBP variability and depressed central autonomic and baroreflex HP controls relative to NREMS. HP variability during REMS was higher than during NREMS in WT only. TG and KO also had lower amplitude of the cardiac baroreflex response to SBP surges during REMS than WT. These results indicate that chronic lack of HCRT signaling may cause subtle alterations in the control of HP during spontaneous behavior. Conversely, the integrity of HCRT signaling is not necessary for the occurrence of physiological sleep-dependent changes in SBP variability.

Frequency ranges of heart rate variability related to autonomic nerve activity in the mouse

Mice have gained more and more attention in recent years and been widely used in transgenic experiments. Although the number of researches on the heart rate variability (HRV) of mice has been gradually increasing, a consensus on the frequency ranges of autonomic modulation has not been established. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to find a HRV "prototype" for conscious mice in the state of being motionless and breathing regularly (called "genuinely resting"), and to determine the frequency ranges corresponding to the autonomic modulation. Further, whether these frequencies will change when the mice move freely was studied to evaluate the feasibility of the HRV spectrum as an index of the autonomic modulation of mice. The recording sites were specially arranged to simultaneously obtain the electrocardiography and electromyography data to be provided for the use of HRV analysis and motion monitoring, respectively. The states of being motionless and breathing regularly as judged from the electromyography results were selected as a genuine resting state of a conscious mouse. The frequencies related to autonomic modulation of HRV were determined by comparing the spectrum changes before and after blockades of the autonomic tone by different pharmaceutical agents in both the genuine resting state and freely moving states. Our results showed that the HRV of mice is not suitable for indexing sympathetic modulation; however, it is possible to use the spectral power in the frequency range between 0.1 and 1 Hz as an index of parasympathetic modulation.

Postnatal loss of brainstem serotonin neurones compromises the ability of neonatal rats to survive episodic severe hypoxia

Pet-1(-/-) mice with a prenatal, genetically induced loss of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) neurones are compromised in their ability to withstand episodic environmental anoxia via autoresuscitation. Given the prenatal role of 5-HT neurones in the development of neural networks, here we ask if a postnatal loss of 5-HT neurones also compromises autoresuscitation. We treated neonatal rat pups at postnatal day (P)2-3 with an intra-cisternal injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT; ~40 μg; n = 8) to pharmacologically lesion the 5-HT system, or vehicle (control; n = 14). At P7-10 we exposed unanaesthetized treated and control pups to 15 episodes of environmental anoxia (97% N(2), 3% CO(2)). Medullary 5-HT content was reduced 80% by 5,7-DHT treatment (P < 0.001). Baseline ventilation (V(E)), metabolic rate (V(O(2))), ventilatory equivalent (V(E)/V(O(2))), heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) and arterial haemoglobin saturation (S(aO(2))) were no different in 5-HT-deficient pups compared to controls. However, only 25% of 5-HT-deficient pups survived all 15 episodes of environmental anoxia, compared to 79% of control littermates (P = 0.007). High mortality of 5,7-DHT-treated pups was associated with delayed onset of gasping (P < 0.001), delayed recovery of HR from hypoxic-induced bradycardia (P < 0.001), and delayed recovery of eupnoea from hypoxic-induced apnoea (P < 0.001). Treatment with 5,7-DHT affected neither the gasping pattern once initiated, nor HR, V(E)/V(O(2)) or S(aO(2)) during the intervening episodes of room air. A significant increase in HRV occurred in all animals with repeated exposure, and in 5-HT-deficient pups this increase occurred immediately prior to death. We conclude that a postnatal loss of brainstem 5-HT content compromises autoresuscitation in response to environmental anoxia. This report provides new evidence in rat pups that 5-HT neurones serve a physiological role in autoresuscitation. Our data may be relevant to understanding the aetiology of the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), in which there is medullary 5-HT deficiency and in some cases evidence of severe hypoxia and failed autoresuscitation.

In vivo assessment of neurocardiovascular regulation in the mouse: principles, progress, and prospects

A growing body of evidence indicates that a number of common complex diseases, including hypertension, heart failure, and obesity, are characterized by alterations in central neurocardiovascular regulation. However, our understanding of how changes within the central nervous system contribute to the development and progression of these and other diseases remains unclear. As with many areas of cardiovascular research, the mouse has emerged as a key species for investigations of neuroregulatory processes because of its amenability to highly specific genetic manipulations. In parallel with the development of increasingly sophisticated murine models has come the miniaturization and advancement in methodologies for in vivo assessment of neurocardiovascular end points in the mouse. The following brief review will focus on a number of key direct and indirect experimental approaches currently in use, including measurement of arterial blood pressure, assessment of cardiovascular autonomic control, and evaluation of arterial baroreflex function. The advantages and limitations of each methodology are highlighted to allow for a critical evaluation by the reader when considering these approaches.

Failed heart rate recovery at a critical age in 5-HT-deficient mice exposed to episodic anoxia: implications for SIDS

Mice deficient in the transcription factor Pet-1⁻/⁻ have a ∼70% deficiency of brainstem serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] neurons and exhibit spontaneous bradycardias in room air at postnatal day (P)5 and P12 and delayed gasping in response to a single episode of anoxia at P4.5 and P9.5 (Cummings KJ, Li A, Deneris ES, Nattie EE. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 298: R1333-R1342, 2010; and Erickson JT, Sposato BC. J Appl Physiol 106: 1785-1792, 2009). We hypothesized that at a critical age Pet-1⁻/⁻ mice will fail to autoresuscitate during episodic anoxia, ultimately dying from a failure of gasping to restore heart rate (HR). We exposed P5, P8, and P12 Pet-1⁻/⁻ mice and wild-type littermates (WT) to four 30-s episodes of anoxia (97% N₂-3% CO₂), separated by 5 min of room air. We observed excess mortality in Pet-1⁻/⁻ only at P8: 43% of Pet-1⁻/⁻ animals survived past the third episode of anoxia while ∼95% of WT survived all four episodes (P = 0.004). No deaths occurred at P5 and at P12, and one of six Pet-1⁻/⁻ mice died after the fourth episode, while all WT animals survived. At P8, dying Pet-1⁻/⁻ animals had delayed gasping, recovery of HR, and eupnea after the first two episodes of anoxia (P < 0.001 for each); death ultimately occurred when gasping failed to restore HR. Both high- and low-frequency components of HR variability were abnormally elevated in dying Pet-1⁻/⁻ animals following the first episode of anoxia. Dying P8 Pet-1⁻/⁻ animals had significantly fewer 5-HT neurons in the raphe magnus than surviving animals (P < 0.001). Our data indicate a critical developmental window at which a brainstem 5-HT deficiency increases the risk of death during episodes of anoxia. They may apply to the sudden infant death syndrome, which occurs at a critical age and is associated with 5-HT deficiency.

Effect of baroreceptor denervation on the autonomic control of arterial pressure in conscious mice

This study evaluated the role of arterial baroreceptors in arterial pressure (AP) and pulse interval (PI) regulation in conscious C57BL mice. Male animals, implanted with catheters in a femoral artery and a jugular vein, were submitted to sino-aortic (SAD), aortic (Ao-X) or carotid sinus denervation (Ca-X), 5 days prior to the experiments. After basal recording of AP, the lack of reflex bradycardia elicited by administration of phenylephrine was used to confirm the efficacy of SAD, and cardiac autonomic blockade with methylatropine and propranolol was performed. The AP and PI variability were calculated in the time and frequency domains (spectral analysis/fast Fourier transform) with the spectra quantified in low- (LF; 0.25-1 Hz) and high-frequency bands (HF; 1-5 Hz). Basal AP and AP variability were higher after SAD, Ao-X or Ca-X than in intact mice. Pulse interval was similar among the groups, whereas PI variability was lower after SAD. Atropine elicited a slight tachycardia in control mice but did not change PI after total or partial denervation. The bradycardia caused by propranolol was higher after SAD, Ao-X or Ca-X compared with intact mice. The increase in the variability of AP was accompanied by a marked increase in the LF and HF power of the AP spectra after baroreceptor denervation. The LF and HF power of the PI were reduced by SAD and by Ao-X or Ca-X. Therefore, both sino-aortic and partial baroreceptor denervation in mice elicits hypertension and a remarkable increase in AP variability and cardiac sympathetic tonus. Spectral analysis showed an important contribution of the baroreflex in the power of LF oscillations of the PI spectra. Both sets of baroreceptors seem to be equally important in the autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system in mice.

Heart rate and blood pressure variability effects as a result of oxygen and nitrous oxide administration in the anesthetized mouse

This study examines the effects of changing oxygen fractional inspiration ratio (FiO(2)), and nitrous oxide (N(2)O) for the improvement of cardiovascular control of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) in C57BL/6 mice under isoflurane anesthesia (1.5%) for up to 90 minutes post-induction. Heart rate variability (HRV) indices are also quantified under these conditions. The results indicate that changing the FiO(2) does result in lower MAP and HR values compared to the case of N(2)O (50%) administration to the isoflurane gas mixture. HRV indices declined over the course of all anesthetic regimens, suggesting a decrease in parasympathetic tone. We conclude that the most optimal anesthetic condition is achieved when N(2)O (50%) is added to the gas mixture.

Remodeling of cardiac cholinergic innervation and control of heart rate in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy is a frequent complication of diabetes and often presents as impaired cholinergic regulation of heart rate. Some have assumed that diabetics have degeneration of cardiac cholinergic nerves, but basic knowledge on this topic is lacking. Accordingly, our goal was to evaluate the structure and function of cardiac cholinergic neurons and nerves in C57BL/6 mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Electrocardiograms were obtained weekly from conscious control and diabetic mice for 16 weeks. Resting heart rate decreased in diabetic mice, but intrinsic heart rate was unchanged. Power spectral analysis of electrocardiograms revealed decreased high frequency and increased low frequency power in diabetic mice, suggesting a relative reduction of parasympathetic tone. Negative chronotropic responses to right vagal nerve stimulation were blunted in 16-week diabetic mice, but postjunctional sensitivity of isolated atria to muscarinic agonists was unchanged. Immunohistochemical analysis of hearts from diabetic and control mice showed no difference in abundance of cholinergic neurons, but cholinergic nerve density was increased at the sinoatrial node of diabetic mice (16 weeks: 14.9±1.2% area for diabetics versus 8.9±0.8% area for control, P<0.01). We conclude that disruption of cholinergic function in diabetic mice cannot be attributed to a loss of cardiac cholinergic neurons and nerve fibers or altered cholinergic sensitivity of the atria. Instead, decreased responses to vagal stimulation might be caused by a defect of preganglionic cholinergic neurons and/or ganglionic neurotransmission. The increased density of cholinergic nerves observed at the sinoatrial node of diabetic mice might be a compensatory response.

GLP-1 receptor stimulation depresses heart rate variability and inhibits neurotransmission to cardiac vagal neurons

AIMS

glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone released from the gut in response to food intake. Whereas GLP-1 acts in the periphery to inhibit glucagon secretion and stimulate insulin release, it also acts in the central nervous system to mediate autonomic control of feeding, body temperature, and cardiovascular function. Because of its role as an incretin hormone, GLP-1 receptor analogs are used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Central or peripheral administration of GLP-1 increases blood pressure and heart rate, possibly by activating brainstem autonomic nuclei and increasing vagus nerve activity. However, the mechanism(s) by which GLP-1 receptor stimulation affects cardiovascular function are unknown. We used the long-lasting GLP-1 receptor agonist Exendin-4 (Ex-4) to test the hypothesis that GLP-1 signalling modulates central parasympathetic control of heart rate.

METHODS AND RESULTS

using a telemetry system, we assessed heart rate in mice during central Ex-4 administration. Heart rate was increased by both acute and chronic central Ex-4 administration. Spectral analysis indicated that the high frequency and low frequency powers of heart rate variability were diminished by Ex-4 treatment. Finally, Ex-4 decreased both excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory glycinergic neurotransmission to preganglionic parasympathetic cardiac vagal neurons.

CONCLUSION

these data suggest that central GLP-1 receptor stimulation diminishes parasympathetic modulation of the heart thereby increasing heart rate.

Global disturbances in autonomic function yield cardiovascular instability and hypertension in the chromogranin a null mouse

We reported previously that chromogranin A (Chga) knockout (KO) mice are hypertensive and hyperadrenergic. Here we sought to determine the basis of such alterations by probing physiological, biochemical, and pharmacological responses to perturbations of the autonomic nervous system. In the conscious state, KO mice had substantially elevated basal high blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR); immobilization stress caused increments in systolic BP and HR in both wild-type (WT) and KO mice, with higher maxima but blunted increments in the KO state. Catestatin (CST; CHGA(352-372)) selectively diminished stress-induced increments in BP and HR in KO mice, implicating CST as an antihypertensive peptide, even in stressful conditions. Heightened plasma catecholamines in KO mice returned to WT level after CST. Stress caused further increments in catecholamines in WT mice but no change in KO mice. KO mice displayed diminished baroreflex sensitivity in response to either phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside, accounting for exaggerated pressor and depressor responses to these compounds; baroreceptor function was normalized by CST. To probe the relative roles of endogenous/basal sympathetic vs. parasympathetic tone in control of BP and HR, we used the muscarinic-cholinergic antagonist atropine or the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol; HR and BP responses to each antagonist were exaggerated in KO animals. We conclude that ablation of Chga expression results in global disturbances in autonomic function, both sympathetic and parasympathetic, that can be abrogated (or rescued), at least in part, by replacement of CST. The results point to mechanisms whereby CHGA and its CST fragment act to control cardiovascular homeostasis.

Effect of intrauterine fetal programming on response to postnatal shaker stress in endothelial nitric oxide knockout mouse model

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the intrauterine environment affects the postnatal vascular response to stress in a model of fetal programming induced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase deficiency.

STUDY DESIGN

Homozygous nitric oxide synthase knockout and wild-type controls were crossbred to obtain maternally and paternally derived heterozygous offspring. At 14 weeks of age, in vivo blood pressure measurements by telemetry, and in vitro carotid arteries vascular reactivity studies were performed in male offspring after subjecting them to shaker stress.

RESULTS

Maternally derived heterozygous offspring, compared with paternally derived heterozygous offspring, had significantly higher systolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, and pulse pressure before, as well as after introduction of the shaker stress. The difference in the latter between maternally and paternally derived heterozygous offspring was accentuated after stress. Maternally derived heterozygous offspring also had significantly higher contractile responses to phenylephrine when compared with paternally derived heterozygous offspring, and this was abolished after incubation with L-NAME.

CONCLUSION

The adverse uterine environment affects the postnatal vascular response to stress.

T-type Ca2+ channel blockade prevents sudden death in mice with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Pharmacological interventions for prevention of sudden arrhythmic death in patients with chronic heart failure remain limited. Accumulating evidence suggests increased ventricular expression of T-type Ca(2+) channels contributes to the progression of heart failure. The ability of T-type Ca(2+) channel blockade to prevent lethal arrhythmias associated with heart failure has never been tested, however.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We compared the effects of efonidipine and mibefradil, dual T- and L-type Ca(2+) channel blockers, with those of nitrendipine, a selective L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, on survival and arrhythmogenicity in a cardiac-specific, dominant-negative form of neuron-restrictive silencer factor transgenic mice (dnNRSF-Tg), which is a useful mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy leading to sudden death. Efonidipine, but not nitrendipine, substantially improved survival among dnNRSF-Tg mice. Arrhythmogenicity was dramatically reduced in dnNRSF-Tg mice treated with efonidipine or mibefradil. Efonidipine acted by reversing depolarization of the resting membrane potential otherwise seen in ventricular myocytes from dnNRSF-Tg mice and by correcting cardiac autonomic nervous system imbalance. Moreover, the R(-)-isomer of efonidipine, a recently identified, highly selective T-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, similarly improved survival among dnNRSF-Tg mice. Efonidipine also reduced the incidence of sudden death and arrhythmogenicity in mice with acute myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

T-type Ca(2+) channel blockade reduced arrhythmias in a mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy by repolarizing the resting membrane potential and improving cardiac autonomic nervous system imbalance. T-type Ca(2+) channel blockade also prevented sudden death in mice with myocardial infarction. Our findings suggest T-type Ca(2+) channel blockade is a potentially useful approach to preventing sudden death in patients with heart failure.

Complexity of cardiovascular regulation in small animals

Oscillations of heart rate and blood pressure are related to the activity of the underlying control mechanism. They have been investigated mostly with linear methods in the time and frequency domains. Also, in recent years, many different nonlinear analysis methods have been applied for the evaluation of cardiovascular variability. This review presents the most commonly used nonlinear methods. Physiological understanding is obtained from various results from small animals.

Periodic variation in R-R intervals and cardiovascular autonomic regulation in young adult Syrian hamsters

Several hamster strains are commonly used as models for cardiomyopathic phenotypes evolving toward heart failure. However, little is known about heart rate variability (HRV) in this species. Prolonged surface ECG recording, a prerequisite to HRV studies, can be obtained either by telemetry or by restraints. Here, we performed long time ECG recording using telemetry on young adult Syrian hamsters and we analyzed time series of interbeat intervals. Standard statistics showed that the mean of normal R-R intervals slightly increased with age, with standard deviation of normal R-R intervals remaining stable over time. However, time domain analysis using Poincaré plots revealed dynamic changes in the HRV. Analysis of frequency domains revealed that the ratio of spectral components (low frequency/high frequency) exhibited a maturation pattern. Thus refined analysis of HRV revealed a more complex pattern than common statistical analysis would translate. Unlike other rodents, hamsters display a great spontaneous variability of their heart rate. As the complexity canvas of HRV might be the consequence of extracardiac regulation factors, we assessed the sympathovagal balance in both time and frequency domain of heart rate. Pharmacological tests revealed that both sympathetic and vagal tones contribute to HRV in Syrian hamsters. Thus Syrian hamsters have a broad intrinsic HRV with large influences of the neurovegetative system. However, the influence of the previous beat seems to prevail over the autonomic oscillators. These animals present a high sensitivity to artificially altered cardiac regulation and might be great models for the diagnosis of early alterations in the HRV related to pathology. Therefore, Syrian hamsters represent a unique model for HRV studies.

Overexpression of eNOS prevents the development of renovascular hypertension in mice

Gene therapy has become an important tool for understanding several cardiovascular diseases. In the present study we investigated the effects of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) overexpression on renovascular hypertension. Experiments were carried out in C57BL/6 mice randomly assigned to either a two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) hypertension group or a sham-operated group. At the same time surgery was carried out, both 2K1C and sham mice received an intravenous injection of recombinant adenovirus expressing the functional gene eNOS or the reporter gene beta-galactosidase (beta-gal). Fourteen days later, arterial pressure, baroreflex sensitivity, and cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic tone were evaluated in conscious mice. Measurement of mean arterial pressure showed arterial hypertension in 2K1C-betagal mice compared with sham-betagal mice (121 +/- 3 vs. 96 +/- 2 mm Hg, p < 0.01), which was prevented by eNOS overexpression (2K1C-eNOS 100 +/- 4 vs. sham-eNOS 99 +/- 3 mm Hg). Linear regression analysis of the reflex tachycardia response to sodium nitroprusside-induced hypotension showed that baroreflex sensitivity was significantly attenuated in 2K1C-betagal mice (5.8 +/- 0.5 vs. sham-betagal 8.0 +/- 0.8 beats.min-1 x mm Hg-1, p < 0.05), but this decrease was not prevented by eNOS overexpression (2K1C-eNOS 7.2 +/- 0.5 vs. sham-eNOS 8.8 +/- 0.7 beats x min-1 x mm Hg-1, p < 0.05). The cardiac sympathetic tone was augmented and the vagal tone was reduced in 2K1C-betagal (152 +/- 17 and 45 +/- 12 beats.min-1, respectively) compared with sham-betagal mice (112 +/- 6 and 89 +/- 7 beats.min-1, respectively), and similar results were observed in 2K1C-eNOS mice compared with sham-eNOS. The data indicate that eNOS overexpression was able to prevent the development of 2K1C renovascular hypertension in mice, without affecting other characteristic cardiovascular dysfunctions.

The role of inhibitory heterotrimeric G proteins in the control of in vivo heart rate dynamics

Multiple isoforms of inhibitory Galpha-subunits (Galphai1,2,3, as well as Galphao) are present within the heart, and their role in modulating pacemaker function remains unresolved. Do inhibitory Galpha-subunits selectively modulate parasympathetic heart rate responses? Published findings using a variety of experimental approaches have implicated roles for Galphai2, Galphai3, and Galphao in parasympathetic signal transduction. We have compared in vivo different groups of mice with global genetic deletion of Gialpha1/Galphai3, Galphai2, and Galphao against littermate controls using implanted ECG telemetry. Significant resting tachycardia was observed in Galphai2(-/-) and Galphao(-/-) mice compared with control and Galphai1(-/-)/Galphai3(-/-) mice (P < 0.05). Loss of diurnal heart rate variation was seen exclusively in Galphao(-/-) mice. Using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, compared with littermate controls (4.02 ms2 +/- 1.17; n = 6, Galphai2(-/-)) mice have a selective attenuation of high-frequency (HF) power (0.73 ms2 +/- 0.31; n = 5, P < 0.05). Galphai1(-/-)/Galphai3(-/-) and Galphao(-/-) cohorts have nonsignificant changes in HF power. Galphao(-/-) mice have a different basal HRV signature. The observed HRV phenotype in Galphai2(-/-) mice was qualitatively similar to atropine (1 mg/kg)-treated controls [and mice treated with the GIRK channel blocker tertiapinQ (0.05 mg/kg)]. Maximal cardioinhibitory response to the M(2)-receptor agonist carbachol (0.5 mg/kg) compared with basal heart rate was attenuated in Galphai2(-/-) mice (0.08 +/- 0.04; n = 6) compared to control (0.27 +/- 0.04; n = 7 P < 0.05). Our data suggest a selective defect of parasympathetic heart rate modulation in mice with Galphai2 deletion. Mice with Galphao deletion also have a defect in short-term heart rate dynamics, but this is qualitatively different to the effects of atropine, tertiapinQ, and Galphai2 deletion. In contrast, Galphai1 and Galphai3 do not appear to be essential for parasympathetic responses in vivo.