Role of alpha and beta adrenoceptors in the regulation of adrenergic neurotransmission in the carotid sinus]

The experiments carried out showed the presence- in sympathetic nerve endings ot the carotid sinus- of alpha and beta adrenoceptors which by means of respective negative and positive feedback processes, modulated NA release induced by a sympathetic nerve stimulation. Similarly, Pgs acted by means of a negative feedback mechanism to regulated adrenergic neuro-transmission in carotid sinus but they could not be considered as the chemical mediators of either alpha or beta adrenoceptors.     

Influence of cervical sympathetic nerve stimulation on carotid sinus baroreceptor afferents

Summary In rabbits and dogs, the response of low-threshold carotid sinus baroreceptor afferent fibres to cervical sympathetic nerve stimulation at various non-pulsatile steady pressures was examined. Fibres which possessed a rhythmic bursting discharge at low pressures increased this activity during sympathetic stimulation; all other low-threshold afferents were unaffected.This work was supported by the Medical Research Council of Canada and the British Columbia Heart Foundation.     

Sympathetic preganglionic pupillodilator fibres in the light reflex

Summary The modifications of the sympathetic pupillodilator activity in the light reflex have been demonstrated by recording the electrical discharge of single preganglionic fibres in the cervical sympathetic nerve.This work was supported by a grant of CNR.     

Baroreceptor function changed by breathing.

The efferent sympathetic activity (ESA) of the carotid nerve is related to breathing, and can be driven by stimulation of the latter, e.g. by airway occlusion. The ESA controls both carotid wall stiffness and the excitability of nervous receptor elements. Therefore, breathing is capable of changing the carotid baroreceptor function.     

Baroreceptor function changed by breathing

Summary The efferent sympathetic activity (ESA) of the carotid nerve is related to breathing, and can be driven by stimulation of the latter, e.g. by airway occlusion. The ESA controls both carotid wall stiffness and the excitability of nervous receptor elements. Therefore, breathing is capable of changing the carotid baroreceptor function.     

Modifications ultrastructurelles provoquées par quelques médicaments sur les terminaisons nerveuses adrénergiques et sur la médullaire surrénale

Summary It has been shown that reserpine and guanethidine deplete granules containing catecholamine in sympathetic nerve endings of both the pineal gland and the vas deferens. This effect is blocked by iproniazid. Bretylium is not able to deplete these granules but it modifies their aspect. It has also been observed that granules of the adrenal medulla are depleted less easily than those of sympathetic nerve endings.     

Sympathetic, muscarinic vasodilation in cranial vessels of the cat

Pressor responses evoked by stimulation of the preganglionic sympathetic trunk of the feline superior cervical ganglion have been recorded in vivo from the vascular bed perfused by one external carotid and the vertebral artery. When vasoconstrictor activity is blocked and potential vasodilator activity enhanced by close, intracarotid injection of guanethidine and prostaglandin F2 alpha respectively, stimulation evokes a weak pressor response followed, on cessation of stimulation, by a prolonged vasodilation lasting for 6-8 min. The magnitude and duration of the poststimulation vasodilation was reduced significantly by atropine. Due to the prolonged nature of the vasodilation, it is unlikely that a sympathetic cholinergic vasodilation in the classical sense is involved.     

The acetylcholinesterase reaction and catecholamine fluorescence in the glomus cells of rat carotid body

Summary The presence of both acetylcholinesterase reaction and glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence of catecholamines in the same glomus cells of rat carotid body was demonstrated using combined histochemical methods. A suggestion is made that the glomus cells have both excitatory and inhibitory effects on the chemosensory nerve via acetylcholine and catecholamines, respectively.Acknowledgments. The present study was supported by grants from the Emil Aaltonen Foundation and the Finnish Cancer Foundation to Timo Waris.     

Sympathetic,muscarinic vasodilation in cranial vessels of the cat

Summary Pressor responses evoked by stimulation of the preganglionic sympathetic trunk of the feline superior cervical ganglion have been recorded in vivo from the vascular bed perfused by one external carotid and the vertebral artery. When vasoconstrictor activity is blocked and potential vasodilator activity enhanced by close, intracarotid injection of guanethidine and prostaglandin F₂ respectively, stimulation evokes a weak pressor response followed, on cessation of stimulation, by a prolonged vasodilation lasting for 6–8 min. The magnitude and duration of the poststimulation vasodilation was reduced significantly by atropine. Due to the prolonged nature of the vasodilation, it is unlikely that a sympathetic cholinergic vasodilation in the classical sense is involved.     

Ultrastructural evidence of a secretory process in the rat pineal gland.

Pericapillar spaces of the rat pineal gland belong to the most active sites of this organ. Neighborhood of sympathetic nerve endings, capillaries and pinealocyte processes facilitates possibly the synthesis and the secretion of methoxyindoles. Lipid droplets migrate through the pinealocyte cellular processes towards the terminal enlargement or poles, where they are secreted into the pericapillar space, and the possibility that indoleamines are included in the lipid droplets has been discussed.     

Effect of norepinephrine and vasopressin on carotid sinus baroreceptor activity in the anesthetized rabbit

Summary Norepinephrine (NE) 10^–6 M or vasopressin (VP) 12.5 U/ml were injected into the isolated carotid sinus of anesthetized rabbits. The sinus was exposed either to the arterial pressure or to a pressure controlled reservoir. Multifiber and single fiber recordings were made. Both NE and VP increased baroreceptor activity at all sinus pressures but decreased activity in a few fibers. The results are consistent with the drugs having their effects on smooth muscle fibers in the adventitia.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council of Canada and the B.C. Heart Foundation. The authors are grateful to J. Sharp and D. Morton for their excellent assistance.     

Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine on rat carotid body chief cells

Summary Administration of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in concentrations high enough to cause degeneration of perivascular adrenergic nerve terminals has no morphological effect on the catecholamine-storing cells of the rat carotid body. Uptake of 6-OHDA by carotid body chief cells may be more selective than that exhibited by small-intenselyfluorescent cells and other catecholamine-storing cells which are affected by 6-OHDA. Alternatively, the sustentacular cells which envelope the chief cells may provide an effective barrier against the uptake of 6-OHDA.Supported by a Grant-in-Aid from the American Heart Association (77 630) and with funds contributed in part by the Texas Affiliate.     

Zur peripheren sympathikushemmenden Wirkung des Clonidins

Summary The influences of clonidine, tetracaine and procaine on the effects of electrical stimulation of the postganglionic sympathetic cardiac nerves have been compared in the isolated perfused rabbit heart. Much lower concentrations of clonidine than of tetracaine were necessary to antagonize the output of noradrenaline and the rise of frequency and contractility. Procaine even in the highest concentration tested did not inhibit the effects of nerve stimulation. In addition to its known central depression of sympathetic tone, clonidine exerts a specific inhibitory action on postganglionic sympathetic neurons.     

Amylase secretion from rat parotid glands as dependent on co-operation between sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves.

A slow, long-lasting 'degeneration secretion' from the parotid gland was brought about in anaesthetized rats by section of the auriculo-temporal nerve 16--19 h in advance. This parasympathetic background activity greatly increased the secretion of amylase elicited by sympathetic nerve stimulation.     

Observations expérimentales sur l'apnée acapnique chez le Chien

Summary Suppression of the chemo-receptors of the carotid sinus and aorta æreas prolongs the acapnic apnea markedly. Animals deprived of their chemo-receptors may even die in apnea.During hyperventilation, the expiratory position of the thorax increases. During the acapnic apnea the inspiratory position returns progressively to normal. During hyperventilation and acapnic apnea, rhythmic changes occur in the tonus of the respiratory muscles. These changes in tonus occur in normal animals as well as in animals deprived of their chemo-receptors and vagi nerves.In normal dogs, hyperventilation and acapnea do not induce a fall in arterial blood pressure. Arterial hypotension occurs, however, during hyperventilation in dogs deprived of their carotid sinus and aortic innervation. During acapnic apnea, the arterial blood pressure rises in animals deprived of their carotid sinus and aortic nerves. A secondary fall of arterial pressure occurs during prolonged acapnic apnea in these animals.     

Contraction of myoepithelial cells in secreting submandibular glands of dogs.

In slowly secreting submandibular glands of dogs, a sympathetic effect on myoepithelial cells was demonstrated as an acceleration of the flow, followed by retardation, on short-lasting sympathetic stimulation, particularly after beta-adrenoceptor-blocking drugs.     

Muscarinic involvement in vascular and adrenal medullary responses to splanchnic nerve stimulation in conscious calves

Stimulation of the peripheral end of the right splanchnic nerve (4 Hz for 10 min) in the presence of hexamethonium caused a small but significant rise in mean aortic blood pressure which was subsequently abolished by atropine. There were also small but significant increases in the outputs of catecholamines, [Met⁵]-enkephalins and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) from the right adrenal gland. The catecholamine response was roughly halved after atropine while the outputs of enkephalins and CRF were unaffected. It is concluded that splanchnic sympathetic postganglionic neurones supplying the vasculature are completely blocked by cholinergic blockade whereas adrenal medullary responses persist in an attenuated form.     

Stimulation of glucagon and inhibition of insulin secretion evoked from carotid baroreceptors.

The influence from carotid baroreceptors on portal immuno-reactive glucagon and insulin levels and on arterial plasma glucose concentration was studied in vagotomized cats by sectioning of the sinus nerves. Such a complete elimination of the afferent baroreceptor discharge caused a prompt and pronounced increase in the glucose and glucagon levels, whereas the insulin concentration significantly decreased. The role of vascular barorecptors in the hyperglycemic response to hemorrhage is discussed.     

Stimulation of glucagon and inhibition of insulin secretion evoked from carotid baroreceptors

Summary The influence from carotid baroreceptors on portal immuno-reactive glucagon and insulin levels and on arterial plasma glucose concentration was studied in vagotomized cats by sectioning of the sinus nerves. Such a complete elimination of the afferent baroreceptor discharge caused a prompt and pronounced increase in the glucose and glucagon levels, whereas the insulin concentration significantly decreased. The role of vascular baroreceptors in the hyperglycemic response to hemorrhage is discussed.