Respiratory effects of sectioning the carotid sinus glossopharyngeal and abdominal vagal nerves in the awake rat

Acute intermittent hypoxia in neonatal rodent central nervous system facilitates respiratory frequency through the recruitment of hypothalamic areas

Moderate and acute intermittent hypoxia (IH) facilitates respiration in adults, mostly by recruiting peripheral chemo-/baroreceptors. As central chemoreceptors are widely expressed in immature brains, we hypothesized that IH modulates respiration at birth through a purely neurogenic mechanism involving the hypothalamus. The central nervous system (CNS) isolated from 0- to 3-day-old rats was perfused with four to eight brief (5 min) bouts of mild-hypoxic/normocapnic modified Krebs solution, intermingled with 5-min normoxic episodes, during continuous electrophysiological recordings from upper cervical ventral roots. An IH protocol did not modify bath pH, but superficial ventrolateral medulla and hypothalamic areas experienced lowered oxygen tension, more severe after the second postnatal day, with a partial recovery after each bout. Single exposures to mild hypoxia were well tolerated, and at birth often triggered a spontaneous epoch of irregular baseline activity (< 1 min) superimposed on respiratory events in both whole CNS preparations and spinal cords. Conversely, IH largely halted breathing activity after the second postnatal day, while at birth IH transiently increased the amplitude of respiratory bursts and stably sped up rhythm only when intact suprapontine structures were present. Rhythm acceleration was not directly correlated to instantaneous changes in tissue oxygen tension. After IH, respiratory frequency remained 260% higher than pre-IH control for up to 60 min. Identical modulatory effects were observed with IH supplied through a HEPES buffer solution. Interestingly, IH increased electrical activity and cFos expression in hypothalamic areas without altering total cell number. These observations cast some light on the mechanisms of IH during development, with important insights about pediatric effects of repeated hypoxic episodes.

Ventilatory responses during and following hypercapnic gas challenge are impaired in male but not female endothelial NOS knock-out mice

The roles of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the ventilatory responses during and after a hypercapnic gas challenge (HCC, 5% CO₂, 21% O₂, 74% N₂) were assessed in freely-moving female and male wild-type (WT) C57BL6 mice and eNOS knock-out (eNOS-/-) mice of C57BL6 background using whole body plethysmography. HCC elicited an array of ventilatory responses that were similar in male and female WT mice, such as increases in breathing frequency (with falls in inspiratory and expiratory times), and increases in tidal volume, minute ventilation, peak inspiratory and expiratory flows, and inspiratory and expiratory drives. eNOS-/- male mice had smaller increases in minute ventilation, peak inspiratory flow and inspiratory drive, and smaller decreases in inspiratory time than WT males. Ventilatory responses in female eNOS-/- mice were similar to those in female WT mice. The ventilatory excitatory phase upon return to room-air was similar in both male and female WT mice. However, the post-HCC increases in frequency of breathing (with decreases in inspiratory times), and increases in tidal volume, minute ventilation, inspiratory drive (i.e., tidal volume/inspiratory time) and expiratory drive (i.e., tidal volume/expiratory time), and peak inspiratory and expiratory flows in male eNOS-/- mice were smaller than in male WT mice. In contrast, the post-HCC responses in female eNOS-/- mice were equal to those of the female WT mice. These findings provide the first evidence that the loss of eNOS affects the ventilatory responses during and after HCC in male C57BL6 mice, whereas female C57BL6 mice can compensate for the loss of eNOS, at least in respect to triggering ventilatory responses to HCC.

Short-term facilitation of breathing upon cessation of hypoxic challenge is impaired in male but not female endothelial NOS knock-out mice

Decreases in arterial blood oxygen stimulate increases in minute ventilation via activation of peripheral and central respiratory structures. This study evaluates the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the expression of the ventilatory responses during and following a hypoxic gas challenge (HXC, 10% O₂, 90% N₂) in freely moving male and female wild-type (WT) C57BL6 and eNOS knock-out (eNOS-/-) mice. Exposure to HXC caused an array of responses (of similar magnitude and duration) in both male and female WT mice such as, rapid increases in frequency of breathing, tidal volume, minute ventilation and peak inspiratory and expiratory flows, that were subject to pronounced roll-off. The responses to HXC in male eNOS-/- mice were similar to male WT mice. In contrast, several of the ventilatory responses in female eNOS-/- mice (e.g., frequency of breathing, and expiratory drive) were greater compared to female WT mice. Upon return to room-air, male and female WT mice showed similar excitatory ventilatory responses (i.e., short-term potentiation phase). These responses were markedly reduced in male eNOS-/- mice, whereas female eNOS-/- mice displayed robust post-HXC responses that were similar to those in female WT mice. Our data demonstrates that eNOS plays important roles in (1) ventilatory responses to HXC in female compared to male C57BL6 mice; and (2) expression of post-HXC responses in male, but not female C57BL6 mice. These data support existing evidence that sex, and the functional roles of specific proteins (e.g., eNOS) have profound influences on ventilatory processes, including the responses to HXC.

Carotid sinus nerve transection abolishes the facilitation of breathing that occurs upon cessation of a hypercapnic gas challenge in male mice

Arterial pCO₂ elevations increase minute ventilation via activation of chemosensors within the carotid body (CB) and brainstem. Although the roles of CB chemoafferents in the hypercapnic (HC) ventilatory response have been investigated, there are no studies reporting the role of these chemoafferents in the ventilatory responses to a HC challenge or the responses that occur upon return to room air, in freely moving mice. This study found that an HC challenge (5% CO₂, 21% O₂, 74% N₂ for 15 min) elicited an array of responses, including increases in frequency of breathing (accompanied by decreases in inspiratory and expiratory times), and increases in tidal volume, minute ventilation, peak inspiratory and expiratory flows, and inspiratory and expiratory drives in sham-operated (SHAM) adult male C57BL6 mice, and that return to room air elicited a brief excitatory phase followed by gradual recovery of all parameters toward baseline values over a 15-min period. The array of ventilatory responses to the HC challenge in mice with bilateral carotid sinus nerve transection (CSNX) performed 7 days previously occurred more slowly but reached similar maxima as SHAM mice. A major finding was responses upon return to room air were dramatically lower in CSNX mice than SHAM mice, and the parameters returned to baseline values within 1-2 min in CSNX mice, whereas it took much longer in SHAM mice. These findings are the first evidence that CB chemoafferents play a key role in initiating the ventilatory responses to HC challenge in C57BL6 mice and are essential for the expression of post-HC ventilatory responses.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study presents the first evidence that carotid body chemoafferents play a key role in initiating the ventilatory responses, such as increases in frequency of breathing, tidal volume, and minute ventilation that occur in response to a hypercapnic gas challenge in freely moving C57BL6 mice. Our study also demonstrates for the first time that these chemoafferents are essential for the expression of the ventilatory responses that occur upon return to room air in these mice.

The Role of Carotid Sinus Nerve Input in the Hypoxic-Hypercapnic Ventilatory Response in Juvenile Rats

In juvenile rats, the carotid body (CB) is the primary sensor of oxygen (O₂) and a secondary sensor of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the blood. The CB communicates to the respiratory pattern generator via the carotid sinus nerve, which terminates within the commissural nucleus tractus solitarius (cNTS). While this is not the only peripheral chemosensory pathway in juvenile rodents, we hypothesize that it has a unique role in determining the interaction between O₂ and CO₂, and consequently, the response to hypoxic-hypercapnic gas challenges. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the ventilatory responses to a poikilocapnic hypoxic (HX) gas challenge, a hypercapnic (HC) gas challenge or a hypoxic-hypercapnic (HH) gas challenge in juvenile rats; and (2) the roles of CSN chemoafferents in the interactions between HX and HC signaling in these rats. Studies were performed on conscious, freely moving juvenile (P25) male Sprague Dawley rats that underwent sham-surgery (SHAM) or bilateral transection of the carotid sinus nerves (CSNX) 4 days previously. Rats were placed in whole-body plethysmographs to record ventilatory parameters (frequency of breathing, tidal volume and minute ventilation). After acclimatization, they were exposed to HX (10% O₂, 90% N₂), HC (5% CO₂, 21% O₂, 74% N₂) or HH (5% CO₂, 10% O₂, 85% N₂) gas challenges for 5 min, followed by 15 min of room-air. The major findings were: (1) the HX, HC and HH challenges elicited robust ventilatory responses in SHAM rats; (2) ventilatory responses elicited by HX alone and HC alone were generally additive in SHAM rats; (3) the ventilatory responses to HX, HC and HH were markedly attenuated in CSNX rats compared to SHAM rats; and (4) ventilatory responses elicited by HX alone and HC alone were not additive in CSNX rats. Although the rats responded to HX after CSNX, CB chemoafferent input was necessary for the response to HH challenge. Thus, secondary peripheral chemoreceptors do not compensate for the loss of chemoreceptor input from the CB in juvenile rats.

Effects of Perinatal Hyperoxia on Breathing

Air-breathing animals do not experience hyperoxia (inspired O₂ > 21%) in nature, but preterm and full-term infants often experience hyperoxia/hyperoxemia in clinical settings. This article focuses on the effects of normobaric hyperoxia during the perinatal period on breathing in humans and other mammals, with an emphasis on the neural control of breathing during hyperoxia, after return to normoxia, and in response to subsequent hypoxic and hypercapnic challenges. Acute hyperoxia typically evokes an immediate ventilatory depression that is often, but not always, followed by hyperpnea. The hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) is enhanced by brief periods of hyperoxia in adult mammals, but the limited data available suggest that this may not be the case for newborns. Chronic exposure to mild-to-moderate levels of hyperoxia (e.g., 30-60% O₂ for several days to a few weeks) elicits several changes in breathing in nonhuman animals, some of which are unique to perinatal exposures (i.e., developmental plasticity). Examples of this developmental plasticity include hypoventilation after return to normoxia and long-lasting attenuation of the HVR. Although both peripheral and CNS mechanisms are implicated in hyperoxia-induced plasticity, it is particularly clear that perinatal hyperoxia affects carotid body development. Some of these effects may be transient (e.g., decreased O₂ sensitivity of carotid body glomus cells) while others may be permanent (e.g., carotid body hypoplasia, loss of chemoafferent neurons). Whether the hyperoxic exposures routinely experienced by human infants in clinical settings are sufficient to alter respiratory control development remains an open question and requires further research. © 2020 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 10:597-636, 2020.

Raphe gene expression changes implicate immune-related functions in ventilatory plasticity following carotid body denervation in rats

The regulation of blood gases in mammals requires precise feedback mechanisms including chemoreceptor feedback from the carotid bodies. Carotid body denervation (CBD) leads to immediate hypoventilation (increased PaCO₂) in adult rats, but over a period of days and weeks ventilation normalizes due in part to central (brain) mechanisms. Here, we tested the hypothesis that functional ventilatory recovery following CBD correlated with significant shifts in medullary raphe gene expression of molecules/pathways associated with known or novel forms of neuroplasticity. Tissue punches were obtained from snap frozen brainstems collected from rats 1-2days or 14-15days post-sham or post-bilateral CBD surgery (verified by physiologic measurements), and subjected to mRNA sequencing to identify, quantify, and statistically compare gene expression level differences among these groups of rats. We found the greatest number of gene expression changes acutely after CBD (154 genes), with fewer changes in the weeks after CBD (69-80 genes) and the fewest changes in expression among the time control groups (39 genes). Little or no changes were observed for multiple genes associated with serotonin- or glutamate receptor-dependent forms of neuroplasticity. However, an unbiased assessment of gene expression changes using a bioinformatics pathway analysis highlighted multiple changes in gene expression in signaling pathways associated with immune function. These included several growth factors and cytokines associated with peripheral and innate immune systems. Thus, these medullary raphe gene expression data support a role for immune-related signaling pathways in the functional restoration of blood gas control after CBD, but little or no role for serotonin- or glutamate receptor-mediated plasticity.

Neuromodulation: purinergic signaling in respiratory control

The main functions of the respiratory neural network are to produce a coordinated, efficient, rhythmic motor behavior and maintain homeostatic control over blood oxygen and CO2/pH levels. Purinergic (ATP) signaling features prominently in these homeostatic reflexes. The signaling actions of ATP are produced through its binding to a diversity of ionotropic P2X and metabotropic P2Y receptors. However, its net effect on neuronal and network excitability is determined by the interaction between the three limbs of a complex system comprising the signaling actions of ATP at P2Rs, the distribution of multiple ectonucleotidases that differentially metabolize ATP into ADP, AMP, and adenosine (ADO), and the signaling actions of ATP metabolites, especially ADP at P2YRs and ADO at P1Rs. Understanding the significance of purinergic signaling is further complicated by the fact that neurons, glia, and the vasculature differentially express P2 and P1Rs, and that both neurons and glia release ATP. This article reviews at cellular, synaptic, and network levels, current understanding and emerging concepts about the diverse roles played by this three-part signaling system in: mediating the chemosensitivity of respiratory networks to hypoxia and CO2/pH; modulating the activity of rhythm generating networks and inspiratory motoneurons, and; controlling blood flow through the cerebral vasculature.

Developmental hyperoxia alters CNS mechanisms underlying hypoxic ventilatory depression in neonatal rats

Newborn mammals exhibit a biphasic hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), but the relative contributions of carotid body-initiated CNS mechanisms versus central hypoxia on ventilatory depression during the late phase of the HVR are not well understood. Neonatal rats (P4-5 or P13-15) were treated with a nonselective P2 purinergic receptor antagonist (pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid, or PPADS; 125mgkg(-1), i.p.) to pharmacologically denervate the peripheral chemoreceptors. At P4-5, rats reared in normoxia showed a progressive decline in ventilation during a 10-min exposure to 12% O2 (21-28% decrease from baseline). No hypoxic ventilatory depression was observed in the older group of neonatal rats (i.e., P13-15), suggesting that the contribution of central hypoxia to hypoxic ventilatory depression diminishes with age. In contrast, rats reared in moderate hyperoxia (60% O2) from birth exhibited no hypoxic ventilatory depression at either age studied. Systemic PPADS had no effect on the ventilatory response to 7% CO2, suggesting that the drug did not cross the blood-brain barrier. These findings indicate that (1) CNS hypoxia depresses ventilation in young, neonatal rats independent of carotid body activation and (2) hyperoxia alters the development of CNS pathways that modulate the late phase of the hypoxic ventilatory response.

The rhythmic, transverse medullary slice preparation in respiratory neurobiology: contributions and caveats

Our understanding of the sites and mechanisms underlying rhythmic breathing as well as the neuromodulatory control of respiratory rhythm, pattern, and respiratory motoneuron excitability during perinatal development has advanced significantly over the last 20 years. A major catalyst was the development in 1991 of the rhythmically-active medullary slice preparation, which provided precise mechanical and chemical control over the network as well as enhanced physical and optical access to key brainstem regions. Insights obtained in vitro have informed multiple mechanistic hypotheses. In vivo tests of these hypotheses, performed under conditions of reduced control and precision but more obvious physiological relevance, have clearly established the significance for respiratory neurobiology of the rhythmic slice preparation. We review the contributions of this preparation to current understanding/concepts in respiratory control, and outline the limitations of this approach in the context of studying rhythm and pattern generation, homeostatic control mechanisms and murine models of human genetic disorders that feature prominent breathing disturbances.

Chronic hyperoxia and the development of the carotid body

Preterm infants often experience hyperoxia while receiving supplemental oxygen. Prolonged exposure to hyperoxia during development is associated with pathologies such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity. Over the last 25 years, however, experiments with animal models have revealed that moderate exposures to hyperoxia (e.g., 30-60% O(2) for days to weeks) can also have profound effects on the developing respiratory control system that may lead to hypoventilation and diminished responses to acute hypoxia. This plasticity, which is generally inducible only during critical periods of development, has a complex time course that includes both transient and permanent respiratory deficits. Although the molecular mechanisms of hyperoxia-induced plasticity are only beginning to be elucidated, it is clear that many of the respiratory effects are linked to abnormal morphological and functional development of the carotid body, the principal site of arterial O(2) chemoreception for respiratory control. Specifically, developmental hyperoxia reduces carotid body size, decreases the number of chemoafferent neurons, and (at least transiently) diminishes the O(2) sensitivity of individual carotid body glomus cells. Recent evidence suggests that hyperoxia may also directly or indirectly impact development of the central neural control of breathing. Collectively, these findings emphasize the vulnerability of the developing respiratory control system to environmental perturbations.

Acute and chronic effects of carotid body denervation on ventilation and chemoreflexes in three rat strains

Brown Norway (BN) rats have a relatively specific deficit in CO2 sensitivity. This deficit could be due to an abnormally weak carotid body contribution to CO2 sensitivity. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that CBD would have less of an effect on eupnoeic breathing and CO2 sensitivity in the BN rats compared to other rat strains.We measured ventilation and blood gases at rest (eupnoea) and during hypoxia (FIO2 =0.12) or hypercapnia (FICO2 =0.07) before and up to 23 days after bilateral or Sham CBD in BN, Sprague–Dawley (SD) and Dahl Salt-Sensitive (SS) rats. In all three rat strains, CBD elicited eupnoeic hypoventilation (PaCO2 +8.7–11.0 mmHg) 1–2 days post-CBD (P <0.05), and attenuated ventilatory responses to hypoxia (P <0.05) and venous sodium cyanide (NaCN; P<0.05), while sham CBD had no effect on resting breathing, blood gases or chemoreflexes (P >0.05). In contrast, CBD had no effect on CO2 sensitivity (˙VE/PaCO2) in all strains (P>0.05). Eupnoeic PaCO2 returned to pre-CBD values within 15–23 days post-CBD. Thus, the effects of CBD in rats (1) further support an important role for the carotid bodies in eupnoeic blood gas regulation, (2) suggest that the carotid bodies are not a major determinant of CO2 sensitivity in rats, and (3) may not support the concept of an interaction among the peripheral and central chemoreceptors in rats.

Hypocapnia-dependent facilitation of augmented breaths: observations in awake vs. anesthetized rats

We investigated whether commonly used injectable laboratory anesthetics alter the regulation of augmented breaths (ABs) in different respiratory backgrounds. Male rats were studied on three separate experimental days, receiving one of three injections in randomized order: ethyl carbamate ('urethane'; 1.2mgkg(-1)), ketamine/xylazine (ket/xyl; 80/10mgkg(-1)), or normal saline. Following each of the three interventions, breathing was monitored during 15min exposures to normoxia (room air), hypoxia (10% O(2)) and hypoxia+CO(2) (10% O(2), 5% CO(2)). Urethane anesthesia completely eliminated ABs from the breathing rhythm in room air conditions (p<0.001), and decreased the hypocapnia-dependent component of this response (p<0.001). ket/xyl left the normal incidence of ABs in room air breathing intact but significantly suppressed the hypoxia-induced facilitation of ABs (p=0.0015). These results provide the first clear evidence that laboratory anesthesia can profoundly alter the regulation of ABs including the hypocapnia-dependent component of their facilitation.

The "other" respiratory effect of opioids: suppression of spontaneous augmented ("sigh") breaths

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a clinically relevant opioid on the production of augmented breaths (ABs) in unanesthetized animals breathing normal room air, using a dosage which does not depress breathing. To do this we monitored breathing noninvasively, in unrestrained animals before and after subcutaneous injection of either morphine, or a saline control. The effect of ketamine/xylazine was also studied to determine the potential effect of an alternative sedative agent. Last, the effect of naloxone was studied to determine the potential influence of endogenous opioids in regulating the normal incidence of ABs. Morphine (5 mg/kg) had no depressive effect on breathing, but completely eliminated ABs in all animals in room air (P = 0.027). However, when animals breathed hypoxic air (10% O(2)), animals did express ABs, although their incidence was still reduced by morphine (P < 0.001). This was not a result of sedation per se, as ABs continued at their normal rate in room air during sedation with ketamine. Naloxone had no effect on breathing or AB production, and so endogenous opioids are not likely involved in regulating their rate of production under normal conditions. Our results show that in unanesthetized animals breathing normal room air, a clinically relevant opioid eliminates ABs, even at a dose that does not cause respiratory depression. Despite this, hypoxia-induced stimulation of breathing can facilitate the production of ABs even with the systemic opioid present, indicating that peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation provides a potential means of overcoming the opioid-induced suppression of these respiratory events.

Hypoxia-induced cellular and vascular changes in the nucleus tractus solitarius and ventrolateral medulla

Major changes in arterial pressure, autonomic, and respiratory activity occur in response to hypoxia. We analyzed structural damage and increased vascular permeability in the ventrolateral medulla and nucleus tractus solitarius, which control autonomic, respiratory, and cardiovascular functions in adult Wistar rats subjected to 2 hours of hypoxia (7% oxygen + 93% nitrogen) for up to 14 days after hypoxicexposure. Brainstem tissue levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nitric oxide (NO), and glutamate were significantly increased over control levels after hypoxic injury. By electron microscopy, swollen neurons and dendrites, degenerating axons, disrupted myelin sheaths, and swollen astrocyte processes were observed in the nucleus tractus solitarius and ventrolateral medulla. Leakage of intravenously administered horseradish peroxidase was observed through vascular walls in hypoxic rats. These results suggest that increased VEGF and NO production in hypoxia resulted in increased vascular permeability, which, along with increased levels of glutamate, may have induced structural alterations of the neurons, dendrites, and axons. Administration of the antioxidant neurohormone melatonin (10mg/kg) before and after the hypoxia reduced VEGF, NO, and glutamate levels and improved ultrastructural abnormalities induced by hypoxia exposure, suggesting that it may have a therapeutic potential in reducing hypoxia-associated brainstem damage.

Carotid chemoafferent activity is not necessary for all phrenic long-term facilitation following acute intermittent hypoxia

Phrenic long-term facilitation (pLTF) is a form of respiratory plasticity induced by acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) or episodic carotid chemoafferent neuron activation. Surprisingly, residual pLTF is expressed in carotid denervated rats. However, since carotid denervation eliminates baroreceptor feedback and causes profound hypotension during hypoxia in anesthetized rats, potential contributions of these uncontrolled factors or residual chemoafferent neuron activity to residual pLTF cannot be ruled out. Since ATP is necessary for hypoxic carotid chemotransduction, we tested the hypothesis that functional peripheral chemoreceptor denervation (with intact baroreceptors) via systemic P2X receptor antagonism blocks hypoxic phrenic responses and AIH-induced pLTF in anesthetized rats. Pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS; 100 mg/kg i.v.), a non-selective P2X receptor antagonist, was administered to anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed and ventilated male Sprague-Dawley rats prior to AIH (3, 5 min episodes of 10% O(2); 5 min intervals). Although PPADS strongly attenuated the short-term hypoxic phrenic response (20 ± 4% vs. 113 ± 15% baseline; P < 0.001), pLTF was reduced but not eliminated 60 min post-AIH (25 ± 4% vs. 51 ± 11% baseline; n = 8 and 7, respectively; P < 0.002). Thus, AIH initiates residual pLTF out of proportion to the diminished hypoxic phrenic response and chemoafferent neuron activation. Although the mechanism of residual pLTF following functional chemo-denervation remains unclear, possible mechanisms involving direct effects of hypoxia on the CNS are discussed.

Chronic hypoxia increases the gain of the hypoxic ventilatory response by a mechanism in the central nervous system

We studied the effects of the ventilatory stimulant doxapram to test the hypothesis that chronic hypoxia increases the translation of carotid body afferent input into ventilatory motor efferent output by the central nervous system. Chronic hypoxia (inspired Po(2) = 70 Torr, 2 days) significantly increased the ventilatory response to an intravenous infusion of a high dose of doxapram in conscious, unrestrained rats breathing normoxic or hypoxic gas. The in vitro carotid body response to hypoxia increased with chronic hypoxia, but the response was not increased with a high dose of doxapram. Similarly, the phrenic nerve response to doxapram in anesthetized rats with carotid bodies denervated did not change with 7 days of chronic hypoxia. The results support the hypothesis that chronic hypoxia causes plasticity in the central component of the carotid chemoreceptor ventilatory reflex, which increases the hypoxic ventilatory response. We conclude that doxapram provides a promising tool to study the time course of changes in the central gain of the hypoxic ventilatory response during chronic hypoxia in awake animals and humans.

Iron chelation and the ventilatory response to hypoxia

Chelation of iron in in vitro carotid body emulates the effects of hypoxia. The role iron plays in in vivo ventilatory responses is unclear. In the current study we addressed this issue by examining the effects of chronic iron chelation on the hypoxic ventilatory response in 9 conscious Wistar rats. Acute responses to 14 and 9% O(2)in N(2) were recorded in the same rat before and then after 7 and 14 days of continuous iron chelation. Iron chelation was carried out with ciclopirox olamine (CPX) in a dose of 20 mg/kg daily, i.p. Ventilation was recorded with whole body plethysmography. We found that the peak hypoxic ventilation (V(E) achieved during 14 and 9% hypoxia was lower by 239.6+/-55.4(SE) and 269.6.2+/-69.2 ml min(-1)kg(-1), respectively, in the rats treated with CPX for 7 days. The decreases were not intensified by a longer duration of iron chelation. CPX failed to alter hypoxic sensitivity, assessed from the gain of peak V(E) with increasing strength of the hypoxic stimulus. In conclusion, we believe we have shown that iron is operational in shaping the hypoxic ventilatory response, but is not liable to be the underlying determinant of the hypoxic chemoreflex.

Effects of carotid body excision on recovery of respiratory function in C2 hemisected adult rats

In a previous study, we described the spontaneous recovery of respiratory motor function in adult rats subjected to a left C2 hemisection 6-16 weeks post-injury without any therapeutic intervention. We extend the previous findings by demonstrating in the present study that rats subjected to a left C2 hemisection with bilateral carotid body excision will also recover respiratory-related activity in the paralyzed ipsilateral hemidiaphragm. However, in this instance, recovery is significantly accelerated; i.e., it is evident as early as 2 weeks after spinal cord injury. Two experimental groups (and noninjured and sham-operated controls) of rats were employed in the study. H-CBE animals were subjected to a left C2 hemisection plus bilateral carotid body excision while H-CBI animals were subjected to a left C2 hemisection only. Carotid body excision was confirmed by the sodium cyanide test. The animals were allowed to survive for 2 weeks after hemisection. Thereafter, electrophysiologic assessment of respiratory activity was conducted in all animals. Spontaneous recovery of respiratory-related activity in the paralyzed hemidiaphragm (indicated by left phrenic nerve activity) was detected in all H-CBE animals while H-CBI animals did not express spontaneous recovery of diaphragmatic activity. The magnitude of recovered activity when expressed as a function of contralateral phrenic nerve activity was 48.8 +/- 3.8%. When expressed as a function of the homolateral phrenic nerve in noninjured animals, the magnitude amounted to 25.6 +/- 2.8%. Although the mechanisms responsible for the apparent early onset of spontaneous recovery are unknown, it is likely that a reorganization of the respiratory circuitry in the CNS may be involved. The significance of the findings is that it may be feasible to modulate the onset of functional recovery following cervical spinal cord injury by specifically targeting peripheral chemoreceptors.

Recovery of respiratory function following C2 hemi and carotid body denervation in adult rats: influence of peripheral adenosine receptors

The efficacy of the methylxanthine, theophylline, as a respiratory stimulant has been demonstrated previously in an animal model of spinal cord injury. In this model, an upper cervical (C2) spinal cord hemi paralyzes the ipsilateral hemidiaphragm. Theophylline restores respiratory-related activity in the paralyzed hemidiaphragm via activation of a latent respiratory motor pathway. Antagonism of central adenosine A1 receptors mediates this action. Theophylline also enhances respiratory frequency, f, defined as breaths per minute. Thus, long-term use may result in respiratory muscle or motoneuron fatigue particularly after spinal cord injury. We assessed the effects of an adenosine A1 receptor agonist, N6-p-sulfophenyladenosine (p-SPA) on theophylline's action in our model under standardized recording conditions. Four groups of rats, classified as hemisected/nonhemisected with the carotid bodies denervated (H-CBD or NH-CBD), and hemisected/nonhemisected with the carotid bodies intact (H-CBI or NH-CBI ) were used in the study. Eight days after recovery from carotid denervation, a left C2 hemi was performed in H-CBD rats. C2 hemi was also performed in H-CBI animals, and 24 h later, electrophysiologic experiments on respiratory activity were conducted in both groups of animals. Two groups using nonhemisected controls were also employed as described above. In H-CBD rats, theophylline significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced f and induced respiratory-related activity in the previously quiescent left phrenic nerve. In NH-CBD rats, theophylline significantly enhanced f. In both H-CBD and NH-CBD rats, p-SPA (0.25 mg/kg) did not significantly change theophylline-induced effects. In H-CBI rats, theophylline significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced f and induced activity in the previously quiescent left phrenic nerve. In H-CBI rats, p-SPA reduced the values to pre-theophylline discharge levels. Recovered activity was not obliterated with the agonist. In NH-CBI rats, p-SPA reduced theophylline-induced effects to pre-drug discharge levels. Adenosine A1 and A2A receptor immunoreactivity was detected in the carotid bodies. The significance of our findings is that theophylline-induced effects can be normalized to pre-drug levels by the selective activation of peripheral adenosine A1 receptors. The therapeutic benefits of theophylline, i.e., recovered respiratory function after paralysis, however, persists. The potential therapeutic impact is that respiratory muscle fatigue associated with long-term theophylline use may be minimized by a novel therapeutic approach.

Arterial chemoreceptors in the superior laryngeal nerve of the rat

Paraganglia resembling the carotid body have been described in the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) of the rat and the aim of the present study was to determine if this tissue is chemosensitive. We developed a novel isolated SLN preparation superfused with HEPES-buffered Tyrode solution at 35 degrees C in vitro. A glass suction microelectrode was used to record the electrical activity of single SLN units and a micropipette was used to pressure-eject small volumes of sodium cyanide (NaCN; 250-500 ng in 5 microl) near glomus tissue located at the main bifurcation of the SLN. The duration of the NaCN response and the number of spikes evoked after application of NaCN were compared in normoxia and hyperoxia (PO2 > 300 mmHg). Hyperoxia significantly reduced the duration and spike number of the NaCN response and a negative linear correlation existed between PO2 and response duration. In addition, hypoxia (PO2 < 60 mmHg) triggered SLN firing. Therefore, we can conclude that the paraganglia of the SLN are not only morphologically similar to the carotid body but are also excited by similar stimuli.

Linear modelling analysis of baroreflex control of arterial pressure variability in rats

The objective of the present study was to examine whether a simple linear feedback model of arterial pressure (AP) control by the sympathetic nervous system would be able to reproduce the characteristic features of normal AP variability by using AP and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) data collected in conscious sinoaortic baroreceptor denervated (SAD) rats. As compared with baroreceptor-intact rats (n=8), SAD rats (n=10) had increased spectral power (+ 680%) of AP in the low frequency range (LF, 0.0003-0.14 Hz) and reduced power (-19%) in the mid-frequency range (MF, 0.14-0.8 Hz) containing Mayer waves. In individual SAD rats, RSNA data were translated into 'sympathetic' AP time series by using the RSNA-AP transfer function that had been previously characterized in anaesthetized rats. AP 'perturbation' time series were then calculated by subtracting 'sympathetic' from actual AP time series. Actual RSNA and AP 'perturbation' time series were introduced in a reflex loop that was closed by using the previously identified baroreflex transfer function (from baroreceptor afferent activity to RSNA). By progressively increasing the open-loop static gain, it was possible to compute virtual AP power spectra that increasingly deviated from their progenitor spectra, with spectral power decreasing in the LF range (as a result of baroreflex buffering of haemodynamic perturbations), and increasing in the MF band (as a result of increasing transients at the resonance frequency of the loop). The most accurate reproduction of actual AP and RSNA spectra observed in baroreceptor-intact rats was obtained at 20-30% of the baroreflex critical gain (open-loop static gain resulting in self-sustained oscillations at the resonance frequency). In conclusion, while the gain of the sympathetic component of the arterial baroreceptor reflex largely determines its ability to provide an efficient correction of slow haemodynamic perturbations, this is achieved at the cost of increasing transients at higher frequencies (Mayer waves). However, the system remains fundamentally stable.

Role of the carotid bodies in chemosensory ventilatory responses in the anesthetized mouse

We examined the effects of carotid body denervation on ventilatory responses to normoxia (21% O2 in N2 for 240 s), hypoxic hypoxia (10 and 15% O2 in N2 for 90 and 120 s, respectively), and hyperoxic hypercapnia (5% CO2 in O2 for 240 s) in the spontaneously breathing urethane-anesthetized mouse. Respiratory measurements were made with a whole body, single-chamber plethysmograph before and after cutting both carotid sinus nerves. Baseline measurements in air showed that carotid body denervation was accompanied by lower minute ventilation with a reduction in respiratory frequency. On the basis of measurements with an open-circuit system, no significant differences in O2 consumption or CO2 production before and after chemodenervation were found. During both levels of hypoxia, animals with intact sinus nerves had increased respiratory frequency, tidal volume, and minute ventilation; however, after chemodenervation, animals experienced a drop in respiratory frequency and ventilatory depression. Tidal volume responses during 15% hypoxia were similar before and after carotid body denervation; during 10% hypoxia in chemodenervated animals, there was a sudden increase in tidal volume with an increase in the rate of inspiration, suggesting that gasping occurred. During hyperoxic hypercapnia, ventilatory responses were lower with a smaller tidal volume after chemodenervation than before. We conclude that the carotid bodies are essential for maintaining ventilation during eupnea, hypoxia, and hypercapnia in the anesthetized mouse.

Developmental plasticity of the hypoxic ventilatory response in rats induced by neonatal hypoxia

Neonatal hypoxia alters the development of the hypoxic ventilatory response in rats and other mammals. Here we demonstrate that neonatal hypoxia impairs the hypoxic ventilatory response in adult male, but not adult female, rats. Rats were raised in 10% O(2) for the first postnatal week, beginning within 12 h after birth. Subsequently, ventilatory responses were assessed in 7- to 9-week-old unanaesthetized rats via whole-body plethysmography. In response to 12% O(2), male rats exposed to neonatal hypoxia increased ventilation less than untreated control rats (mean +/-s.e.m. 35.2 +/- 7.7%versus 67.4 +/- 9.1%, respectively; P= 0.01). In contrast, neonatal hypoxia had no lasting effect on hypoxic ventilatory responses in female rats (67.9 +/- 12.6%versus 61.2 +/- 11.7% increase in hypoxia-treated and control rats, respectively; P > 0.05). Normoxic ventilation was unaffected by neonatal hypoxia in either sex at 7-9 weeks of age (P > 0.05). Since we hypothesized that neonatal hypoxia alters the hypoxic ventilatory response at the level of peripheral chemoreceptors or the central neural integration of chemoafferent activity, integrated phrenic responses to isocapnic hypoxia were investigated in urethane-anaesthetized, paralysed and ventilated rats. Phrenic responses were unaffected by neonatal hypoxia in rats of either sex (P > 0.05), suggesting that neonatal hypoxia-induced plasticity occurs between the phrenic nerve and the generation of airflow (e.g. neuromuscular junction, respiratory muscles or respiratory mechanics) and is not due to persistent changes in hypoxic chemosensitivity or central neural integration. The basis of sex differences in this developmental plasticity is unknown.

Episodic phrenic-inhibitory vagus nerve stimulation paradoxically induces phrenic long-term facilitation in rats

All respiratory long-term facilitation (LTF) is induced by inspiratory-excitatory stimulation, suggesting that LTF needs inspiratory augmentation and is the result of a Hebbian mechanism (coincident pre- and post-synaptic activity strengthens synapses). The present study examined the long-term effects of episodic inspiratory-inhibitory vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on phrenic nerve activity. We hypothesized that episodic VNS would induce phrenic long-term depression. The results are compared with those obtained following serotonin receptor antagonism or episodic carotid sinus nerve stimulation (CSNS). Integrated phrenic neurograms were measured before, during and after three episodes of 5 min VNS (50 Hz, 0.1 ms), each separated by a 5 min interval, at a low (approximately 50 microA), medium (approximately 200 microA) or high (approximately 500 microA) stimulus intensity in anaesthetized, vagotomized, neuromuscularly blocked and artificially ventilated rats. Medium- and high-intensity VNS eliminated rhythmic phrenic activity during VNS, while low-intensity VNS only reduced phrenic burst frequency. At 60 min post-VNS, phrenic amplitude was higher than baseline (35 +/- 5% above baseline, mean +/- S.E.M., P < 0.05) in the high-intensity group but not in the low- (-4 +/- 4%) or medium-intensity groups (-10 +/- 15%), or in the high-intensity with methysergide group (4 mg kg(-1), i.p.) (-11 +/- 5%). These data, which are inconsistent with our hypothesis, indicate that phrenic-inhibitory VNS induces a serotonin-dependent phrenic LTF similar to that induced by phrenic-excitatory CSNS (33 +/- 7%) and may require activation of high-threshold afferent fibres. These data also suggest that the synapses on phrenic motoneurons do not use the Hebbian mechanism in this LTF, as these motoneurons were suppressed during VNS.

Intermittent hypoxia induces phrenic long-term facilitation in carotid-denervated rats

Episodic hypoxia elicits a long-lasting augmentation of phrenic inspiratory activity known as long-term facilitation (LTF). We investigated the respective contributions of carotid chemoafferent neuron activation and hypoxia to the expression of LTF in urethane-anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed, and ventilated Sprague-Dawley rats. One hour after three 5-min isocapnic hypoxic episodes [arterial Po(2) (Pa(O(2))) = 40 +/- 5 Torr], integrated phrenic burst amplitude was greater than baseline in both carotid-denervated (n = 8) and sham-operated (n = 7) rats (P < 0.05), indicating LTF. LTF was reduced in carotid-denervated rats relative to sham (P < 0.05). In this and previous studies, rats were ventilated with hyperoxic gas mixtures (inspired oxygen fraction = 0.5) under baseline conditions. To determine whether episodic hyperoxia induces LTF, phrenic activity was recorded under normoxic (Pa(O(2)) = 90-100 Torr) conditions before and after three 5-min episodes of isocapnic hypoxia (Pa(O(2)) = 40 +/- 5 Torr; n = 6) or hyperoxia (Pa(O(2)) > 470 Torr; n = 6). Phrenic burst amplitude was greater than baseline 1 h after episodic hypoxia (P < 0.05), but episodic hyperoxia had no detectable effect. These data suggest that hypoxia per se initiates LTF independently from carotid chemoafferent neuron activation, perhaps through direct central nervous system effects.

Frequency responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia in carotid body-denervated conscious rats

The ventilatory response to brief, severe hypoxia is biphasic consisting of an initial facilitation followed by a slowing of breathing frequency (fR). After the hypoxic stimulus is removed, fR drops below baseline levels. This phenomenon is called the post-hypoxic frequency decline (phfd). These fR changes are due to reciprocal changes in expiratory time (TE), mediated by the ventrolateral pontine A5 region (J. Physiol. (London) 497 (1996) 79; Am. J. Physiol. 274 (1998) R1546). The purpose of this study was to determine if carotid body input is required for full manifestation of phfd by quantifying ventilation in intact and carotid sinus denervated rats in response to hypoxic, and contrasted with hypercapnic stimuli. Following carotid denervation the initial facilitation of fR was eliminated in response to hypoxia, but the phfd remained. In contrast the pattern in response to increased CO2 remained constant before and after carotid denervation. These results suggest that phfd is not dependent upon carotid body stimulation, but is mediated centrally.

Brainstem and hypothalamic areas activated by tissue hypoxia: Fos-like immunoreactivity induced by carbon monoxide inhalation in the rat

Acute ambient hypoxia interacts with the ventilatory and cardiocirculatory control systems, via the concomitant activation of arterial chemoreceptors and tissue oxygen-sensing mechanisms. Whether these latter mechanisms may trigger a specific pathway had not yet been elucidated. We addressed this issue, mapping Fos expression in adult conscious rats subjected to tissue hypoxia elicited by carbon monoxide inhalation, under conditions of minimal activation of arterial chemoreceptors. Brief stimuli have been delivered (1% carbon monoxide inhaled during 5, 10 or 20 min) to produce steady tissue hypoxia. Compared to normoxia, even the briefest stimuli led to marked neuronal activation within areas involved in ventilatory and cardiocirculatory control. In the brainstem, stimulated rats exhibited enhanced Fos expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract, the area postrema, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve, the ventrolateral medulla, the parapyramidal group, the nucleus raphe pallidus, the lateral paragigantocellular nucleus, the locus coeruleus, the dorsal raphe nucleus, the lateral parabrachial area, and the ventrolateral central gray. In the hypothalamus, activated neurons were identified at the ventral border and in the supramamillary, posterior, and dorsomedial nuclei. Fos expression appeared with increasing the severity of tissue hypoxia in the retrotrapezoid nucleus, the ventral tegmental area and the arcuate and paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei. The present data support the idea that inputs related to tissue hypoxia might play a crucial role in patterning the physiological response to hypoxia.

Critical developmental period for hyperoxia-induced blunting of hypoxic phrenic responses in rats

Hypoxic ventilatory and phrenic responses are reduced in adult rats reared in hyperoxia (60% O(2)) for the first month of life but not after hyperoxia as adults. In this study, we identified the developmental window for susceptibility to hyperoxia. Phrenic nerve responses to hypoxia were recorded in anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed, and ventilated Sprague-Dawley rats (aged 3-4 mo) exposed to 60% O(2) for the first, second, third, or fourth postnatal week. Responses were compared with control rats and with rats exposed to 60% O(2) for the first month of life. Phrenic minute activity (burst amplitude x frequency) increased less during isocapnic hypoxia (arterial PO(2) = 60, 50, and 40 Torr) in rats exposed to hyperoxia for the first or second week, or the first month, of life (P < 0.01 vs. control). Functional impairment caused by 1 wk of hyperoxia diminished with increasing age of exposure (P = 0.005). Adult hypoxic phrenic responses are impaired by 1 wk of hyperoxia during the first and second postnatal weeks in rats, indicating a developmental window coincident with carotid chemoreceptor maturation.

Life-long impairment of hypoxic phrenic responses in rats following 1 month of developmental hyperoxia

Hypoxic ventilatory and phrenic responses are reduced in adult rats (3-5 months old) exposed to hyperoxia for the first month of life (hyperoxia treated). We previously reported that hypoxic phrenic responses were normal in a small sample of 14- to 15-month-old hyperoxia-treated rats, suggesting slow, spontaneous recovery. Subsequent attempts to identify the mechanism(s) underlying this spontaneous recovery of hypoxic phrenic responses led us to re-evaluate our earlier conclusion. Experiments were conducted in two groups of aged Sprague-Dawley rats (14-15 months old) which were anaesthetized, vagotomized, neuromuscularly blocked and ventilated: (1) a hyperoxia-treated group raised in 60 % O2 for the first 28 postnatal days; and (2) an age-matched control group raised in normoxia. Increases in minute phrenic activity and integrated phrenic nerve amplitude (integral Phr) during isocapnic hypoxia (arterial partial pressures of O2, 60, 50 and 40 +/- 1 mmHg) were greater in aged control (n = 15) than hyperoxia-treated rats (n = 11; P < or = 0.01). Phrenic burst frequency during hypoxia was not different between groups. To examine the central integration of carotid chemoafferent inputs, steady-state relationships between carotid sinus nerve (electrical) stimulation frequency and phrenic nerve activity were compared in aged control (n = 7) and hyperoxia-treated rats (n = 7). Minute phrenic activity, integral Phr and burst frequency were not different between groups at any stimulation frequency between 0.5 and 20 Hz. Carotid body chemoreceptor function was examined by recording whole carotid sinus nerve responses to cessation of ventilation or injection of cyanide in aged control and hyperoxia-treated rats. Electrical activity of the carotid sinus nerve did not change in five out of five hyperoxia-treated rats in response to stimuli that evoked robust increases in carotid sinus nerve activity in five out of five control rats. Estimates of carotid body volume were lower in aged hyperoxia-treated rats (4.4 (+/- 0.2) x 10(6) microm3) compared to controls (17.4 (+/- 1.6) x 10(6) microm3; P <0.01). We conclude that exposure to hyperoxia for the first month of life causes life-long impairment of carotid chemoreceptor function and, consequently, blunted phrenic responses to hypoxia.

The glossopharyngeal nerve as a novel pathway in immune-to-brain communication: relevance to neuroimmune surveillance of the oral cavity

Glossopharyngeal afferents may be the neural channel by which immune challenge of the posterior oral cavity conveys information to the brain. If this is the case, then bilateral transection of the glossopharyngeal nerves (GLOx) should disrupt this communication. Injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interleukin (IL)-1beta into the soft palate (ISP) of sham-operated rats induced a dose-related febrile response. GLOx significantly attenuated the febrile response induced by ISP injection of both LPS and IL-1beta. In contrast, GLOx did not affect the febrile response when LPS or IL-1beta were injected intraperitoneally, indicating that the effect of GLOx is not systemic. These results provide experimental evidence for a novel neural pathway for immune-to-brain communication.

Development of hypoxia-induced Fos expression in rat caudal hypothalamic neurons

The caudal hypothalamus is an important CNS site controlling cardiorespiratory integration during systemic hypoxia. Previous findings from this laboratory have identified caudal hypothalamic neurons of anesthetized rats that are stimulated during hypoxia. In addition, patch-clamp recordings in an in vitro brain slice preparation have revealed that there is an age-dependent response to hypoxia in caudal hypothalamic neurons. The present study utilized the expression of the transcription factor Fos as an indicator of neuronal depolarization to determine the hypoxic response of caudal hypothalamic neurons throughout postnatal development in conscious rats. Sprague-Dawley rats, aged three to 56 days, were placed in a normobaric chamber circulated with either 10% oxygen or room air for 3h. Following the hypoxic/normoxic exposure period, tissues from the caudal hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray, rostral ventrolateral medulla and nucleus tractus solitarius were processed immunocytochemically for the presence of the Fos protein. There was a significant increase in the density of neurons expressing Fos in the caudal hypothalamus of hypoxic compared to normoxic adult rats that was maintained in the absence of peripheral chemoreceptors. In contrast, no increase in the density of Fos-expressing caudal hypothalamic neurons was observed during hypoxia in rats less than 12 days old. Increases in Fos expression were also observed in an age-dependent manner in the periaqueductal gray, rostral ventrolateral medulla and nucleus tractus solitarius. These results show an increase in Fos expression in caudal hypothalamic neurons during hypoxia in conscious rats throughout development, supporting the earlier in vitro reports suggesting that these neurons are stimulated by hypoxia.

Ventilatory and central neurochemical reorganisation of O2 chemoreflex after carotid sinus nerve transection in rat

1. The first step of this study was to determine the early time course and pattern of hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) recovery following irreversible bilateral carotid sinus nerve transection (CSNT). The second step was to find out if HVR recovery was associated with changes in the neurochemical activity of the medullary catecholaminergic cell groups involved in the O2 chemoreflex pathway. 2. The breathing response to acute hypoxia (10% O2) was measured in awake rats 2, 6, 10, 45 and 90 days after CSNT. In a control group of sham-operated rats, the ventilatory response to hypoxia was principally due to increased respiratory frequency. There was a large reduction in HVR in the CSNT compared to the sham-operated rats (-65%, 2 days after surgery). Within the weeks following denervation, the CSNT rats progressively recovered a HVR level similar to the sham-operated rats (-37% at 6 days, -27% at 10 days, and no difference at 45 or 90 days). After recovery, the CSNT rats exhibited a higher tidal volume (+38%) than the sham-operated rats in response to hypoxia, but not a complete recovery of respiratory frequency. 3. Fifteen days after CSNT, in vivo tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity had decreased in caudal A2C2 (-35%) and A6 cells (-35%). After 90 days, the CSNT rats displayed higher TH activity than the sham-operated animals in caudal A1C1 (+51%), caudal A2C2 (+129%), A5 (+216%) and A6 cells (+79%). 4. It is concluded that HVR following CSNT is associated with a profound functional reorganisation of the central O2 chemoreflex pathway, including changes in ventilatory pattern and medullary catecholaminergic activity.

Dynamic ventilatory responses in rats: normal development and effects of prenatal nicotine exposure

Infants of smoking mothers are at increased risk of SIDS, one cause of which is thought to be due to impaired ventilatory responses. We tested the hypotheses that prenatal nicotine exposure impairs the development of dynamic carotid chemoreceptor-driven ventilatory responses, and reduces the ability to lower metabolic rate in hypoxia. Osmotic minipumps were implanted into 20 pregnant rats at day 3 of gestation to deliver nicotine (6 mg/kg per day free base) or saline for 4 weeks. Minute ventilation was recorded breath by breath in rat pups at 3, 8 and 18 days (n = 6, 8 and 6) postnatal in response to 5-sec challenges of 100% O2 (Dejours test) and 5% O2 + 5% CO2. Carotid sinus nerve (CSN) responses to hypoxia and CO2 were recorded from 22 control and 17 nicotine-exposed preparations at ages between 3-20 days. Oxygen consumption (V(O)2) was measured in groups of pups at 3 days (n = 7 each for nicotine and control) and 8 days (n = 5 each for nicotine and control) in room air and 10% O2. There was no detectable effect of nicotine exposure on the development of CSN responses. Ventilatory responses to 5% O2-5% CO2 increased with age but did not differ between nicotine and control groups. Ventilatory responses to 100% O2 were unaffected by nicotine exposure at 8 and 18 days. However, the 3-day nicotine group showed no significant response to 100% O2 whereas V(E) was significantly reduced in the control group by 100% O2. There was no significant effect of nicotine exposure on the ability to reduce oxygen consumption in hypoxia at 3 or 8 days, but at 3 days, baseline (room air) variability in oxygen consumption was greater in the nicotine group. We conclude that nicotine exposure appears to result in abnormal ventilatory responses to withdrawal of baseline peripheral chemoreceptor drive during a period of early postnatal life. We speculate that a transient abnormality could contribute to a period of instability and increased vulnerability to challenges.

In vitro responses of neurons in the periaqueductal gray to hypoxia and hypercapnia

Hypoxia-sensitive neurons in the caudal hypothalamus (CH) have been shown to project to the periaqueductal gray (PAG) which, in turn, sends descending projections to an area of the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) containing neurons inherently excited by hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to determine if neurons in the PAG are excited by hypoxia or hypercapnia in an in vitro environment. Extracellular responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia of neurons located throughout the PAG were recorded in a rat brain slice (400-500 microm thick) preparation. Hypoxic (10% O(2)/5% CO(2)/85% N(2)) and hypercapnic (7% CO(2)/93% O(2)) stimuli were delivered to the tissue through gas bubbled into the brain slice chamber. A majority (39 of 53) of the neurons tested responded to hypoxia. Of these neurons, 92% responded to hypoxia with an increase in firing rate. Neurons in the dorsolateral/lateral regions increased firing rates to a greater extent than neurons located in ventrolateral regions. All neurons tested (n=6) also responded to hypoxia after perfusion of the tissue with a low Ca(2+)/high Mg(2+) solution to block classic synaptic transmission. Only a small proportion (7/33) of neurons tested responded to hypercapnia. These findings indicate that neurons in the periaqueductal gray region of the brain have an inherent responsiveness to hypoxia and, thus, may contribute to the overall coordination of cardiorespiratory responses to systemic hypoxia.

Contribution of baroreceptors and chemoreceptors to ventricular hypertrophy produced by sino-aortic denervation in rats

1. To test whether sino-aortic denervation (SAD)-induced right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) is a consequence of baroreceptor or chemoreceptor denervation, we compared the effects of aortic denervation (AD), carotid denervation (CD), SAD and a SAD procedure modified to spare the carotid chemoreceptors (mSAD), 6 weeks after denervation surgery in rats. A sham surgery group served as the control. 2. The blood pressure (BP) level was unaffected by AD, CD or SAD, but increased (9 %) following mSAD. The mean heart rate level was not affected. Short-term BP variability was elevated following AD (81 %), SAD (144 %) and mSAD (146 %), but not after CD. Baroreflex heart rate responses to phenylephrine were attenuated in all denervation groups. 3. Significant RVH occurred only following CD and SAD. These procedures also produced high mortality (CD and SAD) and significant increases in right ventricular pressures and haematocrit (CD). 4. Significant left ventricular hypertrophy occurred following CD, SAD and mSAD. Normalized left ventricular weight was significantly correlated with indices of BP variability. 5. These results suggest that SAD-induced RVH is a consequence of chemoreceptor, not baroreceptor, denervation. Our results also demonstrate that a mSAD procedure designed to spare the carotid chemoreceptors produced profound baroreflex dysfunction and significant left, but not right, ventricular hypertrophy.

Activity of aortic chemoreceptors in the anaesthetized rat

1. It has been widely accepted that the rat aortic depressor nerve contains only baroreceptors. However, the experiments which have provided these negative data have employed whole aortic nerve recording. In the present study, the technical difficulties associated with recording single fibres in vivo, from the rat aortic nerve (diameter 25-50 microm), have been surmounted using a small tip, glass suction electrode technique. 2. Upon switching from normocapnic hyperoxia to hypercapnic hypoxia, irregularly firing units (n = 13) appeared and these were significantly excited by intravenous injections of sodium cyanide (20 microg) but not by rises in arterial blood pressure induced by methoxamine (an alpha1-adrenoreceptor agonist; 10 microg). Inhalation of 100 % oxygen rapidly and reversibly silenced, or profoundly reduced, ongoing activity. 3. Intravenous injection of phenylbiguanide (PBG; a 5-HT3 receptor agonist; 8 microg) strongly stimulated the chemoreceptors and was followed by a period of chemodepression (3-21 s). In contrast none of the single fibre baroreceptors recorded (n = 15) were excited by PBG but all significantly increased their discharge in response to the increases in arterial blood pressure associated with methoxamine and cyanide. Both the excitatory and inhibitory effects of PBG on the chemoreceptor fibres were abolished by ondansetron (a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist: 1 mg kg-1 i.v.; n = 5 animals) whilst the chemoexcitatory action of cyanide was preserved. 4. It is concluded that there are chemoreceptor afferents contained in the aortic nerve of the Sprague-Dawley rat. The 5-HT3 receptor appears not to be a pre-requisite for aortic body chemoexcitation.

Hypertension caused by chronic intermittent hypoxia--influence of chemoreceptors and sympathetic nervous system

BACKGROUND

The sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is a common health problem with a 30% prevalence among patients with so-called essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVE

Prompted by this epidemiologic link we tried to find out whether there is a cause-effect relationship between SAS and systemic hypertension.

DESIGN

We developed an animal model to simulate defined aspects of the SAS. Rats were exposed to chronic repetitive hypoxia for 7 h per day and their blood pressure was measured by invasive methods.

RESULTS

We found that 30 days of intermittent hypoxia sufficed for the development of a significant elevation of blood pressure. The co-exposure to hypoxia and hypercapnia had no additional effect. Surgical denervation of peripheral chemoreceptors prevented the increase in arterial blood pressure. Adrenal demedullation and chemical denervation of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system by 6-hydroxy dopamine also prevented the increase.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data imply that repetitive hypoxemia in SAS is probably the cause of the high prevalence of systemic hypertension in this population and that peripheral chemoreceptors and the sympathetic nervous system play important roles in this pathophysiologic process.

Oxygen-sensing neurons in the caudal hypothalamus and their role in cardiorespiratory control

Work from this laboratory has shown that the caudal hypothalamus modulates the cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia. The purpose of this review is to describe the modulation of respiratory output by the caudal hypothalamus during hypoxia and how neurons in this area respond to hypoxia. The diaphragmatic activity response to hypoxia was significantly attenuated following microinjection of either cobalt chloride or kynurenic acid into the caudal hypothalamus of rats. In addition, caudal hypothalamic neurons in anesthetized rats and cats responded to hypoxia with an increased firing frequency. This response was maintained in the absence of input from the vagus and carotid sinus nerves in the cat. When recorded extracellularly or by whole-cell patch clamp in vitro, these neurons responded to hypoxia with an increase in firing frequency, membrane potential and inward current. These results suggest that the caudal hypothalamus exerts excitatory influence on respiration during hypoxia, that may originate from the ability of these neurons to sense changes in oxygen levels.

Phrenic responses to isocapnic hypoxia in adult rats following perinatal hyperoxia

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that carotid body-mediated, phrenic nerve responses to hypoxia are attenuated in adult rats that had been previously exposed to perinatal hyperoxia (one month of 60% O2; perinatal treated rats.) Integrated phrenic nerve responses to strictly controlled isocapnic hypoxia were measured in urethane-anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed and ventilated adult rats 2-5 months after perinatal hyperoxia, before and after bilateral carotid denervation. In untreated control rats, phrenic burst frequency, peak amplitude of integrated phrenic activity and minute phrenic activity increased 21 +/- 3 bursts/min (mean +/- SE), 158 +/- 20% and 279 +/- 34%, respectively, during hypoxia (50 Torr PaO2). In contrast, phrenic nerve activity increased to a significantly lesser degree in perinatal treated rats (frequency, 12 +/- 2 bursts/min; amplitude, 87 +/- 13%; minute activity, 150 +/- 19%; all P < 0.05). Hypoxic phrenic responses were abolished by carotid degeneration in both rat groups. In rats exposed to hyperoxia as adults, hypoxic phrenic responses were not attenuated versus untreated control rats. The data indicate that carotid body-mediated, isocapnic hypoxic chemoreflexes are impaired in perinatal treated rats, an effect unique to development. These effects cannot be accounted for by differences in blood gases (O2 or CO2) or pulmonary mechanics.

Red nucleus lesions abolish the biphasic respiratory response to isocapnic hypoxia in decerebrate young rabbits

1. The respiratory response to isocapnic hypoxia (inspired O2 fraction (FI,O1), 0.1-0.12) was measured in twelve vagotomized, paralysed, artificially ventilated young rabbits (aged 26.6 +/- 0.4 days), following pre-collicular decerebration. Phrenic nerve efferent activity was used as an index of central respiratory output (RO). In hypoxia RO increased after 1-2 min (phase 1) but decreased over the subsequent 3-4 min to, or below, the pre-hypoxic control level (phase 2). 2. We used electrical stimulation to target areas in the mesencephalon which inhibit RO. Profiles of the response to stimulation were determined in a grid of electrode penetrations made mediolaterally and rostrocaudally at the level of the superior colliculi, in normoxia. Histology confirmed that stimulation in the red nucleus (RN) inhibited RO profoundly. 3. Electrolytic lesions were made bilaterally in RN inhibitory sites or in adjacent areas. The respiratory response to isocapnic hypoxia was measured again post-lesioning. 4. In six rabbits with bilateral lesions in the RN, phase 2 of the respiratory response was abolished and RO remained elevated throughout the hypoxic exposure. However, in six rabbits with unilateral lesions in the RN, or with bilateral lesions placed in areas outside the RN that did not inhibit RO on electrical stimulation, the respiratory response remained biphasic. 5. In both groups of animals, blood pressure increased during 1-3 min of hypoxia before decreasing to pre-hypoxic levels. This cardiovascular response remained biphasic irrespective of whether animals showed a biphasic respiratory response or a sustained increase in RO after lesioning. 6. We conclude that structures within the RN are crucial to the mechanism producing a fall in RO during isocapnic hypoxaemia in the neonate.

A non-invasive method for distinguishing central from peripheral nervous system effect of respiratory depressant drugs in conscious rats

1. A simple, non-invasive method for distinguishing the central from peripheral effects of respiratory depressant drugs was developed in conscious rats. 2. The procedure involves exposing rats for 5 min to an air mixture containing 8% CO2 (central stimulant) followed by an i.v. bolus injection of 300 micrograms/kg sodium cyanide (peripheral stimulant) and comparing the changes in minute volume and mean inspiratory flow (respiratory drive) before and after drug treatment. 3. The central depressant drugs morphine, xylazine, L-2-phenylisopropyladenosine (L-PIA) and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid. (GHBA) inhibited the CO2-induced increase in minute volume and enhanced the sodium cyanide-induced increase in mean inspiratory flow. 4. Peripheral depression produced by carotid body denervation had no effect on the CO2-induced increase in minute volume and inhibited the sodium cyanide-induced increase in mean inspiratory flow.

Ventilatory response to CO2 and hypoxia during cold exposure in awake rats

Recently, we have described the effects of hypoxia and of hypercapnia on the metabolic (VO2) and ventilatory responses to cold in unanesthetized intact and carotid body-denervated (CBD) rats (Gautier et al., J. Appl. Physiol. 73: 847-854, 1992 and 75: 2570-2579, 1993). In the present paper, we have reanalyzed the above results for a more detailed study of the interactions of hypoxia (FIO2 = 0.12), hypercapnia (FICO2 = 0.04) and changes in VO2 with the ventilatory control. The results show that: (1) Compared to normoxia, in hypoxia increments in V and VT are proportional to VO2 whereas in hypercapnia increments in ventilation (V) and tidal volume (VT) are independent of VO2. In both hypoxia and hypercapnia, increases in respiratory frequency (fR) are independent of VO2; and (2) Interactions of hypoxia, hypercapnia and VO2 with control of V persist in CBD rats but, for a given VO2, V, VT and fR are lower than in intact rats. These interactions are essentially similar to those observed during muscular exercise performed in normoxia, hypoxia or hypercapnia. It is suggested that during cold exposure or muscular exercise, resulting both in increased VO2, there are common integrative structures probably located in the hypothalamus which are involved in the control of breathing.

In vivo release of glutamate in nucleus tractus solitarii of the rat during hypoxia

1. An attempt has been made to test the hypothesis that, in the caudal part of nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) where carotid sinus nerve (CSN) afferents project, L-glutamate (Glut) modulates the hypoxic ventilatory response. 2. Unanaesthetized, peripherally chemodenervated (carotid body denervated; CBD) and sham-operated, freely moving rats were used. During peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation by hypoxia (10% O2 for 30 min) or doxapram (Dox) infusion (2 mg kg-1 (30 min)-1), ventilation was recorded and successively, under the same conditions, the extracellular Glut concentration ([Glut]o) in the caudal NTS was measured by in vivo microdialysis. [Glut]o was also measured during hyperoxic hypercapnia (10% CO2-30% O2 for 30 min). 3. Furthermore, the effects on ventilation of exogenous Glut, the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonist MK-801 or the ionotropic receptor antagonist kynurenate microinjected into the caudal NTS were investigated in sham-operated rats. 4. In sham-operated rats, both ventilation and [Glut]o in NTS were increased during peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation. On the other hand, no increases in either ventilation or Glut release were observed in CBD rats. In spite of ventilatory augmentation during hypercapnia, no response of [Glut]o to hypercapnia was observed in either group. 5. Local Glut application into NTS increased ventilation. Pretreatment with MK-801 or kynurenate reduced the hypoxic ventilatory response. This reduction in ventilation was mainly due to the decrease in tidal volume. 6. These results suggest that hypoxia induced the release of Glut in NTS and that this effect was mediated by arterial chemosensory input.

Ventilatory and metabolic responses to cold and CO-induced hypoxia in awake rats

Experiments were carried out in awake rats to compare the effects of ambient and CO-induced hypoxia on thermoregulation and ventilatory control. Measurements of metabolic rate (VO2), ventilation (V), shivering (EMG) and colonic temperature (Tc) were made at fixed ambient temperature (Ta) of 25, 15 and 5 degrees C. Animals were exposed to ambient hypoxia (FIO2 of 21, 17, 14, 12 and 10%) or to CO hypoxia (FICO of 0.03% in air). The results show that: (1) Both ambient and CO-induced hypoxia provoked decreases in VO2 and Tc which were more marked at low Ta values; non-shivering thermogenesis was depressed with both types of hypoxia, whereas shivering was depressed only with ambient hypoxia; (2) Ventilatory response to ambient hypoxia was blunted at low Ta values and CO-induced hypoxia did not affect ventilation. It is concluded that: (1) hypoxia affects markedly the control of Tc by altering thermogenesis: inhibition of non-shivering thermogenesis seems to result from a decrease in CaO2 whereas inhibition of shivering seems to result from a decrease in PaO2; (2) during hypoxia, ventilation is controlled by the opposite stimulation from chemoreceptors and inhibition from hypometabolism. However, as revealed by CO-induced hypoxia, another stimulatory factor may also interact with the control of breathing.