RESUMEN
Although the role played by the caudal ventrolateral medulla in the regulation of the cardiovascular system has been extensively investigated, little is known about the role played by this area in the regulation of airway caliber. Therefore, in alpha-chloralose-anesthetized dogs, we used both electrical and chemical means to stimulate the caudal ventrolateral medulla while we monitored changes in total lung resistance breath by breath. We found that electrical stimulation (25 microA) of 26 sites in this area significantly decreased total lung resistance from 7.1 +/- 0.4 to 5.7 +/- 0.3 cmH2O.1-1.s (P less than 0.001). The bronchodilation evoked by electrical stimulation was unaffected by beta-adrenergic blockade but was abolished by cholinergic blockade. In addition, chemical stimulation of seven sites in the caudal ventrolateral medulla with microinjections of DL-homocysteic acid (0.2 M; 66 nl), which stimulates cell bodies but not fibers of passage, also decreased total lung resistance from 8.3 +/- 1.1 to 6.5 +/- 0.8 cmH2O.l-1.s (P less than 0.01). In contrast, microinjections of DL-homocysteic acid into the nucleus ambiguus (n = 6) increased total lung resistance from 7.5 +/- 0.5 to 9.2 +/- 0.4 cmH2O.l-1.s (P less than 0.05). We conclude that the caudal ventrolateral medulla contains a pool of cell bodies whose excitation causes bronchodilation by withdrawing cholinergic input to airway smooth muscle.
Asunto(s)
Resistencia de las Vías Respiratorias , Pulmón/fisiología , Bulbo Raquídeo/fisiología , Resistencia de las Vías Respiratorias/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Presión Sanguínea , Dinoprost , Perros , Estimulación Eléctrica , Homocisteína/análogos & derivados , Homocisteína/farmacología , Bulbo Raquídeo/efectos de los fármacos , Propranolol/farmacología , Prostaglandinas F/farmacología , Técnicas EstereotáxicasRESUMEN
Although there is considerable evidence that the H fields of Forel of the posterior diencephalon play an important role in the regulation of cardiovascular function, little is known about the role these areas play in the control of airway caliber. In chloralose-anesthetized paralyzed dogs, we used both electrical and chemical means to stimulate the H fields of Forel, while we monitored breath-by-breath changes in total lung resistance (TLR), a functional index of airway caliber. Electrical stimulation (200-250 microA, 80 Hz, 0.75 ms) of 82 histologically confirmed sites significantly decreased TLR from 9.2 +/- 0.4 to 7.9 +/- 0.4 cmH2O.l-1.s (P less than 0.01). The bronchodilation evoked by electrical stimulation was unaffected by beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol but was abolished by cholinergic blockade with atropine. The increases in airway caliber evoked by stimulation were often accompanied by increases in phrenic nerve activity. Chemical stimulation of 21 of 82 sites with microinjections of DL-homocysteic acid (83 nl, 0.2 and 0.5 M), which stimulates cell bodies but not fibers of passage, also decreased TLR from 8.3 +/- 0.5 to 7.3 +/- 0.5 cmH2O.l-1.s (P less than 0.03). We conclude that stimulation of cell bodies in the H fields of Forel produces bronchodilation by withdrawal of cholinergic tone to airway smooth muscle.
Asunto(s)
Resistencia de las Vías Respiratorias , Hipotálamo Posterior/fisiología , Hipotálamo/fisiología , Resistencia de las Vías Respiratorias/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Presión Sanguínea/efectos de los fármacos , Bronquios/efectos de los fármacos , Bronquios/fisiología , Perros , Estimulación Eléctrica , Frecuencia Cardíaca/efectos de los fármacos , Homocisteína/análogos & derivados , Homocisteína/farmacología , Hipotálamo Posterior/anatomía & histología , Hipotálamo Posterior/efectos de los fármacos , Pulmón/efectos de los fármacos , Pulmón/fisiología , Respiración/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Little is known about the reflex effect on airway caliber evoked by stimulation of phrenic afferents. Therefore, in chloralose-anesthetized, paralyzed dogs, we recorded airflow, airway pressure, arterial pressure, and heart rate while electrically stimulating a phrenic nerve. Total lung resistance was calculated breath by breath. The phrenic nerve was stimulated at 3, 5, 20, 70, 140, and 200 times motor threshold and the compound action potential was recorded. Stimulation of the phrenic nerve at three and five times threshold, which activated groups I, II, and a few group III fibers, had no effect on any of the variables measured. Stimulation at 20 times threshold, which activated many group III fibers and groups I and II fibers, reflexly decreased resistance. Stimulation at 70, 140, and 200 times threshold, which activated groups I-IV fibers, evoked progressively greater decreases in lung resistance. The reflex bronchodilation evoked by phrenic nerve stimulation was unaffected by propranolol or phentolamine but was abolished by atropine. We conclude that activation of groups III and IV phrenic nerve afferents reflexly decreased total lung resistance by withdrawing cholinergic tone to airway smooth muscle.
Asunto(s)
Vías Aferentes/fisiología , Presión Sanguínea , Nervio Frénico/fisiología , Circulación Pulmonar , Reflejo , Potenciales de Acción , Animales , Perros , Estimulación Eléctrica , Resistencia VascularRESUMEN
The latency to movement of an ear exposed to radiant heat was prolonged after intravenous administration of morphine to rabbits. The quantification of this response in a relatively inactive species that is especially suited for long term and repeated tests suggests that the rabbit ear-withdrawal test will be useful for screening analgesic/anesthetic compounds.