Microinjections of cholinergic agonists into the intermediolateral cell column of the spinal cord at T1-T3 increase heart rate and contractility.
Cardiovascular responses to the microinjections of cholinergic agonists into the intermediolateral cell column (IML) of the spinal cord at T1-T3 level were studied. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), the rate of increase in the left ventricular pressure (dp/dt) and contractility index (CI) were monitored in immobilized and artificially ventilated male Wistar rats either anesthetized with pentobarbital or decerebrated at mid-collicular level. Microinjections (20 nl) of carbachol (110-660 pmol) into the right IML elicited a marked increase in HR and a small increase in CI. A marked increase in the CI with relatively little effect on the HR was observed when carbachol was injected into the left IML. The cardioacceleratory effects of carbachol, but not those of L-glutamate, were blocked by prior microinjections of scopolamine (18 nmol) into the IML. Intravenous injections of chlorisondamine (a ganglion blocker) also blocked these effects of carbachol. Spinal transections at C4 or T6 level did not alter these responses. Microinjections of acetylcholine (0.01-1 nmol) into the right IML also produced tachycardic effects. The responses to acetylcholine were blocked by prior injections of a muscarinic receptor blocker (atropine hemisulfate, 0.2 nmol). Microinjections of a selective M2 muscarinic receptor agonist, cis-methyldioxolane (CD; 0.2-0.8 nmol), but not those of a relatively selective M1 receptor agonist (McN-A343; 2-3 nmol), into the right IML elicited an increase in HR. Previous microinjections of a selective competitive M2 receptor antagonist (AFDX-116; 0.8 nmol), but not those of a potent selective M1 receptor antagonist (pirenzepine; 2 nmol), into the IML blocked the effects of CD. Nicotine (0.25-1 nmol) when injected into the right IML also produced positive chronotropic effects. These responses were blocked by prior microinjections of hexamethonium (5 nmol). The above-mentioned results suggest that cholinoceptive neurons, interneurons or terminals are located in the areas of IML which control cardiac functions. Muscarinic as well as nicotinic receptors are present in this area. Muscarinic receptors are predominantly of the M2 type. The physiological significance of the presence of cholinergic receptors in this area in controlling cardiac functions remains to be established.
Sundaram
K
K
Section of Neurosurgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103.
Murugaian
J
J
Krieger
A
A
Sapru
H
H
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D010277:Parasympathomimetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D010277:Parasympathomimetics; D002217:Carbachol; D000109:Acetylcholine