title: Bombesin-induced stimulation of cardiac parasympathetic innervation.
abstract: The central nervous system effects of bombesin on cardiovascular function were examined in conscious, freely-moving rats. Intracerebroventricular administration of bombesin elevated mean arterial pressure, reduced heart rate and inhibited cold-induced tachycardia. Adrenalectomy prevented bombesin-induced elevations of mean arterial pressure. In contrast, bombesin-induced bradycardia was neither adrenal-dependent nor a baroreceptor-mediated reflex response to increased arterial pressure. Systemic atropine methyl nitrate treatment attenuated bombesin-induced bradycardia, suggesting that bombesin acts within the central nervous system to stimulate cardiac vagal activity.
mesh_terms: D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D001286:Atropine Derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001839:Bombesin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D001286:Atropine Derivatives; D010455:Peptides; C006649:methylatropine; D011433:Propranolol; D001839:Bombesin