title: Modulation of respiratory rhythm in vitro: role of Gi/o protein-mediated mechanisms.
abstract: Slice preparations from neonatal rat medulla that generate respiratory rhythm in vitro were used to test for Gi/o protein-mediated mechanisms affecting breathing rhythm in mammals. The frequency of inspiratory motor discharge recorded from hypoglossal (XII) nerve roots decreased with bath application of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and norepinephrine, as well as agonists specific for GABAB, alpha 2-adrenergic, and mu-opioid receptors; 5-hydroxytryptamine had little effect on frequency. Microinjection of these specific agonists into the pre-Bötzinger complex, the site of respiratory rhythm generation in vitro, also decreased frequency. In contrast, substance P (SP) increased frequency when it was bath applied or microinjected into the pre-Bötzinger complex. To test for involvement of Gi/o proteins, pertussis toxin (PTX) was injected into the cerebrospinal fluid of newborn rats, and slices from these animals were tested 48 h later for block of drug effects on rhythm. In PTX-treated slices the frequency decrease due to GABAB, mu-opioid, and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor activation was attenuated (P < or = 0.05), whereas the SP receptor-mediated response was unaltered. To test for involvement of K+ conductances linked to Gi/o proteins Ba2+ (0.2 mM) was added to the bath before application of drugs. Ba2+ attenuated the decrease in frequency associated with GABAB (P < or = 0.05) and mu-opioid (0.10 < or = P < or = 0.05) receptor activation, whereas the alpha 2-adrenergic and SP responses were unaltered. We conclude that GABAB and mu-opioid, but not alpha 2-adrenergic and SP, receptor activation modulates respiratory frequency via a Gi/o protein-dependent Ba(2+)-sensitive ionic conductance mechanism on neurons within the medullary locus for rhythm generation. This mechanism may be a convergent pathway for control of respiratory frequency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Science, University of California at Los Angeles 90095-1527, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001418:Baclofen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020875:Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000494:pharmacology; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051381:Rats; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D004745:Enkephalins; D020875:Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; D012701:Serotonin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D001418:Baclofen; D003000:Clonidine