title: Convergence properties of solitary tract neurons responsive to cardiac receptor stimulation in the anesthetized cat.
abstract: The convergence pattern of cardiac receptors, pulmonary C-fibers, carotid chemoreceptor, and baroreceptor afferents onto neurons within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) was studied in the anesthetized (pentobarbitone sodium, 40 mg/kg,) paralyzed and artificially ventilated cat. Extra- and intracellular recordings were made from NTS neurons while stimulating both cardiac receptors by aortic root injections of veratridine (1-3 micrograms/kg) and pulmonary C-fibers by a right atrial injection of phenylbiguanide (10-20 micrograms/kg). The ipsilateral carotid body was stimulated by using arterial injection of CO2-saturated bicarbonate solution, whereas inflation of the ipsilateral carotid sinus was used to activate baroreceptors. The ipsilateral cardiac vagal branch, cervical vagus, and carotid sinus nerves were stimulated electrically (1 Hz, 0.2-1 ms, 1-35 V). In 78 NTS neurons recorded either extracellularly (n = 47) or intracellularly (n = 31), electrical stimulation of the cardiac branch of the vagus nerve evoked synaptic potentials (spikes and/or excitatory postsynaptic potentials) with an onset latency between 4 and 220 ms. Some neurons displayed both short and long latency inputs(15.5 +/- 1.8 and 160.0 +/- 8.5 ms; n = 14). Of these 78 neurons, 24 responded to veratridine stimulation of cardiac receptors (i.e., cardioreceptive neurons) by exhibiting an augmenting-decrementing discharge of 37 +/- 4 s in duration with a peak frequency of 30 +/- 5 Hz. Convergence from other cardiorespiratory receptors was noted involving either carotid chemoreceptors (n = 7) or pulmonary C-fibers (n = 4) or from both carotid chemoreceptors and pulmonary C-fibers (n = 6). In contrast, only one cardioreceptive NTS neuron was activated by distension of the carotid sinus. Recording sites recovered were confined to the medial NTS at the level of the area postrema and extended caudally into the commissural subnucleus. Our results indicate a convergence of carotid chemoreceptor and pulmonary C-fiber afferent inputs to cardioreceptive NTS neurons. With the paucity of baroreceptor inputs to these neurons it is suggested that sensory integration within the NTS may reflect regulatory versus defensive or protective reflex control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Autonomic Neuroscience Institute, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London NW3 2PF.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Silva-Carvalho
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Paton
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Goldsmith
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Spyer
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D001645:Biguanides / Q000494:pharmacology; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D002344:Carotid Body / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002346:Carotid Sinus / Q000187:drug effects*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D008168:Lung / Q000294:innervation*; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology*; D011311:Pressoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology*; D017552:Solitary Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D014701:Veratridine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001645:Biguanides; D014701:Veratridine; C008846:phenyl biguanide