GABA(A) receptor activation at medullary sympathetic neurons contributes to postexercise hypotension.
A single bout of exercise results in a postexercise hypotension (PEH) that is accompanied by a reduced baroreflex function. Based on the role of rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) neurons in controlling sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and blood pressure, the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in controlling RVLM neuronal activity, and the reduced baroreflex-SNA relationship during PEH, we determined whether: 1) RVLM neuronal activity is decreased during PEH, 2) GABA(A)-receptor mechanisms mediate the decrease, and 3) baroreflex control of RVLM activity is reduced. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were subjected to 40 min of treadmill or sham exercise (Sham PEH). PEH lasted 10 h in conscious and anesthetized SHR, indicating that the anesthetics did not affect the expression of PEH. Extracellular RVLM neuronal activity having a cardiac and sympathetic rhythm, lumbar SNA, and blood pressure were recorded at rest and during baroreflex function curves. Resting RVLM neuronal activity was lower and was increased to a greater extent by GABA(A)-receptor antagonism in PEH versus Sham PEH (P < 0.05). Baroreflex control of RVLM neuronal activity operated with a reduced gain (P < 0.05). Thus increased GABA signaling at RVLM neurons may contribute to PEH.
Kajekar
Radhika
R
Department of Internal Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA.
Chen
Chao-Yin
CY
Mutoh
Tatsushi
T
Bonham
Ann C
AC
D000818:Animals; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000502:physiology; D001640:Bicuculline / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D018755:GABA Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009118:Muscimol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology
D018755:GABA Agonists; D018756:GABA Antagonists; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D009118:Muscimol; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D001640:Bicuculline