title: Parasympathetic dysfunction is associated with baroreflex and chemoreflex impairment in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.
abstract: This study explored physiological mechanisms of diabetic dysfunction in baroreceptors and chemoreceptors-mediated hemodynamic responses, and cholinergic neurotransmission in 30-day diabetic rats (n = 14) and controls (n = 14). Basal hemodynamic data and vagal response to electrical stimulation and methacholine injection were also evaluated. Muscarinic receptors were characterized using a radioligand receptor binding assay ([3H]N methylscopolamine). Experimental diabetes (50 mg/kg of STZ, i.v.) decreased systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure and basal heart rate. Heart rate (HR) responses to vagal electrical stimulation (16, 32, and 64 Hz) were 15%, 11%, and 14% higher in diabetics vs non-diabetics, as were HR responses to methacholine injection (-130+/-24, -172+/-18, -206+/-15 bpm vs. -48+/-15, -116+/-12, -151+/-18 bpm, P < 0.05). Muscarinic receptor density was higher (267.4+/-11 vs 193.5+/-22 fmol/mg/prot, P < 0.05) in the atria of diabetic rats than in those of controls; the affinity was similar between groups. Diabetes-induced reduction of reflex responses to baro- (reflex bradycardia: -3.4+/-0.3 and -2.7+/-0.2 bpm/mm Hg; reflex tachycardia: -1.6+/-0.1 and -1.4+/-0.07 bpm/mm Hg, in control and diabetics, P < 0.05) and chemoreceptor stimulation, enhancement of HR responsiveness to cardiac vagal electrical stimulation and methacholine stimulation, plus an increase in the number of atrial muscarinic receptors indicates reduced parasympathetic activity, which is probably derived from central nervous system derangement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal School Foundation of Medical Sciences of Porto Alegre and Unilasalle, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dall'ago
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: D'Agord Schaan
authors.forename: Viviane Oliveira Kenne
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: Pedro Paulo
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: da Silva Soares
authors.forename: Kátia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: de Angelis
authors.forename: Maria Cláudia
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Irigoyen
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001667:Binding, Competitive / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019832:N-Methylscopolamine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology; D010277:Parasympathomimetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011190:Potassium Cyanide / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000502:physiology; D014316:Tritium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D010277:Parasympathomimetics; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D014316:Tritium; D009599:Nitroprusside; D010656:Phenylephrine; D011190:Potassium Cyanide; D019832:N-Methylscopolamine