Cardiac and pulmonary vagal neurons receive excitatory chemoreceptor input

Chen Tung Yen*, Ji-Chuu Hwang, Jong Shin Wu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effects of hypercapnia and hypocapnia on the activities of the cardiac and pulmonary vagal single fibers were examined in the decerebrated, unanesthetized, paralyzed, and vagotomized cats. The animals breathed 100% O 2 . Fractional end tidal CO 2 concentration was raised to 9% by adding CO 2 into the O 2 inlet. Average discharge rate of efferent cardiac vagal units (n=10) increased from 1.0±0.3 to 2.2±0.3 Hz. Hypocapnia apnea was produced by hyperventilation. Activities of cardiac vagal units tested (n = 4) showed dramatic decrease (0.1±0.0 Hz). Mean arterial blood pressure did not change significantly under these conditions. In contrast, only instantaneous firing rate during inspiration was significantly increased for efferent pulmonary vagal units (n = 11) during hypercapnia. The activities of the 3 pulmonary vagal units tested with hypocapnia decreased significantly. We concluded that cardiac and pulmonary vagal neurons were excited by chemoreceptor input.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9-13
Number of pages5
JournalChinese Journal of Physiology
Volume43
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2000 Mar 31
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bronchoconstrictor
  • Hypercapnia
  • Hypocapnia
  • Parasympathetic preganglionic neuron
  • Single unit recording

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Physiology (medical)

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