Abstract
-
1.
Cholinomimetic and adrenomimetic substances were tested on the chemosensitive zones of the ventral surface of the medulla oblongata using a plexiglas ring method. Tidal volume and respiratory frequency, arterial pressure and heart frequency were observed.
-
2.
The increase of ventilation and the depression of arterial blood pressure by locally applied acetylcholine could be blocked by previous local application of atropine. It is therefore assumed that the acetylcholine receptors have muscarinic properties.
-
3.
Nicotine in a small dose raises arterial pressure and with higher doses a drop is observed. The responses of respiration and of arterial pressure to nicotine were blocked by previous intravenous administration of hexamethonium.
-
4.
Local application of atropine in the caudal (L) and rostral (M) chemosensitive zones reduced resting ventilation and the slope of the ventilatory response to CO2-inhalation. Physostigmine in these areas enhanced resting ventilation leaving unchanged the slope of the ventilatory response to CO2-inhalation.
-
5.
With high concentrations of (L)-noradrenaline and (L)-adrenaline a slight increase of arterial pressure was seen while serotonin caused a drop.
-
6.
These results together with those of Fukuda and Loeschcke (1978) suggest that a cholinergic transmission in the surface layer of the ventral medulla is a component in the respiratory and circulatory control systems.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Ahmad, H. R., Woidtke, H. H., Loeschcke, H. H.: Transients of ventilation and pH in the brain extracellular fluid following a step change in end-tidal CO2. Pflügers Arch., Suppl. to Vol.368, R70 (1977)
Augustinsson, K. B.: Cholinesterase. A study in comparative enzymology. Acta Physiol. Scand.15, Suppl. 52 (1948)
Berndt, J., Berger, W., Mückenhoff, K.: Untersuchungen zum zentralen chemosensiblen Mechanismus der Atmung. Pflügers Arch.332, 127–145 (1972)
Borison, H. L., Haranath, P. S. R. K., McCarthy, L. E.: Respiratory responses to chemical pulses in the cerebrospinal fluids of cats. Brit. J. Pharmacol.44, 605–616 (1972)
Bradley, P. B., Dhawan, B. N., Wolstencroft, J. H.: Pharmacological properties of cholinoceptive neurones in the medulla and pons of the cat. J. Physiol.183, 658–674 (1966)
del Castillo, J., Engbaek, L.: The nature of neuromuscular block produced by magnesium. J. Physiol.124, 370–384 (1954)
Chalmers, J. P.: Brain amines and models of experimental hypertension. Circulation Res.36, 469–480 (1975)
Curtis, D. R., Ryall, R. W.: The acetylcholine receptors of Renshaw cells. Expl. Brain Res.2, 66–80 (1966)
Davies, R. O., Loeschcke, H. H.: Response of phrenic nerve to electrical stimulation of medullary chemosensitive areas and carotid sinus nerve. Pflügers Arch.368, R39 (1977)
Dev, N. B., Loeschcke, H. H.: Effects on respiration and circulation of nicotine and acetylcholine applied to the ventral surface of the medulla oblongata of the cat. Pflügers Arch., Suppl. to Vol.365, R39 (1976)
Diskhit, B. B.: Action of acetylcholine on the brain and its occurrence therein. J. Physiol.80, 409–421 (1934)
Feldberg, W.: Role of acetylcholine in the central nervous system. Brit. Med. Bull.6, 312–321 (1950)
Feldberg, W., Guertzenstein, P. G.: Vasodepressor effects obtained by drugs acting on the ventral surface of the brainstem. J. Physiol.258, 337–355 (1976)
Fukuda, Y., Loeschcke, H. H.: Effect of H+ on spontaneous neuronal activity in the surface layer of the rat medulla oblongata in vitro. Pflügers Arch.371, 125–134 (1977)
Fukuda, Y., Loeschcke, H. H.: Cholinergic mechanism of the neuronal excitation by H+ in the ventral surface layer of the rat medulla oblongata in vitro. Pflügers Arch. in print
Gesell, R., Hansen, E. T.: Anticholinesterase activity of acid as a biological instrument of nervous integration. Am. J. Physiol.144, 126–163 (1945)
Guertzenstein, P. G.: Blood pressure effects obtained by drugs applied to the ventral surface of the brain stem. J. Physiol.229, 395–408 (1973)
Hutter, O. F., Kostial, K.: Effect of magnesium and calcium ions on the release of acetylcholine. J. Physiol.124, 234–241 (1954)
de Jong, W.: Central adrenoreceptors in cardiovascular regulation. In: Beta adrenoreceptor blocking agents. (Saxena and Forsyth, eds.), pp. 35–43. Amsterdam: North Holland 1976
Koelle, G. B.: The histochemical localisation of cholinesterase in the central nervous system of the cat. J. Comp. neurol.100, 211–235 (1954)
Krnjevic, K., Phyllis, J. W.: Pharmacological properties of acetylcholine sensitive cells in the cerebral cortex. J. Physiol.166, 328–350 (1963)
Loeschcke, H. H., Koepchen, H. P., Gertz, K. H.: Über den Einfluß von Wasserstoffionenkonzentration und CO2-Druck im Liquor cerebrospinalis auf die Atmung. Pflügers Arch.266, 569–585 (1958)
Loeschcke, H. H., de Lattre, J., Schläfke, M. E., Trouth, C. O.: Effects on respiration and circulation of electrically stimulating the ventral surface of the medulla oblongata. Resp. Physiol.10, 184–197 (1970)
Loeschcke, H. H., Sugioka, K.: pH of cerebrospinal fluid in the cisterna magna and on the surface of the choroid plexus of the 4th ventricle and its effect on ventilation in experimental disturbances of acid-base balance. Transients and steady-states. Pflügers Arch.312, 161–188 (1969)
Lüllmann, H., Peters, T.: Influence of pH on the action of parasympathomimetic drugs. Eur. J. Pharmacol.2, 106–111 (1967)
MacIntosh, F. C., Perry, W. L. M.: Biological estimation of acetylcholine. Methods Med. Res.3, 76–92 (1950)
Metz, B.: Hypercapnia and acetylcholine release from the cerebral cortex and medulla. J. Physiol.186, 321–332 (1966)
Mitchell, R. A., Loeschcke, H. H., Massion, W. H., Severinghaus, J. W.: Respiratory responses mediated through superficial chemosensitive areas on the medulla. J. Appl. Physiol.18, 523–533 (1963)
Phillipot, E.: Action of derivation of choline on the carotid sinus. Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. Ther.57, 357–368 (1937)
Schläfke, M. E., See, W. R., Loeschcke, H. H.: Ventilatory response to alterations of H+ ion concentration in small areas of the ventral medullary surface. Resp. Physiol.10, 198–212 (1970)
Schläfke, M. E., See, W. R.: Ventral surface stimulus response in relation to ventilatory and cardiovascular effects. In: Central interaction between respiratory and cardiovascular control systems. Satellite Symposion XXVII. Intern. Congress Physiol. Sciences, Berlin (1977)
Schweitzer, A., Wright, S.: Further observations on the action of acetylcholine, prostigmine and related substances on the knee jerk. J. Physiol.89, 384–402 (1937)
Trouth, C. O., Loeschcke, H. H., Berndt, J.: A superficial substrate on the ventral surface of the medulla oblongta influencing respiration. Pflügers Arch.339, 135–152 (1973)
Trzebski, A.: Effect of stimulation of the medullary chemosensitive areas in the conscious ‘encéphale isolé’ preparation in cats. In: Central interaction between respiratory and cardiovascular control systems. Satellite symposium XXVII. Intern. Congress Physiol. Sciences. Berlin (1977)
van Zwieten, P. A.: The central action of antihypertensive drugs mediated via central alpha-receptors. J. Pharm. Pharmac.25, 89–95 (1973)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 114)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dev, N.B., Loeschcke, H.H. A cholinergic mechanism involved in the respiratory chemosensitivity of the medulla oblongata in the cat. Pflugers Arch. 379, 29–36 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00622901
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00622901