Ventilatory and circulatory effects of doxapram, mediated by carotid body chemoreceptors
Folgering, H.; Vis, A.; Ponte, J.
Bulletin Europeen de Physiopathologie Respiratoire 17(2): 237-241
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0395-3890 PMID: 6269674 Document Number: 170140
The effects of the respiratory stimulant doxapram may occur in peripher arterial chemoreceptors, respiratory centers in the brainstem and spinal motoneurons of respiratory muscles. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the effects of doxapram on the respiratory centers and/or spinal motoneurons were strong enough to elicit respiratory effects in the absence of peripheral arterial chemoreceptors. Doxapram was given to anesthetized, paralyzed and ventilated cats before and after severing the carotid sinus nerves. The effect on ventilation was studied by recording phrenic nerve activity. The effects on blood pressure were studied. Peripheral arterial chemoreceptors are essential in mediating the ventilatory and circulatory reflex effects of doxapram.