Central suppression of the arterial baroreflexes during spontaneous behaviour
Ludbrook, J.; Potocnik, S.J.
Journal of Hypertension. Suppl Official Journal of the International Society of Hypertension 3(3): S125-S127
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0952-1178 PMID: 2856687 Document Number: 243641
When input to the central nervous system from arterial baroreceptors was intact, or reduced to one carotid sinus, spontaneous behavioural activities in rabbits caused transient rises of systemic arterial pressure (SAP) and heart rate (HR) from low, basal levels. Complete elimination of baroreceptor input caused an immediate reversal of this pattern, so that the same activities caused abrupt falls of SAP and HR from high basal levels. This same reversal of the SAP response occurred if basal SAP was kept low by sodium nitroprusside, if cardiac nerves were blocked, or if HR was rendered invariable by propranolol and methscopolamine. It is concluded that activity-associated rises of SAP and HR can be accounted for by central suppression of baroreflex mechanisms.