Problems, possibilities, and pitfalls in studying the arterial baroreflexes' influence over long-term control of blood pressure

Abstract

While there is no disputing the critical role of baroreflexes in buffering rapid changes in arterial pressure, their role in long-term pressure control has become an area of controversy. Recent experiments using novel techniques have challenged the traditional view that arterial baroreflexes are not involved in setting chronic arterial pressure levels. Resetting of the arterial baroreflex, often used as an argument against the arterial baroreflex playing a role in long-term pressure control is rarely complete. The arterial baroreflex is just one of the many neural, hormonal, and intrinsic mechanisms involved in arterial pressure control and while the removal of the arterial baroreflex alone has little effect on mean arterial pressure it is too simplistic to suggest that the baroreflex has no role in long-term pressure control. Renal sympathetic nerve activity appears to be particularly resistant to resetting in response to ANG II-induced hypertension. Given the important role of the kidneys in long-term pressure control, we suggest there is a clear need to develop experimental techniques whereby sympathetic nerve activity to the kidneys and other organs can be monitored over periods of weeks to months.