Rapid phasic baroreceptor inhibition of the activity in sympathetic preganglionic neurones does not change throughout the respiratory cycle

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that the inhibitory influence of rapid phasic arterial baroreceptor stimulation on activity in sympathetic preganglionic neurones is weaker in inspiration than in expiration. Using neurophysiological techniques, 59 single preganglionic neurones with typical reflex pattern of muscle vasoconstrictor neurones that projected in the cervical sympathetic trunk were analysed. The inhibitory modulation of the ongoing activity in these neurones by the pulsatile activation of the arterial baroreceptors was determined by constructing post-R-wave histograms separately for both respiratory phases (as indicated by the discharge in the phrenic nerve). Quantitative measurements showed that the inhibition of the activity in the preganglionic neurones following phasic stimulation of arterial baroreceptors by the pulse pressure wave was not statistically different in both respiratory phases, even with increased respiratory drive.