Abstract
Experiments were performed in unanaesthetized rabbits and rats to investigate the distribution, within the medulla oblongata, of neurons activated during the Bezold-Jarisch reflex. Repeated intravenous injections of phenylbiguanide evoked depressor and bradycardic responses in both rabbits and rats. Fos-positive neurons were present in the nucleus tractus solitarius and in the caudal ventrolateral medulla oblongata. Double-label tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemical studies in the ventrolateral medulla showed that most Fos-positive neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla were TH-negative neurons scattered between A1 noradrenaline cells, in the rabbit and in the rat. Approximately 20% of neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla in rabbits, and 50% in rats, were immunoreactive for both Fos and TH. Some Fos-positive, TH-negative neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medullawere retrogradely labelled with cholera toxin B-Gold after injection of this tracer into the sympathoexcitatory region of the rostral ventrolateral medulla. Our data suggests that neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius, and rostrally projecting TH-negative neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla, are part of the pathway by which stimulation of cardiopulmonary receptors inhibits sympathetic vasomotor tone to decrease blood pressure during the Bezold-Jarisch reflex.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 43-50 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Brain Research |
Volume | 683 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 12 Jun 1995 |
Keywords
- Bezold-Jarisch reflex
- Fos
- Medulla oblongata