Parasympathetic activation by pyridostigmine on chemoreflex sensitivity in heart-failure rats

• Published in: Autonomic neuroscience 2013-12, Vol.179 (1), p.43-48
• Main Authors: Sabino, João Paulo J, da Silva, Carlos Alberto Aguiar, Giusti, Humberto, Glass, Mogens Lesner, Salgado, Helio C, Fazan, Rubens
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Animals; Central chemoreflex; Cholinesterase Inhibitors - pharmacology; Disease Models, Animal; Heart failure; Heart Failure - physiopathology; Heart Rate - drug effects; Hypercapnia - physiopathology; Hypoxia - physiopathology; Male; Medical Education; Parasympathetic Nervous System - drug effects; Parasympathetic Nervous System - physiology; Peripheral chemoreflex; Pulmonary Ventilation - drug effects; Pyridostigmine; Pyridostigmine Bromide - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Wistar
• ISSN: 1566-0702; 1872-7484
• DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2013.07.001

Abstract We evaluated the effects of parasympathetic activation by pyridostigmine (PYR) on chemoreflex sensitivity in a rat model of heart failure (HF rats). HF rats demonstrated higher pulmonary ventilation (PV), which was not affected by PYR. When HF and control rats treated or untreated with PYR were exposed to 15% O2 , all groups exhibited prompt increases in respiratory frequency (RF), tidal volume (TV) and PV. When HF rats were exposed to 10% O2 they showed greater PV response which was prevented by PYR. The hypercapnia triggered by either 5% CO2 or 10% CO2 promoted greater RF and PV responses in HF rats. PYR blunted the RF response in HF rats but did not affect the PV response. In conclusion, PYR prevented increased peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity, partially blunted central chemoreflex sensitivity and did not affect basal PV in HF rats.