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Neuronal application of capsaicin modulates somatic pressor reflexes

Neuronal application of capsaicin modulates somatic pressor reflexes Abstract Static contraction of skeletal muscle elicits a reflex increase in cardiovascular function. Likewise, noxious stimuli activate somatic nociceptors eliciting a reflex increase in cardiovascular function. On the basis of recent work involving spinothalamic cells in the dorsal horn, we hypothesized that the dorsal horn cells involved in the aforementioned reflexes would be sensitized by applying capsaicin (Cap) to a peripheral nerve. If correct, then Cap would enhance the cardiovascular increases that occur when these reflexes are evoked. Cats were anesthetized, and the popliteal fossa was exposed. Static contraction was induced by electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve at an intensity that did not directly activate small-diameter muscle afferent fibers, whereas nociceptors were stimulated by high-intensity stimulation (after muscle paralysis) of either the saphenous nerve (cutaneous nociceptors) or a muscular branch of the tibial nerve (muscle nociceptors). The reflex cardiovascular responses to these perturbations (contraction or nociceptor stimulation) were determined before and after direct application of Cap (3%) onto the common peroneal nerve, using a separate group of cats for each reflex. Compared with control, application of Cap attenuated the peak change in mean arterial pressure (MAP) evoked by static contraction (ΔMAP in mmHg: 38 ± 10 before and 24 ± 8 after ipsilateral Cap; 47 ± 10 before and 33 ± 10 after contralateral Cap). On the other hand, Cap increased the peak change in MAP evoked by stimulation of the saphenous nerve from 57 ± 8 to 77 ± 9 mmHg, as well as the peak change in MAP elicited by activation of muscle nociceptors (36 ± 9 vs. 56 ± 14 mmHg). These results show that the reflex cardiovascular increases evoked by static muscle contraction and noxious input are differentially affected by Cap application to the common peroneal nerve. We hypothesize that a Cap-induced alteration in dorsal horn processing is the locus for this divergent effect on these reflexes. muscle pressor reflex blood pressure dorsal horn central sensitization hyperalgesia Footnotes This work was supported by the American Heart Association-Southeast Affiliate. Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: L. B. Wilson, Dept. of Physiology, MSB 3024, Univ. of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36688 (E-mail: bwilson@usamail.usouthal.edu ). The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked “ advertisement ” in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact. Copyright © 2001 the American Physiological Society http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology The American Physiological Society

Neuronal application of capsaicin modulates somatic pressor reflexes

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The American Physiological Society
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Copyright © 2011 the American Physiological Society
ISSN
0363-6119
eISSN
1522-1490
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Abstract

Abstract Static contraction of skeletal muscle elicits a reflex increase in cardiovascular function. Likewise, noxious stimuli activate somatic nociceptors eliciting a reflex increase in cardiovascular function. On the basis of recent work involving spinothalamic cells in the dorsal horn, we hypothesized that the dorsal horn cells involved in the aforementioned reflexes would be sensitized by applying capsaicin (Cap) to a peripheral nerve. If correct, then Cap would enhance the cardiovascular increases that occur when these reflexes are evoked. Cats were anesthetized, and the popliteal fossa was exposed. Static contraction was induced by electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve at an intensity that did not directly activate small-diameter muscle afferent fibers, whereas nociceptors were stimulated by high-intensity stimulation (after muscle paralysis) of either the saphenous nerve (cutaneous nociceptors) or a muscular branch of the tibial nerve (muscle nociceptors). The reflex cardiovascular responses to these perturbations (contraction or nociceptor stimulation) were determined before and after direct application of Cap (3%) onto the common peroneal nerve, using a separate group of cats for each reflex. Compared with control, application of Cap attenuated the peak change in mean arterial pressure (MAP) evoked by static contraction (ΔMAP in mmHg: 38 ± 10 before and 24 ± 8 after ipsilateral Cap; 47 ± 10 before and 33 ± 10 after contralateral Cap). On the other hand, Cap increased the peak change in MAP evoked by stimulation of the saphenous nerve from 57 ± 8 to 77 ± 9 mmHg, as well as the peak change in MAP elicited by activation of muscle nociceptors (36 ± 9 vs. 56 ± 14 mmHg). These results show that the reflex cardiovascular increases evoked by static muscle contraction and noxious input are differentially affected by Cap application to the common peroneal nerve. We hypothesize that a Cap-induced alteration in dorsal horn processing is the locus for this divergent effect on these reflexes. muscle pressor reflex blood pressure dorsal horn central sensitization hyperalgesia Footnotes This work was supported by the American Heart Association-Southeast Affiliate. Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: L. B. Wilson, Dept. of Physiology, MSB 3024, Univ. of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL 36688 (E-mail: bwilson@usamail.usouthal.edu ). The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked “ advertisement ” in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact. Copyright © 2001 the American Physiological Society

Journal

AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology – The American Physiological Society

Published: Sep 1, 2001

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