Skeletal muscle reflex-mediated changes in sympathetic nerve activity are abnormal in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Masaki Mizuno, Megan N. Murphy, Jere H. Mitchell, Scott A. Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

In hypertension, the blood pressure response to exercise is exaggerated. We demonstrated previously that this heightened pressor response to physical activity is mediated by an overactive skeletal muscle exercise pressor reflex (EPR), with important contributions from its metaboreflex and mechanoreflex components. However, the mechanisms driving the abnormal blood pressure response to EPR activation are largely unknown. Recent evidence in humans suggests that the muscle metaboreflex partially mediates the enhanced EPR-induced pressor response via abnormally large changes in sympathetic nerve activity (SNA). Whether the muscle mechanoreflex induces similarly exaggerated alterations in SNA in hypertension remains unknown, as does the role of the mechanoreceptors mediating muscle reflex activity. To address these issues, the EPR was selectively activated by electrically inducing hindlimb muscle contraction in decerebrate normotensive Wistar- Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. Stimulation of the EPR evoked significantly larger increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal SNA (RSNA) in SHR compared with WKY (ΔRSNA from baseline: 140 ± 11 vs. 48 ± 8%). The mechanoreflex was stimulated by stretching hindlimb muscle which likewise elicited significantly greater elevations in MAP and RSNA in SHR than WKY (ΔRSNA from baseline: 105 ± 11 vs. 35 ± 7%). Blockade of mechanoreceptors in muscle with gadolinium significantly attenuated the MAP and RSNA responses to contraction and stretch in SHR. These data suggest that 1) the exaggerated pressor response to activation of the EPR and muscle mechanoreflex in hypertension is mediated by abnormally large reflex-induced augmentations in SNA and 2) this accentuated sympathetic responsiveness is evoked, in part, by stimulation of muscle mechanoreceptors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)H968-H977
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology
Volume300
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2011

Keywords

  • Autonomic nervous system
  • Blood pressure
  • Exercise pressor reflex
  • Mechanoreflex

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)

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