• N Sun, X-H Liu, J-Q Du, J-X Zhu, J-S Tang, and Q Li.
• Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine, # 76 West Yan-Ta Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China.
• Neuroscience. 2011 Jun 30; 185: 174-82.

AbstractThe purpose of the present study was to examine whether the rostroventral portion of the medulla oblongata (RVM) exerts descending modulation on the cardiosomatic motor reflex (CMR) in rats. Capsaicin (1 μg/ml, 0.2 ml) was injected into the pericardial sac as an algesic substance to induce the CMR, which was monitored via electromyogram (EMG) responses of dorsal spinotrapezius muscle to the noxious cardiac stimulus. Descending modulation of the CMR was observed by electrical or chemical stimulation of RVM. Specifically, electrical stimulation of RVM produced facilitatory, inhibitory or biphasic effects on the CMR evoked by noxious cardiac stimulation, depending on stimulation intensity. In addition, glutamate receptor activation in RVM replicated the effects of electrical stimulation. Lidocaine interruption of the ventrolateral funiculus/ventral funiculus (VLF/VF) or transection of the dorsolateral funiculus (DLF) revealed that the descending facilitatory and inhibitory influences from RVM were conveyed via the VLF/VF and DLF, respectively. Furthermore, intrathecal administration of naloxone or yohimbine partly reversed the inhibitory effect of RVM electrical stimulation, suggesting that opioid and noradrenergic systems are involved in descending RVM modulation of the CMR.Copyright © 2011 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

42 keywords...

hide…