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A negative interaction between brainstem and peripheral respiratory chemoreceptors modulates peripheral chemoreflex
Trevor A Day1, Richard J A Wilson
1Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Mount Royal College, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The Journal of Physiology
|December 24, 2008
Summary
Central and peripheral respiratory chemoreceptors interact negatively, with lower brainstem CO2 enhancing peripheral responses. This finding challenges current models of respiratory control and may explain sleep-related breathing disorders.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Physiology
- Neuroscience
- Chemosensation
Background:
- Interaction between central (brainstem) and peripheral (carotid body) chemosensitivity is crucial for maintaining blood gas homeostasis, particularly during sleep.
- Previous studies using a dual-perfused preparation suggested a negative (hypo-additive) interaction between chemoreceptors.
- The current study aimed to generalize these findings and exclude ventilatory saturation as a cause.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the negative interaction between central and peripheral chemosensitivity applies to all carotid body stimuli.
- To investigate the influence of steady-state brainstem partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) on peripheral chemoreflex magnitude.
- To exclude ventilatory saturation as a confounding factor in observed hypo-additive responses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an in situ arterially perfused, vagotomized, decerebrate rat preparation (dual-perfused preparation).
- Separately perfused brainstem and carotid body chemoreceptors to control their respective environments.
- Perturbed carotid body PCO2 and PO2 levels while maintaining steady-state brainstem PCO2 at various levels.
Main Results:
- The peripheral chemoreflex magnitude was inversely related to the steady-state brainstem PCO2; lower brainstem PCO2 resulted in a greater peripheral response.
- This effect was observed irrespective of whether carotid body stimuli increased or decreased chemoreceptor activation.
- Demonstrated a significant negative interaction between brainstem and peripheral chemosensitivity in the absence of ventilatory saturation.
Conclusions:
- A negative interaction between central and peripheral respiratory chemosensitivity exists in rats, independent of ventilatory saturation.
- This negative interaction may contribute to increased controller gain observed in sleep-related breathing disorders in humans.
- Current models of respiratory control assuming simple addition of chemoreceptor inputs may need revision.
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