Chemoreflex control of the cardiovascular system remains altered after recovery from low protein diet early in life

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Implantation of Combined Telemetric ECG and Blood Pressure Transmitters to Determine Spontaneous Baroreflex Sensitivity in Conscious Mice
09:56

Implantation of Combined Telemetric ECG and Blood Pressure Transmitters to Determine Spontaneous Baroreflex Sensitivity in Conscious Mice

Published on: February 14, 2021

5.4K

R W M Sá1, G S M Borges1, D A Chianca1

  • 1Federal University of Ouro Preto, Department of Biological Sciences/NUPEB Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto, MG 35.400-000, Brazil.

Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic & Clinical
|July 17, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Protein restriction alters cardiovascular responses to arterial chemoreflex activation in recovered rats. This study investigated the long-term effects of nutritional recovery on chemoreflex function.

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Dietary protein intake significantly impacts physiological functions.
  • Arterial chemoreflex plays a crucial role in cardiovascular regulation.
  • Long-term effects of nutritional recovery on cardiovascular reflexes are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the cardiovascular component of the arterial chemoreflex in rats after recovery from a low-protein diet.
  • To determine if prior protein restriction influences the body's response to chemical activation of the arterial chemoreflex.

Main Methods:

  • Male Fischer rats were divided into control and recovered (R-PR) groups.
  • R-PR rats received a low-protein diet for 35 days, followed by 70 days of normal protein diet.
  • Arterial chemoreflex was assessed via intravenous potassium cyanide (KCN) injection.

Main Results:

  • The pressor response, a key cardiovascular indicator, was significantly increased in the R-PR group compared to controls.
  • This suggests an altered cardiovascular reactivity to chemoreceptor stimulation following nutritional rehabilitation.

Conclusions:

  • Protein restriction during development may lead to lasting alterations in cardiovascular regulation.
  • Nutritional recovery does not fully normalize the cardiovascular response to arterial chemoreflex activation.
  • These findings highlight the potential long-term impact of early-life nutrition on cardiovascular health.

Keywords:
Blood pressureChemoreflexProtein restrictionRecovery from protein restriction

More Related Videos

Evaluation of Vascular Control Mechanisms Utilizing Video Microscopy of Isolated Resistance Arteries of Rats10:28

Evaluation of Vascular Control Mechanisms Utilizing Video Microscopy of Isolated Resistance Arteries of Rats

Published on: December 5, 2017

8.4K
Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System04:48

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Published on: May 8, 2018

11.9K

Related Concept Videos

Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure

The neural regulation of blood pressure involves intricate interactions between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and cardiovascular system, ensuring adequate perfusion of tissues. This regulation primarily occurs through baroreceptor and chemoreceptor reflexes, involving both short-term and long-term mechanisms.
Baroreceptor Reflex
Baroreceptors, located in the carotid sinuses and aortic arch, detect changes in blood pressure. When blood pressure rises, these stretch-sensitive receptors...
8.8K
Autoregulation of Blood Flow01:17

Autoregulation of Blood Flow

Autoregulation mechanisms are characterized by their inherent capacity for self-regulation without necessitating specific nervous stimulation or endocrine control. These mechanisms facilitate the adjustment of blood flow and, therefore, perfusion specific to each tissue region. This self-regulation encompasses chemical signals and myogenic controls.
Chemical Signaling in Autoregulation
Chemical signaling operates at the precapillary sphincter level, inciting either contraction or relaxation....
9.9K
Regulation of the Cardiovascular System01:27

Regulation of the Cardiovascular System

The regulation of the cardiovascular system allows the body to adapt to various demands and maintain homeostasis.
The regulation of the cardiovascular system involves the autonomic nervous system (ANS), baroreceptors, and chemoreceptors, ensuring that heart rate and blood pressure are appropriately modulated in response to varying physiological demands.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system enhances...
5.4K
Renal Regulation of Acid-Base Balance01:29

Renal Regulation of Acid-Base Balance

Metabolic reactions in the body produce nonvolatile acids, such as sulfuric acid, which generate an acid load of approximately 1 mEq of H+ per kilogram of body weight daily. Excreting H+ in the urine is essential to balance this acid load.
In the kidneys, cells within the proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) and the collecting ducts secrete hydrogen ions (H+) into the tubular fluid. Specifically, in the PCT, Na+/H+ antiporters secrete H+ while reabsorbing Na+.
However, the intercalated cells in...
2.5K
Regulation of Food Intake01:30

Regulation of Food Intake

Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
2.8K
Regulation of the Digestive System01:25

Regulation of the Digestive System

Digestive activity regulation hinges on three primary components. Activation is prompted by a multitude of mechanical and chemical indicators, primarily detected by receptors within the stomach and intestines' walls. These receptors predominantly respond to factors such as mechanical stretching of the organ walls, changes in pH and osmolarity, and the presence of digesting materials and their by-products.
The effectors in this regulation system are glands and smooth muscles. Activation of...
3.6K