Nonlinear identification of the total baroreflex arc: chronic hypertension model

The total baroreflex arc is the open-loop system relating carotid sinus pressure (CSP) to arterial pressure (AP). Its linear dynamic functioning has been shown to be preserved in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). However, the system is known to exhibit nonlinear dynamic behaviors. The aim of this study was to establish nonlinear dynamic models of the total arc (and its subsystems) in hypertensive rats and to compare these models with previously published models for normotensive rats. Hypertensive rats were studied under anesthesia. The vagal and aortic depressor nerves were sectioned. The carotid sinus regions were isolated and attached to a servo-controlled piston pump. AP and sympathetic nerve activity were measured while CSP was controlled via the pump using Gaussian white noise stimulation. Second-order, nonlinear dynamics models were developed by application of nonparametric system identification to a portion of the measurements. The models of the total arc predicted AP 21-43% better (P < 0.005) than conventional linear dynamic models in response to a new portion of the CSP measurement. The linear and nonlinear terms of these validated models were compared with the corresponding terms of an analogous model for normotensive rats. The nonlinear gains for the hypertensive rats were significantly larger than those for the normotensive rats [-0.38 ± 0.04 (unitless) vs. -0.22 ± 0.03, P < 0.01], whereas the linear gains were similar. Hence, nonlinear dynamic functioning of the sympathetically mediated total arc may enhance baroreflex buffering of AP increases more in SHR than normotensive rats.