mu-Opioid receptors in NTS elicit pressor responses via sympathetic pathways

We have evaluated the relative contributions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to the increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) elicited by the selective mu-agonist D-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly-ol5 enkephalin (DAGO) following microinjection (100 nl) into the nucleus of tractus solitarius (NTS) of anesthetized, artificially ventilated Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of anesthesia and central opioid-receptor activation on baroreflex function were also examined. All cardiovascular responses elicited by DAGO were eliminated by complete C1 spinal transection. Pretreatment with the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine attenuated the increase in MAP, but not the tachycardia; the beta-blocker propranolol abolished the tachycardia but not the pressor response to DAGO. Adrenalectomy, vagotomy, or pretreatment with atropine methyl nitrate were all without effect. Baroreflexes were attenuated in animals anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium, but were present in urethan-anesthetized rats. DAGO attenuated the increases in MAP and HR elicited following carotid occlusion, but not the bradycardia elicited by a phenylephrine-induced pressor response. These data indicate that mu-receptors in the NTS elicit cardiovascular responses that are mediated by increased sympathetic nerve activity, and accompanied by selective attenuation of baroreflex function.