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Regional differences in cerebrovascular cholinergic innervation in goats
D Triguero1, A L López de Pablo, B Gómez
1Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain.
Stroke
|June 1, 1988
Summary
Goats possess a cerebrovascular cholinergic system that influences brain blood flow. This system, primarily in the cerebral cortex and caudate nucleus, regulates regional cerebral blood flow.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cerebrovascular Physiology
Background:
- The cerebrovascular system's regulation is complex.
- Cholinergic systems are known modulators of physiological functions.
- Their role in regulating cerebral blood flow (CBF) requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and distribution of a cerebrovascular cholinergic system in goats.
- To determine the functional impact of cholinergic stimulation on regional CBF.
- To correlate enzymatic markers of cholinergic innervation with functional data.
Main Methods:
- Regional CBF was measured using the hydrogen clearance technique in unanesthetized goats.
- Physostigmine and neostigmine were administered intravenously to assess cholinergic effects.
- Choline acetyltransferase activity was measured in isolated intracerebral microvessels.
Main Results:
- Low doses of physostigmine significantly increased regional CBF without altering blood pressure or behavior.
- CBF increases were more pronounced in the cerebral cortex and caudate nucleus compared to white matter.
- Higher choline acetyltransferase activity was found in microvessels from the cerebral cortex and caudate nucleus versus white matter.
Conclusions:
- Evidence suggests a cholinergic perivascular innervation system within intracerebral microvessels in goats.
- This cholinergic system exhibits a non-uniform distribution across different brain regions.
- The findings indicate a potential role for this system in the local regulation of cerebral blood flow.