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Relationship between the density of degenerated neurons in the carotid body and changes in blood pH
Hakan Kina1, Aydın Sinan Apaydin2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, İstinye University, İstanbul, Turkiye.
Insights
Bilateral carotid artery ligation in rabbits caused carotid body degeneration and reduced blood pH. However, pH normalized as reverse blood flow restored carotid body function.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- The carotid bodies (CB) are crucial chemoreceptors located at the carotid artery bifurcation, regulating blood pH.
- Degeneration of CB can impact systemic pH balance, particularly in conditions affecting cerebral blood flow.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) ligation on carotid body (CB) degeneration and associated blood pH changes.
- To assess the recovery of CB function and pH normalization following induced ischemia.
Main Methods:
- 23 New Zealand rabbits were divided into control, sham, and bilateral CCA ligation groups.
- Blood pH, cardiac rhythm, and CB neuron density (healthy and degenerated) were monitored over three weeks post-procedure.
Main Results:
- Bilateral CCA ligation significantly increased degenerated neuron density in the CB (1363 ± 347/mm³ compared to controls).
- A trend towards decreased blood pH was observed in the study group post-ligation, correlating with CB degeneration.
- Significant differences in degenerated neuron density were found between all groups (p < 0.000001).
Conclusions:
- CCA ligation induces CB degeneration and acute ischemia, leading to reduced blood pH.
- Vertebrobasilar reverse blood flow facilitates CB revascularization, reversing neurodegeneration and normalizing blood pH.
Background And Aim:
The carotid artery is the main artery supplying blood to the brain. Carotid bodies (CB), located at the bifurcation of the carotid artery, regulate blood pH. This study aimed to assess the changes in CB-related pH levels following degeneration induced by ligation of both common carotid arteries (CCA).
Materials And Methods:
We included 23 adult male New Zealand rabbits in the study. The animals were divided into three groups: a control group (n = 5), a sham group (saline injection, n = 5), and a study group subjected to bilateral CCA ligation (n = 13). pH levels and cardiac rhythms were monitored before, during, and after the procedure at two-day intervals over three weeks. Additionally, we quantified both healthy and degenerated neuron densities in the CB.
Results:
Initial pH levels were as follows: control group (7.42 ± 0.039), sham (7.39 ± 0.059), and study group (7.35 ± 0 .12). Prior to euthanasia, pH levels were the following: control (7.40 ± 0.029), sham (7.42 ± 0.041), and study (7.39 ± 0.12). The density of degenerated neurons in the CB was as follows: control (11 ± 4/mm3), sham (394 ± 74/mm3), and study (1363 ± 347/mm3). Statistical analysis showed the following significant differences: control vs. sham (p < 0.001), sham vs. study (p < 0.0005), and control vs. study (p < 0.000001).
Conclusions:
Increased degenerated neuron density in CB leads to reduced blood pH following CCA ligation due to acute ischemia of CB. Timely pH normalization occurs as vertebrobasilar reverse blood flow supplies CB, reversing neurodegeneration and normalizing pH.
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