Organ-localized hypothalamic-stimulated vasculature changes in the cat

Stimulation of specific lateral hypothalamic targets in a cat model induces vascular and/or cardiac changes. Evidence is presented that these may consist of discretely localized sympathetically mediated changes taking place in just one or two organs. Moreover, following stimulation of either one of two adjacent lateral hypothalamus sites, pressor effects are induced that superficially look similar, but prove to be mediated by different pathways. To investigate possible synapsing at sympathetic ganglia, e.g. in superior cervical or stellate ganglia, 50 micrograms atropine methyl nitrate, a ganglionic blocker, was applied directly to the ganglia. This was shown to potentiate the pressor effects, in some cases when applied to the superior cervical ganglia, in others to stellate ganglia, presumably by blockade of a ganglionic attenuating mechanism. The contributions made by different sympathetic nerves to the lateral hypothalamus-induced pressor effect were analysed. Stimulation of one of the lateral hypothalamus sites (TAR.I) in eight cats induced a pressor effect that was abolished by severing a nerve branch, from the superior cervical ganglia laterally, shown to innervate neck muscle vasculature. In another group of nine cats stimulation of TAR.II induced a pressor effect abolished by cutting a branch from the superior cervical ganglia medially, shown to be destined to the vasculature of pharyngeal muscles and possibly lower respiratory tract. The hypothesis that central control via the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for differential organ specific regulation of blood flow to individual organs is discussed.