Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Delivery of In Vivo Acute Intermittent Hypoxia in Neonatal Rodents to Prime Subventricular Zone-derived Neural Progenitor Cell Cultures
Published on: November 2, 2015
Selective hypoxic loading of the ventrolateral medulla inhibits cholinergic outflow to the airways
M A Haxhiu1, B Erokwu, I A Dreshaj
1Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA. mah10@po.cwru.edu
Abstract:
In these studies we determined the effects of local hypoxia confined to the superficial structures of the ventral medulla on cholinergic outflow to the airways. Studies were performed in alpha-chloralose anesthetized, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated cats. Topical application or microinjection of sodium cyanide to the intermediate area of the ventrolateral medulla significantly decreased tracheal tone, measured by changes in pressure in a balloon placed in bypassed segment of the trachea (Ptseg). The changes were reversible. When parasympathetic activity was abolished by atropine methylnitrate and tracheal tone was restored with serotonin, cyanide acting centrally had no effect on tracheal pressure. These data indicate that local hypoxic loading confined to the ventrolateral medullary structures may significantly modulate parasympathetic outflow to the airways, and alter airway related protective reflex responses.
Related Concept Videos
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
The direct-acting...
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacokinetics
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Mechanism of Action
Reversible inhibitors like edrophonium bind to a specific part of the enzyme called the anionic catalytic site. They form noncovalent bonds, which means they are not strongly attached to the enzyme. This creates a temporary and less stable enzyme–inhibitor complex, leading to...
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...

