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Direct recording of renal sympathetic nerve activity in unrestrained, conscious mice
Author(s) -
Hamza Shereen M.,
Hall John E.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.1091.46
Subject(s) - medicine , blood pressure , anesthesia , heart rate , catheter , mean arterial pressure , phenylephrine , cardiology , surgery
Renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) has been measured in anesthetized mice which exhibit poor cardiovascular stability and low blood pressure which confounds proper interpretation of experimental results. We therefore developed a surgical and experimental protocol for measuring RSNA in conscious, unrestrained mice. Male C57Bl6J mice were chronically instrumented with blood pressure telemeters, a jugular venous catheter and a bipolar electrode for recording RSNA. Mice were placed in a home cage and left to recover for 48–72 hrs. Survival rate was 100%; all mice exhibited normal behavior with no sign of distress 24 hrs following surgery. RSNA was successfully recorded in 80% of the mice at 48 and 72 hrs post‐surgery; viable RSNA was reduced to 70 and 50% at 4 and 5 days post‐surgery, respectively. Mean arterial pressure (MAP, 116 ± 2 mmHg, n=10) was consistent with values previously reported for conscious mice. RSNA increased with the normal physical activities of eating and grooming and was validated by pharmacological manipulation of MAP; reduction in MAP to 62 ± 3 mmHg with nitroprusside increased RSNA by 159 ± 41% above baseline (n=5, p<0.05) whereas an increase in MAP to 137 ± 6 mmHg with phenylephrine reduced RSNA to −82 ± 4% compared to baseline (n=5, p<0.05). Thus, we demonstrate an accessible and effective method for direct assessment of RSNA in conscious, unrestrained mice. NIH HL51971, CIHR.