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A method for long term recording of splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity in conscious rats
Author(s) -
Kuroki Marcos Takuya,
Yoshimoto Misa,
Guzman Pilar Ariza,
Miki Kenju,
Osborn John
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.lb799
Subject(s) - splanchnic , splanchnic nerves , medicine , sympathetic nervous system , splanchnic circulation , blood pressure , angiotensin ii , anesthesia , endocrinology , hemodynamics , stimulation
A contributing mechanism for hypertension is an increase in sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) to the periphery. In the angiotensin‐II plus salt (AngII‐salt) model of hypertension, an increase in “sympathetic tone” to non‐renal splanchnic vasculature is correlated with an increase in venous and arteriolar vascular resistance which could hemodynamically play a causal role to the observed hypertension. To date, however, there has been no direct confirmation that an increase in splanchnic SNA is in fact responsible for the enhanced sympathetic tone seen in this model. Measurement of splanchnic SNA in this scenario would require a technique that would allow for long term (>2 weeks) recording in conscious, freely moving rats. We have adapted a technique for recording SNA in renal and lumbar sympathetic nerves to measure splanchnic SNA in conscious rats. Using this technique, we have successfully recorded splanchnic nerve activity for up to 6 weeks. Splanchnic nerve activity measured though this technique is sensitive to acute changes in blood pressure and abolished by ganglionic blockade, suggesting that most of the nerve activity is from barosensitive, post‐ganglionic sympathetic nerves. The longevity of the nerve recording achieved through this technique should allow us to study changes in splanchnic SNA throughout the course of AngII‐salt hypertension in a within animal study design.