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CHANGES IN INTRA‐ AND EXTRACRANIAL TISSUE BLOOD FLOW UPON STIMULATION OF A RETICULAR AREA DORSAL TO THE FACIAL NUCLEUS IN CATS
Author(s) -
Kuo JonSon,
Chyi Theresa,
Yang May C. M.,
Chai ChokYung
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1681.1995.tb01961.x
Subject(s) - blood flow , stimulation , cats , anatomy , atropine , cerebral blood flow , medicine , chemistry , anesthesia
SUMMARY 1. A small area in the dorsal part of the lateral tegmental field specifically responsible for the increase of blood flow in the common carotid artery (CCA) without accompanying change in the resting blood pressure was first identified in our laboratory. Since the area is located just dorsal to the facial nucleus, we named it the dorsal facial area (DFA; Kuo et al . 1987). 2. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether an increase of blood flow in intra‐ and/or extracranial tissues was responsible for the increase in CCA blood flow upon DFA stimulation, and to determine the role of cholinergic transmission in this response. 3. In 20 cats under chloralose and urethane anaesthesia, microsphere reference flow technique was used to measure the regional blood flow of intra‐ and extracranial tissues. 4. Electrical stimulation of the DFA appeared to increase the regional blood flow of both cerebral hemispheres (intra‐cranial tissues) and to increase predominantly the regional blood flow of extracranial tissues on the side ipsilateral to stimulation. Increases in the regional blood flow of intracranial tissues were enhanced after i.v. administration of atropine but reduced with physostigmine. In contrast, increases in the regional blood flow of extracranial tissues were reduced after i.v. atropine but enhanced after physostigmine. 5. These findings suggest that DFA stimulation may promote the release of ACh in intra‐ and extracranial vessels. The muscarinic action may restrict the DFA‐induced increase in blood flow of intracranial tissues, but enhance that of extracranial tissues.