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Method for Continuous Measurements of Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Cardiovascular Function During Exercise in Rats
Author(s) -
Miki Kenju,
Kosho Atuko,
Hayashida Yoshiaki
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
experimental physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0958-0670
DOI - 10.1113/eph8702281
Subject(s) - sympathetic activity , sympathetic nerve , renal function , medicine , sympathetic nervous system , cardiology , endocrinology , neuroscience , psychology , heart rate , blood pressure
The sympathetic nervous system is believed to play a major role in regulating cardiovascular function during exercise. However, only a few direct measurements of sympathetic nervous activity during whole body dynamic exercise have been attempted. In the present study, we have established a method to allow routine measurement of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and cardiovascular function during treadmill exercise in rats. We trained Wistar rats to run on the treadmill for a week before the surgery. At least 2 days before the experiment, electrodes for recording RSNA, electrocardiogram and electromyogram, and catheters for the measurements of systemic arterial and central venous pressures were implanted under aseptic conditions. Satisfactory signal to noise ratios were obtained in 80%, 60% and 40% of the group at 1‐3 days, 4‐7 days and 8‐10 days after the surgery, respectively. RSNA was successfully recorded without contamination by external noise during treadmill exercise. Treadmill exercise resulted in an abrupt increase in RSNA, by 82% at 0.5 min, and then reached a stable level of ∼40% during the period of 5‐30 min after the onset of treadmill exercise. This experimental model allows us to study the neural mechanisms involved in the regulation of cardiovascular function during dynamic exercise in rats.