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N R Prabhakar

Publications and source records attributed to N R Prabhakar.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Heterogeneity in cytosolic calcium responses to hypoxia in carotid body cells.

Previous investigators have reported that intracellular pH responds to hypoxia with a heterogenous pattern in individual glomus cells of the carotid body. The aim of the present study was to examine whether hypoxia had similar effects on cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) in glomus cells, and if so, whether a heterogenous response pattern is also seen in other cell types. Experiments were performed on glomus cells from adult rat carotid bodies, rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) and vascular smooth muscle (A7r5) cells. Changes in [Ca2+]i in individual cells were determined by fluorescence imaging using Fura-2. Glomus cells were identified by catecholamine fluorescence. [Ca2+]i in glomus cells increased in response to hypoxia (pO2 = 35 +/- 8 mmHg; 5 min), whereas hypoxia induced decreases in [Ca2+]i were not seen. Increases in [Ca2+]i were observed in 20% of the isolated cells and strings of cells, but clustered glomus cells never responded. The magnitude of the calcium change in responding cells was proportional to the hypoxic stimulus. Under a given hypoxic challenge, there were marked variations in the response pattern between glomus cells. The response pattern characteristic of any given cell was reproducible. At comparable levels of hypoxia, PC12 cells also responded with an increase in [Ca2+]i with a heterogenous response pattern similar to that seen in glomus cells. In contrast, increases in [Ca2+]i in A7r5 cells could be seen only with sustained hypoxia (approximately 20 min), and little heterogeneity in the response patterns was evident. These results demonstrate that: (a) hypoxia increases cytosolic calcium in glomus cells; (b) response patterns were heterogeneous in individual cells; and (c) the pattern of the hypoxia-induced changes in [Ca2+]i is cell specific. These results suggest that hypoxia-induced increases in [Ca2+]i are faster in secretory than in non-secretory cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Nitric oxide synthase activity in guinea pig ventricular myocytes is not involved in muscarinic inhibition of cAMP-regulated ion channels.

It has recently been demonstrated that NO plays an obligatory role in muscarinic inhibition of beta-adrenergically stimulated ion channels in cardiac sinoatrial node cells (J Gen Physiol. 1995;106:45-65). We looked for evidence that NO might play a similar role in ventricular cells by using histochemical staining for NO synthase (NOS) activity and whole-cell patch-clamp recording of cAMP-regulated Cl- currents. Myocytes isolated from guinea pig hearts stained positively for NADPH-diaphorase activity, suggesting that these cells do express NOS. Acetylcholine (ACh) inhibition of the R(-)-isoproterenol bitartrate (Iso)-activated Cl- current was also reversed by the cGMP-lowering agents LY-83583 and methylene blue, consistent with idea that NO activation of guanylate cyclase may contribute to muscarinic responses. However, LY-83583 and methylene blue activated the Cl- current in the presence of subthreshold concentrations of Iso alone, suggesting that their effects may not be due to antagonism of an NO/cGMP-dependent response. Furthermore, ACh inhibition of Iso-activated Cl- currents could not be mimicked by the NO donors sodium nitroprusside,3-morpholinosydnonimine, and spermine-NO. Similarly, ACh inhibition of the Iso-activated Cl- current could not be blocked by the NOS inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. These results indicate that even though ventricular myocytes possess NOS activity, NO production does not play an important role in muscarinic inhibition of beta-adrenergically regulated Cl- channels in these cells.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1995

Cell selective induction and transcriptional activation of immediate early genes by hypoxia.

c-fos and jun belong to the immediate early response genes (IERG) that initiate phenotypic changes in response to a variety of extracellular stimuli. In the present study, we examined whether hypoxia induces IERG expression in isolated cells. Experiments were performed on pheochromocytoma-12 (PC-12), hepatoblastoma (Hep3B), neuroblastoma and fibroblast cells that were exposed either to normoxia (21% O2) or to hypoxia (5% O2) for one hour. mRNAs for c-fos, c-jun, junB, junD were analyzed by northern blot assay. Increases in IERG mRNAs were seen in PC-12, Hep3B, and fibroblasts but not in neuroblastoma cells. Significant induction of c-fos mRNA was seen with hypoxic exposure as short as 15 min and the effects persisted at 10 h of low pO2 exposure. Hypoxia stimulated transcription from a 356 bp fragment of the c-fos promoter linked to a choloramphenicol acetyl transferase reporter in PC-12 but not in neuroblastoma cells. Fetal bovine serum, however, activated c-fos promoter both in PC-12 and neuroblastoma cells. These results demonstrate cell type selective mechanisms for c-fos promoter activation that require nucleic acid sequences with in the first 356 bp of the c-fos promoter. These observations suggest that increased IERG transcription is one of the early events in genomic adaptations to hypoxia.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Analysis of carotid chemoreceptor responses to substance P analogue in anaesthetized cats.

Analogues of Substance P (SP) have been shown to act as SP receptor antagonists in various physiological systems. We have previously shown that the carotid body sensory response to hypoxia could be attenuated by D-Pro2-D-Trp7,9-SP (DPDT-SP) and suggested that SP may be important for chemoreception. In the absence of detailed characterization of the antagonistic effects of DPDT-SP, the role of SP in carotid body chemoreception remains uncertain. The present study was undertaken to analyze the effects of DPDT-SP on carotid body activity in anaesthetized cats (n = 18). Intra-carotid infusion of DPDT-SP antagonized SP-induced chemoreceptor stimulation. 90% blockade of SP responses was obtained at infusion rates of 15 micrograms/kg per min of DPDT-SP for 15 min. By contrast, infusions of either saline (controls) or at doses below 10 micrograms/kg per min had no effect on SP responses. The doses that effectively antagonized SP excitation (i.e., 15 micrograms/kg per min) also blocked or markedly attenuated the chemoreceptor responses to hypoxia, without affecting the carotid body stimulation caused by nicotine. The effects of DPDT-SP were associated with significant reduction in baseline activity in normoxia. The antagonistic effects were reversible after terminating the infusion of DPDT-SP. Increasing the dose to 25 micrograms/kg per min, however, abolished the carotid body excitation by any of the stimuli tested (i.e., SP, hypoxia and nicotine), indicating that at higher doses DPDT-SP is non-selective. These results demonstrate that DPDT-SP given in adequate doses to block SP response also attenuates or abolishes the carotid body excitation by hypoxia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1995

Carbon monoxide: a role in carotid body chemoreception.

Carbon monoxide (CO), produced endogenously by heme oxygenase, has been implicated as a neuronal messenger. Carotid bodies are sensory organs that regulate ventilation by responding to alterations of blood oxygen, CO2, and pH. Changes in blood gases are sensed by glomus cells in the carotid body that synapse on afferent terminals of the carotid sinus nerve that projects to respiratory-related neurons in the brainstem. Using immunocytochemistry, we demonstrate that heme oxygenase 2 is localized to glomus cells in the cat and rat carotid bodies. Physiological studies show that zinc protoporphyrin IX, a potent heme oxygenase inhibitor, markedly increases carotid body sensory activity, while copper protoporphyrin IX, which does not inhibit the enzyme, is inactive. Exogenous CO reverses the stimulatory effects of zinc protoporphyrin IX. These results suggest that glomus cells are capable of synthesizing CO and endogenous CO appears to be a physiologic regulator of carotid body sensory activity.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1995

Nitric oxide and ventilatory response to hypoxia.

It is believed that hypoxia results in the release of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, which can excite or inhibit breathing. Recent evidence indicates that nitric oxide (NO) is a physiological messenger molecule that may serve as a neurotransmitter in the CNS. In this study we examined (1) the localization of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) within the nucleus tractus solitarius, and (2) the role of the NO-cGMP pathway in the respiratory response to oxygen deprivation. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase histochemistry was used to determine the distribution of neurons that express NOS, an enzyme involved in NO formation. The NOS inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine was used as tool to assess the NOS activity in the medulla, and to define the role of NO in the respiratory response to acute oxygen deprivation. In the rat and the cat brainstem, histochemical studies showed the presence of NADPH-diaphorase reactive neurons within subnuclei of the nucleus tractus solitarius which receive peripheral chemoreceptor inputs. Chronic pretreatment of rats with N omega-nitro-L-arginine (75 mg/kg, ip, twice daily for 7 days) caused a significant decrease in cGMP, and attenuated the ventilatory response to hypoxia. In anesthetized, paralyzed, vagotomized and artificially ventilated cats with intact carotid sinus nerves (n = 8), administration of N omega-nitro-L-arginine (30-100 mg/kg) attenuated the response to hypoxia, and caused the hypoxia induced roll-off of phrenic nerve activity to occur significantly earlier than when NOS activity was not inhibited. In sinoaortic denervated cats (n=9) blockage of NOS potentiated the decline of the phrenic nerve output. The data suggest that oxygen deprivation leads to activation of NO-cGMP pathway in the central nervous system, which contributes to the induction and maintenance of hypoxia-induced increase in respiratory output. In addition, these findings indicate that NO may inhibit inhibitory synaptic transmission that is triggered by CNS hypoxia, and this is not directly related to peripheral chemoreceptor inputs.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Inhibitory sympathetic action on the carotid body responses to sustained hypoxia.

The mammalian carotid bodies receive sympathetic innervation from the superior cervical ganglion. The purposes of the present study were: (1) to investigate whether sympathetic innervation influences the carotid body response to hypoxia, and, if so, (2) to determine the involvement of adrenoceptors in these influence. Chemo-sensory activity was recorded from clearly identifiable action potentials from the carotid sinus nerve in 20 anaesthetized, paralyzed and artificially ventilated cats. Chemoreceptor responses to sustained isocapnic hypoxia (30 min, duration) were compared before and after carotid body sympathectomy (n = 8 cats). In response to low PO2, chemoreceptor discharge increased during the first 10 min, and plateaued for the rest of the hypoxic challenge. After sympathectomy, chemoreceptor response in the initial 10 min was the same; whereas, the magnitude of the response in remaining 20 min was significantly greater than controls (P < 0.01). Systemic administration of SKF-86466, an alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist augmented the hypoxic response by 80% (n = 6 cats). In presence of alpha 2-antagonist, sympathectomy had no further effect on the hypoxic response. Administration of alpha 2-antagonist in sympathectomized carotid bodies potentiated the hypoxic response, but the magnitude of potentiation was less than with intact sympathetic innervation (34% vs 80%; P < 0.01; n = 6 cats). From these results, it is concluded that (1) sympathetic innervation exerts an inhibitory influence on chemoreceptor response to sustained hypoxia, and (2) this inhibitory influence is mediated at least in part by alpha 2-adrenoceptors. The inhibitory effects of sympathetic innervation could be of importance in the efferent regulation of the carotid body activity during sustained hypoxia.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1994

Tachykinin antagonists in carotid body responses to hypoxia and substance P in the rat.

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that substance P (SP) is an excitatory peptide to the rat carotid body and plays an important role in chemosensory excitation by hypoxia. Chemosensory discharge was recorded from the cut carotid sinus nerve in 19 anaesthetized, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated rats. Intracarotid administration of SP augmented the chemoreceptor activity in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal excitation was seen with 10 nmol SP. Carotid body stimulation by SP was independent of its effects on arterial blood pressure. The effect of SP antagonists, D-Pro2-D-Trp7,9-SP (DPDT-SP) or Spantide, on chemoreceptor responses to SP and hypoxia was examined in 12 rats. Close carotid body administration of either antagonist at doses of 40 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 elicited an augmentation followed by a progressive depression of baseline carotid body activity. SP antagonists significantly reduced peptide-induced carotid body stimulation and also markedly attenuated the chemoreceptor response to hypoxia. Systemic administration of sodium bicarbonate stimulated the carotid bodies, presumably by releasing CO2, and the bicarbonate-induced chemoreceptor stimulation was not affected by SP antagonists. From these results we conclude that in rats (a) SP stimulates the carotid bodies independently of its effects on arterial blood pressure, and (b) SP is associated with the chemosensory stimulation by hypoxia but not with other excitatory stimuli.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1993

Selective inhibition of the carotid body sensory response to hypoxia by the substance P receptor antagonist CP-96,345.

Carotid bodies are sensory organs for monitoring arterial oxygen and CO2. Previous studies have shown that chemoreceptor tissue contains substance P (SP) and exogenously administered SP augments chemosensory discharge. In the present study, we examined the physiological importance of SP in carotid body chemoreception by using a selective nonpeptide SP [neurokinin (NK) 1] receptor antagonist CP-96,345. In experiments performed on anesthetized cats, sensory discharge was recorded from the carotid body in situ. To control for alterations in blood flow, additional studies were conducted on the carotid body in vitro. In in vivo studies, close carotid body (intraarterial) administration of CP-96,345 attenuated the sensory response to hypoxia in a dose-dependent manner with 73% of the response abolished at doses of 0.3-0.6 mg/kg. Comparable doses of the (2R,3R)-enantiomer had no effect on hypoxia-induced excitation, indicating that the effect of CP-96,345 was not due to nonspecific action. In contrast, the carotid body response to high CO2 was not affected by CP-96,345, implying that only the hypoxic response is mediated by NK-1 receptor and confirming that the effect of the SP antagonist was not due to nonspecific actions. Marked attenuation of the sensory response to hypoxia was also obtained in the carotid body in vitro, suggesting that the effects of the NK-1 antagonist were not secondary to cardiovascular changes. These results demonstrate that CP-96,345 attenuates or abolishes the chemosensory response to hypoxia but not to CO2 and suggest that SP mediates the hypoxia-induced sensory excitation in the cat carotid body via NK-1 receptor activation.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1993

Nitric oxide in the sensory function of the carotid body.

Recent studies suggest that nitric oxide (NO) may act as a chemical messenger in the nervous system. Since neurotransmitters are considered necessary for the sensory function of the carotid body, and molecular O2 is a co-factor for NO synthesis, we examined whether (a) chemoreceptor tissue also synthesizes NO and if so, (b) does endogenous NO affect chemosensory activity. Experiments were performed on carotid bodies obtained from anesthetized cats (n = 20). Distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of NO was examined using NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. Many nerve plexuses innervating the chemoreceptor tissue were positive for NADPH-diaphorase, indicating that the nerve fibers are the primary source of NO production in the carotid body. Radiometric analysis of NOS activity of the chemoreceptor tissue averaged 1.94 pmol [3H]citrulline/min/mg protein. NOS activity was significantly less in low pO2 reaction medium than in room air controls. Chemosensory activity in vitro increased in a dose-dependent manner in response to L-omega-nitro arginine (L-NNA), an inhibitor of NOS activity. The effects of NOS inhibitor were enantiomer selective as evidenced by reversal of the responses by L- but not D-arginine. These observations imply that endogenous NO is inhibitory to carotid body sensory activity. cGMP levels of L-NNA-treated carotid bodies were significantly less than untreated controls, suggesting that the actions of NO are coupled to the cGMP second messenger system, as elsewhere in the nervous system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗