Arterial baroreflex function in conscious rats.

Arterial baroreflex (ABR) is a very important mechanism in the regulation of cardiovascular activities. As ABR function is largely inhibited by anesthesia, its measurement in conscious animal becomes important. The present review summarizes the works concerning ABR function in conscious rats completed in our department in the last 10 years. Firstly, a new method was established to measure arterial baroreflex-blood pressure control (ABR-BP). ABR-BP and baroreflex sensitivity measured with classic method are two different parts of the ABR function. Secondly, it was proposed that ABR function predicted the end-organ damage in hypertension. Thirdly, interruption of ABR induced severe end-organ damages. Increased blood pressure variability (BPV) and activation of renin angiotensin system were involved in the mechanisms underlying organ damages in sinoaortic denervation (SAD) rats. Fourthly, we propose that amelioration of ABR function may serve as a new strategy for improving the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. Ketanserin improved the impaired ABR function in SHR. Finally, the possibility to develop a strain of rats with spontaneous deficiency on ABR function is mentioned.