Reflex carotid body chemoreceptor control of phrenic sympathetic neurons.

The reflex reaction of phrenic sympathetic neurons to stimulation of carotid body chemoreceptors was tested in chloralose-anesthetized and paralyzed cats with both vago-aortic nerves cut. During systemic hypoxia (animals ventilated with 10% O2 in N2) the sympathetic phrenic nerve activity increased from 100% in the control to 269%. This increase was markedly attenuated after cutting both sinus nerves. Reflex excitatory response in phrenic sympathetic neurons with the latency of 150 msec was evoked by electrical stimulation of the right carotid sinus nerve (3 pulses of 0.2 msec, 333 Hz). The central transmission time of the reflex was about 90 msec. Injecting 0.1 ml of 1 M NaHCO3 saturated with CO2 (in order to activate carotid body chemoreceptors) into the right or left carotid sinus, evoked excitatory responses in sympathetic neurons regardless of the side. The stimulation of carotid body chemoreceptors also increased somatic phrenic nerve activity. The three methods applied to the stimulation of carotid body chemoreceptors produced increase of phrenic nerve sympathetic activity.