scholarly journals Individual differences in the cardiovascular responses to tonic muscle pain: parallel increases or decreases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity, blood pressure and heart rate

2012 ◽  
Vol 97 (10) ◽  
pp. 1084-1092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azharuddin Fazalbhoy ◽  
Ingvars Birznieks ◽  
Vaughan G. Macefield
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve ◽  
Muscle Pain ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Cardiovascular Responses ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
Tonic Muscle

scholarly journals Disruption of phase synchronization between blood pressure and muscle sympathetic nerve activity in postural vasovagal syncope

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (8) ◽  
pp. H1238-H1245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher E. Schwartz ◽  
Elisabeth Lambert ◽  
Marvin S. Medow ◽  
Julian M. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Phase Synchronization ◽  
Vasovagal Syncope ◽  
Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Late Stages

Withdrawal of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) may not be necessary for the precipitous fall of peripheral arterial resistance and arterial pressure (AP) during vasovagal syncope (VVS). We tested the hypothesis that the MSNA-AP baroreflex entrainment is disrupted before VVS regardless of MSNA withdrawal using the phase synchronization between blood pressure and MSNA during head-up tilt (HUT) to measure reflex coupling. We studied eight VVS subjects and eight healthy control subjects. Heart rate, AP, and MSNA were measured during supine baseline and at early, mid, late, and syncope stages of HUT. Phase synchronization indexes, measuring time-dependent differences between MSNA and AP phases, were computed. Directionality indexes, indicating the influence of AP on MSNA (neural arc) and MSNA on AP (peripheral arc), were computed. Heart rate was greater in VVS compared with control subjects during early, mid, and late stages of HUT and significantly declined at syncope ( P = 0.04). AP significantly decreased during mid, late, and syncope stages of tilt in VVS subjects only ( P = 0.001). MSNA was not significantly different between groups during HUT ( P = 0.700). However, the phase synchronization index significantly decreased during mid and late stages in VVS subjects but not in control subjects ( P < .001). In addition, the neural arc was significantly affected more than the peripheral arc before syncope. In conclusion, VVS is accompanied by a loss of the synchronous AP-MSNA relationship with or without a loss in MSNA at faint. This provides insight into the mechanisms behind the loss of vasoconstriction and drop in AP independent of MSNA at the time of vasovagal faint.

Abstract 529: Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity is Higher in Winter than Other Seasons

Hypertension ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Cui ◽  
Matthew D Muller ◽  
Allen R Kunselman ◽  
Cheryl Blaha ◽  
Lawrence I Sinoway
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
Cardiovascular Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Significant Difference

Epidemiological data suggest that blood pressure tends to be higher in winter and lower in summer, particularly in the elderly. Moreover, hospitalization and mortality rates due to cardiovascular disease have higher rates in winter than summer. Whether autonomic adjustment including muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) varies with season is unclear. To test the hypothesis that resting MSNA varies along the seasons, we retrospectively analyzed the supine baseline (6 min) MSNA and heart rate (from ECG) of 57 healthy subjects (33M, 24F, 29 ± 1 yrs, range 22-64 yrs) from studies in our laboratory (room temperature ~23 °C). Each of these subjects from central Pennsylvania was studied during 2 or more seasons (total 231 visits). A linear-mixed effects model, which is an extension of the analysis of variance model accounting for repeated measurements (i.e. season) per subject, was used to assess the association of season with the cardiovascular outcomes. The Tukey-Kramer procedure was used to account for multiple comparisons testing between the seasons. MSNA burst rate in winter (21.3 ± 1.0 burst/min) was significantly greater than in summer (13.7 ± 1.0 burst/min, P < 0.001), spring (17.5 ± 1.6 burst/min, P = 0.04) and fall (17.0 ± 1.2 burst/min, P < 0.002). There was no significant difference in MSNA in other comparisons (spring vs. summer, P = 0.12; spring vs. fall, P = 0.99; summer vs. fall, P = 0.054). Heart rate (63.6 ± 1.1 vs. 60.8 ± 1.2 beats/min, P = 0.048) was significantly greater in winter compared to summer. Blood pressure (automated sphygmomanometry of the brachial artery) was not significantly different between seasons. The results suggest that baseline sympathetic nerve activity varies along the seasons, with peak levels evident in winter. We speculate that the seasonal MSNA variation may contribute to seasonal variations in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

GABAA receptor activation modulates the muscle sympathetic nerve activity responses at the onset of static exercise in humans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
André L. Teixeira ◽  
Igor A. Fernandes ◽  
Philip J. Millar ◽  
Lauro C. Vianna
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Stroke Volume ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Static Exercise ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
Exercise Onset

Exercise is a well-known sympathoexcitatory stimulus. However, muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) can decrease during the onset of muscle contraction. Yet, the underlying mechanisms and neurotransmitters involved in the sympathetic responses at the onset of exercise remain unknown. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that GABAA receptors may contribute to the MSNA responses at the onset of static handgrip in humans. Thirteen young, healthy individuals (4 females) performed 30 s of ischemic static handgrip at 30% of maximum volitional contraction before and following oral administration of either placebo or diazepam (10 mg), a benzodiazepine that enhances GABAA activity. MSNA (microneurography), beat-to-beat blood pressure (finger photopletysmography), heart rate (electrocardiogram) and stroke volume (ModelFlow) were continuously measured. Cardiac output (CO = stroke volume x heart rate) and total vascular conductance (TVC = CO / mean blood pressure) were subsequently calculated. At rest, MSNA was reduced while hemodynamic variables were unchanged after diazepam administration. Before diazepam, static handgrip elicited a significant decrease in MSNA burst frequency (∆-7±2 bursts/min, P<0.01 vs. baseline) and MSNA burst incidence (∆-16±2 bursts/100 heart beats, P<0.01 vs. baseline); however, these responses were attenuated following diazepam administration (∆-1±2 bursts/min and ∆-7±2 bursts/100 heart beats, respectively; P<0.01 vs. before diazepam). Diazepam did not affect the increases in heart rate, blood pressure, CO and TVC at the exercise onset. Importantly, the placebo had no effect on any variable at rest or exercise onset. These findings suggest that GABAA receptor activation modulates the MSNA responses at the onset of static exercise in young, healthy humans.

Baroreflex modulation of muscle sympathetic nerve activity during posthandgrip muscle ischemia in humans

2001 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 1679-1686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Cui ◽  
Thad E. Wilson ◽  
Manabu Shibasaki ◽  
Nicole A. Hodges ◽  
Craig G. Crandall
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Isometric Handgrip ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Muscle Ischemia ◽  
The Relationship

To identify whether muscle metaboreceptor stimulation alters baroreflex control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), MSNA, beat-by-beat arterial blood pressure (Finapres), and electrocardiogram were recorded in 11 healthy subjects in the supine position. Subjects performed 2 min of isometric handgrip exercise at 40% of maximal voluntary contraction followed by 2.5 min of posthandgrip muscle ischemia. During muscle ischemia, blood pressure was lowered and then raised by intravenous bolus infusions of sodium nitroprusside and phenylephrine HCl, respectively. The slope of the relationship between MSNA and diastolic blood pressure was more negative ( P < 0.001) during posthandgrip muscle ischemia (−201.9 ± 20.4 units · beat−1 · mmHg−1) when compared with control conditions (−142.7 ± 17.3 units · beat−1 · mmHg−1). No significant change in the slope of the relationship between heart rate and systolic blood pressure was observed. However, both curves shifted during postexercise ischemia to accommodate the elevation in blood pressure and MSNA that occurs with this condition. These data suggest that the sensitivity of baroreflex modulation of MSNA is elevated by muscle metaboreceptor stimulation, whereas the sensitivity of baroreflex of modulate heart rate is unchanged during posthandgrip muscle ischemia.

Isometric handgrip training reduces arterial pressure at rest without changes in sympathetic nerve activity

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (1) ◽  
pp. H245-H249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chester A. Ray ◽  
Dario I. Carrasco
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Arterial Pressure ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Cardiovascular Responses ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Isometric Handgrip ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
Muscle Ischemia

The purpose of this study was to determine whether isometric handgrip (IHG) training reduces arterial pressure and whether reductions in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) mediate this drop in arterial pressure. Normotensive subjects were assigned to training ( n = 9), sham training ( n = 7), or control ( n = 8) groups. The training protocol consisted of four 3-min bouts of IHG exercise at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) separated by 5-min rest periods. Training was performed four times per week for 5 wk. Subjects' resting arterial pressure and heart rate were measured three times on 3 consecutive days before and after training, with resting MSNA (peroneal nerve) recorded on the third day. Additionally, subjects performed IHG exercise at 30% of MVC to fatigue followed by muscle ischemia. In the trained group, resting diastolic (67 ± 1 to 62 ± 1 mmHg) and mean arterial pressure (86 ± 1 to 82 ± 1 mmHg) significantly decreased, whereas systolic arterial pressure (116 ± 3 to 113 ± 2 mmHg), heart rate (67 ± 4 to 66 ± 4 beats/min), and MSNA (14 ± 2 to 15 ± 2 bursts/min) did not significantly change following training. MSNA and cardiovascular responses to exercise and postexercise muscle ischemia were unchanged by training. There were no significant changes in any variables for the sham training and control groups. The results indicate that IHG training is an effective nonpharmacological intervention in lowering arterial pressure.

Endotoxemia causes central downregulation of sympathetic vasomotor tone in healthy humans

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (3) ◽  
pp. R891-R898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friedhelm Sayk ◽  
Alexander Vietheer ◽  
Bernhard Schaaf ◽  
Peter Wellhoener ◽  
Gunther Weitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Burst Frequency ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
Healthy Humans ◽  
Vascular Bed

Experimental endotoxemia as a model of the initial septic response affects the autonomic nervous system with profound cardiovascular sequelae. Whether the postsynaptic sympathoneural activity to the muscle vascular bed is altered in the early septic phase remains to be determined. The present study aimed to elucidate the early effects of LPS on muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and cardiovascular regulation in healthy humans. Young, healthy volunteers randomly received either an LPS bolus (4 ng/kg body wt, n = 11) or placebo (saline; n = 7). Experimental baroreflex assessment (baseline measurements followed by infusion of vasoactive drugs nitroprusside/phenylephrine) was done prior to and 90 min following LPS or placebo challenge. MSNA, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood levels of catecholamines, TNF-α and IL-6 were measured sequentially. Endotoxin but not placebo-induced flu-like symptoms and elevated cytokine levels. In contrast to placebo, LPS significantly suppressed MSNA burst frequency 90 min after injection [mean ± SE: 12.1 ± 2.9 vs. 27.5 ± 3.3 burst/min (post- vs. pre-LPS); P < 0.005] but increased heart rate [78.4 ± 3.1 vs. 60.6 ± 2.0 beats/min (post- vs. pre-LPS); P < 0.001]. Baseline blood pressure was not altered, but baroreflex testing demonstrated a blunted MSNA response and uncoupling of heart rate modulation to blood pressure changes in the endotoxin group. We conclude that endotoxin challenge in healthy humans has rapid suppressive effects on postsynaptic sympathetic nerve activity to the muscle vascular bed and alters baroreflex function which may contribute to the untoward cardiovascular effects of sepsis.

Assessing static and dynamic sympathetic transduction using microneurography

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael M. Tymko ◽  
Lindsey F. Berthelsen ◽  
Rachel J. Skow ◽  
Andrew R. Steele ◽  
Graham M. Fraser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Peripheral Resistance ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
Physiological Outcomes

The relationship between sympathetic nerve activity and the vasculature has been of great interest due to its potential role in various cardiovascular-related disease. This relationship, termed "sympathetic transduction", has been quantified using several different laboratory and analytical techniques. The most common method is to assess the association between relative changes in muscle sympathetic nerve activity, measured via microneurography, and physiological outcomes (e.g., blood pressure, total peripheral resistance, and blood flow etc.) in response to a sympathetic stressor (e.g. exercise, cold stress, orthostatic stress). This approach, however, comes with its own caveats. For instance, elevations in blood pressure and heart rate during a sympathetic stressor can have an independent impact on muscle sympathetic nerve activity. Another assessment of sympathetic transduction was developed by Wallin and Nerhed in 1982, where alterations in blood pressure and heart rate were assessed immediately following bursts of muscle sympathetic nerve activity at rest. This approach has since been characterized and further innovated by others, including the breakdown of consecutive burst sequences (e.g., singlet, doublet, triplet, and quadruplet), and burst height (quartile analysis) on specific vascular outcomes (e.g., blood pressure, blood flow, vascular resistance). The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the literature that has assessed sympathetic transduction using microneurography and various sympathetic stressors (static sympathetic transduction) and using the same or similar approach established by Wallin and Nerhed at rest (dynamic neurovascular transduction). Herein, we discuss the overlapping literature between these two methodologies and highlight the key physiological questions that remain.

Peripheral chemoreceptor contributions to sympathetic and cardiovascular responses during hypercapnia

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (12) ◽  
pp. 1136-1144 ◽  
Author(s):  
J K Shoemaker ◽  
A Vovk ◽  
D A Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiac Output ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve ◽  
Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Cardiovascular Responses ◽  
Cardiovascular Reflexes ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
End Tidal

We tested the hypothesis that integrated sympathetic and cardiovascular reflexes are modulated by systemic CO2 differently in hypoxia than in hyperoxia (n = 7). Subjects performed a CO2 rebreathe protocol that equilibrates CO2 partial pressures between arterial and venous blood and that elevates end tidal CO2 (PETCO2) from ~40 to ~58 mmHg. This test was repeated under conditions where end tidal oxygen levels were clamped at 50 (hypoxia) or 200 (hyperoxia) mmHg. Heart rate (HR; EKG), stroke volume (SV; Doppler ultrasound), blood pressure (MAP; finger plethysmograph), and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) were measured continuously during the two protocols. MAP at 40 mmHg PETCO2 (i.e., the first minute of the rebreathe) was greater during hypoxia versus hyperoxia (P < 0.05). However, the increase in MAP during the rebreathe (P < 0.05) was similar in hypoxia (16±3 mmHg) and hyperoxia (17 ± 2 mmHg PETCO2). The increase in cardiac output (Q) at 55 mmHg PETCO2 was greater in hypoxia (2.61 ± 0.7 L/min) versus hyperoxia (1.09 ± 0.44 L/min) (P < 0.05). In both conditions the increase in Q was due to elevations in both HR and SV (P < 0.05). Systemic vascular conductance (SVC) increased to similar absolute levels in both conditions but rose earlier during hypoxia (>50 mmHg PETCO2) than hyperoxia (>55 mmHg). MSNA increased earlier during hypoxic hypercapnia (>45 mmHg) compared with hyperoxic hypercapnia (>55 mmHg). Thus, in these conscious humans, the dose–response effect of PETCO2 on the integrated cardiovascular responses was shifted to the left during hypoxic hypercapnia. The combined data indicate that peripheral chemoreceptors exert important influence over cardiovascular reflex responses to hypercapnia. Key words: blood pressure, cardiac output, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, sympathetic nervous system, end tidal CO2, hypoxia.

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