Sympathetic Nerve Activity Research Articles

Inhibition of muscle sympathetic nerve activity in premenopausal women: responses to sudden sensory stimuli predict responses to mental stress.

Muscle sympathetic nerve responses to sudden sensory stimuli have been elucidated in several studies on young healthy men, showing reproducible interindividual differences ranging from varying degrees of inhibition to no significant change, with very few subjects showing significant excitation. These individual response patterns have been shown to predict the neural response to mental stress and coupled blood pressure responses. The aim of this study was to investigate whether premenopausal healthy women show similar neural and blood pressure responses. Muscle sympathetic nerve recordings from the peroneal nerve were performed in 34 healthy women (mean age 27 ± 8 yr) during sudden sensory stimuli (electrical stimuli to a finger) and 3 min of mental stress (forced arithmetics). After sensory stimuli, 18 women showed varying degrees of inhibition of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (burst amplitude mean reduction 60%, range 34-100%). The remaining 16 showed no inhibition (mean 5%, range -31 to 28%; one subject exhibiting excitation). During 3 min of mental stress, the normalized change in burst incidence for muscle sympathetic nerve activity correlated with the percentage change of muscle sympathetic nerve activity induced by the sensory stimulation protocol (r = 0.64, P = 0.0042). In contrast to men, the neural responses did not predict changes in blood pressure. Thus, premenopausal females show a similar range of individual differences in defense-related muscle sympathetic neural responses as men, but no associated differences in blood pressure responses. Whether these patterns are unchanged after menopause remains to be investigated.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Muscle sympathetic neural responses to sudden sensory stimuli in premenopausal women showed interindividual differences and the distribution of sympathetic responses was similar to that previously found in men. Despite this similarity, the associated differences in transient blood pressure responses seen in men were not found in women. The increased risk of developing hypertension in postmenopausal women warrants an investigation of whether these response patterns are altered after menopause.

Palmitic Acid Induces Oxidative Stress and Senescence in Human Brainstem Astrocytes, Downregulating Glutamate Reuptake Transporters-Implications for Obesity-Related Sympathoexcitation.

Obesity has been associated with a chronic increase in sympathetic nerve activity, which can lead to hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Preliminary studies from our lab found that oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the brainstem contribute to sympathetic overactivity in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. However, with glial cells emerging as significant contributors to various physiological processes, their role in causing these changes in obesity remains unknown. In this study, we wanted to determine the role of palmitic acid, a major form of saturated fatty acid in the high-fat diet, in regulating sympathetic outflow. Human brainstem astrocytes (HBAs) were used as a cell culture model since astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells and are more closely associated with the regulation of neurons and, hence, sympathetic nerve activity. In the current study, we hypothesized that palmitic acid-mediated oxidative stress induces senescence and downregulates glutamate reuptake transporters in HBAs. HBAs were treated with palmitic acid (25 μM for 24 h) in three separate experiments. After the treatment period, the cells were collected for gene expression and protein analysis. Our results showed that palmitic acid treatment led to a significant increase in the mRNA expression of oxidative stress markers (NQO1, SOD2, and CAT), cellular senescence markers (p21 and p53), SASP factors (TNFα, IL-6, MCP-1, and CXCL10), and a downregulation in the expression of glutamate reuptake transporters (EAAT1 and EAAT2) in the HBAs. Protein levels of Gamma H2AX, p16, and p21 were also significantly upregulated in the treatment group compared to the control. Our results showed that palmitic acid increased oxidative stress, DNA damage, cellular senescence, and SASP factors, and downregulated the expression of glutamate reuptake transporters in HBAs. These findings suggest the possibility of excitotoxicity in the neurons of the brainstem, sympathoexcitation, and increased risk for cardiovascular diseases in obesity.

Impaired neurocirculatory control in chronic kidney disease: New evidence for blunted sympathetic baroreflex and reduced sympathetic transduction.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) that increases cardiovascular risk. Whether sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity (sBRS) is impaired or intact in CKD remains under-studied and controversial. Furthermore, the downstream effect of SNS activation on blood pressure transduction has not been previously examined in CKD. We tested the hypothesis that sBRS is attenuated, while sympathetic transduction is augmented in CKD. In 18 sedentary patients with CKD stages III-IV (eGFR: 40±14 ml/min) and 13 age-matched controls (eGFR: 95±10 ml/min), beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP; finger photoplethysmography), heart rate (electrocardiography) and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA; microneurography) were recorded at rest for 10-min. Weighted linear regression analysis between MSNA burst incidence and diastolic BP was used to determine the spontaneous sBRS. Sympathetic-BP transduction was quantified using signal averaging, whereby the BP response to each MSNA burst was tracked over 15 cardiac cycles and averaged to derive the peak change in BP. Compared with controls, CKD patients had an attenuated sBRS [CKD: -1.34±0.59 versus CON: -2.91±1.09 bursts (100 heartbeats)-1 mmHg-1; P=0.001]. |sBRS| was significantly associated with eGFR (r=0.69, P<0.001). CKD patients had attenuated sympathetic-BP transduction compared to controls (0.75±0.7 vs. 1.60±0.8 mmHg; P=0.010). Resting MSNA was negatively associated with sympathetic transduction (r=-0.57, P=0.002). CKD patients exhibit impaired sBRS that may contribute to SNS overactivation and cardiovascular risk in this patient population. In addition, CKD patients had an attenuated sympathetic transduction that may counteract the vascular effects of SNS overactivation.

Effects of Somatosensory Games on Heart Rate Variability and Sleep-Related Biomarkers in Menopausal Women With Poor Sleep Quality.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 12-week somatosensory games on heart rate variability and sleep-related biomarkers in middle-aged women with poor sleep quality. Twenty-nine women with poor sleep quality were recruited as participants randomly assigned into ring fit adventure exergame group (RFA, n = 15) and control group (CON, n = 14). The RFA group received ring fit adventure exergame for 60min each time, 2 times a week, for 12 weeks. The CON group was not allowed to participate in intervention activities during the study period. Heart rate variability, sleep quality, cortisol, serotonin, and high-sensitive C-reactive protein were measured before and after the 12-week intervention. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total score in the RFA group was significantly lower compared with the CON group. The value of the standard deviation of normal NN intervals and the root mean square of the successive RR Differences were significantly increased in the RFA group, when compared with the CON group. The change in the logarithm of high frequency (log HF) was significantly higher and change in the logarithm of low frequency to high frequency ratio (log LF/HF) was significantly lower in the RFA group, when compared to the CON group. The change level of serotonin in the RFA group was significantly higher compared with the CON group. The results suggest that somatosensory games might improve sleep quality, increase serotonin level, and decrease sympathetic nerve activities in middle-aged women with poor sleep quality.

Intracerebroventricular insulin injection acutely normalizes the augmented exercise pressor reflex in male rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The exercise pressor reflex (EPR) is exaggerated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the underlying central nervous system aberrations have not been fully delineated. Stimulation of muscle afferents within working skeletal muscle activates the EPR, by sending information to neurons in the brainstem, where it is integrated and results in reflexively increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and sympathetic nerve activity. Brain insulin is known to regulate neural activity within the brainstem. We hypothesize that brain insulin injection in T2DM rats attenuates the augmented EPR, and that T2DM is associated with decreased brain insulin. Using male Sprague-Dawley rats, T2DM and control rats were generated via an induction protocol with two low doses of streptozotocin (35 and 25mg/kg, i.p.) in combination with a 14-23-week high-fat diet or saline injections and a low-fat diet, respectively. After decerebration, MAP and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were evaluated during EPR stimulation, evoked by electrically induced muscle contraction via ventral root stimulation, before and after (1 and 2h post) intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) insulin microinjections (500mU, 50nl). i.c.v. insulin decreased peak MAP (ΔMAP Pre (36±14mmHg) vs. 1h (21±14mmHg) vs. 2h (11±6mmHg), P<0.05) and RSNA (ΔRSNA Pre (107.5±40%), vs. 1h (75.4±46%) vs. 2h (51±35%), P<0.05) responses in T2DM, but not controls. In T2DM rats, cerebrospinal fluid insulin was decreased (0.41±0.19 vs. 0.11±0.05ng/ml, control (n=14) vs. T2DM (n=4), P<0.01). The results demonstrated that insulin injections into the brain normalized the augmented EPR in brain hypoinsulinaemic T2DM rats, indicating that the EPR can be regulated by brain insulin. KEY POINTS: The reflexive increase in blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity mediated by the autonomic nervous system during muscle contractions is also known as the exercise pressor reflex. The exercise pressor reflex is dangerously augmented in type 2 diabetes, in both rats and humans. In type 2 diabetic rats both cerebrospinal fluid insulin and phosphoinositide 3-kinase signalling within cardiovascular brainstem neurons decrease in parallel. Brain insulin injections decrease the magnitude of the reflexive pressor and sympathetic responses to hindlimb muscle contraction in type 2 diabetic rats. Partial correction of low insulin within the central nervous system in type 2 diabetes may treat aberrant exercise pressor reflex function.

Activation of nociception-sensitive ionotropic glutamate receptor-expressing rostroventrolateral medulla neurons by stimulation of cardiac afferents in rats.

Myocardial ischemia causes the release of bradykinin, which activates afferent nerve endings in the ventricular epicardium. This elicits a sympathetically mediated increase in arterial pressure and heart rate, referred to as the cardiogenic sympathetic afferent reflex. The rostroventrolateral medulla (RVLM) is a key sympathetic brain stem site for regulating cardiovascular activity. This study aimed to determine the importance of non-barosensitive nociception sympathetic activity and the role of glutamate receptor activation of RVLM neurons in the cardiogenic sympathetic afferent reflex. We tested the hypothesis that inhibition of barosensitive sympathetic activity attenuates but does not abolish the reflex response to cardiac visceral afferents. Renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), arterial pressure, and heart rate responses to epicardial bradykinin application were recorded in anesthetized rats before and after bilateral RVLM microinjection of either GABAA agonist muscimol, ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenic acid, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist 2-amino-5- phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5), or non-NMDA antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). Baroreceptor loading-induced inhibition of barosensitive activity attenuated the bradykinin-induced RSNA response (93 ± 14% increase) and tachycardia (18 ± 3 bpm). While RVLM muscimol microinjection abolished the RSNA response (1.6 ± 4.2% from baseline, 0.49 ± 0.38 μV*s), surprisingly, it did not abolish the tachycardia (27 ± 4 bpm). Kynurenic acid microinjection blocked the arterial pressure and RSNA responses, while AP5 or CNQX only attenuated the responses. These data suggest that nociception-sensitive sympathetic activity that does not appear to be barosensitive is also involved in the cardiogenic sympathetic afferent reflex. Importantly, while muscimol and kynurenic acid abolished the arterial pressure and RSNA response, neither affected the tachycardia, suggesting an alternate cardiac pathway independent of RVLM.

The Detection and Calculation of Design-Weighting on Indoor Environmental Elements—Illustrated by Real Interior Design Projects

In interior design projects, homeowners’ expectations and thoughts in mind are sometimes ambiguous and hard to pinpoint. This lack of clarity can lead to disagreements between owners and designers, making it difficult for designers to receive due remuneration. At the same time, the design project always has a restricted budget. Suppose the funds could be prioritized based on owners’ preferred weight of the indoor elements, with a larger portion of the budget allocated to the most crucial elements. In that case, it can significantly enhance the owner’s satisfaction. To address these challenges, this research introduces a novel analytical and computational approach that leverages the Positive And Negative Affects Schedule (PANAS) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) to assess homeowners’ sentiments toward various indoor elements. This method aims to determine indoor elements’ design-weighting, design sequence, and distribution of project budgets, enabling designers to understand better and meet homeowners’ genuine needs and expectations in interior design projects. The efficacy of this approach was evaluated through the analysis of three real-life residential interior design projects. Data from the PANAS emotion scale and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements of the homeowners were collected before and after project completion. The findings revealed high satisfaction among homeowners following project execution. By adjusting indoor elements, owners’ negative emotions decreased significantly, positive emotions surged, and there was an improvement in the activity of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, leading to enhanced physical and mental well-being. Furthermore, in-depth interviews with homeowners corroborated the effectiveness of the analytical calculation method in identifying latent negative indoor elements of concern to homeowners, thereby validating the practical utility of this approach in real-world design scenarios.

Interaction of simultaneous hypoxia and baroreflex loading on control of sympathetic action potential subpopulations.

Efferent muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is under tonic baroreflex control. The arterial baroreflex exerts the strongest influence over medium-sized sympathetic action potential (AP) subpopulations in efferent MSNA recordings. Prior work from multiunit MSNA recordings has shown baroreflex loading selectively abolishes the sympathetic response to hypoxia. The purpose of the study was to examine baroreflex control over different-sized AP clusters and characterize the neural recruitment strategies of sympathetic AP subpopulations with baroreflex and combined baroreflex/chemoreflex (i.e., hypoxia) activation. We loaded the arterial baroreceptors [intravenous phenylephrine (PE)] alone and in combination with systemic hypoxia ([Formula: see text] 80%) in nine healthy young men. We extracted sympathetic APs using the wavelet-based methodology and quantified baroreflex gain for individual AP clusters. AP baroreflex threshold gain was measured as the slope of the linear relationship between AP probability versus diastolic blood pressure for 10 normalized clusters. Baroreflex loading with phenylephrine decreased MSNA and AP firing compared with baseline (all P < 0.05). However, the phenylephrine-mediated decrease in AP firing was lost with concurrent hypoxia (P = 0.384). Compared with baseline, baroreflex loading reduced medium-sized AP cluster baroreflex threshold slope (condition P = 0.005) and discharge probability (condition P < 0.0001); these reductions from baseline were maintained during simultaneous hypoxia (both P < 0.05). Present findings indicate a key modulatory role of the baroreceptors on medium-sized APs in blood pressure regulation that withstands competing signals from peripheral chemoreflex activation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study provides a novel understanding on baroreflex control of efferent sympathetic nervous system activity during competing stressors: baroreflex loading and peripheral chemoreflex activation. We show chemoreflex activation buffers baroreflex-mediated reductions in sympathetic nervous system activity. More importantly, baroreflex loading reduced baroreflex threshold gain of sympathetic action potential clusters and this reduction withstood chemoreflex activation. These data suggest the arterial baroreflex holds a primary regulatory role over medium-sized sympathetic neurons despite competing chemoreflex signals.

Impacts of renal denervation on blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Sympathetic nerve activation followed by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) accounts for blood pressure elevation. The effectiveness of renal denervation (RDN) in controlling blood pressure in patients with OSA remains controversial. In this systematic review, we tried to pool currently available data to assess the effects of RDN therapy on blood pressure in OSA patients. We retrieved Pubmed, EMbase and Cochrane Library through 17 May 2023, using the following key words: "renal denervation" and"obstructive sleep apnea". Full articles reporting the change of blood pressure after RDN procedure were included. A total of five studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis showed that RDN markedly reduced both 24-h ambulatory systolic blood pressure (24h-SBP) (Mean difference (MD): -7.54mmHg; 95%Cl: -10.16 to -4.91mmHg; I2 = 0%) and 24-h ambulatory diastolic blood pressure (24h-DBP) (MD: -5.28mmHg; 95%Cl: -7.35 to -3.22mmHg; I2=0%). Daytime systolic blood pressure (dSBP) was reduced after RDN (MD: -7.54mmHg; 95%Cl: -10.82 to -4.57mmHg; I2 = 54%). With regards to nocturnal blood pressure, we found that RDN resulted in a significant reduction in nighttime systolic blood pressure (nSBP) (MD: -6.91mmHg; 95%Cl: -10.69 to -2.85mmHg; I2=0%). Subgroup analysis showed that dSBP was reduced by 12.00 mmHg, 12.00 mmHg, and 7.25 mmHg at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, respectively. Our pooled analysis showed that AHI was not significantly changed by RDN. No major compilations were associated with RDN. RDN exerts a considerable blood pressure-lowering effect in hypertensive patients with OSA, which was sustained at least 6 months.

Hyperadrenergic Postural Tachycardia Syndrome: Clinical Biomarkers and Response to Guanfacine.

A subset of patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) are thought to have a primary hyperadrenergic cause. We assessed clinical biomarkers to identify those that would benefit from sympatholytic therapy. We measured sympathetic function (supine muscle sympathetic nerve activity, upright plasma norepinephrine, and blood pressure responses to the Valsalva maneuver) in 28 patients with POTS (phenotyping cohort) to identify clinical biomarkers that are associated with responsiveness to the central sympatholytic guanfacine in a separate uncontrolled treatment cohort of 38 patients that had received guanfacine clinically for suspected hyperadrenergic POTS (HyperPOTS). In the phenotyping cohort, an increase in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >17 mm Hg during late phase 2 of the Valsalva maneuver identified patients with the highest quartile of resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity (HyperPOTS) with 71% sensitivity and 85% specificity. In the treatment cohort, patients with HyperPOTS, identified by this clinical biomarker, more often reported clinical improvement (85% versus 44% in nonhyperadrenergic; P=0.016), had better orthostatic tolerance (∆Orthostatic Hypotension Daily Activities Scale: -1.9±0.9 versus 0.1±0.5; P=0.032), and reported less chronic fatigue (∆PROMIS Fatigue Short Form 7a: -12.9±2.7 versus -2.2±2.2; P=0.005) in response to guanfacine. These results are consistent with the concept that POTS is caused by a central sympathetic activation in a subset of patients, which can be identified clinically by an exaggerated DBP increase during phase 2 of the Valsalva maneuver and improved by central sympatholytic therapy. These results support further clinical trials to determine the safety and efficacy of guanfacine in patients with POTS enriched for the presence of this clinical biomarker.

Renal autonomic dynamics in hypertension: how can we evaluate sympathetic activity for renal denervation?

This review explores the various pathophysiological factors influencing antihypertensive effects, involving the regulation of vascular resistance, plasma volume, cardiac function, and the autonomic nervous system, emphasizing the interconnected processes regulating blood pressure (BP). The kidney's pivotal role in BP control and its potential contribution to hypertension is complicated but important to understand the effective mechanisms of renal denervation (RDN), which may be a promising treatment for resistant hypertension. Excessive stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system or the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) can elevate BP through various physiological changes, contributing to chronic hypertension. Renal sympathetic efferent nerve activation leads to elevated norepinephrine levels and subsequent cascading effects on vasoconstriction, renin release, and sodium reabsorption. RDN reduces BP in resistant hypertension by potentially disrupting sensory afferent nerves, decreasing feedback activation to the central nervous system, and reducing efferent sympathetic nerve activity in the heart and other structures. RDN may also modulate central sympathetic outflow and inhibit renal renin-angiotensin system overactivation. While evidence for RDN efficacy in hypertension is increasing, accurate patient selection becomes crucial, considering complex interactions that vary among patients. This review also discusses methods to evaluate autonomic nerve activity from the golden standard to new potential examination for finding out optimization in stimulation parameters or rigorous patient selection based on appropriate biomarkers.

Exploring Methylphenidate-Induced Intraocular Pressure: A Cautionary Tale in Pediatric ADHD Management.

This case report explores the intricate relationship between methylphenidate (MTX) use and increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in a pediatric patient with a preexisting history of eye disease. Despite existing literature presenting cases of IOP elevation linked to MTX, a significant gap remains in understanding nuanced risk factors. This case study used patients' medical records and a comprehensive literature review. A 6-year-old girl with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and a family history of eye conditions exhibited elevated IOP after 12 days of MTX use, prompting discontinuation. The patient successfully transitioned to atomoxetine with normalized IOP and improved attention duration. Existing cases emphasize the potential link between sympathetic nerve activity and IOP elevation induced by central nervous system stimulants like MTX. Notably, the patient's high hyperopia contributed to the impact of MTX on IOP, suggesting the need for cautious use in susceptible individuals. This case underscores the importance of individualized treatment strategies, particularly in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients with family history and additional eye findings, emphasizing safety and comprehensive patient care.

Abstract Mo073: Elucidating the Role of Cardiac Radiotherapy on the Sympathetic Nervous System as a Treatment for Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a dangerous arrhythmia that occurs in structurally and electrically heterogenous regions of the diseased heart, leading to sudden cardiac arrest and death if left untreated. One of the main drivers underlying the arrhythmogenic substrate is abnormal remodeling of the autonomic nervous system after cardiac injury, resulting in a heterogenous distribution of sympathetic innervation and subsequent ventricular arrhythmia. In patients with VT refractory to conventional therapy, noninvasive cardiac stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as a promising new treatment. Here, we investigated whether cardiac radiotherapy homogenizes the arrhythmogenic substrate through induction of cardiac sympathetic nerve innervation and activity in a closed-chest ischemia reperfusion murine model of ischemic heart failure. Using single nucleus-RNA sequencing, we identified global transcriptomic changes in the left ventricle 6 weeks after 25 Gray (Gy) cardiac X-ray radiation. Notably, these changes included increased expression of neurotrophins such as brain derived neurotrophic factor, a growth factor essential for neuronal survival and development, in irradiated hearts compared to sham controls. Consequently, Western blot and immunofluorescence showed increased expression of the sympathetic neuronal markers tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y at the scar border zone of irradiated mice. Similar immunofluorescence results were observed at the irradiated border zone from the explanted heart of a patient previously targeted with 25 Gy compared to a nontargeted remote region within the same heart. These findings suggest a novel role for radiation-induced remodeling of the sympathetic nervous system in the anti-arrhythmic response to SBRT.

Abstract Tu057: Renal denervation enhances right ventricular function, reduces myocardial damage, and restores myocardial sympathetic signaling in rats with heart failure induced by volume overload

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is associated with chronically increased sympathetic nervous activity with depleted norepinephrine (NE) in the myocardium. Despite the known anti-hypertensive effect of renal denervation (RDN), its influence on the function of the right ventricle (RV) and the cardiac sympathetic nervous system in HF is not well comprehended. Hypothesis: RDN improves RV function by reducing central sympathetic drive and changes of a sympathetic nervous branch in the heart. Aims: To investigate the effect of RDN on RV function, HF markers, myocardial NE, and its metabolism in RV in HF induced by aorto-caval fistula (ACF). Methods: HF was induced by ACF in Ren-2 transgenic rats (TGR). One week later, the RDN was performed by phenol application. Two weeks after RDN, RV function was measured by pressure-volume analysis and RV tissue was collected. Echocardiography was done once a week, during the entire experiment. NE levels were measured using an ELISA kit, protein expression was assessed by western blotting, gene expression by TaqMan PCR gene expression assay, and ROS by oxidation of Amplex Red assay. Results: The ACF increased RV weight, RV dimensions (RVD1, RVD2, RVD3), end-systolic (ESP) and end-diastolic pressure (EDP), reduced RV systolic function (end-systolic elastance - Ees, fractional area change - FAC) and ventricular-arterial coupling (Ees/Ea ratio), increased gene expression of HF markers collagen I/III ratio, natriuretic peptide A (Nppa), myosine heavy chain 7/6 (Myh7/6) ratio, transglutaminase 2 (Tgm2), and decreased superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) protein expression. ACF increased plasmatic NE levels, depleted NE in RV, decreased tyrosine hydroxylase protein expression in RV, and increased gene, protein expression, and activity of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A). RDN decreased RV hypertrophy and dilatation (RVD1, RVD2, RVD3), decreased RV ESP (-7 mmHg, p=0.004) and EDP (-2.2 mmHg, p=0.003), improved RV function (Ees +45%, p=0.03, FAC +20%, p=0.005, Ees/Ea ratio +46%, p=0.02), decreased HF markers collagen I/III ratio, Nppa, Tgm2, Myh7/6 ratio, and increased SOD2 protein expression. RDN decreased plasmatic NE levels, increased NE in RV (+32%, p=0.03), and decreased MAO-A in RV. Conclusions: RDN decreased RV ESP and EDP, improved RV systolic function, restored NE levels, and decreased RV gene expression of selected HF markers, probably by reduction of central sympathetic nerve drive and alterations of the cardiac sympathetic nervous system.

Effect of remimazolam and propofol anesthesia on autonomic nerve activities during Le Fort I osteotomy under general anesthesia: blinded randomized clinical trial.

This study evaluated the effect of remimazolam and propofol on changes in autonomic nerve activity caused by surgical stimulation during orthognathic surgery, using power spectrum analysis of blood pressure variability (BPV) and heart rate variability (HRV), and their respective associations with cardiovascular fluctuations. A total of 34 patients undergoing Le Fort I osteotomy were randomized to the remimazolam (Group R, 17 cases) or propofol (Group P, 17 cases) groups. Observables included the low-frequency component of BPV (BPV LF; index of vasomotor sympathetic nerve activity), high-frequency component of HRV (HRV HF; index of parasympathetic nerve activity), balance index of the low- and high-frequency components of HRV (HRV LF/HF; index of sympathetic nerve activity), heart rate (HR), and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Four observations were made: (1) baseline, (2) immediately before down-fracture, (3) down-fracture, and (4) 5 min after down-fracture. Data from each observation period were compared using a two-way analysis of variance with a mixed model. A Bonferroni multiple comparison test was performed in the absence of any interaction. One-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's multiple comparisons test was performed when a significant interaction was observed between time and group, with P < 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Evaluation of autonomic nerve activity in comparison with baseline during down-fracture showed a significant increase in BPV LF (P < 0.001), an increasing trend in HRV LF/HF in Group P, and an increasing trend in HRV HF in Group R. There were no significant differences in HR or SBP between the two groups. During down-fracture of Le Fort I osteotomy, sympathetic nerve activity was predominant with propofol anesthesia, and parasympathetic nerve activity was predominant with remimazolam anesthesia.

Respiratory modulation of sympathetic transduction to blood pressure in health and type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is often accompanied by hypertension, exaggerated blood pressure (BP) responses to sympatho-excitatory stressors, and raised cardiovascular disease risk. Appropriate respiratory-sympathetic coupling and sympathetic transduction to BP are important for short- and longer-term BP control. We tested the hypotheses that respiratory modulation of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and its transduction to BP would be impaired in T2D and associated with higher BP and respiratory-coupled BP variability. Resting MSNA, respiration and beat-to-beat BP were recorded in 20 T2D (49.1 ± 7.4 years; mean ± SD) and 13 healthy control (46.3 ± 9.4 years) participants. MSNA and the transduction of sympathetic bursts (signal-averaging) to mean arterial pressure (MAP) were compared at low and high lung volume phases. The peak MAP response following a sympathetic burst was lower during the high lung volume than low lung volume phase in controls (P = 0.005), whereas it was unchanged with phase in T2D participants (P = 0.522). Respiratory modulation of MSNA was impaired in T2D participants, who had an attenuated reduction in burst incidence from low to the high lung volume phase, versus controls (27.8 ± 38.4% vs. 49.4 ± 24.6%, respectively; P = 0.043). The T2D participants were grouped into unimpaired respiratory modulators (burst incidence modulation median or above) or impaired respiratory modulators (below median). Impaired modulators had higher systolic BP (133 ± 14 vs. 121 ± 11mmHg, P = 0.046), greater Traube-Hering wave amplitudes (6.3 ± 2.4 vs. 4.6 ± 1.1mmHg; P = 0.028) and higher BP variability (MAP average real variability, 2.0 ± 0.7 vs. 1.4 ± 0.3, P = 0.033). Respiratory modulation of MSNA and sympathetic transduction to BP are altered in T2D patients and may contribute to their increased hypertension and cardiovascular risk. KEY POINTS: Respiratory-sympathetic coupling and sympathetic transduction to blood pressure (BP) contribute to short- and longer-term BP control. Our understanding of these processes in health and type 2 diabetes (T2D), a condition with high prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular risk, is incomplete. We found that respiration and sympathetic transduction to BP are coupled in healthy individuals. The mean arterial pressure response to a sympathetic burst was reduced during the high lung volume compared to the low lung volume phase. This coupling was absent in T2D. Respiratory modulation of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is impaired in T2D, with a blunted reduction of MSNA observed during the high lung volume phase. T2D patients with impaired respiratory MSNA modulation had augmented systolic BP, respiratory-related BP excursions (Traube-Hering waves) and BP variability. Abnormal respiratory modulation of MSNA and sympathetic transduction to BP in T2D may contribute to altered blood pressure control and cardiovascular risk in this population.

Central α2-adrenergic mechanisms regulate human sympathetic neuronal discharge strategies.

The present study investigated the impact of central α2-adrenergic mechanisms on sympathetic action potential (AP) discharge, recruitment and latency strategies. We used the microneurographic technique to record muscle sympathetic nerve activity and a continuous wavelet transform to investigate postganglionic sympathetic AP firing during a baseline condition and an infusion of a α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, dexmedetomidine (10min loading infusion of 0.225µgkg-1; maintenance infusion of 0.1-0.5µgkgh-1) in eight healthy individuals (28±7years, five females). Dexmedetomidine reduced mean pressure (92±7 to 80±8mmHg, P < 0.001) but did not alter heart rate (61±13 to 60±14bpm; P=0.748). Dexmedetomidine reduced sympathetic AP discharge (126±73 to 27±24 AP100 beats-1, P=0.003) most strongly for medium-sized APs (normalized cluster 2: 21±10 to 5±5 AP100 beats-1; P < 0.001). Dexmedetomidine progressively de-recruited sympathetic APs beginning with the largest AP clusters (12±3 to 7±2 clusters, P=0.002). Despite de-recruiting large AP clusters with shorter latencies, dexmedetomidine reduced AP latency across remaining clusters (1.18±0.12 to 1.13±0.13s, P=0.002). A subset of six participants performed a Valsalva manoeuvre (20s, 40mmHg) during baseline and the dexmedetomidine infusion. Compared to baseline, AP discharge (Δ361±292 to Δ113±155 AP100 beats-1, P=0.011) and AP cluster recruitment elicited by the Valsalva manoeuvre were lower during dexmedetomidine (Δ2±1 to Δ0±2 AP clusters, P=0.041). The reduction in sympathetic AP latency elicited by the Valsalva manoeuvre was not affected by dexmedetomidine (Δ-0.09±0.07 to Δ-0.07±0.14s, P=0.606). Dexmedetomidine reduced baroreflex gain, most strongly for medium-sized APs (normalized cluster 2: -6.0±5 to -1.6±2 %mmHg-1; P=0.008). These data suggest that α2-adrenergic mechanisms within the central nervous system modulate sympathetic postganglionic neuronal discharge, recruitment and latency strategies in humans. KEY POINTS: Sympathetic postganglionic neuronal subpopulations innervating the human circulation exhibit complex patterns of discharge, recruitment and latency. However, the central neural mechanisms governing sympathetic postganglionic discharge remain unclear. This microneurographic study investigated the impact of a dexmedetomidine infusion (α2-adrenergic receptor agonist) on muscle sympathetic postganglionic action potential (AP) discharge, recruitment and latency patterns. Dexmedetomidine infusion inhibited the recruitment of large and fast conducting sympathetic APs and attenuated the discharge of medium sized sympathetic APs that fired during resting conditions and the Valsalva manoeuvre. Dexmedetomidine infusion elicited shorter sympathetic AP latencies during resting conditions but did not affect the reductions in latency that occurred during the Valsalva manoeuvre. These data suggest that α2-adrenergic mechanisms within the central nervous system modulate sympathetic postganglionic neuronal discharge, recruitment and latency strategies in humans.

Actigraphy-based sleep and muscle sympathetic nerve activity in humans.

Short and insufficient sleep are prevalent and associated with cardiovascular disease, with the sympathetic nervous system as a suspected mediator. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between objective, actigraphy-based total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), and cardiovascular and sympathetic regulation in healthy adults. We hypothesized that short TST and low SE would be associated with elevated resting blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). Participants included 94 individuals [46 males, 48 females, age: 30 ± 15 yr, body mass index (BMI): 26 ± 4 kg/m2]. All participants underwent at least 7 days of at-home, wristwatch actigraphy monitoring (avg: 10 ± 3 days). Seated blood pressures were assessed using brachial blood pressure measurements, followed by a 10-minute supine autonomic testing session consisting of continuous HR (electrocardiogram), beat-by-beat blood pressure (finger plethysmograph), and MSNA (microneurography) monitoring. Partial correlations were used to determine the relationship between sleep and cardiovascular parameters while accounting for the influence of age, sex, and BMI. TST was not associated with MAP (R = -0.105, P = 0.321), HR (R = 0.093, P = 0.383), or MSNA burst frequency (BF; R = -0.168, P = 0.112) and burst incidence (BI; R = -0.162, P = 0.124). Similarly, SE was not associated with MAP (R = -0.088, P = 0.408), HR (R = -0.118, P = 0.263), MSNA BF (R = 0.038, P = 0.723), or MSNA BI (R = 0.079, P = 0.459). In contrast to recent preliminary findings, our results do not support a significant association between actigraphy-based sleep duration or efficiency and measures of resting blood pressure, heart rate, and MSNA.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study investigated the independent association between actigraphy-based sleep duration, efficiency, and measures of blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in adult males and females. Contrary to our hypothesis, the findings do not support an independent association between habitual sleep and cardiovascular or sympathetic neural activity. However, these findings do not preclude a potential association between these parameters in populations with sleep disorders and/or cardiovascular disease.

Mitochondria-targeted sonodynamic modulation of neuroinflammation to protect against myocardial ischemia‒reperfusion injury

Sympathetic hyperactivation and inflammatory responses are the main causes of myocardial ischemia‒reperfusion (I/R) injury and myocardial I/R-related ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). Previous studies have demonstrated that light-emitting diodes (LEDs) could modulate post-I/R neuroinflammation, thus providing protection against myocardial I/R injury. Nevertheless, further applications of LEDs are constrained due to the low penetration depth (<1 cm) and potential phototoxicity. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), an emerging noninvasive neuromodulation strategy with deeper penetration depth (∼10 cm), has been confirmed to modulate sympathetic nerve activity and inflammatory responses. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), which combines LIFU with sonosensitizers, confers additional advantages, including superior therapeutic efficacy, precise localization of neuronal modulation and negligible side effects. Herein, LIFU and SDT were introduced to modulate post-myocardial I/R neuroinflammation to protect against myocardial I/R injury. The results indicated that LIFU and SDT inhibited sympathetic neural activity, suppressed the activation of astrocytes and microglia, and promoted microglial polarization towards the M2 phenotype, thereby attenuating myocardial I/R injury and preventing I/R-related malignant VAs. These insights suggest that LIFU and SDT inspire a noninvasive and efficient neuroinflammatory modulation strategy with great clinical translation potential thus benefiting more patients with myocardial I/R in the future. Statement of significanceMyocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) may cause I/R injury and I/R-induced ventricular arrhythmias. Sympathetic hyperactivation and inflammatory response play an adverse effect in myocardial I/R injury. Previous studies have shown that light emitting diode (LED) can regulate I/R-induced neuroinflammation, thus playing a myocardial protective role. However, due to the low penetration depth and potential phototoxicity of LED, it is difficult to achieve clinical translation. Herein, we introduced sonodynamic modulation of neuroinflammation to protect against myocardial I/R injury, based on mitochondria-targeted nanosonosensitizers (CCNU980 NPs). We demonstrated that sonodynamic modulation could promote microglial autophagy, thereby preventing myocardial I/R injury and I/R-induced ventricular arrhythmias. This is the first example of sonodynamic modulation of myocardial I/R-induced neuroinflammation, providing a novel strategy for clinical translation.

Epidural block with lidocaine ameliorates kidney function deterioration and fibrosis of chronic kidney disease in rats

BackgroundAccording to evidences from clinical practices and experiments, renal denervation achieved by removing both the afferent and sympathetic nerves has therapeutic impacts on poor renal function and hypertension in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Epidural anesthesia is presumed to function on the target spine segments with a complete sympathetic block. Based on this perspective, we hypothesized that epidural block with lidocaine could ameliorate renal injury in CKD rats. Method and ResultsMale Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250–300 g were randomized into four groups: control, CKD, CKD + sham, and CKD + epidural block with lidocaine groups. CKD was induced by resection of the lower and upper thirds of the left kidney followed by right nephrectomy one week later. Significant differences in renal function, sympathetic activation as well as renal fibrosis parameters were observed between CKD and control rats. These parameters corresponded with typical phenotypes of CKD rats. Epidural block with lidocaine improved renal function as well as renal fibrosis, and reversed the abnormalities of the renal function and cardiovascular parameters either fully or partially. ConclusionEpidural block with lidocaine confers renal protection, which is presumably mediated by decreasing sympathetic nerve activities in the renal region and other target organs in CKD.