The Japanese journal of physiology
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Using an X-ray television system, we directly measured the changes in internal diameter (ID; 100-600 microns) of small pulmonary arteries and veins in response to intravenous infusion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in anesthetized rabbits and cats. Under physiological conditions, ANP (0.01-1 micrograms/(kg.min) for 3 min) increased the ID of the small arteries in a dose-dependent manner by 4-9% and by 6-14% in the rabbit and cat, respectively. The maximum increase in ID occurred in the 400-600 microns arteries. ⋯ In the small veins, however, no significant vasodilation occurred even under the elevated-tone conditions. We concluded that ANP dilates the arterial segments in the rabbit and cat pulmonary microcirculation selectively and in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the pulmonary vasodilator effect of ANP was dependent on the pulmonary vascular tone.
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The origin of the 0.1 Hz bursting of cultured rat cortical neurons in zero Mg2+ was studied by whole-cell recording, fluo-3 Ca2+ imaging, and multi-unit electrode array recording. A model is proposed in which spontaneous synaptic currents act as a random pacemaker.
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To investigate the neural mechanism of the expiratory activity of the inspiratory muscles during a cough, EMG of the respiratory muscles were recorded in anesthetized and tracheostomized dogs. A laparoscope was used to minimize injury to the abdominal muscles for implantation of the electrodes into the costal diaphragm. During the expulsive phase of a cough, the diaphragm was active in 7 of 12 dogs and the external intercostal muscle was active in 3 of 6 dogs. ⋯ The onset of expiratory activity of the inspiratory muscles is significantly later than that of expiratory muscles. Continuous activity in the expiratory muscles evoked by airway occlusion, i.e., Hering-Breuer reflex, was suppressed during the inspiratory phase of a cough, but not suppressed during the expulsive phase even when the expiratory activity of the diaphragm was observed. We concluded that the expiratory activity of inspiratory muscles is controlled independently of both expiratory activity of the expiratory muscles and inspiratory activity of the inspiratory muscles.
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This study was designed to clarify the decreased arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) mechanism induced by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) infusion. In order to examine the effects of ANP on gas exchange across the normal lungs, ANP was infused to eight anesthetized dogs, ventilated with mixed gases of oxygen and nitrogen. ⋯ ANP increased VA/Q and QS/QT. We conclude that the decrease in PaO2 caused by ANP infusion was mainly due to the increased venous admixture.
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Dehydration due to hyperthermia induces both hyperosmolality and hypovolemia. Hyperosmolality reduces evaporative cooling, and alters the thermal responsiveness of the hypothalamic center to changes in both the central and peripheral milieu. Hypovolemia also reduces the thermoregulatory response, but its effect is more variable. ⋯ Regulation of fluid replacement after thermal dehydration can be considered both from the point of view of osmoregulation and volume regulation. In the rehydration process, control of plasma osmolality precedes blood volume regulation, which also suggests that changes in blood volume sensed as changes in the CVP are regulated within a narrow range by various mechanisms. These findings suggest a hierarchic structure for the homeostatic mechanisms related to thermoregulation, with higher priority being given to the maintenance of cardiac output and the cellular volume of the brain at the expense of peripheral circulation and cell volume.