Changes in short-term potentiation of hypoglossal activity by modulators of nitric oxide production in the rabbit

• Authors: K. Budzinska , E. Wojtal
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) causes a potentiation of hypoglossal nerve activity persisting after cessation of stimulation. The mechanism of this phenomenon is uncertain. We investigated a potential role of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway in modulation of the after-effects of SLN stimulation on phrenic and hypoglossal activity in rabbits. L-Arginine, a substrate for NO synthesis and NG-Nitro-L-Arginine (L-NNA) an inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS), were administered systemically. L-Arginine and L-NNA alone caused small changes in respiratory activity. During pre-treatment with NO precursor the amplitude and duration of hypoglossal potentiation evoked by SLN stimulation were reduced. Systemic NO synthase inhibition partially reversed these effects of L-Arginine. The results showed that interference with NO production by NO substrate and NOS inhibitor modulates the effects of SLN stimulation on hypoglossal activity. Nitric oxide might be a negative modulator of the transmission of short-term potentiation (STP) in hypoglossal activity.

Keywords

EN

HYPOGLOSSAL NERVE ACTIVITY; NITRIC OXIDE; PHRENIC NERVE ACTIVITY; RABBIT

Discipline

• EXPERIMENTAL_BIOLOGY_&_MEDICINE: EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY & MEDICINE

• Journal: Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis
• Year: 2001
• Volume: 61
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 277-287

Contributors

author

K. Budzinska

author

E. Wojtal

• Document Type: ARTICLE
• Publication order reference: K. Budzinska, Department of Neurophysiology, Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinski St., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland