Effect of Acute Hypotension on the Mechanical Response of the Rat C-Polymodal Nociceptors PDF

Keywords

rat, blood pressure, hypotension

Abstract

Mechanical response of the rat C-Polymodal nociceptors (C-PMNs) to repeated controlled forces (10-100 mN) was studied before, during and after acute severe reduction in the blood pressure (hypotension). Von Frey pressure thresholds of these units were not affected by the hypotensive conditions. However, the mechanical response of the C-PMN units to repeated controlled mechanical forces was markedly decreased in 9 units (out of 10 units) during and after hypotension compared to their normal response before hypotension. The reduction in the excitability of the rat C-PMNs to strong mechanical stimulation under the conditions of acute hypotension is probably due to the decrease in the amount of oxygen supply with the subsequent accumulation of metabolites nearby their nerve terminals.