Biomaterial Database

Glutamatergic receptors of the rostral ventrolateral medulla are involved in the ventilatory response to hypoxia. 2005

Patricia M de Paula, and Luiz G S Branco

Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Faculdade de Medicina do Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil. depaula@uthscsa.edu

Rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) is a region in the brainstem that is involved in the physiologic responses to hypoxia (i.e. hyperventilation and regulated hypothermia) and contains l-glutamate receptors. Therefore, we examined the effects of blocked of glutamatergic receptors in the RVLM on hypoxic hyperventilation and regulated hypothermia. Ventilation (V(E)) and body temperature (T(b)) were measured before and after bilaterally microinjection of kynurenic acid (KYN, 5 nmol/100 nl, an ionotropic glutamatergic receptors antagonist) and alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG, 10 nmol/100 nl, a metabotropic glutamatergic receptors antagonist) into the RVLM, followed by a 60-min period of hypoxia exposure. Control rats received microinjection of saline (vehicle). KYN or MCPG into the RVLM did not change V(E) and T(b) under normoxia, but reduced the hypoxic hyperventilation due to a lower tidal volume, although regulated hypothermia persisted. These data suggest that glutamatergic receptors in the RVLM are involved in the ventilatory response to hypoxia, exercising an excitatory modulation of the RVLM neurons, but play no role in hypoxia-induced hypothermia.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006985	Hyperventilation	A pulmonary ventilation rate faster than is metabolically necessary for the exchange of gases. It is the result of an increased frequency of breathing, an increased tidal volume, or a combination of both. It causes an excess intake of oxygen and the blowing off of carbon dioxide.	Hyperventilations
D007035	Hypothermia	Lower than normal body temperature, especially in warm-blooded animals.	Hypothermia, Accidental,Accidental Hypothermia,Accidental Hypothermias,Hypothermias,Hypothermias, Accidental
D007736	Kynurenic Acid	A broad-spectrum excitatory amino acid antagonist used as a research tool.	Kynurenate,Acid, Kynurenic
D008297	Male		Males
D008526	Medulla Oblongata	The lower portion of the BRAIN STEM. It is inferior to the PONS and anterior to the CEREBELLUM. Medulla oblongata serves as a relay station between the brain and the spinal cord, and contains centers for regulating respiratory, vasomotor, cardiac, and reflex activities.	Accessory Cuneate Nucleus,Ambiguous Nucleus,Arcuate Nucleus of the Medulla,Arcuate Nucleus-1,External Cuneate Nucleus,Lateral Cuneate Nucleus,Nucleus Ambiguus,Ambiguus, Nucleus,Arcuate Nucleus 1,Arcuate Nucleus-1s,Cuneate Nucleus, Accessory,Cuneate Nucleus, External,Cuneate Nucleus, Lateral,Medulla Oblongatas,Nucleus, Accessory Cuneate,Nucleus, Ambiguous,Nucleus, External Cuneate,Nucleus, Lateral Cuneate
D008845	Microinjections	The injection of very small amounts of fluid, often with the aid of a microscope and microsyringes.	Microinjection
D012122	Ventilators, Mechanical	Mechanical devices used to produce or assist pulmonary ventilation.	Mechanical Ventilator,Mechanical Ventilators,Respirators,Ventilators, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Ventilator,Pulmonary Ventilators,Ventilator, Pulmonary,Ventilators,Respirator,Ventilator,Ventilator, Mechanical
D012123	Pulmonary Ventilation	The total volume of gas inspired or expired per unit of time, usually measured in liters per minute.	Respiratory Airflow,Ventilation Tests,Ventilation, Pulmonary,Expiratory Airflow,Airflow, Expiratory,Airflow, Respiratory,Test, Ventilation,Tests, Ventilation,Ventilation Test
D001831	Body Temperature	The measure of the level of heat of a human or animal.	Organ Temperature,Body Temperatures,Organ Temperatures,Temperature, Body,Temperature, Organ,Temperatures, Body,Temperatures, Organ
D001833	Body Temperature Regulation	The processes of heating and cooling that an organism uses to control its temperature.	Heat Loss,Thermoregulation,Regulation, Body Temperature,Temperature Regulation, Body,Body Temperature Regulations,Heat Losses,Loss, Heat,Losses, Heat,Regulations, Body Temperature,Temperature Regulations, Body,Thermoregulations