Integrative Sympathetic Baroreflex Regulation of Arterial Pressure

The baroreflex system is the most important negative feedback control system functioning physiologically to attenuate the effects of rapid perturbation in arterial pressure. However, the complexity of the system resulting from the closed-feedback loop, nonlinearity, and system memory makes detailed quantitative characterization of the baroreflex system difficult. To overcome such limitations, we proposed a framework to decompose the baroreflex loop into two major arcs, that is, the mechanoneural arc and neuromechanical arc. Steady state analysis indicated that such decomposition allowed us to analytically determine the operating point by equilibrating two respective function curves. Dynamic analysis suggested that the mechanoneural arc accelerated the slow mechanical response of the neuromechanical arc. The acceleration mechanism in the mechanoneural are optimized arterial pressure regulation in achieving both stability and quickness. Establishment of such an integrative framework allowed the development of an artificial feedback control system able to regulate sympathetic vasomotor tone.