Baroreflex attenuation after hypotension induced by vena caval occlusion in anesthetized dogs

We determined effects of vena caval occlusion-induced systemic hypotension of 50 mmHg lasting 10 min (VCO) on efferent sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and sympathetic baroreflex responsiveness. We recorded simultaneously SNA to the kidney (RNA), heart (CNA), spleen (SpNA), and liver (HNA) in anesthetized dogs. Baroreflex sensitivity was assessed using the ratio of a reflex SNA increase to a mean arterial pressure fall, which was also induced by caval occlusion. During VCO, SNA initially and equivocally increased, followed by recovery toward baseline. Cervical vagotomy attenuated the VCO-induced initial sympathoexcitation and subsequently maintained SNA at higher levels than those of intact animals, a finding basically similar to hemorrhagic hypotension [S. Koyama, F. Sawano, Y. Matsuda, Y. Saeki, T. Shibamoto, T. Hayashi, Jr., Y. Matsubayashi, and M. Kawamoto. Am. J. Physiol. 262 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 31): R579-R585, 1992]. At 5 min after releasing VCO, the baroreflex responsiveness was significantly attenuated: RNA, 79 +/- 11%; CNA, 78 +/- 8%; HNA, 60 +/- 16%; SpNA, 81 +/- 13% of the corresponding baseline. Fifteen minutes after VCO, this attenuation disappeared. Either vagotomy or pretreatment with intravenous vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist abolished this baroreflex attenuation. In conclusion, systemic hypotension to 50 mmHg for 10 min causes transient attenuation of sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity due to circulating vasopressin released by unloading of cardiopulmonary receptors during hypotension.