RESUMEN
The carotid body (CB) is the main arterial chemoreceptor. The most accepted model of arterial chemoreception postulates that carotid body glomus (type I) cells are the primary receptors, which are synaptically connected to the nerve terminals of petrosal ganglion (PG) neurons. In response to natural stimuli, glomus cells are expected to release one (or more) transmitter(s) which, acting on the peripheral nerve terminals of processes from chemosensory petrosal neurons, increases the sensory discharge. Among several molecules present in glomus cells, acetylcholine and adenosine nucleotides and dopamine are considered as excitatory transmitter candidates. In this review, we will examine recent evidence supporting the notion that acetylcholine and adenosine 5'-triphosphate are the main excitatory transmitters in the cat and rat carotid bodies. On the other hand, dopamine may act as a modulator of the chemoreception process in the cat, but as an excitatory transmitter in the rabbit carotid body.
Asunto(s)
Cuerpo Carotídeo/metabolismo , Ganglios Sensoriales/metabolismo , Células Receptoras Sensoriales/metabolismo , Transmisión Sináptica/fisiología , Adenosina Trifosfato/metabolismo , Animales , Cuerpo Carotídeo/ultraestructura , Gatos , Ganglios Sensoriales/ultraestructura , Neurotransmisores/metabolismo , Conejos , Ratas , Células Receptoras Sensoriales/ultraestructura , Transducción de Señal/fisiología , Especificidad de la EspecieRESUMEN
The petrosal ganglion (PG) is entirely constituted by the perikarya of primary sensory neurons, part of which innervates the carotid body via the carotid sinus nerve (CSN). Application of acetylcholine (ACh) or nicotine (Nic) as well as adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) to the PG in vitro increases the frequency of CSN discharges, an effect that is modified by the concomitant application of dopamine (DA). Since a population of PG neurons expresses tyrosine hydroxylase, and DA is released from the cat carotid body in response to electrical stimulation of C-fibers in the CSN, it is possible that DA may be released from the perikarya of PG neurons. Therefore, we studied whether ACh or Nic, ATP and high KCl could induce DA release from PG neurons in culture. Petrosal ganglia were excised from pentobarbitone-anesthetized adult cats, dissociated and their neurons maintained in culture for 7-21 days. Catecholamine release was measured by amperometry via carbon-fiber microelectrodes. In response to KCl, Nic, ACh or ATP application, about 25% of neurons exhibited electrochemical signals compatible with DA release. This percentage increased to 41% after loading the neurons with exogenous DA. The present results suggest that DA release may be induced from the perikarya of a population of PG neurons.