Arterial baroreflex function in conscious rats.

Arterial baroreflex (ABR) is a very important mechanism in the regulation of
cardiovascular activities. As ABR function is largely inhibited by anesthesia,
its measurement in conscious animal becomes important. The present review
summarizes the works concerning ABR function in conscious rats completed in our
department in the last 10 years. Firstly, a new method was established to measure
arterial baroreflex-blood pressure control (ABR-BP). ABR-BP and baroreflex
sensitivity measured with classic method are two different parts of the ABR
function. Secondly, it was proposed that ABR function predicted the end-organ
damage in hypertension. Thirdly, interruption of ABR induced severe end-organ
damages. Increased blood pressure variability (BPV) and activation of renin
angiotensin system were involved in the mechanisms underlying organ damages in
sinoaortic denervation (SAD) rats. Fourthly, we propose that amelioration of ABR
function may serve as a new strategy for improving the prognosis of
cardiovascular diseases. Ketanserin improved the impaired ABR function in SHR.
Finally, the possibility to develop a strain of rats with spontaneous deficiency
on ABR function is mentioned.