The role of sympathetic reflex control of cerebral blood flow and microcirculation during normoxia and hypoxia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that there is sympathetic reflex regulation of the cerebral blood flow (CBF) and the utilization of microvessels during normoxia and hypoxia. Regional CBF was determined in conscious Long Evans rats with 4-iodo[N-methyl-14C]antipyrine. The percentage of the microvessels perfused as determined by comparing perfused microvessels (FITC-dextran), with the total microvasculature (alkaline phosphatase stain). To test this hypothesis, arcs of the proposed reflex were eliminated. The first experiment examined the effect of bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy on CBF and microcirulation during normoxia and hypoxia. CBF increased during hypoxia from 67 ± 2 to 115 ± 3 ml/min/100 g in control, and from 77 ± 2 to 155 ± 6 ml/min/100 g in ganglionectomized animals. In control, hypoxic flow to caudal areas was higher than to rostral areas and that difference was prevented by ganglionectomy. Utilization of arterioles during hypoxia increased from 51 ± 2% to 63 ± 2% in control, and from 52 ± 1% to 77 ± 2% in ganglionectomized group. The percent perfused capillaries during normoxia was 49 ± 2% in control, and 52 ± 1% in ganglionectomized group, and during hypoxia it was 73 ± 2% in both groups. In the second study, cerebral vascular responses to hypoxia were determined after administration of alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists N-methyl chlorpromazine (does not cross the blood-brain barrier), and phenoxybenzamine (crosses the blood-brain barrier). Neither phenoxybenzamine nor N-methyl chlorpromazine affected CBF and microcirculation during normoxia. During hypoxia, they similarly reversed the rostral to caudal gradient of flow, increased utilization of arterioles in rostral brain areas, and did not affect capillaries