Blood flow and autoregulation in somatic and autonomic ganglia. Comparison with sciatic nerve

Philip G. McManis, James D. Schmelzer, Paula J. Zollman, Phillip A. Low

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

We studied blood flow rates along the sciatic nerve and in the superior cervical and L-5 dorsal root ganglia of rats at rest and during reductions and increases in mean arterial pressure induced by partial exsanguination or blood transfusion. Blood flow was measured by the tissue distribution of [14C]iodoantipyrine and autoradiography. At rest, blood flow did not vary along the peripheral nerve, but was two to three times greater in dorsal root and superior cervical ganglia. In peripheral nerve, blood flow increased with increases in blood pressure. In contrast, blood flow in dorsal root and sympathetic ganglia did not vary with changes in pressure. Thus, peripheral nerve cell bodies have greater blood flow than their axons; ganglion blood flow is autoregulated within the range of blood pressure tested. Nerve ganglia appear to be protected against ischaemic stress by autoregulation rather than by a blood flow 'safety margin', as in peripheral nerve.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)445-449
Number of pages5
JournalBrain
Volume120
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1997

Keywords

  • Adrenergic tone
  • Autoradiography
  • Dorsal root ganglion
  • Nerve ischaemia
  • Sympathetic ganglion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

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