The respiratory centre of neonatal mice (4 to 12 days old) was isolated in 700 μm thick brainstem slices. Whole‐cell K+ currents and single ATP‐dependent potassium (KATP) channels were analysed in inspiratory neurones. In cell‐attached patches, KATP channels had a conductance of 75 pS and showed inward rectification. Their gating was voltage dependent and channel activity decreased with membrane hyperpolarization. Using Ca2+‐containing pipette solutions the measured conductance was lower (50 pS at 1.5 mM Ca2+), indicating tonic inhibition by extracellular Ca2+. KATP channel activity was reversibly potentiated during hypoxia. Maximal effects were attained 3‐4 min after oxygen removal from the bath. Hypoxic potentiation of open probability was due to an increase in channel open times and a decrease in channel closed times. In inside‐out patches and symmetrical K+ concentrations, channel currents reversed at about 0 mV. Channel activity was blocked by ATP (300‐600 μM), glibenclamide (10‐70 μM) and tolbutamide (100‐300 μM). In the presence of diazoxide (10‐60 μM), the activity of KATP channels was increased both in inside‐out, outside‐out and cell‐attached patches. In outside‐out patches, that remained within the slice after excision, the activity of KATP channels was enhanced by hypoxia, an effect that could be mediated by a release of endogenous neuromodulators. The whole‐cell K+ current (IK) was inactivated at negative membrane potentials, which resembled the voltage dependence of KATP channel gating. After 3‐4 min of hypoxia, K+ currents at both hyperpolarizing and depolarizing membrane potentials increased. IK was partially blocked by tolbutamide (100‐300 μM) and in its presence, hypoxic potentiation of IK was abolished. We conclude that KATP channels are involved in the hypoxic depression of medullary respiratory activity.

The effects of adenosine and its analogs on the function of the respiratory center were studied in the spontaneously active rhythmic slice of neonatal and juvenile mice (4-14 days old). Whole cell, spontaneous postsynaptic currents (sPSCs) and single channel KATP currents were recorded in inspiratory neurons of the pre-Bötzinger complex. Adenosine (50-600 microM) inhibited the respiratory rhythm. This was accompanied by increase in the activity of KATP channels in cell-attached patches. The A1 adenosine receptor agonist, 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA, 0.3-2 microM), inhibited the respiratory rhythm, sPSCs, and enhanced activity of KATP channels. The A1 adenosine receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1, 3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, 1-3 microM), showed opposite effects and occluded the CCPA actions. Agents specific for A2 adenosine receptors (CGS 21860 and NECA, both applied at 1-10 microM) were without effect. Elevation of intracellular cAMP concentration ([cAMP]i) by 8-Br-cAMP (200-500 microM), forskolin (0.5-2 microM), or isobutylmethylxantine (IBMX, 30-90 microM) reinforced the rhythm, whereas NaF (100-800 microM) depressed it. The open probability of single KATP channels in cell-attached patches decreased after application of forskolin and increased in the presence of NaF. [cAMP]i elevation reversed the effects of A1 receptors both on the respiratory rhythm and KATP channels. A1 receptors and [cAMP]i modified the hypoxic respiratory response. In the presence of A1 agonists the duration of hypoxic augmentation shortened, and depression of the respiratory rhythm occurred earlier. Elevation of [cAMP]i prolonged augmentation and delayed the development of the depression. We conclude that A1 adenosine receptors modulate the respiratory rhythm via inhibition of intracellular cAMP production and concomitant activation of KATP channels.

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A hyperpolarization-activated current, Ih, is often implied in pacemaker-like depolarizations during rhythmic oscillatory activity. We describe Ih in the isolated respiratory centre of immature mice (P6-P11). Ih was recorded in 15% (22/146) of all inspiratory neurons examined. The mean half-maximal Ih activation occurred at -78 mV and the reversal potential was -40 mV. Ih was inhibited by Cs+ (1-5 mM) and by organic blockers N-ethyl-1,6-dihydro-1, 2-dimethyl-6-(methylimino)-N-phenyl-4-pyrimidinamine (ZD 7288; 0.3-3 microM) and N,N'-bis-(3,4-dimethylphenylethyl)-N-methylamine (YS 035, 3-30 microM), but not by Ba2+ (0.5 mM). The organic Ih blockers did not change the inspiratory bursts recorded from the XIIth nerve and synaptic drives in inspiratory neurons. Hypoxia reversibly inhibited Ih but, in the presence of organic blockers, the hypoxic reaction remained unchanged. We conclude that although Ih channels are functional in a minority of inspiratory neurons, Ih does not contribute to respiratory rhythm generation or its modulation by hypoxia.

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