Carotid Baroreflex Stimulation in Rats: A Novel Approach to Investigate resistant Hypertension and Immunity Responses

Abstract

Litte is known about correlation of cardiovascular and inflammatory reflex. Electric activation of the carotid sinus (CS), also known as baroreflex activation therapy (BAT), have been used as an effective technology for controlling AP in patients with resistant hypertension. Up to date, therapeutic efficacy of BAT has been evaluated mostly in humans and canine model. The lack of an appropriate animal model can be a limiting factor to understandingdetails of mechanisms involved with cardiovascular system and immune responses.Recent studies in awake rats have clearly demonstrated that BAT evokes hemodynamic and immunological responses; however, its mechanism is not known. Thus, further studies utilizing this animal model may offer an important tool to clarify the mechanisms involved in the responses evoked by recruitment of autonomic nervous system and immune system mediated by the cardiovascular and inflammatory reflex.