Sympathetic responses to head-down rotations in humans

Abstract

Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) increases with head-down neck flexion (HDNF). The present study had three aims: 1) to examine sympathetic and vascular responses to two different magnitudes of HDNF; 2) to examine these same responses during prolonged HDNF; and 3) to determine the influence of nonspecific pressure receptors in the head on MSNA. The first experiment tested responses to two static head positions in the vertical axis [HDNF and intermediate HDNF (I-HDNF; ∼50% of HDNF)]. MSNA increased above baseline during both I-HDNF and HDNF (from 219 ± 36 to 301 ± 47 and from 238 ± 42 to 356 ± 59 units/min, respectively; P < 0.01). Calf blood flow (CBF) decreased and calf vascular resistance increased during both I-HDNF and HDNF ( P < 0.01). Both the increase in MSNA and the decrease in CBF were linearly related to the magnitude of the downward head rotations ( P < 0.01). The second experiment tested responses during prolonged HDNF. MSNA increased (from 223 ± 63 to 315 ± 79 units/min; P < 0.01) and CBF decreased (from 3.2 ± 0.4 to 2.6 ± 0.04 ml ⋅ 100 ml−1 ⋅ min−1; P < 0.01) at the onset of HDNF. These responses were maintained throughout the 30-min period. Mean arterial blood pressure gradually increased during the 30 min of HDNF (from 94 ± 4 to 105 ± 3 mmHg; P < 0.01). In a third experiment, head-down neck extension was performed with subjects in the supine position. Unlike HDNF, head-down neck extension did not affect MSNA. The results from these studies demonstrate that MSNA: 1) increases in magnitude as the degree of HDNF increases; 2) remains elevated above baseline during prolonged HDNF; and 3) responses during HDNF are not associated with nonspecific receptors in the head activated by increases in cerebral pressure.