Differential control of efferent sympathetic activity revisited |
| |
Authors: | Masami Iriki Eckhart Simon |
| |
Institution: | (1) University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan;(2) Yamanashi Institute of Environmental Sciences, Fujiyoshida, Japan;(3) 2-15 Nishidamachi, Kofu Yamanashi, 400 0004, Japan;(4) Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Parkstrasse 1, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany |
| |
Abstract: | This article reviews 40 years of research (1970–2010) into the capability of the efferent sympathetic nervous system to display
differential responsiveness. Discovered first were antagonistic changes of activity in sympathetic filaments innervating functionally
different sections of the cardiovascular system in response to thermal stimulation. During the subsequent four decades of
investigation, a multitude of differential sympathetic efferent response patterns were identified, ranging from opposing activity
changes at the level of multi-fiber filaments innervating different organs to the level of single fibers controlling functionally
different structures in the same organ. Differential sympathetic responsiveness was shown to be displayed in response to exogenous
or artificial stimulation of afferent sensory fibers transmitting particular exogenous stimuli, especially those activating
peripheral nociceptors. Moreover, sympathetic differentiation was found to be characteristic of autonomic responses to environmental
changes by which homeostasis in the broadest sense would be challenged. Heat or cold loads or their experimental equivalents,
altered composition of inspired air or changes in blood gas composition, imbalances of body fluid control, and exposure to
agents challenging the immune system were shown to elicit differential efferent sympathetic response patterns which often
displayed a high degree of specificity. In summary, autonomic adjustments to changes of biometeorological parameters may be
considered as representative of the capability of the sympathetic nervous system to exert highly specific efferent control
of organ functions by which bodily homeostasis is maintained. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 PubMed SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|