Diving muskrats (Ondatra zibethica) invoke a series of cardiovascular and respiratory adjustments in response to stimulation of the nares with water. This dive response is characterized by apnoea, a decrease in cardiac output and an increase in peripheral resistance. The result is that blood flow is maintained to those organs most susceptible to oxygen deprivation, the heart and the brain. The initiation of the dive response in mammals is primarily the result of nasal stimulation with water. In addition, the baroreceptors acting via the baroreflex have been suggested to be involved in either the initiation or the maintenance of this response. The chemoreceptors, acting via the chemoreflex, have also been implicated in the maintenance of the dive response, although the importance of this contribution is controversial. The purpose of this thesis was to examine the role of the baroreceptors and chemoreceptors in the diving response of the muskrat. Changes in input from these receptors recorded from the cut carotid sinus nerve and their modulation by the carotid sinus efferent activity during nasal stimulation may have important implications for the role of the baroreceptors and chemoreceptors in the diving response. In the initial part of the dive, baroreceptor activity decreased, while chemoreceptor activity did not change. Subsequently, baroreceptor and chemoreceptor activity increased, exceeding pre-dive levels. This increase was not due to a change in receptor threshold or sensitivity induced by the nasal stimulation, but was a reflection of the increase in the usual stimulus modality of both receptor groups. The efferent activity recorded from the central end of the cut carotid sinus nerve was of two types, both of which responded to nasal stimulation. This change in the efferent discharge has the potential to modify afferent activity. Nasal stimulation caused one type of efferent activity (type A) to stop. The second type of efferent activity (type B) responded with an initial increase in discharge, returning to pre-dive levels after 6.6 seconds. Based-on the similar characteristics of these efferents to those of previous work it is postulated that the actions of the efferents would be to inhibit the baroreceptors and chemoreceptors during the initiation of the nasal stimulation, but to be less effective as the dive progressed. It is concluded that there is no contribution from the baroreceptors to the initiation of the diving bradycardia, although the lack of baroreceptor activity may contribute to the increase in peripheral resistance. Later in the dive, both heart rate and arterial blood pressure increase, despite a concomitant elevation in baroreceptor activity. The baroreceptors therefore have no role in the maintenance of the diving response. The initial inhibition of the chemoreceptors may be important to permit the full expression of the dive response, including a decrease in central respiratory output. Later in the dive the chemoreceptors may contribute to the maintenance and termination of the diving response. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2002. / "December 2002." Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-148). Also issued on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1962.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2000. / "May 2000." Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 166-187). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2000. / "August 2000." Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 189-210). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-148). Also issued on the Internet.

Vasopressin, a hormone released from the neurohypophysis, contributes to the regulation of body fluid balance through its known actions on the kidney and the vasculature. Release of vasopressin is influenced by plasma osmolality and by afferent activity from sensory receptors in the high and low pressure vascular systems. Previous studies have not defined the relative importance of the carotid sinus baroreceptors, aortic baroreceptors and atrial receptors in the control of the plasma concentration of vasopressin in the rabbit. Experiments were carried out in anaesthetized rabbits to define the quantitative relationship between stimulation of the carotid sinus baroreceptors and the plasma concentration of vasopressin. This relationship was examined in the presence and absence of afferent input from the aortic and atrial receptors. Changes in blood volume were induced to produce a change in the stimulus to the aortic baroreceptors and atrial receptors at high or low, constant carotid sinus pressure. Section, of the aortic depressor nerves and the vagus nerves allowed examination of the individual contributions of atrial receptors or aortic baroreceptors on the plasma concentration of vasopressin. It was also possible to examine the interaction between the carotid sinus baroreceptors and the aortic and atrial receptors. The results showed that plasma concentration of vasopressin was reduced by minimal stimulation of carotid sinus baroreceptors and that maximal inhibition of the release of vasopressin was achieved with a relatively low total arterial baroreceptor input. No influence of carotid sinus baroreceptors on vasopressin release was seen in the presence of intact aortic baroreceptors demonstrating the important interaction between the effects of stimulation of these two sets of receptors. It was not possible to demonstrate, in the rabbits used in this study, a significant contribution of atrial receptors to the control of vasopressin release either in response to changes in carotid sinus pressure or in response to changes in blood volume. To minimize the inhibitory effect of arterial baroreceptors on the release of vasopressin the aortic depressor nerves were cut and carotid sinus pressure was set at a low level. It was still not possible to demonstrate an effect of a reduction in blood volume on vasopressin release, confirming the absence of a contribution from atrial receptors in the anaesthetized rabbit. There appears to be considerable variation between species in the contribution of the different receptor groups to the release of vasopressin. The results suggest that in the normal rabbit there is likely to be significant tonic inhibition of the release of vasopressin by stimuli arising from arterial baroreceptors. The absence of a demonstrable influence of atrial receptors in these rabbits is consistent with findings in primates but differs from those in dogs. It is unlikely that changes in plasma vasopressin concentration induced by small changes in blood volume contribute to the control of arterial pressure through direct effects on vascular resistance and capacitance. / Medicine, Faculty of / Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Department of / Graduate

No presente trabalho investigamos em ratos hipertensos espontâneos (SHR) e seus controles normotensos (WKY) os efeitos do treinamento físico sobre a atividade simpática a diferentes territórios, bem como os efeitos da remoção seletiva dos baroreceptores arteriais sobre a atividade simpática. SHR e WKY foram submetidos à desnervação sino-aórtica (SAD) ou cirurgia fictícia (SHAM) e alocados aos grupos T (50-60% da capacidade máxima, 1 hora/dia, 5 dias/semana) ou mantidos sedentários (S) por 3 meses.Nossos dados demonstraram que as adaptações induzidas pelo T no simpático periférico são tecido-específicos e dependem da linhagem experimental: redução do simpático ao coração e rins de WKY e SHR, com redução da atividade simpática ao músculo esquelético nos WKY treinados, mas aumentado nos SHR treinados, os quais apresentam simultaneamente extenso remodelamento vascular. Nossos dados demonstraram ainda, que as adaptações do simpático induzidas pelo T dependem da integridade dos baroreceptores arteriais. / In the present study we investigate in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and their normotensive controls (WKY) the effects of exercise training on sympathetic activity to different territories and the effects of the selective removal of arterial baroreceptors on sympathetic activity. SHR and WKY were subjected to sinoaortic denervation (SAD) or sham surgery (SHAM) and submitted to T (50-60% of maximum capacity, 1 hour / day, 5 days/week) or kept sedentary (S) for 3 months.Our data demonstrated that T-induced changes in peripheral sympathetic innervations are tissue-specific and depend on the experimental strain: reduced sympathetic to the heart and kidneys in WKY and SHR strains, and reduced sympathetic activity to the skeletal muscles in the trained WKY, but increased sympathetic activity in the trained SHR, which showed a simultaneous extensive vascular remodeling after training. Our results also demonstrated that training-induced sympathetic adaptations depend on the integrity of the arterial baroreceptors.

by Yeung Yuk-Ching. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-129). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract in English --- p.ii / Abstract in Chinese --- p.v / Glossary --- p.viii / Acknowledgements --- p.x / Publications Arising From this Thesis --- p.xii / List of Tables --- p.xviii / List of Figures --- p.xix / Chapter 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Definition of Heart Rate Variability --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Physiology --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Review of Autonomic Nervous System and Influence of Heart Rate --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- The Role of Baroreceptors in the Control of Circulation --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- The Control and Physiological Importance of Heart Rate --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.3.1 --- Normal Heart Rate --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.3.2 --- Autonomic Control of Heart Rate --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.3.2.1 --- Sympathetic Effects --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.3.2.2 --- Vagal Effects --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.3.3 --- Reflexes Influencing Heart Rate --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.3.3.1 --- Baroreceptors --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.3.3.2 --- Chemoreceptors --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.3.3.3 --- Atrial Receptors --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.3.3.4 --- Coronary Chemoreflex --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.3.3.5 --- Other Reflexes --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.3.4 --- Influence of Complex Events on Heart Rate --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.3.4.1 --- Respiratory Influence --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.3.4.2 --- Effects of Decreases in Venous Return --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.3.4.3 --- Exercise --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.3.5 --- Physiological Importance of Heart Rate --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3 --- Spectral Analysis of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability in Evaluating Cardiovascular Regulation --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4 --- Clinical Relevance --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Increased Sympathetic Activity --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Reduced Parasympathetic Activity --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- Low Heart Rate Variability --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4.4 --- Depressed Baroreflex Sensitivity --- p.17 / Chapter 1.4.5 --- Prognostic Value of Heart Rate Variability in Disease States --- p.17 / Chapter 1.4.6 --- Abnormality of Autonomic Nervous System in Heart Failure --- p.17 / Chapter 2 --- METHODS FOR ASSESSING HEART RATE VARIABILITY --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1 --- Time Domain Analysis of Heart Rate Variability --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Statistical Methods --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Geometric Methods --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2 --- Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate Variability --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3 --- "Nonlinear Indices (fractal, entropy, chaos theory)" --- p.27 / Chapter 3 --- HEART FAILURE --- p.28 / Chapter 3.1 --- Heart Rate Variability in Heart Failure --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2 --- Effect of Changes in Respiratory Frequency and Posture on Heart Rate Variability Analysis in Heart Failure --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3 --- Effect of Respiratory Rates on Baroreceptor Function in Heart Failure --- p.34 / Chapter 3.4 --- Effect of Treatment on Heart Rate Variability in Heart Failure Patients --- p.35 / Chapter 4 --- AIMS --- p.39 / Chapter 4.1 --- Effect of Changes in Respiratory Frequency and Posture on Heart Rate Variability --- p.39 / Chapter 4.2 --- Effect of Slow Breathing --- p.39 / Chapter 4.3 --- Effect of Therapeutic Interventions in Chronic Heart Failure --- p.39 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- A Comparison of Celiprolol with Metoprolol --- p.39 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- A Comparison of Carvedilol with Metoprolol --- p.40 / Chapter 5 --- STUDIES --- p.41 / Chapter 5.1 --- Impact of Changes in Respiratory Frequency and Posture on Power Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate and Systolic Blood Pressure Variability in Normal Subjects and Patients with Heart Failure --- p.41 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Subjects --- p.41 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Recording Technique and Protocol --- p.42 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Signal Acquisition --- p.42 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Power Spectral Analysis --- p.43 / Chapter 5.1.5 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.46 / Chapter 5.1.6 --- Results --- p.46 / Chapter 5.1.7 --- Discussion --- p.52 / Chapter 5.1.8 --- Summary --- p.56 / Chapter 5.2 --- Slow Breathing Increases Arterial Baroreflex Sensitivityin Patients with Chronic Heart Failure --- p.57 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Subjects --- p.57 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Assessment of Baroreflex Sensitivity --- p.57 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.58 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Results --- p.59 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Discussion --- p.62 / Chapter 5.2.6 --- Summary --- p.63 / Chapter 5.3 --- β-Blockers in Heart Failure: a Comparison of a Vasodilating β- Blocker with Metoprolol on Heart Rate Variability by 24 Hour ECG Recordings (Time-Domain & Spectral Analysis) --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Trial Design --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Study Patients --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Study Measurements --- p.66 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.67 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Results --- p.67 / Chapter 5.3.6 --- Discussion --- p.80 / Chapter 5.3.7 --- Summary --- p.81 / Chapter 5.4 --- Effect of β-Blockade on Baroreceptor and Autonomic Function in Heart Failure-Assessment by Short Term Spectral Analysis --- p.83 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Trial Design and Study Patients --- p.83 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Recording Technique and Protocol --- p.83 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- "Signal Acquisition, Power Spectral Analysis and Cross Spectral Analysis" --- p.83 / Chapter 5.4.4 --- Reproducibility --- p.84 / Chapter 5.4.5 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.84 / Chapter 5.4.6 --- Results --- p.84 / Chapter 5.4.7 --- Discussion --- p.93 / Chapter 5.4.8 --- Summary --- p.97 / Chapter 5.5 --- β-Blockade in Heart Failure: A Comparison of Carvedilol with Metoprolol on HRV by 24 hour ECG Recordings (Time-Domain & Spectral Analysis) --- p.98 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Trial Design and Patient Demographics --- p.98 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Study Measurements --- p.98 / Chapter 5.5.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.99 / Chapter 5.5.4 --- Results --- p.99 / Chapter 5.5.5 --- Discussion --- p.105 / Chapter 5.5.6 --- Conclusions --- p.107 / Chapter 5.6 --- Comparison of Carvedilol and Metoprolol on Baroreceptor Gain in Heart Failure by Short Term Spectral Analysis --- p.108 / Chapter 5.6.1 --- Study Design --- p.108 / Chapter 5.6.2 --- Study Patients --- p.108 / Chapter 5.6.3 --- Recording Technique and Protocol --- p.108 / Chapter 5.6.4 --- "Signal Acquisition, Power Spectral Analysis and Cross Spectral Analysis" --- p.108 / Chapter 5.6.5 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.109 / Chapter 5.6.6 --- Results --- p.109 / Chapter 5.6.7 --- Discussion --- p.112 / Chapter 5.6.8 --- Summary --- p.112 / Chapter 6 --- "GENERAL DISCUSSION, LIMITATIONS & CONCLUSIONS" --- p.113 / Chapter 6.1 --- Discussion --- p.113 / Chapter 6.2 --- Conclusions --- p.117 / Chapter 7 --- REFERENCES --- p.119

壓力感受器在調節血壓的壓力感受性反射中的作用已是眾所周知。兩個動脈壓力感受器，分別為主動脈壓力感受器和頸動脈壓力感受器。它們作為重要的感應器以檢測主要動脈血壓，並和孤束核溝通，從而調節血壓。然而，壓力感受器的機械力敏感元件的分子身份仍是奧秘。因為機械敏感的陽離子通道受機械力刺激時會增加的神經元活動, 所以機械敏感的陽離子通道是合適的候選人。 / 在本研究中，通過使用膜片鉗和動作電位的測量，瞬时受体电位通道C5(TRPC5)被確定在主動脈壓力感受器的機械傳感器中。透過在壓力感受器神經元的鈣測量實驗，證實TRPC5參與由拉伸引起的鈣離子([Ca²⁺]i)上升。TRPC5基因敲除小鼠出現壓力感受器功能受損, 表明了TRPC5在血壓控制的重要性。 / 比較主動脈壓力感受器或頸動脈壓力感受器的不同敏感度現時存有不少爭論。在本研究中，我發現主動脈壓力感受器比頸動脈壓力感受器對於壓力變化更加敏感。此外，我還發現了主動脈壓力感受器神經元比頸動脈壓力感受器神經元有一個相對較高的瞬时受体电位通道V4(TRPV4)表達。鈣測量研究表明TRPV4通道在主動脈壓力感受器神經元的靈敏度可能發揮著重要作用。 / Baroreceptors have been well known for its role in the baroreflex regulation of blood pressure. Two arterial baroreceptors, aortic and carotid baroreceptors, serve as the important sensors to detect blood pressure in main arteries, and they communicate with the solitary nucleus tract for blood pressure regulation. However, the molecular identity of the mechano-sensitive components in the baroreceptors is still mysteries. Mechano-sensitive cation channels are the fascinating candidates as they increase neuronal activities when stimulated by stretch. In the present study, with the use of patch clamp and action potential measurement, TRPC5 channels were identified to be the mechanical sensor in the aortic baroreceptor. Calcium measurement studies demonstrated that TRPC5 was involved in the stretch-induced [Ca2+]i rise in baroreceptor neurons. The importance of TRPC5 in blood pressure control was also studied in TRPC5 knockout mice, which displayed an impaired baroreceptor function. / There have been controversies as to whether aortic baroreceptors or carotid baroreceptors are more sensitive to the change in blood pressure. In the present study, aortic baroreceptor was found to be more sensitive to the pressure change than the carotid baroreceptor. Furthermore, I also found a relative higher expression of TRPV4, a mechanosensitive channel, in the aortic baroreceptor neurons than in the carotid baroreceptor neurons. Moreover, calcium measurement studies showed that TRPV4 channels should play an important role in governing the differential pressure sensitivity in these two types of baroreceptor neurons. / Taken together, the present study provided novel information on the role of TRPC5 and TRPV4 in baroreceptor mechanosensing. In future, it will be of interest to explore whether TRPC5 and/or TRPV4 dysfunction could contribute to human diseases that are related to blood pressure control. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Lau, On Chai Eva. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-152). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Declaration --- p.i / Abstract of the thesis entitled --- p.ii / Acknowledgement --- p.vii / Abbreviation --- p.ix / Table of content --- p.xii / List of figures --- p.xv / List of table --- p.xvii / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Baroreceptors --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Arterial baroreceptors --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2.1 --- Functions of arterial baroreceptors --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.2.2 --- Sensitivity of the arterial baroreceptors --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Other baroreceptors --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- The molecular identity of the mechanosensors in baroreceptor neurons --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2 --- Transient receptor potential ion channels (TRP channels) --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- TRP channels superfamily --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Multimerization of TRP channels --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Physiological functions --- p.14 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Mechanosensitive TRP channels --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Canonical transient receptor potential 5 (TRPC5) channels --- p.17 / Chapter 1.2.6 --- Vanilloid transient receptor potential 4 (TRPV4) channels Figures --- p.20 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Objectives --- p.34 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Materials and Methods --- p.35 / Chapter 3.1 --- Materials --- p.35 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Chemicals and reagents --- p.35 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Solutions --- p.36 / Chapter 3.1.2.1 --- Solutions for calcium imaging --- p.36 / Chapter 3.1.2.2 --- Solutions for electrophysiology study --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1.2.3 --- Solutions for agarose gel electrophoresis --- p.41 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Primers for RT-PCR --- p.42 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Animals --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methods --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Total RNA isolation and RT-PCR --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Immunohistochemistry --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Neuron labeling by DiI --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Neuron culture --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- [Ca²⁺]i measurement --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Electrophysiology --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Evaluation of baroreflex response --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Telemetric measurement of blood pressure --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Statistical analysis --- p.51 / Figures --- p.52 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Functional role of TRPC5 channels in aortic baroreceptor --- p.56 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.59 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Animals --- p.59 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Immunohistochemistry --- p.59 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Neuron labeling by DiI --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Neuron culture --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- [Ca²⁺]i measurement --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Electrophysiology --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Evaluation of baroreflex response --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Telemetric measurement of blood pressure --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2.9 --- Statistical analysis --- p.67 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.67 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Endogenous expression of TRPC5 channels in aortic baroreceptor neurons --- p.67 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Characterization on the pressure-sensitive component in aortic baroreceptors --- p.68 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Involvement of TRPC5 in [Ca²⁺]i response in aortic baroreceptor neurons --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Participation of TRPC5 in pressure-induced action potential firing in cultured aortic baroreceptor neurons --- p.70 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Role of TRPC5 in baroreceptor sensory nerve activity and baroreflex regulation --- p.71 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Importance of TRPC5 in baroreceptor function --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussions --- p.74 / Figures --- p.79 / Table --- p.98 / Chapter Chapter --- 5: TRPV4 channels and baroreceptor sensitivity --- p.99 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.99 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.101 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Animals --- p.101 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Neuron labeling by DiI --- p.101 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Neuron culture --- p.102 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Electrophysiology --- p.103 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Immunohistochemistry --- p.104 / Chapter 5.2.6 --- [Ca²⁺]i measurement --- p.105 / Chapter 5.2.7 --- Statistical analysis --- p.105 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results --- p.106 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Properties of the aortic and carotid baroreceptor neurons --- p.106 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Stretch sensitivity of aortic and carotid baroreceptor neurons --- p.108 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- mRNA expression of mechanosensitive TRP channels in aortic and carotid baroreceptor neurons --- p.109 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Protein expression of TRPV4 channels in aortic and carotid baroreceptor neurons --- p.109 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Involvement of TRPV4 in stretch-induced [Ca²⁺]i response in baroreceptor neurons --- p.110 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussions --- p.111 / Figures --- p.116 / Chapter Chapter 6: --- General conclusions and future directions --- p.124 / Figures --- p.128 / References --- p.133