Dependence of electrical activity of neurons in rostral parts of spinal trigeminal nucleus on functional state of trigeminal Gasser ganglion.

Unilateral injection of 100 microl 1% lidocaine into the trigeminal Gasser ganglion of narcotized rats produced a long-term moderation of the discharge rate of neurons in the ipsilateral (relative to the side of injection) rostral area of the spinal trigeminal nucleus. Activity of neurons in the contralateral rostral area of the spinal trigeminal nucleus was not blocked. Functional state of neurons in the trigeminal ganglion determines discharge activity of ipsilateral neurons of the spinal trigeminal nucleus.

Ongoing activity in trigeminal wide-dynamic range neurons is driven from the periphery.

Ongoing activity of spinal trigeminal neurons is observed under various conditions and suggested to be responsible for ongoing headache. It can be spontaneous, i.e.

NO-ergic mechanisms are implicated in a disturbed cardiac rhythm after systemic application of lipopolysaccharide E. coli to rats.

In acute experiments on nembutal-urethan-anaesthetized rats, a slow infusion of subseptic dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Escherichia coli (1 mg/ml) via the right jugular vein immediately led to bradycardia and extrasystoles. Preliminary administration of 20 mg/kg N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 30 mg/kg aminoguanidine hydrochloride prevented the LPS-induced extrasystoles but did not affect the pattern of bradycardia. We conclude that nitric oxide (NO)-ergic mechanisms are involved in provoking electrical instability of the heart in conditions of endotoxemia.

Capsaicin-sensitive area in the ventral surface of the rat medulla.

In acute experiments on nembutal-urethan-anesthetized rats, structures selectively sensitive to capsaicin were found near the ventral surface of the medulla at the exit of hypoglossal nerve roots. Microinjection of 5-50 nl 0.01% capsaicin to the rostral region of the capsaicin-sensitive area mostly activated respiration, arterial pressure and heart rate (HR) while that to the caudal region inhibited arterial pressure and HR.

[Function of the hypothalamo-thyroid system after administration of kainate into the ventrolateral portion of the medulla oblongata].

Contribution of the bulbar structures to mechanisms of realization of the hypothalamo-thyroid system feedback was studied in experiments on 73 adult male Wistar rats. Histologically confirmed unilateral destruction of neurones in the caudal part of medulla oblongata ventral portions after injection of 0.65 micrograms of kainate as soon as 30 min after injection was paralleled by a trend to increase of the blood serum levels of triiodothyronine and thyroxin-binding globulin, this increase attaining reliable values by day 7 after destruction, when the effects of operation stress levelled.