Inhibition of dopamine release with simultaneous chemosensory excitation by hypercapnia with and without [Ca2+]0 in the cat carotid body.

The hypothesis that dopamine (DA) overflow corresponds to carotid sinus nerve (CSN) discharge during hypercapnia and is dependent on [Ca2+]0 was tested. We simultaneously measured the time course of DA overflow and CSN discharge of the cat carotid body, perfused/superfused in vitro at 37 degrees C at decreasing [Ca2+]0, during transition from normocapnia (PCO2 approximately 30-35 Torr) to hypercapnia (PCO2 approximately 60-65 Torr). In the presence of normal [Ca2+]0, hypercapnia instantaneously increased nerve discharge to peak levels followed by a decrease to steady states which were above the basal rate of activity. CSN discharge rate did not differ at decreasing [Ca2+]0 between 2.2 and 1.0 mM, and it began to decline at 0.1 mM [Ca2+]0, culminating to zero level in most cases, at zero [Ca2+]0. DA overflow increased slightly during hypercapnic peak CSN activity. Thereafter it declined to steady state levels below those of normocapnic conditions. Decreases in steady state DA levels were significantly less at 0 mM [Ca2+]0 compared to the higher calcium concentrations (0.1, 1.0 and 2.2 mM). Overall, steady state CSN activity and DA overflow were inversely related. Thus, DA release cannot have excitatory implications for carotid chemoreceptors during hypercapnia in the cat.