Carotid chemoreceptor discharge during epinephrine infusion in anesthetized cats.

It is known that during exercise there is an increase in plasma epinephrine. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether stimulation of carotid chemoreceptors by epinephrine is a direct effect or secondary to epinephrine-induced increases in arterial plasma [K+] and whole body CO2 production (VCO2). Chemoreceptor discharge was recorded from single fiber preparations of the carotid sinus nerves in anesthetized cats ventilated to a constant arterial PCO2 (PaCO2). Infusion of epinephrine (1 microgram.kg-1 x min-1) caused arterial [K+] to increase from a mean of 2.7 to 3.8 mM. VCO2 increased so that ventilation had to be increased by 60% to maintain PaCO2 constant. Mean chemoreceptor discharge increased by 50%, but this was no greater than would be predicted on the basis of the increases in arterial [K+] and VCO2. In a further group of experiments epinephrine was infused at 0.1 microgram.kg-1 x min-1 and produced no significant increase in chemoreceptor firing. These experiments provide no evidence for epinephrine having a direct effect on the carotid chemoreceptor.