Afferent discharges from venous pressoreceptors in liver.

Afterent discharges were observed in dissected filaments or single nerve fibers of hepatic nerve in the guinea pig and the rabbit. Increasing the perfusion pressure of the portal vein in isolated liver preparation in the guinea pig caused an increase in afferent discharge rate. Discharge patterns were compatible with those of the slowly adapting type. Increasing the portal venous pressure by means of intravenous injection of Locke's solution into the left jugular vein in the rabbit in vivo caused an increase in afferent discharge rate. Increasing the hepatic arterial pressure was without effect. It is suggested that pressoreceptors are present in or near the venous wall of the portal venous system and that they send information about blood pressure in the portal vein to the central nervous system.