Effect of the parasympathetic vasodilation on temperature regulation via trigeminal afferents in the orofacial area.

The skin temperature (T) of the orofacial area influences orofacial functions and is related to the blood flow (BF). Marked increases in BF mediated by parasympathetic vasodilation may be important for orofacial T regulation. Therefore, we examined the relationship between parasympathetic reflex vasodilation and orofacial T in anesthetized rats. Electrical stimulation of the central cut end of the lingual nerve (LN) elicited significant increases in BF and T in the lower lip. These increases were significantly reduced by hexamethonium, but not atropine. VIP agonist increased both BF and T in the lower lip. The activation of the superior cervical sympathetic trunk (CST) decreased BF and T in the lower lip; however, these decreases were significantly inhibited by LN stimulation. Our results suggest that parasympathetic vasodilation plays an important role in the maintaining the hemodynamics and T in the orofacial area, and that VIP may be involved in this response.