Central catecholaminergic neurons are involved in expression of the 10-Hz rhythm in SND.

We studied the effects of adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists on sympathetic nerve discharge (SND) of urethan-anesthetized, baroreceptor-denervated cats. In cats in which a 10-Hz rhythm coexisted with irregular 2- to 6-Hz oscillations in SND, intravenous clonidine, an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, blocked the 10-Hz rhythm without affecting power at lower frequencies. In contrast, power at frequencies < or = 6 Hz was depressed by clonidine in cats in which the 10-Hz rhythm was absent. These effects were reversed by intravenous administration of alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists, idazoxan and rauwolscine. Rauwolscine is devoid of affinity for imidazoline receptors. Furthermore, in cats untreated with clonidine, idazoxan and rauwolscine enhanced or induced the 10-Hz rhythm without affecting power at lower frequencies. Prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, selectively blocked the 10-Hz rhythm in SND. Finally, the 10-Hz rhythm in SND was blocked by microinjection of clonidine into the rostral or caudal ventrolateral medulla. The results support the view that central catecholaminergic neurons play a role in expression of the 10-Hz rhythm in SND.