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Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine how massage-like stroking of the abdomen in
rats influences arterial blood pressure. The participation of oxytocinergic mechanisms
in this effect was also investigated. The ventral and/or lateral sides of the abdomen
were stroked at a speed of 20 cm/s with a frequency of 0.017–0.67 Hz in pentobarbital
anesthetized, artificially ventilated rats. Arterial blood pressure was recorded with
a pressure transducer via a catheter in the carotid artery. Stroking of the ventral,
or both ventral and lateral sides of the abdomen for 1 min with a frequency of 0.67
Hz caused a marked decrease in arterial blood pressure (approx. 50 mmHg). After cessation
of the stimulation blood pressure returned to the control level within 1 min. The
maximum decrease in blood pressure was achieved at frequencies of 0.083 Hz or more.
Stroking only the lateral sides of the abdomen elicited a significantly smaller decrease
in blood pressure (approx. 30 mmHg decrease) than stroking the ventral side. The decrease
in blood pressure caused by stroking was not altered by s.c. administration of an
oxytocin antagonist (1-deamino-2-d-Tyr-(Oet)-4-Thr-8-Orn-oxytocin, 1 mg/kg) directed against the uterine receptor. In
contrast, the administration of 0.1 mg/kg of oxytocin diminished the effect, which
was antagonized by a simultaneous injection of the oxytocin antagonist. These results
indicate that the massage-like stroking of the abdomen decreases blood pressure in
anesthetized rats. This effect does not involve intrinsic oxytocinergic transmission.
However, since exogenously applied oxytocin was found to diminish the effect of stroking,
oxytocin may exert an inhibitory modulatory effect on this reflex arc.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Accepted:
June 12,
1995
Received in revised form:
June 12,
1995
Received:
February 27,
1995
Identification
Copyright
© 1995 Published by Elsevier Inc.
