BACKGROUND: The stellate ganglion block controls the pain and the vascular insufficiency in the innervating regions. Recently, the therapeutic indications of the stellate ganglion block are widely extended to the psychosomatic disorder. Therefore, this study was designed to observe the effect of the stellate ganglion block on stress using the Porsolt's behavioral despair model of rats. METHODS: Fifty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were given five forced-swimming tests at 24-hour intervals. The first test through which rats learn helplessness lasted 15 minutes and following four tests given 30 minutes after every superior cervical ganglion block lasted 5 minutes respectively. The superior cervical ganglion block was achieved by using 0.2 ml of 1% lidocaine in the experimental group(n=30), and 0.2 ml of normal saline instead of lidocaine in the control group(n=25). The duration of mobility was measured during the first 5 minutes in all tests. RESULTS: A difference was found between the control and the experimental group in the performance ratios after the superior cervical ganglion block(P<0.01), but the number of trials of the superior cervical ganglion block did not effect the duration of mobility. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the superior cervical ganglion block reduces the duration of immobility independently of the number of trials of the superior cervical ganglion block.
Animals ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Male ; Psychophysiologic Disorders ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stellate Ganglion ; Superior Cervical Ganglion* ; Sympathetic Nervous System

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and localization of metabotropic glutamate receptors 7 and 8 (mGluR7/8) in rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) and their changes in response to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH). METHODS: We detected the expressions of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in the SCG of 8-week-old male SD rats using immunohistochemistry and characterized their distribution with immunofluorescence staining. The expression of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in the cytoplasm and nucleus was detected using Western blotting. A 6-week CIH rat model was established by exposure to intermittent hypoxia (6% oxygen for 30 s followed by normoxia for 4 min) for 8 h daily, and the changes in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were measured. The effect of CIH on expression levels of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in the SCG was analyzed using Western blotting. RESULTS: Positive expressions of mGluR7 and mGluR8 were detected in rat SCG. mGluR7 was distributed in the neurons and small fluorescent (SIF) cells with positive staining in both the cytoplasm and nuclei, but not expressed in satellite glial cells (SGCs), nerve fibers or blood vessels; mGluR8 was localized in the cytoplasm of neurons and SIF cells, but not expressed in SGCs, nerve fibers, or blood vessels. Western blotting of the nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of rat SCG further confirmed that mGluR7 was expressed in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus, while mGluR8 exists only in the cytoplasm. Exposure to CIH significantly increased systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure of the rats (all P < 0.001) and augmented the protein expressions of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in the SCG (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION mGluR7 and mGluR8 are present in rat SCG but with different localization patterns. CIH increases blood pressure of rats and enhanced protein expressions of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in rat SCG.
Male ; Animals ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superior Cervical Ganglion ; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate ; Hypoxia

BACKGROUND: A stellate ganglion block (SGB) causes increased blood flow in the maxillofacial region, exhibiting the potential for regenerative effects in damaged tissue. The focus of this study was to understand the efficacy of SGB for regenerative effects against nerve damage. A rat model of the superior cervical ganglion block (SCGB) was created instead of SGB, and facial blood flow, as well as sympathetic nervous system function, were measured. METHODS: A vertical incision was made on the left side of the neck of a Wistar rat, and a 5-mm resection of the superior cervical ganglion was performed at the back of the bifurcation of the internal and external branches of the left common carotid artery. Blood flow in the skin at the mandibular angle and mean facial temperature were measured using a laser-Doppler blood flow meter and a thermographic camera, respectively, over a 5-week period after the block. In addition, the degree of ptosis and miosis were assessed over a period of 6 months. RESULTS: The SCGB rat showed significantly higher blood flow at the mandibular angle on the block side (P < 0.05) for 3 weeks, and significantly higher skin temperature (P < 0.05) for 1 week after the block. In the SCGB rat, ptosis and miosis occurred immediately after the block, and persisted even 6 months later. CONCLUSIONS: SCGB in rats can cause an increase in the blood flow that persists over 3 weeks.
Animals ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Horner Syndrome ; Miosis ; Models, Animal ; Neck ; Rats ; Regional Blood Flow ; Skin ; Skin Temperature ; Stellate Ganglion ; Superior Cervical Ganglion ; Sympathetic Nervous System ; Thermography

BACKGROUND: Using c-fos expression one of the immediate early gene, as a marker of altered neuronal response, we investigated the effect of superior cervical ganglion block (SCGB) exhibiting the same effect of SGB of human on the activity of several brain regions which are considered as located on autonomic neural pathway and neuroendocrine axis in rat. METHOD: The 48 Sprague-Dawley strain rats were divided into 4 groups, as saline/stress (control) group, SCGB/stress (tested) group, saline group, SCGB group. Superior cervical ganglion block was conducted in the SCGB/stress group and SCGB group while saline/stress and saline group were sham operated. After then restraint stress was imposed on the animals of SCGB/stress group and saline/stress group. And 2 hour after injection (saline, SCGB group) or restraint stress (saline/stress, SCGB/stress group), c-fos protein (Fos) was localized by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Much stronger Fos immunoreactivity was induced in the several brain region of control group rats compared to other three groups and the numbers of Fos positive cell count of tested group were significantly decreased in paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (p<0.01), A5 (p<0.01), raphe pallidus (p<0.05), nucleus tractus solitaius (p<0.01) compared to control group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrate that superior cervical ganglion block attenuates stress induced neuronal activities of paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, A5, raphe pallidus, nucleus tractus solitarius.
Animals ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Brain* ; Cell Count ; Genes, vif ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neural Pathways ; Neurons ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solitary Nucleus ; Superior Cervical Ganglion*

The origin of sympathetic and sensory nerves innervating heart in the cat was investigated using HRP (Horseradish peroxidase) and WGA-HRP (Wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase) as neuronal tracers. The neural tracers were injected into subepicardial layer and myocardium of the right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle and left ventricle, respectively. Labeled sympathetic neuronal cell bodies were found in superior cervical ganglia, middle cervical ganglia, stellate ganglia and 4th and 5th thoracic ganglia, mainly in middle cervical ganglia and stellate ganglia. Heavier labeled neuronal cell bodies were found in the middle cervical ganglia and stellate ganglia when the neural tracers were injected into left atrium, right ventricle and left ventricle. Labeled sensory neuronal cell bodies were found in nodose ganglia and T1-T6 spinal ganglia, mainly in T1-T5 spinal ganglia. Heavier labeled neuronal cell bodies were found in the nodose ganglia when the neural tracers were injected into left atrium and right ventricle. These results may provide a neuroanatomical data on origin of sensory nerves innervating the heart of the cat.
Animals ; Cats* ; Ganglia ; Ganglia, Sensory ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Ganglia, Sympathetic ; Heart Atria ; Heart Ventricles ; Heart* ; Horseradish Peroxidase ; Myocardium ; Neurons* ; Nodose Ganglion ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; Stellate Ganglion ; Superior Cervical Ganglion ; Wheat Germ Agglutinin-Horseradish Peroxidase Conjugate*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, nitric oxide (NO) has been considered to be a neurotransmitter or a signaling molecule in a number of distinct subpopulation of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. This study attempted to define the distribution patterns and quantitative participation according to the origin of nitrergic innervation in the canine laryngeal ventricles of eight adult dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The nitrergic innervation in the intralaryngeal, superior cervical and nodose ganglion to the laryngeal ventricle were investigated by using double labelled neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) immunocytochemistry combined with a retrograde tracer, cholera toxin subunit B-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (CTB-HRP). RESULTS: NO is suggested to participate in parasympathetic, sympathetic and sensory innervation. Intralaryngeal ganglion is the main source of nitrergic innervation in the canine laryngeal ventricle. The proportions of the nitrergic innervation in the intralaryngeal ganglion, superior cervical ganglion, and nodose ganglion to the canine laryngeal ventricle were 63.1%, 37.7%, 4.9% respectively. CONCLUSION: NO originating from the intralaryngeal ganglion in a canine laryngeal ventricle may play an important role in controlling the laryngeal gland secretion and in regulating the blood flow by modulating the classical parasympathetic cholinergic neurotransmitter as like a neuronal messenger or comediator. NO also may participate in the same role through the sympathetic innervation of superior cervical ganglion: however, NO originating from intralaryngeal ganglion may play more important role than that from superior cervical ganglion. Many neurons of nodose ganglion have demonstrated to have nNOS, but might be less involved in the ventricular sensory innervation.
Adult ; Animals ; Cholera Toxin ; Dogs ; Ganglion Cysts ; Horseradish Peroxidase ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neurons ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; Nodose Ganglion ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Superior Cervical Ganglion

A case has been reported in which stereotaxic percutaneous cordotomy has been performed for the treatment of an intractable pain in the arm. The 60-year-old male was admitted to this hospital because of right arm pain which was persistant, so severe and intractable to various medical treatment for 2 months prior to admission. The pain in association with right Horners' syndrome has been produced by the involvement of carcinoma in the right apex of the lung to the cords of brachial plexus and superior cervical ganglion. Since the patient was so emaciated and distressed with the pain, the percutaneous cordotomy was indicated for him to cure the pain. Under the local anesthesia the patient was maintained in the supine position with his head held lightly on the head holder. And unilateral high cervical cordotomy by the percutaneous stereotaxic method was performed on the left through C-C2 interlaminar space under radiographic and impedance measurements, which relieved the pain completely with no development of significant postoperative complications. It was simple, safe and effective for the patient who has poor general condition because it does not require a general anesthesia or a period of wound healing and the cooperation of the alert patient eliminates the possibility of paralysis and enhances the changes of securing the desired sensory loss.
Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Local ; Arm ; Brachial Plexus ; Cordotomy* ; Electric Impedance ; Head ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Intractable ; Paralysis ; Postoperative Complications ; Superior Cervical Ganglion ; Supine Position ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of cervical sympathetic nerve block (SB) on blood flow volume and barrier function of intestinal mucosa after combined radiation and burn injury in rat.

METHODSSD rats were divided into three groups: control (n = 18), combined injury group (n = 100, rats with Co gamma ray body irradiation with a dose of 5 Gy plus 15% TBSA full-thickness burn injury), and combined injury with SB treatment (n = 100, with the same dose of gamma-ray irradiation and burn injury, treated with SB). Twenty rats were sacrificed on 0, 1, 5, 7 days after combined injuries for various observations. SB was conducted with injection of ropivhydrochloride into the neck bilaterally for the SB group, and same amount of normal saline was injected instead in the combined injury group. Blood flow volume, changes in villus height and crypt depth in jejunum, Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity, permeability of small intestine were measured at different time-points.

RESULTSThe blood flow volume in small intestinal mucosal on 1 post-injury days (PID) [(0.29 +/- 0.07) ml x min(-1) x g(-1)] were obviously decreased than that in normal controls [(1.26 +/- 0.23) ml x min(-1) x g(-1), P < 0.01 ], with serious destruction of pit cells, decrease in intestinal mucosal Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity, and increase in intestinal mucosal permeability. Compared with combined injury group, the blood flow volume was [(0.82 +/- 0.11) ml x min(-1) x g(-1) 1 day after combined injury, P < 0.01], and the Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity was obviously increased, and the permeability of small intestine was ameliorated.

CONCLUSIONSB can increase blood flow volume of rat small intestine after combined radiation and burn injury, promote the repair of intestinal epithelium and improve the barrier function of the intestinal wall.

Animals ; Autonomic Nerve Block ; Blood Volume ; physiology ; Burns ; physiopathology ; Intestinal Mucosa ; blood supply ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Intestine, Small ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superior Cervical Ganglion

BACKGROUND: Stellate ganglion block (SGB) has been used to treat over 150 diseases which include diabetes mellitus and gout. This study was planned to investigate whether stellate ganglion block (SGB) could lower the levels of blood glucose, uric acid, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats within the weight of 250-350 gm were randomly devided into four groups. CS group was normal group with sham SGB with normal saline, CL group was normal group with SGB with lidocaine, DS group was diabetic group with SGB with normal saline, DL group was diabetic group with SGB with lidocaine. The diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg of streptozotocin in citrate buffer (0.01 M, pH 4.5). Nondiabetic groups were given same amount of the citrate buffer. Seven days after the last injection of the streptozotocin blood glucose level was checked and more than 300 mg/dl was considered diabetic. The SGB was performed three times at right superior cervical ganglion two days apart from two days after the conformation of diabetes. Successful SGB was conformed by the ipsilateral ptosis or conjunctival congestion. Blood samplings from tail vein for the check of glucose, uric acid, and catecholamines were done before the injection of streptozotocin, seven days after the last injection of streptozotocin, and two days after the last SGB. RESULTS: The SGB with lidocaine reduced the blood glucose level only in the diabetic rats while SGB with the saline did not. The epinephrine levels were increased in the diabetics and decreased by the SGB with lidocaine without any statistical significance. Norepinephrine and uric acid levels had not been effected by the SGB and both of them had no correlationship with the glucose level. CONCLUSIONS: SGB in the diabetic rats decreases the blood glucose level. But for the effects of the SGB on the level of epinephrine further study would be needed.
Animals ; Blood Glucose* ; Catecholamines* ; Citric Acid ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Epinephrine ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Glucose ; Gout ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Lidocaine ; Norepinephrine ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stellate Ganglion* ; Streptozocin ; Superior Cervical Ganglion ; Uric Acid* ; Veins

BACKGROUND: Recently there have been many experiences regarding systemic effects of stellate ganglion block(SGB). During sympathetic hyperactivation, the SGB can be helpful to impaired microcirculation in brain-stem and hypothalamus. However, the exact mechanism and possible central action sites of SGB have not yet been investigated. In the present study, we traced central neural pathways following superior cervical ganglion block using the protein product(Fos) of c-fos protooncogene as a metabolic marker in a rat's brain. Method: The animals were divided into a superior cervical ganglion block group(n=5) using Marcaine 0.2 ml and a control block group(n=5) using saline 0.2ml. Medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain and hypothalamus were sectioned transversely with a sliding microtome. After imunohistochemical staining using rabbit polyclonal antibody we observed the distribution and grade of Fos expression under a light microscope. RESULTS: A blockade of superior cervical ganglion in rat led to the induction of c-fos in areas related to pain modulation sites and the autonomic nervous system; such as the parabrachial nucleus and central gray of the pons including dorsal raphe nucleus, as well as the substatia nigra of the midbrain, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, paraventricular thalamic nucleus posterior and habenular nucleus. CONCLUSIONS: Expressions of c-fos-like protein as a marker for neuronal activity following the blockade of the superior cervical ganglion in the rat have a part in the transcriptional control of the neurons which are related to the autonomic nervous system and endogenous pain modulation sites in the brain-stem.
Animals ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Brain ; Bupivacaine ; Habenula ; Hypothalamus* ; Medulla Oblongata ; Mesencephalon ; Microcirculation ; Midline Thalamic Nuclei ; Neural Pathways ; Neurons ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; Pons ; Raphe Nuclei ; Rats* ; Staphylococcal Protein A ; Stellate Ganglion ; Superior Cervical Ganglion*