Enhanced recovery of breathing capacity from combined adenosine 2A receptor inhibition and daily acute intermittent hypoxia after chronic cervical spinal injury

A. Navarrete-Opazo, B. J. Dougherty, G. S. Mitchell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

Daily acute intermittent hypoxia (dAIH) improves breathing capacity after C2 spinal hemisection (C2HS) in rats. Since C2HS disrupts spinal serotonergic innervation below the injury, adenosine-dependent mechanisms underlie dAIH-induced functional recovery 2 weeks post-injury. We hypothesized that dAIH-induced functional recovery converts from an adenosine-dependent to a serotonin-dependent, adenosine-constrained mechanism with chronic injury. Eight weeks post-C2HS, rats began dAIH (10, 5-min episodes, 10.5% O2; 5-min intervals; 7 days) followed by AIH 3 × per week (3 × wAIH) for 8 additional weeks with/without systemic A2A receptor inhibition (KW6002) on each AIH exposure day. Tidal volume (VT) and bilateral diaphragm (Dia) and T2 external intercostal motor activity were assessed in unanesthetized rats breathing air and during maximum chemoreflex stimulation (MCS: 7% CO2, 10.5% O2). Nine weeks post-C2HS, dAIH increased VT versus time controls (p < 0.05), an effect enhanced by KW6002 (p < 0.05). dAIH increased bilateral Dia activity (p < 0.05), and KW6002 enhanced this effect in contralateral (p < 0.05) and ipsilateral Dia activity (p < 0.001), but not T2 inspiratory activity. Functional benefits of combined AIH plus systemic A2A receptor inhibition were maintained for 4 weeks. Thus, in rats with chronic injuries: 1) dAIH improves VT and bilateral diaphragm activity; 2) VT recovery is enhanced by A2A receptor inhibition; and 3) functional recovery with A2A receptor inhibition and AIH “reminders” last 4 weeks. Combined dAIH and A2A receptor inhibition may be a simple, safe, and effective strategy to accelerate/enhance functional recovery of breathing capacity in patients with respiratory impairment from chronic spinal injury.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)93-101
Number of pages9
JournalExperimental Neurology
Volume287
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2017

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Work supported by NIH HL69064 . A. Navarrete Opazo was supported by Fulbright scholarship. B.J. Dougherty was supported by Craig H. Neilsen Foundation fellowship.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

  • Adenosine receptors
  • Breathing
  • Cervical
  • Chronic
  • Functional recovery
  • Hemisection
  • Intermittent hypoxia
  • Rehabilitation
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Spinal plasticity

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