RESEARCH: Development of Bionic Baroreflex System

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http://www.ncvc.go.jp/english/res/Car_Dyn_A1.html

Development of Bionic Baroreflex System

The human body has a control system that maintains constant arterial

pressure, i.e., the baroreflex system, which works through negative

feedback. This system attenuates blood pressure variations caused by

perturbation to the body, and operates steadily to counteract extreme

variations in blood pressure caused by postural changes. In patients with

Shy-Drager syndrome, significant blood pressure variation with changes in

body position (hypotension in standing position and hypertension in supine

position) greatly aggravates the quality of life. By replacing the damaged

baroreflex system with a bionic baroreflex system, blood pressure may be

kept stable in such patients.

In model animals with blocked baroreceptor afferent, we studied variation in

blood pressure by having the animals stand up with and without the bionic

baroreflex system. Hypotension caused by standing became transient and was

attenuated with bionic baroreflex system operation, which was functionally

indistinguishable from natural blood pressure stabilizing action. These

findings suggest that blood pressure stabilizing action in normal animals

can be reproduced through functional replacement of the natural vasomotor

center with an artificial one.