Chemical and electric transmission in the carotid body chemoreceptor complex

CARLOS EYZAGUIRRE ^[1]
1. [1] University of Utah
  
  University of Utah
  
  Estados Unidos
Localización: Biological Research, ISSN-e 0717-6287, ISSN 0716-9760, Vol. 38, Nº. 4, 2005, págs. 341-345
Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
- Carotid body chemoreceptors are complex secondary receptors. There are chemical and electric connections between glomus cells (GC/GC) and between glomus cells and carotid nerve endings (GC/NE). Chemical secretion of glomus cells is accompanied by GC/GC uncoupling. Chemical GC/NE transmission is facilitated by concomitant electric coupling. Chronic hypoxia reduces GC/GC coupling but increases G/NE coupling. Therefore, carotid body chemoreceptors use chemical and electric transmission mechanisms to trigger and change the sensory discharge in the carotid nerve.