Circadian Cycle Exaggerates Sympathoexcitatory Responses To Activation Of Chemosensitive Renal Sensory Nerves

Renal sensory nerves contribute to hypertension and renal dysfunction in chronic kidney disease. Selective chemokines (e.g., bradykinin or capsaicin) activate renal sensory nerves and produce reflexive efferent sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and arterial blood pressure (ABP) responses. SNA, ABP, and renal function exhibit circadian patterns; yet the impact of circadian cycle on chemosensitive responses is unknown. We hypothesized that SNA and hemodynamic responses would be greater during the active phrase or nighttime versus the inactive phase or daytime. In Inactin anesthetized rats, simultaneous renal and splanchnic SNA and ABP were measured during intrarenal arterial infusion of capsaicin or bradykinin (0.1 μM - 30.0 μM; 50 μl over 15 s) at nighttime (N; 20:00-04:00; n= 12M, 10F) versus daytime (D; 09:00-16:00; n= 8M, 8F). Baseline mean ABP was significantly elevated during nighttime (N: 104±2 mmHg; D: 97±2 mmHg, p=0.04). Intrarenal capsaicin infusion produced concentration-dependent increases in renal and splanchnic SNA. Renal SNA increased more at nighttime versus daytime at 10 μM (N: 723±136 vs D: 409±79 %; p=0.03) and 30 μM (N: 826±181 vs D: 509±80 %; p=0.03). Similarly, splanchnic SNA was greater during nighttime versus daytime at 10 μM (N: 501±117 vs D: 204±53 %, p=0.03) and 30 μM (N: 537±101 vs D: 295±68 %; p=0.03). However, ABP responses were similar between nighttime versus daytime (30uM: 7±1 vs 6±1 mmHg, respectively). Intrarenal infusion of bradykinin produced concentration-dependent increases in renal and splanchnic SNA. Renal SNA increased more at nighttime versus daytime at 10 μM (N: 1773±216 vs D: 1249±112 %; p=0.01) and 30 μM (N: 2605±263 vs D: 1783±163 %; p=0.001). Similarly, splanchnic SNA was exaggerated at nighttime versus daytime at 0.1 μM (N: 163±65 vs D: 0±0 %; p=0.02), 1.0 μM (N: 566±114 vs D: 184±52 %; p=0.005), 10 μM (N: 1110±193 vs D: 583±87 %; p=0.006) and 30 μM (N: 2008±193 vs D: 1044±162 %; p<0.001). ABP response were similar between nighttime versus daytime at 30 μM (10±2 vs 6±1 mmHg, respectively). Circadian cycle exaggerates sympathoexcitatory responses produced by chemosensitive renal sensory nerve activation.