Vasodilatation of the Hindquarters Induced by Antagonism of GABA_A Receptors in the Freely Moving Rat

Abstract

An intracisternal injection of the GABA_A receptor antagonist bicuculline into conscious rats increased arterial pressure and decreased hindquarter resistance. Propranolol attenuated only the resistance response, but ganglionic block abolished both responses. These findings suggest that central GABA_A receptor blockade induces an autonomic pressor action with hindquarter vasodilatation.