AUTHOR=Langner-Hetmańczuk Anna , Tubek Stanisław , Niewiński Piotr , Ponikowski Piotr 

TITLE=The Role of Pharmacological Treatment in the Chemoreflex Modulation

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.912616

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2022.912616

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=From a physiological point of view, peripheral chemoreceptors (PCh) are the main sensors of hypoxia in mammals and are responsible for adaptation to hypoxic conditions. Their stimulation causes hyperventilation – to increase oxygen uptake and increases sympathetic output in order to counteract hypoxia-induced vasodilatation and redistribute the oxygenated blood to critical organs. While this reaction promotes survival in acute settings it may be devastating when long-lasting. The permanent overfunctionality of PCh is one of the etiologic factors and is responsible for the progression of sympathetically-mediated diseases. Thus, the deactivation of PCh has been proposed as a treatment method for these disorders. We review here physiological background and current knowledge regarding the influence of widely prescribed cardiovascular medications on PCh acute and tonic activities.