Stimulation of vagus nerve modifies negative chronotropic and hypotensive effects of adenosine

The effects of electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve on the negative chronotropic and hypotensive effects of adenosine were studied on adult rats. Intravenous injection of adenosine to control rats significantly reduced the heart rate and induced a transient blood pressure drop followed its increase. Preliminary electrical stimulation of the right vagus nerve reduced the magnitude and duration of adenosine-induced bradycardia and changed the dynamics of adenosine-induced arterial pressure perturbations. © 2004 Plenum Publishing Corporation