Relationship between the density of degenerated neurons in the carotid body and changes in blood pH

Authors

HAKAN KINAFollow
AYDIN SİNAN APAYDINFollow

Abstract

Background/aimCarotid artery is the majority artery for brain feeding. Carotid Bodies (CBs) are located in carotid bifurcation and regulate body fluid pH. We aimed to evaluate the changes in CB-related pH levels as a consequence of degeneration induced by the ligation of both Common Carotid Arteries (BCCAL).Materials and methodsWe included 23 adult male New Zealand rabbits. A control group (n= 5); a sham group (0.5 mL saline injected n=5) and the main study group (subjected to the BCCAL procedure, n = 13). We monitored and recorded pH levels, and cardiac rhythms before, during, and after the experiments at two-day intervals. The study lasted three weeks. Additionally, we quantified both healthy and degenerated neuron densities within the CBs.ResultsAcross all groups, initial pH levels were: control (7.42 ± 0.039), sham (7.39 ± 0.059), and study (7.35 ± 0.12). Before euthanasia, pH levels adjusted to control (7.40 ± 0.029), sham (7.42 ± 0.041), and study (7.39 ± 0.12). Degenerated neuron density of CB was measured as: control (11 ± 4/mm^3), sham (394 ± 74/mm^3), and study (1363 ± 347/mm^3). In addition, statistical analysis post-ligation revealed significant differences: control vs. sham (p<0.001), sham vs. study (p<0.0005), and control vs. study (p<0.000001).ConclusionsIncreased degenerate neuron density in the CB can lead to a reduction in blood pH immediately following BCAAL due to acutely developed CB ischemia, and timely pH renormalized because vertebrobasilar reverse blood flow begins to CB blood supply and reversed CB neurodegeneration renormalizes blood pH.

Author ORCID Identifier

HAKAN KINA: 0000-0002-9741-7720

AYDINAYDIN SİNAN APAYDINAPAYDİN: 0000-0002-2916-9550

DOI

10.55730/1300-0144.5961

Keywords

Blood pH, carotid body, glossopharyngeal nerve, subarachnoid hemorrhage

First Page

223

Last Page

230

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

KINA, HAKAN and APAYDIN, AYDIN SİNAN (2025) "Relationship between the density of degenerated neurons in the carotid body and changes in blood pH," Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences: Vol. 55: No. 1, Article 25. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0144.5961
Available at: https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/medical/vol55/iss1/25