Carotid bodies are well known to be the sole sensors of hypoxia in humans. In response to low blood oxygenation type I chemosensory cells within the carotid bodies initiate a plethora of compensatory reactions. Activation of the sympathetic system is an inherent part of such response. From the evolutionary point of view the protective role of various reflexes originating from carotid bodies is undisputable and pertinent to different scenarios including: high altitude, long haul air flights, diving or acute respiratory failure. Unfortunately, the obvious benefits related to the acute activation of carotid bodies might become detrimental when these structures become tonically aroused and hence continuously contribute to excessive overall sympathoexcitation. This has been described in number of adrenergically mediated diseases such as: heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, hypertension and insulin resistance. Recent human studies have documented a significant decrease in sympathetic nerve activity following carotid body resection. This however did not translate into clear-cut clinical benefits. Moreover, an important safety issues have been revealed. Thus, we believe that the role of carotid bodies in various sympathetically mediated states needs to be revisited. It may be that more selective approach (novel molecular targets) to carotid body modulation with better patient selection based on innovative physiological markers is required.
This Research Topic in Frontiers in Physiology will publish high quality research papers, short communications, and reviews covering recent advances in pathophysiology of carotid bodies both in animal models and in humans studies. We also welcome methods papers describing novel technologies for the measurement of carotid body function which could be employed in broad clinical practice.
The topics of interest include, but are not limited to the following:
-establishing novel targets within the carotid bodies for selective modulation of sympathetic tone with the preservation of ventilatory responses to hypoxia (according to “ribbon cable” hypothesis);
-identifying pathophysiological links behind additional (beyond sympatholysis) potential benefits of carotid body modulation (e.g. enhanced exercise tolerance, improved sleep architecture);
-uncovering disease states with possible involvement of abnormal carotid body activity (e.g. heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, obesity, post-COVID syndrome);
-characterizing the effects of various medications used in the treatment of sympathetically mediated diseases on carotid body function;
-describing the consequences of non-invasive and non-pharmacological carotid body modulation (e.g. exercise training).
Carotid bodies are well known to be the sole sensors of hypoxia in humans. In response to low blood oxygenation type I chemosensory cells within the carotid bodies initiate a plethora of compensatory reactions. Activation of the sympathetic system is an inherent part of such response. From the evolutionary point of view the protective role of various reflexes originating from carotid bodies is undisputable and pertinent to different scenarios including: high altitude, long haul air flights, diving or acute respiratory failure. Unfortunately, the obvious benefits related to the acute activation of carotid bodies might become detrimental when these structures become tonically aroused and hence continuously contribute to excessive overall sympathoexcitation. This has been described in number of adrenergically mediated diseases such as: heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, hypertension and insulin resistance. Recent human studies have documented a significant decrease in sympathetic nerve activity following carotid body resection. This however did not translate into clear-cut clinical benefits. Moreover, an important safety issues have been revealed. Thus, we believe that the role of carotid bodies in various sympathetically mediated states needs to be revisited. It may be that more selective approach (novel molecular targets) to carotid body modulation with better patient selection based on innovative physiological markers is required.
This Research Topic in Frontiers in Physiology will publish high quality research papers, short communications, and reviews covering recent advances in pathophysiology of carotid bodies both in animal models and in humans studies. We also welcome methods papers describing novel technologies for the measurement of carotid body function which could be employed in broad clinical practice.
The topics of interest include, but are not limited to the following:
-establishing novel targets within the carotid bodies for selective modulation of sympathetic tone with the preservation of ventilatory responses to hypoxia (according to “ribbon cable” hypothesis);
-identifying pathophysiological links behind additional (beyond sympatholysis) potential benefits of carotid body modulation (e.g. enhanced exercise tolerance, improved sleep architecture);
-uncovering disease states with possible involvement of abnormal carotid body activity (e.g. heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, obesity, post-COVID syndrome);
-characterizing the effects of various medications used in the treatment of sympathetically mediated diseases on carotid body function;
-describing the consequences of non-invasive and non-pharmacological carotid body modulation (e.g. exercise training).