Fig. 1.

Effects of blocking nerve growth factor (NGF) on the muscle pressor reflex. Muscle contraction was evoked by electrical stimulation of the L4 and L5 ventral roots. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) to static muscle contraction were examined in control rats and rats with 24 h of femoral artery ligation. A: raw data showing that arterial occlusion increased arterial blood pressure (AP) and HR responses to contraction. Prior injection of NGF antibody (10 μg) into the hindlimb muscles attenuated enhancement of the pressor response induced by contraction in occluded rats. B and C: average data for the responses of MAP and HR. *P < 0.05, vs. control and NGF-Ab plus occlusion. There was no significant difference in MAP and HR responses in control rats and occluded rats with NGF antibody injection. D: similar muscle tension development was seen in three groups.