Abstract: Objective To compare the patterns of respiratory function variations resulting from the classical reflex of blood
pressure fall and high blood levels of bile acid, so as to provide evidence for the regulation of respiratory function via bile
acids. Methods Seventy New Zealand male Rabbits, under general anesthesia with 20% urethane, were subjected to tracheal
intubations and carotid artery cannulations via median incisions of the neck. Using a biological signal acquisition system, the
changes in the breathing and blood pressure were observed in response to stimulation of the pneumogastric nerves or to ear
vein injections of diluted bile acids or the water solutions of 5 dissociated bile acids. Results Stimulation of the pneumogastric
nerves and injections of diluted bile acids both lowered the blood pressure without significant differences in the total reaction
time (T). However, the total respiratory reaction time of bile acids, RT(bile acids), was 9-10 times longer than the total reaction time
of blood pressure T(bile acids) (P<0.001). The peak-peak values of respiratory range RR(bile acids) were higher than that RR(pneumogastric nerves)
resulting from the classical reflex (P<0.001). In the interval of RT1(bile acids), the values of RR(bile acids) were significantly higher than
those of RR(bile acids) in RT2(bile acids) interval. UDCA produced no significant influence on blood pressure or respiratory function (P>
0.05) as the other 4 dissociated bile acid reagents did (P<0.001). Conclusions High blood levels of bile acids not only act
through reflex factors but also have direct effects on respiratory function regulation. Under our experimental conditions,
UDCA has no effect on blood pressure or respiratory function, but the other 4 dissociated bile acid reagents can all
dose-dependently lower blood pressure and significantly affect respiratory function.