VI. Synaptic Fuel Cell Reactions in Vascular-Interstitial-Neuromuscular Closed Circuit: Theory of Neuromuscular Activation

Abstract

Spontaneous pulses of voltage occur in the caval vein at voluntary contraction of a leg muscle both in the rat and in humans. Morphology and vascular reactions indicate that vascular-interstitial-neuromuscular circuits (VINMC) exist. They require redox reactions, which are likely to occur at proteins in the cellular membranes of the synapse. Metabolic degradation of ATP in the nerve cell is known to generate a flow of current out of the cell, creating the resting potential. It corresponds to an electrochemical equilibrium potential. An overpotential leads to a closed circuit flow of current in the VINMC, producing redox products at the electrode equivalent redox proteins. The VINMC is thereby charged. Brain impulses open ionic channels of the nerve cell body, short-circuiting the VINMC. Electrochemical reactions by the redox products produce an action potential and reverse the current in the charged VINMC. The charging and discharging of the synaptic membranes are explained as electrochemical analogs. The action potential and its height, production, transport, and disappearance of various synaptic products, including vesicles and the voltage pulses in the associated vessels such as the caval vein and the aorta, can be explained. 99