BDNF shifts excitatory-inhibitory balance in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus to elevate blood pressure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniella Thorsdottir ◽  
Zachary Einwag ◽  
Benedek Erdos
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Paraventricular Nucleus ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Cardiovascular Responses ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Bdnf Expression ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Inhibitory Signaling ◽  
Signaling Components

Presympathetic neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) play a key role in cardiovascular regulation. We have previously shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), acting in the PVN, increases sympathetic activity and blood pressure and serves as a key regulator of stress-induced hypertensive responses. BDNF is known to alter glutamatergic and GABA-ergic signaling broadly in the central nervous system, but whether BDNF has similar actions in the PVN remains to be investigated. Here, we tested the hypothesis that increased BDNF expression in the PVN elevates blood pressure by enhancing NMDA receptor (NMDAR)- and inhibiting GABAA receptor (GABAAR)-mediated signaling. Sprague Dawley rats received bilateral PVN injections of AAV2 viral vectors expressing GFP or BDNF. Three weeks later, cardiovascular responses to PVN injections of NMDAR and GABAAR agonists and antagonists were recorded under α-chloralose-urethane anesthesia. Additionally, expressions of excitatory and inhibitory signaling components in the PVN were assessed using immunofluorescence. Our results showed that NMDAR inhibition led to a greater decrease in blood pressure in the BDNF vs GFP group, while GABAAR inhibition led to greater increases in blood pressure in the GFP group compared to BDNF. Conversely, GABAAR activation decreased blood pressure significantly more in GFP vs BDNF rats. In addition, immunoreactivity of NMDAR1 was upregulated, while GABAAR-a1 and K+/Cl- cotransporter 2 were downregulated by BDNF overexpression in the PVN. In summary, our findings indicate that hypertensive actions of BDNF within the PVN are mediated, at least in part, by augmented NMDAR and reduced GABAAR signaling.

scholarly journals BDNF downregulates β-adrenergic receptor-mediated hypotensive mechanisms in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus

2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (6) ◽  
pp. H1258-H1271
Author(s):  
Daniella Thorsdottir ◽  
Nicholas C. Cruickshank ◽  
Zachary Einwag ◽  
Grant W. Hennig ◽  
Benedek Erdos
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Paraventricular Nucleus ◽  
Adrenergic Receptor ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Bdnf Expression ◽  
As Stress ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is upregulated in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in response to hypertensive stimuli such as stress and hyperosmolality, and BDNF acting in the PVN plays a key role in elevating sympathetic activity and blood pressure. However, downstream mechanisms mediating these effects remain unclear. We tested the hypothesis that BDNF increases blood pressure, in part by diminishing inhibitory hypotensive input from nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) catecholaminergic neurons projecting to the PVN. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received bilateral PVN injections of viral vectors expressing either green fluorescent protein (GFP) or BDNF and bilateral NTS injections of vehicle or anti-dopamine-β-hydroxylase-conjugated saporin (DSAP), a neurotoxin that selectively lesions noradrenergic and adrenergic neurons. BDNF overexpression in the PVN without NTS lesioning significantly increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) in awake animals by 18.7 ± 1.8 mmHg. DSAP treatment also increased MAP in the GFP group, by 9.8 ± 3.2 mmHg, but failed to affect MAP in the BDNF group, indicating a BDNF-induced loss of NTS catecholaminergic hypotensive effects. In addition, in α-chloralose-urethane-anesthetized rats, hypotensive responses to PVN injections of the β-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline were significantly attenuated by BDNF overexpression, whereas PVN injections of phenylephrine had no effect on blood pressure. BDNF treatment was also found to significantly reduce β1-adrenergic receptor mRNA expression in the PVN, whereas expression of other adrenergic receptors was unaffected. In summary, increased BDNF expression in the PVN elevates blood pressure, in part by downregulating β-receptor signaling and diminishing hypotensive catecholaminergic input from the NTS to the PVN. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We have shown that BDNF, a key hypothalamic regulator of blood pressure, disrupts catecholaminergic signaling between the NTS and the PVN by reducing the responsiveness of PVN neurons to inhibitory hypotensive β-adrenergic input from the NTS. This may be occurring partly via BDNF-mediated downregulation of β1-adrenergic receptor expression in the PVN and results in an increase in blood pressure.

Adrenomedullin microinjection into the area postrema increases blood pressure

1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (6) ◽  
pp. R1698-R1703 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Allen ◽  
P. M. Smith ◽  
A. V. Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Area Postrema ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Cardiovascular Responses ◽  
Hypotensive Effect ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Brain Site

Adrenomedullin (ADM) circulates in the blood at concentrations comparable to other vasoactive peptides with established roles in cardiovascular regulation. Intravenously administered ADM produces a clear hypotensive effect, whereas intracerebroventricular microinjections result in increases in blood pressure (BP). Recently, we demonstrated that ADM influences neurons of the area postrema (AP), a central nervous system site implicated in cardiovascular control. However, to address directly the physiological significance of the actions of ADM at the AP, an in vivo microinjection study was undertaken. ADM, at two concentrations (1 and 10 microM), in volumes of 50, 100, and 200 nl, was microinjected into the AP or NTS of 21 urethan-anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. Microinjection of 10 microM ADM (100 nl) resulted in significant transient (2-5 min) increases in BP [120 s area under the curve (AUC): 684.3 +/- 268.6 mmHg/s (P < 0.05)], and heart rate (HR) [AUC: 12.5 +/- 4.5 beats/min (P < 0.05)]. The lower concentration of ADM (1 microM) had no effect on either BP (179.1 +/- 143.6 mmHg/s) or HR (0.8 +/- 2.6 beats/min). ADM was also microinjected into the immediately adjacent nucleus of the solitary tract, where it was found to be without effect on either BP or HR. This study demonstrates, for the first time, a physiological role for ADM acting at a specific brain site, the AP, to produce significant cardiovascular responses.

Central catecholamine depletion, vasopressin, and blood pressure in the DOCA/NaCl rat

1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (6) ◽  
pp. H807-H813 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Okuno ◽  
S. R. Winternitz ◽  
M. D. Lindheimer ◽  
S. Oparil
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Chemical Sympathectomy ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Paraventricular Nuclei ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Intraventricular Injections ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
6 Hydroxydopamine

To determine whether impaired arginine vasopressin (AVP) release occurs when DOCA-NaCl hypertension is prevented following chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with intraventricular injections of 6-OHDA (250 micrograms X 2) or Merlis solution received deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) implants (100 mg/kg) and drank 0.5% saline. Systolic blood pressure in the 6-OHDA-treated DOCA/NaCl group (139 +/- 4 mmHg) was lower (P less than 0.001) than in the Merlis-DOCA/NaCl group (183 +/- 7 mmHg). 6-OHDA treatment produced widespread catecholamine depletion throughout the central nervous system, including the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, the cells of which are known to produce AVP, but hypothalamic, pituitary, and plasma AVP levels were similar in both experimental groups, the latter values averaging 1.5–2 times those of controls. Both groups of rats suppressed AVP secretion appropriately when water loaded. Such suppression, however, had no effect on blood pressure in the hypertensive animals and, furthermore, administration of the AVP antagonist d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP produced small decrements in mean blood pressure of both groups that were not significantly different from responses seen in control normotensive rats. These data demonstrate that 6-OHDA does not prevent DOCA-NaCl hypertension by decreasing AVP levels and suggest that AVP is not necessary for the maintenance of hypertension in this model.

Adenoviral inhibition of AT1a receptors in the paraventricular nucleus inhibits acute increases in mean arterial blood pressure in the rat

2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (5) ◽  
pp. R1202-R1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie A. Northcott ◽  
Stephanie Watts ◽  
Yanfang Chen ◽  
Mariana Morris ◽  
Alex Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Paraventricular Nucleus ◽  
Pressor Response ◽  
Marker Gene ◽  
Acute Administration ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats

Brain and peripheral renin-angiotensin systems are important in blood pressure maintenance. Circulating ANG II stimulates brain RAS to contribute to the increase mean arterial pressure (MAP). This mechanism has not been fully clarified, so it was hypothesized that reducing angiotensin type 1a (AT1a) receptors (AT1aRs) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) would diminish intravenous ANG II-induced increases in MAP. Adenoviruses (Ad) encoding AT1a small hairpin RNA (shRNA) or Ad-LacZ (marker gene) were injected into the PVN [1 × 109 plaque-forming units/ml, bilateral (200 nl/site)] of male Sprague-Dawley rats instrumented with radiotelemetry transmitters for MAP and heart rate measurements and with venous catheters for drug administration. No differences in weight gain or basal MAP were observed. ANG II (30 ng·kg−1·min−1 iv, 15 μl/min for 60 min) was administered 3, 7, 10, and 14 days after PVN Ad injection to increase blood pressure. ANG II-induced elevations in MAP were significantly reduced in PVN Ad-AT1a shRNA rats compared with Ad-LacZ rats (32 ± 6 vs. 8 ± 9 mmHg at 7 days, 35 ± 6 vs. 10 ± 6 mmHg at 10 days, and 32 ± 2 vs. 1 ± 5 mmHg at 14 days; P < 0.05). These observations were confirmed by acute administration of losartan (20 nmol/l, 100 nl/site) in the PVN prior to short-term infusion of ANG II; the ANG II-pressor response was attenuated by 69%. In contrast, PVN Ad-AT1a shRNA treatment did not influence phenylephrine-induced increases in blood pressure (30 μg·kg−1·min−1 iv, 15 μl/min for 30 min). Importantly, PVN Ad-AT1a shRNA did not alter superior mesenteric arterial contractility to ANG II or norepinephrine; ACh-induced arterial relaxation was also unaltered. β-Galactosidase staining revealed PVN Ad transduction, and Western blot analyses revealed significant reductions of PVN AT1 protein. In conclusion, PVN-localized AT1Rs are critical for short-term circulating ANG II-mediated elevations of blood pressure. A sustained suppression of AT1aR expression by single administration of shRNA can interfere with short-term actions of ANG II.

Central KATP channels modulate glucose effectiveness in humans and rodents

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada Admin ◽  
Michelle Carey ◽  
Eric Lontchi-Yimagou ◽  
William Mitchell ◽  
Sarah Reda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Katp Channel ◽  
Glucose Production ◽  
Katp Channels ◽  
Endogenous Glucose Production ◽  
Elevated Plasma ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Glucose Effectiveness ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Hyperglycemia is a potent regulator of endogenous glucose production (EGP). Loss of this ‘glucose effectiveness’ is a major contributor to elevated plasma glucose concentrations in type 2 diabetes (T2D). ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K<sub>ATP</sub> channels) in the central nervous system (CNS) have been shown to regulate EGP in humans and rodents. We examined the contribution of central K<sub>ATP</sub> channels to glucose effectiveness. Under fixed hormonal conditions (‘pancreatic clamp’ studies), hyperglycemia suppressed EGP by ~50% in both non-diabetic humans and normal Sprague Dawley rats. By contrast, antagonism of K<sub>ATP</sub> channels with glyburide significantly reduced the EGP-lowering effect of hyperglycemia in both humans and rats. Furthermore, the effects of glyburide on EGP and gluconeogenic enzymes in rats were abolished by intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of the KATP channel agonist diazoxide. These findings indicate that about half of EGP suppression by hyperglycemia is mediated by central K<sub>ATP</sub> channels. These central mechanisms may offer a novel therapeutic target for improving glycemic control in T2D.

scholarly journals Increased superoxide levels in ganglia and sympathoexcitation are involved in sarafotoxin 6c-induced hypertension

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (5) ◽  
pp. R1546-R1554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Li ◽  
Xiaoling Dai ◽  
Stephanie Watts ◽  
David Kreulen ◽  
Gregory Fink
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Sympathetic Innervation ◽  
Sympathetic Ganglia ◽  
Plasma Norepinephrine ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Surgical Ablation ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Induced Hypertension ◽  
Hypertension Development

Endothelin (ET) type B receptors (ETBR) are expressed in multiple tissues and perform different functions depending on their location. ETBR mediate endothelium-dependent vasodilation, clearance of circulating ET, and diuretic effects; all of these should produce a fall in arterial blood pressure. However, we recently showed that chronic activation of ETBR in rats with the selective agonist sarafotoxin 6c (S6c) causes sustained hypertension. We have proposed that one mechanism of this effect is constriction of capacitance vessels. The current study was performed to determine whether S6c hypertension is caused by increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or activation of the sympathetic nervous system. The model used was continuous 5-day infusion of S6c into male Sprague-Dawley rats. No changes in superoxide anion levels in arteries and veins were found in hypertensive S6c-treated rats. However, superoxide levels were increased in sympathetic ganglia from S6c-treated rats. In addition, superoxide levels in ganglia increased progressively the longer the animals received S6c. Treatment with the antioxidant tempol impaired S6c-induced hypertension and decreased superoxide levels in ganglia. Acute ganglion blockade lowered blood pressure more in S6c-treated rats than in vehicle-treated rats. Although plasma norepinephrine levels were not increased in S6c hypertension, surgical ablation of the celiac ganglion plexus, which provides most of the sympathetic innervation to the splanchnic organs, significantly attenuated hypertension development. The results suggest that S6c-induced hypertension is partially mediated by sympathoexcitation to the splanchnic organs driven by increased oxidative stress in prevertebral sympathetic ganglia.

scholarly journals Aerobic Exercise Prevents Depression via Alleviating Hippocampus Injury in Chronic Stressed Depression Rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Jie Kang ◽  
Di Wang ◽  
Yongchang Duan ◽  
Lin Zhai ◽  
Lin Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Mild Stress ◽  
Glutamatergic System ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Bdnf Expression ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Immobility Time ◽  
Neurotoxic Effects ◽  
Swimming Test ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

(1) Background: Depression is one of the overwhelming public health problems. Alleviating hippocampus injury may prevent depression development. Herein, we established the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model and aimed to investigate whether aerobic exercise (AE) could alleviate CUMS induced depression-like behaviors and hippocampus injury. (2) Methods: Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats (200 ± 20 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups (control, CUMS, CUMS + 7 days AE, CUMS + 14 days AE). Rats with AE treatments were subjected to 45 min treadmill per day. (3) Results: AE intervention significantly improved CUMS-induced depressive behaviors, e.g., running square numbers and immobility time assessed by the open field and forced swimming test, suppressed hippocampal neuron apoptosis, reduced levels of phosphorylation of NMDA receptor and homocysteine in hippocampus, as well as serum glucocorticoids, compared to the CUMS rats. In contrast, AE upregulated phosphorylation of AMPAR receptor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) hippocampus in CUMS depression rats. The 14 day-AE treatment exhibited better performance than 7 day-AE on the improvement of the hippocampal function. (4) Conclusion: AE might be an efficient strategy for prevention of CUMS-induced depression via ameliorating hippocampus functions. Underlying mechanisms may be related with glutamatergic system, the neurotoxic effects of homocysteine, and/or influences in glucocorticoids-BDNF expression interaction.

scholarly journals Differential Effects of Refeeding on Melanocortin-Responsive Neurons in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus

Endocrinology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 149 (9) ◽  
pp. 4329-4335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edith Sánchez ◽  
Praful S. Singru ◽  
Runa Acharya ◽  
Monica Bodria ◽  
Csaba Fekete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Paraventricular Nucleus ◽  
Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Early Action ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Melanocortin Signaling ◽  
Agouti Related Protein ◽  
Serum Tsh

To explore the effect of refeeding on recovery of TRH gene expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and its correlation with the feeding-related neuropeptides in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), c-fos immunoreactivity (IR) in the PVN and ARC 2 h after refeeding and hypothalamic TRH, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related protein (AGRP) mRNA levels 4, 12, and 24 h after refeeding were studied in Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to prolonged fasting. Despite rapid reactivation of proopiomelanocortin neurons by refeeding as demonstrated by c-fos IR in ARC α-MSH-IR neurons and ventral parvocellular subdivision PVN neurons, c-fos IR was present in only 9.7 ± 1.1% hypophysiotropic TRH neurons. Serum TSH levels remained suppressed 4 and 12 h after the start of refeeding, returning to fed levels after 24 h. Fasting reduced TRH mRNA compared with fed animals, and similar to TSH, remained suppressed at 4 and 12 h after refeeding, returning toward normal at 24 h. AGRP and NPY gene expression in the ARC were markedly elevated in fasting rats, AGRP mRNA returning to baseline levels 12 h after refeeding and NPY mRNA remaining persistently elevated even at 24 h. These data raise the possibility that refeeding-induced activation of melanocortin signaling exerts differential actions on its target neurons in the PVN, an early action directed at neurons that may be involved in satiety, and a later action on hypophysiotropic TRH neurons involved in energy expenditure, potentially mediated by sustained elevations in AGRP and NPY. This response may be an important homeostatic mechanism to allow replenishment of depleted energy stores associated with fasting.

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