Aa. Bell et al., Cardiovascular responses produced by microinjection of serotonin-receptor agonists into the paraventricular nucleus in conscious rats, J CARDIO PH, 33(2), 1999, pp. 175-180
Citations number
41
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","Cardiovascular & Hematology Research
Activation of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) receptors in the brain
produces cardiovascular responses by altering autonomic outflow. The parave
ntricular nucleus (PVN) contains a modest density of 5-HT receptors and has
connections to autonomic centers. Experiments were designed to determine w
hether cardiovascular responses were produced by the administration of 5-HT
2- and 5-HT1A-receptor agonists into the PVN of conscious rats. The microin
jection of the 5-HT2-receptor agonist DOI [(+/-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophe
nyl)-2-aminopropane HCl] into the PVN produced dose-dependent (1-10 nmol) i
ncreases in heart rate and blood pressure; the peak responses were +39 +/-
10 beats/min and +6 +/- 2 mm Hg, respectively. Both responses were blocked
by the concomitant administration of the selective 5-HT2-receptor antagonis
t LY53857 into the PVN. By contrast, the microinjection of the selective 5-
HT1A-receptor agonist R(+)-8-OH-DPAT [R(+)8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) te
tralin HBr; 1-10 nmol] into the PVN did not affect blood pressure or heart
rate. These data suggest that 5-HT neurons projecting from the raphe nuclei
to or near the PVN can participate in the central control of the cardiovas
cular system by way of 5-HT2 receptors. Apparently 5-HT neurons terminating
in the PVN can increase blood pressure and heart rate and produce sympatho
adrenal activation, metabolic and hormonal responses consistent with those
observed in several different stress paradigms.