Effects of Veratrum nigrum alkaloids on central catecholaminergic neurons of renal hypertensive rats

AIM: To study the central hypotensive mechanism of Veratrum nigrum L var us surience Nakai;alkaloids (VnA) in renal hypertensive rats(RHR). :METHODS: T he quantitative method of immunocytochemistry (ICC) was used to observe and detect the effect of VnA (30 mu g.kg(-1), iv) on activity of central catec holaminergic (CA) neurons of C1, C2, Al, and AS areas in RHR. RESULTS: VnA increased the immunoreactivity (IR) of tyrosine 3-monooxygenase (TM)-immuno positive (IP) neurons of C1, C2, arid A5 areas in RHR experimental group co mpared with RHR control group [positive units: (1.9 +/- 0.4), (1.18 +/- 0.2 3), (1.2 +/- 0.4) vs (0.15 +/- 0.22), (0.31 +/- 0.16), (0.69 +/- 0.20), res pectively]; IR of TM-IP neurons of C1 and C2 areas in RHR controlgroup was decreased compared with sham-operated group [positive units: (0.1.5 +/- 0.2 2), (0.31 +/- 0.16) vs (1.45 +/- 0.29), (1.36 +/- 0.25), respectively]. CON CLUSION: VnA increased the activity of central CA neurons in RHR to exert i ts hypotensive effect.