Central galanin and N-terminal galanin fragment induce c-Fos immunoreactivity in the medulla oblongata of the anesthetized rat

This immunohistochemical study analyzed the c-Fos expression (c-Fos-ir) ind uced by galanin injections. Galanin and N-terminal galanin fragment (1-15) induced a significant increase of c-Fos expression (c-ir) within the medull a oblongata 90 min and 6 h. after intracisternal injections. This expressio n has been studied mainly in the nucleus of the solitary tract and in the v entrolateral medulla showing different temporal profiles for both peptides. The presence of c-Fos-ir in TH-positive cells was analyzed in all the grou ps. These results may be relevant to understand the role of galanin in seve ral functions including central cardiovascular control. (C) 2001 Elsevier S cience Inc. All rights reserved.