µ-Opioid Receptor Activation at the Dorsal Reticular Nucleus Shifts Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Controls to Hyperalgesia in Chronic Joint Pain in Male Rats.

BACKGROUND: The dorsal reticular nucleus is a pain facilitatory area involved in diffuse noxious inhibitory control (DNIC) through opioidergic mechanisms that are poorly understood. The hypothesis was that signaling of µ-opioid receptors is altered in this area with prolonged chronic inflammatory pain and that this accounts for the loss of DNICs occurring in this condition. METHODS: Monoarthritis was induced in male Wistar rats (n = 5 to 9/group) by tibiotarsal injection of complete Freund's adjuvant. The immunolabeling of µ-opioid receptors and the phosphorylated forms of µ-opioid receptors and cAMP response element binding protein was quantified. Pharmacologic manipulation of µ-opioid receptors at the dorsal reticular nucleus was assessed in DNIC using the Randall-Selitto test. RESULTS: At 42 days of monoarthritis, µ-opioid receptor labeling decreased at the dorsal reticular nucleus, while its phosphorylated form and the phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein increased. [d-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol]-enkephalin acetate (DAMGO) enhanced DNIC analgesia in normal animals (means ± SD: pre-DNIC: 126.9 ± 7.0 g; DNIC - DAMGO: 147.5 ± 8.0 g vs. DNIC + DAMGO: 198.1 ± 19.3 g; P < 0.001), whereas it produced hyperalgesia in monoarthritis (pre-DNIC: 67.8 ± 7.5 g; DNIC - DAMGO: 70.6 ± 7.7 g vs. DNIC + DAMGO: 32.2 ± 2.6 g; P < 0.001). An ultra-low dose of naloxone, which prevents the excitatory signaling of the µ-opioid receptor, restored DNIC analgesia in monoarthritis (DNIC - naloxone: 60.0 ± 6.1 g vs. DNIC + naloxone: 98.0 ± 13.5 g; P < 0.001), compared to saline (DNIC - saline: 62.5 ± 5.2 g vs. DNIC + saline: 64.2 ± 3.8 g). When injected before DAMGO, it restored DNIC analgesia and decreased the phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein in monoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS: The dorsal reticular nucleus is likely involved in a facilitatory pathway responsible for DNIC hyperalgesia. The shift of µ-opioid receptor signaling to excitatory in this pathway likely accounts for the loss of DNIC analgesia in monoarthritis.

Effects of α-Synuclein Monomers Administration in the Gigantocellular Reticular Nucleus on Neurotransmission in Mouse Model.

The aim of the study was to examine the Braak's hypothesis to explain the spreading and distribution of the neuropathological changes observed in the course of Parkinson's disease among ascending neuroanatomical regions. We investigated the neurotransmitter levels (monoamines and amino acid concentration) as well as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and transglutaminase-2 (TG2) mRNA expression in the mouse striata (ST) after intracerebral α-synuclein (ASN) administration into gigantocellular reticular nucleus (Gi). Male C57BL/10 Tar mice were used in this study. ASN was administrated by stereotactic injection into Gi area (4 µl; 1 µg/µl) and mice were decapitated after 1, 4 or 12 weeks post injection. The neurotransmitters concentration in ST were evaluated using HPLC detection. TH and TG2 mRNA expression were examined by Real-Time PCR method. At 4 and 12 weeks after ASN administration we observed decrease of DA concentration in ST relative to control groups and we found a significantly higher concentration one of the DA metabolites-DOPAC. At these time points, we also noticed the increase in DA turnover determined as DOPAC/DA ratio. Additionally, at 4 and 12 weeks after ASN injection we noted decreasing of TH mRNA expression. Our findings corresponds with the Braak's theory about the presence of the first neuropathological changes within brainstem and then with time affecting higher neuroanatomical regions. These results obtained after administration of ASN monomers to the Gi area may be useful to explain the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

Direct and indirect nigrofugal projections to the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis mediate in the motor execution of the acoustic startle reflex.

The acoustic startle reflex (ASR) is a short and intense defensive reaction in response to a loud and unexpected acoustic stimulus. In the rat, a primary startle pathway encompasses three serially connected central structures: the cochlear root neurons, the giant neurons of the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis (PnC), and the spinal motoneurons. As a sensorimotor interface, the PnC has a central role in the ASR circuitry, especially the integration of different sensory stimuli and brain states into initiation of motor responses. Since the basal ganglia circuits control movement and action selection, we hypothesize that their output via the substantia nigra (SN) may interplay with the ASR primary circuit by providing inputs to PnC. Moreover, the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) has been proposed as a functional and neural extension of the SN, so it is another goal of this study to describe possible anatomical connections from the PPTg to PnC. Here, we made 6-OHDA neurotoxic lesions of the SN pars compacta (SNc) and submitted the rats to a custom-built ASR measurement session to assess amplitude and latency of motor responses. We found that following lesion of the SNc, ASR amplitude decreased and latency increased compared to those values from the sham-surgery and control groups. The number of dopamine neurons remaining in the SNc after lesion was also estimated using a stereological approach, and it correlated with our behavioral results. Moreover, we employed neural tract-tracing techniques to highlight direct projections from the SN to PnC, and indirect projections through the PPTg. Finally, we also measured levels of excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters in the PnC following lesion of the SN, and found that they change following an ipsi/contralateral pattern. Taken together, our results identify nigrofugal efferents onto the primary ASR circuit that may modulate motor responses.

Chronic adolescent morphine exposure alters the responses of lateral paragigantocellular neurons to acute morphine administration in adulthood.

Accumulating evidence support the growing non-medical use of morphine during adolescence. Despite this concern which has recently been addressed in some studies, cellular mechanisms underlying the long-term neurobiological and behavioral effects of opiate exposure during this critical period have still remained largely unexplored. Several reports have proposed that subtle long-lasting neurobiological alterations might be triggered by exposure to opiate derivatives or drugs of abuse particularly when this occurs during a critical phase of brain maturation such as adolescence. The present study was designed to investigate how chronic adolescent morphine exposure could affect the responsiveness of lateral paragigantocellular (LPGi) neurons to acute morphine administration in adult rats. Male Wistar rats received chronic escalating morphine or saline during adolescence (30-39d) for 10 days. During adulthood (65d), the extracellular unit activities of LPGi neurons were recorded in urethane-anesthetized animals. Results indicated that adolescent morphine treatment enhances the baseline activity of LPGi neurons. In addition, morphine-induced inhibition of spontaneous discharge rate was potentiated in adult rats received morphine during adolescence. However, this pretreatment did not affect the extent of morphine excitatory effect, onset or peak of cellular response and regularity of unit discharge in LPGi neurons. Our study supports the hypothesis that adolescent morphine exposure induces long-lasting neurophysiological alterations in brain regions known to play a role in mediating opiate effects. This finding sheds light on the possible effect of opiate pre-exposure on addiction susceptibility in future.

[Myoclonus as a movement disorder]. / Myoklonien als Bewegungsstörung.

Myoclonus is often a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its broad phenomenological variability and limited therapeutic options. This article gives a short survey and characterizes in detail two common types of myoclonus, cortical myoclonus and reticular reflex myoclonus. Clinical testing and electrophysiological investigations provide relevant local diagnostic indications for the generating structure(s). Such indications would influence not only the strategies of neuroimaging and laboratory investigations aimed at clarifying the underlying cause but also the selection of drugs to suppress myoclonus.

Idosos residentes em uma instituição de longa permanência: adaptação à luz de Callista Roy / Elderly residents in homes for the aged: adjustment in the light of Callista Roy / Residentes mayores en un hogares para ancianos: adaptación a la luz de Callista Roy

Objetivou-se avaliar o processo de adaptação de idosos que buscam, voluntariamente, residir em Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPI), na cidade de Fortaleza-CE, com base no modelo teórico de Roy. Pesquisa descritiva, realizada em uma IPLI com treze idosos residentes. A coleta de dados foi por meio de entrevista, nos meses de outubro e dezembro de 2011. Os dados foram tratados pela análise de conteúdo temática. Emergiram as seguintes temáticas: Eu Físico, subdividido em sensação corporal e imagem corporal; e Eu Pessoal, subdividido em auto coerência, auto ideal e ser moral-ético-espiritual. Assim, a opção de morar em ILPI não mudou efetivamente a vida dos idosos. Estes conseguiram adaptação ao local e convivem bem com os estímulos internos e externos.

This study aimed to evaluate the adaptation of elderly individuals voluntarily reside in Institution for the Aged (LTCF) in the city of Fortaleza-CE, based on the theoretical model of Roy. Descriptive study, in a IPLI involving thirteen elderly residents. Data collect was through interviews in the months of October and December 2011 and organized by thematic content analysis. The following themes has emerged: I Physical subdivided into body sensation and body image; Staff and I, subdivided into self-consistency and auto ideal be moral-ethical-spiritual. Thus, the option to live in ILPI not effectively changed the lives of elderly people. They managed to adapt to the local and coexist well with internal and external stimuli.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la adaptación de las personas mayores que residen voluntariamente en la Institución para la tercera edad (LTCF) en la ciudad de Fortaleza-CE, basado en el modelo teórico de Roy. Estudio descriptivo, en un IPLI con trece ancianos residentes. Los datos fueran recogidos a través de entrevistas en los meses de octubre y diciembre de 2011 y organizados mediante análisis de contenido temático. Emergieron los siguientes temas: subdivide I Física en la imagen corporal y sensación de cuerpo; El personal y yo, subdividen en auto-consistencia y auto ideal ser moral-ético-espiritual. Por lo tanto, la opción de vivir en ILPI no cambió de manera efectiva la vida de los ancianos. Se las arreglaron para adaptarse a lo local y convivir bien con los estímulos internos y externos.

Intrinsic connections within the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus are critical to the elaboration of post-ictal antinociception.

This study investigated the intrinsic connections of a key-structure of the endogenous pain inhibitory system, the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTN), in post-ictal antinociceptive process through synaptic inactivation of the PPTN with cobalt chloride. Male Wistar rats (n = 6 or 7 per group), weighing 250-280 g, had the tail-flick baseline recorded and were submitted to a stereotaxic surgery for the introduction of a guide-cannula aiming at the PPTN. After 5 days of postoperative recovery, cobalt chloride (1 mM/0.2 µL) or physiological saline (0.2 µL) were microinjected into the PPTN and after 5 min, the tail-withdrawal latency was measured again at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 min after seizures evoked by intraperitoneal injection of pentylenetetrazole (64 mg/kg). The synaptic inactivation of PPTN decreased the post-ictal antinociceptive phenomenon, suggesting the involvement of PPTN intrinsic connections in the modulation of pain, during tonic-clonic seizures. These results showed that the PPTN may be crucially involved in the neural network that organizes the post-ictal analgesia.

Behavioral anxiolysis without reduction of hippocampal theta frequency after histamine application in the lateral septum of rats.

Hippocampal theta activity is linked to various processes, including locomotion, learning and memory, and defense and affect (i.e., fear and anxiety). Interestingly, all classes of clinically effective anxiolytics, as well as experimental compounds that decrease anxiety in pre-clinical animal models of anxiety, reduce the frequency of hippocampal theta activity elicited by stimulation of the reticular formation in freely behaving or anesthetized animals. In the present experiments, we found that bilateral histamine infusions (0.5 µg/hemisphere) into the lateral septum (LS) of rats decreased anxiety-like responses in two models of anxiety, the elevated plus maze and novelty-induced suppression of feeding test. Surprisingly, these same infusions significantly increased hippocampal theta frequency elicited by reticular stimulation in urethane-anesthetized rats. In contrast to these findings, additional experiments showed that the clinically effective anxiolytic buspirone (40 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced theta frequency, confirming previous observations. Taken together, the dissociation of behavioral anxiolysis and theta frequency reduction noted here suggest that hippocampal theta frequency is not a direct index of anxiety levels in rodents. Further, the mechanisms underlying the behavioral and physiological effects elicited by histamine in the LS require further study.

GABAA receptors are located in cholinergic terminals in the nucleus pontis oralis of the rat: implications for REM sleep control.

The oral pontine reticular formation (PnO) of rat is one region identified in the brainstem as a rapid eye movement (REM) sleep induction zone. Microinjection of GABA(A) receptor antagonists into PnO induces a long lasting increase in REM sleep, which is similar to that produced by cholinergic agonists. We previously showed that this REM sleep-induction can be completely blocked by a muscarinic antagonist, indicating that the REM sleep-inducing effect of GABA(A) receptor antagonism is dependent upon the local cholinergic system. Consistent with these findings, it has been reported that GABA(A) receptor antagonists microdialyzed into PnO resulted in increased levels of acetylcholine. We hypothesize that GABA(A) receptors located on cholinergic boutons in the PnO are responsible for the REM sleep induction by GABA(A) receptor antagonists through blocking GABA inhibition of acetylcholine release. Cholinergic, varicose axon fibers were studied in the PnO by immunofluorescence and confocal, laser scanning microscopy. Immunoreactive cholinergic boutons were found to be colocalized with GABA(A) receptor subunit protein γ2. This finding implicates a specific subtype and location of GABA(A) receptors in PnO of rat in the control of REM sleep.

Repeated Baclofen treatment ameliorates motor dysfunction, suppresses reflex activity and decreases the expression of signaling proteins in reticular nuclei and lumbar motoneurons after spinal trauma in rats.

The interruption of supraspinal input to the spinal cord leads to motor dysfunction and the development of spasticity. Clinical studies have shown that Baclofen (a GABAB agonist), while effective in modulating spasticity is associated with side-effects and the development of tolerance. The aim of the present study was to assess if discontinued Baclofen treatment and its repeated application leads antispasticity effects, and whether such changes affect neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the brainstem, nNOS and parvalbumin (PV) in lumbar α-motoneurons and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the ventral horn of the spinal cord. Adult male Wistar rats were exposed to Th9 spinal cord transection. Baclofen (30mg/b.w.) diluted in drinking water, was administered for 6 days, starting at week 1 after injury and then repeated till week 4 after injury. The behavior of the animals was tested (tail-flick test, BBB locomotor score) from 1 to 8 weeks. Our results clearly indicate the role of nitric oxide, produced by nNOS in the initiation and the maintenance of spasticity states 1, 6 and 8 weeks after spinal trauma. A considerable decrease of nNOS staining after Baclofen treatment correlates with improvement of motor dysfunction. The findings also show that parvalbumin and astrocytes participate in the regulation of ion concentrations in the sub-acute phase after the injury.

GABA(A) receptors implicated in REM sleep control express a benzodiazepine binding site.

It has been reported that non-subtype-selective GABAA receptor antagonists injected into the nucleus pontis oralis (PnO) of rats induced long-lasting increases in REM sleep. Characteristics of these REM sleep increases were identical to those resulting from injection of muscarinic cholinergic agonists. Both actions were blocked by the muscarinic antagonist, atropine. Microdialysis of GABAA receptor antagonists into the PnO resulted in increased acetylcholine levels. These findings were consistent with GABAA receptor antagonists disinhibiting acetylcholine release in the PnO to result in an acetylcholine-mediated REM sleep induction. Direct evidence has been lacking for localization in the PnO of the specific GABAA receptor-subtypes mediating the REM sleep effects. Here, we demonstrated a dose-related, long-lasting increase in REM sleep following injection (60 nl) in the PnO of the inverse benzodiazepine agonist, methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-ß-carboline (DMCM, 10(-2)M). REM sleep increases were greater and more consistently produced than with the non-selective antagonist gabazine, and both were blocked by atropine. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy, colocalized in PnO vesicular acetylcholine transporter, a presynaptic marker of cholinergic boutons, with the γ2 subunit of the GABAA receptor. These data provide support for the direct action of GABA on mechanisms of acetylcholine release in the PnO. The presence of the γ2 subunit at this locus and the REM sleep induction by DMCM are consistent with binding of benzodiazepines by a GABAA receptor-subtype in control of REM sleep.

Role of glutamate receptors in the dorsal reticular nucleus in formalin-induced secondary allodynia.

The role of glutamate receptors present in the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus (DRt) in the formalin test and formalin-induced secondary nociception was studied in rats. Secondary mechanical allodynia was assessed with von Frey filaments applied to the rat's hindpaw, and secondary thermal hyperalgesia was evaluated with the tail-immersion test. The selective glutamate receptor antagonists MK801 (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist), 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) (AMPA/KA receptor antagonist) and A841720 (metabotropic glutamate 1 receptor antagonist) were injected into the DRt before or 6 days after formalin injection in the rat. In the formalin test, the three antagonists significantly reduced the number of flinches in both phases of the test. DRt microinjection of MK801 or A841720, but not of CNQX, reduced both secondary nociceptive behaviors. Moreover, pre-treatment with the three antagonists injected into the DRt prevented the development of secondary mechanical allodynia and secondary thermal hyperalgesia. Similarly, in these rats, the number of c-Fos-like immunoreactive neurons were markedly reduced in both the superficial and deep lamina of the dorsal horn. Our findings support the role of DRt as a pain facilitator in acute and chronic pain states, and suggest a key role of glutamate receptors during the development and maintenance of formalin-induced secondary allodynia.

Noradrenaline increases pain facilitation from the brain during inflammatory pain.

Antidepressants that inhibit the recapture of noradrenaline have variable effects in chronic pain which may be related to the complex role of noradrenaline in pain modulation. Whereas at the spinal cord noradrenaline blocks nociceptive transmission, both antinociception and pronociception were reported after noradrenaline release in the brain. To study the role of noradrenaline in pain modulatory areas of the brain, we elected the dorsal reticular nucleus (DRt), a key pain facilitatory area located at the medulla oblongata. Three studies were performed. First, we show that the infusion in the DRt of nomifensine, which increases local extracellular levels of noradrenaline as shown by in vivo microdialysis, also enhances pain behavioral responses during both phases of the formalin test, a classic inflammatory pain model. Then, we demonstrate that the formalin test triggers the release of noradrenaline in the DRt in a biphasic pattern that matches the two phases of the test. Finally, we show that reducing noradrenaline release into the DRt, using an HSV-1 vector which decreases the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in noradrenergic DRt-projecting neurons, attenuates pain behavioral responses in both phases of the formalin test. The increased noradrenaline levels induced by the infusion of nomifensine at the DRt, along with the hyperalgesic effects of noradrenaline released at the DRt upon noxious stimulation, indicates that noradrenaline may enhance pain facilitation from the brain. It is important to evaluate if antidepressants that inhibit noradrenaline recapture enhance pain facilitation from the brain herein attenuating their analgesic effects.

Extrasynaptic GABAA receptors in rat pontine reticular formation increase wakefulness.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) causes phasic inhibition via synaptic GABAA receptors and tonic inhibition via extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. GABA levels in the extracellular space regulate arousal state and cognition by volume transmission via extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. GABAergic transmission in the pontine reticular formation promotes wakefulness. No previous studies have determined whether an agonist at extrasynaptic GABAA receptors administered into the pontine reticular formation alters sleep and wakefulness. Therefore, this study used gaboxadol (THIP; agonist at extrasynaptic GABAA receptors that contain a δ subunit) to test the hypothesis that extrasynaptic GABAA receptors within the pontine reticular formation modulate sleep and wakefulness. DESIGN: Within/between subjects. SETTING: University of Michigan. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Adult male Crl:CD*(SD) (Sprague-Dawley) rats (n = 10). INTERVENTIONS: Microinjection of gaboxadol, the nonsubtype selective GABAA receptor agonist muscimol (positive control), and saline (negative control) into the rostral pontine reticular formation. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Gaboxadol significantly increased wakefulness and decreased both nonrapid eye movement sleep and rapid eye movement sleep in a concentration-dependent manner. Relative to saline, gaboxadol did not alter electroencephalogram power. Microinjection of muscimol into the pontine reticular formation of the same rats that received gaboxadol increased wakefulness and decreased sleep. CONCLUSION: Tonic inhibition via extrasynaptic GABAA receptors that contain a δ subunit may be one mechanism by which the extracellular pool of endogenous GABA in the rostral pontine reticular formation promotes wakefulness. CITATION: Vanini G; Baghdoyan HA. Extrasynaptic GABAA receptors in rat pontine reticular formation increase wakefulness. SLEEP 2013;36(3):337-343.

Coherence and frequency in the reticular activating system (RAS).

This review considers recent evidence showing that cells in the reticular activating system (RAS) exhibit (1) electrical coupling mainly in GABAergic cells, and (2) gamma band activity in virtually all of the cells. Specifically, cells in the mesopontine pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), intralaminar parafascicular nucleus (Pf), and pontine dorsal subcoeruleus nucleus dorsalis (SubCD) (1) show electrical coupling, and (2) all fire in the beta/gamma band range when maximally activated, but no higher. The mechanism behind electrical coupling is important because the stimulant modafinil was shown to increase electrical coupling. We also provide recent findings demonstrating that all cells in the PPN and Pf have high threshold, voltage-dependent P/Q-type calcium channels that are essential to gamma band activity. On the other hand, all SubCD, and some PPN, cells manifested sodium-dependent subthreshold oscillations. A novel mechanism for sleep-wake control based on transmitter interactions, electrical coupling, and gamma band activity is described. We speculate that continuous sensory input will modulate coupling and induce gamma band activity in the RAS that could participate in the processes of preconscious awareness, and provide the essential stream of information for the formulation of many of our actions.

Adenosine A(1) receptors in mouse pontine reticular formation depress breathing, increase anesthesia recovery time, and decrease acetylcholine release.

BACKGROUND: Clinical and preclinical data demonstrate the analgesic actions of adenosine. Central administration of adenosine agonists, however, suppresses arousal and breathing by poorly understood mechanisms. This study tested the two-tailed hypothesis that adenosine A1 receptors in the pontine reticular formation (PRF) of C57BL/6J mice modulate breathing, behavioral arousal, and PRF acetylcholine release. METHODS: Three sets of experiments used 51 mice. First, breathing was measured by plethysmography after PRF microinjection of the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N-sulfophenyl adenosine (SPA) or saline. Second, mice were anesthetized with isoflurane and the time to recovery of righting response (RoRR) was quantified after a PRF microinjection of SPA or saline. Third, acetylcholine release in the PRF was measured before and during microdialysis delivery of SPA, the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 1, 3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine, or SPA and 1, 3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine. RESULTS: First, SPA significantly decreased respiratory rate (-18%), tidal volume (-12%), and minute ventilation (-16%). Second, SPA concentration accounted for 76% of the variance in RoRR. Third, SPA concentration accounted for a significant amount of the variance in acetylcholine release (52%), RoRR (98%), and breathing rate (86%). 1, 3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine alone caused a concentration-dependent increase in acetylcholine, a decrease in RoRR, and a decrease in breathing rate. Coadministration of SPA and 1, 3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine blocked the SPA-induced decrease in acetylcholine and increase in RoRR. CONCLUSIONS: Endogenous adenosine acting at adenosine A1 receptors in the PRF modulates breathing, behavioral arousal, and acetylcholine release. The results support the interpretation that an adenosinergic-cholinergic interaction within the PRF comprises one neurochemical mechanism underlying the wakefulness stimulus for breathing.

[Effect of the Na+, K(+)-ATPase modulation in neurons of the medulla oblongata on hemodynamic effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats].

The study was conducted in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats anesthetized with urethane (1600 mg/kg of animal weight, intraperitoneally). It has been shown that in normotensive rats, injections of a specific inhibitor of Na+, K(+)-ATPase ouabain (10(-8)-10(-5) mol/l) in the populations of the neurons within nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), paramedian reticular nucleus (PMn) and lateral reticular nucleus (LRN) were accompanied by the development of the hypertensive responses in a dose-dependent fashion. These data suggest that Na+, K(+)-ATPase of the neuron somatic membranes in the medullary cardiovascular nuclei is involved in neural control of the cardiovascular function, and its inhibition by microinjections of ouabain promotes the development of hypertension. In contrast to normotensive rats, ouabain injected in the medullary nuclei of spontaneously hypertensive animals induced either enhanced hypertensive or hypotensive responses. Biochemical analysis revealed that the activity of Na+, K(+)-ATPase in the microsomal fraction of the medulla oblongata of spontaneously hypertensive rats significantly exceeded its activity in the medulla oblongata of normotensive animals. Possible mechanisms of ouabain effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats have being discussed. Activation of Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity of the cardiovascular neurons with asparkam injections in the medullary nuclei resulted in hypotensive responses in both normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Glutamate injection into the cuneiform nucleus in rat, produces correlated single unit activities in the Kolliker-Fuse nucleus and cardiovascular responses.

The cuneiform (CnF) and Kolliker-Fuse (KF) nuclei are implicated in several functions including regulation of cardiovascular system and pain modulation. The KF also is a potential candidate for relaying the CnF cardiovascular responses to the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). In a previous study we showed that blockade of the KF strongly attenuated the short responses and moderately attenuated the long responses to glutamate microinjection into the CnF, suggesting that the cardiovascular effects of the CnF, especially the short responses, were mediated by the KF. In the present study the cellular basis of the cardiovascular responses of the CnF and possible role of the KF in relaying them to the RVLM were explored. In one group, l-glutamate was microinjected in the CnF and the cardiovascular responses were recorded. In another group the single unit responses of the KF to l-glutamate injection into the CnF were recorded. Our results showed that chemical stimulation of the CnF with glutamate produced mainly excitatory cardiovascular and single unit responses and a minority of mixed (excitatory and inhibitory) responses. In about one fourth of the cases there were no responses to stimulation. Various patterns of each group were presented and compared between cardiovascular and single unit responses. Similarities were found between cardiovascular and single unit response patterns, suggesting a significant role of KF neurons in mediating the CnF cardiovascular responses to the RVLM.

Enhanced catabolism to acetaldehyde in rostral ventrolateral medullary neurons accounts for the pressor effect of ethanol in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We have previously shown that ethanol microinjection into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) elicits sympathoexcitation and hypertension in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) but not in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. In this study, evidence was sought to implicate the oxidative breakdown of ethanol in this strain-dependent hypertensive action of ethanol. Biochemical experiments revealed significantly higher catalase activity and similar aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity in the RVLM of SHRs compared with WKY rats. We also investigated the influence of pharmacological inhibition of catalase (3-aminotriazole) or ALDH (cyanamide) on the cardiovascular effects of intra-RVLM ethanol or its metabolic product acetaldehyde in conscious rats. Compared with vehicle, ethanol (10 µg/rat) elicited a significant increase in blood pressure in SHRs that lasted for the 60-min observation period but had no effect on blood pressure in WKY rats. The first oxidation product, acetaldehyde, played a critical role in ethanol-evoked hypertension because 1) catalase inhibition (3-aminotriazole treatment) virtually abolished the ethanol-evoked pressor response in SHRs, 2) intra-RVLM acetaldehyde (2 µg/rat) reproduced the strain-dependent hypertensive effect of intra-RVLM ethanol, and 3) ALDH inhibition (cyanamide treatment) uncovered a pressor response to intra-RVLM acetaldehyde in WKY rats similar to the response observed in SHRs. These findings support the hypothesis that local production of acetaldehyde, due to enhanced catalase activity, in the RVLM mediates the ethanol-evoked pressor response in SHRs.

Propofol and etomidate depress cortical, thalamic, and reticular formation neurons during anesthetic-induced unconsciousness.

BACKGROUND: The sites where anesthetics produce unconsciousness are not well understood. Likely sites include the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and reticular formation. We examined the effects of propofol and etomidate on neuronal function in the cortex, thalamus, and reticular formation in intact animals. METHODS: Five cats had a recording well and electroencephalogram screws placed under anesthesia. After a 5-day recovery period, the cats were repeatedly studied 3 to 4 times per week. Neuronal (single-unit) activity in the cerebral cortex (areas 7, 18 and 19), thalamus (ventral posterolateral and ventral posteromedial nuclei and medial geniculate body), and reticular formation (mesencephalic reticular nucleus and central tegmental field) was recorded before, during, and after infusion of either propofol or etomidate. Cortical neuronal action potentials were analyzed separately as either regular spiking neurons or fast spiking neurons. RESULTS: Propofol and etomidate decreased the spontaneous firing rate of cortical neurons by 37% to 41%; fast spiking neurons and regular spiking neurons were similarly affected by the anesthetics. The neuronal firing rate in the thalamus and reticular formation decreased 30% to 49% by propofol and etomidate. The electroencephalogram shifted from a low-amplitude, high-frequency pattern to a high-amplitude, low-frequency pattern during drug infusion suggesting an anesthetic effect; peak power occurred at 12 to 13 Hz during propofol infusion. There were 2 major peaks during etomidate anesthesia: one at 12 to 14 Hz and another at 7 to 8 Hz. The cats were heavily sedated, with depressed corneal and whisker reflexes; withdrawal to noxious stimulation remained intact. CONCLUSION: These data show that neurons in the cortex, thalamus, and reticular formation are similarly depressed by propofol and etomidate. Although anesthetic depression of neuronal activity likely contributes to anesthetic-induced unconsciousness, further work is needed to determine how anesthetic effects at these sites interact to produce unconsciousness.