Article
Neurosciences
Yuanyuan Yao, Zeke Barger, Mohammad Saffari Doost, Chak Foon Tso, Dana Darmohray, Daniel Silverman, Danqian Liu, Chenyan Ma, Ali Cetin, Shenqin Yao, Hongkui Zeng, Yang Dan
Summary: Sleep disturbances are closely linked to cardiovascular diseases. Neurons involved in the baroreflex pathway, a mechanism for cardiovascular regulation, also play a role in promoting sleep-wake states.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maycon I. O. Milanez, Erika E. Nishi, Rodrigo Mendes, Antonio A. Rocha, Cassia T. Bergamaschi, Ruy R. Campos
Summary: This study investigated the role of spinal angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) receptors in sympathoexcitatory responses in renovascular hypertension using the Goldblatt rat model. The results indicate that acute sympathoexcitation induced by activation of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) is dependent on spinal AT1 receptors in Goldblatt rats but not in control rats. The study highlights the need for further research to determine the involvement of central cardiovascular nuclei in spinal angiotensinergic actions and the source of angiotensin II in this model.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chang-Zhen Ren, Zhao-Tang Wu, Wen Wang, Xing Tan, Ya-Hong Yang, Yang-Kai Wang, Miao-Ling Li, Wei-Zhong Wang
Summary: Activation or overexpression of SIRT1 in the RVLM reduces oxidative stress via SIRT1-FOXO1-SOD1 signaling pathway, exerting an anti-hypertensive effect in hypertension.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Daniela Ostrowski, Cheryl M. Heesch, David D. Kline, Eileen M. Hasser
Summary: Exposure to acute intermittent hypoxia induces prolonged increases in phrenic and sympathetic nerve activity, and enhanced respiratory and sympathetic responses to hypoxia.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
N. O. Maruyama, H. F. Estrela, E. B. Oliveira Sales, T. F. Lucas, C. S. Porto, C. T. Bergamaschi, R. R. Campos
Summary: In this study, the effects of 17β-estradiol on sympathetic vasomotor activity and blood pressure in a hypertensive rat model were investigated. The expression of estrogen receptors in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) was also studied. The results showed that microinjection of 17β-estradiol into the RVLM led to a greater reduction in mean arterial pressure and renal sympathetic nerve activity in control rats compared to hypertensive rats. The expression levels of estrogen receptors GPER and ERα were significantly higher in the RVLM of hypertensive rats. Chronic treatment with losartan reduced the expression levels of estrogen receptors in hypertensive rats.
JOURNAL OF STEROID BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Ato O. Aikins, Joel T. Little, Nataliya Rybalchenko, J. Thomas Cunningham
Summary: Dilutional hyponatremia associated with liver cirrhosis is caused by inappropriate release of arginine vasopressin. Our data suggest that A1/A2 neurons contribute to increased plasma copeptin and hypoosmolality in male BDL rats.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-REGULATORY INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Clarissa M. D. Mota, Christopher J. Madden
Summary: Activation of LPBd neurons inhibits BAT thermogenesis and contributes to obesity. Administration of GABAA receptor agonist rescues BAT thermogenesis in high-fat diet-induced obesity. These findings reveal novel effects of high-fat diets on the brain and metabolism.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Zilvinas Chomanskis, Vytautas Jonkus, Tadas Danielius, Tomas Paulauskas, Monika Orvydaite, Kazimieras Melaika, Osvaldas Ruksenas, Vaiva Hendrixson, Saulius Rocka
Summary: DBS targeting CVLM could effectively lower blood pressure in hypertensive rats, indicating a potential therapeutic strategy for drug-resistant hypertension. By directly influencing the baroreflex arc, CVLM stimulation could provide a stable and predictable control system. Further research and electrode modifications are needed to apply CVLM DBS in clinical trials.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2023)
Article
Biology
Vera Geraldes, Sergio Laranjo, Catarina Nunes, Isabel Rocha
Summary: Hypertension was investigated in this study to understand the role of specific brain regions in regulating blood pressure. The activity of lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN), Kolliker-fuse nucleus (KF), and periductal grey matter (PAG) were altered in hypertensive rats using lentiviral vectors. The study revealed the significant role of LPBN in hypertension-related sympathetic activation and the mechanisms activated by LPBN and KF neurons during chemoreceptor activation. These findings provide insights into the contribution of midbrain and pontine regions to neurogenic hypertension and potential avenues for future treatment approaches.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Manami Hoshi, Misa Ishiyama, Takashi Wada, Kenchi Hase, Masayuki Itoh, Takashi Kikuiri, Tetsuo Shirakawa
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the diurnal variations in apnea in Mecp2-/y mice and the effects of MeCP2 deficiency on monoaminergic systems controlling breathing. The results showed that apnea occurred more frequently during the light phase in Mecp2-/y mice, and milnacipran reduced apnea during the light phase but not during the dark phase. In addition, the number of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2)-immunoreactive puncta was reduced in Mecp2-/y mice, and valproate treatment increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA expression in these mice. Therefore, alterations in monoaminergic systems in the caudal medulla of Mecp2-/y mice may be relevant to the diurnal increase of apnea, and improving monoaminergic neurotransmission could alleviate the diurnal increase of apnea in these mice.
JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Brendan McCarthy, Luke A. Henderson, Vaughan G. Macefield
Summary: This article aims to discuss brain regions involved in the processing of spatial information and to highlight the less widely known function of the vestibular system in regulating blood pressure through vestibulosympathetic reflexes. When transitioning from lying to standing, an increase in muscle sympathetic nerve activity prevents a drop in blood pressure associated with blood pooling in the feet. The vestibulosympathetic reflexes compensate for postural changes by interacting with the central sympathetic connectome, particularly the insula and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
COMPREHENSIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
O. A. Lyubashina, I. B. Sivachenko, I. I. Busygina
Summary: The amygdala plays a crucial role in regulating emotions and visceral sensory information, with neuroplastic changes in colonic inflammation affecting its control over visceral pain signaling. This can lead to enhanced pain transmission and contribute to the development of chronic abdominal pain.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Natalia M. Mathieu, Eva M. Fekete, Patricia C. Muskus, Daniel T. Brozoski, Ko-Ting Lu, Kelsey K. Wackman, Javier Gomez, Shi Fang, John J. Reho, Connie C. Grobe, Ibrahim Vazirabad, Gary C. Mouradian Jr, Matthew R. Hodges, Jeffrey L. Segar, Justin L. Grobe, Curt D. Sigmund, Pablo Nakagawa
Summary: Non-enzymatic activation of renin via prorenin receptor (PRR) interaction is proposed as a key mechanism for local renin-angiotensin system activation. This study investigates the role of PRR in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and its involvement in the development of DOCA-salt hypertension. PRR ablation in the RVLM resulted in a sex-dependent and biphasic phenotype, with delayed pressor responses in females and exacerbated responses in the maintenance phase, accompanied by increased sympathetic drive and fluid and sodium intake.