| Grant number: | 10/17997-0 |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| Start date: | March 01, 2011 |
| End date: | August 31, 2013 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems |
| Principal Investigator: | Vagner Roberto Antunes |
| Grantee: | Vagner Roberto Antunes |
| Host Institution: | Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
| City of the host institution: | São Paulo |
Abstract
Neurogenic hypertension (NH) is strictly linked to changes in the neurotransmission and/or neuromodulation within the specifics nuclei of the hypothalamic-brainstem circuitry that control the cardiovascular reflex and sympathetic outflow. Among these nuclei is the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) that controls the autonomic and neuroendocrine function, with direct inputs to premotor sympathoexcitatory neurons in the rostroventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and/or to sympathetic preganglionic neurons of the intermediolateral cell column (IML) of the spinal cord. Several studies have shown that PVN is composed by a complex neuronal network of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters with inputs to different areas of central nervous system involved in the control of the autonomic function and, consequently, the blood pressure level. Moreover, PVN neurons that project to RVLM have a significant expression of purinergic receptors that could be close correlated to the sympathetic overactivity observed in hypertension stage. There are also evidences in the literature showing a synergism between purinergic and adrenergic neurotransmission, since an increase in the amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents in response to norepinephrine in PVN neurons requires the release of ATP from glial cells and the increase in quantal efficacy results from an insertion of AMPA receptors, which contributes directly to the regulation of postsynaptic efficacy at glutamatergic synapses in the CNS. Based on these findings our aim in the present project is to evaluate the role of purinergic receptors in NH at the PVN level by regulating sympathetic outflow in spontaneous hypertensive and normotensive rats. For this, we will be injecting purinergic receptors agonists and/or antagonists in the PVN, simultaneously to the sympathetic nerve recordings. Furthermore, we will be evaluating the cotransmission between purinergic and adrenergic pathways, as well as the interaction of neuron and glia of this nucleus on sympathetic outflow. Protein expression of P2X receptors (immunoblotting) and co-localization with adrenergic receptors (immunohistochemistry) of the PVN will be also investigated, for a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in NH. (AU)
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