Melatonin modulates barorreflex control via area postrema

• Grant number: 13/50137-2
• Support type: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Duration: May 01, 2013 - October 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal researcher: Luciana Aparecida Campos Baltatu
• Grantee: Luciana Aparecida Campos Baltatu
• Home Institution: Universidade Camilo Castelo Branco (UNICASTELO). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Pineal gland and its hormone melatonin have been implicated in modulation of cardiovascular system. We aimed at studying the effects of melatonin on barorreflex sensitivity and the role of area postrema, as a component modulator of barorreflex arch. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded in conscious freely moving rats. Baroreceptor reflex sensitivity was assessed by determining the HR responses to ramped infusions of phenylephrine (PE) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced MAP changes. Melatonin bolus (0.11 mg/kg) immediately followed by its continuous infusion (0.43 x 10-9 M at a rate of 0,65 ml/h for 30 min) in healthy normotensive rats produced a downward shift of baroreceptor reflex control with a substantial inhibition of reflex tachycardia (-32%) and potentiation of reflex bradycardia (+20%). Ablation of area postrema (APX group) induced a sustained decrease of mean arterial pressure (101±3 vs 116±3 mmHg, p< 0.05 in comparison to SHAM rats, respectively). The melatonin-induced alterations of barorreflex function observed in the SHAM group were abolished in the APX group. We conclude that circulating melatonin can modulate baroreceptor reflex control of HR, thus resetting it towards lower HR values. The modulatory effects of melatonin may be mediated via melatonin receptors in the area postrema, located outside the blood-brain barrier. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CAMPOS, LUCIANA A.; PEREIRA, JR., VALTER L.; MURALIKRISHNA, AMITA; ALBARWANI, SULAYMA; BRAS, SUSANA; GOUVEIA, SONIA. Mathematical biornarkers for the autonomic regulation of cardiovascular system. FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY, v. 4, 2013. Web of Science Citations: 20.