Cardiovascular dysfunction associated with neurodegeneration in an experimental model of Parkinson's disease

Author(s)

Falquetto, Barbara ; Tuppy, Marina ; Potje, Simone R. ; Moreira, Thiago S. ; Antoniali, Cristina ; Takakura, Ana C.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brain Research; v. 1657, p. 156-166, FEB 15 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 11

Abstract

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) exhibit both motor and non-motor symptoms. Among the non motor symptoms, cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction is frequently observed. Here, we evaluated baroreflex function, vascular reactivity and neuroanatomical changes in brainstem regions involved in the neural control of circulation in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of PD. Male Wistar rats received a bilateral injection of 6-OHDA or vehicle into the striatum. After 61 days, baroreflex function and vascular reactivity were assessed. The 6-OHDA and vehicle groups showed similar increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in response to phenylephrine (PE). However, the bradycardia observed in the vehicle group was blunted in the 6-OHDA-treated rats. Injection of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) decreased hypotension, tachycardia and vascular relaxation in 6-OHDA-treated rats. Bilateral intrastriatal 6-OHDA led to massive degeneration of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive neurons in the substantia nigra and to reductions in the numbers of A1 /C1 and A5 catecholaminergic neurons while sparing A2 neurons within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). 6-OHDA-treated rats also showed decreases in Phox2b-expressing neurons in the NTS and in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity in the nucleus ambiguus. Altogether, our data suggest that this model of PD includes neuroanatomical and functional changes that lead to cardiovascular impairment. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/22406-1 - Respiratory anatomofunctional changes observed in an experimental model of Parkinson Disease
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Thomaz Takakura
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/11268-0 - Mechanisms involved in medullary neurodegeneration in Parkinson's Disease
• Grantee: Bárbara Falquetto
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 12/20398-6 - Participation of pathway PI3-K/AKT/NOSe, glycosylation (O-GlcNAc) and EROs in hiporeatividade vascular and hypotension observed at the end of pregnancy in rats normotensive and SHR
• Grantee: Cristina Antoniali Silva
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/21841-8 - Respiratory disorders in Parkinson's Disease: study of possible neural mechanisms in an animal model
• Grantee: Marina Tuppy Cavalleri
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate