Erythropoietin in the Locus coeruleus attenuates the ventilatory response to CO2 in rats

Author(s)

Silva, Carlos A. ; Vicente, Mariane C. ; Tenorio-Lopes, Luana ; Soliz, Jorge ; Gargaglioni, Luciane H.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology; v. 236, p. 11-18, FEB 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

The Locus coeruleus (LC) is a pontine area that contributes to the CO2/pH chemosensitivity. LC cells express erythropoietin (Epo) receptors (EpoR), and Epo in the brainstem is a potent normoxic and hypoxic respiratory stimulant. However, a recent study showed that the intra-cisternal injection (ICI) of Epo antagonist does not alter the hypercapnic ventilatory response in mice. As ICI leads to a widespread dispersal of the product throughout the brainstem, in this work we evaluated the specific impact of Epo in the LC-mediated ventilatory response to CO2 (by whole body plethysmography) in juvenile male Wistar rats. Normocapnic and hypercapnic ventilation were evaluated before and after unilateral microinjection of Epo (1 ng/100 nL) into the LC. To evaluate the long-term effect of Epo, the HcVR was re-evaluated 24h later. Our results show that Epo attenuates the hypercapnic ventilation. We conclude that Epo in the LC tunes the hypercapnia-induced hyperpnea. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/19966-0 - Cardiorespiratory pattern and awake-sleep state in male and female rats exposed to fluoxetine during prenatal period
• Grantee: Luciane Helena Gargaglioni Batalhão
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants