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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus is involved in cardiovascular responses to acute restraint stress in rats

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Author(s):
Tavares, Rodrigo Fiacadori [1] ; Pelosi, Gislaine Garcia [1] ; Aguiar Correa, Fernando Morgan [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Pharmacol, BR-14049900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: STRESS-THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON THE BIOLOGY OF STRESS; v. 12, n. 2, p. 178-185, 2009.
Web of Science Citations: 13
Abstract

The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) has been implicated in several aspects of cardiovascular control. Stimulation of the PVN evokes changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Additionally, this brain area is connected to several limbic structures implicated in behavioral control, as well as to forebrain and brainstem structures involved in cardiovascular control. This evidence indicates that the PVN may modulate cardiovascular correlates of behavioral responses to stressful stimuli. Acute restraint is an unavoidable stressor that evokes marked and sustained cardiovascular changes, which are characterized by elevated mean arterial pressure (MAP) and an intense heart rate (HR) increase. We report on the effect of inhibition of PVN synapses on MAP and HR responses evoked by acute restraint in rats. Bilateral microinjection of the nonspecific synaptic blocker cobalt (CoCl2, 1mM/100nl) into the PVN did not change the HR response or the initial peak of the MAP response to restraint stress, but reduced the area under the curve of the MAP response. Moreover, bilateral microinjection of cobalt in areas surrounding the PVN did not change the cardiovascular response to restraint. These results indicate that synapses in the PVN are involved in the neural pathway that controls blood pressure changes evoked by restraint. (AU)