Mapping and signaling of neural pathways involved in the regulation of hydromineral homeostasis

Author(s):Show less -

J. Antunes-Rodrigues ^[1] ; S.G. Ruginsk ^[1] ; A.S. Mecawi ^[1] ; L.O. Margatho ^[1] ; J.C. Cruz ^[1] ; T. Vilhena-Franco ^[1] ; W.L. Reis ^[2] ; R.R. Ventura ^[3] ; L.C. Reis ^[4] ; L.M. Vivas ^[5] ; L.L.K. Elias ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Fisiol, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Georgia Hlth Sci Univ, Dept Physiol, Augusta, GA - USA

^[3] Univ Fed Alfenas, Dept Fisiol, Alfenas, MG - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Rural Rio de Janeiro, Inst Biol, Dept Ciencias Fisiol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

^[5] Univ Nacl Cordoba, INIMEC CONICET, Inst Invest Med Mercedes y Martin Ferreyra, RA-5000 Cordoba - Argentina

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 46, n. 4, p. 327-338, 2013-04-12.

Abstract

Several forebrain and brainstem neurochemical circuitries interact with peripheral neural and humoral signals to collaboratively maintain both the volume and osmolality of extracellular fluids. Although much progress has been made over the past decades in the understanding of complex mechanisms underlying neuroendocrine control of hydromineral homeostasis, several issues still remain to be clarified. The use of techniques such as molecular biology, neuronal tracing, electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, and microinfusions has significantly improved our ability to identify neuronal phenotypes and their signals, including those related to neuron-glia interactions. Accordingly, neurons have been shown to produce and release a large number of chemical mediators (neurotransmitters, neurohormones and neuromodulators) into the interstitial space, which include not only classic neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, amines (noradrenaline, serotonin) and amino acids (glutamate, GABA), but also gaseous (nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide) and lipid-derived (endocannabinoids) mediators. This efferent response, initiated within the neuronal environment, recruits several peripheral effectors, such as hormones (glucocorticoids, angiotensin II, estrogen), which in turn modulate central nervous system responsiveness to systemic challenges. Therefore, in this review, we shall evaluate in an integrated manner the physiological control of body fluid homeostasis from the molecular aspects to the systemic and integrated responses. (AU)