Angiotensin AT1 receptors in paraventricular nucleus contribute to sympathetic activation and enhanced cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex in renovascular hypertensive rats

Sympathetic activity is enhanced in hypertension, which contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension and progression of organ damage. The cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) is enhanced in renovascular hypertension and involved in the sympathetic activation. The present study was designed to investigate whether angiotensin II (Ang II) and Ang II type 1 (AT(1)) receptors in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) contribute to the enhanced CSAR and sympathetic outflow in experimental renovascular hypertensive rats. Hypertension was induced by the two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) method. The normotensive rats underwent sham operation (Sham). Acute experimentation was carried out at the end of the 4th week. Under urethane and α-chloralose anaesthesia, the renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded in rats with sino-aortic denervation and cervical vagotomy. The AT(1) receptor expression was determined with Western blot. The CSAR was evaluated by the response of RSNA and MAP to epicardial application of 1.0 nmol of capsaicin. The AT(1) receptor expression in the PVN was increased, and Ang II in the PVN augmented the enhanced CSAR and RSNA in 2K1C rats. The effects of Ang II were abolished by pretreatment with the AT(1) receptor antagonist, losartan, in 2K1C rats. Losartan in the PVN normalized the enhanced CSAR and decreased the RSNA and MAP in 2K1C rats. These results indicate that the increased activity of AT(1) receptors in the PVN contributes to the enhanced CSAR and excessive sympathetic activation in renovascular hypertensive rats.     

Endogenous hydrogen peroxide in paraventricular nucleus mediating cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex and regulating sympathetic activity

We previously reported that reactive oxygen species (ROS) in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) mediated cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR). The present study investigated the role of endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), a ROS, in the PVN in mediating the CSAR and regulating sympathetic activity. The CSAR was evaluated by the response of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) to epicardial application of bradykinin (BK) in rats. Bilateral microinjection of polyethylene glycol-catalase (PEG-CAT, an analogue of endogenous catalase) or polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD, an analogue of endogenous superoxide dismutase) into the PVN abolished the CSAR, decreased baseline RSNA and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Moreover, pretreatment with PEG-CAT or PEG-SOD blocked the enhanced CSAR and RSNA responses induced by exogenous angiotensin II (Ang II) in the PVN. Aminotriazole (ATZ, a catalase inhibitor) alone potentiated the CSAR, increased RSNA and MAP, but failed to augment the Ang II-induced CSAR enhancement responses. Pretreated with PEG-SOD, ATZ still increased baseline RSNA and MAP but inhibited the CSAR and Ang II-induced CSAR and RSNA enhancement responses. These results suggested that endogenous H₂O₂ in the PVN mediated both the CSAR and Ang II-induced CSAR enhancement responses. H₂O₂ in the PVN were involved in regulating sympathetic activity and arterial pressure.     

c-Src in paraventricular nucleus modulates sympathetic activity and cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex in renovascular hypertensive rats

Enhanced cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) contributes to sympathetic activation in renovascular hypertension. The study was to determine whether c-Src in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is involved in the enhanced CSAR and sympathetic activation in hypertensive rats induced by two-kidney one-clip (2K1C). At the end of the fourth week after 2K1C surgery, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) was recorded in anesthetized rats with baroreceptor denervation and vagotomy. The CSAR was evaluated by the RSNA response to epicardial application of capsaicin. In the PVN, c-Src activity was higher in 2K1C rats than sham-operated (Sham) rats while c-Src expression was not. Epicardial application of capsaicin or PVN microinjection of angiotensin II (Ang II) increased c-Src activity more in 2K1C than Sham rats. PVN microinjection of selective Src family kinase inhibitor 4-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl) pyrazol [3,4-D] pyrimidine (PP2) or 2,3-Dihydro-N,N-dimethyl-2-oxo-3-[(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1?H-indol-2-yl)methylene]-1?H-indole-5-sulfonamide (SU6656) abolished the CSAR and decreased RSNA more in 2K1C than Sham rats. The Ang II-induced RSNA and CSAR enhancement was abolished by PP2 or SU6656 pretreatment in 2K1C and Sham rats. NAD(P)H oxidase activity and superoxide anion level in PVN were higher in 2K1C rats, which was attenuated by PP2 but increased by epicardial application of capsaicin or PVN microinjection of Ang II. The effects of capsaicin or Ang II were abolished by PP2. These results indicate that c-Src in the PVN is involved in the enhanced CSAR and sympathetic activation in renovascular hypertension, and mediates the excitatory effects of Ang II in the PVN on the CSAR and sympathetic activity via NAD(P)H oxidase-derived generation of superoxide anions.     

Endogenous hydrogen peroxide in paraventricular nucleus mediates sympathetic activation and enhanced cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex in renovascular hypertensive rats

An enhancement of the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) contributes to sympathetic activation in renovascular hypertension. Angiotensin II in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) augments the CSAR and increases sympathetic outflow and blood pressure. The present study aimed to determine whether endogenous hydrogen peroxide in the PVN mediated the enhanced CSAR, sympathetic activity and the effects of angiotensin II in the PVN in renovascular hypertension induced by the two-kidney, one-clip method (2K1C) in rats. At the end of the fourth week, the rats underwent sino-aortic and vagal denervation under general anaesthesia with urethane and α-chloralose. Renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded. The CSAR was evaluated by the RSNA response to epicardial application of bradykinin. Microinjection of polyethylene glycol-catalase (PEG-CAT), an analogue of endogenous catalase, into the PVN decreased the RSNA and MAP and abolished the CSAR in both sham-operated and 2K1C rats. Microinjection into the PVN of the catalase inhibitor, aminotriazole, increased the RSNA and MAP and enhanced the CSAR. The effects of PEG-CAT or aminotriazole were greater in 2K1C rats than in sham-operated animals. The effects of angiotensin II in the PVN were abolished by pretreatment with PEG-CAT in both sham-operated and 2K1C rats; however, aminotriazole failed to potentiate the effects of angiotensin II. The catalase activity was decreased but the H(2)O(2) levels were increased in the PVN of 2K1C rats. These results indicate that endogenous H(2)O(2) in the PVN not only mediates the enhanced sympathetic activity and CSAR, but also the effects of angiotensin II in the PVN in renovascular hypertensive rats.     

Reactive oxygen species in rostral ventrolateral medulla modulate cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex in rats

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) in rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) modulate cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) and the enhanced CSAR response caused by microinjection of angiotensin II (Ang II) into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Methods: Under urethane and α‐chloralose anaesthesia, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded in sinoaortic‐denervated and cervical‐vagotomized rats. The CSAR was evaluated by the RSNA response to epicardial application of capsaicin (1.0 nmol). Results: Bilateral RVLM microinjection of tempol (a superoxide anion scavenger) or polyethylene glycol‐superoxide dismutase (PEG‐SOD, an analogue of endogenous superoxide dismutase) attenuated the CSAR, but did not cause significant change in baseline RSNA and MAP. NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors apocynin or phenylarsine oxide (PAO) also showed similar effects, but SOD inhibitor diethyldithio‐carbamic acid (DETC) enhanced the CSAR and baseline RSNA, and increased the baseline MAP. Bilateral PVN microinjection of Ang II (0.3 nmol) enhanced the CSAR and increased RSNA and MAP, which was inhibited by the pre‐treatment with RVLM administration of tempol, PEG‐SOD, apocynin or PAO. The pre‐treatment with DETC in the RVLM only showed a tendency in potentiating the CSAR response of Ang II in the PVN, but significantly potentiated the RSNA and MAP responses of Ang II. Conclusion: These results suggest that the NAD(P)H oxidase‐derived ROS in the RVLM modulate the CSAR. The ROS in the RVLM is necessary for the enhanced CSAR response caused by Ang II in the PVN.     

Paraventricular nucleus is involved in the central pathway of cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex in rats

Our previous studies have shown that angiotensin II and reactive oxygen species in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) modulate the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR). The present study was designed to demonstrate more conclusively that the PVN is an important component of the central neurocircuitry of the CSAR. In anaesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats with sinoaortic denervation and cervical vagotomy, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were continuously recorded. The CSAR was evaluated by the response of the RSNA to epicardial application of bradykinin or capsaicin. Bilateral microinjection of the anaesthetic, lignocaine, into the PVN abolished the CSAR without significant effects on the baseline RSNA and MAP, while l-glutamate, which excites the neurons in the PVN, enhanced the CSAR and increased the baseline RSNA and MAP. Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the PVN irreversibly abolished the CSAR without significant effects on the baseline RSNA and MAP. Bilateral selective lesions of the neurons in the PVN with kainic acid induced rapid and great increases in both RSNA and MAP which returned to nearly normal levels in 60 min. At the 90th minute after kainic acid, epicardial application of bradykinin or capsaicin failed to induce the CSAR. These results indicate that inhibition or lesion of the PVN abolishes the CSAR, but excitation of the neurons in the PVN enhances the CSAR, suggesting that the PVN is an important component of the central neurocircuitry of the CSAR.     

Enhanced cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex involved in sympathetic overactivity in renovascular hypertensive rats

Sympathetic outflow is increased in hypertension. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) is enhanced in two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertensive rats, and whether the enhanced CSAR contributes, in part, to the increased sympathetic outflow. Furthermore, the role of central angiotensin II type 1 (AT₁) receptors in mediating the CSAR was determined. Under urethane and α-chloralose anaesthesia, the renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded in sinoaortic denervated and cervical vagotomized rats. The CSAR was evaluated by the response of RSNA and MAP to epicardial application of 1.0 nmol of capsaicin. Compared with sham-operated rats, the CSAR, baseline RSNA and plasma noradrenaline level were significantly enhanced in 2K1C rats. Intrapericardial administration of resiniferatoxin, which abolishes the CSAR because of the desensitization of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1-containing cardiac afferent fibres, decreased the RSNA and MAP. The enhanced CSAR in 2K1C rats was normalized by intracerebroventricular administration of the AT₁ receptor antagonist losartan. Intracerebroventricular administration of angiotensin II further potentiated the enhanced CSAR in 2K1C rats, a response which was abolished by pretreatment with losartan. These results indicate that the CSAR is enhanced in 2K1C rats and the enhanced CSAR contributes, in part, to the sympathetic activation and hypertension. Central AT₁ receptors are involved in the enhanced CSAR in 2K1C rats.     

Cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex and its implications for sympathetic activation in chronic heart failure and hypertension

Persistent excessive sympathetic activation greatly contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure (CHF) and hypertension. Cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) is a sympathoexcitatory reflex with positive feedback characteristics. Humoral factors such as bradykinin, adenosine and reactive oxygen species produced in myocardium due to myocardial ischaemia stimulate cardiac sympathetic afferents and thereby reflexly increase sympathetic activity and blood pressure. The CSAR is enhanced in myocardial ischaemia, CHF and hypertension. The enhanced CSAR at least partially contributes to the sympathetic activation and pathogenesis of these diseases. Nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and rostral ventrolateral medulla are the most important central sites involved in the modulation and integration of the CSAR. Angiotensin II, AT₁ receptors and NAD(P)H oxidase‐derived superoxide anions pathway in the PVN are mainly responsible for the enhanced CSAR in CHF and hypertension. Central angiotensin‐(1‐7), nitric oxide, endothelin, intermedin, hydrogen peroxide and several other signal molecules are involved in regulating CSAR. Blockade of the CSAR shows beneficial effects in CHF and hypertension. This review focuses on the anatomical and physiological basis of the CSAR, the interaction of CSAR with baroreflex and chemoreflex, and the role of enhanced CSAR in the pathogenesis of CHF and hypertension.     

下丘脑室旁核小电导钙激活钾通道过表达降低慢性心衰大鼠肾交感神经兴奋性

 目的：研究下丘脑室旁核小电导钙激活钾通道亚型2（SK2）过表达对慢性心衰大鼠心率、血压和肾交感神经活性的影响,揭示心衰大鼠下丘脑室旁核对交感系统的调节机制。方法：构建SK2重组腺病毒穿梭载体pDC316-mCMV-EGFP-rKCNN2。采用SD大鼠,手术组用左冠状动脉前降支结扎术制作慢性心衰模型,假手术组大鼠左冠状动脉前降支下穿线但不结扎,术后6周用超声心动图测定心功能。心衰组和假手术组分别在室旁核微量注射 SK2 腺病毒pDC316-mCMV-EGFP-rKCNN2和对照腺病毒pDC316-mCMV-EGFP,7 d后通过超声心动图检测心功能的改变;运用免疫组织化学、RT-PCR和Western blotting方法检测SK2重组腺病毒转染情况及表达。室旁核微量注射SK通道阻滞剂apamin,通过PowerLab 8/30系统采集信号记录心率、血压和肾交感神经活性的变化。结果: 心衰大鼠SK2表达较假手术组减少,下丘脑室旁核微量注射SK2腺病毒导致心衰大鼠肾交感神经兴奋性明显降低,下丘脑室旁核微量注射对照腺病毒对假手术大鼠交感神经兴奋性的改变不明显。结论：SK通道蛋白在心衰状态下表达降低并可能导致其功能减弱,进而促成由SK2通道介导的中枢负性交感调节通路的降低,增加了交感神经兴奋性,从而加重心衰的发展。SK2过表达减弱了心衰大鼠的肾交感神经活性,为治疗心衰提供了新的方向。     

Carotid body function in heart failure

In this review, we summarize the present state of knowledge of the functional characteristics of the carotid body (CB) chemoreflex with respect to control of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in chronic heart failure (CHF). Evidence from both CHF patients and animal models of CHF has clearly established that the CB chemoreflex is enhanced in CHF and contributes to the tonic elevation in SNA. This adaptive change derives from altered function at the level of both the afferent and central nervous system (CNS) pathways of the reflex arc. At the level of the CB, an elevation in basal afferent discharge occurs under normoxic conditions in CHF rabbits, and the discharge responsiveness to hypoxia is enhanced. Outward voltage-gated K(+) currents (I(K)) are suppressed in CB glomus cells from CHF rabbits, and their sensitivity to hypoxic inhibition is enhanced. These changes in I(K) derive partly from downregulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)/NO signaling and upregulation of angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor (AT(1)R) signaling in glomus cells. At the level of the CNS, interactions of the enhanced input from CB chemoreceptors with altered input from baroreceptor and cardiac afferent pathways and from central Ang II further enhance sympathetic drive. In addition, impaired function of NO in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus participates in the increased SNA response to CB chemoreceptor activation. These results underscore the principle that multiple mechanisms involving Ang II and NO at the level of both the CB and CNS represent complementary and perhaps redundant adaptive mechanisms to enhance CB chemoreflex function in CHF.     

Angiotensin-(1–7) and angiotension II in the rostral ventrolateral medulla modulate the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex and sympathetic activity in rats

The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) plays a pivotal role in regulating sympathetic vasomotor activity. The cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) contributes to the enhanced sympathetic outflow in chronic heart failure and hypertension. The aim of the present study was to determine whether angiotensin (Ang) II and Ang-(1–7) in the RVLM modulate the CSAR and sympathetic activity. Bilateral sinoaortic denervation and vagotomy were carried out in anesthetized rats. The CSAR was evaluated as the renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) response to epicardial application of capsaicin. The effects of bilateral microinjection of Ang II, Ang-(1–7), the AT₁ receptor antagonist losartan or the Mas receptor antagonist d-alanine-Ang-(1–7) (A-779) into the RVLM were determined. Either Ang II or Ang-(1–7) enhanced the CSAR as well as increased RSNA and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with losartan but not the A-779 abolished the effects of Ang II, while A-779 but not the losartan eliminated the effects of Ang-(1–7). The RVLM microinjection of losartan alone had no direct effect on the CSAR, RSNA, and MAP, but A-779 alone attenuated the CSAR and decreased RSNA and MAP. These results indicate that Ang-(1–7) is as effective as Ang II in sensitizing the CSAR and increasing sympathetic outflow. In contrast to Ang II, the effects of Ang-(1–7) are not mediated by AT₁ receptors but by Mas receptors. Mas receptors, but not the AT₁ receptors, in the RVLM are involved in the tonic control of the CSAR.     

Long-term administration of tempol attenuates postinfarct ventricular dysfunction and sympathetic activity in rats

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the long-term administration of tempol attenuates postinfarct ventricular dysfunction and sympathetic activity in rats. Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced by left descending coronary artery ligation. Tempol was orally administered in drinking water (2 mmol/L), which was initiated 4 h after infarction and continued for 6 weeks. Tempol prevented not only the increases in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and volume but also the decreases in ejection fraction and peak velocities of contraction in MI rats. The treatment normalized the increased renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and plasma norepinephrine level, as well as the enhanced cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR; an excitatory cardiovascular reflex partially contributing to the sympathetic activation in chronic heart failure) and the RSNA responses to microinjection of angiotensin II into paraventricular nucleus in MI rats. Furthermore, tempol prevented the increased AT₁ receptor protein expression and superoxide anion level in both paraventricular nucleus and rostral ventrolateral medulla in MI rats. In conclusion, long-term administration of tempol attenuates ventricular dysfunction and normalizes sympathetic neural control in MI rats. The normalization of the CSAR, levels of superoxide anions and AT₁ receptor expression, and the response to angiotensin II in the paraventricular nucleus and rostral ventrolateral medulla may partially contribute to the beneficial effects of tempol on central sympathetic control.     

SOD1 gene transfer into paraventricular nucleus attenuates hypertension and sympathetic activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Excessive sympathetic activity contributes to the initiation and progression of hypertension. Reactive oxygen species in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is involved in sympathetic overdrive and hypertension. The present study was designed to investigate whether superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) overexpression in the PVN attenuated sympathetic activation and hypertension. Adenoviral vectors containing human SOD1 or null adenoviral vectors were microinjected into the PVN of Wistar rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Significant depressor effects were observed from weeks 1 to 4 after SOD1 gene transfer in SHR. Acute experiments were carried out at the end of the 3rd week. In the PVN, superoxide anion and angiotensin II levels were increased while SOD1 activity and protein expression were decreased in SHR, which were attenuated by SOD1 overexpression in the PVN. However, SOD1 overexpression had no significant effect on the SOD2 activity in the PVN. The blood pressure response to ganglionic blockade, cardiac sympathetic nerve activity, and cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) were enhanced, and the plasma norepinephrine level was increased in SHR, which were prevented by SOD1 gene transfer in the PVN. Furthermore, SOD1 overexpression decreased the ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight, cross-sectional areas of myocardial cells, media thickness, and the media/lumen ratio of small arteries in the heart in SHR. These results indicate that SOD1 overexpression in the PVN reduces arterial blood pressure, attenuates excessive sympathetic activity and CSAR, and improves myocardial and vascular remodeling in SHR.     

慢性心衰大鼠下丘脑室旁核瞬时外向钾通道蛋白Kv4.2和Kv4.3低表达促进肾交感神经兴奋性

 目的: 观察慢性心衰大鼠下丘脑室旁核内瞬时外向钾通道蛋白Kv4.2和Kv4.3的变化及其对交感神经活性的影响。方法: 采用冠状动脉左前降支结扎术建立大鼠心衰模型或假手术模型,造模4周后超声心动图测定心功能;酶联免疫吸附法测定血浆去甲肾上腺素(NE)及血清N端前脑钠肽(NT-proBNP)含量;Western blot和real-time PCR法测定室旁核内Kv4.2和Kv4.3的表达情况;室旁核部位注射钾通道阻滞剂4-氨基吡啶(4-AP),电生理记录仪记录血压、心率和肾交感神经放电的变化。结果: 与假手术组比,心衰组大鼠心功能明显降低,血浆NE及血清NT-proBNP明显升高,室旁核内Kv4.2和Kv4.3表达明显下调;注射4-AP后导致血压、心率和交感神经放电升高,但心衰组的升高幅度小于假手术组。结论: 心力衰竭时室旁核内Kv4.2和Kv4.3表达下调并伴有交感神经放电增加,促进心衰进展。     

SOD1 overexpression in paraventricular nucleus improves post-infarct myocardial remodeling and ventricular function

Excessive sympathetic activation contributes to the progression of chronic heart failure. Reactive oxygen species in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) play an important role in the enhanced sympathetic outflow. This study was designed to determine whether superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) overexpression in the PVN attenuated the sympathetic activation and cardiac dysfunction in rats after an episode of myocardial infarction (MI). Adenoviral vectors containing human SOD1 (Ad-SOD) or null adenoviral vectors (Ad-null) were immediately microinjected into the PVN of rats with coronary artery ligation or sham operation. At the eighth week, the SOD1 protein level and activity in the PVN increased while the superoxide anions in the PVN decreased in Ad-SOD rats. The SOD1 overexpression in the PVN prevented the increases in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and volume, and the decreases in ejection fraction and peak velocities of contraction in MI rats. In addition, there was an attenuation of renal sympathetic nerve activity, cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex and plasma norepinephrine level in MI rats. Furthermore, the SOD1 overexpression in the PVN reduced cardiomyocyte size, collagen deposition and the TUNEL-positive cardiomyocytes in MI rats. These results indicate that the SOD1 overexpression in the PVN attenuates the excessive sympathetic activation, myocardial remodeling, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ventricular dysfunction in MI rats.     

Baroreflex inhibition of cardiac sympathetic outflow is attenuated by angiotensin II in the nucleus of the solitary tract

Homeostatic regulation of arterial pressure is maintained by arterial baroreceptors. Activation of these receptors results in an inhibition of sympathetic activity to the heart. It is known that angiotensin II in the nucleus tractus solitarii attenuates the baroreceptor reflex-evoked vagal bradycardia. Here, we determined whether the cardiac sympathetic component of the baroreceptor reflex could be modulated by angiotensin II in the nucleus of the solitary tract. An in situ, arterially perfused working heart--brainstem preparation of rat was employed and the sympathetic inferior cardiac nerve recorded. Increases in perfusion pressure caused a reflex bradycardia and inhibition of inferior cardiac nerve activity. Microinjection of angiotensin II (500 fmol) in the nucleus of the solitary tract attenuated significantly both the reflex bradycardia and inhibition of inferior cardiac nerve activity (P<0.01). The latter was reversible and sensitive to losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist. In contrast, the peripheral chemoreceptor reflex evoked an increase in inferior cardiac nerve activity that was not affected by angiotensin II applied exogenously in the nucleus of the solitary tract. We conclude that within the nucleus of the solitary tract angiotensin II exerts a powerful and specific inhibitory modulation of the baroreceptor reflex control of sympathetic nerve activity destined for the heart. We suggest that our data may have clinical implications relating to hypertension, a condition when angiotensin II activity is heightened in the brain and the efficacy of the baroreflex is reduced.     

A role for the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus in the autonomic control of heart and kidney

It is now well accepted that the sympathetic nervous system responds to specific afferent stimuli in a unique non-uniform fashion. The means by which the brain transforms the signals from a single type of receptor into an appropriate differential sympathetic output is discussed in this brief review. The detection of and response to venous filling are used for illustration. An expansion of blood volume has been shown in a number of species to increase heart rate reflexly via sympathetic nerves and this effect is primarily an action of volume receptors at the venous-atrial junctions of the heart. Stimulation of these volume receptors also leads to an inhibition of renal sympathetic nerve activity. Thus the reflex response to an increase in plasma volume consists of a distinctive unique pattern of sympathetic activity to maintain fluid balance. This reflex is dependent on neurones in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Neurones in the PVN show early gene activation on stimulation of atrial receptors, and a similar differential pattern of cardiac sympathetic excitation and renal inhibition can be evoked by activating PVN neurones. Cardiac atrial afferents selectively cause a PVN GABA neurone-induced inhibition within the PVN of PVN spinally projecting vasopressin-containing neurones that project to renal sympathetic neurones. A lesion of these spinally projecting neurones abolishes the reflex. With regard to the cardiac sympathetics, there is a population of PVN spinally projecting neurones that selectively increase heart rate by the release of oxytocin, a peptide pathway that has no action on renal sympathetic outflow. In heart failure the atrial reflex becomes blunted, and evidence is emerging that there is a downregulation of nitric oxide synthesis and reduced GABA activity in the PVN. How this might give rise to increased sympathetic activity associated with heart failure is briefly discussed.     

心衰大鼠室旁核微量注射AT1和AT2受体阻滞剂对肾交感神经活性的影响

目的: 研究慢性心衰大鼠室旁核微量注射血管紧张素II-1型和2型(AT₁和AT₂)受体阻滞剂对心率、血压和肾交感神经系统的影响,揭示心衰大鼠下丘脑室旁核对交感系统的调节机制。方法: 采用SD大鼠,手术组用左冠状动脉前降支结扎术制作心衰模型,假手术组大鼠左冠状动脉前降支下穿线但不结扎。术后4周,测定血流动力学评判心功能状态,测定心脏/体重比与肺/体重比,并进行心脏病理组织学观察。对符合标准的大鼠进行麻醉,经腹膜后途径暴露左肾,在手术显微镜下剥离肾交感神经,脑立体定位仪对大鼠室旁核定位,微量注射AT₁和AT₂受体阻滞剂(100 nL),POWERLAB 8/30系统采集信号,记录心率、血压和肾交感神经放电活动的改变,人工脑脊液组作为对照。结果: 肾交感神经放电:下丘脑室旁核微量注射AT₁受体阻滞剂导致肾交感神经兴奋性减弱,对心衰大鼠交感神经的兴奋性减弱较假手术组明显。下丘脑室旁核微量注射AT₂受体阻滞剂及人工脑脊液对心衰大鼠及假手术大鼠交感神经的兴奋性改变不明显。结论: 心衰时室旁核内注射AT₁、AT₂受体阻滞剂对交感神经的输出反应有差异。在中枢肾素-血管紧张素-醛固酮系统(RAAS),血管紧张素II主要通过AT₁受体起作用,而AT₂受体无相关介导作用。     

室旁核内脂肪酸酰胺水解酶上调介导慢性心衰大鼠交感神经兴奋亢进

目的:探讨慢性心衰大鼠室旁核(PVN)内脂肪酸酰胺水解酶(FAAH)表达失衡导致中枢交感传出增加的机制。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠左冠状动脉结扎8周后,用超声心动图检测心功能,并通过组织病理学测定心肌梗死面积,鉴定大鼠心衰模型构建成功;酶联免疫吸附法测血浆去甲肾上腺素(NE)水平;Western blot测定PVN内FAAH蛋白表达量;高效液相色谱法测定PVN内N-花生四烯酰乙醇胺(AEA)的生成量;PVN微量注射AEA、FAAH抑制剂PF3845或r AAV2-FAAH sh RNA病毒,记录交感驱动和心功能指标的变化。结果:与假手术组相比,心衰组心功能显著降低,血浆NE显著增加,PVN内FAAH表达量显著上调,AEA生成量显著减少(P0.05);PVN微量灌注PF3845、AEA或r AAV2-FAAH sh RNA病毒后,心衰组交感驱动指标显著降低,心功能明显改善。结论:心衰状态下PVN内FAAH蛋白表达上调可能引起AEA生成量的减少,从而增强交感神经兴奋性,恶化心衰。     

中枢前列腺素E_2在慢性心力衰竭交感兴奋中的作用

目的:观察中枢前列腺素E_2(PGE_2)在慢性心力衰竭(心衰)交感神经兴奋中的作用,并探讨其机制。方法:雄性SD大鼠冠脉结扎制备心衰模型,侧脑室渗透压泵持续给药,假手术组和心衰组给予人工脑脊液(0.25μL/h),心衰给药组给予塞来考昔(CLB;20 mg/h)。4周后,检测各组大鼠脑脊液内PGE_2浓度、交感神经兴奋性和心功能指标,同时测定下丘脑室旁核(PVN)内促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素(CRH)神经元激活指标和神经递质的变化。结果:与假手术组相比,心衰组大鼠脑脊液内PGE_2含量增加,肾交感神经放电活动增强,外周血去甲肾上腺素升高,左心室舒张末期压力、肺/体质量比和右心室/体质量比均增加,左室内压最大上升和下降速率均下降,PVN内CRH阳性神经元数目增多,外周血促肾上腺皮质激素浓度升高(P0.05);心衰大鼠侧脑室给予CLB后,脑脊液内PGE_2明显下降,PVN内CRH神经元激活减少,交感神经兴奋性减弱,心功能得到改善(P0.05)。与假手术组相比,心衰大鼠PVN内谷氨酸含量较高,γ-氨基丁酸含量和谷氨酸脱羧酶67阳性神经元数目较低(P0.05);侧脑室给予CLB后,以上各指标均被逆转(P0.05)。结论:慢性心衰时,中枢内升高的PGE_2可以激活下丘脑室旁核CRH神经元从而增强交感神经活动,而该作用可能是通过改变下丘脑室旁核神经递质系统来实现的。