Pressor effects of L-glutamate injected into the diagonal band of Broca of unanesthetized rats

The diagonal band of Broca (dbB) is involved in central cardiovascular control. In the present study we compared the effects of microinjections of L-glutamate into the dbB of unanesthetized rats with those observed after the injection of L-glutamate into the same area in urethane-anesthetized rats. The microinjection of L-glutamate (10, 30, 100 or 200 nmol/200 nl) into the dbB of urethane-anesthetized rats caused dose-related short-lasting depressor responses The depressor responses to L-glutamate were accompanied by dose-related heart rate reduction. The cardiovascular response to the injection of L-glutamate (10, 30 or 100 nmol/200 nl) into the dbB of unanesthetized rats was characterized as a long-lasting pressor response without consistent heart rate changes. The pressor response was dose-related and presented an ED(50) of approximately 30 nmol/200 nl. The fact that the chemical stimulation of the dbB with L-glutamate caused only dose-related pressor responses in unanesthetized rats suggests that under normal conditions the dbB is predominantly a pressor area. After the characterization of the pressor response to L-glutamate microinjected into the dbB of unanesthetized rats we studied the mechanisms involved in the mediation of these responses. The pressor response to L-glutamate (30 nmol/200 nl) into the dbB was blocked by intravenous pretreatment with the vasopressin antagonist dTyr(CH(2))(5)(Me)AVP (50 microg/kg), suggesting the involvement of circulating vasopressin in this response. Further evidence of the involvement of the endocrine vasopressin system in the pressor response to L-glutamate injected into the dbB was provided by hypophysectomy since L-glutamate (30 nmol/200 nl) microinjection into the dbB of hypophysectomized rats caused only depressor responses. We presently report that chemical stimulation of the dbB with L-glutamate caused only pressor responses in unanesthetized rats that were mediated by vasopressin release into the systemic circulation. Additionally, the results confirmed the existence of an L-glutamate-sensitive depressor system in the dbB, which is predominant in urethane-anesthetized rats or may be evidenced in unanesthetized hypophysectomized rats.