Leptin receptor of the hind brain nuclei is involved in the conditioned taste preference of rats

Objective: Conditioned taste preference(CTP) is a taste learning reflex by which an animal learns to prefer a substance which tastes not well and has been studied with much interest in recent years. However, the neural substrates of CTP are less known. This study aimed to determine the possible neural pathways of CTP and whether serum leptin level and the leptin receptor(OB-Rb) in the hind brain are involved following CTP formation. Methods: We established CTP of quinine in rats with a 2-bottle preference test. The serum leptin concentrations were detected, the expression of c-fos in the rat brain was tested to determine the nuclei in relation with establishment of CTP. Finally, the OB-Rb m RNA expression was examined by RT-q PCR assay in parabrachial nucleus(PBN) and the nucleus of the solitary tract(NST) of the hind brain. Results: Compared with control group, the level of serum leptin was higher in the CTP group(4.58 ± 0.52 vs 1.67 ± 0.25 μg/L, P<0. 01); increased c-fos positive cells were found in the anterior hypothalamus(AH, 221.75 ± 4.96 vs. 178.50±6.63 cells/mm^2, P<0.05), the basal lateral amygdala(BLA, 70.75±6.17 vs 56.50±3.62 cells/mm^2, P<0.05) and the nucleus of the solitary tract(NST, 41.25±1.32 vs 32.50±1.02 cells/mm^2, P<0.05). But in ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus(VMH, 20.75±2.73 vs 38.5±1.54 per 1 mm^2, P<005), PBN(21.50 ±2.24 vs 36.25±1.49 cells/mm^2, P<0.05) and the central nucleus of the amygdala(Ce A, 22.25±1.53 vs 35.50 ±2.11 cells/mm^2, P<0.05), the number of c-fos positive cells was decreased in the CTP group. In addition, we found OB-Rb m RNA expression in PBN of CTP group rats was higher than that of control group(0.95±0.055 vs 0.57± 0.034, P<0.05), while there was no significant difference of OB-Rb m RNA expression in NST between the two groups. Conclusion: Nuclei AH, BLA, NST, VMH, PBN and Ce A participate in the formation of CTP. Leptin and its receptor in PBN may be involved in the formation and maintenance of CTP.

Blockade of c-Src Within the Paraventricular Nucleus Attenuates Inflammatory Cytokines and Oxidative Stress in the Mechanism of the TLR4 Signal Pathway in Salt-Induced Hypertension

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and cellular Src (cSrc) are closely associated with inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in hypertension, so we designed this study to explore the exact role of c-Src in the mechanism of action of the TLR4 signaling pathway in salt-induced hypertension. Salt-sensitive rats were given a high salt diet for 10 weeks to induce hypertension. This resulted in higher levels of TLR4, activated c-Src, pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and arterial pressure. Infusion of a TLR4 blocker into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) decreased the activated c-Src, while microinjection of a c-Src inhibitor attenuated the PVN levels of nuclear factor-kappa B, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress. Our findings suggest that a longterm high-salt diet increases TLR4 expression in the PVN and this promotes the activation of c-Src, which upregulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and results in the overproduction of reactive oxygen species.Therefore, inhibiting central c-Src activity may be a new target for treating hypertension.

Chronic Intracerebroventricular Infusion of Metformin Inhibits Salt-Sensitive Hypertension via Attenuation of Oxidative Stress and Neurohormonal Excitation in Rat Paraventricular Nucleus

Metformin(MET), an antidiabetic agent, also has antioxidative effects in metabolic-related hypertension.This study was designed to determine whether MET has anti-hypertensive effects in salt-sensitive hypertensive rats by inhibiting oxidative stress in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus(PVN). Salt-sensitive rats received a highsalt(HS) diet to induce hypertension, or a normal-salt(NS)diet as control. At the same time, they received intracerebroventricular(ICV) infusion of MET or vehicle for 6 weeks. We found that HS rats had higher oxidative stress levels and mean arterial pressure(MAP) than NS rats. ICV infusion of MET attenuated MAP and reduced plasma norepinephrine levels in HS rats. It also decreased reactive oxygen species and the expression of subunits of NAD(P)H oxidase, improved the superoxide dismutase activity,reduced components of the renin-angiotensin system, and altered neurotransmitters in the PVN. Our findings suggest that central MET administration lowers MAP in saltsensitive hypertension via attenuating oxidative stress,inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system, and restoring the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the PVN.

Blockade of Endogenous Angiotensin-(1–7) in Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Attenuates High Salt-Induced Sympathoexcitation and Hypertension

Angiotensin(Ang)-(1–7) is an important biologically-active peptide of the renin-angiotensin system. This study was designed to determine whether inhibition of Ang-(1–7) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus(PVN) attenuates sympathetic activity and elevates blood pressure by modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines(PICs)and oxidative stress in the PVN in salt-induced hypertension. Rats were fed either a high-salt(8% NaCl) or a normal salt diet(0.3% NaCl) for 10 weeks, followed by bilateral microinjections of the Ang-(1–7) antagonist A-779 or vehicle into the PVN. We found that the mean arterial pressure(MAP), renal sympathetic nerve activity(RSNA), and plasma norepinephrine(NE) were significantly increased in salt-induced hypertensive rats. The high-salt diet also resulted in higher levels of the PICs interleukin-6, interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1, as well as higher gp91 phoxexpression and superoxide production in the PVN. Microinjection of A-779(3 nmol/50 nL) into the bilateral PVN of hypertensive rats not only attenuated MAP, RSNA, and NE, but also decreased the PICs and oxidative stress in the PVN. These results suggest that the increased MAP and sympathetic activity in salt-induced hypertension can be suppressed by blockade of endogenous Ang-(1–7) in the PVN, through modulation of PICs and oxidative stress.

Chemical Stimulation of Renal Tissue Induces Sympathetic Activation and a Pressor Response via the Paraventricular Nucleus in Rats

Sympathetic activation and the kidney play critical roles in hypertension and chronic heart failure.The role of the kidney in sympathetic activation is still not well known.In this study,we revealed an excitatory renal reflex(ERR)in rats induced by chemical stimulation of the kidney that regulated sympathetic activity and blood pressure.The ERR was induced by renal infusion of capsaicin,and evaluated by the changes in renal sympathetic outflow,blood pressure,and heart rate.Renal infusion of capsaicin dose-dependently increased the contralateral renal sympathetic nerve activity,mean arterial pressure,and heart rate.Capsaicin in the corticomedullary border had greater effects than in the cortex or medulla.Intravenous infusion of capsaicin had no significant effects.The effects of renal infusion of capsaicin were abolished by ipsilateral renal denervation,but were not affected by bilateral sinoaortic denervation.Renal infusion of capsaicin increased the ipsilateral renal afferent activity.The ERR was also induced by renal infusion of bradykinin,adenosine,and angiotensin II,but not by ATP.Renal infusion of capsaicin increased c-Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN)of hypothalamus.Lesion of neurons in the PVN with kainic acid abolished the capsaicin-induced ERR.These findings indicate that chemical stimulation of kidney causes an excitatory reflex,leading to sympathetic activation,pressor response,and accelerated heart rate.The PVN is an important central nucleus in the pathway of the ERR.

Angiotensin Type 1 Receptors and Superoxide Anion Production in Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Contribute to Capsaicin-Induced Excitatory Renal Reflex and Sympathetic Activation

Chemical stimulation of the kidney increases sympathetic activity and blood pressure in rats.The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus(PVN)is important in mediating the excitatory renal reflex(ERR).In this study,we examined the role of molecular signaling in the PVN in mediating the capsaicin-induced ERR and sympathetic activation.Bilateral PVN microinjections were performed in rats under anesthesia.The ERR was elicited by infusion of capsaicin into the cortico-medullary border of the right kidney.The reflex was evaluated as the capsaicin-induced changes in left renal sympathetic nerve activity and mean arterial pressure.Blockade of angiotensin type 1 receptors with losartan or inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme with captopril in the PVN abolished the capsaicin-induced ERR.Renal infusion of capsaicin significantly increased NAD(P)H oxidase activity and superoxide anion production in the PVN,which were prevented by ipsilateral renal denervation or microinjection of losartan into the PVN.Furthermore,either scavenging of superoxide anions or inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase in the PVN abolished the capsaicin-induced ERR.We conclude that the ERR induced by renal infusion of capsaicin is mediated by angiotensin type 1 receptor-related NAD(P)H oxidase activation and superoxide anion production within the PVN.