Central alpha(2) adrenergic receptors and cholinergic-induced salivation in rats

Salivation induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of pilocarpine (cholinergic agonist) is reduced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of moxonidine (alpha(2) adrenergic and imidazoline receptor agonist). In the present study, we investigated the involvement of central alpha(2) adrenergic receptors in the inhibitory effect of i.c.v. moxonidine on i.p. pilocarpine-induced salivation. Male Holtzman rats with stainless steel cannula implanted into the lateral ventricle (LV) were used. Saliva was collected using pre-weighted small cotton balls inserted into the animal's mouth under ketamine (100 mg kg(-1)) anesthesia. Salivation was induced by i.p. injection of pilocarpine (4 mu mol kg(-1)). Pilocarpine-induced salivation was reduced by i.c.v. injection of moxonidine (10 nmol) and enhanced by i.c.v. injections of either RX 821002 (160 nmol) or yohimbine (320 nmol). The inhibitory effect of i.c.v. moxonidine on pilocarpine-induced salivation was abolished by prior i.c.v. injections of the alpha(2) adrenergic receptor antagonists, RX 821002 (160 nmol) or yohimbine (160 and 320 nmol). The alpha(1) adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin (320 nmol) injected i.c.v. did not change the effect of moxonidine on pilocarpine-induced salivation. The results suggest that moxonidine acts on central alpha(2) adrenergic receptors to inhibit pilocarpine-induced salivation, and that this salivation is tonically inhibited by central alpha(2) adrenergic receptors. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ROLE OF CHOLINERGIC AND ADRENERGIC PATHWAYS OF THE MEDIAL SEPTAL AREA IN THE WATER-INTAKE AND PRESSOR-RESPONSE TO CENTRAL ANGIOTENSIN-II AND CARBACHOL IN RATS

In the present study, we investigated the effect of previous injection of either prazosin (alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist) or atropine (muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) into the medial septal area (MSA) on the presser and dipsogenic responses induced by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of carbachol (cholinergic agonist) and angiotensin II (ANGII) in rats. The presser and dipsogenic responses to ICV carbachol (7 nmol) were reduced after previous treatment of the MSA with atropine (0.5 to 5 nmol), but not prazosin (20 and 40 nmol). The dipsogenic response to ICV ANGII (25 ng) was reduced after prazosin (40 nmol) into the MSA. The presser response to ICV ANGII was not changed either by previous treatment of the MSA with prazosin or atropine. The present results suggest a dissociation among the pathways subserving the control of dipsogenic and presser responses to central cholinergic or angiotensinergic activation.

Serotonergic mechanisms of the lateral parabrachial nucleus and cholinergic-induced sodium appetite

Central cholinergic mechanisms are suggested to participate in osmoreceptor-induced water intake. Therefore, central injections of the cholinergic agonist carbachol usually produce water intake (i.e., thirst) and are ineffective in inducing the intake of hypertonic saline solutions (i.e., the operational definition of sodium appetite). Recent studies have indicated that bilateral injections of the serotonin receptor antagonist methysergide into the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) markedly increases salt intake in models involving the activation of the renin-angiotensin system or mineralocorticoid hormones. The present studies investigated whether sodium appetite could be induced by central cholinergic activation with carbachol (an experimental condition where only water is typically ingested) after the blockade of LPBN serotonergic mechanisms with methysergide treatment in rats. When administered intracerebroventricularly in combination with injections of vehicle into both LPBN, carbachol (4 nmol) caused water drinking but insignificant intake of hypertonic saline. In contrast, after bilateral LPBN injections of methysergide (4 mug), intracerebroventricular carbachol induced the intake of 0.3 M NaCl. Water intake stimulated by intracerebroventricular carbachol was not changed by LPBN methysergide injections. The results indicate that central cholinergic activation can induce marked intake of hypertonic NaCl if the inhibitory serotonergic mechanisms of the LPBN are attenuated.

AV3V-LESION IMPAIRS RESPONSES INDUCED BY CHOLINERGIC ACTIVATION OF SFO IN RATS

This study was performed to investigate the effect of lesion of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region on the pressor, bradycardic, dipsogenic, natriuretic, kaliuretic, and antidiuretic responses induced by cholinergic activation of the subfornical organ (SFO) in rats. Male Holtzman rats with sham or electrolytic AV3V lesion were implanted with a stainless steel cannula directly into the SFO. Microinjection of the cholinergic agonist carbachol (2 nmol) into the SFO of sham rats induced natriuresis (563 +/- 70 mueq/120 min), kaliuresis (205 +/- 13 mueq/120 min), antidiuresis (10.4 +/- 0.5 ml/120 min), water intake (9.3 +/-1.4 ml/h), bradycardia (-42 +/- 11 beats/min), and increased mean arterial pressure (53 +/- 3 mmHg). In AV3V-lesioned rats (1-5 and 14-18 days), there was a reduction of natriuresis (23 +/-11 and 105 +/- 26 mueq/120 min, respectively), kaliuresis (92 +/- 16 and 100 +/- 17 mueq/120 min), water intake (2.5 +/- 0.9 and 1.8 +/- 1.0 ml/h), and arterial pressure increase (17 +/- 2 and 16 +/- 2 mmHg) induced by carbachol into the SFO. Increased antidiuresis (6.0 +/- 1.0 and 5.2 +/- 0.7 ml/120 min, respectively) and tachycardia (39 +/- 4 and 15 +/- 12 beats/min) instead of bradycardia were also observed in both groups of AV3V-lesioned rats. These results show that cholinergic activation of the rat SFO produces marked natriuresis and kaliuresis in addition to the well-known pressor and dipsogenic responses. They also show that the AV3V region plays an important role in the cardiovascular, fluid, and electrolytic changes induced by cholinergic activation of the SFO in rats.

AV3V LESION SUPPRESSES THE PRESSOR, DIPSOGENIC AND NATRIURETIC RESPONSES TO CHOLINERGIC ACTIVATION OF THE SEPTAL AREA IN RATS

In the present study we investigated the effect of anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) lesion on pressor, dipsogenic, natriuretic and kaliuretic responses induced by the injection of carbachol (a cholinergic agonist) into the medial septal area (MSA) of rats. Male rats with sham or AV3V lesion and a stainless-steel cannula implanted into the MSA were used. Carbachol (2 nmol) injected into the MSA in sham lesion rats produced pressor (43 +/- 2 mmHg), dipsogenic (9.6 +/- 1.2 ml/h), natriuretic (531 +/- 82-mu-Eq/120 min) and kaliuretic (164 +/- 14-mu-Eq/120 min) responses. In AV3V-lesioned rats (1-5 days and 14-18 days), the pressor (11 +/- 2 mmHg, respectively), dipsogenic (1.9 +/- 0.7 and 1.4 +/- 0.6 ml/h), natriuretic (21 +/- 5 and 159 +/- 44-mu-Eq/120 min) and kaliuretic (124 +/- 14 and 86 +/- 13-mu-Eq/120 min) responses induced by carbachol injection into the MSA were reduced. These results show that the AV3V region is essential for the pressor, dipsogenic, natriuretic and kaliuretic responses induced by cholinergic activation of the MSA in rats.

Opiate activation suppresses the drinking, pressor and natriuretic responses induced by cholinergic stimulation of the medial septal area

The present study investigates the participation and interaction between cholinergic and opiate receptors of the medial septal area (MSA) in the regulation of Na+, K+ and water excretion, drinking and blood pressure regulation. Male Holtzman rats were implanted with stainless steel cannulae opening into the MSA. Na+, K+ and water excretion, water intake and blood pressure were measured after injection of carbachol (cholinergic agonist), FK-33824 (an opiate agonist) + carbachol or naloxone (an opiate antagonist) + carbachol into MSA. Carbachol (0.5 or 2.0 nmol) induced an increase in Na+ and K+ excretion, water intake and blood pressure and reduced the urinary volume. FK-33824 reduced the urinary volume and Na+ and K+ excretion. Previous injection of FK-33824 (100 ng) into the MSA blocked the increases in Na+ and K+ excretion, water intake and blood pressure induced by carbachol. Naloxone (10 μg) produced no changes in the effect of 2.0 nmol carbachol, but potentiated the natriuretic effect induced by 0.5 nmol dose of carbachol. These data show an inhibitory effect of opiate receptors on the changes in cardiovascular, fluid and electrolyte balance induced by cholinergic stimulation of the MSA in rats. © 1992.

ANGIOTENSINERGIC AND CHOLINERGIC RECEPTORS OF THE SUBFORNICAL ORGAN MEDIATE SODIUM INTAKE INDUCED BY GABAergic ACTIVATION OF THE LATERAL PARABRACHIAL NUCLEUS

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Role of cholinergic and adrenergic pathways of the medial septal area in the control of water intake and renal excretion in rats

In this study, we investigated an interaction between noradrenergic and cholinergic pathways of the medial septal area (MSA) on the control of water intake and urinary electrolyte excretion by means of injection of their respective agonists. Noradrenaline (a nonspecific α-adrenergic agonist) and clonidine (an α2-adrenergic agonist), but not phenylephrine (an α1-adrenergic agonist), induced natriuresis and kaliuresis. α-Adrenergic activation had no effect on the natriuresis and kaliuresis induced by carbachol (a cholinergic agonist) and it inhibited the antinatriuresis and antikaliuresis induced by isoproterenol (a ß-adrenergic agonist). Interactions related to volume excretion are complex. α-Adrenergic activation induced a mild diuresis and inhibited the antidiuresis induced by isoproterenol, but phenylephrine combined with carbachol induced antidiuresis. The water intake induced by carbachol was inhibited by clonidine and noradrenaline, but not phenylephrine. These results show an asymmetry in the interaction between α-adrenergic and cholinergic receptors concerning water intake and electrolyte excretion. © 1992.

Role of the adrenergic pathways of the lateral hypothalamus on water intake and pressor response induced by the cholinergic activation of the medial septal area in rats

In the present experiments, we investigated a possible involvement of noradrenergic receptors of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) in the water intake and pressor response induced by cholinergic stimulation of the medial septal area (MSA) in rats. The cholinergic agonist carbachol (2 nmol) injected into the MSA induced water intake and pressor response. The injection of an α2-adrenergic agonist, clonidine (20 and 40 nmol), but not of an α1-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine (80 and 160 nmol), into the LH inhibits the water intake induced by carbachol injected into the MSA. The injection of clonidine or phenylephrine into the LH produced no change in the MAP increase induced by carbachol injected into the MSA. The present results suggest that adrenergic pathways involving the LH are important for the water intake, but not for the pressor response, induced by cholinergic activation of the MSA. © 1994.

Role of the medial septal area on the cardiovascular, fluid and electrolytic responses to angiotensin II and cholinergic activation into the subfornical organ in rats

In the present study we investigated the effect of electrolytic lesion of the medial septal area (MSA) on the pressor and dipsogenic response to cholinergic activation and angiotensin II (ANGII) injection into the subfornical organ (SFO) in rats. In addition the effect of MSA lesion on the natriuresis, kaliuresis and diuresis after cholinergic activation of the SFO was also investigated. Sham- and MSA-lesioned rats with a stainless steel cannula implanted into the SFO was used. The injection of ANGII (12 ng) into the SFO in sham rats produced pressor (24 ± 2 mmHg) and dipsogenic (9.6 ± 1.1 ml/h) responses. MSA lesion, both acute (2-6 days) and chronic (15-19 days), reduced the pressor (14 ± 2 mmHg) and dipsogenic (2.7 ± 1 ml/h) responses to ANGII into SFO. The injection of the cholinergic agonist carbachol (2 nmol) into the SFO in sham rats produced pressor (48 ± 4 mmHg), dipsogenic (10 ± 1.2 ml/h), natriuretic (457 ± 58 μEq/2 h) and kaliuretic (249 ± 16 μEq/2 h) responses. Acute, but not chronic MSA lesion reduced the pressor (27 ± 3 mmHg), natriuretic (198 ± 55 μEq/2 h) and kaliuretic (128 ± 16 μEq/2 h) responses to carbachol into SFO. No change in the dipsogenic response to carbachol into the SFO was observed in MSA-lesioned rats. Antidiuresis after carbachol was observed only in MSA-lesioned rats. The present results show that the MSA plays a role on the pressor, natriuretic and kaliuretic responses to cholinergic activation of the SFO in rats and on the pressor and dipsogenic responses to ANGII into the same area. In addition, they provide circumstancial evidence for separate circuits subserving the dipsogenic response to central cholinergic and angiotensinergic activation. A facilited diuresis after MSA lesion is also suggested.

Hypothalamic supraoptic but not paraventricular nucleus is involved in cardiovascular responses to carbachol microinjected into the bed nucleus of stria terminalis of unanesthetized rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Inhibition of pilocarpine-induced salivation in rats by central noradrenaline

Peripheral treatment with cholinergic or adrenergic agonists results in salivation and the possibility of synergy between cholinergic and adrenergic efferent mechanisms in the control of salivation has been proposed. Central injections of the cholinergic agonist pilocarpine also induce salivation, while the effects of central injections of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) are not known. Here (a) the effects of intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of noradrenaline on the salivation induced by icv or intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of pilocarpine and (b) the receptors involved in the effects of central noradrenaline on pilocarpine-induced salivation were investigated. Male Holtzman rats with a stainless-steel guide cannula implanted into the lateral ventricle were used. Rats were anaesthetized with tribromoethanol (200 mg/kg body weight) and saliva was collected on small, preweighed cotton balls inserted into the animal's mouth. Noradrenaline (40, 80 and 160 nmol/l mul) injected icv reduced the salivary secretion induced by pilocarpine (0.5 mumol/l mul) injected icv. Noradrenaline (80 and 160 nmol/l mul) injected icv also reduced the salivation induced by pilocarpine (4 mumol/kg) injected i.p. Previous treatment with the alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor antagonists RX 821002 (40, 80 and 160 nmol/l mul) or yohimbine (160 and 320 nmol/l mul) abolished the inhibitory effect produced by icv injection of noradrenaline on pilocarpine-induced salivation in rats. Prazosin (alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonist) injected icv did not change the effect of noradrenaline on pilocarpine-induced salivation. Prior icv injection of only RX 821002 (80 or 160 nmol/l mul) or yohimbine (320 nmol/l mul) increased pilocarpine-induced salivation. The results show that (1) contrary to its peripheral effects, noradrenaline acting centrally inhibits cholinergic-induced salivation in rats; (2) central mechanisms involving alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors inhibit pilocarpine-induced salivation. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of AV3V lesion on pilocarpine-induced pressor response and salivary gland vasodilation

The cholinergic agonist pilocarpine injected intraperitoneally (ip) increases mean arterial pressure (MAP) and superior mesenteric (SM) vascular resistance and reduces submandibular/sublingual gland (SSG) vascular resistance. In the present study, we investigated the effects of electrolytic lesions of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region on the changes in MAP, SM, and SSG vascular resistances induced by ip pilocarpine. Male Holtzman rats anesthetized with urethane (1.0 g/kg) and chloralose (60 mg/kg) were submitted to sham or electrolytic AV3V lesions and bad pulsed Doppler flow probes implanted around the arteries. Contrary to sham rats, in 1-h and 2-day AV3V-lesioned rats, pilocarpine (4 mu mol/kg) ip decreased MAP (-41 +/- 4 and -26 4 mm Hg, respectively, vs. sham: 19 +/- 4 mm Hg) and SM (-48 +/- 11 and -45 +/- 10%, respectively, vs. sham: 41 +/- 10%) and hindlimb vascular resistances (-65 +/- 32 and -113 +/- 29%, respectively, vs. sham: 19 +/- 29%). In 7-day AV3V-lesioned rats, pilocarpine produced no changes on MAP and SM and hindlimb vascular resistances. Similar to sham rats, pilocarpine reduced SSG vascular resistance 1 h after AV3V lesions (-46 +/- 6%, vs. sham: -40 +/- 6%), but it produced no effect 2 days after AV3V lesions and increased SSG vascular resistance (37 6%) in 7-day AV3V-lesioned rats. The responses to ip pilocarpine were similar in 15-day sham and AV3V-lesioned rats. The cholinergic antagonist atropine methyl bromide (10 nmol) iv slightly increased the pressor response to ip pilocarpine in sham rats and abolished for 40 min the fall in MAP induced by ip pilocarpine in 1-h AV3V-lesioned rats. The results suggest that central mechanisms dependent on the AV3V region are involved in the pressor responses to ip pilocarpine. Although it was impaired 2 and 7 days after AV3V lesions, pilocarpine-induced salivary gland vasodilation was not altered 1 h after AV3V lesions which suggests that this vasodilation is not directly dependent on the AV3V region. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Moxonidine reduces pilocarpine-induced salivation in rats

Cholinergic, agonists activate salivation and the alpha (2)-adrenergic and imidazoline receptor agonists induce opposite effects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of moxonidine (an a-adrenergic and imidazoline receptor agonist) on the salivation induced by the cholinergic agonist pilocarpine. Male Holtzman rats wish stainless steel cannula implanted into the lateral ventricle (LV) were used. In rats anesthetized with tribromoethanol (200 mg kg(-1)), saliva was collected using pre-weighed small cotton balls inserted in the animal's mouth. The treatment with moxonidine (5, 10 and 20 nmol in 1 mul) injected,i.c.v. reduced the salivation induced by pilocarpine (1 mg kg(-1)) injected i.p. (48 +/- 5, 17 +/- 2 and 15 +/- 2 mg min(-1) vs. control, 73 +/- 7 mg min(-1)). The same doses of moxonidine injected i.c.v. also reduced the salivary secretion induced by pilocarpine (500 nmol in 1 mul). injected i.c.v. (44 +/- 1, 14 +/- 2 and 20 +/- 3 mg min(-1) vs. control, 51 +/- 2 mg min(-1)). Injection of moxonidine (20 nmol in 0.1 ml) i.p. produced no chance on i.p. pilocarpine-induced salivation (58 +/- 4 mg min(-1) vs. control, 50 +/- 4 mg min(-1)). The results show that central, but not peripheral, injection of moxonidine inhibit,. pilocarpine-induced salivation, suggesting that central mechanisms activated by alpha (2)-adrenergic/imidazoline agonists inhibit cholinergic-induced salivation in rats. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Lesions of the lateral hypothalamus impair pilocarpine-induced salivation in rats

In the present study we investigated the effects of electrolytic lesions of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) in the salivation induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the cholinergic agonist pilocarpine. Rats with sham or LH lesions and stainless steel cannulas implanted into the lateral ventricle (LV) were used. In rats anesthetized with urethane (1.25 mg/kg of body weight) saliva was collected using pre-weighed cotton balls inserted in the animal mouth during a period of 7 min following i.c.v. or i.p. injection of pilocarpine. Injection of pilocarpine (1 mg/kg of body weight) i.p. in sham-operated rats (6 h, 2, 7, and 15 days after the surgery) induced salivation (497+/-24, 452+/-26, 476+/-30, and 560+/-75 mg/7 min, respectively). The effects of i.p. pilocarpine was reduced 6 h, 2 and 7 days after LH lesions (162+/-37, 190+/-32, and 229+/-27mg/7 min, respectively), not 15 days after LH lesions (416+/-89mg/7 min). Injection of pilocarpine (120 mug/mul) i.c.v., in sham-operated rats (6 h, 2, 7, and 15 days after the surgery) also produced salivation (473 20, 382 16, 396 14, and 427 47 mg/7 min, respectively). The salivation induced by i.c.v. pilocarpine was also reduced 6 h, 2 and 7 days after LH lesions (243+/-19, 278+/-24, and 295+/-27 mg/7 min, respectively), not 15 days after LH lesions (385 48 mg/7 min). The present results show the participation of the LH in the salivation induced by central or peripheral injection of pilocarpine in rats, reinforcing the involvement of central mechanisms on pilocarpine-induced salivation. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.