GABAergic mechanisms in the ventrolateral medulla alter vasopressor responses from the anterior hypothalamus

R. N. Willette, P. A. Gatti, H. N. Sapru

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

The facilitatory and inhibitory roles of the ventrolateral medulla in modulating cardiovascular responses elicited from the anterior hypothalamus were studied in urethane-anesthetized rats. Control pressor responses (35-50 mm Hg) were consistently evoked by electrically stimulating the anterior hypothalamic medial preoptic area (AH/POA). The ventrolateral medulla is divided into two functionally distinct neuron pools, namely a rostral ventrolateral vasopressor area (VLPA) and a caudal ventrolateral vasodepressor area (VLDA). In each experiment neuron pools in the VLDA or VLPA were identified with bilateral microinjections of the neuroexcitatory amino acid L-glutamate, and changes in AH/POA responses were determined before and after alterations in ventrolateral neuronal activity. Inhibition or excitation of neuronal activity was accomplished by bilaterally stimulating or blocking M-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, respectively, in the VLPA or VLDA. Inhibition of neuronal activity by microinjecting the GABA agonist muscimol into the VLPA decreased the AH/POA response by 64 ± 10% and, in the VLDA, increased the AH/POA response by 57 ± 4%. Blockade of GABA receptors by microinjecting the GABA antagonist bicuculline methiodide into the VLPA caused a 68 ± 7% increase in the AH/POA response. Most surprising was a reversal of the AH/POA pressor response to a depressor response (150 + 2% decrease) following bicuculline microinjections in the VLDA. This finding suggests that GABA is released in the VLDA following AH/POA stimulation. It was concluded that neuron pools in the VLPA and VLDA determine the magnitude and direction of blood pressure responses elicited by electrical stimulation of the AH/ POA. GABAergic mechanisms in the VLPA and the VLDA may modulate blood pressure changes relayed from the hypothalamus. A hypothetical pathway is proposed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)476-489
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of cardiovascular pharmacology
Volume6
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1984

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pharmacology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Keywords

  • Circulation
  • GABAergic mechanisms
  • Ventrolateral medulla

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'GABAergic mechanisms in the ventrolateral medulla alter vasopressor responses from the anterior hypothalamus'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this