Non‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate glutamate receptors in the lateral hypothalamus modulate cardiac baroreflex responses in conscious rats

Abstract

1 In the present study, we investigated the effects of inhibition of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) neurotransmission with bilateral microinjection of CoCl2, a non‐selective blocker of neurotransmission, on modulation of cardiac baroreflex responses in conscious rats as well as the involvement of LH glutamatergic neurotransmission in this modulation.

2 Reflex bradycardiac and tachycardiac responses to blood pressure increases (following i.v. infusion of phenylephrine) or decreases (following i.v. infusion of sodium nitroprusside) were investigated in conscious male Wistar rats. Responses were evaluated before and after microinjection of 1 nmol/100 nL CoCl2, 2 nmol/100 nL 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐6‐nitro‐2,3‐dioxobenzoquinoxaline‐7‐sulphonamide (NBQX; a selective non‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist) or different doses (2, 4 or 8 nmol/100 nL) of the selective NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist LY235959.

3 Microinjection of CoCl2 into the LH had no effect on the tachycardiac baroreflex response, but did evoke a decrease in the reflex bradycardia caused by increases in blood pressure. Microinjection of NBQX into the LH had a similar effect on reflex bradycardia as CoCl2, but had no effect on the tachycardiac response. Microinjection of increasing doses of LY235959 into the LH had no effect on the cardiac baroreflex response.

4 In conclusion, the data suggest that the LH has a tonic facilitatory influence on the parasympathetic component of the baroreflex. The results also indicate that this facilitatory influence is mediated by local LH glutamatergic neurotransmission through non‐NMDA glutamatergic receptors.