Cardiovascular responses to L-glutamate microinjection into the NTS are abrogated by reduced glutathione.
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Date
2017
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Abstract
Redox imbalance in regions of the CNS controlling blood pressure is increasingly recognized as a leading
factor for hypertension. Nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of the dorsomedial medulla is the main region
receiving excitatory visceral sensory inputs that modulate autonomic efferent drive to the cardiovascular
system. This study sought to determine the capacity of reduced glutathione, a major bioactive antioxidant,
to modulate NTS-mediated control of cardiovascular function in unanaesthetized rats. Male Fischer
344 rats were used for microinjection experiments. Cardiovascular responses to l-glutamate were first
used to verify accurate placement of injections into the dorsomedial region comprising the NTS. Next,
responses to GSH or vehicle were recorded followed by responses to l-glutamate again at the same site.
GSH microinjection increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) compared to vehicle and abrogated responses
to subsequent injection of l-glutamate. These data indicate that GSH microinjection into the NTS affects
blood pressure regulation by dorsomedial neuronal circuits and blunts l-glutamate driven excitation in
this region. These findings raise the possibility that increased antioxidant actions of GSH in NTS could
contribute to autonomic control dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system.
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Keywords
Blood pressure, Nucleus tractus solitaries
Citation
GRANATO, A. S. et al. Cardiovascular responses to L-glutamate microinjection into the NTS are abrogated by reduced glutathione. Neuroscience Letters, v. 642, p. 142-147, 2017. Disponível em: <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304394017301258?via%3Dihub>. Acesso em: 15 set. 2017.