Purinergic mechanisms mediating sympathoexcitation in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of hypothalamus

Abstract

The PVN plays a key role in the control of autonomic function. Studies have shown that PVN neurons projecting to the rostroventrolateral medulla express P2X receptors. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ATP injected into the PVN on lumbar sympathetic nerve activity (LSNA) in an in situ artificially perfused rat preparation. Male Wistar rats (70 g) were anesthetized with halothane, decorticated and perfused with a Ringer's solution. Recordings of phrenic nerve (PNA) and LSNA were monitored. Three‐barrelled glass pipettes was filled with L‐glutamate (L‐glu, 10 mM), ATP (10, 25 and 50 mM), PPADS (3 and 5 mM) for injection into the PVN (100 nL). Microinjection of ATP in three..