Visualisation of AMPA binding sites in the brain stem of normotensive and hypertensive rats

Abstract

The present study has employed in vitro receptor autoradiography with (S)-[3H]-5-fluorowillardiine (10 nM) to visualise the presence of α-amino- 3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) binding sites in the brain stems of adult (16-18 weeks) normotensive (Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Don Ryu (DRY)) and Spontaneously Hypertensive (SHR) rats. Similar topographic distribution and density of (S)-[3H]-5-fluorowillardiine binding was observed in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of all three strains. Specific (S)[3H]-5-fluorowillardiine binding sites were also visualised in sections of nodose ganglion from adult WKY rats, demonstrating that vagal afferent perikarya possess AMPA binding sit..