Tetsuro Shirasaka

Sympathetic and cardiovascular actions of orexins in conscious rats

The novel hypothalamic peptides orexin-A and orexin-B are known to induce feeding behavior when administered intracerebroventricularly, but little is known about other physiological functions. The renal sympathetic nerves play important roles in the homeostasis of body fluids and the circulatory system. We examined the effects of intracerebroventricularly administered orexins on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), and plasma catecholamine in conscious rats. Orexin-A (0.3, 3.0 nmol) provoked an increase in MAP (94.3 ± 0.7 to 101.9 ± 0.7 mmHg and 93.1 ± 1.1 to 108.3 ± 0.8 mmHg, respectively) and RSNA (28.0 ± 7.0 and 57.9 ± 12.3%, respectively). Similarly, orexin-B (0.3, 3.0 nmol) increased MAP (93.9 ± 0.9 to 97.9 ± 0.9 mmHg and 94.5 ± 1.1 to 105.3 ± 1.7 mmHg, respectively). Orexin-A and -B at 3.0 nmol also increased HR. In other conscious rats, a high dose of orexin-A and -B increased plasma norepinephrine. Plasma epinephrine only increased with a high dose of orexin-A. These results indicate that central orexins regulate sympathetic nerve activity and affect cardiovascular functions.The novel hypothalamic peptides orexin-A and orexin-B are known to induce feeding behavior when administered intracerebroventricularly, but little is known about other physiological functions. The renal sympathetic nerves play important roles in the homeostasis of body fluids and the circulatory system. We examined the effects of intracerebroventricularly administered orexins on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), and plasma catecholamine in conscious rats. Orexin-A (0.3, 3. 0 nmol) provoked an increase in MAP (94.3 +/- 0.7 to 101.9 +/- 0.7 mmHg and 93.1 +/- 1.1 to 108.3 +/- 0.8 mmHg, respectively) and RSNA (28.0 +/- 7.0 and 57.9 +/- 12.3%, respectively). Similarly, orexin-B (0.3, 3.0 nmol) increased MAP (93.9 +/- 0.9 to 97.9 +/- 0.9 mmHg and 94.5 +/- 1.1 to 105.3 +/- 1.7 mmHg, respectively). Orexin-A and -B at 3.0 nmol also increased HR. In other conscious rats, a high dose of orexin-A and -B increased plasma norepinephrine. Plasma epinephrine only increased with a high dose of orexin-A. These results indicate that central orexins regulate sympathetic nerve activity and affect cardiovascular functions.

Neuronal effects of orexins: relevant to sympathetic and cardiovascular functions

Orexin A and B, also called hypocretin 1 and 2, were recently discovered in the hypothalamus. This organ, in which a number of neuropeptides have been demonstrated to stimulate or suppress food intake, is considered important for the regulation of appetite and energy homeostasis. Orexins were initially reported as a regulator of food intake. More recent reports suggest their possible important roles in the multiple functions of neuronal systems, such as narcolepsy, a sleep disorder. Orexins and their receptors are distributed in neural tissue and brain regions involved in the autonomic and neuroendocrine control. Functional studies have shown that these peptides evoke changes in cardiovascular and sympathetic responses. The data from our in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that the peptide acting on neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus increases the cardiovascular responses. This review will focus on the neural effects of orexins and how these peptides may participate in the regulation of cardiovascular and sympathetic functions.

Activation of a G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K+ current and suppression of Ih contribute to dexmedetomidine-induced inhibition of rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus neurons.

Background:&agr;2-Adrenoceptor agonist has been reported to produce inhibition of arginine vasopressin release, diuresis, and sympatholytic effects. However, its mechanisms of central action remain incompletely understood. Hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neurons, which are in direct contact with noradrenergic synapses and are controlled by the hyperpolarization-activated currents, are called Ih (H current). The effect of dexmedetomidine, a highly selective and potent agonist, at &agr;2 adrenoceptors on Ih is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dexmedetomidine on the PVN neuron, which is involved in the arginine vasopressin release and autonomic regulation. Methods:The authors investigated the effects of dexmedetomidine on the membrane properties in PVN magnocellular neurons and an Ih in PVN parvocellular neurons with a whole cell patch clamp technique using a rat brain slice preparation. Results:Dexmedetomidine dose-dependently hyperpolarized PVN magnocellular neurons. In the voltage clamp mode, dexmedetomidine induced an outward current, with a reversal potential of −94 mV, and this was shown to depend on the external concentration of K+. Pretreatment with Ba2+ or peptide toxin tertiapin blocked hyperpolarization induced by dexmedetomidine. The effect of dexmedetomidine was blocked by an &agr;2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine. Ih was suppressed dose dependently by dexmedetomidine in PVN parvocellular neurons. Pretreatment with Cs+ occluded the Ih suppression by dexmedetomidine. Yohimbine blocked the Ih suppression by dexmedetomidine. The Ih sensitive to dexmedetomidine was weakly modulated by intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Conclusions:Dexmedetomidine inhibited PVN magnocellular neurons by activation of the G protein–coupled inwardly rectifying K+ current and inhibited PVN parvocellular neurons by suppression of Ih.

Effect of hypertonic saline on rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus magnocellular neurons in vitro.

The effect of hypertonic saline on rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) magnocellular neurons was examined using a whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Under a current-clamp, 58/68 of magnocellular neurons were depolarized by hypertonic stimulation. Under a voltage-clamp, hypertonic saline produced an inward current via increased non-selective cationic conductance and shifting of the reversal potential to more positive values. Furthermore, hypertonic saline even without a change in osmolality increased spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs). A bath application of CNQX almost completely blocked EPSCs. Extracellular application of gadolinium blocked the hypertonic saline- and mannitol-induced response. These results suggest that PVN magnocellular neurons are responsive to osmolality and Na+ concentrations. Hypertonic saline excited PVN magnocellular neurons via osmo-reception, Na+ -detection, and excitatory glutamatergic synaptic input.

Nociceptin modulates renal sympathetic nerve activity through a central action in conscious rats.

Nociceptin, an endogenous agonist of the opioid receptor-like1 receptor, is expressed in the hypothalamus, where it is implicated in autonomic nervous system control. However, the central actions of nociceptin on sympathetic nerve activity have not been studied. We investigated the effect of intracerebroventricularly administered nociceptin (2-10 nmol) on blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in conscious rats and sinoaortic-denervated (SAD) rats. Intracerebroventricularly administered nociceptin resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and HR in intact rats. RSNA decreased 31.5 ± 2.1 and 19.9 ± 5.0% at a dose of 2 and 5 nmol, respectively. In SAD rats, MAP, HR, and RSNA decreased in a dose-dependent manner, and the maximum responses were larger than those in intact rats. The decrease in HR induced by nociceptin was blocked by propranolol but not by atropine, which indicates that nociceptin is acting by inhibiting cardiac sympathetic outflow. These nociceptin-induced depressor and bradycardic responses were not antagonized by pretreatment with naloxone and nocistatin. These findings suggest that central nociceptin may have a functional role in regulating cardiovascular and sympathetic nervous systems.Nociceptin, an endogenous agonist of the opioid receptor-like(1) receptor, is expressed in the hypothalamus, where it is implicated in autonomic nervous system control. However, the central actions of nociceptin on sympathetic nerve activity have not been studied. We investigated the effect of intracerebroventricularly administered nociceptin (2-10 nmol) on blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in conscious rats and sinoaortic-denervated (SAD) rats. Intracerebroventricularly administered nociceptin resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and HR in intact rats. RSNA decreased 31.5 +/- 2.1 and 19.9 +/- 5.0% at a dose of 2 and 5 nmol, respectively. In SAD rats, MAP, HR, and RSNA decreased in a dose-dependent manner, and the maximum responses were larger than those in intact rats. The decrease in HR induced by nociceptin was blocked by propranolol but not by atropine, which indicates that nociceptin is acting by inhibiting cardiac sympathetic outflow. These nociceptin-induced depressor and bradycardic responses were not antagonized by pretreatment with naloxone and nocistatin. These findings suggest that central nociceptin may have a functional role in regulating cardiovascular and sympathetic nervous systems.

Capsaicin indirectly suppresses voltage-gated Na+ currents through TRPV1 in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons.

BACKGROUND:Capsaicin is used to treat a variety of types of chronic pain, including arthritis and trigeminal neuralgia. Although the cellular effects of capsaicin have been widely studied, little is known about the effects of capsaicin on intracellular sodium ([Na+]i) concentrations and voltage-gated Na+ currents (INa+) in nociceptive afferent neurons. Therefore, in this study we sought to characterize the effect of capsaicin on tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-s) and resistant (TTX-r) INa+. METHODS:The effects of capsaicin on INa+ in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons were studied for both TTX-s and TTX-r components using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques and intracellular sodium imaging. RESULTS:In both TTX-s and TTX-r INa+ of capsaicin-sensitive neurons, capsaicin (0.1 to 10 &mgr;M) reduced inward currents in a dose-dependent manner. Capsaicin induced a hyperpolarization shift in the steady-state inactivation curves. SB366791 (10 &mgr;M), a potent and selective transient receptor potential vanilloid member1 (TRPV1) antagonist, significantly attenuated the reduction in INa+. Capsaicin induced an increase in the [Na+]i, and SB366791 (10 &mgr;M) significantly reduced the [Na+]i increase. An increase in [Na+]i with gramicidin also dependently suppressed INa+ and induced a hyperpolarization shift in the steady-state inactivation curves by increasing the [Na+]i. CONCLUSION:The findings suggest that capsaicin decreases both TTX-s and TTX-r INa+ as a result of an increase in [Na+]i through TRPV1.

Cardiovascular responses to intravenous injection of a novel isoindolin-1-one derivate in conscious rats.

An isoindolin-1-one derivate, JM-1232(-), was recently developed as a sedative and hypnotic agent with a strong affinity for the central benzodiazepine binding site of gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptors. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of JM-1232(-) on the cardiovascular and sympathetic functions of conscious rats. We investigated the effect of JM-1232(-) on the mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), baroreflex activity, and plasma catecholamine levels in conscious rats. The intravenous (i.v.) administration of JM-1232(-) (0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg/min) for 20 min decreased MAP and increased HR in intact rats. In sinoaortic denervated (SAD) rats, JM-1232(-) decreased MAP and HR. A decrease in MAP induced by JM-1232(-) was prevented by pre-treatment with hexamethonium and enhanced by SAD. An increase in HR induced by JM-1232(-) was prevented by pre-treatment with atropine, propranolol, or hexamethonium. A decrease in MAP and an increase in HR induced by JM-1232(-) were antagonized by co-administration of flumazenil. A high dose of JM-1232(-) decreased the plasma norepinephrine concentration, and a subdepressor dose of JM-1232(-) did not affect the baroreceptor reflex. These results show that the i.v. administration of JM-1232(-) decreased MAP mediated by benzodiazepine-GABA(A) receptors.

Effects of landiolol on the cardiovascular response during tracheal extubation

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of landiolol on the cardiovascular responses to emergence from anesthesia and tracheal extubation. Fifty-nine patients without cardiovascular disorders who were scheduled for tympanoplasty were randomly allocated to receive a loading dose of landiolol at 0.125 mg·kg−1·min−1 for 1 min, followed by an infusion at 0.01 mg·kg−1·min−1 (group L1), 0.02 mg·kg−1·min−1 (group L2), 0.03 mg·kg−1·min−1 (group L3), or 0.04 mg·kg−1·min−1 (group L4). At the end of surgery, sevoflurane and nitrous oxide were discontinued, and landiolol was started. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and rate pressure product (RPP) in the four groups were compared before anesthesia induction, just after extubation, 5 min after extubation, 10 min after extubation, and at discharge from the operating room. Just after extubation compared with the baseline, the MAP increased significantly in all groups; the HR increased in groups L1 and L2; and the RPP increased in all groups, except for group L4. Continuous administration of landiolol, at 0.03 or 0.04 mg·kg−1·min−1, may prevent the increases in HR and RPP, respectively, that occur at the emergence from anesthesia and tracheal extubation.

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ and [Phe1ψ(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin(1–13)NH2 modulates the activity of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus neurons in vitro

Nociceptin, also known as orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), an endogenous ligand for the orphan opioid receptor-like(1) (ORL(1)) receptor, is moderately expressed in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) involved in the integrative control of the function of the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems. Our previous study demonstrated that intracerebroventricular administration of N/OFQ elicits an inhibitory action on the function of the cardiovascular and sympathetic nervous systems in conscious rats. However, the effects of N/OFQ on PVN neurons have not been examined. We investigated the effects of N/OFQ on PVN neurons using a whole-cell patch-clamp recording technique in rat brain slices. N/OFQ (30-1000 nM) hyperpolarized membrane potentials in type 1 and type 2 neurons of the PVN classified by the electrophysiological property. [Phe(1)psi(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin(1-13)NH2 (Phepsi) (1-9 microM), a presumed competitive antagonist of the ORL(1) receptor, also hyperpolarized membrane potential in both types of neurons. In voltage clamp studies, N/OFQ (3-3000 nM) activated a K+ current concentration-dependently in 69.7% of PVN neurons with an EC(50) of 72.4+/-12 nM. Phepsi (100-9000 nM) also activated a K+ current with an EC(50) of 818+/-162 nM in PVN neurons, and significantly reduced the amplitude of the N/OFQ-stimulated current. The N/OFQ-induced current was not antagonized by the classical opioid receptor antagonist naloxone and putative antagonist nocistatin. These findings suggest that N/OFQ may have a functional role in the PVN.

Neuromedin U receptor-2 mRNA and HCN channels mRNA expression in NMU-sensitive neurons in rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

We have characterized the neuromedin U (NMU)-sensitive neurons in the rat paraventricular nucleus (PVN) using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and single-cell reverse transcription-multiplex polymerase chain reaction (single-cell RT-mPCR). Following completion of whole-cell recording, the NMU-sensitive neurons were examined for oxytocin (OT), vasopressin (VP), and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA expression using single-cell RT-mPCR. Of the NMU-sensitive neurons (n=23), 82% expressed OT mRNA, 9% expressed VP mRNA, 9% did not express the detected specific phenotypes mRNA. Further, the NMU-sensitive neurons (23/23) predominantly expressed NMU-receptor 2 (NMUR-2) mRNA, co-expressed HCN1 channel mRNA, HCN2 channel mRNA, and HCN3 channel mRNA but not HCN4 channel mRNA. These results suggest that NMU modulates the function of the PVN putative parvocellular neurons and is involved in the regulation of OTergic and VPergic neurons by enhanced HCN ion channels activity via NMU-receptor 2.