Osmotic regulation of substance P and neurokinin A peptide content and substance P binding sites in distinct hypothalamic nuclei of the rat

Spatial transcriptomics reveal basal sex differences in supraoptic nucleus gene expression of adult rats related to cell signaling and ribosomal pathways

BACKGROUND

The supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus contains magnocellular neurosecretory cells that secrete the hormones vasopressin and oxytocin. Sex differences in SON gene expression have been relatively unexplored. Our study used spatially resolved transcriptomics to visualize gene expression profiles in the SON of adult male (n = 4) and female (n = 4) Sprague-Dawley rats using Visium Spatial Gene Expression (10x Genomics).

METHODS

Briefly, 10-μm coronal sections (~ 4 × 4 mm) containing the SON were collected from each rat and processed using Visium slides and recommended protocols. Data were analyzed using 10x Genomics' Space Ranger and Loupe Browser applications and other bioinformatic tools. Two unique differential expression (DE) analysis methods, Loupe Browser and DESeq2, were used.

RESULTS

Loupe Browser DE analysis of the SON identified 116 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) common to both sexes (e.g., Avp and Oxt), 31 significant DEGs unique to the males, and 73 significant DEGs unique to the females. DESeq2 analysis revealed 183 significant DEGs between the two groups. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and pathway analyses using significant genes identified via Loupe Browser revealed GO terms and pathways related to (1) neurohypophyseal hormone activity, regulation of peptide hormone secretion, and regulation of ion transport for the significant genes common to both males and females, (2) Gi signaling/G-protein mediated events for the significant genes unique to males, and (3) potassium ion transport/voltage-gated potassium channels for the significant genes unique to females, as some examples. GO/pathway analyses using significant genes identified via DESeq2 comparing female vs. male groups revealed GO terms/pathways related to ribosomal structure/function. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) identified additional sex differences in canonical pathways (e.g., 'Mitochondrial Dysfunction', 'Oxidative Phosphorylation') and upstream regulators (e.g., CSF3, NFKB complex, TNF, GRIN3A).

CONCLUSION

There was little overlap in the IPA results for the two different DE methods. These results suggest sex differences in SON gene expression that are associated with cell signaling and ribosomal pathways.

Effects of intravenous administration of neurokinin receptor subtype-selective agonists on gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator activity and luteinizing hormone secretion in goats

Recent evidence suggests that neurokinin B (NKB), a member of the neurokinin (tachykinin) peptide family, plays a pivotal role in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generation. Three types of neurokinin receptors (NKRs), NK1R, NK2R and NK3R, are found in the brain. Although NKB preferentially binds to NK3R, other NKRs are possibly also involved in NKB action. The present study examined the effects of intravenous administration of the NKR subtype-selective agonists GR73632 (NK1R), GR64349 (NK2R), and senktide (NK3R) on GnRH pulse generator activity and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Multiple-unit activity (MUA) was monitored in ovariectomized goats (n = 5) implanted with recording electrodes. Characteristic increases in MUA (MUA volleys) were considered GnRH pulse generator activity. Although three NKR agonists dose-dependently induced an MUA volley and an accompanying increase in LH secretion, the efficacy in inducing the volley markedly differed. As little as 10 nmol of senktide induced an MUA volley in all goats, whereas a dose of 1000 nmol was only effective for the NK1R and NK2R agonists in two and four goats, respectively. When the treatment failed to evoke an MUA volley, no apparent change was observed in the MUA or LH secretion. Similar effects of the NK2R and NK3R agonists were observed in the presence of estradiol. The results demonstrated that NK3R plays a predominant role in GnRH pulse generation and suggested that the contributions of NK1R and NK2R to this mechanism may be few, if any, in goats.

Neurokinin B activates arcuate kisspeptin neurons through multiple tachykinin receptors in the male mouse

Kisspeptin neurons located in the arcuate nucleus (ARN) coexpress dynorphin and neurokinin B (NKB) and may interact to influence gonadotropin secretion. Using a kisspeptin-green fluorescent protein mouse model, the present study examined whether the neuropeptides kisspeptin, dynorphin, and NKB modulate the electrical activity of ARN kisspeptin neurons in the adult male mouse. Cell-attached recordings showed that kisspeptin itself had no effect on kisspeptin neuron firing. Dynorphin and the κ-opioid receptor agonist U50-488 evoked a potent suppression of all ARN kisspeptin neuron firing that was blocked completely by the κ-opioid receptor antagonist nor-Binaltorphimine. Both NKB and Senktide, a neurokinin 3 receptor agonist, exerted a potent stimulatory action on ∼95% of ARN kisspeptin neurons. Although the selective neurokinin 3 receptor antagonists SB222200 and SR142801 blocked the effects of Senktide on kisspeptin neurons, they surprisingly had no effect on NKB activation of firing. Studies with selective neurokinin 1 receptor (SDZ-NKT343) and neurokinin 2 receptor (GR94800) antagonists revealed that the activation of kisspeptin neurons by NKB was only blocked completely by a cocktail of antagonists against all 3 tachykinin receptors. Whole-cell recordings revealed that individual kisspeptin neurons were activated directly by all 3 tachykinins substance, P, neurokinin A, and NKB. These experiments show that dynorphin and NKB have opposing actions on the electrical activity of kisspeptin neurons supporting the existence of an interconnected network of kisspeptin neurons in the ARN. However, the effects of NKB result from an unexpected activation of multiple tachykinin receptors.

Modulation of high alcohol drinking in the inbred Fawn-Hooded (FH/Wjd) rat strain: implications for treatment

The Fawn-Hooded rat (FH/Wjd) is an inbred alcohol-preferring rat strain, unlike most of the other strains that were selectively bred for high alcohol intake and preference. It was chosen for study some 16 years ago because of a reported mutation that disrupted platelet serotonin function. Although the FH/Wjd rat has high alcohol intake (>5 g/kg/day) and preference (>65%), interbreeding with an alcohol-non-preferring inbred strain suggested that these measures are unrelated to the serotonin abnormality. Similarly, the exaggerated immobility of the FH/Wjd rats in the forced swim test did not correlate with the high alcohol intake. Many compounds have been tested in the FH/Wjd rats after both acute and chronic treatment and a substantial number of them have proved effective. However, as the case with opiate antagonists, tolerance to the effects of the drug can develop. An up-regulation of opioid receptors accompanied the chronic treatment and this mechanism may account for the development of tolerance. Tolerance to opiate antagonists has also been demonstrated in two of the selectively bred alcohol-preferring rat lines, but it is unknown whether this process may contribute to the relapses seen in individuals being treated with naltrexone. Other drugs that reliably decrease alcohol intake in the FH/Wjd rats include the 5-hydroxytryptamine-2A receptor antagonist, amperozide, the mGlu5 receptor antagonist 3-[(2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethynyl]pyridine (MTEP) and herbal derivatives such as ibogaine, St. John's wort and kudzu extract. Thus, studies in the FH/Wjd rat have led to the discovery of a wide variety of targets for the development of novel agents to treat alcoholism. The fact that several of these drugs were shown to reduce alcohol intake in some of the selectively bred alcohol-preferring rat lines and/or alcohol-preferring vervet monkeys increases our confidence that they are good candidates for further development.

Influence of dehydration on the expression of neuropeptide Y Y1 receptors in hypothalamic magnocellular neurons

Regulation of vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) secretion involves integration of neural signals from hypothalamic osmoreceptors, ascending catecholaminergic and peptidergic cell groups in the brain stem, and local and autoregulatory afferents. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is one factor that stimulates the release of VP and OT from the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus via activation of Y1 receptors (Y1R). The current studies were designed to assess the regulation and distribution of NPY Y1R expression in the SON of male rats that were either given 2% NaCl drinking water (24-72 h) or water deprived (48 h). Subjecting male rats to these conditions resulted in significant increases in both the number of cells expressing Y1R immunoreactivity (ir) and the amount of Y1R protein per cell within the SON. Y1R immunoreactivity was increased in the magnocellular but not medial parvocellular paraventricular nuclei, and Y1R mRNA levels were increased in the SON of salt-loaded rats. Subpopulations of both VP and OT cells in the hypothalamus express Y1R immunoreactivity and a greater percentage of VP-ir cells express Y1R after salt loading. To control for potential effects of dehydration-induced anorexia, a group of euhydrate animals was pair fed with animals consuming 2% NaCl. No detectable change in Y1R expression was observed in the SON of pair-fed animals, even though body weights were significantly lower than controls. These data demonstrate that NPY Y1R gene and protein expression are increased in the SON of salt-loaded and water-deprived animals and provide a mechanism whereby NPY can support VP/OT release during prolonged challenges to fluid homeostasis.

Characterization of tachykinin NK2 receptor in the anterior pituitary gland

Tachykinins are a family of bioactive peptides that interact with three subtypes of receptors: NK1, NK2 and NK3. Substance P has greater affinity for NK1, and neurokinin A (NKA) for NK2 receptor subtype. Although only NK1 receptor has been characterized in the anterior pituitary gland, some evidence suggests the existence of NK2 receptors in this gland. Therefore, we investigated the presence of NK2 receptors in the anterior pituitary gland of male rats by radioligand binding studies using labeled SR48968, a non peptidic specific antagonist. [3H]SR48968 specific binding to cultured anterior pituitary cells was time-dependent and saturable, but with a lower affinity than previously reported values for cells expressing NK2 receptors. Unlabeled NKA inhibited only partially [(3)H]SR48968 specific binding to whole anterior pituitary cells. Since SR48968 is a non polar molecule, we performed experiments to discriminate surface from intracellular binding sites. SR48968 exhibited both surface and intracellular specific binding. Analysis of the surface-bound ligand indicated that [3H]SR48968 binds to one class of receptor with high affinity. Neurokinin A completely displaced [3H]SR48968 surface specific binding fitting to a two-site/two-state model with high and low affinity. Additionally, immunocytochemical studies showed that the NK2 receptor is expressed at least in a subset of lactotropes. These results demonstrate the presence of NK2 receptors in the anterior pituitary gland and suggest that NKA actions in this gland are mediated, at least in part, by the NK2 receptor subtype.

Drinking behavior elicited by central injection of angiotensin II: roles for protein kinase C and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

Prior studies utilizing neurons cultured from the hypothalamus and brain stem of newborn rats have demonstrated that ANG II-induced modulation of neuronal firing involves activation of both protein kinase C (PKC) and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). The present studies were performed to determine whether these signaling molecules are also involved in physiological responses elicited by ANG II in the brain in vivo. Central injection of ANG II (10 ng/2 microl) into the lateral cerebroventricle (icv) of Sprague-Dawley rats increased water intake in a time-dependent manner. This ANG II-mediated dipsogenic response was attenuated by central injection of the PKC inhibitors chelerythrine chloride (0.5-50 microM, 2 microl) and Go-6976 (2.3 nM, 2 microl) and by the CaMKII inhibitor KN-93 (10 microM, 2 microl). Conversely, icv injection of chelerythrine chloride (50 microM, 2 microl) and KN-93 (10 microM, 2 microl) had no effect on the dipsogenic response elicited by central injection of carbachol (200 ng/2 microl). Furthermore, injection of ANG II (10 ng/2 microl) icv increases the activity of both PKC-alpha and CaMKII in rat septum and hypothalamus. These data suggest that signaling molecules involved in ANG II-induced responses in vitro are also relevant in physiological responses elicited by ANG II in the whole animal model.

Melatonin inhibits the substance P-induced secretion of vasopressin and oxytocin from the rat hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system: in vitro studies

The aim of the present investigations was to study the influence of substance P (a member of a family of peptides known as tachykinins) on basal and K(+)-evoked vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) release from rat hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system in vitro as well as to determine whether this effect of substance P is sensitive to melatonin. The present results show that substance P stimulates basal AVP and OT release from isolated hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system, when used at the concentrations of 10(-6) and 10(-7)M/l. At the concentration of 10(-9)M/l, however, substance P was found to stimulate the in vitro secretion of AVP, but not that of OT. Melatonin diminished basal release of AVP; it also significantly inhibited the substance P-stimulated secretion of AVP and OT. K(+)-evoked release of the neurohypophysial hormones was not further modified by either substance P or melatonin. The present results show that the stimulatory effect of substance P on basal release of AVP and OT from rat hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system in vitro is sensitive to inhibitory influence of melatonin.

Role of tachykinin receptors in the central processing of afferent input from the acid-threatened rat stomach

Noxious challenge of the rat gastric mucosa by hydrochloric acid (HCl) is signalled via vagal afferent neurons to several brain nuclei in which tachykinins and tachykinin receptors are present. Therefore, we tested whether tachykinin receptor antagonists would modify the central transmission of input from the acid-threatened stomach. Neuronal excitation was visualized by in situ hybridization autoradiography (ISH) of c-fos messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) 45 min after intragastric (IG) administration of HCl (0.5 M; 10 ml/kg). This stimulus has previously been shown to cause neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB), paraventricular (Pa) nuclei, supraoptic (SO) nucleus, central amygdala (CeA), area postrema (AP), subfornical organ (SFO) and habenula (Hb) to express c-fos mRNA. Intraperitoneal (IP) pretreatment with the NK1 receptor antagonist GR-205,171 (3 mg/kg) attenuated the acid-induced transcription of c-fos mRNA in NTS and augmented it in SFO. The NK2 receptor antagonist SR-144,190 (0.1 mg/kg, IP) had no effect. Subcutaneous administration of the NK3 receptor antagonist SB-222,200 (20 mg/kg) reduced the c-fos mRNA response in AP and SFO and enhanced it in Hb. These data show that the transmission of input from the acid-threatened stomach in distinct brain nuclei involves tachykinins acting at NK1 and NK3 receptors, but not NK2 receptors.

Substance P is involved in terminating the hypothalamo- pituitary-adrenal axis response to acute stress through centrally located neurokinin-1 receptors

The neurokinin substance P (SP) has been previously shown to inhibit basal hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. This study was designed to investigate the effects of central injection of the specific neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist RP67580 on the HPA axis response to acute restraint stress. In non-restrained rats injected with RP67580, plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels were elevated at 30 and 60 min compared to rats injected with vehicle, but there were no differences between vehicle and RP67580 groups at 4h. In restrained rats injected with vehicle, plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels were significantly elevated at 30 min and 60 min following initiation of the stress but had returned to basal levels at 4h. In restrained rats injected icv with RP67580, plasma corticosterone and ACTH levels were significantly elevated at 30 min and 60 min, with no significant differences compared to the restraint stressed vehicle-injected group. However, in the RP67580-injected group, corticosterone and ACTH levels remained significantly elevated at 4h following onset of restraint compared to those in the restraint stressed vehicle-injected group. Corticotrophin-releasing factor mRNA levels in the parvocellular subdivision of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and POMC mRNA levels in the anterior pituitary were significantly increased in the stressed group 4h following injection with RP67580 compared to the stressed group injected with vehicle alone. These data show that endogenous SP does not inhibit the initial magnitude of the HPA axis response to restraint stress, but does act through neurokinin-1 receptors at a central level to reduce the duration of the response to stress. This suggests that SP may be an important central agent controlling the transition between acute and chronic stress.

Central injections of capsaicin cause antidiuresis mediated through neurokinin-1 receptors in rat hypothalamus and vasopressin release

Intracerebroventricular injections of capsaicin at 100-500 nmol elicited dose-dependent decreases in urine outflow volume in anesthetized, hydrated rats. The capsaicin (500 nmol)-induced antidiuresis was inhibited by pretreatment with CP96345 (30 nmol, a neurokinin-1-receptor antagonist), but not by that with phenoxybenzamine (20 nmol, an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist), timolol (100 nmol, a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist) or atropine (300 nmol, a muscarinic antagonist) into the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON). Intravenous injections of d(CH2)5-D-Tyr(Et)VAVP (50 microg/kg, a vasopressin-receptor antagonist) completely blocked the antidiuresis. In intra-SON microdialysis experiments, acetylcholine concentration in the perfusate of the capsaicin-injected rats was not different from that of the vehicle-injected rats. These findings suggested that capsaicin stimulated substance P release in the SON and caused the antidiuresis as a result of the increased release of vasopressin into the circulation from the neurohypophysis mediated through neurokinin-1 receptors in the SON.

Modulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis and the pineal gland by neurokinin A, neuropeptide K and neuropeptide gamma

Modulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis and the pineal gland by neurokinin A, neuropeptide K, and neuropeptide gamma. PEPTIDES 1999. Neurokinin A (NKA), neuropeptide K (NPK) and neuropeptide gamma (NPG) are members of the family of tachykinins, and act preferentially on NK-2 tachykinin receptors. These peptides are widely distributed and are potent stimulators of smooth muscle contraction, especially in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. They also induce vasodilatation and plasma extravasation. Through their effects on the vascular tone, they are also potential regulators of the blood flow and therefore of the function of many organs and tissues. Tachykinins have been demonstrated to influence the secretory activity of endocrine cells, and they may have a physiological role as regulators of endocrine functions. A number of reports have indicated that NPK, NKA and NPG act on the hypothalamo-pituitary gonadal axis to regulate functions related to reproduction. Therefore, we thought that, at this point, it was important to review the available evidence suggesting the role of these tachykinins on reproductive functions by effects exerted at 3 different levels of regulation: the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary and the gonads. These 3 tachykinin peptides were reported to have effects on reproductive functions, acting on the control of the secretion of gonadotropin and prolactin at the level of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis, and on the steroid secretion by the testes and the ovaries. Acting on the hypothalamus, tachykinins, mainly NPK, were reported to inhibit LH secretion, but this effect is dependent on the presence of gonadal steroids. On the anterior pituitary gland, however, tachykinins were shown to stimulate LH and prolactin secretion, and this effect is also dependent on the presence of gonadal steroids. Tachykinin concentrations in the hypothalamus and pituitary are regulated by steroid hormones. In the hypothalamus, estrogens and testosterone increase tachykinin concentration. In the anterior pituitary gland, estradiol and thyroid hormones markedly depress tachykinin concentrations. Ovariectomy and exposure to short photoperiods significantly increase anterior pituitary tachykinins in the Siberian hamster. In the pineal gland, SP and NK-1 receptors are present and, more recently, the presence of NKA and probably also NPK was demonstrated. Castration and steroid replacement modified the content of tachykinins in the pineal gland. The removal of the superior cervical ganglia was followed by an increase in NKA content in the pineal gland. These results suggest that gonadal steroids may influence tachykinins in the pineal gland. In the gonads, tachykinins stimulated the secretory activity of Sertoli cells, but inhibited testosterone secretion by Leydig cells. There are very few reports on the role of tachykinins in the ovary, but some of them indicated that these peptides are present in some of the ovarian structures, and they may affect the secretion of ovarian steroids. Thus, NKA, NPK and NPG appear to have a modulatory role, mainly acting as paracrine factors, on the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Renal effects of intracerebroventricularly injected tachykinins in the conscious saline-loaded rat: receptor characterization

1. The effects of intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) injected substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and [MePhe7]neurokinin B (NKB) were investigated on renal excretion of water, sodium and potassium in the conscious saline-loaded rat. The central effects of [MePhe7]NKB were characterized with selective tachykinin antagonists for NK1 (RP 67580), NK2 (SR 48968) and NK3 (R 820) receptors. 2. Whereas SP or NKA (65 or 650 pmol) failed to modify the renal responses, [MePhe7]NKB (65-6500 pmol) produced dose-dependent and long-lasting (30-45 min) decreases in renal excretion of water (maximal reduction at 65 pmol: from 66.14 +/- 7.62 to 21.07 +/- 3.79 microliters min-1), sodium (maximal reduction at 65 pmol: from 10.19 +/- 2.0 to 1.75 +/- 0.48 mumol min-1) and potassium (maximal reduction at 65 pmol: from 4.31 +/- 1.38 to 0.71 +/- 0.27 mumol min-1). While 650 pmol [MePhe7]NKB elevated urinary osmolality, neither 65 pmol nor 6.5 nmol [MePhe7]NKB altered this parameter. 3. Both the antidiuresis and antinatriuresis induced by [MePhe7]NKB (65 pmol) were significantly blocked by the prior i.c.v. injection of R 820 (1.3 nmol, 5 min earlier), although the potassium excretion was only partially reduced. However, R 820 did not affect the antidiuresis and antinatriuresis elicited by endothelin-1 (1 pmol, i.c.v.). On its own, R 820 decreased renal potassium excretion with no effect on urinary osmolality and renal excretion of water and sodium. The i.c.v. co-injection of RP 67580 and SR 48968 (6.5 nmol each, 5 min earlier) failed to modify the renal responses to [MePhe7]NKB in a similar study. 4. The central effects of [MePhe7]NKB (65 pmol) on renal excretion were blocked by the prior i.v. administration of a linear peptide vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist (50 micrograms kg-1, 5 min earlier). 5. These results suggest that the central NK3 receptor, probably located in the hypothalamus, is implicated in the renal control of water and electrolyte homeostasis through the release of vasopressin in the conscious saline-loaded rat.

Intracerebroventricular responses to neuropeptide gamma in the conscious rat: characterization of its receptor with selective antagonists

1. The cardiovascular and behavioural effects elicited by the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of neuropeptide gamma (NP gamma) in the conscious rat were assessed before and 5 min after i.c.v. pretreatment with antagonists selective for NK1 (RP 67,580), NK2 (SR 48,968) and NK3 (R 820) receptors. In addition, the central effects of NP gamma before and after desensitization of the NK1 and NK2 receptors with high doses of substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) were compared. 2. Intracerebroventricular injection of NP gamma (10-780 pmol) evoked dose- and time-dependent increases in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), face washing, head scratching, grooming and wet-dog shake behaviours. Similar injection of vehicle or 1 pmol NP gamma had no significant effect on those parameters. 3. The cardiovascular and behavioural responses elicited by NP gamma (25 pmol) were significantly and dose-dependently reduced by pretreatment with 650 pmol and 6.5 nmol of SR 48,968. No inhibition of NP gamma responses was observed when 6.5 nmol of RP 67,580 was used in a similar study. Moreover, the prior co-administration of SR 48,968 (6.5 nmol) and RP 67,580 (6.5 nmol) with or without R 820 (6.5 nmol) did not reduce further the central effects of NP gamma and significant residual responses (30-50%) remained. 4. No tachyphylaxis to NP gamma-induced cardiovascular and behavioural changes was observed when two consecutive injections of 25 pmol NP gamma were given 24 h apart. 5. Simultaneous NK1 and NK2 receptor desensitization reduced significantly central effects mediated by 25 pmol NP gamma. However, significant residual responses persisted as seen after pretreatment with SR 48,968. 6. The results suggest that the central effects of NP gamma are mediated partly by NK2 receptors and by another putative tachykinin receptor subtype (NP gamma receptor?) that appears to be different from NK1 and NK3 receptors.

Endogenous substance P inhibits the expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone during a chronic inflammatory stress

We have investigated the effects of a chronic inflammatory stress on substance P (SP) levels in the hypothalami of rats given adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA). Fourteen days after injection of Mycobacterium butyricum, substance P concentrations in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and median eminence/arcuate nucleus were significantly increased. In AA rats injected intraperitoneally with the specific neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist RP67580, plasma ACTH and corticosterone concentrations were significantly elevated, and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA in the PVN was increased compared to the AA group which received saline alone. The increases in hypothalamic SP in AA, together with the data demonstrating that HPA axis activity is enhanced in AA following injection of a SP antagonist, are consistent with the hypothesis that SP is acting as an inhibitor of CRH expression in this model of chronic inflammatory stress.

Cardiovascular and behavioural effects of centrally administered tachykinins in the rat: characterization of receptors with selective antagonists

1. The effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of selective and potent NK1 (RP 67580), NK2 (SR 48968) and NK3 (R 486, [Trp7, beta-Ala8]NKA(4-10)) receptor antagonists were assessed on the cardiovascular and behavioural responses elicited by the i.c.v. injection of substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) or [MePhe7]neurokinin B ([MePhe7]NKB) in the conscious freely moving rat. 2. SP, NKA and [MePhe7]NKB (5-650 pmol) evoked dose-dependent increases in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) with the rank order of potency SP > NKA > [MePhe7]NKB. The cardiovascular responses were accompanied by excessive face washing, grooming and wet dog shakes. 3. The cardiovascular effects and face washing behaviour induced by SP (25 pmol) were significantly reduced by the pre-injection (i.c.v., 5 min earlier) of RP 67580 (6.5 nmol). However, this antagonist failed to affect the central effects of 25 pmol NKA or [MePhe7]NKB. 4. The cardiovascular and behavioural responses (except for wet dog shakes) elicited by NKA (25 pmol) were significantly reduced by 6.5 nmol SR 48968. However, the latter antagonist had no effect on the SP or [MePhe7]NKB-mediated responses. 5. Both cardiovascular and behavioural effects produced by either SP or NKA (25 pmol) were completely abolished when rats were pretreated with a combination of RP 67580 (6.5 nmol) and SR 48968 (6.5 nmol), yet this combination of antagonists failed to modify the central effects of [MePhe7]NKB. 6. R 486 (6.5 nmol) inhibited the cardiovascular effects as well as wet dog shakes produced by [MePhe7]NKB, but it was inactive against the responses induced by either SP or NKA. 7. None of the tachykinin receptor antagonists or agonists caused motor impairment or respiratory distress. All antagonists blocked in a reversible manner and were devoid of intrinsic activity except R486 (6.5 nmol) which produced a transient increase of MAP and HR.8. These results suggest that the central effects of SP, NKA and [MePhe7]NKB are primarily mediated by central NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptors, respectively. However, a minor activation of NK2 receptors bySP and NK1 receptors by NKA was seen during blockade of both receptors. This study therefore supports the existence of functional NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptors in the adult rat brain.

Efferent connections from the lateral hypothalamic region and the lateral preoptic area to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of the rat

The lateral preoptic and lateral hypothalamic regions contain the majority of the cell groups embedded in the fibre trajectories of the medial forebrain bundle on its course through the hypothalamus. Recent studies have extended considerably the parcellation of the lateral hypothalamic region, and therefore, the need to emphasize new insights into the anatomical organisation of projections from the neurons of the lateral hypothalamic region. In the present study we describe the anatomical organisation of efferent projections from the lateral preoptic and lateral hypothalamic regions to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) on the basis of retrograde- and anterograde-tracing techniques. Iontophoretic injections of the retrograde tracer, cholera toxin subunit B, into the PVN revealed that most hypothalamic nuclei project to the PVN. Within the lateral hypothalamic region, retrogradely labelled cells were concentrated in the intermediate hypothalamic area, the lateral hypothalamic area, and the perifornical nucleus, whereas fewer retrogradely labelled cells were found in the lateral preoptic area. To determine the distribution of terminating fibres in subnuclei of the heterogeneous PVN, iontophoretic injections of the anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin were delivered into distinct areas of the lateral hypothalamic region. Neurons of the intermediate hypothalamic area projected mainly to the PVN subnuclei, which contained parvicellular neuroendocrine cells. In contrast, neurons of the rostral and tuberal parts of the lateral hypothalamic area and the perifornical nucleus projected to the PVN subnuclei, which contained parvicellular neurons that send descending projections to preganglionic cell groups in the medulla and spinal cord. The perifornical nucleus was the only area within the lateral hypothalamic region that consistently innervated magnocellular perikarya of the PVN. Finally, all areas of the lateral hypothalamic region contributed substantially to fibres terminating in the perinuclear shell of the PVN. These results demonstrate that anatomically distinct areas of the lateral hypothalamic region have distinct projections to subnuclei of the PVN and further substantiate the view that the lateral hypothalamic region as well as the PVN constitute anatomically and functionally heterogeneous structures.

Substance P inhibits the release of anterior pituitary adrenocorticotrophin via a central mechanism involving corticotrophin-releasing factor-containing neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

Chronic osmotic stimulation influences the hypothalamo-adenohypophysial axis by inhibiting the synthesis of hypothalamic corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF-41) and subsequently the secretion of basal and adrenalectomy-elevated adrenocorticotrophin from the adenohypophysis. In the present study, we used a substance P antagonist to test the hypothesis that this inhibition is mediated centrally by substance P or other tachykinins. In control rats and rats given 2% saline to drink for 12 days, intracerebroventricular administration of a substance P antagonist elevated plasma adrenocorticotrophin and corticosterone levels. Using quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry, it was also demonstrated that CRF mRNA increased in the medial parvocellular division of the paraventricular nucleus of saline-treated as well as control rats 6 h after intracerebroventricular administration of the antagonist, while vasopressin mRNA in the medial parvocellular division of the paraventricular nucleus was increased in the control animals only. These results provide evidence that central endogenous substance P has an inhibitory influence over the synthesis and release of CRF-41 both under normal conditions and during a chronic osmotic stimulus.

Preprotachykinin A gene expression in distinct hypothalamic and brain stem regions of the rat is affected by a chronic osmotic stimulus: a combined immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization histochemistry study

Chronic osmotic stimulation influences the hypothalamoadenohypophysial axis by inhibiting the synthesis of corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF-41) in the parvocellular subdivision of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and, subsequently, the secretion of adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) from the adenohypophysis. Using quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry, we have investigated the effect of chronic osmotic stimulation on preprotachykinin A (PPT-A) mRNA levels in a number of brain areas known to send substance P-containing projections to the medial parvocellular part of the PVN. Chronic osmotic stimulation increased PPT-A gene expression in the lateral hypothalamic area, the arcuate nucleus, the catecholaminergic brain stem areas A2, C1, and C2, although PPT-A mRNA levels in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the medial preoptic nucleus, the caudate-putamen, and the A1 were unaffected by chronic osmotic stimulation. In addition, immunohistochemical staining of substance P-immunoreactive elements contained within the same areas was carried out on colchicine-treated animals. Generally, those areas responding to the osmotic stimulus with increased PPT-A mRNA synthesis showed increased numbers of substance P-immunoreactive perikarya, suggesting that increased levels of mRNA are associated with increased peptide synthesis. These results provide evidence that central endogenous substance P contained in brain regions projecting to the paraventricular nucleus could have an inhibitory influence over the synthesis of CRF-41 during a chronic osmotic stimulus.