GABAergic projection from the arcuate nucleus to the supraoptic nucleus in the rat

Therapeutic potential of vasopressin in the treatment of neurological disorders

Vasopressin (VP) is a nonapeptide made of nine amino acids synthesized by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. VP acts as a neurohormone, neuropeptide and neuromodulator and plays an important role in the regulation of water balance, osmolarity, blood pressure, body temperature, stress response, emotional challenges, etc. Traditionally VP is known to regulate the osmolarity and tonicity. VP and its receptors are widely expressed in the various region of the brain including cortex, hippocampus, basal forebrain, amygdala, etc. VP has been shown to modulate the behavior, stress response, circadian rhythm, cerebral blood flow, learning and memory, etc. The potential role of VP in the regulation of these neurological functions have suggested the therapeutic importance of VP and its analogues in the management of neurological disorders. Further, different VP analogues have been developed across the world with different pharmacotherapeutic potential. In the present work authors highlighted the therapeutic potential of VP and its analogues in the treatment and management of various neurological disorders.

Neural basis for regulation of vasopressin secretion by anticipated disturbances in osmolality

Water balance, tracked by extracellular osmolality, is regulated by feedback and feedforward mechanisms. Feedback regulation is reactive, occurring as deviations in osmolality are detected. Feedforward or presystemic regulation is proactive, occurring when disturbances in osmolality are anticipated. Vasopressin (AVP) is a key hormone regulating water balance and is released during hyperosmolality to limit renal water excretion. AVP neurons are under feedback and feedforward regulation. Not only do they respond to disturbances in blood osmolality, but they are also rapidly suppressed and stimulated, respectively, by drinking and eating, which will ultimately decrease and increase osmolality. Here, we demonstrate that AVP neuron activity is regulated by multiple anatomically and functionally distinct neural circuits. Notably, presystemic regulation during drinking and eating are mediated by non-overlapping circuits that involve the lamina terminalis and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, respectively. These findings reveal neural mechanisms that support differential regulation of AVP release by diverse behavioral and physiological stimuli.

Fine-tuning the amount of water present in the body at any given time is a tight balancing act. The hormone vasopressin helps to ensure that organisms do not get too dehydrated by allowing water in the urine to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream. A group of vasopressin neurons in the brain trigger the release of the hormone if water levels get too low (as reflected by an increase in osmolality, the level of substances dissolved in a unit of blood). However, these cells also receive additional information that allows them to predict and respond to upcoming changes in water levels. For example, drinking water while dehydrated ‘switches off’ the neurons, even before osmolality is restored in the blood to normal levels. Eating, on the other hand, rapidly activates vasopressin neurons before the food is digested and blood osmolality increases as a result.

How vasopressin neurons receive this ‘anticipatory’ information remains unclear. Kim et al. explored this question in mice by inhibiting different sets of brain cells one by one, and then examining whether the neurons could still exhibit anticipatory responses. This revealed a remarkable division of labor in the neural circuits that regulate vasopressin neurons: two completely different sets of neurons from distinct areas of the brain are dedicated to relaying anticipatory information about either water or food intake.

These findings help to understand how healthy levels of water can be maintained in the body. Overall, they give a glimpse into the neural mechanisms that underlie anticipatory forms of regulation, which can also take place when hunger or thirst neurons ‘foresee’ that food or water will be consumed.

The osmoresponsiveness of oxytocin and vasopressin neurones: Mechanisms, allostasis and evolution

In the rat supraoptic nucleus, every oxytocin cell projects to the posterior pituitary, and is involved both in reflex milk ejection during lactation and in regulating uterine contractions during parturition. All are also osmosensitive, regulating natriuresis. All are also regulated by signals that control appetite, including the neural and hormonal signals that arise from the gut after food intake and from the sites of energy storage. All are also involved in sexual behaviour, anxiety-related behaviours and social behaviours. The challenge is to understand how a single population of neurones can coherently regulate such a diverse set of functions and adapt to changing physiological states. Their multiple functions arise from complex intrinsic properties that confer sensitivity to a wide range of internal and environmental signals. Many of these properties have a distant evolutionary origin in multifunctional, multisensory neurones of Urbilateria, the hypothesised common ancestor of vertebrates, insects and worms. Their properties allow different patterns of oxytocin release into the circulation from their axon terminals in the posterior pituitary into other brain areas from axonal projections, as well as independent release from their dendrites.

A switch from GABA inhibition to excitation of vasopressin neurons exacerbates the development angiotensin II-dependent hypertension

Hypothalamic magnocellular neurons secrete vasopressin into the systemic circulation to maintain blood pressure by increasing renal water reabsorption and by vasoconstriction. When blood pressure rises, baroreflex activation normally inhibits vasopressin neurons via activation of GABAergic inputs. However, plasma vasopressin levels are paradoxically elevated in several models of hypertension and in some patients with essential hypertension, despite increased blood pressure. We have previously shown that vasopressin neuron activity is increased early in the development of moderate angiotensin II-dependent hypertension via blunted baroreflex inhibition of vasopressin neurons. Here, we show that antagonism of vasopressin-induced vasoconstriction slows the development of hypertension and that local administration of a GABAA receptor antagonist inhibits vasopressin neurons during, but not before, the onset of hypertension. Taken together, our data suggest that vasopressin exacerbates the increase in blood pressure evident early in the development hypertension and that blunted baroreflex inhibition of vasopressin neurons is underpinned by an excitatory shift in their response to endogenous GABA signalling. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Muscimol microinjected in the arcuate nucleus affects metabolism, body temperature & ventilation

Effects of microinjection of 2 doses of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor agonist, muscimol (M), into the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus on oxygen consumption and control of ventilation over time and body temperature (BT) at the end of the experiment were compared in adult male and female rats. Relative to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, 0 nmol), BT was decreased only in male rats with both doses of M, while in female rats, the 5 nmol dose depressed oxygen consumption. Ventilation was depressed by 5 nmol M in male and 10 nmol M in female rats by decreasing tidal volume. M did not affect the ventilatory response of male or female rats to hypoxia, whereas in females 5 and 10 nmol M and in males 10 nmol M depressed the ventilatory response to hypercapnia. Thus, in rats GABAA receptors in the arcuate nucleus modulate BT, oxygen consumption, and ventilation in air and in response to hypercapnia in a sexually dimorphic manner.

Neural Substrate Essential for Suppression of Vasopressin Secretion and Excretion of a Water Load

Suppression of vasopressin secretion to very low levels is essential for the excretion of excess water. To investigate a role for the preoptic brain region in the suppression of vasopressin secretion and the excretion of a water load, lesions were made in the vicinity of the lamina terminalis in ewes (LTX-sheep) and responses to water-loading or reduction of cerebrospinal fluid NaCl by i.c.v. isotonic mannitol solution were investigated. In normal conscious sheep, intraruminal water-loading resulted in the urine flow rate increasing and urine osmolality decreasing within 1 h, such that renal free water clearance (CH 2O ) increased from -1.02 ± 0.16 ml/min (mean ± SEM) to a maximum of +4.99 ± 0.62 ml/min at 2.5 h after water-loading (P < 0.05, n = 6). Plasma vasopressin levels fell from 0.88 ± 0.17 pg/ml to undetectable levels (< 0.4 pg/ml, n = 4). In LTX-sheep (n = 6), CH 2O did not change significantly after water-loading (-1.78 ± 0.13 to -2.03 ± 0.49 ml/min at 2.5 h after water-loading). Plasma vasopressin levels were inappropriately elevated in water-loaded LTX-sheep (n = 3). Intracerebroventricular mannitol (1 ml/h for 2 h) resulted in a water diuresis and increase in CH 2O (-1.16 ± 0.12 to +2.81 ± 0.58 ml/min, P < 0.05) after 2 h in normal sheep, and plasma vasopressin levels fell significantly from to 0.88 ± 0.23 pg/ml to < 0.4 pg/ml (P < 0.05, n = 6). However, in LTX-sheep, there was no change in CH 2O (-1.31 ± 0.14 to -1.35 ± 0.12 ml/min) or the plasma vasopressin concentration (1.47 ± 0.18 to 1.60 ± 0.44 pg/ml, not significant) with i.c.v. mannitol. The results suggest that an inhibitory pathway from the vicinity of the median preoptic nucleus to the supraoptic and hypothalamic paraventricular nuclei plays an important role in the suppression of vasopressin secretion and the excretion of excess water.

A Direct Neurokinin B Projection from the Arcuate Nucleus Regulates Magnocellular Vasopressin Cells of the Supraoptic Nucleus

Central administration of neurokinin B (NKB) agonists stimulates immediate early gene expression in the hypothalamus and increases the secretion of vasopressin from the posterior pituitary through a mechanism that depends on the activation of neurokinin receptor 3 receptors (NK3R). The present study reports that, in the rat, immunoreactivity for NK3R is expressed in magnocellular vasopressin and oxytocin neurones in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, and that NKB immunoreactivity is expressed in fibres in close juxtaposition with vasopressin neurones at both of these sites. Retrograde tracing in the rat shows that some NKB-expressing neurones in the arcuate nucleus project to the SON and, in mice, using an anterograde tracing approach, it is found that kisspeptin-expressing neurones of the arcuate nucleus, which are known to co-express NKB, project to the SON and PVN. Finally, i.c.v. injection of the NK3R agonist senktide is shown to potently increase the electrical activity of vasopressin neurones in the SON in vivo with no significant effect detected on oxytocin neurones. The results suggest that NKB-containing neurones in the arcuate nucleus regulate the secretion of vasopressin from magnocellular neurones in rodents, and the possible significance of this is discussed.

Influence of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus on intraocular pressure and the role of opioid peptides

BACKGROUND

An opioid peptide neuron/humoral feedback regulation might be involved in changes of intraocular pressure (IOP). The aims of this study are to investigate the effects of arcuate nucleus (ARC) and opioid peptides on intraocular pressure (IOP).

METHODS

Fifty-four healthy purebred New Zealand white rabbits (108 eyes) were randomly divided into 4 groups, including control group, electrical stimulation group, [D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) group, and [D-Pen 2, D-Pen5]- enkephalin (DPDPE) group. Bilateral IOP was measured after unilateral electrical stimulation of the ARC or unilateral microinjection into the ARC of the selective μ-opioid receptor agonist DAMGO or the selective δ opioid receptor agonist DPDPE, both alone and after pre-administration of either the non-selective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone or saline.

RESULTS

Both electrical stimulation in ARC and micro-injection either or opioid receptor agonists, DAMGO or DPDPE, respectively, caused a significant bilateral reduction in IOP (P<0.05) which was more pronounced in the ipsilateral than in the contralateral eye. Pretreatment with naloxone prevented some, but not all IOP reductions.

CONCLUSION

The ARC takes part in the negative regulation of IOP, an action that may involve opioid neurons.

GABAergic inhibition through synergistic astrocytic neuronal interaction transiently decreases vasopressin neuronal activity during hypoosmotic challenge

The neuropeptide vasopressin is crucial to mammalian osmotic regulation. Local hypoosmotic challenge transiently decreases and then increases vasopressin secretion. To investigate mechanisms underlying this transient response, we examined the effects of hypoosmotic challenge on the electrical activity of rat hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON) vasopressin neurons using patch-clamp recordings. We found that 5 min exposure of hypothalamic slices to hypoosmotic solution transiently increased inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSC) frequency and reduced the firing rate of vasopressin neurons. Recovery occurred by 10 min of exposure, even though the osmolality remained low. The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor blocker, gabazine, blocked the IPSCs and the hypoosmotic suppression of firing. The gliotoxin l-aminoadipic acid blocked the increase in IPSC frequency at 5 min and the recovery of firing at 10 min, indicating astrocytic involvement in hypoosmotic modulation of vasopressin neuronal activity. Moreover, β-alanine, an osmolyte of astrocytes and GABA transporter (GAT) inhibitor, blocked the increase in IPSC frequency at 5 min of hypoosmotic challenge. Confocal microscopy of immunostained SON sections revealed that astrocytes and magnocellular neurons both showed positive staining of vesicular GATs (VGAT). Hypoosmotic stimulation in vivo reduced the number of VGAT-expressing neurons, and increased co-localisation and molecular association of VGAT with glial fibrillary acidic protein that increased significantly by 10 min. By 30 min, neuronal VGAT labelling was partially restored, and astrocytic VGAT was relocated to the ventral portion while it decreased in the somatic zone of the SON. Thus, synergistic astrocytic and neuronal GABAergic inhibition could ensure that vasopressin neuron firing is only transiently suppressed under hypoosmotic conditions.

GABA is excitatory in adult vasopressinergic neuroendocrine cells

Neuronal excitability in the adult brain is controlled by a balance between synaptic excitation and inhibition mediated by glutamate and GABA, respectively. While generally inhibitory in the adult brain, GABA(A) receptor activation is excitatory under certain conditions in which the GABA reversal potential is shifted positive due to intracellular Cl(-) accumulation, such as during early postnatal development and brain injury. However, the conditions under which GABA is excitatory are generally either transitory or pathological. Here, we reveal GABAergic synaptic inputs to be uniformly excitatory in vasopressin (VP)-secreting magnocellular neurons in the adult hypothalamus under normal conditions. The GABA reversal potential (E(GABA)) was positive to resting potential and spike threshold in VP neurons, but not in oxytocin (OT)-secreting neurons. The VP neurons lacked expression of the K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter 2 (KCC2), the predominant Cl(-) exporter in the adult brain. The E(GABA) was unaffected by inhibition of KCC2 in VP neurons, but was shifted positive in OT neurons, which express KCC2. Alternatively, inhibition of the Na(+)-K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter 1 (NKCC1), a Cl(-) importer expressed in most cell types mainly during postnatal development, caused a negative shift in E(GABA) in VP neurons, but had no effect on GABA currents in OT neurons. GABA(A) receptor blockade caused a decrease in the firing rate of VP neurons, but an increase in firing in OT neurons. Our findings demonstrate that GABA is excitatory in adult VP neurons, suggesting that the classical excitation/inhibition paradigm of synaptic glutamate and GABA control of neuronal excitability does not apply to VP neurons.

Presynaptic actions of endocannabinoids mediate α-MSH-induced inhibition of oxytocin cells

We recently showed that central injections of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) inhibits oxytocin cells and reduces peripheral release of oxytocin, but induces oxytocin release from dendrites. Dendritic oxytocin release can be triggered by agents that mobilize intracellular calcium. Oxytocin, like α-MSH, mobilizes intracellular calcium stores in oxytocin cells and triggers presynaptic inhibition of afferent inputs that is mediated by cannabinoids. We hypothesized that this mechanism might underlie the inhibitory effects of α-MSH. To test this, we recorded extracellularly from identified oxytocin and vasopressin cells in the anesthetized rat supraoptic nucleus (SON). Retrodialysis of a CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist to the SON blocked the inhibitory effects of intracerebroventricular injections of α-MSH on the spontaneous activity of oxytocin cells. We then monitored synaptically mediated responses of SON cells to stimulation of the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT); this evoked a mixed response comprising an inhibitory component mediated by GABA and an excitatory component mediated by glutamate, as identified by the effects of bicuculline and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione applied to the SON by retrodialysis. Application of CB1 receptor agonists to the SON attenuated the excitatory effects of OVLT stimulation in both oxytocin and vasopressin cells, whereas α-MSH attenuated the responses of oxytocin cells only. Thus α-MSH can act as a “switch”; it triggers oxytocin release centrally, but at the same time through initiating endocannabinoid production in oxytocin cells inhibits their electrical activity and hence, peripheral secretion.

Voltage-gated Ca2+ channel subtypes mediating GABAergic transmission in the rat supraoptic nucleus

The supraoptic nucleus receives an abundant gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic input which is inhibited by activation of various presynaptic metabotropic receptors. We here analysed the subtypes of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels intervening in the control of transmitter release at these synapses. To address this issue, we tested various specific inhibitors of Ca2+ channels on evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs). Blocking N- and P-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels with 1 micromomega-conotoxin-GVIA and 20 nmomega-agatoxin-IVA, respectively, dramatically reduced IPSC amplitude. Q- and L-type Ca2+ channels also contributed to GABAergic transmission, although to a lesser extent, as revealed by applications of 200 nmomega-agatoxin-IVA and of the dihydropyridines nifedipine (10 microm) and nimodipine (10 microm). Evoked IPSCs were insensitive to SNX-482 (300 nm), a blocker of some R-type Ca2+ channels. Analysis of selective blockade by the various antagonists suggested that multiple types of Ca2+ channels synergistically interact to trigger exocytosis at some individual GABA release sites. We next investigated whether inhibition of GABA release in response to the activation of metabotropic glutamate, GABA and adenosine receptors involved the modulation of these presynaptic Ca2+ channels. This was not the case, as the inhibitory actions of selective agonists of these receptors were unaffected by the presence of the different Ca2+ channel antagonists. This finding suggests that these metabotropic receptors modulate GABAergic transmission through a different mechanism, downstream of Ca2+ entry in the terminals, or upstream through the activation of K+ channels.

The activity of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system in response to acute stressor exposure: neuroendocrine and electrophysiological observations

The present mini review focuses on stress-induced alterations of the electrical and secretory activity of vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) neurones originating within the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and constituting the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system (HNS) in the male rat. Previously, it was thought that SON neurones are predominantly activated by osmotic and reproductive stimuli. However, recent findings also suggest a selective activation of AVP and/or OXT neurones in response to specific stressors. Inhibitory amino acids seem to participate at the level of the SON in the control of HNS activity during stress. Taurine, probably of glial origin, selectively inhibits the secretory activity of AVP neurones. In contrast, GABA, probably of neuronal origin, interferes with the release of OXT both from axon terminals into blood and from somata/dendrites into the extracellular fluid of the SON. Depending upon whether a defined stressor triggers taurine and/or GABA release within the SON the secretion of AVP and/or OXT from HNS neurones will be inhibited. These observations shed new light on the neurone-neurone and glial-neurone interactions that ensure an appropriate neuroendocrine stress response.

GABA selectively controls the secretory activity of oxytocin neurons in the rat supraoptic nucleus

Recently we reported that a single social defeat experience triggers the release of oxytocin (OXT) from somata and dendrites, but not axon terminals, of neurons of the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system. To further investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying this dissociated release, we exposed male Wistar rats to a 30-min social defeat and monitored release of the inhibitory amino acids gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) and taurine within the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON) using microdialysis. Social defeat caused a significant increase in the release of both GABA and taurine within the SON (up to 480%; P < 0.01 vs. prestress release). To reveal the physiological significance of centrally released GABA, the specific GABAA-receptor antagonist bicuculline (0.02 mm) was administered into the SON via retrodialysis. This approach caused a significant increase in the release of OXT both within the SON and into the blood under basal conditions and during stress (up to 300 and 200%, respectively; P < 0.05 vs. basal values), without affecting plasma vasopressin. Electrophysiological studies confirmed the selective action of bicuculline on the firing activity of OXT neurons in the SON. Taken together, our data demonstrate that GABA is released within the SON during emotional stress to act as a selective inhibitor of both central and peripheral OXT secretion.

The role of nitric oxide in morphine dependence and withdrawal excitation of rat oxytocin neurons

Magnocellular oxytocin neurons develop morphine dependence after intracerebroventricular infusion for 5 days as revealed by their profound excitation following naloxone-induced withdrawal. Oxytocin neurons strongly express nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and nitric oxide (NO) inhibits their activity. This study investigated whether excitation of oxytocin neurons during morphine withdrawal involves reduced activity of NOS and NO. Neuron activity was measured in urethane-anaesthetized rats with blood sampling for oxytocin radioimmunoassay and extracellular single unit firing rate recording of supraoptic nucleus oxytocin neurons. To compare morphine-dependent and -naive rats oxytocin secretion was measured during stimulation by intravenous hypertonic saline infusion. Prior treatment with Nomega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, a NOS inhibitor, facilitated osmotically stimulated oxytocin secretion in both morphine-dependent and -naive rats. The facilitation was not different between these groups when corrected for the slower responses observed in morphine-dependent rats. Treatment of morphine-dependent rats with Nomega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester also enhanced oxytocin secretion during naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. Oxytocin neurons excited by withdrawal were recorded during microdialysis application to the supraoptic nucleus of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside alone and in combination with the GABAA antagonist bicuculline. Sodium nitroprusside inhibited oxytocin neurons during naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal and, while bicuculline alone increased firing rate, it did not reduce the inhibition by sodium nitroprusside, in contrast with previous findings in naive rats. Together, these findings indicate that NO restraint of oxytocin secretion is not curtailed during morphine dependence and remains a potent inhibitor of withdrawal excitation despite reduced effectiveness on GABA innervation of the supraoptic nucleus. Hence there is no evidence that changes in NO regulation underlie excitation of oxytocin neurons during opiate withdrawal in morphine dependence.

Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone stimulates oxytocin release from the dendrites of hypothalamic neurons while inhibiting oxytocin release from their terminals in the neurohypophysis

The peptides alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and oxytocin, when administered centrally, produce similar behavioral effects. alpha-MSH induces Fos expression in supraoptic oxytocin neurons, and alpha-MSH melanocortin-4 receptors (MC4Rs) are highly expressed in the supraoptic nucleus, suggesting that alpha-MSH and oxytocin actions are not independent. Here we investigated the effects of alpha-MSH on the activity of supraoptic neurons. We confirmed that alpha-MSH induces Fos expression in the supraoptic nucleus when injected centrally and demonstrated that alpha-MSH also stimulates Fos expression in the nucleus when applied locally by retrodialysis. Thus alpha-MSH-induced Fos expression is not associated with electrophysiological excitation of supraoptic neurons because central injection of alpha-MSH or selective MC4 receptor agonists inhibited the electrical activity of oxytocin neurons in the supraoptic nucleus recorded in vivo. Consistent with these observations, oxytocin secretion into the bloodstream decreased after central injection of alpha-MSH. However, MC4R ligands induced substantial release of oxytocin from dendrites in isolated supraoptic nuclei. Because dendritic oxytocin release can be triggered by changes in [Ca2+]i, we measured [Ca2+]i responses in isolated supraoptic neurons and found that MC4R ligands induce a transient [Ca2+]i increase in oxytocin neurons. This response was still observed in low extracellular Ca2+ concentration and probably reflects mobilization of [Ca2+]i from intracellular stores rather than entry via voltage-gated channels. Taken together, these results show for the first time that a peptide, here alpha-MSH, can induce differential regulation of dendritic release and systemic secretion of oxytocin, accompanied by dissociation of Fos expression and electrical activity.

The magnocellular oxytocin system, the fount of maternity: adaptations in pregnancy

Oxytocin secretion from the posterior pituitary gland is increased during parturition, stimulated by the uterine contractions that forcefully expel the fetuses. Since oxytocin stimulates further contractions of the uterus, which is exquisitely sensitive to oxytocin at the end of pregnancy, a positive feedback loop is activated. The neural pathway that drives oxytocin neurons via a brainstem relay has been partially characterised, and involves A2 noradrenergic cells in the brainstem. Until close to term the responsiveness of oxytocin neurons is restrained by neuroactive steroid metabolites of progesterone that potentiate GABA inhibitory mechanisms. As parturition approaches, and this inhibition fades as progesterone secretion collapses, a central opioid inhibitory mechanism is activated that restrains the excitation of oxytocin cells by brainstem inputs. This opioid restraint is the predominant damper of oxytocin cells before and during parturition, limiting stimulation by extraneous stimuli, and perhaps facilitating optimal spacing of births and economical use of the store of oxytocin accumulated during pregnancy. During parturition, oxytocin cells increase their basal activity, and hence oxytocin secretion increases. In addition, the oxytocin cells discharge a burst of action potentials as each fetus passes through the birth canal. Each burst causes the secretion of a pulse of oxytocin, which sharply increases uterine tone; these bursts depend upon auto-stimulation by oxytocin released from the dendrites of the magnocellular neurons in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. With the exception of the opioid mechanism that emerges to restrain oxytocin cell responsiveness, the behavior of oxytocin cells and their inputs in pregnancy and parturition is explicable from the effects of hormones of pregnancy (relaxin, estrogen, progesterone) on pre-existing mechanisms, leading through relative quiescence at term inter alia to net increase in oxytocin storage, and reduced auto-inhibition by nitric oxide generation. Cyto-architectonic changes in parturition, involving evident retraction of glial processes between oxytocin cells so they get closer together, are probably a response to oxytocin neuron activation rather than being essential for their patterns of firing in parturition.

Beta-endorphin cells in the arcuate nucleus: projections to the supraoptic nucleus and changes in expression during pregnancy and parturition

Supraoptic nucleus oxytocin neurone activity and secretion are inhibited in late pregnancy and parturition by endogenous opioids. Here, we investigated alterations in the projections and gene expression of beta-endorphin/pro-opiomelanocortin neurones in the arcuate nucleus in the pregnant rat. All regions of the arcuate nucleus were found to contain cells immunoreactive for beta-endorphin fluorescent microbeads retrogradely transported from the supraoptic nucleus, and double-labelled neurones (beta-endorphin plus microbeads), showing that beta-endorphin neurones throughout the arcuate nucleus project to the supraoptic nucleus. There was an increase in the number of beta-endorphin-immunoreactive cells in the arcuate nucleus and an increase in the density of beta-endorphin fibres within the supraoptic nucleus and peri-supraoptic region in late pregnancy and parturition, suggesting enhanced expression of beta-endorphin and increased beta-endorphin innervation of the supraoptic nucleus. Pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA expression in the arcuate nucleus increased in late compared to early pregnancy: the number of positive neurones significantly increased in the caudal region. Fos expression (an indicator of neuronal activation) in the arcuate nucleus was colocalized in beta-endorphin neurones in both proestrus and parturient rats, but the number of positive cells did not increase during parturition, suggesting lack of activation of beta-endorphin neurones at birth. Thus, beta-endorphin cells in the arcuate nucleus project to the supraoptic nucleus and increased innervation during pregnancy may explain the enhanced endogenous opioid inhibition of oxytocin neurones.

Leptin affects the electrical activity of neurones in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus

The present experiments were undertaken to examine whether leptin affects the electrical activity of neurones in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) by using brain slice preparation of male Wistar and obese Zucker rats. Bath application of leptin (10(-8) - 10(-12) M) induced mainly inhibitory response in SON neurones of Wistar rats, although a minority showed excitation. These effects were observed in both continuously and phasically active cells. The inhibitory effect of leptin still persisted in low Ca(2+), high Mg(2+) medium. Bath application of tolbutamide, which is known to inhibit ATP-sensitive potassium channel activity, did not reverse the inhibitory effect of leptin on SON neurones. The effect of bath application of leptin was also tested in SON neurones of obese Zucker rats. Although leptin still affected the electrical activity of some SON neurones of Zucker rats, the proportion of unaffected neurones was significantly higher than in Wistar rats. The results suggest that leptin may inhibit the secretion of both oxytocin and vasopressin by inhibiting the electrical activity of neurones in the SON via direct action. This inhibitory effect of leptin may be exerted through mechanisms other than activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

Responses of magnocellular neurons to osmotic stimulation involves coactivation of excitatory and inhibitory input: an experimental and theoretical analysis

How does a neuron, challenged by an increase in synaptic input, display a response that is independent of the initial level of activity? Here we show that both oxytocin and vasopressin cells in the supraoptic nucleus of normal rats respond to intravenous infusions of hypertonic saline with gradual, linear increases in discharge rate. In hyponatremic rats, oxytocin and vasopressin cells also responded linearly to intravenous infusions of hypertonic saline but with much lower slopes. The linearity of response was surprising, given both the expected nonlinearity of neuronal behavior and the nonlinearity of the oxytocin secretory response to such infusions. We show that a simple computational model can reproduce these responses well, but only if it is assumed that hypertonic infusions coactivate excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. This hypothesis was tested first by applying the GABA(A) antagonist bicuculline to the dendritic zone of the supraoptic nucleus by microdialysis. During local blockade of GABA inputs, the response of oxytocin cells to hypertonic infusion was greatly enhanced. We then went on to directly measure GABA release in the supraoptic nucleus during hypertonic infusion, confirming the predicted rise. Together, the results suggest that hypertonic infusions lead to coactivation of excitatory and inhibitory inputs and that this coactivation may confer appropriate characteristics on the output behavior of oxytocin cells. The nonlinearity of oxytocin secretion that accompanies the linear increase in oxytocin cell firing rate reflects frequency-facilitation of stimulus-secretion coupling at the neurohypophysis.

NO inhibits supraoptic oxytocin and vasopressin neurons via activation of GABAergic synaptic inputs

To study modulatory actions of nitric oxide (NO) on GABAergic synaptic activity in hypothalamic magnocellular neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), in vitro and in vivo electrophysiological recordings were obtained from identified oxytocin and vasopressin neurons. Whole cell patch-clamp recordings were obtained in vitro from immunochemically identified oxytocin and vasopressin neurons. GABAergic synaptic activity was assessed in vitro by measuring GABA(A) miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs). The NO donor and precursor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and L-arginine, respectively, increased the frequency and amplitude of GABA(A) mIPSCs in both cell types (P < or = 0.001). Retrodialysis of SNP (50 mM) onto the SON in vivo inhibited the activity of both neuronal types (P < or = 0.002), an effect that was reduced by retrodialysis of the GABA(A)-receptor antagonist bicuculline (2 mM, P < or = 0.001). Neurons activated by intravenous infusion of 2 M NaCl were still strongly inhibited by SNP. These results suggest that NO inhibition of neuronal excitability in oxytocin and vasopressin neurons involves pre- and postsynaptic potentiation of GABAergic synaptic activity in the SON.

Lesion of the perinuclear zone attenuates cardiac sensitivity of vasopressinergic supraoptic neurons

Discrete stretch of the caval-atrial junction decreases the activity of vasopressin-secreting neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON). The perinuclear zone (PNZ) of the SON is necessary for inhibition of vasopressin neurons following an increase in blood pressure. To determine whether the PNZ is necessary for cardiopulmonary regulation of vasopressin neurons, male rats received three unilateral injections of the excitotoxin ibotenic acid (n = 9) or phosphate-buffered saline vehicle (n = 10) into the PNZ. Extracellular activity of antidromically identified phasic vasopressin neurons in the ipsilateral SON was recorded. Of the 26 neurons recorded from vehicle-injected rats 26 were inhibited by an increase in blood pressure and 22 of those neurons were sensitive to caval-atrial distension. Of the neurons recorded from PNZ-lesion rats, only 12 of 29 were inhibited by an increase in blood pressure (P < 0.05), and only 11 neurons were sensitive to caval-atrial stretch (P < 0.05). Functional lesion of the PNZ significantly attenuates both arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreceptor-mediated inhibition of supraoptic vasopressin neurons, suggesting that the PNZ is a necessary component of both pathways.