Osmosensitivity of rat third ventricle and interactions with angiotensin

NaCl and osmolarity produce different responses in organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis neurons, sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure

KEY POINTS

Changes in extracellular osmolarity stimulate thirst and vasopressin secretion through a central osmoreceptor; however, central infusion of hypertonic NaCl produces a greater sympathoexcitatory and pressor response than infusion of hypertonic mannitol/sorbitol. Neurons in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) sense changes in extracellular osmolarity and NaCl. In this study, we discovered that intracerebroventricular infusion or local OVLT injection of hypertonic NaCl increases lumbar sympathetic nerve activity, adrenal sympathetic nerve activity and arterial blood pressure whereas equi-osmotic mannitol/sorbitol did not alter any variable. In vitro whole-cell recordings demonstrate the majority of OVLT neurons are responsive to hypertonic NaCl or mannitol. However, hypertonic NaCl stimulates a greater increase in discharge frequency than equi-osmotic mannitol. Intracarotid or intracerebroventricular infusion of hypertonic NaCl evokes a greater increase in OVLT neuronal discharge frequency than equi-osmotic sorbitol. Collectively, these novel data suggest that subsets of OVLT neurons respond differently to hypertonic NaCl versus osmolarity and subsequently regulate body fluid homeostasis. These responses probably reflect distinct cellular mechanisms underlying NaCl- versus osmo-sensing.

ABSTRACT

Systemic or central infusion of hypertonic NaCl and other osmolytes readily stimulate thirst and vasopressin secretion. In contrast, central infusion of hypertonic NaCl produces a greater increase in arterial blood pressure (ABP) than equi-osmotic mannitol/sorbitol. Although these responses depend on neurons in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), these observations suggest OVLT neurons may sense or respond differently to hypertonic NaCl versus osmolarity. The purpose of this study was to test this hypothesis in Sprague-Dawley rats. First, intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion (5 μl/10 min) of 1.0 m NaCl produced a significantly greater increase in lumbar sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), adrenal SNA and ABP than equi-osmotic sorbitol (2.0 osmol l^-1 ). Second, OVLT microinjection (20 nl) of 1.0 m NaCl significantly raised lumbar SNA, adrenal SNA and ABP. Equi-osmotic sorbitol did not alter any variable. Third, in vitro whole-cell recordings demonstrate that 50% (18/36) of OVLT neurons display an increased discharge to both hypertonic NaCl (+7.5 mm) and mannitol (+15 mm). Of these neurons, 56% (10/18) displayed a greater discharge response to hypertonic NaCl vs mannitol. Fourth, in vivo single-unit recordings revealed that intracarotid injection of hypertonic NaCl produced a concentration-dependent increase in OVLT cell discharge, lumbar SNA and ABP. The responses to equi-osmotic infusions of hypertonic sorbitol were significantly smaller. Lastly, icv infusion of 0.5 m NaCl produced significantly greater increases in OVLT discharge and ABP than icv infusion of equi-osmotic sorbitol. Collectively, these findings indicate NaCl and osmotic stimuli produce different responses across OVLT neurons and may represent distinct cellular processes to regulate thirst, vasopressin secretion and autonomic function.

Understanding how discrete populations of hypothalamic neurons orchestrate complicated behavioral states

A major question in systems neuroscience is how a single population of neurons can interact with the rest of the brain to orchestrate complex behavioral states. The hypothalamus contains many such discrete neuronal populations that individually regulate arousal, feeding, and drinking. For example, hypothalamic neurons that express hypocretin (Hcrt) neuropeptides can sense homeostatic and metabolic factors affecting wakefulness and orchestrate organismal arousal. Neurons that express agouti-related protein (AgRP) can sense the metabolic needs of the body and orchestrate a state of hunger. The organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) can detect the hypertonicity of blood and orchestrate a state of thirst. Each hypothalamic population is sufficient to generate complicated behavioral states through the combined efforts of distinct efferent projections. The principal challenge to understanding these brain systems is therefore to determine the individual roles of each downstream projection for each behavioral state. In recent years, the development and application of temporally precise, genetically encoded tools has greatly improved our understanding of the structure and function of these neural systems. This review will survey recent advances in our understanding of how these individual hypothalamic populations can orchestrate complicated behavioral states due to the combined efforts of individual downstream projections.

Integration of thermal and osmotic regulation of water homeostasis: the role of TRPV channels

Maintenance of body water homeostasis is critical for preventing hyperthermia, because evaporative cooling is the most efficient means of dissipating excess body heat. Water homeostasis is achieved by regulation of water intake and water loss by the kidneys. The former is achieved by sensations of thirst that motivate water acquisition, whereas the latter is regulated by the antidiuretic action of vasopressin. Vasopressin secretion and thirst are stimulated by increases in the osmolality of the extracellular fluid as well as decreases in blood pressure and/or blood volume, signals that are precipitated by water depletion associated with the excess evaporative water loss required to prevent hyperthermia. In addition, they are stimulated by increases in body temperature. The sites and molecular mechanisms involved in integrating thermal and osmotic regulation of thirst and vasopressin secretion are reviewed here with a focus on the role of the thermal and mechanosensitive transient receptor potential-vanilloid (TRPV) family of ion channels.

Expression and distribution of TRPV2 in rat brain

Transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins are non-selective cation channels that mediate sensory transduction. The neuroanatomical localization and the physiological roles of isoform TRPV2 in the rodent brain are largely unknown. We report here the neuroanatomical distribution of TRPV2 in the adult male rat brain focusing on the hypothalamus and hindbrain regions involved in osmoregulation, autonomic function and energy metabolism. For this we utilized immunohistochemistry combined with brightfield microscopy. In the forebrain, the densest immunostaining was seen in both the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and the magnocellular division of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. TRPV2 immunoreactivity was also seen in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, the median preoptic nucleus and the subfornical organ, in addition to the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH), the medial forebrain bundle, the cingulate cortex and the globus pallidus to name a few. In the hindbrain, intense staining was seen in the nucleus of the solitary tract, hypoglossal nucleus, nucleus ambiguous, and the rostral division of the ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and some mild staining in the area prostrema. To ascertain the specificity of the TRPV2 antibody used in this paper, we compared the TRPV2 immunoreactivity of wildtype (WT) and knockout (KO) mouse brain tissue. Double immunostaining with arginine vasopressin (AVP) using confocal microscopy showed a high degree of colocalization of TRPV2 in the magnocellular SON and PVN. Using laser capture microdissection (LCM) we also show that AVP neurons in the SON contain TRPV2 mRNA. TRPV2 was also co-localized with dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH) in the NTS and the RVLM of the hindbrain. Based on our results, TRPV2 may play an important role in several CNS networks that regulate body fluid homeostasis, autonomic function, and metabolism.

Controlled water intake: a method for objectively evaluating thirst and hydration state in monkeys by the measurement of blood osmolality

Standard methods for behavioral and neurophysiological experiments in the non-human primate rely on controlled water access as a means for motivating subject performance. It is, however, still not clear whether animals are able to regulate their fluid balance appropriately under these experimental settings. Further, the physical state associated with a subject monkey's thirst has not yet been objectively assessed under these conditions. Both of these deficiencies arise from the lack of a method for independently evaluating the hydration state of these subjects during experimental testing. To address these limitations, we measured the blood osmolality, the most widely used hematological index of hydration status, of three rhesus monkeys under conditions of controlled water access while they participated in a standard reinforced behavioral task for fluid rewards. We found that day-to-day hydration levels, as measured by serum osmolality, appears to be well regulated in a narrow range of values (300-320 mOsmo/kg H(2)O) by experimental subjects under these conditions: animals work harder and longer to earn more water rewards on a day when they are in a lower hydration state (higher osmolality) than when they are in a higher hydration state (lower osmolality). We also found that osmolality level decreases almost immediately after water intake, within 30 min, in a surprisingly linear manner. Osmolality thus seems to provide a fairly precise reflection of the monkeys' hydration state on a timescale of minutes. This evidence suggests that osmolality can be used as a tool for monitoring the hydration level of experimental subjects.

Functional correlates of activity in neurons projecting from the lamina terminalis to the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray

The lamina terminalis (LT) consists of the organum vasculosum of the LT (OVLT), the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) and the subfornical organ (SFO). All subdivisions of the LT project to the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG). The LT and the vlPAG are implicated in several homeostatic and behavioral functions, including body fluid homeostasis, thermoregulation and the regulation of sleep and waking. By combining visualization of c-Fos protein and retrograde neuroanatomical tracer we have examined the functional correlates of LT-vlPAG projection neurons. Rats were injected with retrograde tracer into the vlPAG and, following a 1-week recovery period, they were subjected to either hypertonic saline administration (0.5 M NaCl, 1 mL/100 g i.p.), 24-h water deprivation, isoproterenol administration (increases circulating angiotensin II; 50 microg/kg s.c.), heat exposure (39 degrees C for 60 min) or permitted 180 min spontaneous sleep. Retrogradely labeled neurons from the vlPAG and double-labelled neurons were then identified and quantified throughout the LT. OVLT-vlPAG projection neurons were most responsive to hypertonic saline and water deprivation. SFO-vlPAG projection neurons were most active following isoproterenol administration, and MnPO-vlPAG projection neurons displayed significantly more Fos immunostaining following water deprivation, heat exposure and sleep. These results support the existence of functional subdivisions of LT-vlPAG-projecting neurons, and indicate three patterns of activity that correspond to thermal and sleep wake regulation, osmotic or hormonal stimuli.

Hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus mediates sodium-induced changes in cardiovascular and renal function in conscious sheep

The contribution of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in mediating cardiovascular, renal, hormonal, and sympathetic nerve responses to increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) [Na+] was investigated in conscious sheep. Intracerebroventricular hypertonic NaCl (0.5 mol/l, 20 μl/min for 60 min) increased arterial blood pressure [AP; +13.4 (sd 2.0) mmHg, P < 0.001] and central venous pressure [CVP; +2.8 (sd 1.3) mmHg, P < 0.001], but did not significantly change heart rate or cardiac output ( n = 6). Elevated CSF [Na+] also lowered plasma ANG II levels [−3.3 (sd 1.6) pmol/l, P = 0.004] and increased creatinine clearance [+31.5 (sd 32.7) ml/min, P = 0.03] and renal sodium excretion [+9.2 (sd 9.2) mmol/h, P = 0.003]. Lidocaine injection (1 μl, 2%) into the PVN prior to the ICV infusion had no apparent effect per se, but it abolished the AP, CVP, creatinine clearance, and ANG II responses to hypertonic NaCl, as well as reducing the increase in renal sodium excretion ( n = 6). Subsequent studies were performed in conscious sheep with chronically implanted electrodes for measurement of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). The effects of ICV hypertonic NaCl on AP and RSNA were measured before and after PVN-injection of glycine (250 nmol in 500 nl artificial CSF). ICV NaCl increased AP and decreased RSNA ( P < 0.001). These effects were significantly reduced by glycine ( P = 0.02–0.001, n = 5). Saline injected into the PVN ( n = 5) or lidocaine injected outside the PVN ( n = 6) had no effect on the response to ICV hypertonic NaCl. These results indicate that the PVN is an important mediator of cerebrally induced homeostatic responses to elevated sodium concentration/hyperosmolality.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 is required for intrinsic osmoreception in organum vasculosum lamina terminalis neurons and for normal thirst responses to systemic hyperosmolality

Recent studies have indicated that members of the transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) family of cation channels are required for the generation of normal osmoregulatory responses, yet the mechanism of osmosensory transduction in primary osmoreceptor neurons of the CNS remains to be defined. Indeed, despite ample evidence suggesting that the organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT) serves as the primary locus of the brain for the detection of osmotic stimuli, evidence that neurons in the OVLT are intrinsically osmosensitive has remained elusive. Here we show that murine OVLT neurons are intrinsically sensitive to increases in the osmolality of the extracellular fluid. Hypertonic conditions provoked increases in membrane cation conductance that resulted in the generation of an inward current, depolarizing osmoreceptor potentials, and enhanced action potential discharge. Moreover, we found that this osmosensory signal transduction cascade was absent in OVLT neurons from TRPV1 knock-out (TRPV1-/-) mice and that responses of wild type (WT) OVLT neurons could be blocked by ruthenium red, an inhibitor of TRPV channels. Finally, TRPV1-/- mice showed significantly attenuated water intake in response to systemic hypertonicity compared with WT controls. These findings indicate that OVLT neurons act as primary osmoreceptors and that a product of the trpv1 gene is required for osmosensory transduction.

Investigations on the physiological controls of water and saline intake in C57BL/6 mice

To examine the behavioral and neural control of body fluid homeostasis, water and saline intake of C57BL/6 mice was monitored under ad libitum conditions, after treatments that induce water or salt intake, and after ablation of the periventricular tissue of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V). Mice have nocturnal drinking that is most prevalent after the offset and before the onset of lights. When given ad libitum choice, C57BL/6 mice show no preference for saline over water at concentrations up to 0.9% NaCl and a progressive aversion to saline above that concentration. Systemic hypertonic saline, isoproterenol, and polyethylene glycol treatments are dipsogenic; however, systemic ANG II is not. Intracerebroventricular injections of both hypertonic saline and ANG II are dipsogenic, and diuretic treatment followed by a short period of sodium deprivation induces salt intake. After ablation of the AV3V, mice can be nursed to recovery from initial adipsia and, similar to rats, show chronic deficits to dipsogenic treatments. Taken together, the data indicate that mechanisms controlling thirst in response to cellular dehydration in C57BL/6 mice are similar to rats, but there are differences in the efficacy of extracellular dehydration-related mechanisms, especially for systemic ANG II, controlling thirst and salt appetite.

The circumventricular organs form a potential neural pathway for lactate sensitivity: implications for panic disorder

Patients with panic disorder experience panic attacks after intravenous sodium lactate infusions by an as yet unexplained mechanism. Lactate elicits a panic-like response in rats with chronic dysfunction of GABA neurotransmission in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH). The circumventricular organs, organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT) and subfornical organ (SFO), are potential sites that could detect increases in plasma lactate levels and activate the DMH. To test this, we obtained baseline heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) responses to lactate infusions in rats fit with femoral arterial and venous catheters. Next, unilateral chronic injection cannulae connected to an Alzet infusion pump filled with the GABA synthesis inhibitor L-allylglycine (L-AG) were implanted into the DMH. Another chronic injection cannula was implanted into the region of the OVLT, SFO, or an adjacent control site, the median preoptic area (MePOA). These rats were tested once again with lactate infusions after injection of either artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) or tetrodotoxin (TTX) into the CVO sites. Injecting TTX into the OVLT completely blocked the lactate-induced response, whereas TTX injections into the SFO or MePOA did not. Also, direct injections of lactate (100 or 500 nl) into the OVLT elicited robust anxiety-like responses in these rats. These results suggest that the OVLT may be the primary site that detects lactate infusions, activating an anxiety-like response in a compromised DMH, and provide the first neuroanatomical basis for lactate response in panic disorder.

The effects of changes in osmolality and sodium concentration on angiotensin-induced drinking and excretion in the pigeon

1. The pigeon drank copiously after a short latency in response to intracerebro-ventricular (I.C.V.) infusion of angiotensin II dissolved in isotonic NaCl. There were small, insignificant increases in urinary excertion so that the increased water intake caused the pigeon to go into positive fluid balance. Water was chosen in preference to 0.3 M-NaCl, which was also available to drink in these experiments.2. I.C.V. infusion of angiotensin dissolved in water, or in isotonic or hypertonic solutions of non-eletrolytes, or in KCl or CaCl(2) resulted in about half the water intake produced by angiotensin dissolved in isotonic NaCl.3. I.C.V. infusion of hypertonic NaCl alone caused drinking. I.C.V. infusion of angiotensin dissolved in hypertonic NaCl caused an amount of water to be drunk that was a simple addition of the amounts drunk in response to angiotensin dissolved in isotonic NaCl and to the extra amount of NaCl.4. Drinking in response to I.C.V. infusion of two other dipsogenic peptides, eledoisin and physalaemin, was similarly affected by the composition of the solutions in which they were dissolved.5. The pigeon also drank in response to intravenous (I.V.) infusion of angiotensin II dissolved in isotonic NaCl. Urine flow and sodium excretion increased markedly so that the pigeons just maintained fluid balance.6. In contrast to the reduction in intake when angiotensin was infused I.C.V. dissolved in hypertonic non-electrolytes, I.V. infusions of angiotensin dissolved in hypertonic non-electrolytes caused enhanced drinking, compared with the corresponding infusions of angiotensin dissolved in isotonic NaCl.7. Drinking induced by I.V. infusion of angiotensin was little affected by simultaneous I.C.V. infusion of isotonic or hypertonic sucrose, or water, but it was increased by simultaneous I.C.V. infusion of hypertonic NaCl.8. Drinking responses were partly additive when angiotensin was given by simultaneous I.C.V. and I.V. infusion.9. The increased urine flow and electrolyte excretion in response to I.V. infusion of angiotensin were little affected by simultaneous I.C.V. infusion of angiotensin.10. These experiments suggest that in the pigeon there may be separate sets of receptors in the cerebral ventricles for initiating drinking, one set responding to angiotensin, another to hypertonic NaCl. Outside the blood-brain barrier, and accessible to blood-borne substances, there may also be separate sets of receptors, one set responding to angiotensin, another to increases in effective osmolality of the blood.