Tonic noradrenergic input to neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus mediates food intake in male mice

The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is essential for the control of food intake. Efferent projections from the DRN extend to several forebrain regions that are involved in the control of food intake. However, the neurotransmitters released in the DRN related to the control of food intake are not known. We have previously demonstrated that a tonic α1 action on DRN neurons contributes to satiety in the fed rats. In this study we investigated the participation of norepinephrine (NE) signaling in the DRN in the satiety response. Intra-DRN administration of NE causes an increase in the 2-hour food intake of sated mice, an effect that was blocked by previous administration of yohimbine, an α2 antagonist. Similarly, Intra-DRN administration of clonidine, an α2 agonist, increases food intake in sated mice. This result indicates that in the satiated mice exogenous NE acts on α2 receptors to increase food intake. Furthermore, administration of phenylephrine, an α1 agonist, decreases food intake in fasted mice and prazosin, an α1 antagonist, increases food intake in the sated mice. Taken together these results indicate that, in a satiated condition, a tonic α1 adrenergic action on the DRN neurons inhibits food intake and that exogenous NE administered to the DRN acts on α2 adrenergic receptors to increase food intake. These data reinforce the intricate neuronal functioning of the DRN and its effects on feeding.

Angiotensin-(1-7) improves tail skin heat loss and increases the survival of rats with polymicrobial sepsis

Sepsis is a serious syndrome, characterized by the excessive release of inflammatory mediators and thermoregulatory changes, being fever the most common sign. However, despite the importance of Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) in controlling the inflammation, the role of the peptide in the febrile response and mortality in animals submitted to experimental model of sepsis is still not clear. In this way, we evaluate the effect of continuous infusion of Ang-(1-7) in inflammatory response, thermoregulation and in mortality of Wistar male rats submitted to colonic ligation puncture (CLP). Before CLP surgery, the infusion pumps (Ang-(1-7), 1.5mg/mL or saline) were inserted into the abdominal cavity and maintained for 24hours. CLP rats showed a febrile response starting from 3h after and persisted until the 24th hour of experiment. Continuous treatment with Ang-(1-7) attenuated the febrile response and reestablished the euthermia 11h after CLP, until the end of experiment, which coincided with an increased heat loss index (HLI). This effect was associated with a decrease in production of pro-inflammatory mediators in liver, white adipose tissue (WAT) and hypothalamus. Moreover, an increase in norepinephrine (NE) content in interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) was observed in CLP animals, which was attenuated with treatment with Ang-(1-7), and decreased mortality in CLP animals treated with Ang-(1-7). Taken together, the present study demonstrates that continuous infusion treatment with Ang-(1-7) can promote a global anti-inflammatory effect, reestablishing the tail skin heat loss as a key thermo-effector function, resulting in an increased survival of animals submitted to experimental sepsis.

α-1 Adrenoceptor Activation in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus Decreases Food Intake in Fasted Rats

The dorsal raphe (DR) nucleus is involved in a myriad of physiological functions, such as the control of sleep-wake cycle, motivation, pain, energy balance, and food intake. We have previously demonstrated that in ad libitum fed rats the intra-DR administration of phenylephrine, an α-1 receptor agonist, does not affect food intake, whereas clonidine, an α-2 receptor agonist, potently stimulates food intake. These results indicated that in fed rats an increased adrenergic tonus blocked food intake, since the activation of α-2 auto-receptors, which decreases pre-synaptic release of adrenaline/noradrenaline, affected food intake. Thus, in this study we assessed whether the response to adrenergic stimuli would differ after overnight fasting, a situation of low adrenergic activity in the DR. Intra-DR administration of adrenaline and noradrenaline blocked food intake evoked by overnight fasting. Similarly, phenylephrine administration decreased hunger-induced food intake. These changes in food intake were accompanied by changes in other behaviors, such as increased immobility time and feeding duration. On the other hand, intra-DR administration of clonidine did not affect food-intake or associated behaviors. These results further support the hypothesis that in fed animals, increased adrenergic tonus in DR neurons inhibiting feeding, while in fasted rats the adrenergic tonus decreases and favors food intake. These data indicate a possible mechanism through which adrenergic input to the DRN contributes to neurobiology of feeding.