Acute and chronic increases in osmolality increase excitatory amino acid drive of the rostral ventrolateral medulla in rats

• Published in: American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology Vol. 287; no. 6; pp. R1359 - R1368
• Main Authors: Brooks, Virginia L, Freeman, Korrina L, O'Donaughy, Theresa L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.12.2004
• Subjects: Animals; Blood Proteins - metabolism; Blood Volume; Chlorides - blood; Excitatory Amino Acids - metabolism; Hematocrit; Kynurenic Acid - administration & dosage; Kynurenic Acid - pharmacology; Male; Medulla Oblongata - drug effects; Medulla Oblongata - physiology; Microinjections; Osmolar Concentration; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Saline Solution, Hypertonic - pharmacology; Sodium - blood; Sodium Chloride - pharmacology; Water Deprivation
• ISSN: 0363-6119; 1522-1490
• DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00104.2004

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239 Submitted 13 February 2004 ; accepted in final form 18 August 2004 Water deprivation is associated with increased excitatory amino acid (EAA) drive of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), but the mechanism is unknown. This study tested the hypotheses that the increased EAA activity is mediated by decreased blood volume and/or increased osmolality. This was first tested in urethane-anesthetized rats by determining whether bilateral microinjection of kynurenate (KYN, 2.7 nmol) into the RVLM decreases arterial pressure less in water-deprived rats after normalization of blood volume by intravenous infusion of isotonic saline or after normalization of plasma osmolality by intravenous infusion of 5% dextrose in water (5DW). Water-deprived rats exhibited decreased plasma volume and elevated plasma osmolality, hematocrit, and plasma sodium, chloride, and protein levels (all P < 0.05). KYN microinjection decreased arterial pressure by 24 ± 2 mmHg ( P < 0.05; n = 17). The depressor response was not altered following isotonic saline infusion but, while still present ( P < 0.05), was reduced ( P < 0.05) to –13 ± 2 mmHg soon after 5DW infusion. These data suggest that the high osmolality, but not low blood volume, contributes to the KYN depressor response. To further investigate the action of increased osmolality on EAA input to RVLM, water-replete rats were also studied after hypertonic saline infusion. Whereas KYN microinjection did not decrease pressure immediately following the infusion, a depressor response gradually developed over the next 3 h. Lumbar sympathetic nerve activity also gradually increased to up to 167 ± 19% of control ( P < 0.05) 3 h after hypertonic saline infusion. In conclusion, acute and chronic increases in osmolality appear to increase EAA drive of the RVLM. glutamate; excitatory amino acid; kynurenic acid; sympathetic activity; blood pressure; water deprivation Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: V. L. Brooks, Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, L-334, Oregon Health & Science Univ., 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239-3098 (E-mail: brooksv{at}ohsu.edu )