TY - JOUR
T1 - Presynaptic α2-adrenoceptors inhibit excitatory synaptic transmission in rat brain stem
AU - Bertolino, Makia
AU - Vicini, Stefano
AU - Gillis, Richard
AU - Travagli, Alberto
PY - 1997/3
Y1 - 1997/3
N2 - The synaptic connection between the commissural portion of the nucleus tractus solitarius (ComNTS) and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) was studied in rat brain stem slices, using the patch-clamp technique. The excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSC) evoked by stimulation of the ComNTS were blocked by kynurenic acid (1 mM) and, in Mg2+-free solution, were sensitive to both the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor blocker 3- [(RS)-2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl]-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (20 μM) and the non-NMDA receptor blocker 2,3-dihydro-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl- benzo(f)quinoxaline (5 μM). Norepinephrine (NE, 1-100 μM) inhibited the EPSC, and the inhibition was attenuated by the α2-adrenoceptor antagonists idazoxan (1 μM) and yohimbine (10 μM) but not by the β-adrenoceptor antagonist nadolol (50 μM). The NE-releasing agent tyramine (100 μM) reduced the EPSC, and the inhibition was attenuated by 1 μM idazoxan. NE (30 μM) did not affect the membrane input resistance but reduced the paired- pulse depression, demonstrating that NE acts on presynaptic α2- adrenoceptors. The results indicate the existence of a glutamatergic pathway from the ComNTS to the DMV neurons modulated by presynaptic NE receptors. This pathway might be a component of the vagovagal reflex regulating gastrointestinal function.
AB - The synaptic connection between the commissural portion of the nucleus tractus solitarius (ComNTS) and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) was studied in rat brain stem slices, using the patch-clamp technique. The excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSC) evoked by stimulation of the ComNTS were blocked by kynurenic acid (1 mM) and, in Mg2+-free solution, were sensitive to both the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor blocker 3- [(RS)-2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl]-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (20 μM) and the non-NMDA receptor blocker 2,3-dihydro-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl- benzo(f)quinoxaline (5 μM). Norepinephrine (NE, 1-100 μM) inhibited the EPSC, and the inhibition was attenuated by the α2-adrenoceptor antagonists idazoxan (1 μM) and yohimbine (10 μM) but not by the β-adrenoceptor antagonist nadolol (50 μM). The NE-releasing agent tyramine (100 μM) reduced the EPSC, and the inhibition was attenuated by 1 μM idazoxan. NE (30 μM) did not affect the membrane input resistance but reduced the paired- pulse depression, demonstrating that NE acts on presynaptic α2- adrenoceptors. The results indicate the existence of a glutamatergic pathway from the ComNTS to the DMV neurons modulated by presynaptic NE receptors. This pathway might be a component of the vagovagal reflex regulating gastrointestinal function.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0031087401&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0031087401&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1152/ajpgi.1997.272.3.g654
DO - 10.1152/ajpgi.1997.272.3.g654
M3 - Article
C2 - 9124588
AN - SCOPUS:0031087401
SN - 0193-1857
VL - 272
SP - G654-G661
JO - American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology
JF - American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology
IS - 3 35-3
ER -