Fos expression in the medullary visceral zone following transient decrease of blood pressure in rats under simulated weightlessness

摘要

Objective: To observe Fos expression after transient decrease of blood pressure in catecholaminergic neurons of the medullary visceral zone(MVZ) in simulated weightlessness rats. Methods: Simulated weightlessness was abtained by tail suspension for 4 weeks, and transient decrease of blood pressure was induced by intravenous injection of sodium nitroprusside. Fos expression in catechlaminergic neurons of MVZ were visualized by an immunohistochemical double-labeling technique with anti-Fos and anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) antibodies. Results: The decrease of blood pressure in the simulated weightlessness rats resulted in Fos expression in many neurons of the medulla oblongata, and they were primarily localized in the MVZ. In the MVZ, Fos-positive neurons were concentrated in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and ventrolateral region of the medulla (VLM). On the other hand, the numbers of Fos-positive neurons in MVZ were smaller than that of control rats (treated with tail suspension or intravenous injection of sodium nitroprusside only). Although some TH-positive neurons were found to be Fos-positive, the proportion of TH/Fos double-labeled neurons was much lower than that of the control rats; intensity of TH-like immunoreactivity was also reduced. Conclusion: The decrease of Fos-positive neurons and proportion of catechlaminergic neurons expressing Fos protein may result from decrease of parasympathetic activity in the simulated weightlessness rats.