Leptin acts in the forebrain to differentially influence baroreflexcontrol of lumbar renal and splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity and heartrate

摘要

While leptin is known to increase sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), we tested the hypothesis that leptin also enhances baroreflex control of SNA and HR. Using α-chloralose anesthetized male rats, mean arterial pressure (MAP), HR, lumbar SNA (LSNA), splanchnic SNA (SSNA), and renal SNA (RSNA) were recorded before and for 2 hr after lateral cerebroventricular (LV) leptin or aCSF administration. Baroreflex function was assessed using a four parameter sigmoidal fit of HR and SNA responses to slow ramp (3-5 min) changes in MAP, induced by iv infusion of nitroprusside and phenylephrine. Leptin (3 μg) increased (P<0.05) basal LSNA, SSNA, RSNA, HR and MAP, and the LSNA, SSNA, RSNA, and HR baroreflex maxima. Leptin also increased gain of baroreflex control of LSNA and RSNA, but not of SSNA or HR. The elevations in HR were eliminated by pretreatment with methscopalamine, to block parasympathetic nerve activity; however, after cardiac sympathetic blockade with atenolol, leptin still increased basal HR and MAP and the HR baroreflex maximum and minimum. Leptin (1.5 μg) also increased LSNA and enhanced LSNA baroreflex gain and maximum, but did not alter MAP, HR, or the HR baroreflex. LV aCSF had no effects. Finally, to test if leptin acts in the brainstem, leptin (3μg) was infused into the 4^th ventricle; however, nosignificant changes were observed. In conclusion, leptin acts in the forebrainto differentially influence baroreflex control of LSNA, RSNA, SSNA and HR, withthe latter action mediated via suppression of parasympathetic nerveactivity.