Carotid-aortic and renal baroreceptors mediate the atrial natriuretic peptide release induced by blood volume expansion

Our previous studies have shown that stimulation of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region of the brain increases atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) release, whereas lesions of the AV3V region or median eminence of the tuber cinereum block the release of ANP caused by blood volume expansion. These results suggest that participation of the central nervous system is critical to this response. The role of baroreceptors in the response was evaluated in the current research by studying the response of plasma ANP to blood volume expansion induced by intravenous injection of hypertonic saline solution (0.3 M NaCl, 2 ml/100 g of body weight, over 1 min) in conscious, freely moving male rats. Plasma samples were assayed for ANP by radioimmunoassay. In sham-operated rats, blood volume expansion induced a rapid increase in plasma ANP: the concentration peaked at 5 min and remained elevated at 15 min after saline injection. One week after deafferentation of the carotid-aortic baroreceptors, basal plasma ANP concentrations were highly significantly decreased on comparison with values of sham-operated rats; plasma ANP levels 5 min after blood volume expansion in the deafferented rats were greatly reduced. Unilateral right vagotomy reduced resting levels of plasma ANP but not the response to blood volume expansion; resting concentrations of plasma ANP and responses to expansion were normal in bilaterally vagotomized rats. In rats that had undergone renal deafferentation, resting levels of ANP were normal but the response to blood volume expansion was significantly suppressed. The evidence indicates that afferent impulses via the right vagus nerve may be important under basal conditions, but they are not required for the ANP release induced by blood volume expansion. In contrast, baroreceptor impulses from the carotid-aortic sinus regions and the kidney are important pathways involved in the neuroendocrine control of ANP release. The evidence from these experiments and our previous stimulation and lesion studies indicates that the ANP release in response to volume expansion is mediated by afferent baroreceptor input to the AV3V region, which mediates the increased ANP release via activation of the hypothalamic ANP neuronal system.

[Factors that alter taste perception]

Dysfunction of taste perception is a significant problem for many individuals. Taste anomalies may affect health not only by directly affecting liquid and solid food intake, but also by creating a state of depression due to the loss of an important source of pleasure. Many factors alter taste perception, such as lesions of the oral mucosa, cigarette smoking, radiation, chemotherapy, renal disease, hepatitis, leprosy, hormones, nutrition, use of dentures, medications, and aging. Gum or ice chewing may temporarily help loss of taste. Patients should be encouraged to chew their food thoroughly, alternating the sides of the mouth, or alternating different foods. Unfortunately, in many cases there is no cure for this alteration, and patience is then the only possibility.

[Experimental hypervitaminosis A in the rat. 14. Morphological and morphometric study of changes in the esophageal epithelium]

Male rats were subjected to hypervitamin A treatment by daily intraperitoneal injections of 150 UI Arovit per g body weight. Another group of rats were injected intraperitoneally with saline solution for ten days and were used as controls. The results indicated that: 1) the body weight of animals treated with excess vitamin A was decreased; 2) histological analysis of the esophageal epithelium in treated animals showed increased thickness, characterizing a picture of hyperplasia and hypertrophy. On the basis of the results obtained, we suggest that excess vitamin A may act on the esophageal epithelium by direct action on the epithelial structures, stimulating and increase of the mitosis, and on the epithelium (mediated by the adrenals), resulting in increased thickness due to the concentration of a larger number of more immature cells. These alterations were more evident in the lower esophageal third.

[Restorative dentistry in a community center. 10-year report]

It is reported the results of voluntary odontological assistance in the Community Center of the Methodist Church of Vila Virginia. In a period of ten years the relation patient/dentistry student was an average of 23.08. Of the procedures, 69.9 per cent were amalgam restaurations and 30.1 per cent with silicate cement or resin. This is an important extracurricular activity for the student, in the sense that it helps improve his techniques. On the other hand, although restricted in time, this work has been important for the oral health of the community. Uniterms: voluntary extracurricular activity; amalgam, silicate or resin restaurations.

Changes in urinary electrolytes excretion after injections of ionic solutions into lateral hypothalamic area of rats

Rats submitted to a chronically implanted cannula into lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) were utilized to study the effect of ionic stimulation of KCl, LiCl and CaCl2, sodium free solutions, on renal water and electrolyte excretion. In a general way decreases in natriuresis and kaliuresis following the injections of solutions into LHA were observed. Furthermore, significant increases in diuresis were noted after the injections of the 0.30 M solutions.

[Morphometric study of changes in the submandibular gland of aging rats. 2. Ducts]

A decrease in rat submandibular gland parenchyma could be observed with increasing age, consequent to an apparent increase in the proportion of intralobular ducts. Signs of acinar atrophy were noted with nuclei of smaller volume. A great variety of nuclear sizes and shapes was also observed. The blood vessels were smaller, and the connective tissue was increased. These histological data were confirmed in part by application of the technique of Chalkley. The granulous duct cell height is smaller in old animals.

Influence of age on the production of rat spermatozoa, on their concentration in the cauda epididymidis, and on FSH, LH and testosterone plasma levels

Testis samples were taken from young (3 months), middle-aged (12 months) and aged (24 months) male rats, processed, stained and examined via a light microscope. There were no prominent abnormal germinal epithelium and interstitial tissue. However, the aging process promoted a significant decrease in the mean amount of spermatids 19 per cross tubular section, and in the amount of Sertoli cells per cross tubular section in 24-month-old rats. The concentration of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymidis showed a gradual decrease from 3 to 12 and 24 months. After hCG injection all groups of animals exhibited an increase in plasma testosterone level, although the response was smaller in 12- and 24-month animals compared to the young mature (3 months) ones.

Cholinergic stimulation of the hypothalamus and natriuresis in rats: role of the renal nerves

The role of the renal nerves in the natriuresis seen after cholinergic stimulation of the hypothalamus was studied in anesthetized rats treated with injection into the lateral hypothalamus (LH) of 1 microgram of carbamylcholine chloride (carbachol) in 1 microliter of 0.15 M NaCl or NaCl alone. Injection of carbachol exhibited diuresis and natriuresis both in acutely denervated kidneys (P less than 0.01) and in contralateral innervated kidneys (P less than 0.01) without changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or renal plasma flow (RPF) (n = 10). Salt and water excretion was unchanged in 10 rats after injection of NaCl. Micropuncture studies in denervated kidneys showed that, after carbachol injection, tubular fluid-to-plasma inulin concentration ratio [(F/P)In] in the late proximal tubule fell from 1.86 +/- 0.08 to 1.64 +/- 0.07 (P less than 0.01) without changes in single-nephron GFR. In nine other carbachol-treated rats in which renal perfusion pressure was maintained low and constant, diuresis and natriuresis, although attenuated, were again observed both in denervated (P less than 0.01) and in contralateral innervated kidneys (P less than 0.05). In another group of 11 animals, efferent renal nerve activity (ERNA) was recorded before and after LH injection of carbachol and isotonic saline. ERNA was significantly depressed for 30 min, only after carbachol injection. Our results suggest that the renal nerves, although involved, are not essential for the natriuretic response after cholinergic stimulation of LH. By exclusion, other factors, presumably hormones, must contribute to the response.

Role of renal nerves in maintaining sodium balance in unrestrained conscious rats

This study was designed to investigate the effects of bilateral renal denervation on sodium and water balance, the renin-angiotensin system, and systemic blood pressure in unrestrained conscious rats maintained on a normal- or low-sodium diet. Renal denervation was proven by chemical and functional tests. Both bilaterally denervated rats (n = 18) and sham-denervated rats (n = 15) maintained positive sodium balance while on a normal sodium intake. Both groups were in negative sodium balance for 1 day after dietary sodium restriction was instituted but were in positive sodium balance for the following 9 days. Systolic blood pressure was higher in sham-denervated (115 +/- 3 mmHg) than in denervated rats (102 +/- 3 mmHg) while on a normal diet (P less than 0.05) and remained so during sodium restriction. Plasma renin concentration (PRC) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were significantly diminished in the denervated rats during normal sodium intake (P less than 0.05). After dietary sodium restriction, PRC increased in both groups but remained significantly lower in the denervated rats (P less than 0.05). Following dietary sodium restriction, PAC also increased significantly to levels that were similar in both groups of rats. These results demonstrate that awake unrestrained growing rats can maintain positive sodium balance on a low sodium intake even in the absence of the renal nerves. However, efferent renal nerve activity influenced plasma renin activity in these animals.

Changes in sodium and potassium excretion and urinary volume in rats submitted to hypervitaminosis A

Hypervitaminosis A induces the following changes in rat kidney: decrease in sodium and potassium excretion and an increase of urinary volume. In order to determine the possible reversibility of these alterations, the authors allowed the hypervitaminotic animal to recover for 30 and 60 days. After a 30-day recovery period for urinary volume, a 20-day recovery period for sodium excretion, and a 10-day recovery period for potassium excretion, the alterations were reverted to normal.

Interaction between cholinergic and osmolar stimulation of the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) on sodium and potassium excretion

Hypotonic and isotonic solutions into the LHA of unrestrained rats caused no alteration in renal water and electrolyte excretion. Similar results were obtained after injecting hypo, iso and hypertonic glucose solutions. On the other hand, a hypertonic NaCl solution produced an increase in natriuresis and kaliuresis immediately after being injected into the LHA. The carbachol elicited an increase in natriuresis and kaliuresis as well as a decrease in urine output in the first urine samples collected after the injection being injected into the LHA. This response was not modified when the same dose of carbachol was injected associated with NaCl or glucose solutions. The observation of a lack of summation between the effects of carbachol and hypertonic NaCl, as well as the maintenance of the natriuretic and kaliuretic effects in response of the injection of the hypertonic solution even in the presence of blocked cholinergic pathways (atropine), suggests a dissociation between the mechanisms activated by the hypertonic solution and the cholinergic stimulation of the LHA.

Identification of pathways involved in the natriuretic, kaliuretic and diuretic responses induced by cholinergic stimulation of the medial septal area (MSA)

Natriuresis, kaliuresis and diuresis have been studied in rats following water loading and cholinergic stimulation in the MSA before and after bilateral electrolitic lesion of the habenula, or medullary stria, or supraoptic nucleus or paraventricular nucleus, or fornix. Carbachol injection in MSA elicited an increase of natriuresis and kaliuresis. These responses were blocked by bilateral electrolytic lesion of the habenula, medullary stria, or supraoptic nucleus but not of the paraventricular nucleus or the fornix. Urinary output plotted as a function of time showed antidiuresis in periods of 20 and 40 minutes after carbachol injection into the MSA. The lesion of the supraoptic nucleus inhibited this antidiuresis and natriuresis. The lesion of the habenula or medullary stria blocked natriuresis but not antidiuresis suggesting an independence between the mechanisms of antidiuretic hormone release and natriuresis regulation. The integrity of the habenula, medullary stria and supraoptic nucleus seems to be important in the mediation of the natriuretic response induced by carbachol injection into the MSA.

Factors causing natriuresis after hypothalamic injection of a cholinergic drug in rats

We investigated possible mechanisms for the natriuresis seen after injection of the cholinergic drug carbamylcholine chloride (carbachol) into the lateral hypothalamus of conscious rats. In unrestrained rats injection of 1 microgram of carbachol in 1 microliter of 0.15 M NaCl solution through a permanently implanted cannula produced a significant natriuresis and kaliuresis. Injection of vehicle produced no changes. The same animals were then subjected to bilateral renal denervation (n = 13) or sham denervation (n = 13) and injected with the same solutions 1 wk later. Carbachol injection produced a natriuresis (P less than 0.0001) and a kaliuresis (P less than 0.01) in all animals studied. Both responses were of a magnitude similar to the responses seen before denervation. We studied other rats while awake but restrained, which permitted the performance of clearance studies and blood pressure measurements. Injection of carbachol produced diuresis, natriuresis, and kaliuresis in all rats, with no change in p-aminohippurate clearance and only transient change in inulin clearance. An increase in blood pressure occurred in some but not all rats. The response in rats with bilaterally denervated kidneys (n = 7) was similar to that of rats with innervated kidneys (n = 5). The natriuresis seen after cholinergic stimulation of the hypothalamus in conscious rats is not primarily mediated by inhibition of renal nerve activity and can be dissociated from changes in blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, and renal plasma flow.

The control of sodium chloride intake: functional relationship between hypothalamic inhibitory areas and amygdaloid complex stimulating areas

Sodium chloride intake was studied in rats submitted to different neurosurgical procedures. Intake decreased in animals submitted to bilateral destruction of the basolateral amygdaloid complex, and increased after the same animals were submitted to destruction of the anterior lateral hypothalamus, a procedure which is known to cause increased intake in intact rats. In the reverse experiment, where the anterior lateral hypothalamus was destroyed before the basolateral amygdaloid complex, the effect of increased sodium chloride intake induced by destruction of the hypothalamus overcame the decreased expected upon destruction of the amygdaloid complex. These results permit us to conclude that the hypothalamic areas which inhibit sodium chloride intake predominate over the stimulating areas of the amygdaloid complex in the control of sodium chloride intake.

Hypothalamic stimulation and electrolyte excretion: a micropuncture study

The anterior part of the lateral hypothalamus was stimulated by injection of carbachol through a stereotaxically implanted cannula in the rat. Re-collection micropuncture experiments showed that this procedure, which leads to diuresis and natriuresis with only transient changes in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow, reduced the TF/P inulin ratio along proximal and distal tubules without significant alteration of single nephron glomerular filtration rate in most experimental groups. Fractional proximal sodium reabsorption was significantly reduced from 0.54 +/- 0.02 to 0.34 +/- 0.05. Treatment with DOCA, vasopressin, and oxytocin caused natriuresis, but additional hypothalamic stimulation (HS) led to further reduction in TF/P inulin ratio and proximal fractional sodium reabsorption from 0.42 +/- 0.03 to 0.33 +/- 0.03. Fluid transport across proximal and distal epithelium was also studied by the split-droplet method. It was markedly reduced in both segments after HS. During hormone treatment only distal segments showed reduction of fluid transport by HS. These experiments indicate that HS caused inhibition of fluid transport in the proximal and distal tubule. This effect was only partly due to the liberation of neurohypophysial hormones, since during their administration an additional effect of HS was still observed.

Adrenergic stimulation of the lateral hypothalamic area on sodium and potassium excretion

The effects of adrenergic stimulation of the lateral hypothalamic area on sodium and potassium excretion were studied in rats bearing implanted cannulae. When noradrenaline was injected into several points of the lateral hypothalamic area, a dose-related increase in natriuresis and kaliuresis was observed. Rats previously injected through the same cannulae with alpha (Regitine) or beta (Propranolol) blocking agents showed different natriuretic responses when injected with noradrenaline. It was observed that the normal noradrenaline-induced natriuresis was abolished by the alpha-adrenergic blockers, while beta-adrenergic blockers increased the response. Intrahypothalamic injection of Isoproterenol, and activator of the beta-adrenergic receptor, induced a decrease in natriuresis, kaliuresis and urinary volume. In contrast, injection of Metaraminol, an alpha-adrenergic agonist, caused an increase in sodium and potassium excretion and a reduction of urinary volume. Drugs blocking the destruction of noradrenaline or its reuptake by the presynaptic nerve endings potentiated 2-fold the action of 20 nmol of noradrenaline. These experiments provide good evidence for the existence of an adrenergic mechanism consisting of alpha and beta receptors which works antagonistically on the regulation of sodium and potassium excretion. The excretion on the two electrolytes is stimulated by the alpha-adrenergic system, and inhibited by the beta-adrenergic system.