ATP concentration in the cingulum bundle of rats during stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus

We measured the concentration of ATP in the posterior cingulum bundle of Sprague-Dawley rats during electrical stimulation of the negative emotiogenic zone in the ventromedial hypothalamus. Electrostimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus in animals was accompanied by an increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which illustrates the autonomic response to this treatment. Variations in BP of rats were followed by an increase in ATP content in the posterior cingulum bundle. After stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus, ATP concentration in the cingulum bundle reached the maximum levels of 1.3±0.3 μM (n=4) and 1.67±0.43 μM (n=10) and remained high for 42.6±7.5 sec. The enhanced release of ATP in the cingulate region of the brain is probably related to the involvement of this structure into emotional reactions. ATP plays a role of the major energy source and signal molecule, which provides the adequate biochemical and physiological processes and cell-to-cell interaction in CNS upon the exposure to negative emotiogenic factors.