Thyrotropin-releasing hormone: effects on identified neurons of the dorsal vagal complex

Previous reports have demonstrated that intraventricular administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) markedly elevates parasympathetic efferent activity. The following study determined if this response could be attributed to an effect of TRH on the neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMN) and/or the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), the nuclei that comprise the dorsal vagal complex (DVC). Individual DMN or NTS units were identified electrophysiologically by using stimulating electrodes placed on the cervical vagus. Alterations in firing rate of identified cells in response to pressure injection of TRH (10-40 fmol in 10-40 pl) or equal volumes of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) were monitored. Of the DMN cells that were responsive to TRH, all were excited, whereas all responsive NTS cells were inhibited by this peptide. TRH was characterized as potent and had long-lasting effects on cells in DMN and NTS. The action of TRH on both nuclei in the dorsal vagal complex may explain the powerful effects of this peptide on vagally mediated functions.