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Serotonin modulates the dehydration-induced changes in tolerance for bitter water
Masaki Iwai1, Yoshikage Muroi1, Ken-ichi Kinoshita1
1Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Physiology & Behavior
|September 2, 2015
Summary
Dehydration can alter drinking behavior by affecting how animals perceive bitter tastes. This study suggests that reduced serotonin neuron activity in the brain may explain why dehydrated mice tolerate bitter water.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Drinking behavior is influenced by hydration status and fluid taste.
- Serotonergic (5-HT) signaling is implicated in regulating drinking behavior.
- The interaction between hydration and taste perception via 5-HT signaling requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how dehydration impacts the intake of bitter substances through 5-HT signaling.
- To explore the role of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and median raphe nucleus (MRN) in altered bitter taste tolerance during dehydration.
- To determine the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on bitter water intake after dehydration.
Main Methods:
- Water deprivation in mice for varying durations (24h, 48h).
- Assessing intake of water and bitter tastant (1mM quinine).
- Measuring neuronal activity (c-Fos expression) in the DRN and MRN.
- Administering paroxetine (an SSRI) and evaluating its effect on fluid intake.
Main Results:
- Water deprivation increased water intake, with tolerance to quinine intake varying based on deprivation duration.
- 24h water deprivation increased c-Fos expression in the DRN after quinine intake, but not in the MRN.
- Paroxetine administration in 48h-deprived mice reduced quinine intake, restoring aversion.
Conclusions:
- Unresponsiveness of 5-HT neurons in the DRN may contribute to increased tolerance for bitter fluids during dehydration.
- Dehydration-induced changes in 5-HT signaling within the DRN influence taste aversion.
- This research highlights the complex interplay between hydration, taste perception, and serotonergic pathways in regulating fluid intake.
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