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Oxytocin antisense reduces salt intake in the baroreceptor-denervated rat
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
Abstract:
Experiments were performed to evaluate the role of central oxytocin (OT) in the inhibition of salt intake produced by sinoartic denervation (SAD). The effect of OT antisense treatment on 24 h intake of 2% NaCl in SAD and sham-operated (SO) rats was determined. PVN injection of unmodified antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) to OT mRNA decreased intake of 2% NaCl in SAD, but not SO rats. Salt consumption was 22 +/- 4 ml after the injection of control ODN as compared to 8 +/- 4 ml after the OT antisense injection (P < 0.05). SAD animals also demonstrated an increased plasma OT response to salt loading, an elevation from 3.2 +/- 0.7 to 6.9 +/- 0.8 pg/ml. In contrast, salt ingestion produced no significant change in plasma OT in the SO group. The increased endocrine response in the SADs occurred even though salt intake was lower in this group. There were no group differences in plasma electrolytes or posterior pituitary OT content. Results show that OT antisense specifically inhibits salt intake in the denervated rat, suggesting that the central oxytocinergic axis stimulates sodium drive in this experimental model.
Insights
Central oxytocin (OT) plays a key role in regulating salt intake. Inhibiting OT in denervated rats significantly reduced their sodium chloride consumption, highlighting the oxytocinergic axis
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- Central oxytocin (OT) is implicated in regulating fluid and electrolyte balance.
- Sinoartic denervation (SAD) is known to alter salt appetite.
- The specific role of central OT in SAD-induced changes in salt intake remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of central oxytocin in the inhibition of salt intake following sinoartic denervation (SAD).
- To determine the effect of oxytocin antisense treatment on sodium chloride intake in SAD and sham-operated (SO) rats.
Main Methods:
- Rats underwent either sinoartic denervation (SAD) or sham operation (SO).
- Oxytocin (OT) antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) or control ODNs were injected into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN).
- 24-hour intake of 2% NaCl was measured, and plasma OT levels were assessed after salt loading.
Main Results:
- PVN injection of OT antisense ODNs significantly decreased 2% NaCl intake in SAD rats (8 +/- 4 ml) compared to control ODN-injected SAD rats (22 +/- 4 ml).
- OT antisense treatment had no effect on salt intake in SO rats.
- SAD rats exhibited an elevated plasma OT response to salt loading (3.2 +/- 0.7 to 6.9 +/- 0.8 pg/ml), which was not observed in SO rats.
Conclusions:
- Central oxytocin antisense specifically inhibits salt intake in denervated rats, suggesting a role for the central oxytocinergic system in stimulating sodium drive.
- The findings indicate that the central oxytocinergic axis is activated by salt loading in SAD rats, contributing to altered salt appetite.