大鼠中缝隐核增强dPAG诱导的vPAG的c－Fos表达及对vPAG神经元放电的影响

本实验通过Ｐｏｓ免疫细胞化学、电生理及微量注射法对中缝隐核（ＮＲＯ）的交感抑制作用的相关途径进行探讨。实验在成巴比妥钠或α－氯醛糖和氨基甲酸乙脂麻醉的Ｓｐｒａｇｕｅ－Ｄａｗｌｅｙ（ＳＤ）大鼠上进行。同时予以ＮＲＯ,中脑导水管周围灰质背侧部（ｄＰＡＧ）方波脉冲串刺激,诱导中脑和延髓的ｃ－Ｆｏｓ表达。刺激ＮＲＯ过程中,基础血压升高（Ｐ＜０．０５）,刺激ｄＰＡＧ引起的防御性升压反应则减少（Ｐ＜０．０１）;中脑导水管周围灰质腹侧部（ｖＰＡＧ）、巨细胞旁外侧核（ＰＧＬ）的Ｆｏｓ样免疫阳性反应（ＦＬＩ）细胞计数分别为６６．５±８．３和１０．８±１．５（刺激ＮＲＯ＋ｄＰＡＧ组）,较单独刺激ｄＰＡＧ组明显增加,Ｐ值分别小于０．０１和０．００１;单或双脉冲刺激中缝隐核在ｖＰＡＧ可以记录到相关单位,其中８４％为兴奋单位,抑制单位占１６％。双侧ｖＰＡＧ内微量注射利多卡因（每侧２μｇ／０．１μｌ）,基础血压无明显变化,而刺激ＮＲＯ引起的降压反应幅度减小（Ｐ＜０．０１）,提示,延髓腹外侧区（ＶＬＭ）、ＮＲＯ存在不同功能分化的神经元;ＮＲＯ可能有向ｖＰＡＧ的兴奋性投射,此投射可加强ＮＲＯ的交感抑制效应。     

下丘脑穹窿周围区不同部位兴奋对心肌Po_2及ECG－ST的影响

电刺激下丘脑穹窿周围区（ＰＦＡ）的下丘脑背内侧核（ＤＭＨ）,下丘脑腹内侧核（ＶＭＨ）与下丘脑外侧区（ＬＨＡ）均可引起心肌Ｐ０＿２下降与血压升高,而以ＤＭＨ所致的心肌Ｐ０,下降最明显（Ｐ＜０．０１）。心得安可取消电刺激ＬＨＡ所致的心肌ＰＯ＿２下降,部分取消电刺激ＶＭＨ引起的心肌ＰＯ＿２下降,而不改变电刺激ＤＭＨ所致的心肌ＰＯ＿２下降（Ｐ＞０．０５）。ＤＭＨ、ＶＭＨ微量注射谷氨酸钠（０．１ｍｏｌ／Ｌ０．５μｌ）均可诱发升压反应和ＥＣＧ－ＳＴ压低,而ＬＨＡ微量注射谷氨酸却导致降压反应,对ＥＣＧ－ＳＴ无明显影响。上述结果提示ＤＭＨ为ＰＦＡ各区诱发心肌缺血缺氧的主要核团。兴奋ＤＭＨ、ＶＭＨ所致的心血管效应主要由胞体兴奋诱发,而电刺激ＬＨＡ所致的升压反应主要为兴奋过路纤维引起,该区胞体兴奋主要导致降压反应。     

P物质在谷氨酸兴奋外侧下丘脑-穹窿周围区引起的升压反应中之作用

Ｐ物质（ＳＰ）能神经元及其轴突末梢和受体广泛分布于很多心血管中枢。外侧下丘脑含ＳＰ能神经元,外侧下丘脑投射的升压区内又存在ＳＰ能纤维及ＳＰ受体;因此本工作检验ＳＰ在外侧下丘脑升压反应中的作用。实验显示：（１）Ｌ－谷氨酸（Ｇｌｕ）兴奋外侧下丘脑的穹窿周围区（ＬＨ／ＰＦ）或将ＳＰ分别注入各ＬＨ投射区：蓝斑（ＬＣ）、臂旁核（ＮＰＢ）或中脑导水管周围灰质（ＰＡＧ）均引起升压反应;（２）［Ｄ－Ｐｒｏ２,Ｄ－Ｐｈｅ７,Ｄ－Ｔｒｐ９］－ＳＰ（ＳＰ拮抗剂）预先注入ＬＣ或ＰＡＧ可使Ｇｌｕ兴奋ＬＨ／ＰＦ引起的升压反应减小,而注入ＮＰＢ对该反应无明显影响;（３）双侧延髓头端腹外侧区（ＲＶＬ）分别用酚妥拉明、心得安或阿托品预处理也可明显削弱该反应。结合我们以往的实验结果：ＲＶＬ内的α－、β－、Ｍ－受体介导ＬＣ升压反应,α－和β－受体介导ＰＡＧ－升压反应;本工作显示ＬＨ／ＰＦ可通过其ＳＰ能投射纤维作用于ＬＣ－ＲＶＬ和ＰＡＧ－ＲＶＬ升压系统而实现其升压反应。     

下丘脑穹窿周围区不同部位兴奋对心肌Po2及ECG—ST的影响

电刺激下丘脑穹窿周围区（ＰＦＡ）的下丘脑背内侧核（ＤＭＨ）,下丘脑腹内侧核（ＶＭＨ）与下丘脑外侧区（ＬＨＡ）均可引起心肌Ｐｏ２下降与血压升高,而以ＤＭＨ所致的心肌Ｐｏ２下降最明显。心得安可取消电刺激ＬＨＡ所致的心肌Ｐｏ２下降,部分取消电刺激ＶＭＨ引起的心肌Ｐｏ２下降,而不改变电刺激ＤＭＨ所致的心肌Ｐｏ２下降。ＤＭＨ、ＶＭＨ微量注射谷氨酸钠均可诱发升压反应和ＥＣＧ－ＳＴ压低,而ＬＨＡ微量注射谷氨酸却     

CRF在谷氨酸兴奋中央杏仁核引起的升压反应中之作用

促肾上腺皮质激素释放因子（ＣＲＦ）能神经元的胞体和轴突末梢广泛分布在中央杏仁核（ＡＣ）及其投射的重要升压区。本工作显示：（１）谷氨酸兴奋ＡＣ或将ＣＲＦ分别注入ＡＣ投射区：室旁核（ＮＰＶ）、外侧下丘脑／穹窿周围区（ＬＨ／ＰＦ）、蓝斑（ＬＣ）、臂旁核（ＮＰＢ）、中脑导水管周围灰质（ＰＡＧ）或延髓头端腹外侧区（ＲＶＬ）均引起升压反应;（２）ＡＣ的上述投射区内预先分别注入α－ＨｅｌｉｃａｌＣＲＦ［９－４１］（ＣＲＦ拮抗剂）均能阻断谷氨酸兴奋ＡＣ引起的升压反应。以上结果结合以往报道：ＬＨ／ＰＦ也有纤维投射至ＬＣ、ＮＰＢ和ＰＡＧ,后三者均可通过ＲＶＬ引起升压反应,表明ＡＣ发出的ＣＲＦ能投射纤维一方面可兴奋ＮＰＶ,另一方面则可间接（通过ＬＨ／ＰＦ）或直接作用于ＬＣ、ＮＰＢ和ＰＡＧ,进而激活ＲＶＬ－交感兴奋神经元,也可能直接兴奋ＲＶＬ而引起升压反应     

伏核在躯体传入冲动抑制防御性心血管反应中的作用及机制

损毁伏核可明显削弱电刺激腓深神经（ＤＰＮ）对兴奋下丘脑背内侧核诱发的升压反应和心肌缺血的抑制作用（Ｐ＜０．０５,Ｐ＜０．０１）。电刺激伏核可引起明显的降压效应。中脑中央灰质腹侧部（ｖＰＡＧ）微量注射纳洛酮可明显衰减伏核的减压效应;损毁ｖＰＡＧ甚至可翻转伏核的减压效应,引起轻度升压（Ｐ＜０．０１）。损毁弓状核后伏核的减压效应基本消失,弓状核内微量注射纳洛酮明显衰减伏的的减压效应。故ＤＰＮ传入冲动可能     

中央杏仁核,外侧下丘脑／穹窿周围区,室旁核均参与岛皮层升压反应

实验用乌拉坦麻醉、箭毒制动、人工呼吸的大鼠。将谷氨酸注入岛皮层（ＩＮＳ）以及将Ｐ物质（ＳＰ）注入外侧下丘脑／穹窿周围区（ＬＨ／ＰＦ）或室旁核均引起升压反应。ＩＮＳ－升压反应可被杏仁核（ＡＣ）内预先注射普鲁卡因或谷氨酸二乙酯（ＧＤＥＥ,谷氨酸拮抗剂）以及ＬＨ／ＰＦ内注射［Ｄ－Ｐｒｏ＾２,Ｄ－Ｐｈｅ＾７,Ｄ－Ｔｒｐ＾９］－ＳＰ（ＤＰＤＰＤＴ,ＳＰ拮抗剂）明显衰减,但ＬＨ／ＰＦ内ＧＤＥＥ预处理对该反应无     

脑内P物质在谷氨酸兴奋中央杏仁核引起的升压反应中的作用

脑内Ｐ物质能神经元及其轴突末梢和相应受体广泛分布在中央杏仁核及其抽射的重要或压区,本工作显示：１．谷氨酸兴奋ＡＣ或将ＳＰ分别注入ＡＣ投射区;蓝斑,臂旁核,中脑导水管周围灰质或外侧下丘脑－穹窿周围区均引起升压反应;２．ＬＣ,ＮＰＢ,ＰＡＧ或ＬＧ／ＰＦ内预先注入「Ｄ－Ｐｒｏ＾２,Ｄ－Ｐｈｅ＾７,Ｄ－Ｔｒｐ＾９」－ＳＰ均能衰减谷氨酸兴奋ＡＣ引起的升压反应;３．延髓头端腹外侧区内预先分别注射酚妥拉明,心得     

P物质在谷氨酸兴奋外侧下丘脑—穹窿周围区引起的升压反…

Ｐ物质（ＳＰ）能神经元及其轴突末和受体广泛分布于很多心血管中枢。外侧下丘脑含ＳＰ能神经元,外侧下丘脑投射的升压区内又存在ＳＰ能纤维及ＳＰ受体;因此本工作检验ＳＰ在外侧下丘脑升压反应中的作用。实验显示：（１）Ｌ－谷氨酸兴奋外侧下天脑的穹窿周围区（ＬＨ／ＰＦ）或将ＳＰ分别注入各ＬＨ投射区,蓝斑（ＬＣ）、臂旁核（ＮＰＢ）或 导不管周围灰质（ＰＡＧ）均引起升压反应;（２）「Ｄ－Ｐｒｏ＾２,Ｄ－Ｐｈｅ＾７,     

氨茶碱,环磷酸泉苷葡甲胺（MCA）对兔膈肌功能的影响

目的：观察氨茶碱、环磷酸腺苷葡甲胺对兔跨膈压及膈肌电活动的影响,以中肌疲劳的治疗效果提供实难依据。方法：刺激双侧膈神经４０ｍｉｎ复制膈肌疲劳（ＤｉＦ）动物模型,动物随机分三组（ｎ＝６）：氨茶碱组（１０ｍｇ／ｋｇ）、ＭＣＡ组（１０ｍｇ／ｋｇ）,合用组（氨茶碱１０ｍｇ／ｋｇ＋葡甲胺ｃＡＭＰ（１０ｍｇ／ｋｇ）。于ＤｉＦ前、ＤｉＦ及给药后３０、６０ｍｉｎ记录中压（Ｐｄｉ）;记录膈肌肌电图（ＥＭＧｄｉ）并输     

延髓头端腹外侧区血管升压素能机制在应激性高血粘度中的作用

观察延髓头端腹外侧区（ｒＶＬＭ）微量注射血管升压素（ＡＶＰ）能否影响正常大鼠的血压和血粘度,并分析ｒＶＬＭ内ＡＶＰ能机制在清醒大鼠经悬吊加束缚引起应激性升压反应和高血粘度中的影响。结果如下：⑴正常大鼠双侧ｒＶＬＭ微量注射ＡＶＰ（每侧０．５μｇ／０．５μｌ）,可引起血压和血粘度升高;此作用可被事先在同一位置微量注射ＡＶＰ－Ｖ１受体拮抗剂ｄ（ＣＨ２）５「Ｔｙｒ（Ｍｅ）＾２」ＡＶＰ（每侧０．１μｇ／０．     

延髓腹外侧头端区在第四脑室注射 P物质所致升压中的作用

实验用乌拉坦麻醉、肌内麻痹、人工呼吸的家兔。将Ｐ物质（ＳＰ,０．８ｎｇ／ｋｇ溶于１０μｌ人工脑脊液中）注入第四脑室引起肺动脉压（ＰＡＰ）升高或降低,但对坟反应为主。与此同时,颈劝脉压（ＣＡＰ）上升,心率（ＨＲ）减慢;而在第四及室内注入同容积的人工脑脊液对ＰＡＰ,ＣＡＰ和ＨＲ无明显影响。若在ｉｖｔＳＰ之前,预先向双侧延髓腹外侧头端区微量注射ＳＰ受体拮抗剂－ＳＰ（５＝１０ｎｇ溶于０．５μｌ人工脑脊液中     

Cannabinoid and GABA modulation of sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure in the dorsal periaqueductal gray of the rat

Sympathoexcitation and increased blood pressure evoked by central networks integrating defensive behavior are fundamental to the acute stress response. A balance between excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission in the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) results in a tonic level of activity in the alerting system. Neuromodulators such as endocannabinoids have been shown to influence the sympathoexcitatory and pressor components of acute stress in the dPAG, exemplified by the defense response as a model, but the mechanism of integration remains unknown. The present study examines the role of GABA and its interaction with endocannabinoids in modulating sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure related to the defense response. Microinjection of the broad-spectrum excitatory amino acid dl-homocysteic acid (DLH) identified sites of the defense pathway in the dPAG from which an increase in renal sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure could be evoked, and subsequent microinjections were made at the same site through a multibarrelled micropipette. Blockade of GABAA receptors or microinjection of the cannabinoid 1 receptor agonist anandamide elicited a renal sympathoexcitation and pressor response. Prior microinjection of the GABAA receptor antagonist gabazine attenuated the sympathoexcitation and pressor response associated with anandamide microinjection. In contrast, the sympathetic response to DLH was enhanced by GABAA receptor blockade. These data demonstrate that sympathoexcitatory neurons in the dPAG are under tonic inhibition by GABA and that endocannabinoids modulate this GABAergic neurotransmission to help regulate components of the defense response.     

刺激室旁核及加压素对大鼠胃缺血-再灌注损伤的保护作用

采用夹闭大鼠腹腔动脉30min,松开动脉夹血流复灌1h的胃缺血-再灌注损伤(gastric ischemia-reper-fusion injury,GI-RI）模型,观察了电或化学刺激室旁核（paraventricular nucleus,PVN）及外源性加压素（arginine-va-sopression,AVP）对GI-RI的影响,并对PVN的调控通路进行了初步分析。结果表明：电或化学刺激PVN后,GI-RI显著减轻;损毁双侧孤束核（nucleus tractus solitarius,NTS）或一侧NTS内注射AVP-V1受体阻断剂,均能取消电刺激PVN对GI-RI的效应;去除脑垂体后不影响PVN的作用;切断膈下迷走神经或切除腹腔交感神经节,则能加强电刺激PVN对GI-RI的影响;PVN内注射不同剂量的AVP同样能减轻大鼠GI-RI损伤。结果提示：PVN及AVP对大鼠GI-RI具有保护作用;PVN的这种作用可能是因电或化学刺激后,激活了其中的加压素能神经元,经其下行投射纤维释放AVP作用于NTS神经元的VAP-V1受体,并通过迷走和交感神经介导,从而影响GI-RI;而似与PVN-垂体通路关系不大。     

安定降低家兔血压和减少刺激下丘脑诱发室性期前收缩的机制分析

家兔62只,用乌拉坦(700mg/kg)和氯醛醣(35mg/kg)静脉麻醉,三碘季铵酚制动,在人工呼吸下进行实验。用电刺激下丘脑近中线区的方法诱发室性期前收缩(HVE)。静脉注射安定(0.5mg/kg)可降低基础血压(BP),减弱刺激下丘脑引起升压反应(指收缩压峰值SBP_(max))和减少HVE。在双侧延髓腹外侧头端区(rVLM)微量注射氟安定(200μg溶于0.5μl中),γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)(6μg溶于0.5μl中)均能降低BP、SBP_(max)和减少HVE,若微量注射印防己毒素(7.5μg溶于0.5μl中)则可使BP上升并增多HVE。而于双侧延髓腹外侧尾端区(cVLM)微量注射同样剂量氟安定、GABA则无上述反应。安定降低BP、SBP_(max)和减少HVE的作用可被双侧rVLM区微量注射GABA受体拮抗剂荷包牡丹碱(3μg溶于0.5μl中)或印防己毒素所消除,但在双侧rVLM区微量注射甘氨酸受体拮抗剂士的宁(1μg溶于0.5μl中)、阿片受体拮抗剂纳洛酮(0.5μg溶于0.5μl中)、胆碱能阻断药阿托品(0.25μg溶于0.5μl中)、东莨菪碱(1.5μg溶于0.5μl中)后仍然存在。 上述结果提示,在双侧rVLM应用GABA受体拮抗剂可消除安定降低BP、SBP_(max)和减少HVE的作用,安定降低BP、SBP_(max)和减少HVE的作用可能通过GABA这一中间环节,而胆碱能受体、阿片受体、甘氨酸受体可能不起重要作用。     

Nociceptin in rVLM mediates electroacupuncture inhibition of cardiovascular reflex excitatory response in rats.

Electroacupuncture (EA) at Neiguan-Jianshi acupoints through an opioid mechanism inhibits the cardiovascular pressor response induced by mechanical stimulation of the stomach. Because nociceptin also may regulate cardiovascular activity through its action in the brain stem, we hypothesized that this neuromodulator serves a role in the EA-related inhibitory effect. Blood pressure in ventilated male Sprague-Dawley rats (400-600 g) anesthetized by ketamine and alpha-chloralose was measured during balloon inflation of the stomach. Gastric distension with 6-8 ml of air induced consistent pressor reflexes of 26 +/- 1 mmHg that could be repeated every 10 min for 100 min. When nociceptin (10 nM) was microinjected into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM), the pressor response induced by gastric distension was inhibited by 68 +/- 6%. Thirty minutes of EA also decreased the reflex response by 75 +/- 11%; microinjection of saline into the rVLM did not alter the inhibitory effect of EA. In contrast, microinjection of a nociceptin receptor antagonist into the rVLM promptly reversed the EA response. Pretreatment with the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone did not influence the EA-like inhibitory effect of nociceptin on the distension-induced pressor reflex (22 +/- 1 to 8 +/- 2 mmHg). Furthermore, a mu-opioid receptor agonist microinjected into the rVLM after microinjection of a nociceptin receptor antagonist during EA promptly reversed the nociceptin receptor antagonist-related inhibition of the EA effect. Thus, in addition to the classical opioid system, nociceptin, through opioid receptor-like-1 receptor stimulation in the rVLM, participates in the modulatory influence of EA on reflex-induced increases in blood pressure.     

Pressor responses in rats following intravenous dynorphin A(1-13) administration are blocked by AVP-V1 receptor antagonism

Hemodynamic (blood pressure and heart rate) experiments were conducted in conscious and/or anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley (S.D.), heterozygous and homozygous Brattleboro rats given intravenous (iv) dynorphin A(1-13), arginine vasopressin (AVP), norepinephrine (HCl, (NE) or sterile saline before and 10 min after an iv bolus injection of a specific receptor antagonist. These receptor blockers (kappa receptor antagonist Mr2266, alpha adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine HCl or the AVP-V1 receptor antagonist d(CH2)5Tyr-(Me)AVP were given in equimolar concentrations (15 nmol/kg iv). In all conscious S.D. groups, iv injection of AVP (60 pmol/kg), NE (12.5 nmol/kg) and dynorphin A(1-13) (60 nmol/kg) evoked significant increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) associated with concomitant bradycardia. The hemodynamic responses to 'both' AVP and dynorphin A(1-13) were blocked if given subsequent to AVP-V1 administration but not following phentolamine or Mr2266 pretreatment. The pressor and bradycardic responses of conscious heterozygous and homozygous Brattleboro rats after iv AVP or dynorphin again were only blocked by the AVP-V1 receptor antagonist. Anesthetized heterozygous and homozygous Brattleboro rats again showed pressor responses following iv AVP, NE or dynorphin A(1-13) but with slight or no associated bradycardia. The rise in blood pressure with AVP 'and' dynorphin A(1-13) in these groups also was only blocked by the d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP antagonist. The results indicate that the pressor responses of rats given intravenous dynorphin A(1-13) involve the interaction of AVP-V1 receptors and suggest a functional interaction of these two neuropeptides in the modulation of vascular tone.     

Aminopropionic acid receptors in paraventricular nucleus mediate pressor and vasopressin responses to endothelin-1 in subfornical organ

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) acts at selected brain loci to elicit a pressor response and secretion of vasopressin (AVP). Glutamatergic receptors of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype mediate ET-1-induced AVP secretion in vitro, but the role of glutamatergic receptors in the pressor response and the secretion of AVP in vivo has not been studied. We hypothesized that both the pressor response and AVP secretion in response to ET-1 microinjection into subfornical organ (SFO) would be suppressed by ionotropic glutamatergic receptor antagonists in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Sinoaortic denervated male Long Evans rats were equipped with intracerebral cannulae directed into the SFO and the magnocellular region of the PVN bilaterally. Experiments were performed 5 days later in conscious rats. Direct injection of 5 pmol ET-1 into the SFO resulted in a 20 +/- 3 mm Hg increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) (+/- SE) and a 14.1 +/- 0.3 pg/ml increase in the mean plasma AVP level (+/- SE) (P < 0.001 vs. artificial CSF) that was blocked by selective ET(A) inhibition. Neither the pressor response nor the increase in plasma AVP in response to ET-1 was altered despite prior injection of the NMDA blocker diclozipine (5 microg, MK801) into PVN bilaterally. In contrast, bilateral PVN injection with 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (40 nmol, CNQX) prevented the pressor response (MAP +/- SE, - 4 +/- 4 mm Hg) and also inhibited AVP secretion (mean AVP level +/- SE, 0.16 +/- 0.50 pg/ml) (P < 0.001 vs. vehicle in PVN after injection of ET-1 into SFO). These findings support the conclusion that both the pressor response and AVP secretion in response to ET-1 acting at the SFO are mediated by a non-NMDA, most likely an aminopropionic acid glutamatergic receptor within the PVN.     

室旁核在剌激猫肾神经传入纤维引起的血压效应中的应用

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and alpha 1 adrenergic receptor of PVN in the pressor responses to stimulation of renal afferent nerve in alpha 1-chloralose-anesthetized cats with carotid sinoaortic denervation and vagotomy. The pressor response to stimulation of renal afferent nerve consisted of a primary and a second components. The primary component response was completely blocked while the second component was not blocked by autonomic blocking agents (hexomethonium and atropine). Bilateral lesions of PVN greatly attenuated the pressor response before and after autonomic blockade. Intracerebroventricular and PVN injection alpha 1, adrenergic antagonist (prazosin) significantly decreased in the pressor response to stimulation of renal afferent nerve. These results indicate that paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and alpha 1 adrenergic receptors in central nervous system, especially in PVN, play an important role in the pressor responses to stimulation of renal afferent nerve.     

Brain pathways involved in the modulatory effects of noradrenaline in lateral septal area on cardiovascular responses

We have previously reported that stimulation of alpha-1 adrenoceptors by noradrenaline (NA) injected into the lateral septal area (LSA) of anaesthetized rats causes pressor and bradycardic responses that are mediated by acute vasopressin release into the circulation through activation of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Although the PVN is the final structure of this pathway, the LSA has no direct connections with the PVN, suggesting that other structures may connect these areas. To address this issue, the present study employed c-Fos immunohistochemistry to investigate changes caused by NA microinjection into the LSA in neuronal activation in brain structures related to systemic vasopressin release. NA microinjected in the LSA caused pressor and bradycardic responses, which were blocked by intraseptal administration of α-1 adrenoceptor antagonist (WB4101, 10?nmol/200?nL) or systemic V-1 receptor antagonist (dTyr(CH2)5(Me)AVP, 50?μg/kg). NA also increased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the prelimbic cortex (PL), infralimbic cortex (IL), dorsomedial periaqueductal gray (dmPAG), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), PVN, and medial amygdala (MeA). No differences in the diagonal band of Broca, cingulate cortex, and dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (dlPAG) were found. Systemic administration of the vasopressin receptor antagonist dTyr AVP (CH2)5(Me) did not change the increase in c-Fos expression induced by intra-septal NA. This latter effect, however, was prevented by local injection of the alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist WB4101. These results suggest that areas such as the PL, IL, dmPAG, BNST, MeA, and PVN could be part of a circuit responsible for vasopressin release after activation of alpha-1 adrenoceptors in the LSA.