Counteraction of NYP-induced c-Fos expression in the nucleus tractus solitarii by alpha 2 receptor agonists.

Neuronal c-Fos protein-like immunoreactivity (c-Fos IR) in parts of the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS)-dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (dmnX) complex of the anaesthetized rat was studied 90 min after NTS microinjections of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and/or adrenergic receptor agonists in relevant cardiovascular doses. Microinjections of NPY and l-adrenaline alone into the NTS induced neuronal c-Fos IR in parts of the NTS-dmnX complex, while clonidine had no action. No double-labelled GFAP/c-Fos immunoreactive cells were found in the NTS-dmnX complex after the microinjection of NPY into the NTS. Coinjections of NPY and l-adrenaline or clonidine into the NTS reduced the NPY-induced increase in c-Fos IR. The results emphasize that during cardiovascular regulation NPY receptors can control neuronal gene expression in the NTS-dmnX complex via c-fos and that stimulation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors can attenuate NPY receptor transduction also in terms of induction of c-Fos IR in the NTS-dmnX complex via an antagonistic alpha 2/NPY receptor interaction.