Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) is known to be involved in increased neurohumoral drive in heart failure (HF). While abundant evidence supports blunted nitric oxide (NO) function as an underlying mechanism, the potential role of carbon monoxide (CO), another gas molecule highly related to NO, has not yet been explored. Thus, we aimed in this study to determine whether the expression of heme ‐ oxygenase 1 (HO1), a CO‐synthesizing enzyme was altered in the PVN during heart failure. HO1 immunohistochemical studies were performed in sham and ischemic congestive heart failure rats. Both neuronal and glial‐like staining patterns were observed in the PVN. Quantification of immunofluorescence intensity within individual PVN neurons demonstrated a significant increase (~20%) of HO1 in the PVN of heart failure rats. No differences however were observed in the supraoptic nucleus. Ongoing studies aim to determine whether changes in HO1 levels affect both neurosecretory and autonomic‐related neurons, as well as their electrophysiological activity. Based on our recent observation supporting CO as an excitatory gas molecule, our results suggest that enhanced CO levels within the PVN of heart failure rats may contribute to enhanced neurohumoral activation in this disease. Supported by NIH HL68725.
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