Orexin, cardio-respiratory function, and hypertension

Aihua Li,Eugene Nattie

doi:10.3389/fnins.2014.00022

Abstract

In this review we focus on the role of orexin in cardio-respiratory functions and its potential link to hypertension. (1) Orexin, cardiovascular function, and hypertension. In normal rats, central administration of orexin can induce significant increases in arterial blood pressure (ABP) and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), which can be blocked by orexin receptor antagonists. In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), antagonizing orexin receptors can significantly lower blood pressure under anesthetized or conscious conditions. (2) Orexin, respiratory function, and central chemoreception. The prepro-orexin knockout mouse has a significantly attenuated ventilatory CO2 chemoreflex, and in normal rats, central application of orexin stimulates breathing while blocking orexin receptors decreases the ventilatory CO2 chemoreflex. Interestingly, SHRs have a significantly increased ventilatory CO2 chemoreflex relative to normotensive WKY rats and blocking both orexin receptors can normalize this exaggerated response. (3) Orexin, central chemoreception, and hypertension. SHRs have higher ABP and SNA along with an enhanced ventilatory CO2 chemoreflex. Treating SHRs by blocking both orexin receptors with oral administration of an antagonist, almorexant (Almxt), can normalize the CO2 chemoreflex and significantly lower ABP and SNA. We interpret these results to suggest that the orexin system participates in the pathogenesis and maintenance of high blood pressure in SHRs, and the central chemoreflex may be a causal link to the increased SNA and ABP in SHRs. Modulation of the orexin system could be a potential target in treating some forms of hypertension.

Highlights

Orexins, known as hypocretins (Hcrt), are two excitatory neuropeptides, orexin A and orexin B (OX-A and OX-B) or hypocretin 1 and hypocretin 2 (Hcrt1 and Hcrt 2), produced by neurons primarily located in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) (De Lecea et al, 1998; Sakurai et al, 1998)
SUMMARY OF OREXIN NEURONS AND RECEPTORS Both orexin projections and orexin receptors are enriched in the neuronal sites that are importantly involved in cardio-respiratory regulation, and they are well positioned to participate in the regulation of cardio-respiratory functions
(2) Blocking OXRs significantly lowers blood pressure and SNA in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). (3) PP-OX mRNA and gene expression are upregulated in the CNS in hypertensive rats and mice. Based on these findings we suggest that an overactive orexin system in the CNS may participate in the pathogenesis and maintenance of high blood pressure in certain forms of hypertension

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Known as hypocretins (Hcrt), are two excitatory neuropeptides, orexin A and orexin B (OX-A and OX-B) or hypocretin 1 and hypocretin 2 (Hcrt and Hcrt 2), produced by neurons primarily located in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) (De Lecea et al, 1998; Sakurai et al, 1998). Orexin neurons receive afferents from GABA, serotonin and catecholamine neurons, and interact in the LHA with neurons that produce melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) and with neurons that express the leptin receptor (LepR) (Bayer et al, 2005; Leinninger and Myers, 2008; Schone et al, 2011, 2012; Burdakov et al, 2013; Karnani et al, 2013).

Li and Nattie

THE ROLE OF OREXIN IN CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION

Findings

CONCLUSION