Abstract
The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) is a critical component of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) mediating regulation of cardiovascular function, including arterial blood pressure (ABP). It has been shown that decreased inhibition of RVLM neurons increases SNS activity and thereby elevates ABP. However, very little is known about the control of this region of the brain in hypertensive states; in particular, in transgenic rats [TGR(Cyp1a1Ren2)] with inducible Ang II‐dependent malignant hypertension. In the present study we used the transsynaptic retrograde viral tracer, PRV‐152 to identify preautonomic neurons in the RVLM. We found that chronically (8 days) increased plasma Ang II levels significantly potentiate glutamatergic and decrease GABAergic synaptic transmission. Moreover, our data revealed significantly reduced amplitude of inhibitory GABAA‐mediated extrasynaptic tonic current in the RVLM neurons. The results of our study demonstrate that GABAergic activity is decreased in the RVLM of Cyp1a1‐Ren2 transgenic rats with Ang II‐dependent malignant hypertension. These compelling data demonstrate synaptic plasticity in the RVLM in Ang II‐dependent hypertension.Grant Funding Source: NIH P30GM103337
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