Subpicomolar amounts of NPY(13-36) injected into the nucleus tractus solitarius of the rat counteract the cardiovascular responses to L-glutamate.

The effects of NPY(13-36) on cardiorespiratory responses elicited by microinjections of L-glutamate into the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) have been studied in anaesthetized (alpha-chloralose + urethane) Sprague-Dawley rats. NPY(13-36) in doses ranging from 50 to 500 fmol produces a significant increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) without significant effects on heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR). The ED50 dose (100 fmol) of NPY(13-36) counteracts significantly the decrease in MAP and HR elicited by L-glutamate (1500 pmol) microinjected into NTS. Similar results are obtained using a threshold dose of the peptide (50 fmol) and an ED50 dose of L-glutamate (300 pmol). These results indicate that the Y2 receptors in NTS can mediate vasopressor responses to femtomolar amounts of NPY(13-36) and counteract cardiovascular responses to L-glutamate.