Efferents of the opiocortin-containing region of the commissural nucleus tractus solitarius

Peptides. 1994 Jan;15(1):169-74. doi: 10.1016/0196-9781(94)90187-2.

Abstract

Efferent projections of the commissural nucleus tractus solitarius (cNTS0 in the region containing opiocortin-immunoreactive (-IR) neurons were identified using Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L). Efferents were identified in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, preoptic area, amygdala, hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray, parabrachial nucleus, locus coeruleus, medullary catecholaminergic groups, and NTS. The PHA-L-IR varicosities in lateral parabrachial nucleus were identified in close association with CRF-IR and enkephalin-IR cells. These data on cNTS projections are consistent with our previous immunocytochemical and lesion studies on opiocortin connectivity and provide anatomical evidence that neurons in the cNTS may influence cardiovascular and sympathetic nervous system function via connectivity with nuclei in the lateral brain stem.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Efferent Pathways / physiology
  • Hypothalamic Hormones / analysis*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Injections
  • Male
  • Nerve Fibers / chemistry
  • Nerve Fibers / ultrastructure
  • Phytohemagglutinins
  • Pituitary Hormones / analysis*
  • Pro-Opiomelanocortin
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Solitary Nucleus / chemistry*

Substances

  • Hypothalamic Hormones
  • Phytohemagglutinins
  • Pituitary Hormones
  • leukoagglutinins, plants
  • Pro-Opiomelanocortin