Interactions of ATP- and glutamate-induced sympathoexcitation at the paraventricular nucleus level of rat

Background: The PVN plays a pivotal role in the control of autonomic function and PVN-RVLM neurons express P2X receptors. Our previous data demonstrated that ATP induces a dose-dependent increase in lumbar sympathetic nerve activity (LSNA) at the PVN, which is attenuated by PPADS, a P2 purinoreceptor antagonist, previously injected at the same nucleus. The aim of the current study is to investigate a possible interaction between purinergic and glutamatergic systems in the PVN on LSNA in an in situ artificially perfused rat preparation.