Brain Na+, K+-ATPase isoforms: Different hypothalamus and mesencephalon response to acute desipramine treatment

We studied Na+, K+-ATPase activity alpha isoforms by performing ouabain inhibition curves in rat hypothalamus and mesencephalon after acute administration of desipramine to rats. In hypothalamus, Ki values for high, intermediate and low affinity populations were 0.075 × 10− 9 M, 0.58 × 10− 6 M and 0.97 × 10− 3 M, with isoform distribution of 55%, 28% and 17%, respectively. In mesencephalon, Ki values for high, intermediate and low affinity populations were 1.80 × 10− 9 M, 0.56 × 10− 6 M and 0.21 × 10− 3 M, with isoform distribution of 28%, 46% and 21%, respectively. Three hours after acute administration of 10 mg/kg desipramine to rats, Na+, K+-ATPase activity in hypothalamus increased significantly 54%, 39% and 51% as assayed respectively in the absence of ouabain or in the presence of 1 × 10− 9 M, or 5 × 10− 6 M ouabain, whereas only a trend was recorded in the presence of 1 × 10− 3 M ouabain. In such conditions, enzyme activity in mesencephalon increased significantly 73%, 54%, 30% and 271%, respectively. Present results showed that desipramine treatment enhances the activity of Na+, K+-ATPase alpha isoforms in rat hypothalamus and mesencephalon, but the extent of this increase differs according to the isoform and the anatomical area studied, suggesting a differential enzyme regulation in response to noradrenergic stimulation.