NAD(P)H oxidase in paraventricular nucleus contributes to the effect of angiotensin II on cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex

We previously reported that reactive oxygen species (ROS) in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) modulated cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) and mediated the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) in the PVN on the CSAR. In the present study, we investigated whether the NAD(P)H oxidase in the PVN was a key source of ROS which modulated the CSAR and contributed to the effect of Ang II on the CSAR. In anesthetized rats with sinoaortic denervation and vagotomy, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and arterial pressure were recorded. The CSAR was evaluated by the RSNA response to epicardial application of bradykinin (BK). The NAD(P)H oxidase activity in the PVN was measured with lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescent method. Microinjection of the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor, either apocynin (1.0 nmol) or phenylarsine oxide (PAO, 1.0 nmol), into the PVN significantly inhibited the CSAR. Microinjection of Ang II (0.3 nmol) into the PVN significantly augmented the CSAR. The effects of Ang II were not only abolished by pretreatment with either apocynin or PAO in the PVN but also partially inhibited by xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol. Either epicardial application of BK or microinjection of Ang II into the PVN significantly increased NAD(P)H oxidase activity in the PVN. The effect of Ang II on NAD(P)H oxidase activity was abolished by pretreatment with AT1 receptor antagonist losartan in the PVN. These findings suggested that NAD(P)H oxidase in the PVN was a major source of the ROS in modulating the CSAR, and the NAD(P)H oxidase contributes to the effect of Ang II on the CSAR.