Posters

Presenting Author

Esmeralda Lopez-Garcia

Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position

Undergraduate

Academic Level (Author 1)

Graduate Student

Academic Level (Author 2)

Graduate Student

Academic Level (Author 3)

Undergraduate

Academic Level (Author 4)

Graduate Student

Academic Level (Author 5)

Faculty

Discipline/Specialty (Author 5)

Neuroscience

Presentation Type

Poster

Discipline Track

Biomedical Science

Abstract Type

Research/Clinical

Abstract

Background: Psychosocial stress impacts cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of events like myocardial infarction (MI), stress cardiomyopathy, and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Anxiety. However, our understanding of the biological mechanisms that connect psychosocial stress with negative cardiovascular and psychological outcomes remains incomplete. Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is linked to both mental and physical health by regulating social behavior, blood pressure, and anxiety-related behaviors. This study investigates the potential cardioprotective effects of the neuropeptide AVP, in an effort to generate evidence that it may strengthen heart function and lessen the severity of adverse cardiovascular events caused by stress, brain dysfunction, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Methods: In this study, the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was used as an animal model and cannulated through stereotaxic surgery to test the hypothesis that AVP administered into the brain modulates cardiovascular function in the hamster. Two adult male animals were anesthetized with isoflurane, and cardiovascular data were recorded using the INDUS Rodent Surgical Monitor. Baseline cardiovascular measures were taken before administering two microinjections into the Interfascicular Nucleus (IF)/Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA), a brain region important for reward processing and social interactions. The first microinjection was 200 nl of saline, serving as a control, and was later followed by a 200 nl of 9 μM high-dose AVP microinjection.

Results: Prior to the AVP injection, the first subject displayed a heart rate of 396 BPM and a respiratory rate of 32 breaths per minute (BrPM). After the saline injection, the heart rate slightly decreased to 382 BPM, maintaining a respiratory rate of 32 BrPM. The post-saline heart rate was measured at 379 BPM, and the respiratory rate increased to 37 BrPM. After AVP administration, the heart rate dropped initially to 365 BPM, with an increase in respiratory rate to 42 BrPM. Heart rate fluctuations ranging from 300 to 360 BPM, with respiratory rates varying between 47 and 57 BrPM, were also noted in the following minutes.

Conclusion: The findings provide preliminary evidence that AVP influences cardiovascular responses within a short time period, suggesting its role in cardiovascular regulation and potential therapeutic benefits to counteract the negative impacts of stress, psychosocial factors, and brain dysfunction on heart health. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying these effects and to assess AVP's capacity to enhance cardiovascular health in the context of psychosocial stress and mental health.

Share

COinS
 

Effects of Arginine-Vasopressin in the Brain on Cardiovascular Function in a Psychosocial Stress Animal Model

Background: Psychosocial stress impacts cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of events like myocardial infarction (MI), stress cardiomyopathy, and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Anxiety. However, our understanding of the biological mechanisms that connect psychosocial stress with negative cardiovascular and psychological outcomes remains incomplete. Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is linked to both mental and physical health by regulating social behavior, blood pressure, and anxiety-related behaviors. This study investigates the potential cardioprotective effects of the neuropeptide AVP, in an effort to generate evidence that it may strengthen heart function and lessen the severity of adverse cardiovascular events caused by stress, brain dysfunction, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Methods: In this study, the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was used as an animal model and cannulated through stereotaxic surgery to test the hypothesis that AVP administered into the brain modulates cardiovascular function in the hamster. Two adult male animals were anesthetized with isoflurane, and cardiovascular data were recorded using the INDUS Rodent Surgical Monitor. Baseline cardiovascular measures were taken before administering two microinjections into the Interfascicular Nucleus (IF)/Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA), a brain region important for reward processing and social interactions. The first microinjection was 200 nl of saline, serving as a control, and was later followed by a 200 nl of 9 μM high-dose AVP microinjection.

Results: Prior to the AVP injection, the first subject displayed a heart rate of 396 BPM and a respiratory rate of 32 breaths per minute (BrPM). After the saline injection, the heart rate slightly decreased to 382 BPM, maintaining a respiratory rate of 32 BrPM. The post-saline heart rate was measured at 379 BPM, and the respiratory rate increased to 37 BrPM. After AVP administration, the heart rate dropped initially to 365 BPM, with an increase in respiratory rate to 42 BrPM. Heart rate fluctuations ranging from 300 to 360 BPM, with respiratory rates varying between 47 and 57 BrPM, were also noted in the following minutes.

Conclusion: The findings provide preliminary evidence that AVP influences cardiovascular responses within a short time period, suggesting its role in cardiovascular regulation and potential therapeutic benefits to counteract the negative impacts of stress, psychosocial factors, and brain dysfunction on heart health. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying these effects and to assess AVP's capacity to enhance cardiovascular health in the context of psychosocial stress and mental health.

 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.