
Posters
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.
Recommended Citation
Lopez-Garcia, Esmeralda; Hinojosa, Ariana V.; Alaniz, Esperanza I.; Dominguez, Fernando; Padilla, Giselle; and Gil, Mario, "Effects of Arginine-Vasopressin in the Brain on Cardiovascular Function in a Psychosocial Stress Animal Model" (2025). Research Symposium. 64.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/64
Included in
Animal Experimentation and Research Commons, Behavioral Neurobiology Commons, Cardiovascular System Commons, Endocrine System Commons, Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists Commons, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Commons, Psychology Commons, Translational Medical Research Commons
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.