Cardiovascular neurons in cat caudal ventrolateral medulla: location and characterization of GABAergic input

The purposes of the present study were to: (1) characterize the GABAergic input to vasodepressor neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla of the cat, and (2) define more precisely the anatomical localization of these neurons in this species. This was done by microinjecting GABA receptor antagonists and agonists, and a negative allosteric modulator of the GABA receptor, namely, ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate, into the caudal ventrolateral medulla of alpha-chloralose-anesthetized animals while monitoring arterial blood pressure and heart rate. Localization studies where performed relating injection sites in the caudal ventrolateral medulla where cardiovascular responses were elicited, to neurons exhibiting immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenethyl-N-methyl-transferase (PNMT). Microinjection of 1 and 10 ng of bicuculline into the caudal ventrolateral medulla produced decreases in mean blood pressure and heart rate of -34 +/- 6.4 and -49 +/- 9.2 mmHg, and -22 +/- 4.3 and -35 +/- 8.2 beats/min, respectively. Hypotension and bradycardia were also observed with picrotoxin microinjection (120 ng). Microinjection of muscimol (100-200 ng) and GABA (12 microgram) had no effect on mean blood pressure and heart rate. Microinjection of ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate also decreased mean blood pressure (-39 +/- 7.0 mmHg). The location of the micropipette tip after bicuculline microinjection in relation to TH and PNMT immunoreactive cells was as follows: (1) TH-immunoreactive cells of the A1 cell group were visible in the same relative location as the micropipette tip, and (2) no PNMT-positive cells were noted at the sites where bicuculline elicited hypotension. These results indicate that there is a tonic GABAergic input to neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla. The location of these neurons overlaps with the A1 cells.