Korean J Anat.  2001 Dec;34(6):603-610.

Immunohistochemical Localization of Brain Natriuretic Peptide in the Hypothalamus of the Rat

• Chung YY

Abstract

Brain natriuretic peptide is a neuropeptide, isolated from porcine brain that is homologous with atriopeptin. Magnocellular neurosecretory cells located in the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus synthesize and secrete neurohormones. The purpose of this study was to investigate distribution and fluorescence intensity of BNP immunoreactivity throughout the rat hypothalamus using immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescent staining. BNP immunoreactivity was widely distributed throughout regions of the hypothalamus. Immunoreactive perikarya were observed only in the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus, and many immunoreactive fibers with BNP were observed in the other hypothalamic nuclei including these nuclei. Difference of staining intensity between paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus was not found on light microscope but fluorescence intensity was higher in the supraoptic nucleus than in the paraventricular nucleus on confocal laser scanning microscope. In the present study, distinct localization of BNP immunoreactivity was in the hypothalamic cell bodies and fibers. Although the role of BNP in the brain is yet to be determined, these results indicate that BNP in the neurons of hypothalamus play important role in the regulation of a variety of neurosecretory functions as a neuromodulator.

Keyword

Brain Natriuretic Peptide; Hypothalamus; Rat; Immunohistochemistry

MeSH Terms

Animals
Brain*
Fluorescence
Hypothalamus*
Immunohistochemistry
Natriuretic Peptide, Brain*
Neurons
Neuropeptides
Neurotransmitter Agents
Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus
Rats*
Supraoptic Nucleus
Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
Neuropeptides
Neurotransmitter Agents