Moxonidine into the lateral parabrachial nucleus modifies postingestive signals involved in sodium intake control

The activation of α₂-adrenoceptors with bilateral injections of moxonidine (α₂-adrenoceptor and imidazoline receptor agonist) into the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) increases 1.8% NaCl intake induced by treatment with furosemide (FURO)+captopril (CAP) subcutaneously. In the present study, we analyzed licking microstructure during water and 1.8% NaCl intake to investigate the changes in orosensory and postingestive signals produced by moxonidine injected into the LPBN. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with FURO+CAP combined with bilateral injections of vehicle or moxonidine (0.5nmol/0.2μl) into the LPBN. Bilateral injections of moxonidine into the LPBN increased FURO+CAP-induced 1.8% NaCl intake, without changing water intake. Microstructural analysis of licking behavior found that this increase in NaCl intake was a function of increased number of licking bursts from 15 to 75min of the test (maximum of 49±9bursts/bin, vs. vehicle: 2±2bursts/bin). Analysis of the first 15min of the test, when most of the licking behavior occurred, found no effect of moxonidine on the number of licks/burst for sodium intake (24±5licks/burst, vs. vehicle: 27±8licks/burst). This finding suggests that activation of α₂-adrenoceptors in the LPBN affects postingestive signals that are important to inhibit and limit sodium intake by FURO+CAP-treated rats.