Perinatal protein malnutrition modulates the immunoreactivity of 5-HT1B and density of 5-HT in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) of young rats in response to a feeding stimulus / Desnutrição protéica perinatal modula a imunorreatividade de 5-HT1B e a densidade de 5-HT no núcleo do Trato Solitário (NTS) de ratos jovens em resposta à estimulo alimentar

Abstract

The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) has emerged as an important area in the regulation of eating behavior by the serotonergic system. Some evidence also points out that this area is susceptible to nutritional stimuli in the perinatal period. Thus, we aim to analyze the effects of perinatal protein malnutrition on the density of serotonin and the immunoreactivity (IR) of its 5-HT1B receptor in NTS. Female rats were submitted to the normoproteic (17% casein) (PN) or low protein diet (8% casein) (LP) during pregnancy and lactation. At 35 days of age, male offspring was subjected to a 4-hour food deprivation, followed by standard food offer for 90 minutes. Then they were euthanized by transcardiac perfusion and the brains were collected and processed for immunohistochemistry analyzes against serotonin and 5-HT1B. Malnutrition modified the density of serotonin mainly in the intermediate sub-nucleus (SOLIM) of the NTS, while the IR of 5-HT1B was increased in the ventral-lateral (SOLVL), intermediate (SOLIM) and medial (SOLM) sub-nuclei of the NTS. From this, we conclude that perinatal protein malnutrition modulates serotonergic activity in NTS in response to food stimulus