Res Vestib Sci.  2012 Jun;11(2):59-63.

Immunohistochemical Study on beta1- and beta2-Adrenergic Receptors in Rat Vestibular Nuclei

• Ahn SK
• Khalmuratova R
• Hur DG
• Kim HY
• Park HW
• Joo YH
• Kang HS

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to examine the localizations of beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptors (ARs) in rat vestibular nuclei by immunohistochemical staining procedure.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Primary antibodies for the beta1- and beta2-ARs were used. The sections were treated with a biotinylated goat anti-rabbit antibody. The sections were then incubated in avidin-biotin-peroxidase reagent and processed with immunoperoxidase using 3.3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride.
RESULTS
beta1-AR and beta2-AR immunopositive neurons were found to be distributed throughout the four major vestibular nuclei. Both receptors were primarily detected in neuronal somata and their proximal dendrites. beta1-AR and beta2-AR were moderately expressed in the superior vestibular nucleus, lateral vestibular nucleus, medial vestibular nucleus, and spinal vestibular nucleus.
CONCLUSION
The present study demonstrates, for the first time, that beta1-AR and beta2-AR receptors are localized in rat vestibular nuclei. Furthermore, this study may provide additional speculation into the role of ARs during vestibular signal processing. Further studies are needed to clarify the roles played by beta1-ARs and beta2-ARs through physiologic and functional studies.

Keyword

Migraine; Vertigo; Adrenergic receptor; Vestibular nuclei

MeSH Terms

Animals
Antibodies
Dendrites
Goats
Humans
Male
Migraine Disorders
Neurons
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Receptors, Adrenergic
Vertigo
Vestibular Nuclei
Vestibular Nucleus, Lateral
Antibodies
Receptors, Adrenergic