Mastication stimuli regulate the heart beat rate through the rhythmic regulation by hypothalamic-autonomic system in the weaning stage rat

Using DNA microarray analysis, vasopressin, cocaine-amphetamine regulated transcript prepropeptide, corticotropin releasing hormone, and thyrotropin releasing hormone, all of which are involved in the sympathetic activation of heart rate, were found to be down-regulated in the chow diet group. Our results provided the molecular and physiological bases for understanding the autonomic nervous regulation of cardiovascular function by the mastication stimuli. Three-week-old male Wistar rats were administered powdered (P-gloup) or solid (C-gloup) feed and water ad libitum for eight days, and the mRNA expression in the hypothalamus was compared between the two groups.