Effects of acute hypotension on expression of cFos-like protein in the vestibular nuclei of rats.

The expression and regional distribution of cFos protein, which is an oncogene product and metabolic marker of neural excitation, were investigated in the vestibular nuclear complex following acute hypotension in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Intravenous administration of nitroprusside elicited a 10-50% reduction in mean blood pressure for 10 min. Unilateral or bilateral chemical labyrinthectomies were performed 14 days before the start of the experiment to eliminate afferent signals from the peripheral vestibular receptors in the inner ear.