Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access

Abstract

Significance of Neuropeptides for Coexistence of Disturbances in Central Cardiovascular Control in Heart Failure, Stress and Depression

Ewa Szczepanska-Sadowska, Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jedrzejewska, Agnieszka Wsol and Katarzyna Czarzasta

There are solid grounds for the recognition of the involvement of multiple neuronal/neurotransmitter networks in the regulation of the cardiovascular system. Clinical and preclinical studies provide evidence that heart failure is associated with significant changes in the central control of some of these systems. In addition, it has been shown that some of the brain's neurochemical pathways, which are involved in the central control of blood pressure, play a role in the regulation of emotions and cognitive functions. Stress and depression are regarded as potential challenges for the cardiovascular system, causing inappropriate regulation of cardiovascular parameters and worsening the prognosis of heart failure. There is also evidence that heart failure increases sensitivity to stress and depression. Recently, knowledge of the neurochemical background of comorbidity of stress, depression and heart failure has increased markedly. Our studies and those of other authors provided evidence for significant role of the improper function of neuropeptides, and in particular of the angiotensinergic, vasopressinergic and oxytocinergic systems in the exaggerated responsiveness of the cardiovascular system to stress in heart failure and depression. Current evidence indicates that the inappropriate regulation of the release of these neuropeptides and/or expression of their receptors play a particularly important role in long-term changes of central cardiovascular control during post-infarct heart failure.