ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine whether the GABA-containing neurons in rat central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) can be activated by acute sodium deprivation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Acute sodium depletion was induced by subcutaneous injection of furosemide in rats followed by 24 h of dietary sodium deprivation. The rats underwent 0.3 mol/L NaCl/distilled water two bottle choice test, and the activated neurons were labeled and identified with GABA/Fos-double labeling immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rats with acute sodium depletion exhibited significantly more numerous c-fos-positive neurons and GABA/Fos double-labeled neurons in the CeA than the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Consumption of 0.3 mol/L NaCl significantly increased the number of c-fos and GABA/Fos double labeled neurons compared to the distilled water group (P<0.001, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GABAergic neurons in the CeA may play an inhibitory role in the regulation of sodium intake in rats with acute sodium depletion.</p>