白芍总苷对EAE大鼠中枢神经系统炎症浸润细胞凋亡及Bcl-2、Bax表达的影响

目的 探讨白芍总苷（TGP）对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎（EAE）大鼠中枢神经系统（CNS）炎症浸润细胞凋亡及Bcl-2、Bax表达的影响.方法 建立大鼠EAE模型,将大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组、TGP组、泼尼松组,TGP组免疫后第1天起每天经口灌服白芍总苷悬浊液0.2 g/kg,泼尼松组给予泼尼松,正常对照组、模型组给予同体积生理盐水溶液,第17天处死,病理切片观察CNS炎症细胞浸润情况,TUNEL法检测浸润细胞凋亡情况,免疫组化检测浸润细胞Bcl-2、Bax蛋白的表达.结果 泼尼松组、TGP组与模型组相比,中枢神经系统炎症浸润细胞的数目减少,凋亡率增高.TGP组与模型组相比,Bcl-2表达下降,Bax的表达上调,Bcl-2/Bax的比值下降.泼尼松组与模型组相比,Bcl-2/Bax的比值下降.结论 TGP能减轻EAE的病情,其机制可能是下调Bcl-2的表达,上调Bax蛋白的表达,降低Bcl-2/Bax比值,促进EAE大鼠CNS炎症浸润细胞的凋亡,减少CNS炎症细胞的浸润.     

雷公藤内酯醇对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎大鼠行为和MMP-9表达的影响

目的:观察雷公藤内酯醇(Tri)对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(EAE)大鼠中枢神经系统(CNS)中MMP-9表达的影响。方法:建立雌性EAE大鼠模型,将大鼠随机分为4组:治疗组(EAE Tri组);阳性对照组(EAE NS组);正常对照组(CFA Tri组、CFA NS组),观察Tri对EAE大鼠发病情况的影响,并通过免疫组化法观察Tri对EAE大鼠CNS中MMP-9表达的影响。结果:与EAE NS组比较,EAE Tri组的发病率明显降低,临床评分的平均值和最高值均降低,大鼠脑脊髓白质内炎性细胞浸润和病灶数比EAE NS组明显减少。免疫组化:EAE Tri组大鼠CNS中的MMP-9表达比EAE NS组明显减低。正常对照组大鼠均未发病,CNS中也无炎性细胞浸润及MMP-9表达。结论:Tri能抑制EAE大鼠CNS中MMP-9的表达,减轻EAE大鼠临床症状、降低发病率。     

拉莫三嗪对癫痫大鼠学习记忆及神经细胞凋亡的影响研究

目的 观察拉莫三嗪(lamotrigine,LTG)对戊四氮(PTZ)所致慢性癫痫大鼠学习记忆及神经细胞凋亡的影响,为LTG改善认知功能提供理论依据.方法 成年健康SD大鼠30只,随机分为对照组、模型组和LTG干预组各10只,采用35mg/kg PTZ溶液经腹腔注射制备癫痫模型.4w后对大鼠进行空间学习能力检测,应用免疫组化染色及原位细胞凋亡检测脑组织Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达阳性细胞数及凋亡细胞数.结果 癫痫大鼠的学习记忆功能较正常大鼠明显下降(P＜0.05),LTG干预组海马区凋亡细胞明显减少(P＜0.01),Bcl-2蛋白阳性细胞数显著增加(P＜0.01),Bax蛋白阳性细胞数显著减少(P＜0.05).结论癫痫后大鼠的学习记忆功能受损,应用LTG可改善这一损害,可能与其能上调Bcl-2蛋白表达、下调Bax蛋白表达有关.     

17β雌二醇对氯胺酮诱导发育期大鼠皮质神经细胞凋亡的影响

目的探讨17β雌二醇对氯胺酮诱导发育期大鼠额叶皮质区神经细胞凋亡的影响以及机制。方法30只7日龄雄性SD幼鼠,随机分为对照组(C组)、氯胺酮组(K组)、氯胺酮+17β雌二醇组(K+E组),每组10只。C组连续3 d腹腔注射等容量生理盐水;K组连续3 d腹腔注射75 mg/kg氯胺酮;K+E组连续3 d腹腔注射75mg/kg氯胺酮同时皮下注射600μg/kg 17β雌二醇。末次注药后24 h,取额叶皮质应用TUNEL法检测神经细胞凋亡,同时应用Western-blot法检测bcl-2,Bax以及cleaved-caspase-3蛋白的水平。结果与对照组比较,氯胺酮组皮质区凋亡细胞显著性增加(P<0.01),Bcl-2蛋白水平显著性下降(P<0.01),Bax蛋白水平显著性增加(P<0.01),Bcl-2/Bax显著性降低(P<0.01),cleaved-caspase-3蛋白水平显著性增加(P<0.01)。与氯胺酮组比较,氯胺酮+17β雌二醇组皮质区凋亡细胞显著性下降(P<0.01),Bcl-2蛋白水平显著性增加(P<0.01),Bax蛋白水平显著下降(P<0.01),Bcl-2/Bax显著性增加(P<0.01),cleaved-caspase-3蛋白水平显著性下降(P<0.01)。结论 17β雌二醇可对氯胺酮诱导的发育期大鼠大脑皮质区神经细胞凋亡产生保护作用,其机制可能与影响bc1-2和Bax蛋白表达有关。     

右美托咪定调节MAPK/ERK-CREB通路对大鼠海马神经元凋亡的保护作用

目的探讨右美托咪定(DEX)调节MAPK/ERK-CREB通路对大鼠海马神经元凋亡的保护作用。方法通过腹腔注射氯化锂-毛果芸香碱构建癫痫持续状态(SE)大鼠模型,并随机分为4组,每组各10只。SE+DEX组在SE模型构建成功后腹腔注射DEX 1μmol/L,阳性对照组腹腔注射1μmol/L苯巴比妥,药物干预24 h后,通过Nissl法和TUNEL法检测大鼠海马神经元损伤及凋亡情况,Western blot法检测大鼠海马组织中MAPK、p ERK、p CREB蛋白和凋亡相关蛋白caspase-3、Bcl-2、Bax表达。结果与正常对照组相比,SE、阳性对照组、SE+DEX组大鼠Racine分值显著增加(P 0. 05),大鼠海马神经元数、Bcl-2蛋白表达量显著减少(P 0. 05),棕褐色TUNEL阳性细胞数、MAPK、p-ERK、p-CREB、caspase-3、Bax、Bax/Bcl-2蛋白表达量显著增加(P 0. 05)。与SE组相比,阳性对照组、SE+DEX组大鼠Racine分值显著降低(P 0. 05),大鼠海马神经元数、Bcl-2蛋白表达量显著增加(P 0. 05),棕褐色TUNEL阳性细胞、MAPK、p-ERK、p-CREB、caspase-3、Bax、Bax/Bcl-2蛋白表达量显著减少(P 0. 05)。结论 DEX可能通过抑制MAPK/ERK-CREB通路抑制海马神经元凋亡对其有保护作用。     

脑源性神经营养因子对脑梗死大鼠神经细胞凋亡及Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达的影响

目的 探讨侧脑室内立体定向注射脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)对脑梗死大鼠神经细胞凋亡及Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达的影响.方法 32只SD大鼠成功制作大脑中动脉闭塞模型,随机分为BDNF组(n=16)和对照组(n=16),在两组大鼠侧脑室内分别注射10μ1 BDNF溶液(0.5 μmol)和10μl磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS液).注射2周后,2组大鼠分别行神经功能严重性评分(mNSS)及梗死面积测定,应用免疫组化染色、Western blot分析脑组织Bcl-2、Bax蛋白的表达,Tunel检测细胞凋亡.结果 与对照组比较,BDNF组脑梗死面积缩小,神经细胞凋亡数少,Bax蛋白表达低,Bcl-2蛋白表达高,短期内神经功能恢复好,差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 BDNF可能通过调节Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达,减少神经细胞凋亡,改善脑缺血大鼠的功能.     

慢性间歇性缺氧对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌后神经细胞凋亡的影响

目的观察慢性间歇性缺氧(CIH)对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后脑梗死体积、神经元形态结构、细胞凋亡、B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2基因(B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2gene,Bcl-2)、Bax表达的变化,探讨其对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后可能的神经损害作用机制。方法采用自制CIH系统对SD大鼠进行干预,然后采用Zea Longa等方法制备局灶性脑缺血再灌动物模型。将42只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(n=6)、模型组(n=12)、CIH 4周组(n=12)、CIH8周组(n=12),光镜观察受损脑组织细胞的形态学改变,免疫组织化学染色法检测脑组织Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达水平,TUNEL法检测脑细胞凋亡情况,TTC染色检测梗死体积,利用神经功能缺损评分评价神经功能缺损情况。结果 TUNEL染色阳性细胞主要分布在坏死灶的周边和皮质区。CIH8周组大鼠脑梗死体积、神经功能缺损评分、脑细胞凋亡数高于模型组和CIH 4周组(均P0.05)。与模型组比较,CIH8周组Bcl-2蛋白表达降低(P0.05),Bax蛋白表达增强(P0.05),Bcl-2/Bax比值降低(P0.05),CIH4周组Bcl-2蛋白表达及Bcl-2/Bax比值亦较模型组降低(P0.05)。而CIH8周组和CIH4周组间Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达及Bcl-2/Bax比值比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论 (1)CIH可增加脑缺血再灌后大鼠神经功能缺损、梗死体积。(2)随CIH时间延长,大鼠脑缺血后缺血半暗带的细胞凋亡增加,Bax蛋白表达上调,Bcl-2蛋白表达下调。Bcl-2/Bax的变化可能参与了CIH对脑缺血后细胞凋亡过程的调控。     

自由基清除剂预处理对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤后脑组织细胞凋亡及其相关蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨自由基清除剂依达拉奉预处理对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤后神经细胞凋亡及其相关蛋白Bcl-2、Bax、热休克蛋白70(HSP70)表达的影响。方法将45只雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、对照组、依达拉奉预处理组,每组15只。采用线栓法制作大鼠缺血2h再灌注24h模型。预处理组大鼠建模前12h腹腔注射依达拉奉(3mg/kg),对照组给予等容量生理盐水。再灌注24h后断头取脑,应用免疫组织化学法检测Bcl-2、Bax、HSP70蛋白表达,末端脱氧核糖核酸转移酶介导的原位缺口末端标记法检测凋亡细胞。结果依达拉奉预处理组和对照组大鼠缺血周围脑组织中凋亡细胞和Bcl-2、Bax及HSP70阳性细胞数比假手术组均明显增加(P<0.01);与对照组比较,其凋亡细胞和Bax阳性细胞数均明显减少(P<0.01),而Bcl-2和HSP70阳性细胞数明显增加(P<0.01)。结论细胞凋亡在缺血再灌注损伤中起着重要作用;依达拉奉可能通过上调Bcl-2、HSP70蛋白表达、下调Bax蛋白表达减轻大鼠脑缺血再灌注后的细胞凋亡,增加脑缺血再灌注损伤耐受性,从而起到神经保护作用。     

雌激素对血管性痴呆大鼠认知功能、海马Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达及神经元凋亡的影响

目的 探讨雌激素对血管性痴呆(VD)大鼠认知功能、海马Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达和神经元凋亡的影响.方法 60只雄性大鼠随机分为假手术组、VD组和雌激素组,每组20只.采用双侧颈总动脉结扎法制备VD大鼠模型;雌激素组腹腔注射17-β雌二醇(花生油溶解)200 μg/kg,同时假手术组和VD组腹腔注射等量的花生油,均为隔日1次,共30次.60 d后,Y-型迷宫试验检测大鼠学习记忆能力;HE染色观察大鼠海马神经元形态;免疫组化染色检测海马Bcl-2、Bax蛋白的表达,原位缺口末断标记(TUNEL)法检测神经元凋亡程度.结果 与假手术组相比,VD组及雌激素组认知能力明显下降, 海马CA1区Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达增加,TUNEL 阳性细胞数明显增多(均P<0.001);与VD组比较,雌激素组认知能力改善,海马CA1区Bcl-2蛋白表达明显增加,Bax蛋白的表达明显减少,TUNEL 阳性细胞明显减少 (均P<0.001).结论 17-β雌二醇可调节Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达而抑制神经元凋亡,有助于改善VD大鼠的认知能力.     

大鼠脑创伤后海马CA3区细胞凋亡及相关基因表达研究

目的研究弥漫性脑损伤后不同时间,大鼠海马CA3区细胞凋亡及相关基因Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3蛋白的表达情况,探讨脑创伤后神经细胞凋亡的分子生物学机制.方法应用流式细胞仪和免疫组化法,分别检测脑创伤后不同时间海马CA3区细胞凋亡率及Bcl-2,Bax和Caspase-3基因在蛋白质水平的表达情况.结果脑创伤后海马CA3区存在不同程度细胞凋亡,Bcl-2在脑损伤后表达下降,而Bax和Caspase-3在脑创伤后表达升高;Caspase-3表达的峰值时间(72 h)出现在Bax之后(48 h).结论弥漫性脑损伤后,大鼠海马CA3区存在细胞凋亡及Bcl-2,Bax和Caspase-3的表达变化.Bcl-2/Bax表达比值下降早于Caspase-3的上升,Bcl-2/Bax表达比值改变可能与Caspase-3活化有关,进而启动并加重脑损伤后神经细胞凋亡.     

血浆甘油三酯水平与缺血性卒中出院结局关系研究

目的   探讨急性缺血性卒中患者入院时血浆甘油三酯（triglyceride,TG）水平与出院结局不良的关系。 方法  采用回顾性队列研究的方法,连续纳入内蒙古兴安盟人民医院2009年6月1日～2012年5月31日急性缺血性卒中患者,共计3351例。结局不良组定义为患者出院时改良Rankin量表（modified Rankin Scale,mRS）评分≥3分,对结局不良组和结局良好组患者间基线资料进行比较。用四分位数法将患者入院时血浆TG水平分为4组,用非条件Logistic回归分析入院时TG水平与急性缺血性卒中出院结局不良的关系,计算比值比（odds ratio,OR）及95%可信区间（confidence interval,CI）。 结果  研究对象中发生结局不良的共341例,发生率为10.2%。单因素非条件Logistic回归分析结果显示,TG相对最高分位数组（TG＞2.12?mmol/L）,第1、2、3分位数组（TG分别为≤1.06?mmol/L、1.06～1.46?mmol/L、1.46～2.12?mmol/L）的结局不良发生率差异有显著性（P＜0.001）。在调整了年龄、住院天数、发病到入院时间、缺血性卒中首发、吸烟、饮酒、心脏病史、心房颤动史、高血压、高血糖和心率后,相对于最高分位数组,第3分位数组的结局不良发生率差异无显著性（P=0.0758）,而第1、2分位数组结局不良发生率升高（均P＜0.0001）,其OR（95%CI）分别为11.883（1.307～2.714）和2.063（1.436～2.963）。 结论  急性缺血性卒中患者入院时低水平TG可能独立地增加出院结局不良的风险。     

Distinct patterns of neuronal inputs and outputs of the juxtaparaventricular and suprafornical regions of the lateral hypothalamic area in the male rat

We have analyzed at high resolution the neuroanatomical connections of the juxtaparaventricular region of the lateral hypothalamic area (LHAjp); as a control and in comparison to this, we also performed a preliminary analysis of a nearby LHA region that is dorsal to the fornix, namely the LHA suprafornical region (LHAs). The connections of these LHA regions were revealed with a coinjection tract-tracing technique involving a retrograde (cholera toxin B subunit) and anterograde (Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin) tracer. The LHAjp and LHAs together connect with almost every major division of the cerebrum and cerebrospinal trunk, but their connection profiles are markedly different and distinct. In simple terms, the connections of the LHAjp indicate a possible primary role in the modulation of defensive behavior; for the LHAs, a role in the modulation of ingestive behavior is suggested. However, the relation of the LHAjp and LHAs to potential modulation of these behaviors, as indicated by their neuroanatomical connections, appears to be highly integrative as it includes each of the major functional divisions of the nervous system that together determine behavior, i.e., cognitive, state, sensory, and motor. Furthermore, although a primary role is indicated for each region with respect to a particular mode of behavior, intermode modulation of behavior is also indicated. In summary, the extrinsic connections of the LHAjp and LHAs (so far as we have described them) suggest that these regions have a profoundly integrative role in which they may participate in the orchestrated modulation of elaborate behavioral repertoires.     

卒中后膈肌功能及相关因素分析

目的 分析卒中后偏瘫患者的膈肌功能,并探讨其与卒中病程以及吞咽、呼吸、运动、平衡功能和日常生活能力的相关性。 方法 本研究为前瞻性研究,连续纳入首次卒中后单侧偏瘫的患者,记录患者的一般资料,洼田饮水试验、主观呼吸功能障碍程度量表、Fugl-Meyer运动功能评定量表（Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment scale,FMA）、Berg平衡量表（Berg balance scale,BBS）、改良Barthel指数（modified Barthel index,mBI）。采用超声测定膈肌功能,包括平静呼吸时的膈肌活动度以及用力呼吸状态下的膈肌活动度和膈肌增厚率。比较整体和不同瘫痪侧患者偏瘫侧和健侧的膈肌功能,分别比较左侧偏瘫和右侧偏瘫患侧的膈肌功能和健侧的膈肌功能。分析瘫痪侧的膈肌功能与病程、洼田饮水试验、主呼吸功能障碍程度量表、FMA、BBS、mBI等指标的相关性 结果 研究共纳入45例卒中患者,其中左侧偏瘫27例（60.00%）,右侧偏瘫18例（40.00%）。在整体患者中,用力呼吸状态下,偏瘫侧膈肌活动度（31.69±15.18 mm vs. 40.24±14.66 mm,P＜0.001）及膈肌增厚率（34.99%±23.70% vs. 48.13%±21.98%,P＜0.001）低于健侧。用力呼吸状态下,左侧偏瘫患者的偏瘫侧膈肌活动度（30.13±12.64 mm vs. 44.10±12.95 mm,P＜0.001）和膈肌增厚率（41.20%±23.42% vs. 54.63%±21.08%,P =0.004）较健侧低;右侧偏瘫患者的偏瘫侧膈肌增厚率（25.67%±21.47% vs. 38.37%±20.07%,P =0.005）较健侧低。用力呼吸状态下,右侧偏瘫患者的偏瘫侧膈肌增厚率低于左侧偏瘫患者（P =0.029）。右侧偏瘫患者的健侧膈肌活动度（P =0.028）及膈肌增厚率低于左侧偏瘫患者（P =0.012）。卒中患者平静呼吸状态下,偏瘫侧膈肌活动度与FMA（r =0.362,P =0.015）呈正相关;用力呼吸状态下,偏瘫侧膈肌活动度与洼田饮水试验（r =0.298,P =0.047）、主观呼吸功能障碍程度量表（r =0.437,P =0.003）、FMA（r =0.330,P =0.027）、BBS（r =0.370,P =0.012）、mBI（r =0.321,P =0.031）呈正相关,偏瘫侧膈肌增厚率与病程（r =-0.298,P =0.047）呈负相关。 结论 卒中后偏瘫侧膈肌功能较健侧下降,右侧偏瘫患者双侧膈肌功能较左侧偏瘫患者更差。卒中患者膈肌功能与病程呈负相关,与吞咽功能、呼吸功能、肢体运动功能、平衡能力及日常生活能力呈正相关。     

Gene-environment interaction and covariation in schizophrenia: the role of obstetric complications

While genetic factors account for a significant proportion of liability to schizophrenia, a body of evidence attests to a significant environmental contribution. Understanding the mechanisms through which genetic and environmental factors coalesce in influencing schizophrenia is critical for elucidating the pathways underlying psychotic illness and for developing primary prevention strategies. Although obstetric complications (OCs) remain among the most well-documented environmental indicators of risk for schizophrenia, the pathogenic role they play in the etiology of schizophrenia continues to remain poorly understood. A question of major importance is do these factors result from a genetic diathesis to schizophrenia (as in gene-environment covariation), act additively or interactively with predisposing genes for the disorder in influencing disease risk, or independently cause disease onset? In this review, we evaluate 3 classes of OCs commonly related to schizophrenia including hypoxia-associated OCs, maternal infection during pregnancy, and maternal stress during pregnancy. In addition, we discuss several mechanisms by which OCs impact on genetically susceptible brain regions, increasing constitutional vulnerability to neuromaturational events and stressors later in life (ie, adolescence), which may in turn contribute to triggering psychosis.     

Involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the neurobehavioural effects of stress and glucocorticoids

The endocannabinoid system is a neuroactive lipid signaling system that functions to gate synaptic transmitter release. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that this system is responsive to modulation by both stress and glucocorticoids within the hypothalamus and limbic structures; however, the nature of this regulation is more complex than initially assumed. The aim of the current review is to summarize the research to date which examines the effects of acute stress and glucocorticoid administration on endocannabinoid signaling in limbic–hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (LHPA) axis, and in turn the role endocannabinoid signaling plays in the neurobehavioural responses to acute stress and glucocorticoid administration. The majority of research suggests that acute stress produces a mobilization of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) while concurrently reducing the tissue content of the other endocannabinoid ligand anandamide. Genetic and pharmacological studies demonstrate that the reduction in anandamide signaling may be involved in the initiation of HPA axis activation and the generation of changes in emotional behaviour, while the increase in 2-AG signaling may be involved in terminating the stress response, limiting neuronal activation and contributing to changes in motivated behaviours. Collectively, these studies reveal a complex interplay between endocannabinoids and the HPA axis, and further identify endocannabinoid signaling as a critical regulator of the stress response.     

Effects of genistein on neuronal apoptosis, and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in the hippocampus of ovariectomized rats

Genistein is one of several isoflavones that has a structure similar to 17β-estradiol, has a strong antioxidant effect, and a high affinity to estrogen receptors. At 15 weeks after ovariectomy, the expression of Bcl-2 in the hippocampus of rats decreased and Bax expression increased, with an obvious upregulation of apoptosis. However, intraperitoneal injection of genistein or 17β-estradiol for 15 consecutive weeks from the second day after operation upregulated Bcl-2 protein expression downregulated Bax protein expression, and attenuated hippocampal neuron apoptosis. Our experimental findings indicate that long-term intervention with genistein can lead to a decrease in apoptosis in hippocampal neurons following ovariectomy, upregulate the expression of Bcl-2, and downregulate the expression of Bax. In addition, genistein and 17β-estradiol play equal anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective roles.     

Sex differences in corticolimbic dopamine and serotonin systems in the rat and the effect of postnatal handling

Stress-related psychopathology is particularly prevalent in women, although the neurobiological reason(s) for this are unclear. Dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) systems however, are known to play important adaptive roles in stress and emotion regulation. The aims of the present study included examination of sex differences in stress-related behaviour and neuroendocrine function as well as post mortem neurochemistry, with the main hypothesis that corticolimbic DA and 5-HT systems would show greater functional activity in males than females. Long–Evans rats of both sexes were employed. Additional factors incorporated included differential postnatal experience (handled vs. nonhandled) and adult mild stress experience (acute vs. repeated (5) restraint). Regional neurochemistry measures were conducted separately for left and right hemispheres. Behaviourally, females showed more exploratory behaviour than males in the elevated plus maze and an openfield/holeboard apparatus. Females also exhibited significantly higher levels of adrenocorticotrophic hormone and corticosterone at all time points in response to restraint stress than males across treatment conditions, although both sexes showed similar habituation in stress-induced ACTH activation with repeated mild stress. Neurochemically, females had significantly higher levels of DA (in ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), insular cortex and n. accumbens) and 5-HT (in vmPFC, amygdala, dorsal hippocampus and insula) than males. In contrast, males had higher levels of the DA metabolite DOPAC or DOPAC/DA ratios than females in all five regions and higher levels of the 5-HT metabolite 5-HIAA or 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios in vmPFC, amygdala and insula, suggesting greater neurotransmitter utilization in males. Moreover, handling treatment induced a significant male-specific upregulation of 5-HT metabolism in all regions except n. accumbens. Given the adaptive role of 5-HT and DAergic neurotransmission in stress and emotion regulation, the intrinsic sex differences we report in the functional status of these systems across conditions, may be highly relevant to the differential vulnerability to disorders of stress and emotion regulation.     

Conditioned place aversion organized in the dorsal periaqueductal gray recruits the laterodorsal nucleus of the thalamus and the basolateral amygdala

The amygdala-ventral periaqueductal gray circuit is crucial for the expression of contextual conditioned fear. However, little is known about the neural circuits activated when the stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) is used as unconditioned stimulus (US) in conditioned fear paradigms. The present paper examines the Fos-protein distribution in the brain of rats submitted to a conditioned place aversion (CPA) paradigm using the dPAG chemical stimulation with semicarbazide (SMC), an inhibitor of the GABA synthesizing enzyme, as US and the quadrant of an arena where the drug was injected as the paired neutral stimulus. Our results show that CPA associated with SMC injections caused a significant Fos labeling in the laterodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (LD), basolateral nucleus of amygdala (BLA) and in the dorsomedial PAG (dmPAG). This pattern of brain activation is clearly different from the neural substrates of the classical fear conditioning reported in the literature. Moreover, this paper shows that CPA with the use of chemical stimulation of the dPAG could be used as an experimental model of panic disorder with agoraphobia in the extent that panic attacks repeatedly associated with specific contexts may turn in this condition in the clinics. This condition activates the BLA probably through the LD. Besides, it indicates that the dPAG can be the link between amygdala and the brainstem motor regions that controls CPA when dPAG stimulation is used as US instead of footshocks. From this evidence we suggest that a loop dPAG-LD-BLA-dPAG is activated during the panic disorder with agoraphobia.     

Expression and colocalization of NADPH-diaphorase and Fos in the subnuclei of the parabrachial nucleus in rats following visceral noxious stimulation

To investigate whether neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the parabrachial nucleus (PB) is involved in processing visceral noxious stimulation, we mapped the distribution of histochemical staining for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d), a marker for nNOS, and immunohistochemical staining for Fos, a neuronal activity marker, in the subnuclei of the PB following 2% formalin injection into the stomach of rats. NADPH-d and noxious-stimuli induced Fos staining were also examined in tissue containing PB cells labeled by the retrograde transport of fluogold (FG) injected into the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). We found that the number of Fos immunoreactive (Fos-IR) neurons was significantly increased in the dorsal lateral (dl), external lateral (el) and K?lliker-Fuse (KF) subnuclei of the PB. We observed that intensely labeled (type 1) NADPH-d positive neurons were mainly located in the rostral part of the PB; they extended long processes adjacent Fos-IR neurons, but no Fos/type 1 NADPH-d double-labeled neurons were seen. In contrast, lightly labeled (type 2) NADPH-d positive neurons were principally localized in the dl of the PB, in which a few Fos/type 2 NADPH-d double-labeled neurons were detected. Additionally, a large number of FG/Fos double-labeled neurons were observed to be surrounded closely by the intensive NADPH-d staining in the el of the PB. These results suggest that neurons in the el of the PB that project to the CeA are activated by visceral noxious stimulation and could be indirectly influenced by nitric oxide in the PB.