Role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the regulation of kainic acid-induced hippocampal cell death in mice

Kainic acid (KA) is a well-known excitatory, neurotoxic substance. In mice, morphological damage of hippocampus induced by KA administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) was markedly concentrated on the CA3 pyramidal neurons. In the present study, the possible role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchRs) in hippocampal cell death induced by KA (0.1 microg) administered i.c.v. was examined. Methyllycaconitine (MC; nAchRs antagonist, 20 microg) attenuated KA-induced CA3 pyramidal cell death. KA increased immunoreactivities (IRs) of phorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK; at 30 min), p-CaMK II (at 30 min), c-Fos (at 2 h), c-Jun (at 2 h), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP at 1 day), and the complement receptor type 3 (OX-42; at 1 day) in hippocampal area. MC attenuated selectively KA-induced p-CaMK II, GFAP and OX-42 IR in the hippocampal CA3 region. Our results suggest that p-CaMK II may play as an important regulator responsible for the hippocampal cell death induced by KA administered i.c.v. in mice. Reactive astrocytes, which was meant by GFAP IR, and activated microglia, which was meant by OX-42 IR, may be a good indicator for measuring the cell death in hippocampal regions by KA-induced excitotoxicity. Furthermore, it is implicated that niconitic receptors appear to be involved in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal cell death induced by KA administered i.c.v. in mice.     

红藻氨酸致痫后大鼠海马ERK、P38 MAPK和JNK的活性变化

目的研究红藻氨酸(KA)诱导大鼠癫痫发作后海马组织细胞外调节蛋白激酶(ERK)、p38MAPK和c-jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)的活性(磷酸化状态)的变化情况。方法立体定向大鼠侧脑室内注射KA引起大鼠癫痫发作,采用Western-blot方法观察KA致痫后大鼠海马中活性ERK、p38MAPK和JNK的变化。结果KA诱导大鼠癫痫发作后,海马组织ERK、p38MAPK和JNK的磷酸化水平开始增高,分别于30min、1h和30min后达高峰,呈对照组的4.76倍、2.16倍和3.95倍,两组比较差异具有显著性(P<0.01),之后逐渐下降。结论KA致痫大鼠癫痫发作后,海马组织MAPKs的活性产生变化,其信号通路可能参与癫痫发作后海马组织的病理生理反应过程。     

Noggin参与海人酸损伤后成年大鼠海马颗粒下区颗粒细胞增殖

目的 探讨侧脑室注射海人酸(KA)致大鼠海马损伤后Noggin的表达变化及其与颗粒细胞增殖的关系.方法 健康雄性SD大鼠32只采用随机数字表法分为实验组(16只)及对照组(16只).对照组又分为生理盐水对照组和空白对照组,各8只.实验组大鼠侧脑室注射KA,生理盐水对照组注射等剂量生理盐水.空白对照组不作处理.侧脑室注射KA 1周内,尼氏染色检测海马神经元的丢失.免疫荧光染色与原位杂交的方法检测海马齿状回BrdU标记细胞与Noggin mRNA阳性细胞的变化.结果 在侧脑室注射KA致海马损伤后1周,海马CA3、CA4区神经元丢失明显.与生理盐水对照组比较,实验组海马齿状回BrdU阳性细胞升高,差异有统计学意义(P=0.006),其中注射侧较对侧更为明显.海马Noggin mRNA阳性细胞在第3天时升高,第7天时下降.结论 侧脑室注射KA致海马损伤后.成年大鼠海马齿状回颗粒细胞异常增殖可能与Noggin表达波动有关.     

Adiponectin protects hippocampal neurons against kainic acid-induced excitotoxicity

Neuronal damage after seizure is correlated with blood–brain barrier (BBB) leakage. Adiponectin (Ad) has shown protective effects on endothelial function. In this study, we investigated the effects of Ad on cell survival and BBB integrity in the mouse hippocampus after kainic acid (KA) treatment. Twenty-four hours after intracerebroventricular injection of recombinant Ad, mice were treated with KA, and then sacrificed 48 h later. Decreased serum Ad and increased hippocampal Ad receptor 1 in the hippocampus of KA-treated mice were prevented by Ad pretreatment. Using cresyl violet staining, TUNEL analysis, and immunostaining for caspase-3, histological evaluation revealed that the marked cell death noted in the hippocampus of KA-treated mice was not observed in KA-treated mice pretreated with Ad. Impairment of the BBB, which was demonstrated by the presence of IgG, was inhibited by Ad pretreatment. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that KA caused up-regulation of hippocampal VEGF, eNOS, and NF-κB levels, all of which were reduced in animals that received Ad pretreatment. These data indicate that Ad preserves the integrity of the BBB and has neuroprotective effects in an animal model of seizures.     

Nicotine protects against the dexamethasone potentiation of kainic acid-induced neurotoxicity in cultured hippocampal neurons

To elucidate the neuroprotective effect of nicotine, we investigated whether nicotine may attenuate dexamethasone potentiation of kainic acid-induced neurotoxicity. Primary hippocampal culture was pre-treated with nicotin for 24 h followed by dexamethasone (10⁻⁴ M) for 24 h. Then, cultures were exposed with kainic acid (10⁻⁴ M) and cellular viability was determined by LDH effluxmetry. Nicotine pre-treatment (10⁻⁹−10⁻⁷ M) dose-dependently attenuated dexamethasone potentiation of kainic acid-induced neurotoxicity. These results may support the epidemiological data suggesting a neuroprotective effect of cigarette smoking on Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.     

依达拉奉对海人酸致颞叶癫痫大鼠海马神经元的保护作用

目的本实验观察依达拉奉对海人酸致痫大鼠海马神经元损伤的保护作用。方法选用成年健康雄性Wistar大鼠18只,体重260±20g。实验动物随机分为3组,①sham组(n=6):右侧海马CA3区注入等量的生理盐水;②KA模型组(n=6):右侧海马CA3区注入KA 4μg.kg-1(4μg/μl);③依达拉奉组(n=6):右侧海马CA3区注入KA 4μg.kg-1(4μg/μl)后,即刻给予依达拉奉10mg.kg-1.d-1腹腔注射。于大鼠注药或假手术后立即观察各组大鼠的行为学表现,于7d断头取脑,石蜡切片进行硫堇染色,于光学显微镜下观察注药对侧(左侧)海马CA1、CA3区及CA4门区组织形态学特征,并对其进行组织学分级。结果 Sham组大鼠注射对侧海马CA1、CA3和CA4门区无明显组织损伤,组织学分级多为0～1级,ND值为198±20.62和212±30.14;模型组KA致痫大鼠可见明显的组织损伤,组织学分级多为2～3级,ND值为79±13.72和90±14.98,与sham组相比,组织学分级显著升高(p<0.05),ND值显著降低(p<0.01)。依达拉奉组大鼠海马CA1区可见少量、散在性神经元坏死,组织学分级多1～2级,ND值为101±16.85和135±12.17。与模型组相比,组织学分级降低(p<0.05),ND值显著升高(p<0.05)。结论依达拉奉能够减轻KA致痫大鼠海马神经元的损伤,对神经元具有保护作用。     

Effect of temperature on kainic acid-induced seizures

The effects of body temperature on kainic acid-induced seizures and seizure-related brain damage were examined in rats. In rats with status epilepticus induced by intraperitoneal injection of 12 mg/kg of kainic acid (KA), ictal discharges were decreased by 50% when body temperature was lowered to 28°C and nearly abolished when body temperature was lowered to 23°C. In rats with mild hypothermia (28°C), the duration of ictal discharges following KA injection was significantly lower than in rats with normal body temperature. No detectable hippocampal cell loss was observed in rats with hypothermia to 28°C whereas gross cell loss in the hippocampus was observed in all rats with KA injection at normal body temperature. In contract to hypothermia, hyperthermia markedly aggravated the seizures and hippocampal damage induced by KA. Following elevation of body temperature to 42°C KA (12 mg/kg) resulted in severe seizures and all rats died of tonic seizures within 2 h. Furthermore, 6 mg/kg of KA administered to rats with a body temperature of 41–42°C, resulted in up to 4 h of continuous ictal discharges whereas no continuous ictal discharges were observed after the same injections in rats with normal body temperature. Histological examination in rats receiving 6 mg/kg of KA revealed severe cell loss in the hippocampus in rats with hyperthermia but not in rats with normal temperature. These results demonstrate that body temperature plays an important role in the control of epileptic seizures and seizure-related brain damage. These data suggest that hypothermia may be useful in reducing seizures and associated brain damage and that hyperthermia should be avoided in status epilepticus.     

胶质细胞源性神经营养因子在大鼠急性痫性发作中的表达

目的动态观察胶质细胞源性神经营养因子（GDNF）蛋白在红藻氨酸（KA）诱导的大鼠急性痫性发作中的表达水平,探讨GDNF在急性癫痫发作中的作用。方法成年SD大鼠随机分为NS对照组和KA处理组。急性痫性发作经单侧海马内注入KA(0.6μg/0.3μl)诱导。两组大鼠分别在注射后第3、6、24h和第4、7d,采用免疫细胞化学方法检测GDNF蛋白在海马中的表达水平。结果NS组海马GDNF表达极微量,各时间点均在基线水平。KA组在注射后3hGDNF少量增高,6h达高峰,并持续至第4d,均高于各时间点NS组（P<0.05）,至第7d回复正常水平（P>0.05）。双侧GDNF表达在各时间点无显著差异。结论单侧海马内注射KA诱导的大鼠急性痫性发作可导致双侧海马齿状回和门区GDNF蛋白表达增高,GDNF可能参与拮抗KA神经兴奋性毒性作用,对海马齿状回颗粒细胞起保护效应。     

Glucocorticoids potentiate kainic acid-induced seizures and wet dog shakes

Glucocorticoid effects on kainic acid-induced motor seizures and wet dog shakes in rats were investigated by adrenalectomy and dexamethasone treatment. One-day adrenalectomy attenuated kainic acid-induced wet dog shakes and seizure activity. These effects were restored by dexamethasone. Administration of dexamethasone to non-adrenalectomized rats potentiated kainic acid-induced wet dog shakes and severity of seizure activity. These results suggest that glucocorticoids may play an important role in modulating the severity of kainic acid-induced seizures and wet dog shakes.     

Effect of nifedipine and anticonvulsants of kainic acid-induced seizures in mice

The calcium-channel inhibitor nifedipine and several anticonvulsant drugs were evaluated for effects on seizures induced by intracerebroventricular injection of 0.14 μg of kainic acid. These seizures were markedly exacerbated by valproic acid and moderately inhibited by diazepam. Nifedipine decreased the duration of each individual seizure episode, but did not block the development of seizures. It is concluded that nifedipine prevents the maintenance or propagation of kainate-induced seizures.     

Kainic acid-induced dorsal and ventral hippocampal seizures in rats

Despite reports of differing regional seizure susceptibility in the hippocampus, hippocampal initiation of limbic seizures has not been precisely localized. We compared seizures induced by kainic acid microinjection into the left dorsal and ventral hippocampus of rats. Discharges following ventral injections rapidly propagated to the left amygdala and sensorimotor cortex unlike seizures following dorsal injections. The ventral group showed various ictal behaviors including motor manifestations, while dorsally injected rats showed only immobilization.     

IL-18 deficiency aggravates kainic acid-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration in C57BL/6 mice due to an overcompensation by IL-12

The role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in excitotoxic neurodegeneration is largely unknown. To address this issue, we used kainic acid (KA)-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration in IL-18 knockout (KO) mice. One day after KA administration, clinical symptoms and histopathological changes did not differ between IL-18 KO mice and wild-type mice. However, 7 days after KA application the hippocampal neurodegeneration was markedly severe in IL-18 KO mice as demonstrated by increased locomotion and prominent histopathological changes including neuronal cell loss, microglia activation and astrogliosis. Surprisingly, when wild-type mice received recombinant mouse IL-18 (rmIL-18) in advance, after KA treatment both the clinical and pathological signs were dose-dependently aggravated compared to mice without rmIL-18 pre-treatment. To clarify the mechanism behind this, we assessed the expression of the IL-18 associated cytokines IL-12, IL-1beta, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the hippocampus by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. IL-12 and IFN-gamma expression was strongly increased in IL-18 KO mice when compared to wild-type mice 7 days after KA treatment in agreement with increased microglia activation. These results suggest that the role of IL-18 in excitotoxic injury in IL-18 deficient mice may be overcompensated by increased IL-12 secretion.     

Synergistic action of corticosterone on kainic acid-induced electrophysiological alterations in the hippocampus

The present study investigates the effect of overexposure to high doses of the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) on the electrophysiological changes produced in the hippocampus after local microinjection of KA. Extracellular recordings were performed in the CA1 area of mouse hippocampal slices prepared after a 7-day recovery period following KA microinfusion alone or combined with 3 days overexposure to CORT. The results showed that CORT shifts the KA response profile approximately 40-fold, since animals treated with a non-toxic dose of 0.01 μg KA and CORT exhibited epileptic activity and a shift on the paired-pulse response similar to that observed in animals treated with high doses of KA (0.4 μg). This synergistic action of CORT on the electrophysiological changes induced by KA was antagonized by the antiglucocorticoid RU486 whereas the antimineralocorticoid spironolactone was ineffective. These results suggest that CORT may play an important role in modulating the severity of KA-induced seizures in the hippocampal structure probably by GR-receptor mediated action.     

Hippocampal transection attenuates kainic acid-induced amygdalar seizures in rats

Since the dorsal and ventral hippocampus in the rat may act differently from one another in limbic seizures, we studied effects of orthogonal transection between the dorsal and ventral hippocampus upon kainic acid-induced amygdalar seizures. A total of 26 rats were divided into three groups. Ten rats underwent transection using a modified wire knife (transection group); 16 others were untransection group (n=10) and controls (n=6). All the rats then underwent stereotactic implantation of electrodes in the left amygdala (LA), left dorsal hippocampus (LdH), left ventral hippocampus (LvH), and the left sensorimotor cortex (LCx). A stainless steel cannula also was introduced into the LA. Rats except controls later received 1.0 microg of kainic acid (KA) via the cannula. Controls received phosphate buffer solution alone. In the untransection group, multiple spike discharges in the LA immediately propagated concurrently to the LvH and LdH. Propagation involved the LCx to become status epilepticus 1 to 2 h after KA injection. Seizures, characterized by mastication, salivation, facial twitching, forelimb clonus, and sometimes rearing and falling, lasted 1 to 2 days. Microscopic examination revealed severe neuronal cell damage in the LA, LvH, and LdH. In the transection group, multiple spike discharges initiated from the LA and were propagated to LvH, but LdH as well as LCx involvement was slight. Status epilepticus involved only the LA and LvH 1 to 2 h following KA injection. Seizures subsided within 24 h, showing no ictal manifestations except for aggressiveness. Overall, seizures were weak and transient compared with those in controls. Histologically, hippocampal neuronal damage was slight, but damage to amygdalar neurons was similar to that in untransection group. No electroclinical and histological changes were seen in controls. These results indicated that connections between the dorsal and ventral hippocampus are important for full development of KA-induced amygdalar seizures.     

Mitochondrial dysfunction and ultrastructural damage in the hippocampus during kainic acid-induced status epilepticus in the rat

PURPOSE: Prolonged and continuous epileptic seizure (status epilepticus) results in cellular changes that lead to neuronal damage. We investigated whether these cellular changes entail mitochondrial dysfunction and ultrastructural damage in the hippocampus, by using a kainic acid (KA)-induced experimental status epilepticus model. METHODS: In Sprague-Dawley rats maintained under chloral hydrate anesthesia, KA (0.5 nmol) was microinjected unilaterally into the CA3 subfield of the hippocampus to induce seizure-like hippocampal EEG activity. The activity of key mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes in the dentate gyrus (DG), or CA1 or CA3 subfield of the hippocampus was measured 30 or 180 min after application of KA. Ultrastructure of mitochondria in those three hippocampal subfields during KA-induced status epilepticus also was examined with electron microscopy. RESULTS: Microinjection of KA into the CA3 subfield of the hippocampus elicited progressive build-up of seizure-like hippocampal EEG activity. Enzyme assay revealed significant depression of the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cytochrome c reductase (marker for Complexes I+III) in the DG, or CA1 or CA3 subfields 180 min after KA-elicited temporal lobe status epilepticus. Conversely, the activities of succinate cytochrome c reductase (marker for Complexes II+III) and cytochrome c oxidase (marker for Complex IV) remained unaltered. Discernible mitochondrial ultrastructural damage, varying from swelling to disruption of membrane integrity, also was observed in the hippocampus 180 min after hippocampal application of KA. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that dysfunction of Complex I respiratory chain enzyme and mitochondrial ultrastructural damage in the hippocampus are associated with prolonged seizure during experimental temporal lobe status epilepticus.     

Effects of discrete kainic acid-induced hippocampal lesions on spatial and contextual learning and memory in rats

Substantial information is available concerning the influence of global hippocampal lesions on spatial learning and memory, however the contributions of discrete subregions within the hippocampus to these functions is less well understood. The present investigation utilized kainic acid to bilaterally lesion specific areas of the rat hippocampus. These animals were subsequently tested on a spatial orientation task using a circular water maze, and on an associative/contextual task using passive avoidance conditioning. The results indicate that both the dorsal CA1 and the ventral CA3 subregions play important roles in learning. Specifically, CA1 lesions produced a deficit in the acquisition of the water maze task and a significant memory impairment on the passive avoidance task. CA3 lesions also caused learning deficits in the acquisition of the water maze task, and produced even greater impairments in performance on the passive avoidance task. We conclude that CA1 and CA3 hippocampal subregions each play significant roles in the overall integration of information concerning spatial and associative learning.     

小剂量3-NPA对KA致痫大鼠海马神经细胞凋亡和p53蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨小剂量线粒体毒素3-硝基丙酸（3-NPA）预处理对红藻氨酸（KA）致痫大鼠海马神经细胞凋亡和p53蛋白表达的影响.方法大鼠腹腔注射20 mg/kg 3-NPA（4 mg/mL）或生理盐水后24 h制作大鼠癫痫模型及对照模型,7 d后分别用原位末端标记（TUNEL）法、免疫组织化学方法观察小剂量3-NPA预处理对KA致痫大鼠海马CA1区神经细胞凋亡和P53蛋白表达的影响. 结果3-NPA预处理组较对照组CA1区神经细胞凋亡减少,p53蛋白表达减弱. 结论小剂量3-NPA预处理可以对KA致痫大鼠海马神经细胞凋亡和p53蛋白表达有抑制作用,3-NPA预处理可能对KA致痫大鼠海马细胞凋亡具有一定保护作用.     

Long-lasting change in the membrane-associated protein kinase C activity in the hippocampal kindled rat

The effect of hippocampal kindling on protein kinase C (PKC) activity and protein concentration was investigated in rat amygdala/pyriform cortex (AM/PC) and right (contralateral) and left (ipsilateral) hippocampus (HIPP). There was no difference in cytosolic PKC activity between control and kindled groups in any part of the brain. The membrane-associated PKC activity was altered as follows. One week after the last seizure, it was significantly increased in both right (by 26%, P less than 0.05) and left HIPP (by 30%, P less than 0.02). Four weeks after the last seizure, it was significantly increased in the AM/PC (by 14%, P less than 0.02), right HIPP (by 37%, P less than 0.01) and left HIPP (by 24%, P less than 0.05). The protein concentrations in the crude cytosolic extracts prior to elution of PKC through DE-52 columns were significantly increased in the AM/PC (by 11%, P less than 0.05) and right HIPP (by 18%, P less than 0.02) 4 weeks after the last seizure. In the membrane extracts, there was a significant increase by 23% (P less than 0.02) in the left HIPP 1 week after the last seizure. In the fraction co-eluted with PKC, a significant increase in protein concentration of the cytosolic preparation was confirmed in the AM/PC (by 12%, P less than 0.05) as well as in the left HIPP (by 15%, P less than 0.05) 4 and 1 weeks respectively after the last seizure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Increased susceptibility of glutathione peroxidase-1 transgenic mice to kainic acid-related seizure activity and hippocampal neuronal cell death

Glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) has been demonstrated in several in vivo studies to reduce both the risk and severity of oxidatively-induced tissue damage. The seizure-inducing neurotoxin kainic acid (KA) has been suggested to elicit its toxic effects in part via generation of oxidative stress. In this study, we report that expression of elevated levels of murine GSHPx-1 in transgenic mice surprisingly results in increased rather than decreased KA susceptibility including increased seizure activity and neuronal hippocampal damage. Isolated transgenic primary hippocampal culture neurons also display increased susceptibility to KA treatment compared with those from wildtype animals. This could be due to alterations in the redox state of the glutathione system resulting in elevated glutathione disulfide (GSSG) levels which, in turn, may directly activate NMDA receptors or enhanced response of the NMDA receptor.     

Resistance of neurofilaments to degradation, and lack of neuronal death and mossy fiber sprouting after kainic acid-induced status epilepticus in the developing rat hippocampus

Neurofilament (NF) proteins, the major constituent of intermediate filaments in neurons, have an important role in cellular stability and plasticity. We have now studied the short-term (hours) and long-term (up to 1 week) effects of kainic acid (KA)-induced status epilepticus (SE) on the reactivity of NF proteins, and mossy fiber (MF) sprouting and neuronal death up to 4 weeks in 9-day-old rats. In Western blotting, the expression of the phosphorylation-independent epitopes of NF-L, NF-M, and NF-H rapidly but transiently increased after the treatment, whereas the phosphorylated NF-M remained elevated for 7 days. However, the treatment did not change the immunoreactivity of NF proteins, and no neuronal death or mossy fiber sprouting was detected at any time point. Our findings indicate seizure-induced reactivity of NF proteins but their resistance to degradation, which could be of importance in neuronal survival and may also prevent MF sprouting in the developing hippocampus.