去卵巢对大鼠海马神经元线粒体超微结构的影响

目的:观察去卵巢(OVX)后不同时相点上大鼠海马CA1区锥体细胞线粒体超微结构的变化。方法:雌性SD大鼠分为:正常对照组、OVX-6 d组、OVX-9 d组、OVX-12 d组和OVX-15 d组,正常对照组未给予任何处理即处死,其余4组分别于术后第6、9、12、15天处死进行电镜观察并做体视学分析。结果:随着去卵巢后天数的延长,线粒体变性逐渐明显,OVX-12 d组线粒体的体积密度(Vv)、平均表面积(S)、粒子分散度(Cλz)和比表面(δ)与其他组相比,差异显著或非常显著,但OVX-15 d组有所减轻。另外,各组的数密度(Nv)相比差别均无统计学意义。结论:大鼠去卵巢后海马CA1区神经元线粒体第12天变性最明显,提示线粒体变性可能导致女性更年期后神经元退变或与阿尔茨海默病发病有关。     

植物雌激素对去卵巢大鼠海马神经元线粒体超微结构的保护作用

采用去卵巢(OVX)SD大鼠模拟女性绝经后神经元的退变来观察雌激素、植物雌激素对海马神经元线粒体的保护作用。雌性SD大鼠分为5组:(1)正常对照组;(2)去卵巢对照组;(3)雌激素治疗组;(4)金雀异黄酮治疗组;(5)依普拉芬治疗组,并于术后12d取材进行超微结构观察和体视学定量分析。结果显示:(1)去卵巢后海马神经元的线粒体肿胀明显,嵴断裂明显,空泡化显著;3个治疗组细胞和线粒体相对于去卵巢对照组均有明显改善;(2)与去卵巢对照组相比较,3个治疗组线粒体的体积密度(Vv)、平均直径(D)、平均表面积(S)明显减小(P<0.05);3个治疗组的比表面(δ)、数密度(Nv)和粒子分散度(Cλz)较去卵巢对照组明显增大(P<0.05)。以上结果表明:雌激素和植物雌激素对去卵巢后大鼠的海马神经元线粒体具有保护作用。本研究结果为雌激素和植物雌激素以线粒体为靶点防治女性更年期后神经元的退变及老年性痴呆可能的作用机制提供了一定的形态学资料。     

摘除松果体对大鼠学习记忆及基底前脑胆碱能系统的影响

目的　探讨松果体功能减退对大鼠学习记忆及基底前脑胆碱能系统的影响。方法　选用 3月龄SD大鼠 2 4只 ,随机分为对照组、去松果体组和褪黑素 (MT)组。手术摘除松果体。饲养 1个月后用Morris水迷宫测试学习记忆功能 ,同时用组织化学和免疫组化方法测定海马、前额叶皮质AchE纤维和内侧隔核、斜角带核的ChAT神经元的数量。结果　与对照组比较 ,去松果体组逃避潜伏期明显增加 ,海马、前额叶皮质AchE纤维数量明显减少 ,但内侧隔核、斜角带核的ChAT神经元数量变化不明显。结论　大鼠去松果体可引起大鼠学习记忆能力减弱 ,这可能与基底前脑胆碱能神经元的功能下降有关     

去卵巢后大鼠基底前脑NOS阳性神经元的变化及雌激素的作用

目的　研究基底前脑NOS阳性神经元在大鼠去卵巢之后的时程变化 ,为雌激素类药物替代防治绝经后老年性痴呆提供理论依据。方法　将 6 9只 3月龄雌性大鼠随机分为假手术组、去卵巢对照组及雌激素替代治疗组 ,各 2 3只 ,分别在术后 3d、1周、2周、4周、8周处死 ,脑切片用NADPH d组化方法染色 ,观察并和计数基底前脑各区NOS阳性神经元 ,并进行统计分析。结果　各组大鼠基底前脑各区NOS阳性神经元数目在去卵巢后先上升 ,2周时达到高峰 ,以后假手术组及雌激素替代组NOS阳性神经元数目逐渐下降 ,8周时达正常水平。去卵巢对照组斜角带核水平支及垂直支NOS阳性神经元数目却保持较高水平 ,在 8周时与假手术组及雌激素替代治疗组之间差异有显著性 (P <0 0 1)。结论　去卵巢后基底前脑NOS阳性神经元表达增加 ,而雌激素替代治疗对其有保护作用。     

雌激素对SAMP8小鼠学习记忆及海马CA1区神经元的影响

目的 观察雌激素对SAMP8鼠学习记忆及海马神经元的影响. 方法 将6月龄SAMP8鼠45只分为假手术组(sham组)、去卵巢组(OVX组)和去卵巢+雌激素组(OVX+E组)3组,并用同龄正常老化SAMR1小鼠作为同源对照组.采用Morris水迷宫实验检测小鼠学习记忆能力,苏木素-伊红染色和免疫组织化学显示海马CA1区神经元及神经型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)阳性神经元的变化,流式细胞术检测其nNOS的表达量. 结果 OVX组与sham组相比,逃避潜伏期明显延长(P<0.05),跨越平台次数显著减少(P<0.05).雌激素补充治疗能改善学习记忆能力,与sham组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);OVX组海马CA1区神经元病变严重,且CA1区nNOS阳性神经元的数量、吸光度和海马nNOS荧光指数(FI)值均低于sham组(P<0.05);给予雌激素后,OVX+E组各项实验结果与OVX组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),与sham组相比,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05). 结论 雌激素能够改善小鼠的学习记忆能力,有效保护海马CA1区的神经元,提高海马CA1区nNOS阳性神经元的表达.     

成年大鼠基底前脑nestin阳性神经元的性别差异

为了探讨成年雌雄大鼠基底前脑nestin阳性神经元的性别差异及其意义,本实验应用免疫组织化学方法对正常成年雌雄SD大鼠及去势2周和4周的雌雄SD大鼠基底前脑的内侧隔核(MS)、斜角带垂直支(vDB)及斜角带水平支(hDB)的nestin阳性神经元的变化进行了比较研究。结果显示正常雌雄大鼠MS、vDB及hDB的nestin阳性神经元数十分接近(P>0.05);而去睾丸2周大鼠组MS、vDB、hDB的nestin阳性神经元数则明显高于去卵巢2周大鼠组(P<0.05,P<0.01);去睾丸4周大鼠组vDB、hDB的nestin阳性神经元数依然明显高于去卵巢4周大鼠组(P<0.05),但两组MS间的nestin阳性神经元数差别不大(P>0.05);各组大鼠的nestin阳性神经元的胞体和树突均相似。以上结果表明,正常成年雌雄大鼠基底前脑的nestin阳性神经元数不存在性别差异,无论去势与否,nestin阳性神经元的形态始终不存在性别差异;而去势后nestin阳性神经元数却存在着明显的性别差异。提示基底前脑nestin阳性神经元的性别差异不仅与雌激素和雄激素在雌雄个体中所发挥的不同作用密切相关,而且还可能是促使学习记忆出现性别差异的形态学基础。     

植物雌激素对去卵巢大鼠基底前脑胆碱能神经元的影响

目的：观察植物雌激素对去卵巢大鼠基底前脑胆碱能神经元表达的影响，探讨植物雌激素在中枢神经系统的保护作用及机制。方法：采用乙酰胆碱转移酶(ChAT)免疫组织化学ABC法，观察去卵巢大鼠5w后各组基底前脑内侧隔核(MS)，斜角带垂直支(VDB)胆碱能神经元的数目。结果：与去卵巢对照组相比，植物雌激素用药组、雌激素用药组的内侧隔核，斜角带垂直支胆碱能神经元数目明显升高(P＜0．05)，与假手术组差别不明显。结论：本研究提示植物雌激素能明显增加去卵巢大鼠基底前脑胆碱能神经元的表达，从而对中枢神经系统退行性病变起保护作用，并有望预防和治疗老年性痴呆。     

金雀异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠脑抗氧化作用的影响

目的研究金雀异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠大脑抗氧化作用的影响,为使用植物雌激素防治女性更年期后老年性痴呆提供依据。方法40只3月龄雌性SD大鼠,随机分为假手术组、去卵巢对照组、金雀异黄酮组和苯甲酸雌二醇组,给予相应手术和治疗。术后6周分析大鼠额叶、颞叶、海马和基底前脑的SOD和MDA值。结果假手术组颞叶和海马的SOD值低于基底前脑(P<0.05);额叶和颞叶的MDA值高于海马和基底前脑(P<0.05);去卵巢对照组基底前脑的SOD值显著低于假手术组、金雀异黄酮组和苯甲酸雌二醇组(P<0.05),MDA值显著高于假手术组、金雀异黄酮组和苯甲酸雌二醇组(P<0.05);假手术组、金雀异黄酮组及苯甲酸雌二醇组之间SOD值和MDA值差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论去卵巢对照组大鼠基底前脑抗氧化能力显著降低,氧化损伤程度显著升高,金雀异黄酮替代治疗可增加去卵巢大鼠基底前脑的抗氧化能力,降低基底前脑的氧化损伤,可用于女性更年期后老年性痴呆的防治。     

单侧磨牙缺失对老年学习记忆减退大鼠基底前脑胆碱能系统的影响

目的:探讨单侧缺牙对不同学习记忆能力老年大鼠基底前脑胆碱能系统的影响。方法:用Morris水迷宫筛选出老年记忆减退鼠和老年记忆正常鼠,拔除单侧磨牙后2个月,用免疫组化和组织化学染色观察对其斜角带核垂直支胆碱能神经元和海马CA1区、前额皮质胆碱能纤维密度的影响。结果:斜角带核垂直支ChAT阳性细胞数和海马CA1区、前额皮质AChE阳性纤维密度在老年记忆减退鼠中,拔牙组较对照组(未拔牙)明显下降;海马CA1区AChE阳性纤维密度在老年记忆正常鼠中,拔牙组较对照组明显下降。结论:单侧磨牙缺失可加速老年学习记忆减退鼠基底前脑胆碱能系统的损害。     

康复新对去卵巢大鼠学习记忆能力和基底前脑胆碱能神经元的影响

目的 探讨康复新对去卵巢大鼠的学习记忆能力的影响及其可能机制.方法 3月龄健康雌性SD大鼠36只,随机分成4组,即假手术组、去卵巢对照组、康复新低剂量组和康复新高剂量组,分别进行干预.8周后用Y迷宫检测大鼠的空间学习记忆能力,用免疫组化染色检测大鼠基底前脑不同区域胆碱能神经元的数目.结果 康复新高剂量组大鼠"学会"所需总训练次数、训练错误次数及记忆检测时错误反应次数与去卵巢对照组比较明显减少(P＜0.05),与假手术组相比差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);康复新液高、低剂量组大鼠基底前脑内侧隔核(MS)、斜角带核垂直支(vDB)和水平支(hDB)的ChAT阳性神经元数量增多;高剂量组基底前脑各区的ChAT阳性神经元数明显高于去卵巢对照组(P＜0.05),与假手术组相比差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);而且康复新高剂量组大鼠vDB和hDB的ChAT阳性神经元数明显高于康复新低剂量组(P＜0.05).结论 康复新液可显著改善去卵巢大鼠学习记忆能力,其作用可能是通过增加基底前脑胆碱能神经元的功能实现的;康复新液有望成为防治雌激素撤退引起的神经功能障碍的药物.     

Selective neuronal death after transient forebrain ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil: a silver impregnation study

An important feature of ischemic brain damage is the exceptional vulnerability of specific neuronal populations and the relative resistance of others. Silver impregnation was used to delineate the extent and time-course of neuronal degeneration produced by 5 min of complete forebrain ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil. Lesions were confined to four brain regions: (1) hippocampal areas CA1, CA2-CA3a and CA4; (2) the dorsomedial portion of the lateral septal nucleus; (3) the dorsolateral portion of the striatum; and (4) the somatosensory neocortex. The ischemic lesion evolved with time in all four regions, but at different rates. Somatic argyrophilia developed rapidly in the striatum and hippocampal area CA4 (maximal in 24 h or less), at intermediate rates in the somatosensory neocortex, hippocampal areas CA1a and CA2-CA3a and the lateral septal nucleus (maximal in 2 days), and slowly in hippocampal area CA1b (maximal in 3 days). These results emphasize that the extent and rate of neuronal degeneration can vary even within a presumably homogeneous neuronal population, as evidenced by the different results in areas CA1a and CA1b. Similar results were obtained from analysis of brain sections stained with Cresyl Violet, hematoxylin-eosin or hematoxylin-eosin/Luxol Fast Blue. Terminal-like silver granules were observed in the projection fields of degenerated neurons. They also appeared, however, in the perforant path terminal zone of the hippocampal dentate molecular layer 1-2 days after transient ischemia and in stratum oriens and stratum radiatum of area CA1b prior to somatic degeneration. These granular deposits could not be clearly related to the degeneration of neuronal somata. Novel findings of this study include the degeneration of some dentate basket cells and lateral septal neurons and the appearance of terminal-like argyrophilia in the hippocampal formation without any obvious relation to somatic degeneration. Some of our results lend support to the hypothesis that ischemic neuronal cell death constitutes an excitotoxic process. Other results, however, suggest that the selective vulnerability of neurons to transient ischemia must involve factors beyond excitotoxicity.     

Genistein对去卵巢大鼠基底前脑胆碱能神经元影响的体内研究

本文旨在研究染料木素(genistein)对去卵巢大鼠基底前脑胆碱能神经元的影响。雌性大鼠双侧卵巢切除2周后用genistein和雌激素替代治疗1周。称子宫重量以确定手术是否成功及雌二醇(E2)的治疗是否有效。用免疫组化染色、RT-PCR和Westernblot等方法对胆碱能神经元数量、ChAT基因和蛋白的表达量进行检测。结果显示:去卵巢3周后子宫变轻,雌激素替代治疗能增加去卵巢子宫的重量,而genistein替代治疗对去卵巢子宫的重量影响不明显;去卵巢3周后,内侧隔核(MS)和斜角带垂直臂核(VDB)内的胆碱能神经元数量、ChAT基因和蛋白的表达量均明显减少,雌激素和genistein替代治疗后能显著增加去卵巢大鼠MS和VDB内的胆碱能神经元数量、ChAT基因和蛋白的表达量。本研究结果提示:genistein对去卵巢大鼠基底前脑胆碱能神经元具有类似雌激素样神经保护作用,而对子宫影响不明显。     

An immunohistochemical study of somatostatin and neurotensin positive neurons in the septal nuclei of the rat brain

Summary Antibodies to the neuropeptides somatostatin (SOM) and neurotensin were used to study the distribution of the two peptides within the septum of the rat brain. In colchicine treated rats, numerous somatostatin-positive cell bodies were found in the dorsal and ventral subdivisions of the alteral septum, along the border of the nucleus accumbens, in the ventral tip of the horizontal limb of the diagonal band of Broca as well as in the anterior hippocampal rudiment, infralimbic area and several other structures of the basal forebrain (e.g., nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle and substantia innominata). Cell bodies containing immunoreactivity for neurotensin were situated in the intermediate and ventral subdivisions of the lateral septum, the medial septal nucleus, the diagonal band of Broca, the rostro-medial continuation of the substantia innominata and the olfactory tubercle.In untreated rats, somatostatin positive processes formed terminal plexuses in the medial septal nucleus and along an area close to the ventricular wall of the lateral ceptal nucleus. Other septal nuclei, such as the diagonal band of Broca contained a sparse innervation by somatostatin positive fibers. In contrast, the nucleus accumbens olfactory tubercle, and the substantia innominata contained a rich innervation by somatostatin positive axons and terminals. Within these structures the density of SOM positive processes show great variations with patches of densely packed terminals separated by areas of sparser or no innervation. The neurotensin positive terminals were situated predominantly within the intermediate part of the lateral septum and the medial septal nucleus. Both of these regions contained numerous pericellular baskets of neurotensin positive terminals around septal neurons. In addition to the septal innervation, several of the basal forebrain structures were rich in neurotensin positive processes with the densest innervation found in the nucleus accumbens and substantia innominata. Like the SOM-immunoreactivity distinct islands of dense neurotensin innervation separated by less or no innervation occur throughout the basal forebrain. Taken together, these findings suggest that somatostatin and neurotensin occur in separate neuronal populations and that each may influence important physiological functions within the individual septal nuclei.     

Septal GABAergic neurons are selectively vulnerable to pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus and chronic spontaneous seizures

The septal region of the basal forebrain plays a critical role modulating hippocampal excitability and functional states. Septal circuits may also play a role in controlling abnormal hippocampal hyperexcitability in epilepsy. Both lateral and medial septal neurons are targets of hippocampal axons. Since the hippocampus is an important epileptogenic area in temporal lobe epilepsy, we hypothesize that excessive excitatory output will promote sustained neurodegeneration of septal region neurons. Pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) was chosen as a model to generate chronic epileptic animals. To determine whether septal neuronal populations are affected by hippocampal seizures, immunohistochemical assays were performed in brain sections obtained from age-matched control, latent period (7 days post-SE) and chronically epileptic (more than one month post-SE survival) rats. An anti-NeuN (neuronal nuclei) antibody was used to study total neuronal numbers. Anti-ChAT (choline acetyltransferase), anti-GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase) isoenzymes (65 and 67), and anti-glutamate antibodies were used to reveal cholinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons, respectively. Our results revealed a significant atrophy of medial and lateral septal areas in all chronically epileptic rats. Overall neuronal density in the septum (medial and lateral septum), assessed by NeuN immunoreactivity, was significantly reduced by approximately 40% in chronically epileptic rats. The lessening of neuronal numbers in both regions was mainly due to the loss of GABAergic neurons (80-97% reduction in medial and lateral septum). In contrast, populations of cholinergic and glutamatergic neurons were spared. Overall, these data indicate that septal GABAergic neurons are selectively vulnerable to hippocampal hyperexcitability, and suggest that the processing of information in septohippocampal networks may be altered in chronic epilepsy.     

Direct projections from Ammon's horn to the septum in the cat

Summary Direct projections from Ammon's horn to the septum were studied in the cat by the anterograde tracing method after injecting WGA-HRP (wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate) into Ammon's horn. The results were further confirmed by the retrograde WGA-HRP method after injecting WGA-HRP into the septum. Pyramidal neurons in fields CA1, CA2 and CA3 were observed to send their axons ipsilaterally to the lateral septal nucleus; the septal parts of the hippocampus sent projection fibers to the dorsomedial portions of the lateral septal nucleus via the medial aspects of the subcallosal fornix, while the hippocampal regions successively more proximal to the temporal pole sent projection fibers to progressively more ventrolateral portions of the lateral septal nucleus via more lateral aspects of the subcallosal fornix. It was also found that the septal parts of fields CA1, CA2 and CA3 sent projection fibers bilaterally to the dorsomedial aspects of the lateral septal nucleus. Field CA4 appeared to send projection fibers only sparsely, if at all, to the medial septal nucleus. The rudimentary parts of the hippocampal formation, taenia tecta and indusium griseum, were found to have reciprocal ipsilateral connections with the dorsal portions of the lateral septal nucleus.     

Cholinergic neurons expressing neuromedin K receptor (NK3) in the basal forebrain of the rat: a double immunofluorescence study

By using a double immunofluorescence method we have examined the distribution of cholinergic neurons expressing neuromedin K receptor (NK3) in the rat brain and spinal cord. The distribution of neuromedin K receptor-like immunoreactive neurons completely overlapped with that of choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons in certain regions of the basal forebrain, e.g. the medial septal nucleus, nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca, magnocellular preoptic nucleus and substantia innominata. Partially overlapping distributions of neuromedin K receptor-like immunoreactive and choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons were found in the basal nucleus of Meynert, globus pallidus, ventral pallidum of the forebrain, tegmental nuclei of the pons and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Neurons showing both neuromedin K receptor-like and choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivities, however, were found predominantly in the medial septal nucleus, nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca and magnocellular preoptic nucleus of the basal forebrain: 66-80% of these choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons displayed neuromedin K receptor-like immunoreactivity. Neurons showing both neuromedin K receptor-like and choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivities were hardly detected in other aforementioned regions of the forebrain, brainstem and spinal cord. The present study has provided morphological evidence for direct physiological modulation or regulation of cholinergic neurons by tachykinins through the neuromedin K receptor in the basal forebrain of rats.     

Tualang honey supplement improves memory performance and hippocampal morphology in stressed ovariectomized rats

Recently, our research team has reported that Tualang honey was able to improve immediate memory in postmenopausal women comparable with that of estrogen progestin therapy. Therefore the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of Tualang honey supplement on hippocampal morphology and memory performance in ovariectomized (OVX) rats exposed to social instability stress. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: (i) sham-operated controls, (ii) stressed sham-operated controls, (iii) OVX rats, (iv) stressed OVX rats, (v) stressed OVX rats treated with 17β-estradiol (E2), and (vi) stressed OVX rats treated with Tualang honey. These rats were subjected to social instability stress procedure followed by novel object recognition (NOR) test. Right brain hemispheres were subjected to Nissl staining. The number and arrangement of pyramidal neurons in regions of CA1, CA2, CA3 and the dentate gyrus (DG) were recorded. Two-way ANOVA analyses showed significant interactions between stress and OVX in both STM and LTM test as well as number of Nissl-positive cells in all hippocampal regions. Both E2 and Tualang honey treatments improved both short-term and long-term memory and enhanced the neuronal proliferation of hippocampal CA2, CA3 and DG regions compared to that of untreated stressed OVX rats.