Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibition upregulates NMDA-evoked currents in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons

Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in hippocampus play very important roles in the regulation of learning and memory. Here, we showed that dihydroouabain (DHO, 10(-5)-10(-3) M), a Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, significantly potentiated NMDA current in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, which was blocked by PP2 (the selective Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and PD-98059 [the selective inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) cascade]. These findings reported here uncover that Src mediates the cross-talk between Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and NMDA receptor to transduce the signals from Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase to the MAPK cascade and provide new insights into therapeutic target for deeper understanding of the nature of cognitive disorder.     

Effects of calcium channel agonist and antagonists on calcium-dependent events in CA1 hippocampal neurons

The effects of a variety of calcium channel modulators on different calcium-dependent events in CA1 pyramidal hippocampal neurons were analysed using intracellular recordings in an in vitro slice preparation. The following substances were tested: the dihydropyridine calcium agonist BAY K 8644, the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist nimodipine, the phenylalkylamine verapamil and the snail toxin omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CgTx). BAY K 8644 increased the repolarization time of the after hyperpolarization (AHP) following a spike burst. This effect was antagonized by nimodipine. BAY K 8644 also prolonged the calcium spike and, in some cases, increased the size of the synaptic events resulting from activation of the Schaffer collateral/commissural system. Nimodipine decreased the size of the AHP in some neurons but had no consistent effect on synaptic events. Verapamil at low concentrations (1-10 microM) had no significant effects on the calcium-dependent events in the hippocampus. Increasing the concentration (up to 100 microM) led to a progressive suppression of the AHP and of the slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP), probably via an action on potassium conductances. In addition, the baclofen-induced hyperpolarization was blocked by verapamil. Interestingly, at this higher concentration, verapamil could suppress the AHP without depressing the calcium spike. omega-CgTx selectively blocked the synaptic events (especially the IPSPs) but had no effect on non-synaptic events. This last compound exhibits a high degree of selectivity, acting on N-type calcium channels which are involved in neurotransmitter release. Our results provide evidence that different classes of agents which act on calcium channels can be used to discriminate between different calcium-dependent responses in CA1 hippocampal neurons.     

不同浓度利多卡因对大鼠脑海马锥体神经元钠、钙电流的影响

目的:观察不同浓度利多卡因对大鼠海马锥体神经元N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体介导钙电流和钠电流的影响,初步探讨低浓度利多卡因对神经元缺氧保护的电生理基础。方法:实验于2001-06/2002-08在北大医院麻醉生理实验室进行。将已培养12～14d的Wistar大鼠海马神经元按利多卡因浓度(10-5～10-1mol/L)分成5组(n=6),以不含利多卡因组做对照,应用全细胞膜片钳方法,采用无间隙模式,采集记录各组大鼠海马神经元N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸介导钙电流、电压依赖性钠电流的变化及各组静息电位的情况。结果:①同对照组相比,利多卡因浓度为10-3,10-2,10-1mol/L时明显抑制N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸介导钙电流,电流密度依次为5.2±1.9,3.0±0.5,3.3±1.0(P<0.05或0.01),其余浓度对N-甲基天冬氨酸介导钙电流无明显作用。②利多卡因浓度为10-4,10-3mol/L时,电压依赖性钠通道电流密度依次为160.9±19.2,68.2±6.5,同对照组相比明显减少,利多卡因浓度为10-2,10-1mol/L时钠电流被完全抑制(P<0.05或0.01)。结论:利多卡因可浓度依赖性抑制N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸介导钙电流和钠电流,低浓度利多卡因的脑保护作用可能与此有关。     

不同浓度利多卡因对大鼠脑海马锥体神经元钠、钙电流的影响

目的：观察不同浓度利多卡因对大鼠海马锥体神经元N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体介导钙电流和钠电流的影响。初步探讨低浓度利多卡因对神经元缺氧保护的电生理基础。 方法：实验于2001-06／2002-08在北大医院麻醉生理实验室进行。将已培养12-14d的Wistar大鼠海马神经元按利多卡因浓度（10^-5-10^-1mol／L）分成5组（n=6），以不含利多卡因组做对照，应用全细胞膜片钳方法。采用无间隙模式，采集记录各组大鼠海马神经元N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸介导钙电流、电压依赖性钠电流的变化及各组静息电位的情况。 结果：①同对照组相比，利多卡因浓度为10^-3，10^-2，10^-1mol几时明显抑制N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸介导钙电流，电流密度依次为5．2&;#177;1．9，3．0&;#177;0．5，3．3&;#177;1．0（P〈0．05或0．01），其余浓度对N-甲基天冬氨酸介导钙电流无明显作用。②利多卡因浓度为10^-4，10^-3mol／L时，电压依赖性钠通道电流密度依次为160．9&;#177;19．2，68．2&;#177;6．5，同对照组相比明显减少，利多卡因浓度为10^-2，10^-1mol／L时钠电流被完全抑制（P〈0．05或0．01）。 结论：利多卡因可浓度依赖性抑制N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸介导钙电流和钠电流，低浓度利多卡因的脑保护作用可能与此有关。     

急性缺氧对大鼠海马神经元N-甲基-D-天门冬氨酸诱发电流的影响

目的:研究N-甲基-D-天门冬氨酸(N-methyl-D-asparate,NMDA)在大鼠海马神经元上诱发电流的特性以及急性缺氧对大鼠海马神经元NMDA诱发电流(INMDA)的影响。方法:运用常规全细胞膜片钳技术,在原代培养第七八天的大鼠海马神经元上记录INMDA,并建立神经细胞体外急性缺氧模型,由Clampex8.0软件采样系统获得的图形,直接进入Clampfit8.0软件处理数据。结果:①在钳制电压为-60mV时,100μmol/LNMDA可在海马神经元上诱发出一大的内向电流,INMDA的峰值为(-745.461±123.731)pA。I-V曲线显示在钳制电压为正值时INMDA呈外向电流,而钳制电压为负值时则为内向电流。给予NMDA后,海马神经元上即刻诱发出内向电流,随后尽管持续给药20s,但INMDA开始发生衰减。②在钳制电压为-60mV时,海马神经元急性缺氧2min后,细胞外给予100μmol/LNM-DA可诱发一大而增强的INMDA,峰值为(-1670.49±202.09)pA,峰值显著增大(t=12.572,P<0.01),峰值增加率为130%。结论:NMDA诱发的电流呈现明显的内向整流性和失敏特性,急性缺氧能提高海马神经元NMDA通道的兴奋性,NMDA受体参与了兴奋毒性的产生。     

Hyperexcitability of hippocampal CA1 neurons in brain slices of rats chronically administered clonazepam

The neuronal manifestations and mechanisms of sedative-anticonvulsant (benzodiazepine) drug withdrawal have been investigated in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices prepared from rats administered clonazepam for 1 month. Slices from clonazepam-treated rats exhibited epileptiform activity evidenced by multiple extracellular population spikes after orthodromic stimulation. These slices also demonstrated abnormally steep and variable stimulus intensity-population spike curves. Intracellular recordings showed spontaneous bursts and slow paroxysmal depolarizations. To investigate the neuronal activity before and immediately after drug withdrawal, slices from drug-naive and drug-exposed rats were maintained in solution containing the approximate concentration of clonazepam (20 nM) measured in the cerebrospinal fluid of clonazepam-treated rats. Compared to CA1 neurons in hippocampal slices from drug-naive animals, neurons from clonazepam-administered animals showed an increased tendency to fire in a bursting (i.e., epileptiform) pattern when the cell was depolarized by current injection, or by orthodromic or antidromic stimulation. Upon withdrawal of clonazepam from the perfusate, the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic potentials and spiking activity increased in cells from clonazepam-treated animals and was associated with a shortening of the long-lasting postspike train after hyperpolarization. However, no change in the dendritic gamma-aminobutyric acid response was noted. This study indicates that abnormal epileptiform activity can be detected and studied in brain slices from animals chronically treated with clonazepam.     

大鼠海马神经元模拟缺血时谷氨酸诱发电流改变

目的:观察大鼠海马神经元模拟缺血时谷氨酸诱发电流的改变,探讨脑缺血神经元损伤的兴奋毒性机制,为中枢神经损伤的康复提供理论依据。方法:以原代培养的大鼠海马神经元为标本,采用全细胞膜片钳方法观察原代培养大鼠海马神经元模拟缺血时谷氨酸诱发电流改变。结果:当钳制电压为-60mV时,100μmol/L的N-甲基-D-天门冬氨酸(NMDA)、α-氨基-3羟基-5-甲基-4-异恶唑丙酸(AMPA)分别诱发一内向电流(INMDA,IAMPA),模拟缺血处理后的神经元INMDA、IAMPA明显增大。结论:升高的兴奋性氨基酸激活突触后膜的兴奋性氨基酸受体后引起神经细胞损伤。     

沙土鼠短暂性脑缺血后海马CA1区细胞凋亡及亚低温的影响

目的：研究沙土鼠短暂性脑缺血后海马ＣＡ１区细胞凋亡及亚低温的治疗作用。方法：阻断沙土鼠双侧颈总动脉２０分钟造成前脑缺血模型。实验动物被随机分为假手术组、缺血－再灌注组、亚低温治疗组。海马ＣＡ１区的迟发性神经元死亡（ＤＮＤ）过程通过序列光镜观察进行研究,原位末端标记（ＴＵＮＥＬ）法用来检测死凶的ＤＮＡ片断。结果：短暂性脑缺血后,海马ＣＡ１区锥体神经元于再灌注后２～７日死亡。死亡锥体神经元的序列光镜观察没有发现早期的凋亡样改变,ＤＮＡ 断化也发生在ＤＮＤ出现之后。亚低温处理动物再灌注后２～７日,海马ＣＡ１区缺血性神经元死亡较常温处理动物显著减轻,再灌注后３～７日,海马ＣＡ１区ＤＮＡ片断化也显著减少。结论：缺血后的亚低温治疗产生了神经保护作用,而抑制神经元ＤＮＡ片断化的出现可能是其保护机制之一。     

Chronic benzodiazepine administration. III. Upregulation of gamma-aminobutyric acidA receptor binding and function associated with chronic benzodiazepine antagonist administration

Chronic administration of a benzodiazepine agonist appears to downregulate benzodiazepine receptors and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor function. To examine the effects of chronic treatment with a benzodiazepine antagonist, we administered Ro15-1788, 1, 2 and 5 mg/kg/day to mice via implanted s.c. osmotic pumps for 1 to 14 days. Plasma and cortex (CX) concentrations of Ro15-1788 remained constant between days 1 and 7, indicating no change in pharmacokinetics. Open-field activity studies showed no change in distance traveled or ambulatory time at days 1, 2 and 4, but an increase in both parameters at days 7 and 14 in mice receiving Ro15-1788, 2 mg/kg/day. Benzodiazepine receptor binding was unchanged in CX, cerebellum (CB), hypothalamus, hippocampus and ponsmedulla at 1, 2 and 4 days at a dose of 2 mg/kg/day. Binding was increased in CX, CB and hippocampus at day 7 compared to days 1 and 2, and remained elevated at day 14. Similar results were observed at Ro15-1788 doses of 1 and 5 mg/kg/day. Benzodiazepine binding assessed in vitro in CX and CB also was increased at day 7 compared to day 1, due to an increase in receptor number rather than a change in apparent affinity. Binding of t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate to the chloride channel site in CX after Ro15-1788, 2 mg/kg/day, was increased at days 7 and 14 compared to days 1, 2 and 4 and controls due to an increase in number of binding sites. t-Butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding in CB was unchanged throughout.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Chronic benzodiazepine administration. X. Concurrent administration of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine ligand PK11195 attenuates chronic effects of lorazepam.

Chronic administration of benzodiazepine active at the tau-aminobutyric acidA receptor ("central" benzodiazepine sites) is associated with behavioral tolerance and receptor downregulation. Recent reports indicate possible interactions between central sites and benzodiazepines active at "peripheral-type" sites located primarily on non-neuronal cells. To evaluate these interactions during chronic administration, we treated mice with lorazepam for 1 to 14 days alone or in combination with the peripheral-type site ligand PK11195 [N-methyl-N-(methyl-1-propyl)chloro-2-phenyl-1-isoquinoline-3-carboxamid e]. Lorazepam was associated with tolerance at 7 days, but tolerance was not observed during concurrent administration of PK11195. Lorazepam was also associated with benzodiazepine receptor down-regulation in cortex and hippocampus at 7 days. With concurrent administration of PK11195, this effect remained in cortex but was absent in hippocampus. tau-Aminobutyric acid-dependent chloride uptake was reduced in both cortex and hippocampus with lorazepam, but not with concurrent lorazepam and PK11195. PK11195 administration alone did not affect behavior or neurochemical parameters, or did it alter brain lorazepam concentrations. These data indicate that concurrent PK11195 administration attenuates behavioral and neurochemical effects of chronic lorazepam administration.     

Inhibition of high voltage-activated calcium channels by spider toxin PnTx3-6

Animal peptide toxins have become powerful tools to study structure-function relationships and physiological roles of voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels. In the present study, we investigated the effects of PnTx3-6, a neurotoxin purified from the venom of the spider Phoneutria nigriventer on cloned mammalian Ca(2+) channels expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and endogenous Ca(2+) channels in N18 neuroblastoma cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp measurements indicate that PnTx3-6 reversibly inhibited L-(alpha(1C)/Ca(v)1.2), N-(alpha(1B)/Ca(v)2.2), P/Q-(alpha(1A)/Ca(v)2.1), and R-(alpha(1E)/Ca(v)2.3) type channels with varying potency (alpha(1B) > alpha(1E) > alpha(1A) > alpha(1C)) and IC(50) values of 122, 136, 263, and 607 nM, respectively. Inhibition occurred without alteration of the kinetics or the voltage dependence of the exogenously expressed Ca(2+) channels. In N18 cells, PnTx3-6 exhibited highest potency against N-type (conotoxin-GVIA-sensitive) current. In contrast to its effects on high voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels subtypes, application of 1 microM PnTx3-6 did not affect alpha(1G)/Ca(v)3.1 T-type Ca(2+) channels. Based on our study, we suggest that PnTx3-6 acts as a omega-toxin that targets high voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels, with a preference for the Ca(v)2 subfamily (N-, P/Q-, and R-types).     

氟哌利多对大鼠脑缺血海马CA1区锥体细胞持续钠通道电流的影响

背景：脑缺血后离子通道通透性的异常和神经细胞内外离子平衡的紊乱是缺血性脑损伤的重要因素，钠通道激活引起的去极化是脑缺血损伤的始动环节。 目的：采用膜片钳技术测定氟哌利多对脑缺血海马CA1区锥体细胞持续性钠通道电流的影响，分析氟哌利多是否对脑缺血损伤产生保护？ 设计：随机对照动物实验。 单位：上海交通大学附属第六人民医院麻醉科，上海交通大学附属第一人民医院麻醉科。 材料：实验于2002-04／2003-04在上海交通大学附属第一人民医院麻醉实验室完成。选择出生10-14d未断乳的SD大鼠14只，每只鼠各选择2个海马CA1区细胞，共28个细胞，随机分为4组：缺血对照组、氟哌利多3μmol／L组、氟哌利多10μmol／L组、氟哌利多30μmol／L组，7个／组。 方法：酶消化法急性分离全部大鼠脑海马CA1区锥体细胞，通过低氧和无糖法制备神经元缺血模型。选择贴壁良好、呈三角形或星形、胞体较亮，折光性良好、突起明显、胞浆均匀一致、核仁明显的细胞用于实验。采用“Y-tube”系统快速给药，氟哌利多3，10，30μmol／L组各自给予氟哌利多3，10，30μmol／L，缺血对照组不给药。全细胞膜片钳技术记录各组持续钠电流的基础值以及缺血3min和5min时钠通道电流的变化。 主要观察指标：①脑海马CA1区神经元正常持续钠电流的记录。②脑缺血时海马CA1区神经元持续性钠电流的记录。③不同浓度氟哌利多对脑缺血时持续性钠电流的影响。 结果：实验选用14只大鼠脑海马CA1区的28个细胞，全部进入结果分析。①脑海马CA1区神经元正常持续钠电流的记录：使用钙通道阻滞剂CdCl20．5mmol／L及钾通道阻滞剂TEA20mmol／L，在钳制电压-105mV、刺激电压-30mV下给予长为400ms的方波刺激，可记录到一个较小的、激活较晚且持续时间较长的内向电流，经河豚毒素阻断证实为持续性钠电流。②脑缺血时海马CA1区神经元持续性钠电流的记录：缺血对照组缺血3min时持续钠电流增加为正常情况的（1．60&;#177;0．21）倍，缺血5min时持续钠电流增加为正常情况的（2．87&;#177;0．45）倍，差异显著（P〈0．05）。③不同浓度氟哌利多对脑缺血时持续性钠电流的影响：缺血对照组、氟哌利多3，10，30μmol／L组持续钠电流的基础值分别是（77．42&;#177;15．17）pA，（87．44&;#177;21．56）pA，（84．13&;#177;20．06）pA，（80．22&;#177;19.30）pA，组间比较差异无显著性意义。缺血5min后氟哌利多3，10，30μmol／L组持续性钠电流分别为（105．36&;#177;17．16）pA，（94．74&;#177;18．88）pA，（84．88&;#177;13．94）pA，明显低于缺血对照组（21831&;#177;9．34）pA。 结论：在钳制电压-105mV、刺激电压-30mV条件下，脑缺血损伤时持续性钠电流增加，氟哌利多可能通过抑制持续性钠电流的增强而发挥神经元保护作用。。     

Ethanol antagonizes kainate receptor-mediated inhibition of evoked GABA(A) inhibitory postsynaptic currents in the rat hippocampal CA1 region

Many studies have demonstrated that ethanol reduces glutamatergic synaptic transmission primarily by inhibiting the N-methyl-D-aspartate subtype of glutamate receptor. In contrast, the other two subtypes of ionotropic glutamate receptor (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid and kainate) have generally been shown to be insensitive to intoxicating concentrations of ethanol. However, we have previously identified a population of kainate receptors that mediate slow excitatory postsynaptic currents in the rat hippocampal CA3 pyramidal cell region that is potently inhibited by low concentrations of ethanol. In this study, we examined the effect of ethanol on kainate receptor-mediated inhibition of evoked GABA(A) inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in the rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell region. Under our recording conditions, bath application of 1 microM kainate significantly inhibited GABA(A) IPSCs. This inhibition seemed to be mediated by the activation of somatodendritic kainate receptors on GABAergic interneurons and the subsequent activation of metabotropic GABA(B) receptors, because the kainate inhibition was largely blocked by pretreating slices with a GABA(B) receptor antagonist. Ethanol pretreatment significantly antagonized the inhibitory effect of kainate on GABA(A) IPSCs, at concentrations as low as 20 mM. In contrast, ethanol did not block the direct inhibitory effect of a GABA(B) receptor agonist on GABA(A) IPSCs. The results of this study suggest that modest concentrations of ethanol may antagonize presynaptic, as well as postsynaptic, kainate receptor function in the rat hippocampus.     

氟哌利多对大鼠脑缺血海马CA1区锥体细胞持续钠通道电流的影响

背景脑缺血后离子通道通透性的异常和神经细胞内外离子平衡的紊乱是缺血性脑损伤的重要因素,钠通道激活引起的去极化是脑缺血损伤的始动环节.目的采用膜片钳技术测定氟哌利多对脑缺血海马CA1区锥体细胞持续性钠通道电流的影响,分析氟哌利多是否对脑缺血损伤产生保护?设计随机对照动物实验.单位上海交通大学附属第六人民医院麻醉科,上海交通大学附属第一人民医院麻醉科.材料实验于2002-04/2003-04在上海交通大学附属第一人民医院麻醉实验室完成.选择出生10～14 d未断乳的SD大鼠14只,每只鼠各选择2个海马CA1区细胞,共28个细胞,随机分为4组缺血对照组、氟哌利多3 μmol/L组、氟哌利多10 μmol/L组、氟哌利多30μmol/L组,7个/组. 方法酶消化法急性分离全部大鼠脑海马CA1区锥体细胞,通过低氧和无糖法制备神经元缺血模型.选择贴壁良好、呈三角形或星形、胞体较亮,折光性良好、突起明显、胞浆均匀一致、核仁明显的细胞用于实验.采用"Y-tube"系统快速给药,氟哌利多3,10,30 μmol/L组各自给予氟哌利多3,10,30μmol/L,缺血对照组不给药.全细胞膜片钳技术记录各组持续钠电流的基础值以及缺血3 min和5 min时钠通道电流的变化.主要观察指标①脑海马CA1区神经元正常持续钠电流的记录.②脑缺血时海马CA1区神经元持续性钠电流的记录.③不同浓度氟哌利多对脑缺血时持续性钠电流的影响.结果实验选用14只大鼠脑海马CA1区的28个细胞,全部进入结果分析.①脑海马CA1区神经元正常持续钠电流的记录使用钙通道阻滞剂CdCl2 0.5 mmol/L及钾通道阻滞剂TEA 20 mmol/L,在钳制电压-105 mV、刺激电压-30 mV下给予长为400 ms的方波刺激,可记录到一个较小的、激活较晚且持续时间较长的内向电流,经河豚毒素阻断证实为持续性钠电流.②脑缺血时海马CA1区神经元持续性钠电流的记录缺血对照组缺血3 min时持续钠电流增加为正常情况的(1.60±0.21)倍,缺血5 min时持续钠电流增加为正常情况的(2.87±0.45)倍,差异显著(P＜0.05).③不同浓度氟哌利多对脑缺血时持续性钠电流的影响缺血对照组、氟哌利多3,10,30 μmol/L组持续钠电流的基础值分别是(77.42±15.17)pA,(87.44±21.56)pA,(84.13±20.06)pA,(80.22±19.30)pA,组间比较差异无显著性意义.缺血5min后氟哌利多3,10,30μmol/L组持续性钠电流分别为(105.36±17.16)pA,(94.74±18.88)pA,(84.88±13.94)pA,明显低于缺血对照组(218.31±29.34)pA.结论在钳制电压-105mV、刺激电压-30mV条件下,脑缺血损伤时持续性钠电流增加,氟哌利多可能通过抑制持续性钠电流的增强而发挥神经元保护作用.     

Cannabinoid receptors differentially modulate potassium A and D currents in hippocampal neurons in culture.

Cannabinoid (CB(1)) receptor activation produced differential effects on voltage-gated outward potassium currents in whole-cell recordings from cultured (7-15 days) rat hippocampal neurons. Voltage-dependent potassium currents A (I(A)) and D (I(D)) were isolated from a composite tetraethylammonium-insensitive current (I(comp)) by blockade with either 4-aminopyridine (500 microM) or dendrotoxin (2 microM) and subtraction of the residual I(A) from I(comp) to reveal I(D). The time constants of inactivation (tau) of I(A) and I(D) as determined in this manner were found to be quite different. The CB(1) agonist WIN 55,212-2 produced a 15- to 20-mV positive shift in voltage-dependent inactivation of I(A) and a simultaneous voltage-independent reduction in the amplitude of I(D) in the same neurons. The EC(50) value for the effect of WIN 55,212-2 on I(D) amplitude (13.9 nM) was slightly lower than the EC(50) value for its effect on I(A) voltage dependence (20.6 nM). Pretreatment with either the CB(1) antagonist SR141716A or pertussis toxin completely blocked the differential effects of WIN 55,212-2 on I(A) and I(D), whereas cellular dialysis with guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate mimicked the action of cannabinoids but blocked the action of simultaneously administered cannabinoid receptor ligands. Finally, the differential effects of cannabinoids on I(A) and I(D) were both shown to be mediated via the well documented cannabinoid receptor inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and subsequent modulation of cAMP and protein kinase. These actions are considered in terms of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of separate I(A) and I(D) channels and the contribution of each to composite voltage-gated potassium currents in these cells.     

Persistent inflammation alters the density and distribution of voltage-activated calcium channels in subpopulations of rat cutaneous DRG neurons

The impact of persistent inflammation on voltage-activated Ca²⁺ channels in cutaneous DRG neurons from adult rats was assessed with whole cell patch clamp techniques, sqRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Inflammation was induced with a subcutaneous injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). DiI was used to identify DRG neurons innervating the site of inflammation. Three days after CFA injection, high threshold Ca²⁺ current (HVA) density was significantly reduced in small and medium, but not large diameter neurons, reflecting a decrease in N-, L- and P/Q-type currents. This decrease in HVA current was associated with an increase in mRNA encoding the α2δ1-subunit complex, but no detectable change in N-type subunit (Ca_V2.2) mRNA. An increase in both α2δ1 and Ca_V2.2 protein was detected in the central nerves arising from L4 and L5 ganglia ipsilateral to the site of inflammation. In current clamp experiments on small and medium diameter cutaneous DRG neurons from naïve rats, blocking ∼40% of HVA current with Cd²⁺ (5 μM), had opposite effects on subpopulations of cutaneous DRG neurons (increasing excitability and action potential duration in some and decreasing excitability in others). The alterations in the density and distribution of voltage-activated Ca²⁺ channels in subpopulations of cutaneous DRG neurons that develop following CFA injection should contribute to changes in sensory transmission observed in the presence of inflammation.     

大鼠脑海马CA1区神经元诱发放电过程中催产素与阿片受体的参与和调制作用

背景中枢内催产素可作为一种神经递质或调质参与学习记忆、性行为、痛觉调节以及阿片耐受与依赖,海马内催产素能系统与阿片系统具有一定的相互作用.目的探讨侧脑室注射催产素对大鼠脑左背侧海马CA1区神经元诱发放电的影响以及催产素与阿片受体之间可能的相互作用.设计随机对照实验.单位广东医学院生理教研室,武汉大学医学院生理系,武汉大学医学院病理学教研室.材料实验于2002-09/2003-09在武汉大学医学院生理系完成,选用雄性SD大鼠36只.随机分为6组,生理盐水对照组、催产素处理组(0.2,2,20 mg/L)、催产素受体拮抗剂+催产素(2 mg/L)组、纳洛酮+催产素(2 mg/L)组,每组6只.方法脑海马CA1区细胞外记录采用玻璃微电极记录用微电极推进器将电极插入脑海马CA1区.神经元放电经微电极放大器放大后,显示在示波器上进行观察.记录到神经元放电后,经双极不锈钢电极每隔5 min刺激坐骨神经1次,共刺激50min 10次.催产素0.2,2,20mg/L处理组通过侧脑室给药管匀速而缓慢注入催产素0.2,2,20 mg/L 5 μL.催产素受体拮抗剂+催产素(2 mg/L)组侧脑室预先注射80 mg/L催产素受体拮抗剂2.5μL,然后再注射2 mg/L催产素2.5μL.纳洛酮+催产素(2 mg/L)组侧脑室预先注射400 mg/L纳洛酮2.5μL,然后再注射2 mg/L催产素2.5μL.以放电频率变化率为观察指标,检测不同剂量催产素对海马CA1区神经元诱发放电的影响及催产素受体拮抗剂、纳洛酮对催产素的作用.主要观察指标各组大鼠刺激前后脑海马CA1区神经元诱发放电频率的变化率.结果36只大鼠均进入结果分析.①侧脑室分别注射0.2,2,20 mg/L催产素5 μL使海马CA1神经元诱发放电频率明显降低,剂量依赖关系明显.②催产素(2 mg/L)对CA1神经元诱发放电的抑制作用可被侧脑室预先注射催产素受体拮抗剂(80 mg/L,2.5μL)所阻断.③侧脑室注射纳洛酮(400 mg/L,2.5μL)可明显减弱催产素(2 mg/L)的作用.结论催产素通过激活催产素受体可抑制海马CA1神经元对外周传入电信号的反应,中枢内阿片系统也参与催产素的抑制作用,当用纳洛酮阻断阿片受体后,催产素的抑制作用明显减弱.     

Differential GABAB Receptor Modulation of Ethanol Effects on GABA(A) synaptic activity in hippocampal CA1 neurons

We tested the hypothesis that differential sensitivity to ethanol of synaptic GABA(A) somatic and dendritic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons could be due to differences in the extent of GABA(B) receptor activity at GABAergic synapses in these two hippocampal subfields. Our present results show that dendritic (distally evoked) GABA IPSCs contain a larger GABA(B) IPSC component of the total GABA IPSC than the somatic (proximally evoked) subfield. The inhibition of GABA(B) receptors by pretreatment of hippocampal slices with CGP-52432 [3[[(3,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl]amino]propyl](diethoxymethyl) phosphinic acid], a selective GABA(B) receptor antagonist, changes the basal ethanol-insensitive, distally evoked GABA(A) IPSCs to become more sensitive to ethanol. In addition, paired-pulse stimulation of the proximal and distal subfields of hippocampal pyramidal neurons shows that ethanol alone increases the probability of GABA release at proximal but not distal regions. Changes by ethanol on the probability of GABA release are only seen at distal locations during GABA(B) blockade. Finally, when the modulation of presynaptic GABA(B) receptors is minimized by the local application of 10 mM GABA directly onto somatic or dendritic GABAergic synaptic regions, postsynaptic GABA(B) receptors seem to exert significant negative (inhibiting) influence on the effects of ethanol on GABA(A) IPSCs in the distal subfields of CA1 pyramidal neurons. Together, our data suggest that differences in both presynaptic and postsynaptic GABA(B) receptor activity at these GABAergic synapses may modulate the differential ethanol sensitivity of proximal and distal GABA IPSCs(A) in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.     

Protein kinase C-dependent potentiation of intracellular calcium influx by sigma1 receptor agonists in rat hippocampal neurons

Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) plays a major role in neuronal excitability, especially that triggered by the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-sensitive glutamatergic receptor. We have previously shown that sigma1 receptor agonists potentiate NMDA receptor-mediated neuronal activity in the hippocampus and recruit Ca2+-dependent second messenger cascades (e.g., protein kinase C; PKC) in brainstem motor structures. The present study therefore assessed whether the potentiating action of sigma1 agonists on the NMDA response observed in the hippocampus involves the regulation of [Ca2+]i and PKC. For this purpose, [Ca2+]i changes after NMDA receptor activation were monitored in primary cultures of embryonic rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons using microspectrofluorometry of the Ca2+-sensitive indicator Fura-2/acetoxymethyl ester in the presence of sigma1 agonists and PKC inhibitors. We show that successive activations of the sigma1 receptor by 1-min pulses of (+)-benzomorphans or (+)-N-cyclopropylmethyl-N-methyl-1,4-diphenyl-1-ethyl-but-3-en-1-ylamine hydrochloride (JO-1784) concomitantly with glutamate time dependently potentiated before inconstantly inhibiting the NMDA receptor-mediated increase of [Ca2+]i, whereas 1,3-di-o-tolyl-guanidine, a mixed sigma1/sigma2 agonist, did not significantly modify the glutamate response. Both potentiation and inhibition were prevented by the selective sigma1 antagonist N,N-dipropyl-2-[4-methoxy-3-(211phenylethoxy) phenyl]-ethylamine monohydrochloride (NE-100). Furthermore, only (+)-benzomorphans could induce [Ca2+]i influx by themselves after a brief pulse of glutamate. A pretreatment with the conventional PKC inhibitor 12-(2-cyanoethyl)-6,7,12,13-tetrahydro-13-methyl-5-oxo-5H-indolo [2,3-a] pyrrolo [3,4-c] carbazole (G?-6976) prevented the potentiating effect of (+)-benzomorphans on the glutamate response. Our results provide further support for a general mechanism for the intracellular sigma1 receptor to regulate Ca2+-dependent signal transduction and protein phosphorylation.