Two components of long-term depression are impaired by chronic lead exposure in area CA1 and dentate gyrus of rat hippocampus in vitro

Previous studies have demonstrated that low-level lead exposure can impair the induction of long-term depression (LTD) in area CA1 and dentate gyrus (DG) of rat hippocampus in vitro and in vivo. The induction of LTD in area CA1 and DG has been shown to associate with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC). In this study, the relative contributions of NMDARs-dependent and VGCC-dependent components in the induction of LTD in the hippocampus and the impairments of these two components of LTD by chronic low-level lead exposure were investigated. Neonatal Wistar rats were exposed to lead from parturition to weaning via milk of dams drinking 0.2% lead acetate solution. Field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were recorded in area CA1 and DG before and after two 15-min trains of 1-Hz low-frequency stimulation (LFS) (2x900 pulses). In area CA1, the amplitude of NMDARs-dependent LTD (NMDA-LTD), in the presence of 10 microM nimodipine (a blocker of L-type Ca(2+) channels), was 80.05+/-2.54% (n=8) and 94.58+/-10.57% (n=8) in the control and lead-exposed rats, respectively. The amplitude of VGCC-dependent LTD (VGCC-LTD), in the presence of 50 microM (-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5), was 80.36+/-4.08% (n=10) and 93.91+/-7.85% (n=10) in the control and lead-exposed rats, respectively. In area DG the amplitude of NMDA-LTD, with both 50 microM Ni(2+) (a blocker of T-type Ca(2+) channels) and 10 microM nimodipine present, in the control rats (79. 97+/-4.30%, n=8) was significantly larger than that in the lead-exposed rats (91.24+/-11.08%, n=10, P<0.001). The amplitude of VGCC-LTD, with 50 microM AP5 present, was significantly larger in the control rats (70.80+/-3.64%, n=9) than that in the lead-exposed rats (87.60+/-9.00%, n=10, P<0.001). The results suggested that chronic lead exposure affected two components of LTD induction in area CA1 and DG. Furthermore, the impairment of two components by lead exposure might be similar in area CA1, while the impairment of VGCC-LTD might be more serious in DG of hippocampus.     

Effects of lead exposure on long-term potentiation induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose in area CA1 of rat hippocampus in vitro.

Chronic developmental lead exposure is known to be associated with cognitive dysfunction in children. Previous studies have demonstrated that chronic lead exposure could impair the induction and maintenance of long-term potentiation induced by high-frequency stimulation (HFS-LTP). In area CA1 of rat hippocampus, long-term potentiation could also be induced following temporary replacement of 10 mM 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) for 10 mM glucose in the normal perfusate (artificial cerebrospinal fluid). The present study was carried out to investigate whether chronic lead exposure affected long-term potentiation induced by 2-DG (2-DG-LTP). Neonatal Wistar rats were exposed to lead from parturition to weaning via milk of dams whose drinking water contained 0.2% lead acetate. Field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in area CA1 of hippocampus were recorded on postnatal days 25-30. 2-DG application was followed by an increase in EPSP slopes in a time-course-dependent manner in both control and lead-exposed rats, while the amplitude of 2-DG-LTP in the lead-exposed rats (225.9+/-19.0%, n=12) was significantly greater than that in controls (155.2+/-9.8%, n=12). In contrast to the effects of lead exposure on 2-DG-LTP, the amplitude of HFS-LTP in the lead-exposed rats (121.5+/-13.7%, n=12) was significantly less than that in controls (183.9+/-18.6%, n=12). These results indicate that chronic lead exposure had opposite effects on the two types of LTP induced by HFS and 2-DG. This would suggest that the effects of lead on HFS-LTP and 2-DG-LTP are the result of different sites of lead toxicity.     

Age-related morphological impairments in the rat hippocampus following developmental lead exposure: an MRI, LM and EM study

Lead is one of the most common neurotoxic metals present in our environment. Chronic developmental lead exposure is known to be associated with cognitive dysfunction in children. Functional and morphological impairment of the rat brain has also been reported in the hippocampus (Hi) following developmental lead exposure. The present study was carried out to further investigate age-related morphological impairments in the rat Hi following developmental lead exposure with three methods: (1) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); (2) light microscopy (LM); and (3) electron microscopy (EM) techniques. Neonatal Wistar rats were exposed to lead from parturition to weaning via milk of dams drinking a 0.2% lead acetate solution. Age-related morphological alternations were investigated in the Hi of lead-exposed rats at various postnatal ages: postnatal day (PND) 17, 30 and 90. The MRI signal intensities (SIs) in the left, right, superior and inferior hippocampal regions of control and lead-exposed rats were analyzed. Compared with controls, the SIs of the four hippocampal regions of interest were significantly increased in lead-exposed rats at PND 17, 30 and 90. Moreover, the lead-induced impairment of the Hi showed an age-related decline and a specific topographical pattern. The impairment of inferior hippocampal regions was more severe than that of superior regions in lead-exposed rats at PND 17 and 30, while no significant difference of SIs was observed between left and right hippocampal regions in the three age groups, and between superior and inferior regions in the PND 90 lead-exposed rats. The LM observations indicated that the morphological injury of hippocampal neurons in lead-exposed rats was also age-related. The EM observations revealed that the endoplasmic reticular, Golgi complex and mitochondria of hippocampal CA1 and dentate gyrus neurons in lead-exposed rats were damaged. These results demonstrate that lead-induced morphological impairments of the rat Hi follow a specific age- and site-related pattern.     

mGluR-mediated and endocannabinoid-dependent long-term depression in the hilar region of the rat dentate gyrus

We report that bath application of the group I mGluR agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) causes acute inhibition of evoked IPSCs recorded from hilar mossy cells, and that significant long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission remains following washout of DHPG. Subsequent experiments using minimal stimulation techniques revealed that expression of both acute and long-term effects of DHPG are restricted to a subset of GABAergic afferents that are also sensitive to depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition (DSI). Experiments with a selective CB1 antagonist and with transgenic animals lacking CB1 receptors indicate that all effects of DHPG, like DSI, depend on activation of CB1 receptors. Further work with selective mGluR antagonists suggests a direct involvement of mGluR1 receptors. Interestingly, we also report that induction of LTD under our experimental conditions does not require prior direct somatic depolarization via the patch pipette and does not appear to depend critically on the level of activity in incoming GABAergic afferents. Collectively, these results represent the first characterization of mGluR-mediated and endocannabinoid-dependent LTD in the hilar region of the dentate gyrus. The dentate gyrus is thus one of relatively few areas where this mechanism has clearly been demonstrated to induce long-term modulation of inhibitory synaptic transmission.     

Quercetin relieves chronic lead exposure-induced impairment of synaptic plasticity in rat dentate gyrus in vivo

Increasing evidence suggests that lead (Pb) produces impairments partly through oxidative stress. Though many researchers have investigated protective effect of some antioxidant nutrients against Pb toxicity, little information is available about the effect of antioxidants on Pb-induced impairment of synaptic plasticity. Quercetin, a strong antioxidant and radical scavenger, is the representative natural flavonoid molecule abundant in fruits and vegetables. Previous studies have found that quercetin was neuroprotective in many cases. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of quercetin on chronic Pb exposure-induced impairment of synaptic plasticity in adult rat dentate gyrus (DG) area in vivo. The input/output (I/O) functions, paired-pulse reactions (PPR), excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP), and population spike (PS) amplitude were measured in the DG area of different groups of rats in response to stimulation applied to the lateral perforant path. The results showed that the depressed I/O, PPR, and long-term potentiation (LTP) of Pb-exposed group were significantly increased by quercetin treatment. In addition, hippocampal Pb concentration was partially reduced after quercetin treatment. These findings suggest that quercetin treatment could relieve chronic Pb exposure-induced impairment of synaptic plasticity and might be a potential therapeutic intervention to cure cognitive deficits induced by Pb.     

丙泊酚对大鼠海马CA1区突触传递长时程抑制的作用

目的研究丙泊酚对大鼠海马CA1区兴奋性突触反应及突触可塑性的影响。方法取3周龄Wistar大鼠,快速断头取脑,用振动切片机切取400μm厚的海马脑片,电刺激靠近海马CA1区的Schaffer纤维,用全细胞膜片钳技术记录CA1区锥体细胞的兴奋性突触后电流(excitatory post-synaptic current,EPSC)。循环液中加入不同浓度的丙泊酚,观察其对EPSC的影响。然后给与低频刺激(900pulse,3Hz)诱导长时程抑制(long-termdepression,LTD),并观察丙泊酚对LTD诱导的影响。结果丙泊酚呈剂量依赖性地抑制EPSC,其作用可被印防己毒素(picrotoxin)阻断;丙泊酚可易化由N-甲基-D-门冬氨酸(N-methyl-D-aspartate,NMDA)受体介导的LTD的诱导。结论丙泊酚可影响大鼠海马CA1区的兴奋性突触传递和突触可塑性,从而对大鼠的学习和记忆产生影响。     

丙泊酚对大鼠海马CA1区长时程增强的影响

目的：研究丙泊酚对大鼠海马CA1区长时程增强（LTP）表达的影响,并探讨其机制。方法：63只戊巴比妥钠麻醉大鼠分多组,分别观察腹腔注射丙泊酚20mg/kg对海马CA1区树突层兴奋性突触后膜电位（EPSP）、LTP表达的影响以及与D-2-氨基-5-磷酸戊酸（APV）和6-氰基-7-硝基喹啉-2,3-二酮（CNQX）合用时对LTP表达的影响。结果：各组基础EPSP幅值稳定;高频刺激（HFS）前应用丙泊酚引出的LTP与对照组相当（P〉0.05）,HFS后LTP幅值明显低于对照组（P〈0.01）;丙泊酚合用APV后不能引出LTP,合用CNQX后幅值一过性升高后,迅速下降并低于基线（P〈0.05）。结论：丙泊酚20mg/kg腹腔注射不影响戊巴比妥钠麻醉大鼠海马CA1区N-甲基-D-门冬氨酸（NMDA）受体依赖型LTP诱导,但可影响其维持;其机制与阻滞α-氨基-3-羟基-5-甲基恶唑-4-丙酸（AMPA）受体有关,与NMDA受体功能状态无关。     

人参皂苷Rg1对铅所致大鼠海马CA1区长时程增强损伤的影响(英文)

目的研究人参皂苷Rg1对铅引起的大鼠海马CA1区长时程增强(LTP)的损伤是否有修复作用。方法 Wistar大鼠从出生至断奶通过母乳摄入铅(母鼠每天饮用0.2%醋酸铅溶液20 mL),在出生后的20 ～25 d记录其海马CA1区兴奋性突触后电位并诱导长时程增强。结果人参皂苷Rg1 (50μmo.lL-1)灌流对照组和铅暴露组大鼠海马脑片20min均能诱导出LTP,铅暴露组大鼠的LTP幅度较对照组低。在铅暴露组大鼠的海马脑片上,高频刺激(HFS,1 s, 100 Hz)诱导的LTP较对照组显著降低, 50μmol.L-1人参皂苷Rg1灌流20 min,HFS诱导的LTP幅度提高47.1%。结论人参皂苷Rg1能够提高基础的突触传递,并能部分修复铅损伤的HFS-LTP。     

A role for COX-2 and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase in long-term depression in the rat dentate gyrus in vitro

Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) are two forms of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity that are thought to be involved in learning and memory. Evidence has shown that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, is expressed in postsynaptic dendritic spines and is regulated by synaptic activity. COX-2 inhibition has been shown to directly attenuate LTP in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Also recently the p38 MAP kinase cascade, a pathway utilised by cells for COX-2 expression, has been implicated in LTD induction in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Here we demonstrate for the first time a direct role for COX-2 and p38 MAP kinase in LTD and confirm the inhibitory role of COX-2 in LTP in the rat dentate gyrus. Perfusion of the COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 (1 micro M) 60 min before tetanic stimulation resulted in an attenuation of LTD (84+/-5%, n=5 compared to controls of 57+/-7%, n=6, P<0.05). Prolonged exposure (2 h) to NS-398 (1 micro M) resulted in a significant reduction in LTP (71+/-8%, n=5, P<0.01 compared to controls of 170+/-11%, n=5 at 60 min post HFS). The p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB220025 (250 nM) significantly attenuated LTD (88+/-5%, n=7; P<0.01 compared to vehicle controls at 60 min, 56+/-5%, n=6) but had no significant effect on LTP. Both NS-398 and SB220025 had no significant effect on the isolated NMDA-mediated EPSP. These data demonstrate a role for COX-2 and p38 MAPK in LTD in the dentate gyrus in vitro that is independent of NMDA receptor activation.     

Lack of expression of long-term potentiation in the dentate gyrus but not in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of mu-opioid receptor-deficient mice

The possible involvement of the mu-opioid receptor subtype in mechanisms of long-term potentiation (LTP) of the lateral perforant pathway to the dentate gyrus neurons, as well as of the Schaffer collateral-commissural input of CA1 neurons, was investigated using mu-opioid receptor-deficient mutant mice. In transversal hippocampal slices from mice lacking the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) only a short potentiation in the dentate gyrus after tetanization of the lateral perforant pathway was found. In contrast, the loss of the mu-opioid receptor in the CA1 region did not affect the potentiation of the field potentials induced by tetanization of the Schaffer collaterals. In parallel experiments, the application of 10 microM of the selective MOR-antagonist, funaltrexamine, decreased LTP in the dentate gyrus of wild-type mice but again did not alter the potentiation of the field potentials in the CA1. The loss of MOR-binding in the hippocampus was accompanied by a reduction in D2-binding sites indicating a possible compensatory role of the dopaminergic system. The D1- and glutamate binding was not affected. These observations confirm earlier results with pharmacological blockade of opioid receptors in the dentate gyrus and demonstrate an essential role of MOR activation for the generation of LTP in the dentate gyrus of the mouse but not necessarily in the CA1 region.     

Enhancement of long-term potentiation in the rat hippocampus following cocaine exposure

The neural adaptations involved in initiating and maintaining the long-term consequences of utilizing drugs of abuse are the subject of intense investigation. It is commonly suggested that the neural plasticity mechanisms underlying physiological phenomena such as learning and memory may also be engaged when drug addiction occurs. The effect of cocaine on one prominent cellular mechanism for learning/memory, long-term potentiation (LTP), was assessed in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus. Hippocampal slices obtained from animals treated in vivo for five days with cocaine (15 mg/kg i.p., daily) exhibited enhanced LTP vs saline treated controls. We suggest that this example of cocaine-induced enhancement of LTP provides an example of how synaptic plasticity mechanisms may be altered in a manner that contributes to the behavioral outcomes expressed, following exposure to psychostimulants.     

Phosphorylation influences neurosteroid modulation of synaptic GABAA receptors in rat CA1 and dentate gyrus neurones

The neurosteroid 5beta-pregnan-3alpha-ol-20-one (5beta3alpha) is a potent, endogenous, positive allosteric modulator of the GABA(A) receptor. Relatively low concentrations of 5beta3alpha (10-100 nM), thought to occur physiologically, caused a concentration-dependent slowing of the decay of GABA-mediated miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) recorded from hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurones. However, much greater concentrations of this neurosteroid (> or =300 nM) were required to similarly influence dentate granule cell mIPSCs. By contrast, the allosteric modulators pentobarbitone and flunitrazepam were equi-effective in prolonging mIPSCs in both neuronal types. Hence, the neurosteroid selectively differentiates between the synaptic GABA(A) receptors of these hippocampal neurones. Inhibition of either protein kinase A, or C, greatly reduced the sensitivity of CA1 synaptic GABA(A) receptors to 5beta3alpha, but not pentobarbitone, whereas stimulation of PKC had no effect on steroid sensitivity. However, in dentate gyrus granule cells, activation of PKC made mIPSCs sensitive to a previously ineffective concentration of 5beta3alpha. Collectively, these results suggest that the GABA-modulatory effects of physiological levels of the neurosteroid will not be uniformly experienced throughout the central nervous system, or even within the same brain region such as the hippocampus, but will be neurone-specific and will be dependent on the phosphorylation status of the GABA(A) receptor, or associated proteins.     

The changes of miRNA expression in rat hippocampus following chronic lead exposure

miRNAs have been found to contribute to normal brain functions, nervous system diseases, as well as neurotoxicities induced by external agents. However, whether they are involved in lead-induced neurotoxicities is still not clear. To identify that, a lead-induced chronic neurotoxicity model of rats was built. Both miRNA microarray analysis and qRT-PCR were performed to determine the change of miRNA expression in hippocampus. Then 3 bioinformatics databases were used to analyze the relative target genes of these miRNA, which were further confirmed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. In the present study, lead exposure resulted in the changed expression of 7 miRNAs: miR-204, miR-211, miR-448, miR-449a, miR-34b, and miR-34c were greatly up-regulated while miR-494 was greatly down-regulated. Bioinformatics analysis results showed that the target genes of 6 up-regulated miRNAs were related to neural injury and neurodegeration, axon and synapse function, neural development and regeneration. Correspondingly, the expression levels of mature mRNAs and proteins of three target genes (Bcl-2, Itpr1, and Map2k1) were greatly repressed, verifying the results of bioinformatics analysis. Taken together, our results showed that the expression of several miRNAs reported to be associated with neurophysiological pathways and neurodegenerative diseases changed in rat hippocampus following chronic lead exposure. These miRNAs may play important roles in lead-induced neurotoxicity.     

Lipopolysaccharide inhibits induction of long-term potentiation and depression in the rat hippocampal CA1 area.

We examined the effects of lipopolysaccharide, a bacterial endotoxin, on synaptic plasticity in the rat hippocampal CA1 area in vitro.Lipopolysaccharide suppressed the induction of long-term potentiation elicited by tetanic stimulation and long-term depression, elicited by low-frequency stimulation of Schaffer collateral-commissural fibres at 10 and 50 microg/ml, respectively. Lipid A (1 microg/ml), the biologically active component of lipopolysaccharide, mimicked the effects of 10 microg/ml lipopolysaccharide on long-term potentiation and depression. Nifedipine, an L-type voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channel antagonist, did not influence the induction of long-term potentiation and depression, whereas a high concentration of extracellular calcium enabled long-term potentiation induction in the presence of 10 microg/ml lipopolysaccharide.The NMDA receptor antagonist D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV, 50 microM), nifedipine (10 microM) or lipopolysaccharide (10 or 50 microg/ml) partially reduced the magnitude of tetraethylammonium-induced long-term potentiation. Nifedipine combined with lipopolysaccharide completely blocked tetraethylammonium-induced long-term potentiation. Whole-cell voltage clamp recordings showed that lipopolysaccharide suppressed NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). Our results indicate that lipopolysaccharide acutely modifies synaptic plasticity by blocking Ca(2+) entry through NMDA receptors, suggesting a possible mechanism for the amnesic action of bacterial infection.     

Effects of carbachol on lead-induced impairment of the long-term potentiation/depotentiation in rat dentate gyrus in vivo.

The present study aims at evaluating the impairment of LTP and depotentiation (DP) of LTP induced by acute lead exposure, and the effects of peripheral carbachol (CCh) application on LTP/DP of acute and chronic lead-exposed rats in dentate gyrus in vivo. Rats (80-100 days) were acutely exposed to lead by intraperitoneal injection of 0.2% lead acetate (PbAc) solution (1.5mg/100g) and/or CCh (1 micro g/100g). Rats were chronically exposed to lead from parturition through adulthood (80-100 days) by the drinking of 0.2% PbAc solution and/or CCh (1 micro g/100g) chronic intraperitoneal injection one week. The input-output (I/O) function, paired-pulse reaction (PPR), excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) and population spike (PS) amplitude were measured in response to stimulation applied to the lateral perforant path. Results showed that: first, acute lead exposure significantly depressed the amplitudes of LTP/DP of both EPSP slope and PS amplitude. Second, CCh significantly increased the amplitudes of both EPSP LTP/DP and PS LTP of acute Pb-exposed rats. After CCh treatment, the magnitudes of EPSP LTP/DP and PS LTP of acute Pb-exposed rats showed no significant difference with controls. Third, Chronic CCh application also reversed chronic Pb-induced impairment of PS LTP and EPSP DP of LTP. As CCh does not cross blood-brain barrier in healthy animals, the data suggest that CCh may traverse BBB in Pb-exposed animals and cure Pb-induced dysfunction of learning and memory.     

锂对大鼠海马齿状回区神经元突触可塑性的影响(英文)

目的　从齿状回长时程增强效应 (LTP)方面研究锂的治疗作用机理。方法　细胞外记录离体海马脑片神经元兴奋性突触后电位 (EPSP)。结果锂可逆地增强EPSP的幅度。高频刺激 (10 0Hz ,1s)对照组大鼠海马穿通纤维 ,在海马齿状回 (DG)区记录的EPSP幅度会持续增高 ,可以诱导出明显的突触后LTP。若用 10mmol·L- 1锂处理大鼠海马脑片 ,则诱导的LTP幅度明显降低 ,但低浓度锂 (2 ,6mmol·L- 1)不影响LTP的幅度 ;10mmol·L- 1锂明显抑制海马脑片DG区的脉冲间隔 (IPI)为 5 0ms的双脉冲易化效应 (PPF) ,而低浓度锂 (2 ,6mmol·L- 1)处理则不影响PPF(IPI,5 0ms) ;在不同的细胞外钙浓度下 ,用 10mmol·L- 1锂处理过的海马脑片PPF受到的抑制程度不同。结论　锂可能通过突触前的机理来抑制海马DG区LTP的幅度 ,这种抑制效应与锂的临床治疗狂躁症及其副作用之间的关系尚需进一步的研究。     

Cocaine-induced modulation of long-term potentiation in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus

In order to further characterize the actions of cocaine on synaptic activity in the hippocampus, recordings of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampal slice preparation were used to monitor drug effects on long-term potentiation (LTP) evoked in response to stimulation of the Schaffer collateral pathway. Cocaine had dose-dependent, biphasic effects on the magnitude of LTP at these excitatory synapses in the stratum radiatum ranging from a significant enhancement of LTP at intermediate drug concentrations (5-10 microM), to an inhibition of LTP at a relatively high drug concentration (30 microM). The local anesthetic lidocaine had only inhibitory effects on the induction of LTP at all concentrations examined (10-75 microM), whereas the monoamine transporter antagonists, WIN 35348 (1 microM) or GBR 12935 (5 microM) significantly enhanced the magnitude of LTP. The D(2)-like dopamine receptor antagonist, eticlopride was effective in preventing this action of cocaine, whereas pretreatment with the D(1/5) antagonist, SCH 23390 was ineffective. These results suggest that endogenously released dopamine, in the presence of cocaine (5-10 microM), can act via D(2)-like receptors to significantly increase the magnitude of LTP in the CA1 region of the hippocampus.     

Muscarinic cholinergic modulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity in rat hippocampus following chronic lead exposure

The cholinergic system is believed to be associated with learning and memory functions. Lead (Pb²⁺) is a well-known neurotoxic metal that causes irreversible damage to the central nervous system (CNS). To investigate whether Pb²⁺ interferes with cholinergic modulation, we examined the effects of carbachol (CCh), a muscarinic cholinergic agonist, on synaptic transmission and plasticity in the CA1 area of the hippocampus of developmentally Pb²⁺-exposed rats. The results showed that: (1) In both control and Pb²⁺-exposed rats, 0.1 μM CCh significantly enhanced tetanus-induced long-term potentiation (LTP), while 5 μM CCh induced a reversible depression of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs). However, both the enhancement of LTP and depression of fEPSPs were significantly smaller in Pb²⁺-exposed rats than in controls, suggesting that the extent of the effect of CCh on the cholinergic system was depressed by Pb²⁺. (2) In Pb²⁺-exposed rats, the enhancement of LTP induced by 0.1 μM CCh was attenuated by pirenzepine, a M₁AChR antagonist, but was not affected by methoctramine tetrahydrochloride (M-105), a M_2/4AChR antagonist. The depression of fEPSPs induced by 5 μM CCh was reduced by either pirenzepine or M-105. (3) Furthermore, paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) was not affected by 0.1 μM CCh in control and Pb²⁺-exposed rats but was increased by 5 μM CCh in either group; the increase in PPF was less pronounced in Pb²⁺-treated when compared to control rats. These results suggested that cholinergic modulation could be impaired by Pb²⁺, and this kind of impairment might occur via different mAChR subtypes. Our study delineated the effects of Pb²⁺ on muscarinic modulation, and this might be one of the underlying mechanisms by which Pb²⁺ impairs learning and memory.     

Proliferation changes in dentate gyrus of hippocampus during the first week following kainic acid-induced seizures

Long-term neuroplastic changes in dentate gyrus (DG) have been reported after seizure induction and were shown to contribute to epitogenesis of epilepsy. These changes include increased number of newborn granule cells, sprouted mossy fibers, granule cell layer dispersion, etc. The aim of current study is to determine the acute progression of neuroplastic changes involved newly generated granule cells after kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures. Doublecortion (DCX) analysis was used to examine the newly generated granule cells morphology 1-7 days after seizure induction. Quantitative analysis of DCX-labeled cells at different times shows that there are some rapid changes in the dentate gyrus. At day 7 epileptical mice induced an increase of the number of DCX-labeled cells in DG. At days 3 and 7 after epilepsy induction, the percentage of DCX-labeled cells per DG were significantly increased. These results show that seizures are capable to increase the number of new granule cell within a short time for function activation in post-seizure period. Therefore, the rapid changes in the DG might be having a potential for hippocampus neuroplastic function.