Non-serine-phosphorylated tyrosine hydroxylase expressing neurons are present in mouse striatum,accumbens and cortex that increase in number following dopaminergic denervation

Neurons partially expressing individual enzymes of dopamine (DA) biosynthesis, e.g. tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or aromatic acid decarboxylase, are found in different areas of the central nervous system, continuously or transiently in normal and pathological conditions. This current study analyzed if TH neurons exist in target areas of ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons and how they react to dopaminergic denervation.High power analysis of brain tissue sections revealed that TH-immunopositive neurons were present in striatum, accumbens and cortex - and several other brain areas - of healthy adult mice. DAergic denervation induced by stereotaxic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the medial forebrain bundle increased the number of TH expressing neurons in the striatum, accumbens and the cortex, up 40 d later. These TH neurons were not stained by specific antibodies recognizing TH phosphorylated at serine residues 19, 31 and 40, dopamine transporter and vesicular monoamine transporter type 2, but most of them expressed dopamine and cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein 32 kDa.Thus, mouse striatum, accumbens and cortex contain neurons which express TH with low activity, and their number increases following dopamine depletion.     

Medial prefrontal cortex activity can disrupt the expression of stress response habituation

Recent findings suggest that the expression of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis stress response adaptation in rats depends on top–down neural control. We therefore examined whether the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) modulates expression of stress response habituation. We transiently suppressed (muscimol microinfusion) or stimulated (picrotoxin microinfusion) mPFC neural activity in rats and studied the consequence on the first time response to psychological stress (restraint) or separately on the development and expression of habituation to repeated restraint. We monitored both the hormonal (corticosterone) and neural (forebrain c-fos mRNA) response to stress. Inactivation of the mPFC had no effect on the HPA-axis response to first time restraint, however increased mPFC activity attenuated stress-induced HPA-axis activity. In a three day repeated restraint stress regimen, inactivation of the mPFC on days 1 and 2, but not day 3, prevented the expression of HPA-axis hormone response habituation. In these same rats, the mPFC activity on day 3 interfered with the expression of c-fos mRNA habituation selectively within the mPFC, lateral septum and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. In contrast, inactivation of the mPFC only on day 3, or on all 3 days did not interfere with the expression of habituation. We conclude that the mPFC can permit or disrupt expression of HPA-axis stress response habituation, and this control depends on alteration of neural activity within select brain regions. A possible implication of these findings is that the dysregulation of PFC activity associated with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder may contribute to impaired expression of stress-response adaptation and consequently exacerbation of those disorders.     

p-Chloroamphetamine releases both serotonin and dopamine into rat brain dialysates in vivo

The effect of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) on extracellular levels of endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) in the striatum and frontal cortex of the halothane-anesthetized rat was studied using an intracerebral dialysis method. PCA (5 mg/kg s.c.) induced an immediate, marked release of 5-HT into dialysates collected from the frontal cortex and striatum, an effect which lasted over 2 h. This treatment also caused a marked release of DA in the striatum. The results further emphasize the need to carefully assess the involvement of brain DA as well as 5-HT in PCA-induced behaviors.     

Cortical/hippocampal monoamines, HPA-axis changes and aversive behavior following stress and restress in an animal model of post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by monoaminergic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis abnormalities. Understanding monoamine-HPA-axis responses following stress and restress may provide a greater understanding of the neurobiology of PTSD and of its treatment. Hippocampal and frontal cortex serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine, plasma corticosterone and aversive behavior were studied in rats on day 1 and day 7 post acute stress (AS = sequential restraint stress, swim stress and halothane exposure), and on day 1 and day 7 post restress (RS = swim stress). After AS, there was an early increase in both avoidant behavior and corticosterone (1 h after stress), with subsequent normalisation (day 7), suggesting an adequate adaptive response to the stressor. However, restress (RS) evoked a significant early HPA-axis hyporesponsiveness (1 h after RS) and a later significant increase in avoidant behavior on day 7 post RS. Hippocampal serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine concentrations were unchanged 1 h post AS, but were significantly raised on day 7 post AS. Restress, however, reduced serotonin and noradrenaline levels 1 h after and on day 7 post RS, respectively, while dopamine was unchanged. In the frontal cortex only dopamine levels were altered, being significantly elevated 1 h after AS, and reduced on day 7 post RS. AS and RS thus differently effect the HPA-axis, evoking regional-specific brain monoamine changes that underlie maladaptive behavior and other post stress-related sequelae.     

甲基苯丙胺对相关脑区的神经毒性作用

目的:研究甲基苯丙胺(MA)对大鼠纹状体、海马、额叶皮质等脑区神经细胞的毒性作用以及对大鼠行为的影响。方法:H-E染色、Glees银浸染观察神经元和轴突的变化;高效液相色谱检测上述脑区多巴胺(DA)及其代谢产物含量;免疫组化胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)检测胶质细胞增生情况。结果:MA对上述脑区神经细胞和轴突有损伤作用,表现为神经细胞变圆,极性消失;胶质细胞增生,噬神经细胞现象、胶质小结形成;神经轴索扭曲,节段性增粗,轴索间隙增宽;GFAP阳性星形细胞增多;纹状体DA及其代谢产物含量显著降低,海马、额叶皮质DA含量明显降低;大鼠行为改变明显。结论:MA对大鼠中枢神经系统多脑区神经元有明显的毒性作用,可导致上述脑区DA含量下降和大鼠行为改变。     

血管活性肠肽在MPTP帕金森病模型小鼠的抗氧化应激作用

目的:研究血管活性肠肽(VIP)对1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(MPTP)诱导的帕金森病(PD)模型小鼠发挥抗氧化应激和神经保护作用。方法:雄性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为生理盐水(NS)组、MPTP组和MPTP+VIP组。Elisa法检测纹状体丙二醛(MDA)以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)的变化;免疫组织化学法观察中脑黑质纹状体系统酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)、星形胶质细胞特异性标记物胶质细胞纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)和小胶质细胞标志物离子钙结合蛋白(Iba-1)的表达变化;透射电子显微镜观察中脑黑质多巴胺能神经元的超微结构变化。结果:MPTP组与对照组相比,MDA水平显著增高,SOD和CAT的表达显著降低;给予VIP可显著抑制MDA的水平(P0.01),增强SOD和CAT的表达(P0.05)。与对照组相比,MPTP组小鼠GFAP和Iba-1的表达明显上升,TH表达明显下降;给予VIP可显著降低GFAP和Iba-1的表达(P0.05),而TH表达明显增强。透射电镜观察显示:NS组神经细胞和细胞器结构清晰完整;MPTP组神经细胞核膜内陷,线粒体空泡样变;MPTP+VIP组神经细胞和细胞器结构基本正常。结论:VIP能够抑制MPTP诱导PD小鼠中脑黑质星形胶质细胞和小胶质细胞的活化,对抗氧化应激,发挥神经保护作用。     

Changes in monoamines and their metabolite levels in some brain regions of aged rats

The concentrations of dopamine (DA) norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5HT) and their metabolites, HVA, DOPAC, MHPG-SO4 and 5HIAA were measured in several brain areas of rats aged 4, 18 and 29 months. Dopamine and its metabolites showed a decline, statistically correlated with age, in all the dopaminergic areas considered, indicating that this system is profoundly affected in the senescent rat. The changes in the noradrenergic system were more complex. This neurotransmitter was reduced in spinal cord and in limbic area, but was not modified in hippocampus, cerebellum, striatum and s. nigra. In cortex, MHPG-SO4, the main NE metabolite, showed a significantly age-related increase. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity was low in striatum, and brainstem but not in hypothalamus of aged rats. Neither 5HT nor its metabolites was affected by age. The results indicate that central catecholaminergic systems are markedly affected in senescent rats.     

Effects of high dose of simvastatin on levels of dopamine and its reuptake in prefrontal cortex and striatum among SD rats

Statins are increasingly being used for the treatment of a variety of conditions beyond their original indication for cholesterol lowering. We previously reported that simvastatin increased dopamine receptors in the rat prefrontal cortex [Q. Wang, W.L. Ting, H. Yang, P.T. Wong, High doses of simvastatin upregulate dopamine D₁ and D₂ receptor expression in the rat prefrontal cortex: possible involvement of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, Br. J. Pharmacol. 144 (2005) 933–939] and restored its downregulation in a model of Parkinson's disease (PD) [Q. Wang, P.H. Wang, C. McLachlan, P.T. Wong, Simvastatin reverses the downregulation of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor expression in the prefrontal cortex of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinsonian rats, Brain Res. 1045 (2005) 229–233]. Here we explore the effects of simvastatin treatment on tissue dopamine content and reuptake. Sprague–Dawley rats were given simvastatin (1 and 10 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹, p.o.) for 4 weeks. Brain tissue from prefrontal cortex and striatum were taken out for dopamine content and its reuptake. Using high-performance liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS), simvastatin (10 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) was found to increase dopamine content by 110% in the striatum but decreased by 76% in the prefrontal cortex compared with the saline treated group. Dopamine (DA) reuptake was unchanged in both brain regions. These results suggest that chronic treatment with high dose of simvastatin may affect DA tissue level in prefrontal cortex and striatum without changing on DA reuptake. This may have important clinical implications in psychiatric and striatal dopaminergic disorders.     

Chronic unpredictable stress augments +3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced monoamine depletions: The role of corticosterone

Exposure to stress alters the behavioral and neurochemical effects of drugs of abuse. However, it is unknown if chronic stress can affect the serotonergic depletions induced by the psychostimulant drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Rats were exposed to 10 days of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) which resulted in the predicted elevation of basal plasma corticosterone concentrations. On the 11th day, rats received four challenge doses of MDMA (5 mg/kg every 2 h, i.p.) or saline. Five days later, rats were killed and serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine content were measured in the striatum, hippocampus, and frontal cortex. MDMA produced greater depletions of 5-HT in all three brain regions of rats pre-exposed to CUS compared to rats not exposed to CUS. CUS-exposed rats also had an augmented acute hyperthermic response but a similar increase in plasma corticosterone after challenge injections of MDMA compared with non-stressed rats similarly challenged with MDMA. Moreover, CUS-exposed rats exhibited an MDMA-induced depletion of striatal dopamine that was absent in non-stressed rats that received MDMA. To investigate the role of corticosterone in these effects, the corticosterone synthesis inhibitor, metyrapone (50 mg/kg i.p.), was administered prior to each stressor on each of the 10 days of CUS. Metyrapone blocked the chronic stress-induced elevation in basal plasma corticosterone, prevented the enhancement of MDMA-induced hyperthermia, and blocked the enhanced depletions of 5-HT and dopamine in CUS-exposed rats, but had no effect on the acute MDMA-induced increases in plasma corticosterone. These findings suggest that CUS alone can increase the basal level of corticosterone that in turn, plays an important role in enhancing the sensitivity of both 5-HT and dopamine terminals to the hyperthermic and monoamine depleting effects of MDMA without altering the acute corticosterone response to an MDMA challenge.     

Dopaminergic transmission in the rat retina: evidence for volume transmission

The study was designed to determine whether dopaminergic neurotransmission in the retina can operate via volume transmission. In double immunolabelling experiments, a mismatch as well as a match was demonstrated in the rat retina between tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine (DA) immunoreactive (ir) terminals and cell bodies and dopamine D2 receptor-like ir cell bodies and processes. The match regions were located in the inner nuclear and plexiform layers (D2 ir cell bodies plus processes). The mismatch regions were located in the ganglion cell layer, the outer plexiform layer, and the outer segment of the photoreceptor layer, where very few TH ir terminals can be found in relation to the D2 like ir processes. In similar experiments analyzing D1 receptor like ir processes versus TH ir nerve terminals, mainly a mismatch in their distribution could be demonstrated, with the D1 like ir processes present in the outer plexiform layer and the outer segment where a mismatch in D2 like receptors also exists. The demonstration of a mismatch between the localization of the TH terminal plexus and the dopamine D2 and D1 receptor subtypes in the outer plexiform layer, the outer segment and the ganglion cell layer (only D2 immunoreactivity (IR)) suggests that dopamine, mainly from the inner plexiform layer, may reach the D2 and D1 mismatch receptors via diffusion in the extracellular space. After injecting dopamine into the corpus vitreum, dopamine diffuses through the retina, and strong catecholamine (CA) fluorescence appears in the entire inner plexiform layer and the entire outer plexiform layer, representing the match and mismatch DA receptor areas, respectively. The DA is probably bound to D1 and D2 receptors in both plexiform layers, since the DA receptor antagonist chlorpromazine fully blocks the appearance of the DA fluorescence, while only a partial blockade is found after haloperidol treatment which mainly blocks D2 receptors. These results indicate that the amacrine and/or interplexiform DA cells, with sparse branches in the outer plexiform layer, can operate via volume transmission in the rat retina to influence the outer plexiform layer and the outer segment, as well as other layers of the rat retina such as the ganglion cell layer.     

Time dependent alterations in dopamine tissue levels and metabolism after experimental traumatic brain injury in rats

Several studies have demonstrated alterations in the dopamine (DA) system after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present study investigated the temporal changes in DA tissue levels and metabolism at 1-h or 1, 7, 14, and 28 days after cortical impact or sham injury in rats. DA and DOPAC levels were measured by HPLC in the frontal cortex (FC) and striatum. DA levels were significantly increased at 1h in the contralateral FC and at 1 day in the ipsilateral FC versus respective sham groups. DA and DOPAC levels were significantly increased bilaterally at 1h in the striatum versus sham. These data indicate that TBI induces an early increase in DA and DOPAC, which returns to sham levels over time.     

微囊化牛视网膜色素上皮细胞移植治疗帕金森大鼠的研究

目的： 观察微囊化牛视网膜色素上皮细胞（RPE）移植治疗帕金森病（PD）大鼠的疗效。方法： 酶消化法原代培养牛RPE细胞，纯化、传代后用高压静电微胶囊成型装置制作海藻酸钠-多聚赖氨酸微囊化细胞，将其立体定向移植入6-OHDA大鼠PD模型的右侧纹状体，移植分为NS组、RPE组、空微囊组（APA组）和微囊化RPE组（RPE-APA组）。观察移植后：阿朴吗啡诱导的旋转行为变化、移植侧纹状体中多巴胺和高香草酸含量的变化、移植区HE染色及TH免疫组化染色。结果： RPE-APA组阿朴吗啡诱发的旋转次数在移植后第2周开始减少，减少幅度为39.29％（与APA组相比，P<0.05），至第4周减少更加明显，减少幅度为：56.89％（与第2周相比，P<0.05），改善现象一直持续到第14周。行为学出现改善的大鼠纹状体多巴胺和高香草酸含量的增加同其阿朴吗啡诱发的旋转次数的减少相符合。行为学有改善的大鼠囊内细胞TH染色呈弱阳性，微囊周边的纹状体可见TH阳性纤维密度较APA组高。结论： 微囊化牛RPE细胞对6-OHDA大鼠PD模型有治疗作用，是一种前景良好的新型供体。     

多巴胺自身受体调控大鼠纹状体酪氨酸羟化酶活性的机制

应用ＨＰＬＣ－ＥＣＤ法测定大鼠纹状体突触体ＴＨ的活性，研究ＤＡ自身受体介导的ＤＡ生物合成负反馈调控的机理。发现腺苷环化酶（ＡＣ）激活剂ＦＳＫ和ＰＫＡ激活剂ｄｂｃＡＭＰ均以浓度依赖的方式激活大鼠纹体突触体ＴＨ的活性，增加１－ｄｏｐａ的生成。ＤＡ自身受体激动剂ＬＹ１７１５５５能抑制ＦＳＫ对ＴＨ的激活效应，但不影响ｄｂｃＡＭＰ对ＴＨ的激活。结果表明，ＤＡ自身受体介质的负反馈调控的机理是通过抑制依赖ｃＡＭ     

Distribution of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase in developing rat brain

This study was carried out to assess the developmental pattern of copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activity in rat brain. The enzymes studied were assayed in different brain regions (cerebral cortex, striatum, cerebellum and brainstem) and enzyme values were corrected for erythrocyte contamination. The cerebral ontogenetic pattern of these enzymes is characterized by increasing CuZnSOD activity, a progressive decrease in CAT activity and, after an initial 10-day fall, increasing GSH-Px activity. The activity of MnSOD appeared to be quite stable up to 40 weeks of age. Similar and comparable changes were seen in all brain regions studied.     

Differential effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor on A9 and A10 dopamine neuron survival in vitro

Glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) enhances dopamine (DA) cell survival and fiber outgrowth, and may be beneficial in enhancing cell restorative strategies for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, GDNF may have different roles for transplanted DA cell sub-types. The present in vitro study investigated the effect of GDNF on the survival of rat DA cells displaying a phenotype consistent with either the substantia nigra [A9 cells immunopositive for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium channel subunit 2 (GIRK2)] or with the ventral tegmental area [A10 cells immunopositive for TH and calbindin]. It was found that a single exposure of GDNF enhanced the number of DA cells of an A9 phenotype, without affecting DA cells of an A10 phenotype. Conversely, repeated GDNF exposure did not alter the survival of A9 phenotypic cells, but doubled the percentage of A10 cells. It was concluded that GDNF administration may affect dopaminergic cells differently depending on time and degree of GDNF exposure. For cell transplantation in PD, long-term GDNF administration may result in detrimental effects for transplanted A9 TH+ cells as this may introduce competition with A10 TH+ cells for survival and fiber outgrowth into the host striatum. These results may have important implications for clinical neural transplantation in PD.     

Cold restraint alters dopamine metabolism in frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and neostriatum

The concentrations of dopamine (DA) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were assayed in the striatum, nucleus accumbens and frontal cortex of rats following 2 hours of cold restraint. The concentration of DA was significantly decreased in both the striatum (-16%) and nucleus accumbens (-41%) relative to unstressed controls. The content of DOPAC was significantly increased in both striatum (+56%) and frontal cortex (+76%), but not in nucleus accumbens. The DOPAC/DA ratio was increased in all three regions, that in frontal cortex approaching three-fold. These results extend earlier findings of an activation by acute stressors of frontal cortex DA metabolism, but suggest an involvement of other DA systems as well. The finding of the greatest response in frontal cortex, and the previous observations that this was the only region to show significant changes, may be ascribed to the suggested lack of presynaptic autoreceptors in this region.     

Methamphetamine treatment causes delayed decrease in novelty-induced locomotor activity in mice

Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant that causes damage to dopamine (DA) axons and to non-monoaminergic neurons in the brain. The aim of the present study was to investigate short- and long-term effects of neurotoxic METH treatment on novelty-induced locomotor activity in mice. Male BALB/c mice, 12–14 weeks old, were injected with saline or METH (i.p., 7.5 mg/kg × 4 times, every 2 h). Behavior and neurotoxic effects were assessed at 10 days, 3 and 5 months following drug treatment. METH administration caused marked decreases in DA levels in the mouse striatum and cortex at 10 days post-drug. However, METH did not induce any changes in novelty-induced locomotor activity. At 3 and 5 months after treatment METH-exposed mice showed significant recovery of DA levels in the striatum and cortex. In contrast, these animals demonstrated significant decreases in locomotor activity at 5 months in comparison to aged-matched control mice. Further assessment of METH toxicity using TUNEL staining showed that the drug induced increased cell death in the striatum and cortex at 3 days after administration. Taken together, these data suggest that delayed deficits in novelty-induced locomotor activity observed in METH-exposed animals are not due to neurodegeneration of DA terminals but to combined effects of METH and age-dependent dysfunction of non-DA intrinsic striatal and/or corticostriatal neurons.     

Age-related changes in dopaminergic and serotonergic indices in the rat forebrain

Age-related changes in the content of dopamine (DA), homovanillic acid (HVA), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in anterior cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum of the rat have been investigated using HPLC with electrochemical detection. A significant decrease in HVA was observed in the striatum and hippocampus of the aged (27 months) animals, as compared to the controls (2.4 to 2.6 months). A significant decrease in DA levels was also observed in the hippocampus but not in the striatum. In contrast, the level of DA in the cerebral cortex was markedly increased in the aged animals. A concomitant increase in 3-MT level was observed. Finally the level of 5-HIAA was significantly increased in striatum and hippocampus.     

Exogenous GM1 gangliosides induce partial recovery of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in MPTP-treated young mice but not in aging mice

The administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to young (2-3 months) and aging (12 months) C57BL/6 mice (4 x 20 mg/kg, i.p., given 12 h apart) reduced tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive (IR) fibers in the striatum, and reduced dopamine (DA) concentration to 28% of controls in young, and 16% of controls in aging mouse brain five weeks after administration. Although GM1 ganglioside treatment (30 mg/kg, i.p., daily for 5 weeks) restored striatal dopamine concentration to 74% of the control concentration in young mice, such an apparent recovery was not seen in aging brain. Immunocytochemical analysis also showed marked recovery of TH-IR fibers in the striatum of MPTP-depleted young mice treated with GM1 ganglioside while TH-IR fibers in the striatum of MPTP-depleted aging mice showed no recovery with such treatment. We conclude that treatment of MPTP-depleted young mice with GM1 ganglioside results in partial recovery in the striatal DA system, but such benefits do not extend to aging mice.     

Visualization of spatiotemporal differentiation of dopaminergic interneurons in adult mouse olfactory bulb using transgenic mice

Olfactory bulb (OB) interneurons, predominantly periglomerular (PG) and granule (GR) cells, are derived from neural stem cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) throughout life and migrate to the OB in the rostral migratory stream (RMS). In the adult superficial GR layer transgene expression was found, either enhanced green fluorescent protein or LacZ reporter driven by a 9 kb tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter, that marked the dopamine (DA) phenotype. To demonstrate that the reporters and endogenous TH were similarly regulated expression of both parameters was shown to decline in the OB PG cells ipsilateral to odor deprivation produced by adult unilateral naris closure. The present findings suggested that DAergic differentiation might begin prior to progenitors reaching a PG position despite evidence that TH protein expression occurred only after PG cells received olfactory afferent stimulation. Of many genes previously hypothesized to regulate OB DA expression, regulated expression of the orphan receptor, Nurr1, but not the homeobox-containing genes, Dlx-1 and_-2, was consistent with a role in regulation of the DA phenotype in adult mice OB. The studies show that transgenic lines are useful for analyzing spatiotemporal regulation by both intrinsic (programmed) and environmental factors in the neurogenesis of adult mouse OB DAergic interneurons.