Activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in the supraoptic nucleus of the rat hypothalamus

Activity-dependent long-term synaptic changes were investigated at glutamatergic synapses in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the rat hypothalamus. In acute hypothalamic slices, high frequency stimulation (HFS) of afferent fibres caused long-term potentiation (LTP) of the amplitude of AMPA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) recorded with the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. LTP was also obtained in response to membrane depolarization paired with mild afferent stimulation. On the other hand, stimulating the inputs at 5 Hz for 3 min at resting membrane potential caused long-term depression (LTD) of excitatory transmission in the SON. These forms of synaptic plasticity required the activation of NMDA receptors since they were abolished in the presence of d -AP5 or ifenprodil, two selective blockers of these receptors. Analysis of paired-pulse facilitation and trial-to-trial variability indicated that LTP and LTD were not associated with changes in the probability of transmitter release, thereby suggesting that the locus of expression of these phenomena was postsynaptic. Using sharp microelectrode recordings in a hypothalamic explant preparation, we found that HFS also generates LTP at functionally defined glutamatergic synapses formed between the organum vasculosum lamina terminalis and SON neurons. Taken together, our findings indicate that glutamatergic synapses in the SON exhibit activity-dependent long-term synaptic changes similar to those prevailing in other brain areas. Such forms of plasticity could play an important role in the context of physiological responses, like dehydration or lactation, where the activity of presynaptic glutamatergic neurons is strongly increased.     

Ciliated neurons in supraoptic nucleus of rat hypothalamus during neonatal period

Summary Cilia 9+0 have been found in differentiating neurosecretory neurons of the hypothalamic supraoptic nuclei of Wistar rats. These ciliated neurosecretory cells were always observed during the neonatal period of the rat and no more than one cilium per cell has been encountered.Single cilia arising from typical basal bodies were usually located in deep invaginations of the neuronal perikaryon, but can also be seen in superficial positions. Their basal bodies were commonly found in the vicinity of Golgi complexes, and associated structures such as striated rootlets and alar sheets were also present. In addition, single centrioles frequently appeared in these neurons, occurring close to basal bodies but also in centrosomatic areas.The respective roles of these morphological features are suggested and their possible ontogenetic significance is briefly discussed.     

Stereological study of the ultrastructural changes induced by chronic alcohol consumption and dehydration in the supraoptic nucleus of the rat hypothalamus

Summary We have previously shown that prolonged alcohol ingestion leads to neuronal loss in the supraoptic nucleus of the rat and that the surviving neurons, mainly the vasopressinergic ones, display marked increase in volume. In an attempt to establish correlates for the volumetric alterations we have studied the organelles of supraoptic nucleus neurons in three groups of rats-ethanol-fed, pair-fed, and dehydrated, in all cases treated from 2 to 12 months of age. The volume and surface area of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, and the volume of nucleoli and neurosecretory granules were estimated on the basis of the respective volume and surface densities. The volumes and surface areas of all quantified organelles were increased in both alcohol-fed and dehydrated animals, although the increases were greater in the former group. Changes in the organelles studied are commonly regarded as reliable indicators of the neurosecretory activity of magnocellular neurons. Thus, our results suggest that under conditions of chronic alcohol exposure, the synthesizing activity of the surviving supra-optic neurons is augmented to compensate for the alcohol-induced neuronal loss and/or as a consequence of the alcohol-induced hyperosmolality. Changes in the transport and release of the neurosecretory material cannot, however, be ruled out as an additional cause of neuronal enlargement.     

The role of serotonin release and autoreceptors in the dorsalis raphe nucleus in the control of serotonin release in the cat caudate nucleus

Using a push-pull cannula technique and an isotopic method for estimating [3H]serotonin continuously synthesized from [3H]tryptophan, the effects of changes in the release of serotonin in the dorsalis raphe nucleus on in vivo release of [3H]serotonin in the cat caudate nucleus were investigated. The increase in the release of serotonin in the dorsalis raphe nucleus caused by local application of parachlorophenylethylamine (10(-6) M) reduced striatal [3H]serotonin release. This inhibition in serotonin release in the striatum was blocked by the prior and continuous local superfusion of the dorsal raphe with methiothepin (10(-6) M), a serotonin autoreceptor antagonist. GABA (5 x 10(-5) M) applied to the dorsalis raphe reduced both local and striatal release of [3H]serotonin. However, picrotoxin (10(-5) M), a GABA A receptor antagonist applied locally in the dorsalis raphe nucleus increased [3H]serotonin release while decreasing striatal [3H]serotonin release. This decrease in serotonin release in the striatum was again blocked by continuous superfusion of the raphe with methiothepin. Furthermore, superfusion of serotonergic cell bodies of the dorsalis raphe nucleus with methiothepin alone never altered local release or striatal release of [3H]serotonin. These data strongly suggest that the release of serotonin from the cell body in the dorsalis raphe nucleus phasically controls release of the amine at the axonal nerve ending through serotonergic autoreceptors located on serotonergic nerve cell bodies in the dorsalis raphe nucleus. The origin of the serotonin released in the dorsalis raphe nucleus and the possibility that this type of regulation could be related to changes in nerve impulse conduction of the serotonergic raphe-striatal system are discussed.     

腹腔注射2-脱氧-D-葡萄糖可诱发大鼠视上核和室旁核神经元表达Fos

目的 探讨腹腔注射2-脱氧-D-葡萄糖（2-DG）能否激活大鼠下丘脑视上核（SON）和室旁核（PVN）神经元而表达Fos。方法 健康雄性SD大鼠12只,随机分为腹腔注射2-DG组（6只）、生理盐水对照组（3只）及正常对照组（3只）。各自处理后,应用免疫组织化学方法,观察各组下丘脑SON和PVN内Fos表达及其与催产素（OT）和加压素（VP）的双标情况,同时采用ELISA方法对血清中OT和VP的含量进行检测。 结果与生理盐水对照组和正常对照组相比,2-DG引发的特异性Fos免疫阳性产物主要集中分布于下丘脑外侧区和穹隆周区,在SON、PVN也有密集表达。SON和PVN内的Fos表达与该区的特异性神经活性物质OT和VP有共存。OT/Fos双标细胞率（双标细胞占OT阳性细胞的百分率）在SON和PVN分别为87.10%、90.57%,明显高于VP/Fos在这两个核团的双标率（双标细胞占VP阳性细胞的百分率,68.42%、76.92%）,两者比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。ELISA检测结果显示,2-DG组动物血清中OT和VP水平与对照组相比无明显变化。 结论 腹腔注射2-DG可激活大鼠下丘脑SON和PVN内OT和VP神经元表达Fos,SON和PVN可能参与2-DG诱导的急性应激反应。     

不同高渗刺激对下丘脑视上核和室旁核神经元功能状态的影响

视上核和室旁核是下丘脑中两个与渗透压感受、加压素分泌以及水平衡调节密切相关的核团。为了搞清楚这两个核团在不同刺激条件下的激活状态和反应特性,本文采用慢性和急性渴觉刺激模型,免疫组化和ELISA检测相结合的方法对视上核和室旁核内的Fos表达以及血清加压素水平进行了测定。慢性刺激组动物给予2% NaCl盐水持续2d,而急性刺激组动物皮下直接注射2mol/L的NaCl盐水2.5ml,两组动物的进食保持正常。结果表明,这两种不同的刺激方式引发的Fos表达模式基本相似,视上核、室旁核、下丘脑外侧区以及正中视前区、穹窿下器和终板血管下器等区都检测到大量的Fos阳性胞核。但Fos染色的深浅程度和Fos胞核的数量却在两组之间有明显的差异:急性组胞核浓染,数量多;慢性组胞核淡染,数量少。ELISA检测的结果与此相反,急性组动物血清中加压素的水平很低,与对照组没有明显差异;而慢性组动物血清中的加压素水平很高,几乎是对照组的2倍。以上结果提示,下丘脑神经元的激活和分泌功能与刺激方式密切相关,选择单一刺激模式、单一指标来揭示和衡量其功能状态是缺乏说服力的。     

Activity-dependent release and actions of endocannabinoids in the rat hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus

Exogenous cannabinoids have been shown to significantly alter neuroendocrine output, presaging the emergence of endogenous cannabinoids as important signalling molecules in the neuroendocrine control of homeostatic and reproductive functions, including the stress response, energy metabolism and gonadal regulation. We showed recently that magnocellular and parvocellular neuroendocrine cells of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus (SON) respond to glucocorticoids by releasing endocannabinoids as retrograde messengers to modulate the synaptic release of glutamate. Here we show directly for the first time that both of the main endocannabinoids, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), are released in an activity-dependent fashion from the soma/dendrites of SON magnocellular neurones and suppress synaptic glutamate release and postsynaptic spiking. Cannabinoid reuptake blockade increases activity-dependent endocannabinoid levels in the region of the SON, and results in the inhibition of synaptically driven spiking activity in magnocellular neurones. Together, these findings demonstrate an activity-dependent release of AEA and 2-AG that leads to the suppression of glutamate release and that is capable of shaping spiking activity in magnocellular neurones. This activity-dependent regulation of excitatory synaptic input by endocannabinoids may play a role in determining spiking patterns characteristic of magnocellular neurones under stimulated conditions.     

Light and electron microscopic localization of glutamate immunoreactivity in the supraoptic nucleus of the rat hypothalamus

The distribution of glutamate immunoreactivity was mapped within the supraoptic nucleus of the rat hypothalamus utilizing a specific anti-glutamate antibody. Magnocellular neuroendocrine cells of the supraoptic nucleus showed intense immunoreactivity for glutamate which varied with the conditions of fixation. Within the perikarya, reaction product was found associated with the endoplasmic reticulum but not the mitochondria, Golgi, dense bodies or neurosecretory granules. A relatively high density of glutamate-immunoreactive terminals was found in the supraoptic nucleus. These terminals were less affected by fixation condition and were generally found contacting large, glutamate-immunoreactive processes within the ventral dendritic neuropil of the supraoptic nucleus. The pattern and characteristics of glutamate immunoreactivity in the supraoptic nucleus suggested the presence of two distinct glutamate pools. The magnocellular neuroendocrine cells may contain a large, labile metabolic pool of glutamate. These cells, in turn, appear to receive glutamate synaptic input from a more stable pool consistent with suggestions that glutamate may be used as a transmitter within this system.     

Phasically firing neurons in the supraoptic nucleus of the rat hypothalamus: immunocytochemical and electrophysiological studies

Relations between firing patterns and peptides in supraoptic neurons of rat hypothalamic slice preparations were studied by electrophysiology, intracellular fluorescent dye-marking and immunocytochemistry. Seven out of 10 magnocellular neurons which showed phasically firing patterns were identified by injections of Lucifer Yellow-CH (LY); these were also stained with an anti-vasopressin serum. This report presents direct evidence that most of the phasically firing neurosecretory neurons in the supraoptic nucleus contain vasopressin. This study demonstrates the feasibility of combining immunocytochemical and electrophysiological techniques to study the peptides contents of single mammalian neurons.     

Evidence for structural plasticity in the supraoptic nucleus of the rat hypothalamus in relation to gestation and lactation

Supraoptic nuclei of lactating rats present a particular anatomical organization that could serve to facilitate the synchronization of neuronal firing observed during suckling-induced reflex milk ejections. Although magnocellular neurones are usually separated by neuropil elements, particularly glial fibers, in lactating rats, numerous neurosecretory soma and dendritic profiles are in direct apposition, without glial interposition. Concomitantly, there is also a higher incidence of presynaptic terminals contacting two neurosecretory elements in the same plane of section ("double" synapses). In the present study, a quantitative ultrastructural analysis was used to trace the evolution of the structural reorganization of the nucleus at different stages of the reproductive cycle. The percentage of neurosecretory soma and dendritic profiles in direct apposition was low two weeks after the beginning of pregnancy, but the day prior to parturition, as during lactation, over 40% of all neurosecretory profiles were directly in contact and involved about 10% of the total neuronal surface membrane measured (a 5-fold increase over the corresponding frequencies recorded in virgin rats at oestrus). The contiguous neuronal membranes and associated intercellular space appeared unmodified, except for the presence of attachment plaques, that also increased in frequency at late gestation and lactation. The incidence of "double" synapses also increased by late gestation, so that at lactation, they bridged 8% of all the recorded neurosecretory somata and dendrites, (as compared to 1% in the virgin rats). Similar changes were observed during a first and second gestation and lactation. The incidence of direct appositions and "double" synapses then diminished gradually after weaning: 2 months after the end of lactation, the ultrastructure of the nucleus resembled that of virgin animals. These observations demonstrate a plasticity in the structural organization of the supraoptic nucleus that appears closely related to changing physiological states of the animal and that involves both neurone-glial relationships and the neurones' synaptic configuration.     

糖尿病大鼠下丘脑视上核nNOS免疫阳性神经元的变化

目的：观察糖尿病大鼠下丘脑视上核神经元型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)免疫阳性神经元数量的变化。方法：用链脲佐菌素诱导建立糖尿病大鼠模型;免疫细胞化学染色显示nNOS免疫阳性神经元,并进行定量分析。结果：糖尿病视上核nNOS免疫阳性神经元着色深浅不一,着色较深的阳性神经元散在分布,神经元的形态多样,突起较少。对照组大鼠视上核nNOS免疫阳性神经元较稀疏,各时期无明显改变。糖尿病2w,nNOS免疫阳性神经元数量与对照组无显著差异;7w,nNOS阳性神经元较密集,明显多于对照组;12w,nNOS免疫阳性神经元数量略低于7w,但仍多于对照组。结论：糖尿病大鼠下丘脑视上核nNOS免疫阳性神经元数量明显增多。     

Chronic morphine treatment inhibits oxytocin release from the supraoptic nucleus slices of rats

Effect of chronic morphine treatment on oxytocin (OT) release from the long term-cultured organotypic slice of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) was investigated using radioimmunoassay. The co-localization of oxytocin and mu-opioid receptor in neurons within the SON was observed with the double-labeled methods of in situ hybridization combined with immunohistochemistry. After exposure to morphine for 6days, the OT levels in culture media were significantly decreased. Naloxone caused much greater release of OT in chronic morphine treatment group than in controls. Naloxone has no effect after acute morphine treatment. 90% of OT-ir (immunoreactive) neurons expressed mu-opioid receptor mRNA in the SON and 45% of the neurons that expressed mu-opioid receptor mRNAs were OT-ir neurons. These results indicated that the neurons within SON could develop dependence on morphine in vitro, and these effects might be exerted via mu-opioid receptor in oxytocin neurons of the SON.