Detailed mapping of CGRP mRNA expression in the rat central nervous system: Comparison with previous immunocytochemical findings

The localization of CGRP mRNA in neurons of the rat brain and spinal cord was assessed by in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISH) using a radiolabeled synthetic 57-mer oiigodeoxynucleotide probe complementary to the rat prepro CGRP mRNA. Results were compared with previously published findings of CGRP-immunoreactive (CGRP-IR) cell bodies revealed by an indirect immunofluorescence technique. The highest numbers of CGRP mRNA expressing neurons as well as the greatest intensity of staining were found in the lateral hypothalamic area, the parabrachial nuclei, and among the cranial motor nuclei, especially in the nuclei of the 7th and 12th nerve and the ambiguus nucleus, which is generally in good agreement with findings assessed by immunocytochemistry (ICH). However, some mismatches between the localizaton of the peptide by ICH and the localization of the CGRP mRNA were also observed. Thus, ISH was not able to confirm CGRP-IR in cells of the amygdaloid complex and parts of the medial hypothalamus, the central gray, and the inferior colliculus, but ISH revealed considerably more CGRP mRNA expressing cells in the lateral hypothalamic area, arcuate nucleus, posterior and peripeduncular thalamic nuclei, and all cranial motor nuclei than CGRP-IR containing cells found by ICH. Moreover, ISH also revealed CGRP mRNA synthesis in the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract and in the perihypoglossal nuclei that were devoid of CGRP-IR. The reasons for the observed mismatches still remain to be elucidated; however, intracerebroventricular colchicine pretreatment used to increase immunocytochemical signals also might have induced or suppressed gene expression in certain brain regions in an unpredictable matter. On the other hand, detection of only the mRNA in a certain region does not necessarily mean that also the active peptide is synthesized there.     

神经根修复时间对脊髓前角运动神经元存活的影响

目的评价神经根修复时间对脊髓前角运动神经元存活的影响。方法采用大鼠颈。神经根性撕脱伤和椎孔外切断实验动物模型，根据动物神经根损伤类型和损伤后修复时间分为A、B、C、D四组，每组16只。A、C组分别将撕脱与切断的神经根即刻回植入脊髓和于椎孔外直接吻合，B、D组将撕脱和椎孔外切断的神经根旷置3周后再重复上述手术。分别于神经根撕脱和椎孔外切断术后3周、3个月、6个月取材。应用组织病理活检、免疫组化技术及神经示踪技术，对神经中枢及吻合口下段神经干检查，观察脊髓病理改变和轴突再生情况，进行A、B组和C、D组间对比。结果臂丛神经根性损伤即刻修复组脊髓前角运动神经元和尼氏体数目、形态、减少程度及周围再生神经纤维数目、发育程度均优于损伤后3周修复组。结论神经根早期修复对脊髓前角运动神经元有明确的保护作用，对外周神经再生有促进作用。     

雄性大白鼠球海绵体肌和坐骨海绵体肌的运动神经元—HRP法研究

本实验用HRP注射于大白鼠的一侧球海绵体肌和坐骨海绵体肌后,在脊髓腰骶段的不同平面可观察到支配该两肌的运动神经元胞体出现标记并具有一定的局部定位关系。支配球海绵体肌的运动神经元主要位于L_5～S_1的背内侧群,而支配坐骨海绵体肌的运动神经元主要位于背外侧群和腹侧群。本文认为大白鼠腰骶段前角背内侧群和背外侧群同腹外侧群细胞一样,同属于Onuf's核的同源神经细胞。本文还观察了大白鼠腰骶段脊髓前柱细胞的配布。     

Desensitization of AMPA Receptors Limits the Amplitude of EPSPs and the Excitability of Motoneurons of the Rat Isolated Spinal Cord

Intracellular recording was used to study the effect of cyclothiazide, a selective blocker of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptor desensitization, on lumbar motoneurons of the rat isolated spinal cord. Cyclothiazide (25 μM) enhanced the responses to AMPA in a tetrodotoxin-insensitive fashion, without affecting those produced by N -methyl-D-aspartate or γ-aminobutyric acid. Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) evoked by dorsal root stimulation were strongly potentiated in amplitude while paired-pulse depression (produced by applying pairs of pulses at 2 s interval) of the EPSP was decreased. In the presence of cyclothiazide the frequency of spontaneous synaptic events was greatly increased and network-driven bursting activity developed with eventual loss of electrical excitability. The present results suggest that pharmacological block of AMPA receptor desensitization led to strong excitation of motoneurons and indicate a physiological role of desensitization in protecting these nerve cells from overactivity.     

Sound-generating (sonic) motor system in a teleost fish (Porichthys notatus): sexual polymorphisms and general synaptology of sonic motor nucleus

The sonic motor nucleus of the plainfin midshipman, Porichthys notatus, is a midline nucleus located at the junction of the caudal medulla and rostral spinal cord. Its motoneurons innervate sonic "drumming" muscles that are attached to the lateral walls of the swimbladder. There are two classes of sexually mature males referred to as Type I and Type II. The Type I males are larger and generate sounds during the breeding season. The Type II males are smaller and, like adult females, have not yet been shown to generate sounds. This study examined possible sex differences in the size of sonic motoneurons, and the type and distribution of their afferent terminal boutons. The average soma diameter of motoneurons of Type I males is about 50% larger than that of Type II males and females. There is also a small but significant difference in soma diameter between Type II males and females; they are smaller in the former class. There were no sex differences in the presence or distribution of different classes of axosomatic and axodendritic terminal boutons, which included: (1) active zones with either clear, round, or pleomorphic vesicles, (2) active zones with both clear, round vesicles, and larger dense core vesicles, (3) "mixed synapses" with gap junctions and active zones usually associated with pleomorphic vesicles. The results are discussed within the context of sexual differentiation of vertebrate motor systems and the functional organization of the sonic motor system in fishes. Sex differences in soma diameter correlate with a number of sex differences in the gross and ultrastructural features that distinguish the sonic muscles of Type I males from those of Type II males and females, which are similar to each other. The absence of qualitative sex differences in synaptic morphology suggest that the central neuronal circuitry of the sonic motor system is similar among all three adult morphs.     

肌萎灵注射液对大鼠原代培养运动神经元生长的影响

为了观察中药制剂肌萎灵注射液对大鼠原代培养脊髓运动神经元生长的影响,本研究采用MTT方法观察神经元活力,并通过免疫组织化学技术进行NF 200染色后图像分析测定突起长度。结果表明:浓度为0. 5% ~5%的肌萎灵注射液能增加培养神经元活力,浓度为0. 5% ~1%的肌萎灵能促进神经元突起生长。本研究结果提示:肌萎灵注射液对培养的大鼠脊髓运动神经元生长有促进作用。     

The output of the hippocampus is inhibited during social behavior in the male rat

We tested the role of C5 segment inspiratory interneurons in transcribing central respiratory drive to phrenic motoneurons and mediating intersegmental reflexes by cross-correlating the spontaneous activity of 26 interneurons with that of the ipsi -and contralateral C5 phrenic nerves in decerebrate cats. There were 10 interneurons that discharged only during inspiration (phrenic burst) and 16 that discharged tonically with increased firing during inspiration. Of the cross-correlograms for 26 of the interneurons with the ipsilateral phrenic, 20 were flat and 2 had peaks centred about time zero, interpreted as a common activation of the interneurons and motoneurons. The cross-correlograms for 4 other interneurons had troughs centred about time zero, interpreted as a synchronous excitation of the interneurons and inhibition of the motoneurons. Of the cross-correlograms for 23 interneurons with the contralateral phrenic, 22 were flat and 1 had a peak centred about time zero, interpreted as a common activation of the interneuron and motoneurons. Nine of ten cross-correlograms between pairs of interneurons were flat; one had a peak centred about time zero. We conclude that, despite their inspiratory modulated discharge patterns, there is no evidence from this study that the C5 segment inspiratory interneurons convey central respiratory drive to C5 phrenic motoneurons.     

腺病毒载体介导bcl-2基因转染在离体和在体状态下对损伤运动神经元的保护作用

本文目的在于观察携带 bcl-2基因的重组腺病毒 (Ad/ s-bcl-2 )在离体和在体条件下对损伤运动神经元的保护作用。采用培养脊髓运动神经元的谷氨酸损伤模型和大鼠坐骨神经切断损伤模型 ,评价重组 bcl-2腺病毒对损伤运动神经元的影响。指标是bcl-2原位杂交和免疫组化反应、台盼蓝拒染法检测培养神经元存活、TU NEL 阳性神经元计数以及脊髓运动神经元 ACh E反应。结果 :(1) Ad/ s-bcl-2可转染离体和在体脊髓运动神经元并使其过表达 bcl-2。 (2 )过表达 bcl-2可延长培养神经元的生存时间。(3 )过表达 bcl-2可显著地减少谷氨酸诱导的原代培养脊髓运动神经元的凋亡以及坐骨神经切断损伤诱导的脊髓运动神经元的凋亡。 (4 )过表达 bcl-2可显著地缓解坐骨神经损伤诱导的神经元内 ACh E的活性降低 ,并加速其恢复。本研究结果提示 :腺病毒载体中介 bcl-2基因转染对离体和在体损伤的运动神经元均具有保护作用     

豚鼠脊髓运动神经元分支至股神经和腰背肌的研究——逆行荧光双标记法

应用碘化丙院-双苯甲亚胺配伍逆行荧光双标记技术对豚鼠脊髓运动神经元分支至股神经和腰背肌作了研究.结果发现股神经的运动纤维来源于同侧L1～5脊髓前角内侧核运动神经元和L4～5脊髓前角外侧核运动神经元;腰背肌的运动纤维来源于同侧相应节段脊髓前角内侧核运动神经元.在L3～5脊髓前角内侧核运动神经元中,有碘化丙啶-双苯甲亚胺荧光双标记运动神经元,占内侧核全部标记运动神经元的18.8‰.结果提示脊髓前角运动神经元具有分支分布至腰背肌和股神经的现象.     

Monosynaptic inputs from the nucleus tractus solitarii to the laryngeal motoneurons in the nucleus ambiguus of the rat

The cricothyroid (CT) and the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscles in the larynx are activated by the laryngeal motoneurons located within the nucleus ambiguus; these motoneurons receive the laryngeal sensory information from the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) during respiration and swallowing. We investigated whether the neurons in the NTS projected directly to the laryngeal motoneurons, and what is the synaptic organization of their nerve terminals on the laryngeal motoneurons using the electron microscope. When wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) was injected into the NTS after cholera toxin subunit B-conjugated HRP (CT-HRP) was injected into the CT muscle or the PCA muscle, the anterogradely WGA-HRP-labeled terminals from the NTS were found to directly contact the retrogradely CT-HRP-labeled dendrites and soma of both the CT and the PCA motoneurons. The labeled NTS terminals comprised about 4% of the axosomatic terminals in a section through the CT motoneurons, and about 9% on both the small (PCA-A) and the large (PCA-B) PCA motoneurons. The number of labeled axosomatic terminals containing round vesicles and making asymmetric synaptic contacts (Gray’s type I) was almost equal to that of the labeled terminals containing pleomorphic vesicles and making symmetric synaptic contacts (Gray’s type II) on the CT motoneurons. The labeled axosomatic terminals were mostly Gray’s type II on the PCA-A motoneurons, while the majority of them were Gray’s type I on the PCA-B motoneurons. These results indicate that the laryngeal CT and PCA motoneurons receive a few direct excitatory and inhibitory inputs from the neurons in the NTS. Accepted: 2 June 2000