猫下丘中央核GABA能神经元年龄相关变化

目的比较研究猫下丘中央核(CIC)GABA能神经元年龄相关变化,探索老年个体听力下降的神经机制。方法Nissl染色显示下丘神经元,免疫组织化学ABC法显示γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)免疫阳性神经元。光镜下观察、拍照,对神经元和GABA能神经元分别计数并换算成密度,测量GABA能神经元直径取平均值。结果GABA阳性反应神经元、阳性纤维及其终末在青年猫及老年猫下丘中央核均有分布。与青年猫相比,老年猫下丘中央核神经元及GABA能神经元密度均显著下降(P<0.01),GABA能神经元下降幅度较大;GABA能神经元胞体直径明显减小(P<0.01),阳性反应明显减弱。结论在衰老过程中猫下丘神经元尤其是GABA能神经元有显著丢失现象,提示GABA能神经元显著减少导致下丘兴奋性和抑制性神经递质之间的平衡失调,可能是引起老年个体听觉功能衰退的重要原因。     

猫小脑皮质GABA能神经元年龄相关性变化

为探讨青年猫和老年猫小脑皮质GABA能神经元及其表达的年龄相关性变化,利用Nissl染色显示小脑皮质结构及神经元,免疫组织化学ABC法标记GABA免疫阳性神经元。光镜下观察,采集图像,并利用图像分析软件对分子层、蒲肯野细胞层和颗粒层神经元及GABA免疫阳性神经元及其灰度值进行分析统计。结果显示,GABA免疫阳性神经元、阳性纤维及终末在青年猫和老年猫小脑皮质各层均有分布。与青年猫相比,老年猫分子层、蒲肯野细胞层神经元和GABA免疫阳性神经元密度及其GABA免疫阳性反应强度均显著下降(P<0.01),颗粒层神经元密度和GABA免疫阳性强度也显著下降(P<0.01),但其GABA免疫阳性神经元密度无显著变化(P>0.05);蒲肯野细胞的胞体萎缩,阳性树突分枝减少。因此认为,衰老过程中猫小脑皮质GABA能神经元的丢失和GABA表达的下降,可能是老年个体运动协调、精确调速和运动学习等能力下降的重要原因之一。     

猫上丘浅层GABA能神经元的年龄相关性变化

目的比较青年猫和老年猫上丘浅层（superricial Superior Colliculus,sSC）GABA能神经元及其表达的年龄相关性变化,探讨老年个体视觉功能衰退的相关神经机理。方法Nissl染色显示上丘浅层结构及神经元、免疫组织化学ABC法标记GABA免疫阳性神经元。光镜下观察,采集图像,并利用图像分析软件对带状层、浅灰质层和视层神经元及GABA免疫阳性神经元及其灰度值进行分析统计。结果GABA免疫阳性神经元、阳性纤维及其终末在青年猫及老年猫上丘浅层均有分布。与青年猫相比,老年猫上丘浅灰质层、视层神经元和GABA免疫阳性神经元密度及其GABA免疫阳性反应强度均显著下降（P〈0．01）（免疫反应强度与平均灰度值成反比）;带状层神经元密度也显著下降（P〈0．01）,但其GABA免疫阳性神经元密度无显著变化（P〉0．05）。结论衰老过程中猫上丘浅层GABA能神经元的丢失和GABA表达的下降,可能是在上丘水平上导致老年个体视觉功能衰退的重要因素之一。     

猫丘系层Glu与GABA表达的年龄相关性变化

为探讨青年猫和老年猫丘系层谷氨酸（Glu）与γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）表达的年龄相关性变化,利用Nissl染色显示丘系层神经元,免疫组织化学ABC法标记Glu和GABA免疫阳性神经元。光镜下观察、拍照,对Glu和GABA能免疫阳性神经元分别计数并换算成密度。利用IPE软件测量Glu和GABA免疫阳性反应灰度值（免疫阳性强度与灰度值成反比）。结果显示,Glu和GABA阳性反应神经元、阳性纤维及其终末在青年猫及老年猫丘系层均有分布。与青年猫相比,老年猫丘系层Glu能免疫阳性神经元密度显著增大（p〈0.01）,免疫阳性反应灰度值显著降低（p〈0.01）,免疫阳性反应显著增强;GABA能免疫阳性神经元密度显著下降（p〈0.01）,免疫阳性反应灰度值显著升高（p〈0.01）,免疫阳性反应显著减弱。结果提示,衰老过程中猫丘系层Glu的表达增强和GABA的表达减弱导致兴奋性神经递质和抑制性神经递质之间的平衡失调,可能是视觉、听觉、躯体感觉等单感觉功能衰退及多感觉整合功能增强的主要原因之一。     

猫外侧膝状体年龄相关性形态学变化

目的比较青年猫与老年猫外侧膝状体(lateral geniculate nucleus,LGN)神经元及γ-氨基丁酸(gama-aminobutyric acid,GABA)能神经元的年龄相关性变化,探讨老年个体视觉功能衰退的相关神经机理。方法Nissl染色示猫外侧膝状体分层结构(A、A1、C3层)及神经元,免疫组织化学法示GABA免疫阳性神经元。光镜下观察、拍照,Nissl染色切片测量外侧膝状体各层厚度、神经元胞体直径并计数神经元数量;免疫组化染色切片测量外侧膝状体各层中GABA阳性神经元胞体直径并计数GABA阳性神经元数量。结果青年猫及老年猫外侧膝状体各层厚度、神经元数量及胞体直径无明显改变(P>0.05);与青年猫相比,老年猫外侧膝状体各层中GABA阳性神经元数量及胞体直径均有不同程度的显著下降(P<0.01),且GABA免疫阳性反应减弱。结论在动物个体衰老进程中,外侧膝状体总体神经元保持相对稳定可能对老年个体维持视觉功能具有一定意义;老年个体外侧膝状体GABA能神经元对视觉信息传递及整合过程的抑制性调节功能削弱,可能是外侧膝状体水平上导致老年个体视觉功能衰退的原因之一。     

S100蛋白在猫初级视皮层中分布及其年龄相关性变化

比较青年猫和老年猫初级视皮层(primary visual cortex)各层神经元密度,及S100蛋白在初级视皮层各层中的表达与分布,探讨其表达与分布的年龄相关性变化及意义.Nissl法显示初级视皮层各层神经元,免疫组织化学方法(SABC法)示S100蛋白免疫阳性(S100-IR)细胞.光镜下观察、拍照,计数初级视皮层各层中神经元密度和S100-IR细胞密度.S100-IR细胞在初级视皮层中分布呈现区域性特点,白质较灰质密集.与青年猫相比,老年猫初级视皮层神经元密度有下降,老年猫初级视皮层各层S100-IR细胞密度均有不同程度的显著增加(尤其是Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ层),胞体较大,阳性较强.动物衰老过程中,初级视皮层存在着明显的星形胶质细胞反应性增生,这种增生可能对灰质层中神经元的丢失有补偿作用,并对维持老年个体初级视皮层形态结构和延缓老年动物初级视皮层功能衰退具有积极意义.     

神经生长因子家族成员NGF、BDNF、NT-3和NT-4在猫L6脊髓的分布

采用免疫组织化学方法观察神经生长因子家庭成员NGF、BDNF、NT3和NT4在成年猫L6脊髓的分布.结果在L6脊髓灰质均可见四种生长因子的免疫阳性细胞,这些细胞主要是腹角及背角深部的大神经元及背角浅层的小神经元.灰质内亦内NGF、NT3及NT4阳性的胶质细胞,但数量多少不等.其中NT3者最多,其次是NGF,NT4者最少.此外,Ⅱ板层内还可见较多BDNF及少量NT-3阳性神经膨体.本文结果表明,在成年猫脊髓存在NGF、BDNF、NT3和NT4,但其分布有差异.     

神经生长因子家族成员NGF、BDNF、NT-3和NT-4在猫L6脊髓的分布

采用免疫组织化学方法观察神经生长因子家庭成员NGF,BDNF、NT3和NT4在成年猫L6脊髓的分布。结果;在L6脊髓灰质均可见四种生长因子的免疫阳性细胞,这些细胞主要是腹角及凝角深部的大神经元及背角浅层的小神经元,灰质内亦内NGF,NT3及NT4阳性的胶质细胞,但数量多少不等,其中NT3者最多,其次是NGF,NT4者最少,此外,Ⅱ板层内还可见较多BDNF及少量NT-3阳性神经膨体,本文结果表明,在成年猫脊髓存在NGF,BDNF、NT3和NT4,但其分布有差异。     

青年猫与老年猫初级听皮层GABA_A受体免疫表达的比较研究

目的对5只老年猫(12岁,3-3.5kg)与5只青年猫(2岁,3-3.5kg)初级听皮层(AI)γ-氨基丁酸(gamma-aminobutyric acid,GABA)A受体神经元进行免疫表达比较研究,探索老年猫与青年猫初级听皮层(AI)GABAA受体年龄性变化及产生可影响的生理作用。方法运用免疫组织化学反应与免疫印迹相结合的方法对不同年龄组动物(AI)组织进行染色。光学显微镜下观察、拍照;免疫组织化学阳性反应示GABAA R-IR(GABAA receptor-immunoreaction)神经元形态、密度及分布;免疫印迹示GABAA受体蛋白含量变化。结果老年猫的AI区GABAA R-IR神经元密度比青年猫的GABAA R-IR下降了29.19%,阳性反应强度减弱了20.7%,老年猫阳性反应细胞占神经元总数百分比比青年猫的减少了5.32%;老年猫的GABAA受体蛋白表达量比青年猫的下降了23.16%。结论初级听皮层GABAA受体细胞及受体表达下调可能是老年个体听觉功能减退的重要原因。     

猫视皮层星形胶质细胞的老年性变化

电生理研究结果显示,在衰老过程中猫的视皮层神经元对视觉刺激的反应性出现显著的功能衰退,是否这种功能性衰退伴随胶质细胞活动的改变尚无直接的实验证据。以前期电生理实验猫为材料,用免疫形态学方法比较青年猫和老年猫初级视皮层内星形胶质细胞的活动状况。利用Nissl染色显示猫初级视皮层组织结构,用免疫组织化学方法（SABC法）显示GFAP免疫阳性（GFAP-IR）星形胶质细胞。光镜下观察、拍照,对GFAP-IR细胞计数并换算成密度,测量GFAP-IR直径取平均值。老年猫初级视皮层灰质各层及白质内的GFAP-IR细胞密度比青年猫的显著升高（p〈0.001）。与青年猫相比,老年猫视皮层灰质和白质中GFAP-IR细胞的平均直径均比青年猫的显著增大（p〈0.0001）,且老年猫视皮层内GFAP阳性免疫反应较青年猫的明显增强。老年猫初级视皮层神经元功能衰退伴随着星形胶质细胞活动的增强,胶质细胞活动增强有助于神经元之间的信息交流,因而可能对衰老过程中神经元的功能衰退起补偿作用。     

QUANTITATIVE HISTOCHEMISTRY OF γ-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID IN CAT SPINAL CORD WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PRESYNAPTIC INHIBITION

Abstract— A method is described for quantifying the GABA distribution in cat spinal cord at 200–500 μn resolution. Isolated spinal cord (L5–S1) was frozen and sectioned at about 150 μm thickness. The frozen tissue section was cut into 200 or 500 μm square blocks. The GABA content of each square tissue block was determined by enzymic micromethods and GABA distribution was mapped quantitatively. Average GABA concentrations were: 0·4 mmol/l. in white matter, 1·2 mmol/l. in ventral horn and 1·7 mmol/l. in dorsal horn. The highest concentrations of GABA (2–3 mmol/l.) were found in the dorsolateral part of dorsal horn. In order to destroy the interneurons of dorsal horn, the blood vessels supplying the dorsal horn of the lumbar enlargement were unilaterally cauterized. Seven to 30 days after operation, both the size of dorsal root potential and the GABA level in the dorsal horn were markedly reduced on the cauterized side. These results suggest that GABA is highly concentrated in the interneurons of dorsal horn and functions as a transmitter of presynaptic inhibition.     

ABRA在不同年龄大鼠腰段脊髓中的表达变化

目的检测Actin binding Rho activator（ABRA）在不同年龄大鼠腰段脊髓中的表达变化。方法采用Western blot定量检测不同年龄大鼠腰段脊髓中ABRA蛋白水平表达变化,采用免疫荧光染色显示不同年龄大鼠腰髓中ABRA细胞定位。结果Western blot显示ABRA在新生鼠腰段脊髓中表达显著高于成年鼠及老年鼠。免疫荧光染色显示ABRA广泛表达于神经元的胞核、胞浆和突起,在腰髓前角,与前角运动神经元存在共定位,在腰髓后角,与小的NeuN阳性感觉神经元存在共定位。腰髓前角、后角的阳性细胞计数均显示新生鼠ABRA＋NeuN双阳性细胞占总ABRA阳性细胞百分比显著低于成年鼠及老年鼠。结论ABRA广泛表达于腰髓中的神经元,ABRA在新生鼠腰髓中表达最强,随年龄的增长呈现明显的时相变化,提示ABRA可能参与了腰髓中神经元的发育和成熟。     

AMINO ACID AND SUBSTANCE P CONTENTS IN SPINAL CORD OF CATS WITH EXPERIMENTAL HIND-LIMB RIGIDITY PRODUCED BY OCCLUSION OF SPINAL CORD BLOOD SUPPLY

Abstract— Experimental hind-limb rigidity of spinal origin was produced in cats by temporary occlusion of thoracic aorta and internal mammary arteries. In the lumbar segments (L6- S1) of these rigid cats, the monosynaptic reflex recorded from ventral roots was enhanced whereas the polysynaptic reflexes as well as the dorsal root reflexes were almost abolished. On morphological examination of the lumbar spinal cord, the number of interneurons was greatly reduced, whereas the small sized cells, presumably glial cells, were increased by about two times. Ventral horn motoneurons were also reduced. The lumbar spinal cords of the rigid cats were analysed for amino acid and substance P contents. Four major amino acids, aspartate, glutamate, glycine and GABA, were definitely reduced in both grey and white matter except that the glutamate level in the dorsal white was within the normal range. Content and distribution pattern of substance P were not altered in the lumbar cord of the rigid cats. These results are consistent with the notions that GABA occurs in the dorsal horn interneurons subserving primary afferent depolarisation, and that substance P is concentrated in primary afferent fibre terminals. The implications of the decrease of aspartate, glutamate and glycine in the spinal cord of rigid cats are discussed.     

Distribution of glycine/GABA neurons in the ventromedial medulla with descending spinal projections and evidence for an ascending glycine/GABA projection

The ventromedial medulla (VM), subdivided in a rostral (RVM) and a caudal (CVM) part, has a powerful influence on the spinal cord. In this study, we have identified the distribution of glycine and GABA containing neurons in the VM with projections to the cervical spinal cord, the lumbar dorsal horn, and the lumbar ventral horn. For this purpose, we have combined retrograde tracing using fluorescent microspheres with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for glycine transporter 2 (GlyT2) and GAD67 mRNAs to identify glycinergic and/or GABAergic (Gly/GABA) neurons. Since the results obtained with FISH for GlyT2, GAD67, or GlyT2 + GAD67 mRNAs were not significantly different, we concluded that glycine and GABA coexisted in the various projection neurons. After injections in the cervical cord, we found that 29% ± 1 (SEM) of the retrogradely labeled neurons in the VM were Gly/GABA (RVM: 43%; CVM: 21%). After lumbar dorsal horn injections 31% ± 3 of the VM neurons were Gly/GABA (RVM: 45%; CVM: 12%), and after lumbar ventral horn injections 25% ± 2 were Gly/GABA (RVM: 35%; CVM: 17%). In addition, we have identified a novel ascending Gly/GABA pathway originating from neurons in the area around the central canal (CC) throughout the spinal cord and projecting to the RVM, emphasizing the interaction between the ventromedial medulla and the spinal cord. The present study has now firmly established that GABA and glycine are present in many VM neurons that project to the spinal cord. These neurons strongly influence spinal processing, most notably the inhibition of nociceptive transmission.     

神经营养素3和脑源性神经生长因子在大鼠脊髓中的定位表达

神经营养素3（NT－3）和脑源性神经生长因子（BDNF）是神经生长因子（NGF）的同源物,体外实验表明NT－3和BDNF能促进感觉神经元和交感神经元的存活,但是NT－3和BDNF在脊髓中的生物学作用和定位分布还不十分清楚。本用免疫组化ABC法观察了NT－3和BDNF的免疫阳性反应物在大鼠脊髓中的分布。结果表明：呈NT－3样免疫阳性反应的胶质细胞分布于脊髓的后索、侧索和前索中;免疫反应阳性的神经元主要见于脊髓前角,少数见于脊髓后角。BDNF位于大鼠的脊髓前角动物神经元;在脊髓Ⅱ板层中还可见较多的BDNF免疫反应阳性的神经终末。提示NT－3和BDNF在维持脊髓神经元和胶质细胞的生理功能中可能起重要作用。     

Possible involvement of GABA in the central actions of benzodiazepines.

The effects of several benzodiazepines on a variety of nervous activities known or presumed to depend on GABA are presented and compared with those of agents that deplete or increase the level of endogenous GABA: antagonism of various convulsant agents in mice, enhancement of presynaptic inhibition in the spinal cord and the cuneate nucleus of cats, decrease of the spontaneous firing rate of cerebellar Purkinje cells in cats and rats, antagonism of bicuculine-induced depression of the strio-nigral-evoked potential in the cat, potentiation of haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rats, GABA-mimetic actions on drug-induced PGO-waves in cats and on eserine-induced circling in guinea pigs. Diazepam slightly increased the GABA level in the cat spinal cord and in the total brain of mice and rats; this increase does not seem to be due to an increase of GABA synthesis. It is concluded that benzodiazepines probably enhance presynaptic inhibition at all levels of the neuraxis and that this effect requires not only the presence of GABA but is also dependent on an activity of GABA-ergic neurons. Benzodiazepines also appear to enhance postsynaptic inhibition where this is mediated by GABA. Many actions of benzodiazepines can be tentatively explained by a stimulus-bound enhancement of GABA effects.     

Age-related changes of the GABA-B receptor in the lumbar spinal cord of male rats and penile erection

Dorsal horn neurons of lumbosacral spinal cord innervate penile vasculature and regulate penile erection. GABAergic system is involved in the regulation of male sexual behavior. Because aging is frequently accompanied by a progressive decline in erectile function, the aim of this work was to examine age-related changes of the GABA-B receptor in the lumbar spinal cord. Sprague-Dawley rats of 10 and 21 days old, 3, 9 and 20 months old were used. GABA-B receptors were evaluated by quantitative autoradiography using [3H]-Baclofen as ligand with or without GABA (10 microM) to determine the non-specific binding. Ten days after birth a homogeneous neuroanatomical distribution pattern was found in the gray matter, however at 20-day-old adult distribution emerged becoming heterogeneous with the highest binding values at layers II-III and X. In dorsal layers a significant decrease was observed in 9-month-old rats while layer X showed an earlier decrease (21-day-old). GABA-B receptor affinity showed significant age-dependent and regional increase. The GABA-B receptor decrease in aged rats seems not to be related to this receptor inhibitory function in penile erection. Moreover the changes found in GABA-B receptor binding anatomical distribution may indicate its role in the morphological development of the lumbar spinal cord rather than in the decline of the erectile function.     

大鼠脊髓挤压伤后NT-3、NT-4在腹角运动神经元表达的变化

我们前面的研究已证实,神经生长因子和脑源性神经营养因子与成年大鼠挤压性脊髓损伤修复有关。在本研究中,通过免疫组织化学ABC法,我们探讨了挤压伤后不同时间脊髓腹角神经元NT-3和NT-4的表达。结果显示,在对照组,NT-3和NT-4的阳性反应主要分布在脊髓腹角神经元,挤压性脊髓损伤后7天和21天,NT-3阳性神经元的数量较对照组和24小时组明显增加,比较之,损伤后24小时和7天,NT-4阳性神经元的数量已较正常者增多,且NT-T的反应强度21天者较24小时和7天者有增多。结果表明NT-3和NT-4的表达在挤压性损伤后的脊髓腹角神经元被不同程度地上调,提示NT-3和NT-4可能与挤压性脊髓损伤修复有关。