糖皮质激素对大鼠下丘脑薄片室旁核神经元放电的影响

自60年代以来,许多整体电生理实验结果表明,糖皮质激素能对下丘脑、中脑、海马和脊髓等部位的神经元电活动产生快速而且短暂的影响。这类反应的潜伏期只有数秒到数分钟,因此糖皮质激素不可能通过基因机制起作用,它可能还存在着其他的作用方式。目前已有生化实验的资料证实,两栖类和哺乳类某些细胞的质膜上存在糖皮质激素的膜结合位点。本室以往的研究结果亦提示在豚鼠腹腔神经     

下丘脑室旁核加压素能神经元参与电针刺激对实验性...

It has been demonstrated in animal model of somatic pain that hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) participates in acupuncture analgesia, probably by mediation of vasopressin release. The role of PVN in acupuncture analgesia for experimental visceral pain in rats was further investigated in the present study. Experimental results demonstrated that electroacupuncture could inhibit the writhing response, produced by intraperitoneal injection of antimonium potassium tartrate and this inhibitory effect could be enhanced by electrical stimulation of PVN, but decreased by electrolytical lesion of PVN, intracerebroventricular injection of vasopressin antiserum (14 microliters) or the vasopressin antagonist, d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)-AVP (500 ng/5 microliters). Intraperitoneal administration of the latter drug (10 micrograms/kg), however, was ineffective. The above experimental results suggest that vasopressinergic neurons in PVN also participate in the inhibition of visceral pain by electroacupuncture.     

孤束核内注NPY抗体对电刺激室旁核引起心血管反应的影响

本实验在乌拉坦麻醉的大鼠上进行。电刺激下丘脑室旁核（ＰＶＨ）使动脉血压升高,心率加快,并伴有瞳孔扩大,胡须抖动等交感反应。向孤束核（ＮＴＳ）微量注射神经肽Ｙ（ＮＰＹ）抗体后,电刺激ＰＶＨ引起的升压反应被阻断５３．８％,心率加快被阻断５７．１％,交感反应也被减弱。兴奋缰核（Ｈｂ）可对抗孤束核内注射ＮＰＹ抗体对室旁核引起的心血管反应的影响。结果提示：孤束核参与电刺激ＰＶＨ引起的心血管作用,其间有ＮＰＹ纤维的参与,同时证明Ｈｂ在其中起一定的作用。     

皮质酮对大鼠下丘脑薄片室旁核神经元自发电活动的影响

本实验应用离体大鼠下丘脑薄片技术,用玻璃微电极细胞外记录、观察了下丘脑室旁核神经元的自发电活动,以及皮质酮对自发电活动的影响。在36个下丘脑薄片上观察了104个室旁核神经元的自发电活动,其放电形式主要有三种:慢而不规则(50个,占48.1%)、快速连续(44个,占42.5%)和周期性放电(10个,9.4%)。在进行皮质酮灌流的实验中,这104个单位有25个在皮质酮(10~(-7),10~(-6)mol/L)作用后,自发放电明显减少,有8个单位出现兴奋效应;其余的没有观察到明显反应。上述33个产生反应的神经元其反应特点是:潜伏期短、反应的程度与皮质酮浓度有关、糖皮质激素胞液受体阻断剂 RU38486可以阻断这种反应。结果表明糖皮质激素可以快速影响下丘脑薄片内某些室旁核神经元的电活动,为甾体激素的快速非基因机制作用提供了新的证据,提示室旁核神经元膜上有糖皮质激素受体存在。     

烫伤对大鼠下丘脑视上核、室旁核AVP神经元的影响──免疫电镜观察及形态计量分析

为研究加压素与应激的关系,我们曾应用免疫细胞化学（ＰＡＰ）方法结合图像分析技术观察到烫伤应激后２小时视上核、室旁核加压素神经元免疫反应阳性物质的总体积减小最明显。本文采用免疫电镜技术,进一步观察了烫伤后２小时视上核、室旁核加压素神经元超微结构的变化,并运用体视学方法定量分析了对照组及烫伤后２小时组视上核、室分校加压素神经元各２４０张照片的粗面内质网、高尔基复合体及线粒体的体积密度（Ｖｖ）、面积密度（Ｓｖ）、面数密度（Ｎａ）等。结果显示：烫伤后２小时组视上核、室旁核加压素神经元的粗面内质网的Ｖｖ．Ｓｖ显著增大,说明合成功能已开始增强,但是,高尔基复合体的Ｖｖ、Ｓｖ及阳性分泌颗粒却显著减少,因而引起总体积的缩小。从超微结构水平进一步证实加压素参与应激过程。     

下丘脑室旁核的心血管调节功能研究进展

下丘脑室旁核 (PVN)是自主性和内分泌性反应的重要整合中枢 ,且在维持心血管活动的动态平衡中起着关键作用。本文简要归纳了PVN的形态结构、纤维联系 ,并详细叙述其对心血管活动的调节及与心血管疾病的关系。     

下丘脑室旁核内雌激素受体的表达与意义

下丘脑室旁核 (paraventricularnucleus ,PVN)包括大细胞部、小细胞部和背侧帽部等几个部分 ,其中大细胞部主要合成催产素和加压素 ,小细胞部主要合成促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素、甘丙肽等多种神经肽。研究发现PVN的神经内分泌活动受到雌激素的调节 ,进而影响动物的分娩、摄食、脂肪代谢、体重增加等生理功能。雌激素有α和 β两种受体 (即ER α和ER β)。在不同种属动物的PNV内两种雌激素受体的表达水平不同 ,如大鼠PVN主要表达ER β ,而小鼠PVN内除了表达ER β以外也能表达少量ER α ,提示两种ER在不同动物的PVN内功能可能不同 ,它们单独或协同介导雌激素在PVN内参与多种肽能神经元有关的生理功能。     

大鼠下丘脑室旁核神经元对电刺激迷走神经的反应

用玻璃微电极记录了93只大鼠的1059个PVH单位的电活动,观察了电刺激颈部迷走神经对PVH单位自发放电的效应和所引起的PVH单位的诱发反应。电刺激迷走神经分别使46个及10个PVH单位呈诱发兴奋和抑制反应。给予迷走神经以不同强度的刺激时,发现PVH神经元对激活A和C两类纤维的强刺激反应,而对仅激活A类纤维的弱刺激则不反应。PVH单位对电刺激坐骨神经或迷走神经的反应有以下几种:对迷走神经和坐骨神经刺激均作出兴奋或抑制反应;仅对迷走刺激作出兴奋或兴奋-抑制反应,而对坐骨神经刺激不反应;对坐骨神经刺激作出兴奋反应,而对迷走神经刺激不反应。讨论了迷走神经到室旁核的中枢传导特点以及内脏传入和躯体传入信息在PVH单位会聚的可能意义。     

树鼩室旁核血管加压素免疫阳性神经元的电镜观察

用免疫组化 PAP 技术,对树鼩(Tupaia Belangeri)室旁核血管加压素(VP)免疫阳性神经元进行电镜观察。发现室旁核 VP 阳性神经元核固体内的 VP 阳性反应物主要与高尔基复合体、神经分泌颗粒有关。但在粗面内质网未见 VP 阳性反应物,这与前人对大鼠的研究报告不同。     

不同生殖状态雌性大鼠下丘脑视上核和室旁核内一氧化氮合酶神经元的变化

为了探讨下丘脑视上核 (SON)和室旁核 (PVN)内的一氧化氮 (NO)水平与生殖活动的关系 ,本实验应用 NADPH-黄递酶组织化学和 NOS免疫组织化学 ,研究了妊娠期、哺乳期和正常雌性大鼠 SON和 PVN内 NO合酶 (NOS)神经元的变化规律。结果发现 ,妊娠期大鼠的 NOS神经元数目、胞体截面积和免疫反应产物的灰度值在 PVN分别为 49.8± 3.9、15 2 .4± 14.1μm2 和 15 3.4± 8.9;在 SON分别为 2 9.2± 3.7、 16 3.5± 13.8μm2 和 140 .5± 7.2。 SON和 PVN的前两项指标均显著高于正常大鼠 (P<0 .0 1) ,而灰度值显著低于正常大鼠 (P<0 .0 1)。哺乳期大鼠 PVN的 NOS神经元数目和胞体截面积分别高于正常大鼠 2 8%和 9% ,而灰度值低于正常大鼠 7% ;在 SON,则分别高 75 %、 11%和低 9% ,以上三项指标均有显著性差异 (P<0 .0 1)。哺乳期大鼠 SON的 NOS神经元数目亦显著高于妊娠期大鼠 (P<0 .0 1)。这些结果提示 ,雌性大鼠在妊娠期和哺乳期 ,其 SON和 PVN内的 NOS活性上调     

Stimulation of Neuropeptide Y Overflow in the Rat Paraventricular Nucleus by Corticotropin-Releasing Factor

Abstract: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) are present at high concentrations in the hypothalamus where they mediate important endocrine and autonomic functions. Morphological and physiological studies have suggested an interaction between these peptides, and opposing actions of CRF and NPY have been reported on feeding and other behaviors. This study investigated the effect of CRF on NPY release in vivo, measured by push-pull techniques, in the anesthetized rat. Push-pull probes implanted into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) were perfused with modified Ringer solution containing bovine serum albumin at 15 µl/min, and the perfusate was lyophilized prior to NPY radioimmunoassay. NPY overflow from the rat PVN was increased threefold by perfusion of a depolarizing concentration of potassium (50 mmol/L KCI). When CRF was administered into the PVN via the push-pull cannula at 1 or 5 µg/ml, dose-dependent increases in NPY overflow of two- and fivefold were observed ( p < 0.05). These increases were abolished by prior intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of the CRF antagonist [ d -Phe¹²,Nle^21,38,C^αMeLeu³²]CRF (12–41) at 1 or 5 µg/µl, respectively. NPY overflow returned promptly to resting levels following CRF administration. In contrast, when CRF was administered by i.c.v. bolus at a similar total dose (2 µg), no significant effect on NPY overflow was observed. These data provide in vivo evidence for an interaction between CRF and NPY at the level of the PVN.     

Synaptic regulation of paraventricular arginine vasopressin-containing neurons by neuropeptide Y-containing monoaminergic neurons in rats

Summary Synaptic regulation of arginine vasopressin (AVP)-containing neurons by neuropeptide Y (NPY)-containing monoaminergic neurons was demonstrated in the paraventricular nucleus of the rat hypothalamus. NPY and AVP were immunolabeled in the pre- and the post-embedding procedures, respectively, and monoaminergic fibers were marked by incorporating 5-hydroxydopamine (5-OHDA), a false neurotransmitter. The immunoreaction for NPY was expressed by diaminobenzidine (DAB) chromogen, and that for AVP by gold particles. The DAB chromogen was localized on the surface of the membrane structures, such as vesicles or mitochondria, and on the core of large cored vesicles. Gold particles were located on the core of the secretory granules within the AVP cell bodies and processes. The incorporated 5-OHDA was found as dense cores within small or large vesicular structures. From these data, three types of nerve terminals were discernible: NPY-containing monoaminergic, NPY-containing non-aminergic, and monoaminergic fibers. The AVP cell bodies appeared to have synaptic junctions formed by these nerve terminals as well as by the unlabeled nerve terminals which have small clear vesicles and large cored vesicles. These different types of nerve terminals were frequently observed in a closely apposed position on the same AVP cell bodies. The functional relationships of these three types of neuronal terminals are discussed.     

Intragranular co-storage of neuropeptide Y and arginine vasopressin in the paraventricular magnocellular neurons of the rat hypothalamus

Summary Certain populations of arginine vasopressin (AVP) neurons in the magnocellular paraventricular nucleus became immunoreactive for neuropeptide Y (NPY) when rats were treated with colchicine or monosodium glutamate (MSG). The co-storage of these peptides was examined by empooying a post-embedding electron-microscopic immunohistochemistry technique using goldlabeled antibodies to the two peptides. In colchicinetreated rats, the neuronal perikarya contained numerous secretory granules showing co-storage of the two peptides. The cells of the MSG-treated rats were characterized by having well-developed Golgi bodies with the granular structures also co-storing the two peptides, although the secretory granules in the perikarya were rather fewer than in the colchicine-treated rats. It is concluded that the destruction of the arcuate nucleus by MSG-treatment may potentiate the synthesis of NPY in AVP neurons, the synthesis of which is latent in intact animals.     

Dopamine D2 Receptor-Mediated Regulation of Serotonin Extracellular Concentration in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus of Freely Moving Rats

Abstract: The neuropeptide-inducing activity of neurotrophic factors was tested in cultured cerebral cortical neurons. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) specifically increased contents of the neuropeptides somatostatin (SOM) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), but its effect on contents of cholecystokinin octapeptide and GABA was much less significant. The maximal induction of NPY content (15-fold increase) was achieved by 20 ng/ml of BDNF. These changes were also reproduced at the mRNA level. In contrast, neurotrophin-3 was much less potent at increasing NPY and SOM contents, and nerve growth factor had no effect on them. The expression of mRNA for NPY and SOM was fully dependent on the presence of BDNF in culture but irrelevant to the survival-promoting activity of BDNF, which has been reported previously. Most of the NPY immunoreactivity induced by BDNF was colocalized with glutamate decarboxylase immunoreactivity in cultured cortical neurons. These results suggest that BDNF regulates the peptidergic expression of GABAergic neurons in the cerebral cortex.     

Synaptic interactions between ghrelin- and neuropeptide Y-containing neurons in the rat arcuate nucleus

Morphological relationships between neuropeptide Y- (NPY) like and ghrelin-like immunoreactive neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) were examined using light and electron microscopy techniques. At the light microscope level, both neuron types were found distributed in the ARC and could be observed making contact with each other. Using a preembedding double immunostaining technique, some NPY-immunoreactive axon terminals were observed at the electron microscope level to make synapses on ghrelin-immunoreactive cell bodies and dendrites. While the axo-somatic synapses were mostly symmetric in nature, the axo-dendritic synapses were both symmetric and asymmetric. In contrast, ghrelin-like immunoreactive (ghrelin-LI) axon terminals were found to make synapses on NPY-like immunoreactive (NPY-LI) dendrites although no NPY-like immunoreactive perikarya were identified receiving synapses from ghrelin-LI axon terminals. NPY-like axon terminals were also found making synapses on NPY-like neurons. Axo-axonic synapses were also identified between NPY- and ghrelin-like axon terminals. The present study shows that NPY- and ghrelin-LI neurons could influence each other by synaptic transmission through axo-somatic, axo-dendritic and even axo-axonic synapses, and suggests that they participate in a common effort to regulate the food-intake behavior through complex synaptic relationships.     

Paraventricular nucleus injections of peptide YY and neuropeptide Y preferentially enhance carbohydrate ingestion

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) injected into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is known to elicit a powerful feeding response in satiated, brain-cannulated rats [41, 42, 43]. The present experiment investigates the effect of peptide YY (PYY), a structurally-related peptide, on feeding behavior and, in addition, the effects of both PYY and NPY on the pattern of macronutrient selection. Injection of PYY directly into the PVN, in doses ranging from 7.8 to 235 pmol/0.3 μl, caused a strong, dose-dependent stimulation of feeding behavior, as well as a small stimulation of drinking behavior, in satiated rats. The mean latency to eat was 9.3 min, with substantial feeding occurring within 30 min of the injection. At low doses, the increase in feeding was seen predominantly during the first hr. At the highest dose, in contrast, food intake continued to increase progressively over the next few hr, such that by 4 hr postinjection food intake was more than 20 g over vehicle baseline. In 1 hr tests with 3 pure macronutrient (protein, fat and carbohydrate) diets simulataneously available, PYY and NPY (78 pmol/0.3 μl) both elicited a strong and selective increase in carbohydrate consumption, with little or no effect on protein or fat consumption. These results suggest that hypothalamic receptors sensitive to PYY and NPY may participate in the control of carbohydrate consumption.     

Quantitation of Vasopressin mRNA and Oxytocin mRNA in Hypothalamic Nuclei by Solution Hybridization Assays

Concentrations of vasopressin (VP) precursor and oxytocin (OT) precursor mRNA were measured in magnocellular cell groups of the rat hypothalamus by newly developed solution hybridization assays. The assays employed single-stranded 35S-labeled VP-specific and OT-specific DNA probes that were prepared by primer extension on recombinant M13 DNA templates. Solution hybridization assays were standardized by known amounts of cloned DNA. The detection limit was less than 1 pg DNA equivalent of the respective mRNA. In total RNA preparations of microdissected supraoptic nucleus (SON) mean (+/- SEM) basal levels of 1.37 +/- 0.18 pg VP mRNA and 1.95 +/- 0.14 pg OT mRNA were measured. RNA of the microdissected paraventricular nucleus (PVN) contained 0.35 +/- 0.02 pg VP mRNA and 1.77 +/- 0.15 pg OT mRNA. Elevation of plasma osmolality induced by drinking of 2% saline for 25 days resulted in a 1.85-fold increase in VP mRNA levels of the SON and a 1.6-fold increase in VP mRNA levels of the PVN. The solution hybridization assays are suitable tools to study the regulation of VP and OT mRNAs in magnocellular neurons of the brain.     

Photoperiodic regulation of the orexigenic effects of ghrelin in Siberian hamsters

Animals living in temperate climates with predictable seasonal changes in food availability may use seasonal information to engage different metabolic strategies. Siberian hamsters decrease costs of thermoregulation during winter by reducing food intake and body mass in response to decreasing or short-day lengths (SD). These experiments examined whether SD reduction in food intake in hamsters is driven, at least in part, by altered behavioral responses to ghrelin, a gut-derived orexigenic peptide which induces food intake via NPY-dependent mechanisms. Relative to hamsters housed in long-day (LD) photoperiods, SD hamsters consumed less food in response to i.p. treatment with ghrelin across a range of doses from 0.03 to 3 mg/kg. To determine whether changes in photoperiod alter behavioral responses to ghrelin-induced activation of NPY neurons, c-Fos and NPY expression were quantified in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) via double-label fluorescent immunocytochemistry following i.p. treatment with 0.3 mg/kg ghrelin or saline. Ghrelin induced c-Fos immunoreactivity (-ir) in a greater proportion of NPY-ir neurons of LD relative to SD hamsters. In addition, following ghrelin treatment, a greater proportion of ARC c-Fos-ir neurons were identifiable as NPY-ir in LD relative to SD hamsters. Changes in day length markedly alter the behavioral response to ghrelin. The data also identify photoperiod-induced changes in the ability of ghrelin to activate ARC NPY neurons as a possible mechanism by which changes in day length alter food intake.     

Ultrastructural characteristics of immunolabelled,corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)-synthesizing neurons in the rat brain

Summary The corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)-synthesizing perikarya and neural processes were detected at ultrastructural level in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and in the median eminence of control and colchicine-pretreated rats. The unlabelled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex (PAP) immunohistochemical method was used in a pre-embedding manner, on thick, non-frozen sections. In CRF-perikarya, neurosecretory granules (80–120 nm in diameter), free ribosomes, and the rough endoplasmic reticulum were labelled. Unlabelled axon terminals formed asymmetric synapses on CRF-containing perikarya and dendrites. Immunolabelled axons terminated in the palisadic zone of the median eminence.