颅内压参数联合血清caveolin-1、AQP-4对高血压脑出血患者术后预后不良的预测价值

摘要 目的：探讨颅内压参数联合血清小窝蛋白-1（caveolin-1）、水通道蛋白4（AQP-4）对高血压脑出血（HICH）患者术后预后不良的预测价值。方法：选择2020年1月至2022年1月河北省胸科医院收治的106例HICH患者,术后随访3个月,根据格拉斯哥预后（GOS）评分将患者分为预后良好组（55例）,预后不良组（51例）。术后监测颅内压参数[压力反应指数（PRx）、平均颅内压波幅（MWA）、20 mmHg阈值下颅内压剂量（Dicp20）],检测血清caveolin-1、AQP-4水平。多因素Logistic回归分析HICH患者术后预后不良的因素。受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）分析颅内压参数联合血清caveolin-1、AQP-4预测HICH患者术后预后不良的价值。结果：预后不良组PRx、MWA、Dicp20以及血清caveolin-1、AQP-4水平高于预后良好组（P＜0.05）。低术前格拉斯哥昏迷评分（GCS）评分、高PRx、高Dicp20、高caveolin-1、高AQP-4是HICH患者术后预后不良的危险因素（P＜0.05）。联合PRx、Dicp20、caveolin-1和AQP-4预测HICH患者术后3个月预后不良的的曲线下面积为0.823,大于PRx、Dicp20、caveolin-1和AQP-4单独预测。结论：高PRx、Dicp20、caveolin-1、AQP4是HICH患者术后预后不良的危险因素,联合颅内压参数PRx、Dicp20及血清caveolin-1、AQP4预测HICH患者术后预后不良具有较高的价值。     

miR-21对心肌缺血大鼠心肌细胞TLR-4/NF-κB通路的影响

摘要 目的：探究微小核糖核酸-21（miR-21）对心肌缺血大鼠心肌细胞Toll样受体4（TLR4）/核因子-κB（NF-κB）通路的影响。方法：取40只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组（10只）和建模组（30只）,建模组大鼠通过左冠状动脉前降支（LAD）结扎术建立心肌缺血大鼠模型,假手术组大鼠仅开胸后不做其他处理即缝合。将建模成功大鼠随机分为对照组（转染miR-NC慢病毒）、沉默组（转染miR-21 antagomir慢病毒）、过表达组（转染miR-21 mimics慢病毒）,假手术组注射等量生理盐水。苏木素-伊红（HE）染色观察心肌组织损伤情况;原位末端标记法（TUNEL）检测细胞凋亡率;实时定量聚合酶链反应（RT-qPCR）和蛋白质免疫印迹法（WB）检测TLR-4、NF-κB、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶3（Caspase3）、B淋巴细胞瘤-2基因（Bcl-2）、Bcl-2关联X蛋白（Bax）信使核糖核酸（mRNA）和蛋白表达及磷酸化NF-κB p65（p-NF-κB p65）水平。结果：对照组大鼠心肌纤维排列紊乱,大量心肌细胞肿胀坏死并伴随炎症细胞浸润,沉默组大鼠心肌组织损伤情况进一步加重,而过表达组大鼠心肌组织损伤现象得到明显改善。与假手术组比,对照组、沉默组、过表达组大鼠心肌细胞凋亡率,TLR-4、NF-κB、Caspase-3、Bax mRNA与其蛋白表达,以及p-NF-κB p65水平升高,Bcl-2 mRNA及其蛋白表达降低（P＜0.05）;与对照组比,沉默组大鼠心肌细胞凋亡率,TLR-4、NF-κB、Caspase-3、Bax mRNA表达与其蛋白表达,以及p-NF-κB p65水平升高,Bcl-2 mRNA及其蛋白表达降低（P＜0.05）,过表达组大鼠心肌细胞凋亡率,TLR-4、NF-κB、Caspase-3、Bax mRNA与其蛋白表达,以及p-NF-κB p65水平降低,Bcl-2 mRNA及其蛋白表达升高（P＜0.05）。结论：下调miR-21表达可促进TLR-4/NF-κB通路表达,加重心肌缺血大鼠心肌损伤。     

脓毒症大鼠肝肾功能、凝血功能和炎症指标的变化及意义

摘要 目的：研究脓毒症大鼠肝肾功能、凝血功能和炎症指标的变化及意义。方法：选取SPF级雄性SD大鼠20只,以随机数字表法将其分成实验组与假手术组,每组各10只。其中实验组通过盲肠穿刺结扎制备脓毒症大鼠模型,假手术组大鼠仅翻动盲肠,不作结扎处理。分别采集所有大鼠术后0 h、6 h、12 h、24 h时的尾静脉血3 mL,检测并比较上述时间点两组大鼠的肝肾功能、凝血功能和炎症指标水平的差异。结果：实验组术后6 h、12 h、24 h的谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、尿素氮（BUN）以及肌酐（Cr）水平均高于假手术组（P＜0.05）。实验组术后24 h的活化部分凝血活酶时间（APTT）、凝血酶原时间（PT）、纤维蛋白原（FIB）水平均高于假手术组（P＜0.05）。实验组大鼠术后6 h、12 h、24 h的血清白细胞计数（WBC）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、降钙素原（PCT）水平均高于假手术组（P＜0.05）。结论：脓毒症大鼠肝肾功能存在明显的受损,凝血功能障碍明显,且机体内会释放大量的炎症因子。     

基于HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB信号通路探讨忍冬苷对脓毒症肝损伤大鼠的影响

摘要 目的：基于高迁移率族蛋白B1（HMGB1）/Toll样受体4（TLR4）/核因子κB（NF-κB）信号通路探讨忍冬苷对脓毒症肝损伤大鼠的影响。方法：60只雄性SD大鼠随机分为模型组、对照组、阳性对照组（地塞米松10 mg/kg）、忍冬苷低剂量（7.5 mg/kg）、忍冬苷中剂量（15 mg/kg）、忍冬苷高剂量（30 mg/kg）组,每组10只。采用盲肠结扎穿刺法建立大鼠脓毒症模型。实验结束后麻醉大鼠取血制备血清,检测血清中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性和丙二醛（MDA）、白介素-6（IL-6）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白介素-10（IL-10）含量;分离肝组织称重,计算肝脏指数,一部分用于HE染色观察肝组织病理变化,一部分用于制备组织匀浆检测组织中肝功能指标谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）活性及HMGB1、TLR4、NF-κB蛋白表达。结果：与对照组比较,模型组大鼠血清中MDA、TNF-α、IL-6含量、肝脏指数以及肝组织中AST、ALT活性、HMGB1、TLR4、NF-κB蛋白表达显著增加（P＜0.05）,SOD活性与IL-10含量显著下降（P＜0.05）;且肝组织出现明显病灶,肝细胞水肿变性,大量炎性细胞浸润。与模型组比较,阳性对照组与忍冬苷各剂量组大鼠血清中MDA、TNF-α、IL-6含量、肝脏指数以及肝组织中AST、ALT活性、HMGB1、TLR4、NF-κB蛋白表达显著降低（P＜0.05）,SOD活性与IL-10含量显著升高（P＜0.05）;忍冬苷低、中剂量组仍可见病灶和水肿,但病变减轻;地塞米松组与忍冬苷高剂量组肝细胞结构趋于正常,未发现病灶。与阳性对照组比较,忍冬苷低、中剂量组大鼠血清中MDA、TNF-α、IL-6含量、肝脏指数以及肝组织中AST、ALT活性、HMGB1、TLR4、NF-κB蛋白表达显著升高（P＜0.05）,SOD活性与IL-10含量显著降低（P＜0.05）;忍冬苷高剂量组上述指标无显著差异（P＞0.05）。结论：忍冬苷通过下调HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB信号通路的表达,抑制氧化应激,减轻炎症反应,改善肝功能,发挥对脓毒症肝损伤的保护作用。     

TLR4、TRAF6、IL-6和IL-1β在深静脉血栓大鼠模型中的表达和意义

摘要 目的：探究4个炎症因子Toll样受体4（TLR4）、TNF受体相关因子6（TRAF6）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）和白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）在深静脉血栓大鼠体内的表达及在深静脉血栓形成的作用。方法：将SD大鼠随机分成对照组（n=10）和模型组（n=90）,采用血管钳夹结合固定制动的方式建立深静脉血栓模型,建模后分别于1 h、6 h、12 h、1 d、3 d、7 d、14 d、21 d、28 d处死,检测血栓重量/长度比值、血浆中4个炎症因子的浓度,并进行组织学观察。结果：（1）1 h、6 h、12 h的血栓重量/长度比值较低,组间无显著性差异（P>0.05）;1 d、3 d、7 d的血栓重量/长度比值维持在较高水平,组间无显著性差异（P>0.05）;14 d、21 d、28 d的血栓重量/长度比值均降低,组间无显著性差异（P>0.05）。（2）模型组中1-7 d的血栓重量/长度比值均明显高于正常组（P<0.05）。（3）模型组中1-7 d的TLR4、TRAF6、IL-6和IL-1β浓度水平均明显高于正常组（P<0.05）。（4）Pearson 相关性分析显示TLR4、TRAF6、IL-6和IL-1β浓度与血栓程度具有正相关性。结论：深静脉血栓大鼠体内的TLR4、TRAF6、IL-6和IL-1β表达上调可能在深静脉血栓形成中发挥了重要作用。     

LncRNA-NEAT1对妊娠期高血压大鼠JAK2/STAT3信号通路、炎症反应和妊娠结局的影响

摘要 目的：探讨LncRNA-NEAT1对妊娠期高血压大鼠JAK2/STAT3信号通路、炎症反应和妊娠结局的影响。方法：采用注射L-精氨酸甲酯的方法构建妊娠期高血压大鼠模型。采用Western blot检测JAK2/STAT3信号通路蛋白表达;采用ELISA法检测炎症因子和血管内皮损伤因子。观察并记录大鼠24 h蛋白尿、尾静脉压和死胎率。结果：与空白组相比,模型组、LncRNA-NEAT1过表达组、LncRNA-NEAT1抑制组JAK2、STAT3的蛋白表达水平明显更高（P＜0.05）;与模型组相比,LncRNA-NEAT1抑制组JAK2、STAT3的蛋白表达水平明显更低（P＜0.05）,而LncRNA-NEAT1过表达组JAK2、STAT3的蛋白表达水平明显更高（P＜0.05）;与空白组相比,模型组、LncRNA-NEAT1过表达组、LncRNA-NEAT1抑制组ET-1和sICAM-1水平明显更高,而NO水平明显更低（P＜0.05）;与模型组相比,LncRNA-NEAT1过表达组、LncRNA-NEAT1抑制组ET-1和sICAM-1水平明显更高（P＜0.05）,而NO水平明显更低（P＜0.05）,而LncRNA-NEAT1过表达组ET-1和sICAM-1表达水平明显更高,而NO明显更低（P＜0.05）;与空白组相比,模型组、LncRNA-NEAT1过表达组、LncRNA-NEAT1抑制组TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-18表达水平明显更高（P＜0.05）;与模型组相比,LncRNA-NEAT1抑制组TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-18表达水平明显更低（P＜0.05）,而LncRNA-NEAT1过表达组TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-18表达水平明显更高（P＜0.05）;与空白组相比,模型组、LncRNA-NEAT1过表达组、LncRNA-NEAT1抑制组尾静脉压和24h蛋白尿水平明显更高（P＜0.05）;与模型组相比,LncRNA-NEAT1抑制组尾静脉压和24 h蛋白尿表达水平明显更低（P＜0.05）,而LncRNA-NEAT1过表达组尾静脉压和24 h蛋白尿表达水平明显更高（P＜0.05）;LncRNA-NEAT1过表达组（21.56%）死胎率显著高于模型组（16.72%）和LncRNA-NEAT1抑制组（5.65%）。结论：妊娠期糖尿病大鼠LncRNA-NEAT1的表达下调可抑制JAK2/STAT3信号通路的表达并下调下游促炎因子的表达,进而缓解血管内皮损伤降低死胎率。     

不同浓度中药怀牛膝加黄芪煎液对重型颅脑损伤大鼠脑组织含水量及AQP4表达的影响

目的观察低、中、高不同浓度中药怀牛膝加黄芪煎液对重型颅脑损伤大鼠脑组织含水量及水通道蛋白4(AQP4)表达的影响,探讨其治疗重型脑损伤性脑水肿最佳用药浓度及机制。方法将SD大鼠65只随机分为假手术组(5只),模型组(15只),低浓度怀牛膝加黄芪组(A组)15只,中浓度怀牛膝加黄芪组(B组)15只,高浓度怀牛膝加黄芪组(C组)15只,采用改良后Feency’s方法建立大鼠重型颅脑损伤模型。分别在1、3、7天3个时间点每组各取5只大鼠测定脑组织含水量,HE染色观察脑组织变化情况,并采用免疫组化方法检测脑组织AQP4的表达。结果模型组大鼠重型颅脑损伤后各时间点脑组织含水量、损伤灶周围AQP4的表达均高于假手术组(P0.05),HE染色观察发现模型组的脑组织肿胀水肿明显;A、B组各时间点脑组织含水量、AQP4表达水平与模型组相比较无明显降低(P0.05),HE染色观察发现与模型组基本一致;C组各时间点脑组织含水量、AQP4表达水平均较模型组降低(P0.05),HE染色观察发现与模型组比较,脑组织水肿情况有所改善。结论 C组改善重型颅脑损伤后引起的脑水肿效果最明显,其作用机制可能与减少AQP4在损伤脑组织中的表达、减轻脑细胞损害有关。     

TLR4在急性肝衰竭模型大鼠中的动态变化及意义

目的 探讨TLR4在D-Gal/LPS诱导的大鼠急性肝衰竭中的表达变化及其作用。方法 65只SD雄性大鼠随机分为正常对照组（n=5）、D-Gal/LPS模型组（n=25）、PDTC干预组（n=25）,于不同时间点检测肝功能,免疫组化观察肝组织TLR4的表达,TUNEL法观察肝脏细胞凋亡。结果 模型组大鼠4h开始ALT、AST明显升高,8h达峰值,4-24h ALT、AST明显高于正常对照组（P〈0.05）。模型组各时间点TLR4表达明显高于正常对照组（P〈0.05）。模型组凋亡的肝脏细胞数随时间的延长逐渐增多,均高于正常对照组（P〈0.05）。PDTC干预后ALT、AST水平,TLR4的表达及凋亡的肝脏细胞数低于模型组（P〈0.05）。结论 急性肝衰竭模型鼠TLR4表达增强,PDTC干预可下调其表达,提示TLR4在急性肝衰竭的发生发展中可能具有一定作用。     

小檗碱对缺血性脑梗死大鼠氧化应激/炎症反应、血管生成的作用研究

摘要 目的：探讨小檗碱对缺血性脑梗死大鼠氧化应激/炎症反应、血管生成的作用。方法：选取60只SPF级SD大鼠,随机分为对照组、模型组和小檗碱组各20只。建立大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤模型。术后及给药后7d采用Longa标准评分评估大鼠神经功能。检测各组大鼠脑组织的抗氧化活性和炎症因子水平。采用免疫组化检测脑缺血再灌注皮质微血管密度（MVD）。采用实时定量聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR）检测低氧诱导生长因子- 1 （HIF-1 ）和血管内皮生长因子（VEGF） mRNA表达水平。采用蛋白免疫印迹试验检测VEGF和HIF-1 蛋白表达水平。结果：模型组和小檗碱组大鼠术后具有神经功能缺损症状表现,Longa评分均高于对照组。给药7 d后,模型组和小檗碱组大鼠Longa评分均高于对照组（P＜0.05）,且小檗碱组大鼠Longa评分低于模型组（P＜0.05）。与对照组比较,模型组丙二醛（MDA）水平显著升高,而谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）和超氧化物岐化酶（SOD）活性显著降低（P＜0.05）。与模型组比较,小檗碱组MDA水平显著降低,而GSH-Px和SOD活性显著升高（P＜0.05）。与对照组比较,模型组白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）水平显著升高（P＜0.05）。与模型组比较,小檗碱组IL-1β、TNF-α水平显著降低,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。给药7 d后,模型组和小檗碱组MVD、VEGF mRNA和HIF-1 mRNA表达水平均高于对照组（P＜0.05）,而小檗碱组MVD、VEGF mRNA和HIF-1 mRNA表达水平高于模型组（P＜0.05）。给药7 d后,小檗碱组和模型组VEGF和HIF-1 蛋白表达水平均高于对照组（P＜0.05）,而小檗碱组VEGF和HIF-1 蛋白表达水平高于模型组（P＜0.05）。结论：小檗碱通过抑制氧化应激/炎症反应、促进血管生成从而达到脑保护作用,其机制可能与激活HIF-1 /VEGF信号通路有关。     

不同介入时间和不同疗程高压氧治疗对脑出血模型大鼠动物学行为及促血管新生因子表达的影响

摘要 目的：探讨不同介入时间和不同疗程高压氧治疗对脑出血大鼠动物学行为及促血管新生因子表达的影响。方法：240只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、脑出血组、高压氧组,每组各80只。采用胶原酶诱导建立脑出血大鼠模型,建模成功后根据高压氧介入时间分为6 h介入组、1 d介入组、2 d介入组、3 d介入组等亚组。分别治疗1周、2周、3周、4周,采用Longa评分法、平衡木评分法、Berderson评分法评估大鼠动物学行为,采用qRT-PCR检测大鼠脑组织血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、缺氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）mRNA表达。结果：不同介入时间、不同疗程,脑出血组、高压氧组脑出血大鼠动物学行为评分、脑组织VEGF mRNA与HIF-1α mRNA表达均高于假手术组（P<0.05）。治疗1周、2周、3周、4周,不同介入时间高压氧组脑出血大鼠动物学行为评分低于脑出血组,脑组织VEGF mRNA、HIF-1α mRNA表达高于脑出血组（P<0.05）。高压氧介入时间越早,治疗疗程越长,脑出血大鼠动物学行为评分越低,脑组织VEGF mRNA、HIF-1α mRNA表达越高,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：高压氧治疗能够改善脑出血大鼠动物学行为、促进促血管新生因子表达,且以脑出血后6 h介入、疗程4周效果最佳。     

水通道蛋白4与脑水肿研究进展

水通道蛋白4(AQP4)是膜水通道蛋白家族的一员,在脑组织中高表达,是控制水进出脑组织的通道。近年来发现,AQP4的功能和表达与脑水肿密切相关。同时脑水肿又是和脑疾病治疗密切相关的病理过程,对两者的研究或许可以为我们带来更多的临床治疗新思路。本文综述了AQP4的结构、表达、调控与功能以及AQP4与脑水肿关系的研究进展。     

4-Aminobutyraldehyde Dehydrogenase Activity in Rat Brain

Abstract: An enzyme with NAD⁺-dependent 4-aminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase activity was purified about 360-fold from rat brain extract. AMP-Sepharose chromatography was effective in separating the enzyme from other NAD⁺-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenases included in the extract. The K _ms for the substrates NAD⁺ and 4-aminobutyraldehyde were 4.8 × 10⁻⁴ and 8.3 × 10⁻⁵ M , respectively. The pH optimum for the enzyme was about 8.0. The ratio of activities toward 4-aminobutyraldehyde, propionaldehyde, succinate semialdehyde, and benzaldehyde was 1.00:0.17:0.24:0.09:0.03 when the activity toward 4-aminobutyraldehyde was set equal to 1.00. The enzyme activity in subcellular fractions of rat brain was localized in cytosol.     

Effects of 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl- 1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine and 1 -Methyl-4-Phenylpyridinium Ion on ATP Levels of Mouse Brain Synaptosomes

Mouse brain synaptosomes, essentially devoid of mitochondrial contamination, were used as a model to study the effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and its toxic metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) on the levels of ATP of neuronal terminals. Similar to known inhibitors of ATP synthesis, both MPTP and MPP+ caused a dramatic depletion of synaptosomal ATP. This depletion was dose dependent and occurred as a relatively early biochemical event in the absence of any apparent damage to synaptosomal membranes. MPP+ was more effective than its parent compound in decreasing ATP; it induced a significant loss at concentrations (10-100 microM) similar to those it reaches in the brain in vivo. MPTP-induced ATP depletion was completely prevented by the monoamine oxidase B inhibitor deprenyl, which, on the contrary, was ineffective against MPP+. As expected in view of the heterogeneous population of nerve terminals present in our synaptosomal preparations, the catecholamine uptake blocker mazindol did not significantly affect the ATP loss caused by both compounds. Data indicate that (1) administration of MPTP may cause a depletion of ATP within neuronal terminals resulting from the generation of MPP+, and (2) exposure to the levels of MPP+ reached in vivo may cause biochemical changes that are nonselective for dopaminergic terminals.     

Purification of a Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate Kinase from Bovine Brain Membranes

A phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) kinase (EC 2.7.1.68) was purified from bovine brain membranes in a six-step procedure involving solubilization of the enzyme with 170 mM NaCl followed by chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose, phosphocellulose, Ultrogel AcA44, hydroxylapatite, and ATP-agarose. The enzyme preparation was nearly homogeneous and was purified 5,600-fold with a final specific activity of 85 nmol/min/mg of protein and a yield of 20%. Its molecular mass was 110 kilodaltons, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme was specific for PIP; phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol and diacylglycerol was not observed.     

AQP-4在几种常见类型脑水肿中的表达及其作用

脑水肿是指各种原因导致的脑组织水含量增多,可导致脑容积增大、颅内压增高,脑水肿发病机制复杂,是多种颅脑疾病如脑静脉血栓形成、脑缺血、脑出血、脑组织创伤等的主要病理生理改变之一,其形成严重影响疾病预后,是颅脑疾病中致残、致死的主要原因。水通道蛋白(Aquaporin,缩写为AQP)是一个具有高度选择性通透水的膜通道蛋白家族,包括200多个家族成员,其蛋白质分子结构中有一狭窄的亲水性孔道,通过该孔道水分子从水位势能高的一侧迅速扩散到势能低的一侧,而其它的物质则不能通过;AQP-4是脑内含量最多的水通道蛋白,最近研究表明AQP-4参与多种颅脑疾病的脑水肿的形成及消退。本文就AQP-4在几种常见类型脑水肿中的表达及作用进行综述。     

Phosphatidylinositol-4-Phosphate 5-Kinases and Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate Synthesis in the Brain

The predominant pathway for phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂) synthesis is thought to be phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate at the 5 position of the inositol ring by type I phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPK): PIPKIα, PIPKIβ, and PIPKIγ. PIPKIγ has been shown to play a role in PI(4,5)P₂ synthesis in brain, and the absence of PIPKIγ is incompatible with postnatal life. Conversely, mice lacking PIPKIα or PIPKIβ (isoforms are referred to according to the nomenclature of human PIPKIs) live to adulthood, although functional effects in specific cell types are observed. To determine the contribution of PIPKIα and PIPKIβ to PI(4,5)P₂ synthesis in brain, we investigated the impact of disrupting multiple PIPKI genes. Our results show that a single allele of PIPKIγ, in the absence of both PIPKIα and PIPKIβ, can support life to adulthood. In addition, PIPKIα alone, but not PIPKIβ alone, can support prenatal development, indicating an essential and partially overlapping function of PIPKIα and PIPKIγ during embryogenesis. This is consistent with early embryonic expression of PIPKIα and PIPKIγ but not of PIPKIβ. PIPKIβ expression in brain correlates with neuronal differentiation. The absence of PIPKIβ does not impact embryonic development in the PIPKIγ knock-out (KO) background but worsens the early postnatal phenotype of the PIPKIγ KO (death occurs within minutes rather than hours). Analysis of PIP₂ in brain reveals that only the absence of PIPKIγ significantly impacts its levels. Collectively, our results provide new evidence for the dominant importance of PIPKIγ in mammals and imply that PIPKIα and PIPKIβ function in the generation of specific PI(4,5)P₂ pools that, at least in brain, do not have a major impact on overall PI(4,5)P₂ levels.     

Uptake of 1-Methyl-4-Phenylpyridinium and Dopamine in the Mouse Brain Cell Nuclei

Abstract: The neurotoxin N -methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) causes, via its metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺), parkinsonism in humans, monkeys, and mice but not in rats. When incubated with mouse brain homogenates, [³H]-MPP⁺ is recovered in relatively large concentrations in the brain cell nucleus. Although isolated cell nuclei from rat and mouse brain contain uptake systems for dopamine (DA), only brain cell nuclei from mice avidly take up [³H]MPP⁺. This nuclear uptake is ATP dependent and can be blocked by ouabain and Nethylmaleimide. It is not, however, affected by neuronal and vesicular blockers such as benztropine. mazindol, and reserpine. Selective uptake of MPP⁺ into brain cell nuclei may provide a new avenue for future investigation into the complex modes of action of the neurotoxin MPTP.     

Possible Allosteric Interaction of 4-Aminopyridine with Rat Brain Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors

The interaction of the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and its analogs with muscarinic acetylcholine receptors was studied in rat brain homogenate. 4-AP displaced specific [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate [( 3H]QNB) binding in a concentration-dependent fashion. Hill coefficient values decreased with increasing the concentration of [3H]QNB and different analogs of 4-AP demonstrated varying potencies. Scatchard analysis of saturation isotherms of specific [3H]QNB binding showed that low concentrations of 4-AP slightly reduced maximum binding without affecting the equilibrium dissociation constant, whereas higher concentrations reduced maximum binding further and significantly increased the equilibrium dissociation constant. Schild plots of these data resulted in curvilinear functions. The results are discussed in terms of possible allosteric interactions between potassium channels and muscarinic receptor binding sites.     

Mechanism of Accumulation of the 1-methyl-4-Phenylpyridinium Species into Mouse Brain Synaptosomes

The mechanism of accumulation of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), the toxic metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, into neuronal terminals was studied using mouse brain synaptosomes as an in vitro model. Addition of MPP+ to synaptosomal preparations, essentially devoid of contamination by extrasynaptosomal mitochondria, resulted in its time- and concentration-dependent accumulation. Intrasynaptosomal concentrations of 79 and 106 microM were reached 10 and 30 min, respectively, after addition of 50 microM MPP+. The accumulation of 50 microM MPP+ into synaptosomes was only slightly affected by the catecholamine uptake blockers mazindol and nomifensine; in contrast, it was markedly enhanced by tetraphenylborate, a lipophilic anion that increases the rate of accumulation of permeant cations via a Nernstian concentration gradient, MPP+ accumulation was significantly increased or decreased as a consequence of hyperpolarization or depolarization, respectively, of the plasma membrane of synaptosomes. This effect was evident after incubation for 10 min. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential also affected MPP+ accumulation, although only after 30 min of incubation. Data indicate that polarization of neuronal membranes may significantly contribute to the accumulation of MPP+ into nerve terminals.     

Regional Distribution of Human Trypsinogen 4 in Human Brain at mRNA and Protein Level

Gene PRSS3 on chromosome 9 of the human genome encodes, due to alternative splicing, both mesotrypsinogen and trypsinogen 4. Mesotrypsinogen has long been known as a minor component of trypsinogens expressed in human pancreas, while the mRNA for trypsinogen 4 has recently been identified in brain and other human tissues. We measured the amount of trypsinogen 4 mRNA and the quantity of the protein as well in 17 selected areas of the human brain. Our data suggest that human trypsinogen 4 is widely but unevenly distributed in the human brain. By immunohistochemistry, here we show that this protease is localized in neurons and glial cells, predominantly in astrocytes. In addition to cellular immunoreactivity, human trypsinogen 4 immunopositive dots were detected in the extracellular matrix, supporting the view that human trypsinogen 4 might be released from the cells under special conditions. Júlia Tóth and Erika Siklódi contributed equally to this work.