大鼠视皮层神经元电生理和形态学特性在发育中的变化

为研究大鼠不同发育阶段视皮层神经元电的生理学与形态学特性,实验观察了神经元电生理和形态学特性的变化与年龄的同步化程度,探讨视皮层视觉依赖性突触的形成和重新分布的细胞内机制。应用脑片膜片钳全细胞记录技术和细胞内生物家标记相结合的方法,记录4—28d SD大鼠视皮层神经元的突触后电流(postsynaptic currents,PSCs)。共记录156个大鼠视皮层神经元,睁眼前与睁眼后组中无反应型细胞数量,多突触反应型细胞数量、细胞的输入阻抗有显著性差异。成功标记23例神经元,不同年龄的神经元的形态学成熟度不同。低输入阻抗神经元在形态学上属成熟型,高输入阻抗神经元属幼稚型。该结果表明,大鼠在发育过程中,视皮层神经元功能的成熟表现为在形觉刺激以及局部神经元网络的整合作用下的视觉依赖性突触的形成和重新分布。在视觉发育可塑性关键期内,视皮层神经元形态和电生理特性的变化与年龄的同步化程度大于皮层下结构。     

应用电镜X射线显微分析方法研究神经细胞内钙离子的分布

本文应用X射线能谱分析结合电镜技术研究了钙离子在青蛙交感神经节神经元内的分布及其在茶碱作用下分布的变化.实验结果表明在组织样品的电子致密沉积物EDD中含有钙离子成分.在青蛙交感神经节突触后神经元中,包含钙离子的EDD存在于质膜、亚表面池及线粒体中;在突触前神经末梢中,突触小泡的膜上也可观察到EDD.在茶碱作用下,交感神经节神经元的质膜、线粒体中的EDD大大地减少;在亚表面池中则没有或很少观察到EDD;突触前末梢中的突触小泡明显地趋向聚集,在突触小泡之间的连接处频繁地出现EDD.本文根据实验结果讨论了茶碱可能促使钙离子从交感神经元的上述部位中释放出来,并认为质膜、亚表面池和线粒体是细胞内钙离子的贮存部位,而亚表面池可能是主要的贮存释放部位.突触前神经末梢内形态上的变化可能与神经递质释放的机理有关.     

大鼠尾核头部对中缝大核神经元单位活动的影响及其可能途径

用玻璃微电极细胞外记录大鼠中缝大核(NRM)神经元的单位放电。共记录277个细胞,NRM 神经元自发放电频率大都在每秒0.5—20次之间,平均为6.41 Hz。其中221个神经元被电刺激尾所激活,35个被抑制,21个无明显变化。NRM 神经元对躯体刺激的反应类型与自发放电的特征有关,兴奋型神经元的自发放电频率较低((?)=4.96Hz),而抑制性神经元的自发放电频率较高((?)=15.03 Hz)。在24例兴奋型神经元中,刺激尾核头部能够激活大多数 NRM 神经元的自发放电和抑制其伤害感受性反应。导水管周围灰质微量注射纳洛酮(2.5ug/0.5μl,n=15)。能够明显阻断刺激尾核头部激活 NRM 神经元自发放电和抑制伤害感受性反应的效应。     

刺激大鼠大脑脚影响脊髓伤害感受性传递的下行途径

在麻醉大鼠用部分切割脊髓的方法分析了刺激大脑脚影响脊髓背角伤害感受性神经元的下委途径。刺激ＣＰ对背角神经元伤害感受性反应（Ｃ－反应）的影响以抑制为,部分（３０．７％）神经元在抑制作用产生之前先被兴历,抑制作用主要是通过背索或背外侧索实现的,然而在多数神经元是两者共同作用的结果,其中ＤＬＦ的作用似乎更为重要。兴历作用则是通过ＤＦ实现的。由于大鼠的皮质脊髓束位于ＤＦ中,以上结果提示大脑皮层不仅可直接通     

纳洛酮和阿托品翻转电针抑制关节炎大鼠束旁核神经元伤害性反应的…

用急性佐剂性关节炎大鼠作为病理性疼痛的实验模型,以丘脑束旁核中对伤害性刺激发生兴奋反应的单位放电作为指标,观察电针的影响,并分析其机制,实验发现电针能明显抑制伤害性反应,脑室注射阿片受体阻断剂纳洛酮或Ｍ受体阻断剂阿托品均能翻转电针的这种抑制作用。实验还发现脑室注射纳洛酮或阿托品对关节炎大鼠束裤核神经元自发放电有增频作用。实验结果提示：电针对关节炎大鼠丘脑束旁核神经元伤害性反应的抑制,可能是通过脑内     

NG2-神经元突触联系在NG2细胞增殖分化过程中的变化

NG2细胞是广泛分布于CNS中表达NG2蛋白多糖的一种胶质细胞,也被称为少突胶质前体细胞（oligodendrocyteprecur—sorcells,oPc）。该细胞具有典型复杂的星形形态和长突起围绕于胞体周围,表达电压门控的K＋和Na＋通道、GABAA以及AMPA／红藻氨酸受体并接受神经元突触的信号输入。NG2细胞增殖分化是保证神经元轴突髓鞘化的首要前提,NG2的增殖分化不能仅依靠其自身调控,NG2-神经元突触联系可能也是调控NG2细胞增殖分化的信息中转站。伴随NG2细胞增殖分化神经元轴突的髓鞘化也不断形成,这些过程在围生期表现尤为明显;NG2细胞分化为少突胶质细胞后,其功能上具有”专一性”,所以可能存在NG2．神经元突触联系的作用被削弱的现象。因此,在NG2细胞增殖过程中,NG2细胞保持与神经元之间的功能性突触并将其传递给子代NG2细胞;而在NG2细胞分化的过程中,NG2细胞的突触信号输入迅速减少。NG2细胞不但是一种前体细胞,同时也是一种具有独特功能的胶质细胞,在中枢神经系统中发挥重要作用。本综述就NG2细胞在增殖分化过程中其突触信号的变化以及可能的意义进行阐述。     

大鼠离体视皮层神经元短时程时间整合特性的研究

用双脉冲白质电刺激研究了８７个大鼠视皮层神经元的短时程时间整合特性。第一个脉冲所引起的细胞反应对第二个反应有影响的细胞占被记录细胞总数的５５．２％,其中表现为突触作用增强的占４１．７％,表现为突触作用压抑的占５８．３％。整合作用的强度决定于两个脉冲之间的时间间隔,作用形式主要表现为第二个刺激所引起的反应的幅度和时程的改变。电反应可以ＥＰＳＰ或ＩＰＳＰ为主,或由ＥＰＳＰ和ＩＰＳＰ混合组成。部分细胞的反应包含快慢两个成份,时间整合作用对不同反应成份的影响程度有明显的不同。在锥体神经元中,增强型和压抑型的比例大致相等,而非锥体神经元只显示压抑型作用。位于皮层深层的神经元有时间整合作用的比率（３７．５％）比位于浅层的神经元（６０．５％）要低得多。     

纳洛酮和阿托品翻转电针抑制关节炎大鼠束旁核神经元伤害性反应的作用

用急性佐剂性关节炎大鼠作为病理性疼痛的实验模型,以丘脑束旁核中对伤害性刺激发生兴奋反应的单位放电作为指标,观察电针的影响,并分析其机制。实验发现电针能明显抑制伤害性反应;脑室注射阿片受体阻断剂纳洛酮（４μｇ／１０μｌ）或Ｍ受体阻断剂阿托品（５μｇ／１０μｌ）均能翻转电针的这种抑制作用。实验还发现脑室注射纳洛酮或阿托品对关节炎大鼠束旁核神经元自发放电有增频作用。实验结果提示：电针对关节炎大鼠丘脑束旁核神经元伤害性反应的抑制,可能是通过脑内阿片系统和胆碱能系统而发挥作用的;这两个系统对关节炎大鼠丘脑束旁核神经元自发放电可能有紧张性抑制作用。     

东莨菪碱,印防己毒素对习得性长时程突触增强的影响

在大鼠条件性饮水反应的建立、消退和再建立过程中,于海马 CA_3区记录电极部位微量注射 M-胆碱受体阻断剂东莨菪碱和 GABA 受体阻断剂印防已毒素,观察其对习得性长时程突触增强的影响。结果表明,东莨菪碱有明显的抑制作用,印防已毒素则有明显的易化作用,同时相应地影响条件性行为;并发现习得性长时程突触增强的发展与变化是超前于条件性行为的发展和改变的。上述结果为进一步论证习得性长时程突触增强可能是学习和记忆的神经基础之一提供了证据,并提示海马 CA_3区习得性长时程增强的产生与保持有胆碱受体与 GABA 受体参与。     

会阴部皮肤和盆腔内脏的伤害感受性信息在猫骶髓后连合核神经元的汇聚

在戊巴比妥钠麻醉的猫上,用玻璃微电极细胞外记录的方法,观察了躯体和内脏的伤害性刺激对骶髓后连合核神经元活动的影响。结果表明,所有接受盆神经内Ａδ纤维传入的神经元皆为特异性伤害感受或广动力范围神经元－它们可被包括会阴部皮肤的躯体感受野的机械性及强电刺激诱发。上述结果提示,Ａδ纤维可能在盆腔内脏的伤害感受性传递中起重要作用。     

Cell-specific alternative splicing increases calcium channel current density in the pain pathway

N-type calcium channels are critical for pain transduction. Inhibitors of these channels are powerful analgesics, but clinical use of current N-type blockers remains limited by undesirable actions in other regions of the nervous system. We now demonstrate that a unique splice isoform of the N-type channel is restricted exclusively to dorsal root ganglia. By a combination of functional and molecular analyses at the single-cell level, we show that the DRG-specific exon, e37a, is preferentially present in Ca(V)2.2 mRNAs expressed in neurons that contain nociceptive markers, VR1 and Na(V)1.8. Cell-specific inclusion of exon 37a correlates closely with significantly larger N-type currents in nociceptive neurons. This unique splice isoform of the N-type channel could represent a novel target for pain management.     

Synthesis and SAR of 4-aminocyclopentapyrrolidines as N-type Ca²⁺ channel blockers with analgesic activity

A novel 4-aminocyclopentapyrrolidine series of N-type Ca(2+) channel blockers have been discovered. Enantioselective synthesis of the 4-aminocyclopentapyrrolidines was enabled using N-tert-butyl sulfinamide chemistry. SAR studies demonstrate selectivity over L-type Ca(2+) channels. N-type Ca(2+) channel blockade was confirmed using electrophysiological recording techniques. Compound 25 is an N-type Ca(2+) channel blocker that produces antinociception in inflammatory and nociceptive pain models without exhibiting cardiovascular or motor liabilities.     

钠离子通道疾病及其抑制剂生物学功能研究进展

电压门控型钠离子通道(Voltage-gated sodium channel,VGSC)广泛分布于兴奋性细胞,是电信号扩大和传导的主要介质,在神经细胞以及心肌细胞兴奋传导等方面发挥重要作用。钠离子通道结构和功能的异常会改变细胞的兴奋性,从而导致多种疾病的发生,如神经性疼痛、癫痫,以及心律失常等。目前临床上多采用钠离子通道抑制剂治疗上述疾病。近些年,研究人员陆续从动物的毒液中分离纯化出具有调控钠离子通道功能的神经毒素。这些神经毒素多为化合物或小分子多肽。现已有医药研发公司将这些天然的神经毒素进行定向设计改造成钠离子通道靶向药物用于临床疾病的治疗。此外,来源于七鳃鳗Lampetra japonica口腔腺的富含半胱氨酸分泌蛋白(Cysteine-rich buccal gland protein,CRBGP)也首次被证明能够抑制海马神经元和背根神经元的钠离子电流。以下针对钠离子通道疾病及其抑制剂生物学功能的最新研究进展进行分析归纳。     

Discovery and SAR of novel tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles as inhibitors of the N-type calcium channel

A novel series of substituted tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles were investigated as blockers of the N-type calcium channel (Ca_v2.2 channels), a chronic pain target.     

Pain perception in mice lacking the beta3 subunit of voltage-activated calcium channels

The importance of voltage-activated calcium channels in pain processing has been suggested by the spinal antinociceptive action of blockers of N- and P/Q-type calcium channels as well as by gene targeting of the alpha1B subunit (N-type). The accessory beta3 subunits of calcium channels are preferentially associated with the alpha1B subunit in neurones. Here we show that deletion of the beta3 subunit by gene targeting affects strongly the pain processing of mutant mice. We pinpoint this defect in the pain-related behavior and ascending pain pathways of the spinal cord in vivo and at the level of calcium channel currents and proteins in single dorsal root ganglion neurones in vitro. The pain induced by chemical inflammation is preferentially damped by deletion of beta3 subunits, whereas responses to acute thermal and mechanical harmful stimuli are reduced moderately or not at all, respectively. The defect results in a weak wind-up of spinal cord activity during intense afferent nerve stimulation. The molecular mechanism responsible for the phenotype was traced to low expression of N-type calcium channels (alpha1B) and functional alterations of calcium channel currents in neurones projecting to the spinal cord.     

Scaffold-based design and synthesis of potent N-type calcium channel blockers

The therapeutic agents flunarizine and lomerizine exhibit inhibitory activities against a variety of ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors. We have optimized their scaffolds to obtain more selective N-type calcium channel blockers. During this optimization, we discovered NP118809 and NP078585, two potent N-type calcium channel blockers which have good selectivity over L-type calcium channels. Upon intraperitoneal administration both compounds exhibit analgesic activity in a rodent model of inflammatory pain. NP118809 further exhibits a number of favorable preclinical characteristics as they relate to overall pharmacokinetics and minimal off-target activity including the hERG potassium channel.     

Discovery and SAR of a novel series of 2,4,5,6-tetrahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrazoles as N-type calcium channel inhibitors

A novel series of substituted 2,4,5,6-tetrahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrazoles were investigated as N-type calcium channel blockers (Ca_v2.2 channels), a chronic pain target. One compound was active in vivo in the rat CFA pain model.     

Modern concepts on the mechanisms of encoding visceral nociceptive stimuli

This paper reviews the existing concepts on the physiology of visceral pain and mechanisms of processing nociceptive stimuli at the level of sensor neurons of surface segments of the spinal dorsal horns. Data on the ion channels and receptors involved in the transduction of the pain signals are discussed.     

Specific subunits of voltage-gated sodium channel underlying the subthreshold membrane potential oscillations: Potential therapeutic targets for neuropathic pain

The treatment of neuropathic pain remains a major challenge to pain clinicians. Certain nociceptive and non-nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons may develop abnormal spontaneous activities following peripheral nerve injury, which is believed to be a major contributor to chronic pain. Subthreshold membrane potential oscillation (SMPO) observed in injured DRG neurons was reported to be involved in the generation of abnormal spontaneous activity. Tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium (Na⁺) channels were testified to be involved in the generation of SMPO, but their specific subunits have not been clarified. We hypothesize that the subunits of voltage-gated sodium channel, Na_v1.3 and Na_v1.6, are involved in the generation of SMPO. An attempt to test this hypothesis may lead to a new therapeutic strategy for neuropathic pain.