“不完全氧糖剥夺”对A型氨基丁酸受体介导的抑制性突触后膜电流的增强作用

摘要: 氧糖剥夺模型作为研究脑缺血的离体模型被广泛使用，该模型模拟了局灶性脑缺血的病理变化。然而在缺血病灶中心区与正常脑组织之间的称为缺血半暗带的区域,脑血流也有程度不一的降低。为了模拟这种病理变化，我们发展了一种中等程度氧糖剥夺的离体脑片模型，该模型满足两个条件，氧气部分剥夺而葡萄糖完全剥夺。临床上通过增强A型γ-氨基丁酸受体介导的抑制活动可以阻止海马神经元的坏死，但其机制不清楚。因此我们采用全细胞膜片钳的记录方法，研究中等程度的氧糖剥夺对海马脑片CA1区神经元的A型γ-氨基丁酸受体介导的抑制性突触后膜电流(IPSCs)的影响。我们发现中等程度的氧糖剥夺使A型γ-氨基丁酸受体电流(IPSCs)的峰值增加而衰减时程延长。进一步研究发现该电流的峰值增加是由于A型γ-氨基丁酸受体－氯离子通道的电导增加所致，而与氯离子的反转电位无关。这些发现提示神经系统在中等程度脑缺血的早期阶段可以通过内稳态机制来维持兴奋性系统和抑制性系统之间的平衡。关键词: 中等程度脑缺血, A型γ-氨基丁酸受体, 抑制性突触后膜电位, 峰值     

镁预处理对兔全脑缺血神经保护作用的实验研究

目的探讨硫酸镁预处理对兔全脑缺血神经保护作用及其机制.方法 45只兔随机分为3组:对照组(n=15)、缺血组(n=15)和镁预处理组(n=15).阻断血管,诱导全脑缺血,缺血时间为 6 min.测定缺血再灌注30 min 兔海马谷氨酸、天冬氨酸、γ-氨基丁酸和甘氨酸含量.检测缺血再灌注3 d 海马CA1区神经元密度和凋亡神经元密度.结果 (1)镁预处理组海马天冬氨酸和甘氨酸显著低于缺血组(P<0.01),而γ-氨基丁酸含量显著高于缺血组(P<0.05);(2)镁预处理组正常神经元密度显著高于缺血组 (P<0.01),缺血神经元密度显著低于缺血组(P<0.01);(3)镁预处理组凋亡神经元密度显著低于缺血组(P<0.01).结论 (1)硫酸镁预处理对兔全脑缺血有神经保护作用;(2)该保护作用的机制可能有:1)抑制兔全脑缺血再灌注30 min 海马天冬氨酸和甘氨酸的过度释放以及抑制γ-氨基丁酸的耗竭;2)抑制兔全脑缺血再灌注3 d 海马CA1区神经元凋亡.     

海马脑片盲法膜片钳全细胞记录技术

本文较为详细地介绍了海马脑片盲法膜片钳全细胞记录技术,对其关键步骤和需要注意的问题进行了重点说明,同时对CA1区锥体神经元突触活动的特点,电压门控性Ca^2 通道以及谷氨酸（glutamate,Glu)γ－氨基丁酸（GABA）受体通道电流性质等进行了观察和分析,实验结果为采用海马脑片盲法膜片钳全细胞记录技术研究海马神经元离子通道动力学性质和中枢神经系统药物对突触活动的影响提供了可靠的依据。     

GABA在中枢神经系统发育的早期阶段具有兴奋作用

在发育早期中枢神经系统γ－氨基丁酸（γ-aminobutyric acid,GABA）主要作为兴奋性神经递质而发挥作用,它可使神经元产生去极化,升高胞内Ca^2 浓度,此时GABA发挥了重要的神经营养性作用,随着兴奋性谷氨酸能系统的发育,通过Cl^-转运体的表达变化,胞内Cl^-浓度降低,从而使GABA由兴奋性转变为抑制性。     

人参皂甙抗缺氧缺血性脑损伤的谷氨酸相关机制

目的与方法：在离体海马脑片上观察人参皂甙对谷氨酸兴奋性毒性的拮抗作用,在培养的神经细胞和胶质细胞上分别观察人参皂甙对模拟缺血时谷氨酸释放和摄取的影响,以证明人参皂甙缺氧缺血性脑损伤与减少谷氨酸的兴奋神经毒性作用有关。结果：在人工脑脊液中导入谷氨酸（1mmol/L)20min,引起大鼠海马脑片OPS降低直至消失,恢复正常人工脑脊液灌流1h后OPS难以恢复。而使用人参皂甙可促进海马脑片OPS的恢复,作用以20μg/ml剂量组最好。在培养的小鼠皮质神经元和胶质细胞,模拟缺血时神经元谷氨酸释放量对照的数倍,而胶质细胞对谷氨酸的摄取显著减少。使用人参皂甙（20μg/ml）可明显抑制神经元谷氨酸的释放,并促进胶质细胞对谷氨酸的摄取。结论：人参皂甙减少谷氨酸的兴奋性神经毒性作用可能是其抗缺氧缺血性脑损伤的重要机制。     

锌离子对配体门控型离子通道的调节作用

在中枢神经系统(central nervous system,CNS)中,锌离子对配体门控型离子通道具有重要的调节作用。锌离子随着神经元的活动从突触前膜的囊泡中释放到突触间隙,对突触内受体进行调控。锌离子抑制N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸(N-methyl-D-aspartate,NMDA)型谷氨酸受体的活性,而对非NMDA型谷氨酸受体的调控具有多样性。由γ氨基丁酸(γ-aminobutyric acid,GABA)受体所介导的抑制性突触传递活动也受到锌离子的抑制;而锌离子对glycine受体则呈现出浓度依赖的双向调节效应。病理条件下,锌离子参与了兴奋性细胞毒作用所触发的神经元凋亡过程。本文主要阐述了在CNS中,锌离子对配体门控型离子通道所介导的突触传递活动的调控作用,以及这些调控作用的生理功能和病理意义。     

海马神经元缺血/再灌注后自噬的表达及其作用

目的：研究自噬在大鼠海马神经元缺血缺氧/再灌注过程中的表达及自噬在神经元缺血缺氧/再灌注损伤中的作用。方法：原代培养的大鼠海马神经元经2 h的氧糖剥夺和不同时段的再灌注处理,MTT法检测细胞活性,透射电镜下检测自噬的特异性结构,免疫荧光化学法检测自噬特异性蛋白微管相关蛋白1轻链3（LC3B）的表达。应用自噬抑制剂3-甲基腺嘌呤（3-MA）检测神经元的活性。结果：经氧糖剥夺/再灌注后,海马神经元的活性比未经氧糖剥夺/再灌注组显著地降低。透射电镜和免疫荧光检测,未经氧糖剥夺/再灌注的神经元自噬的发生率极低,氧糖剥夺后和再灌注的不同时间段,均有自噬的发生。应用自噬抑制剂3-MA阻断自噬后,神经元的存活率显著降低。结论：缺血缺氧/再灌注能激活海马神经元的自噬,并可能在缺血缺氧/再灌注过程中起对抗损伤的作用。     

Ca^2＋／CaM PKⅡ与脑缺血兴奋毒性关系的研究

采用大鼠海马脑片体外缺血模型,观察了“缺血”或谷氨酸及氯胺酮对海马脑片Ｃａ￣（２＋）／ＣａＭＰＫⅡ活性的影响,同时观察了缺血对神经元胞外谷氨酸堆积的影响。结果如下：（１）Ｃａ￣（２＋）／ＣａＭＰＫⅡ活性随“缺血”时间的延长而逐渐下降,缺血１０,２０和３０ｍｉｎ,酶活性分别为对照组的６３％,４４％和２９％（１０ｍｉｎ,Ｐ＜０．００２;２０和３０ｍｍ,Ｐ＜０．００１）,提示该酶对缺血非常敏感。（２）单纯过量外源性谷氨酸作用３０ｍｉｎ,能引起酶活性显著下降到仅为对照组的２４％,提示脑缺血时酶活性的抑制与兴奋毒性有关。（３）海马脑片在体外缺血３０ｍｉｎ时,谷氨酸在胞外的堆积增加２倍多（从１２８±２０升高到４３１±７４ｎｍｏｌ·ｍｇ￣（－１）ｐｒｏ·ｍｉｎ￣（－１）,ｎ＝６）。（４）氯胺酮对“缺血”和单纯外源性谷氨酸所诱导的酶活性抑制均有明显的拮抗作用,但其拮抗作用显著不同,前者可使酶活性恢复至对照的６２％,后者高达９２％。说明脑缺血引起酶活性下降不仅与ＮＭＤＡ受体有关,而且与其它因素有关。     

神经活性甾体与GABAA受体

中枢内存在的神经活性甾体能快速改变神经元兴奋性,它们不是与甾体受体发生作用,而是与脑内主要的抑制性神经递质γ－氨基丁酸（ＧＡＢＡ）受体相互作用,调制基介导的突触抑制功能,引发中枢抑制或兴奋性效应的变化,大多数甾体能增强ＧＡＢＡ受体活化ＣＩ＾－通道的通透性,引发中枢抑制或兴奋性效应的变化。该效应与特定的ＧＡＢＡＡ受体亚基α３和γ２有关,有些甾体具与ＧＡＢＡＡ受体拮抗剂类似的惊厥效应,总之,神经活性甾     

吗啡对大鼠海马神经元突触传递的作用及机制探讨

目的 :从离子通道角度研究吗啡对中枢神经系统兴奋性及抑制性突触传递的作用并探讨其机制。方法 :　原代培养新生Wistar大鼠的海马神经元。采用膜片钳技术研究吗啡对其兴奋性及抑制性突触后电流及谷氨酸诱发电流的影响。结果 :①吗啡可明显增强海马神经元兴奋性突触传递 ,加吗啡后自发兴奋性突触后电流 (sEPSC)的发放频率增加了 ( 2 0 7.8± 2 0 .9) %。此作用可被阿片受体阻断剂纳洛酮阻断 (P <0 .0 1) ;②吗啡对微小兴奋性突触后电流 (mEPSC)的发放频率及谷氨酸诱发电流的幅度没有明显影响 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;③吗啡可明显抑制神经元自发抑制性突触后电流 (sIPSC) ,纳洛酮可拮抗吗啡作用 (n =13 ,P <0 .0 1)。结论 :实验结果提示吗啡对海马神经元的兴奋作用不是由于吗啡直接作用于兴奋性氨基酸—谷氨酸突触传递过程 ,而是可能由于抑制了抑制性中间神经元 ,间接产生的兴奋作用。     

Elevation of Basal Protein Kinase C Activity Increases Ethanol Sensitivity of GABAA Receptors in Rat Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons

Abstract: The ability of ethanol to enhance GABA_A receptor function remains controversial; conflicting observations have been made even in the same brain region, and when using apparently similar methodologies. In this study we characterized a single protocol variable, the initial incubation temperature of brain slices, that had dramatic effects on the ethanol sensitivity of GABA_A inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) recorded from rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Incubation of hippocampal slices at relatively low temperatures (11–15°C) immediately after slice preparation significantly affected a number of physiological and biochemical parameters. Such slices showed a decrease in extracellular inhibitory postsynaptic potential amplitude, a significant increase in the ethanol sensitivity of GABA_A IPSCs in CA1 pyramidal neurons, no change in pentobarbital or flunitrazepam potentiation of IPSCs, and an increase in basal protein kinase C (PKC) activity relative to slices incubated at 31–33°C. In addition, the increase in ethanol sensitivity of GABA_A IPSCs was blocked by chelerythrine, a selective inhibitor of PKC. These results suggest that differences in hippocampal slice incubation protocols may have contributed to the disparate results of previous investigations of ethanol modulation of GABA_A receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in the rat hippocampus. In addition, these findings provide further evidence that PKC activity positively modulates the interaction between ethanol and GABA_A receptors in the mammalian brain.     

Coagulation factor Xa activates thrombin in ischemic neural tissue

Thrombin is involved in mediating neuronal death in cerebral ischemia. We investigated its so far unknown mode of activation in ischemic neural tissue. We used an in vitro approach to distinguish the role of circulating coagulation factors from endogenous cerebral mechanisms. We modeled ischemic stroke by subjecting rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures to 30-min oxygen (5%) and glucose (1 mmol/L) deprivation (OGD). Perinuclear activated factor X (FXa) immunoreactivity was observed in CA1 neurons after OGD. Selective FXa inhibition by fondaparinux during and after OGD significantly reduced neuronal death in the CA1 after 48 h. Thrombin enzyme activity was increased in the medium 24 h after OGD and this increase was prevented by fondaparinux suggesting that FXa catalyzes the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin in neural tissue after ischemia in vitro . Treatment with SCH79797, a selective antagonist of the thrombin receptor protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), significantly decreased neuronal cell death indicating that thrombin signals ischemic damage via PAR-1. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway plays an important role in excitotoxicity and cerebral ischemia and we observed activation of the JNK substrate, c-Jun in our model. Both the FXa inhibitor, fondaparinux and the PAR-1 antagonist SCH79797, decreased the level of phospho-c-Jun Ser73. These results indicate that FXa activates thrombin in cerebral ischemia, which leads via PAR-1 to the activation of the JNK pathway resulting in neuronal death.     

Morphological and functional changes in rat hippocampal slice cultures after short-term oxygen-glucose deprivation

To study effects of short-term cerebral ischemia, hippocampal slice cultures were subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by a period of normoxic reoxygenation. Propidium iodide staining, and MTT/formazan-assay were used to evaluate cell viability and metabolic activity. CA1 pyramidal cells were analyzed at the light- and electron microscopic levels. Cell damage was found to be insignificant during the first hour after 10 min OGD but profound following 4 h, showing delayed neuronal cell damage caused by short-term OGD. Our model can be used to characterize the mechanisms of cell damage caused by mild cerebral ischemia. These data might apply to further development of neuroprotective tools for the treatment of brain diseases.     

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor alleviates the oxidative stress induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation in an ex vivo brain slice model

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is considered as a putative therapeutic agent against stroke. Since BDNF role on oxidative stress is uncertain, we have studied this role in a rat brain slice ischemia model, which allows BDNF reaching the neural parenchyma. Hippocampal and cerebral cortex slices were subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) and then returned to normoxic conditions (reperfusion-like, RL). OGD/RL increased a number of parameters mirroring oxidative stress in the hippocampus that were reduced by the BDNF presence. BDNF also reduced the OGD/RL-increased activity in a number of antioxidant enzymes in the hippocampus but no effects were observed in the cerebral cortex. In general, we conclude that alleviation of oxidative stress by BDNF in OGD/RL-exposed slices relies on decreasing cPLA2 activity, rather than modifying antioxidant enzyme activities. Moreover, a role for the oxidative stress in the differential ischemic vulnerability of cerebral cortex and hippocampus is also supported.     

Cyclic AMP-mediated long-term facilitation of glycinergic transmission in developing spinal dorsal horn neurons

cAMP is known to regulate neurotransmitter release via protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent and/or PKA-independent signal transduction pathways at a variety of central synapses. Here we report the cAMP-mediated long-lasting enhancement of glycinergic transmission in developing rat spinal substantia gelatinosa neurons. Forskolin, an adenylyl cyclase activator, elicited a long-lasting increase in the amplitude of nerve-evoked glycinergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs), accompanied by a long-lasting decrease in the paired-pulse ratio in immature substantia gelatinosa neurons, and this forskolin-induced increase in glycinergic IPSCs decreased with postnatal development. Forskolin also decreased the failure rate of glycinergic IPSCs evoked by minimal stimulation, and increased the frequency of glycinergic miniature IPSCs. All of these data suggest that forskolin induces the long-lasting enhancement of glycinergic transmission by increasing in the presynaptic release probability. This pre-synaptic action of forskolin was mediated by hyperpolarization and cyclic nucleotide-activated cation channels and an increase in intraterminal Ca²⁺ concentration but independent of PKA. The present results suggest that cAMP-dependent signal transduction pathways represent a dynamic mechanism by which glycinergic IPSCs could potentially be modulated during postnatal development.     

Brain edema induced by in vitro ischemia: causal factors and neuroprotection

Decreased cerebral blood flow, hence decreased oxygen and glucose, leads to ischemic brain injury via complex pathophysiological events, including excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased intracellular Ca2+, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Each of these could also contribute to cerebral edema, which is the primary cause of patient mortality after stroke. In vitro brain slices are widely used to study ischemia. Here we introduce a slice model to investigate ischemia-induced edema. Significant water gain was induced in coronal slices of rat brain by 5 min of oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) at 35 degrees C, with progressive edema formation after return to normoxic, normoglycemic medium. Edema increased with increasing injury severity, determined by OGD duration (5-30 min). Underlying factors were assessed using glutamate-receptor antagonists (AP5/CNQX), blockade of mitochondrial permeability transition [cyclosporin A (CsA) versus FK506], inhibition of Na+/Ca2+ exchange (KB-R7943), and ROS scavengers (ascorbate, Trolox, dimethylthiourea, Tempol). All agents except KB-R7943 and FK506 significantly attenuated edema when applied after OGD; KB-R7943 was effective when applied before OGD. Significantly, complete prevention of ischemia-induced edema was achieved with a cocktail of AP5/CNQX, CsA and Tempo applied after OGD, which demonstrates the involvement of multiple, additive mechanisms. The efficacy of this cocktail further shows the potential value of combination therapies for the treatment of cerebral ischemia.     

Oxygen Glucose Deprivation in Rat Hippocampal Slice Cultures Results in Alterations in Carnitine Homeostasis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by depolarization of mitochondrial membranes and the initiation of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis are pathological responses to hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in the neonatal brain. Carnitine metabolism directly supports mitochondrial metabolism by shuttling long chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for beta-oxidation. Our previous studies have shown that HI disrupts carnitine homeostasis in neonatal rats and that L-carnitine can be neuroprotective. Thus, this study was undertaken to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which HI alters carnitine metabolism and to begin to elucidate the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effect of L-carnitine (LCAR) supplementation. Utilizing neonatal rat hippocampal slice cultures we found that oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) decreased the levels of free carnitines (FC) and increased the acylcarnitine (AC): FC ratio. These changes in carnitine homeostasis correlated with decreases in the protein levels of carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) 1 and 2. LCAR supplementation prevented the decrease in CPT1 and CPT2, enhanced both FC and the AC∶FC ratio and increased slice culture metabolic viability, the mitochondrial membrane potential prior to OGD and prevented the subsequent loss of neurons during later stages of reperfusion through a reduction in apoptotic cell death. Finally, we found that LCAR supplementation preserved the structural integrity and synaptic transmission within the hippocampus after OGD. Thus, we conclude that LCAR supplementation preserves the key enzymes responsible for maintaining carnitine homeostasis and preserves both cell viability and synaptic transmission after OGD.     

Rescue of Inhibitory Synapse Strength following Developmental Hearing Loss

Inhibitory synapse dysfunction may contribute to many developmental brain disorders, including the secondary consequences of sensory deprivation. In fact, developmental hearing loss leads to a profound reduction in the strength of inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in the auditory cortex, and this deficit persists into adulthood. This finding is consistent with the general theory that the emergence of mature synaptic properties requires activity during development. Therefore, we tested the prediction that inhibitory strength can be restored following developmental hearing loss by boosting GABAergic transmission in vivo. Conductive or sensorineural hearing loss was induced surgically in gerbils prior to hearing onset and GABA agonists were then administered for one week. IPSCs were subsequently recorded from pyramidal neurons in a thalamocortical brain slice preparation. Administration of either a GABA_A receptor a1 subunit specific agonist (zolpidem), or a selective GABA reuptake inhibitor (SGRI), rescued IPSC amplitude in hearing loss animals. Furthermore, this restoration persisted in adults, long after drug treatment ended. In contrast, a GABA_B receptor agonist baclofen did not restore inhibitory strength. IPSCs could also be restored when SGRI administration began 3 weeks after sensory deprivation. Together, these results demonstrate long-lasting restoration of cortical inhibitory strength in the absence of normal experience. This suggests that in vivo GABA_A receptor activation is sufficient to promote maturation, and this principle may extend to other developmental disorders associated with diminished inhibitory function.     

Bi-directional modulation of fast inhibitory synaptic transmission by leptin

The hormone leptin has widespread actions in the CNS. Indeed, leptin markedly influences hippocampal excitatory synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. However, the effects of leptin on fast inhibitory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus have not been evaluated. Here, we show that leptin modulates GABA_A receptor-mediated synaptic transmission onto hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells. Leptin promotes a rapid and reversible increase in the amplitude of evoked GABA_A receptor-mediated inhibitory synaptic currents (IPSCs); an effect that was paralleled by increases in the frequency and amplitude of miniature IPSCs, but with no change in paired pulse ratio or coefficient of variation, suggesting a post-synaptic expression mechanism. Following washout of leptin, a persistent depression (inhibitory long-lasting depression) of evoked IPSCs was observed. Whole-cell dialysis or bath application of inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3 (PI 3)-kinase or Akt prevented leptin-induced enhancement of IPSCs indicating involvement of a post-synaptic PI 3-kinase/Akt-dependent pathway. In contrast, blockade of PI 3-kinase or Akt activity failed to alter the ability of leptin to induce inhibitory long-lasting depression, suggesting that this process is independent of PI 3-kinase/Akt. In conclusion these data indicate that the hormone leptin bi-directionally modulates GABA_A receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in the hippocampus. These findings have important implications for the role of this hormone in regulating hippocampal pyramidal neuron excitability.     

Increased NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide is involved in the neuronal cell death induced by hypoxia-ischemia in neonatal hippocampal slice cultures

Neonatal brain hypoxia-ischemia (HI) results in neuronal cell death. Previous studies indicate that reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide, play a key role in this process. However, the cellular sources have not been established. In this study we examine the role of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase complex in neonatal HI brain injury and elucidate its mechanism of activation. Rat hippocampal slices were exposed to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) to mimic the conditions seen in HI. Initial studies confirmed an important role for NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide in the oxidative stress associated with OGD. Further, the OGD-mediated increase in apoptotic cell death was inhibited by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin. The activation of NADPH oxidase was found to be dependent on the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-mediated phosphorylation and activation of the p47(phox) subunit. Using an adeno-associated virus antisense construct to selectively decrease p47(phox) expression in neurons showed that this led to inhibition of both the increase in superoxide and the neuronal cell death associated with OGD. We also found that NADPH oxidase inhibition in a neonatal rat model of HI or scavenging hydrogen peroxide reduced brain injury. Thus, we conclude that activation of the NADPH oxidase complex contributes to the oxidative stress during HI and that therapies targeted against this complex could provide neuroprotection against the brain injury associated with neonatal HI.