大鼠脊髓胶状质内GABA能神经元突触联系的超微结构研究

本文用免疫电镜方法对脊髓胶状质内ＧＡＢＡ能神经元的突触联系进行了超微结构研究。结果表明;脊髓胶状质内有许多ＧＡＢＡ能神经元胞体和末梢分布;标记的ＧＡＢＡ能神经末梢可作为突触前成分与未标记的ＧＡＢＡ形成输一树突触。未标记的末梢可与标记的ＧＡＢＡ末梢形成输一轴突触。此外,标记的ＧＡＢＡ能神经末梢还可作为突触前成分与标记的ＧＡＢＡ能轴突、树突或胞体形成输－轴、轴－树或轴－体突触,即自调节突触。上述结果揭示：ＧＡＢＡ能末梢可对脊髓胶状质内其它神经元产生抑制或脱抑制作用。值得注意的是胶状质内含ＧＡｎＡ的神经结构可形成各种形式的自调节突触,并借此实现其对脊髓功能的复杂调节。     

脊髓胶状质内生长抑素免疫反应阳性结构与一级传入纤维之间的突触连接

本文用单纯免疫电镜及免疫电镜与溃变(后根切断术)相结合的方法,研究了一级传入纤维与脊髓胶状质内生长抑素(SOM)阳性结构之间的突触连结。结果在脊髓胶状质内观察到SOM阳性的胞体、轴突、树突及溃变的轴突,以上结构间形成了几种不同类型的突触连结:(1)Ⅰ型或Ⅱ型突触球的中央成份(CⅠ或CⅡ末梢)是溃变的或是SOM免疫反应阳性的,它们与周围的树突形成轴树突触、轴轴突触或树轴突触,其中有一些周围的树突还是SOM阳性的。(2)某些简单的轴突(不参与构成突触球的轴突)呈暗型溃变,并与SOM阳性的树突形成轴树突触。(3)简单的SOM阳性的致密型轴突与含SOM的树突或核周质形成轴树或轴体突触。(4)简单的SOM阳性的亮型轴突与含SOM的树突形成轴树突触。这些突触关系提示脊髓胶状质内SOM阳性树突和胞体可直接从一级传入纤维或脊髓后角固有神经元接受冲动,其中有一些一级传入纤维和脊髓后角固有神经元也是SOM阳性的。这表明在脊髓固有神经元与一级传入纤维之间及脊髓固有神经元本身都存在着自调节突触。本实验结果为SOM参与感觉信息的调节提供了超微结构证据。     

依托咪酯对大鼠杏仁核点燃模型的抑制作用

目的:研究依托咪(Etomidate,ET)对大鼠杏仁核点燃发作的抑制及其抗癫痫作用.方法:测定ET对大鼠杏仁核点燃发作的脑电活动及行为变化指标的影响,测定ET对GABAA受体拮抗剂印防己毒素诱发小鼠惊厥的影响.结果:依托咪酯(6～9mg·kg-1)可抑制杏仁核点燃发作,缩短后放电时程,降低Racine's分级(P＜0.01);ET对GABAA受体拮抗剂印防己毒素致惊小鼠有抑制作用.结论:依托咪酯对大鼠杏仁核点燃模型和印防己毒素致惊小鼠均具有抑制作用,可能与GABA神经系统抑制作用有关.     

大鼠腋神经一级传入纤维在脊髓胶状质定位投射的定量分析——FRAP法

用抗氟化物酸性磷酸酶（ＦＲＡＰ）法和显微测量,对大鼠腋神经一级传入纤维在脊髓胶状质（ＳＧ）的定位投射进行了定量分析。大鼠腋神经向ＳＧ的纵向投射主要在Ｃ５～Ｃ７,Ｃ５～Ｃ７各节段ＳＧ水平向“眉毛状反应带”宽所测均值（ｍｍ）分别为０．８７２、０．９２０、０．９６０,而腋神经向Ｃ５～Ｃ７各节段水平向投射所测均值（ｍｍ）分别在０．３９０～０．５０８、０．４３２～０．６０５、０．４９７～０．６５８的范围     

5—羟色胺抑制离体脊髓运动神经元的突触传递

应用新生大鼠脊髓切片运动神经元(MN)细胞内记录技术,发现5-羟色胺(5-HT)10～100μmol/L灌流可浓度依从地抑制背、腹根刺激在MN诱发的兴奋性突触后电位(EPSP)和抑制性突触后电位,但可增大外源性谷氨酸引起的MN去极化。5-HT对背根性EPSP的抑制无刺激频率依赖性,可为5-HT_(1A)受体激动剂8-OH-DPAT模拟,但不受士的宁、酮色林及MDL 72222的影响。结果表明5-HT可直接激活初级传入纤维末梢5-HT_(1A)受体而抑制MN的突触传递。     

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。     

大鼠尺神经一级传入纤维在脊髓胶状质定位投射的定量分析－FRAP法

本实验按照跨神经节溃变的原理,用抗氟化物酸性磷酸酶（ＦＲＡＰ）法和显微测量,对大鼠尺神经一级传入纤维在脊髓胶状质（ＳＧ）的定位投射进行了定量分析。大鼠尺神经向ＳＧ的纵向投射主要为Ｃ６～Ｔ１,少数实验动物投向Ｔ２上、中段。Ｃ６～Ｔ２各节段ＳＧ水平向“眉毛状反应带”长所测均值（ｍｍ）分别为０．９９６、０．９９６、０．９１８、０．７８３、０．６４２,而尺神经向Ｃ６～Ｔ２各节段ＳＧ水平向投射所测均值（ｍｍ）分别在０．３５４～０．５３６、０．３３３～０．５４２、０．２１４～０．５１５、０．１４４～０．３１９、０～０．２２３的范围,显示了反应带从ＳＧ的中间区逐渐移至内侧区。     

依托咪酯诱导小儿全身麻醉的剂量与镇静深度的相关性分析

目的:探究不同剂量依托咪酯诱导小儿全身麻醉时对镇静深度的影响。方法:选取5~13岁准备静脉麻醉行骨科手术的小儿44例,随机分为A组、B组、C组和D组四组,每组11例,分别给予依托咪酯的剂量为A组200μg/kg,B组300μg/kg,C组400μg/kg,D组500μg/kg。手术过程中监测患儿脑电双频指数(BIS)、血压(NIBP)、心电图(ECG)、血氧饱合度(Sp O2)、心率(HR),按照咪唑安定、瑞芬太尼、依托咪酯和顺式阿曲库铵的顺序进行麻醉诱导。分别记录患者麻醉前(T1)、喉镜暴露声门时(T2)、插管时(T3)、插管结束1分钟(T4)、5分钟(T5)、10分钟(T6)的脑电双频指数(BIS)、血氧饱合度(Sp O2)、心率(HR)、平均动脉压(MAP)的数值。结果:T5和T6两个时间点,A组的BIS值显著大于其他三组;T3-T6时,D组的BIS值显著小于A、B、C三组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:依托咪酯乳剂300~400μg/kg用于小儿全麻诱导,麻醉深度效果较好,无明显的不良反应,可有效抑制应激反应。     

大鼠脊髓胶状质含亮啡肽终末与辣椒素敏感的C纤维终末的超微联系

本文应用免疫电镜术观察到,在大鼠脊髓胶状质内,亮啡肽(LEK)阳性的轴突终末与某些未标记神经元的树突、或树突棘、或胞体形成突触。其中一些轴(LEK)树(未标记)突触为对称性的。因此。在胶状质内,LEK神经元可以突触后抑制方式影响其它神经元的活动。LEK终末之间的对称性轴轴突触提示LEK终末可能具有自身调节作用。我们也发现少量的LEK终末与由硬脊膜外注射辣椒泰所致的一级传入C纤维变性(DEG)终末之间也存在直接和间接联系。这些联系包括以下几种:(1)轴(DEG)→树(LEK)突触;(2)轴(LEK)→轴(DEG)突触样接触;(3)轴(DEG)→树(未标记)←轴(LEK)三联体。这些联系分别提示:(1)一级传入C纤维可直接兴奋胶状质内含LEK的中间神经元,这可能是LEK对痛信息传递进行负反馈调节的机制之一;(2)LEK通过轴轴突触对一级传入C纤维的活动进行突触前抑制的可能性不能排除;(3)LEK可通过对上述三联体中的未标记树突进行抑制来间接调节一级传入C纤维的传入信息。此外,由未标记轴突终末与变性终末所形成的轴轴突触的存在提示,胶状质内非亮啡肽神经元也可通过轴轴突触以突触前抑制影响一级传入C纤维的功能。     

斑马鱼依托咪酯麻醉模型的建立北大核心CSCD

全身麻醉药广泛应用于临床,但其引起全身麻醉状态的神经机制至今仍不清楚。脊椎动物斑马鱼具有保守而简单的脑结构,近几年来已应用于神经机理基础性的研究。在本工作中,我们从行为和电生理水平上,首次建立了斑马鱼麻醉模型。在细胞外液中施加静脉麻醉药依托咪酯(etomidate),可以浓度依赖性地抑制斑马鱼的运动。在体细胞外电生理记录显示,依托咪酯可有效阻断斑马鱼脊髓运动神经元的电活动。运用在体局部场电位和全细胞记录技术,进一步发现依托咪酯可显著抑制大脑群体神经元的活动,并阻断视觉信号的传递。本工作表明,斑马鱼可以作为一种合适的动物模型,应用于全身麻醉药神经机制的研究。     

Physiological types of substantia gelatinosa neurons in the rat spinal cord

Electrophysiological properties of neurons in the substantia gelatinosa (SG, or lamina II) were studied in vitro in spinal cord slices from 3-to 5-week-old rats. Based on the type of action potentials (APs) firing in response to long depolarization (0.5 to 0.8 sec), neurons were categorized into three types: tonic (APs were generated over the whole duration of the stimulus, n = 26, or 41.2%), adapting (a few APs occurred only at the beginning of stimulation, n = 8, 12.7%), and delayed-firing neurons, DFNs (APs occurred at the end of stimulation, n = 22, 35.1%); 11% of the cells had intermediate properties. Neurons of each type expressed distinct ion currents that were subthreshold for AP generation (< −40 mV). Tonic and adapting neurons either had no subthreshold currents (n = 21, or 61.3%) or expressed T-type calcium currents (n = 13, or 38.7%). All DFNs had outward A-type potassium currents. Statistical analysis confirmed this classification scheme: neurons of each type were differentially distributed in a 3-D parametric space of the main cellular properties. Distributions of tonic and adapting neurons partially overlapped, while that of DFNs differed significantly from both the above groups. It is suggested that DFNs perform a special function in the processing of sensory information; the functions of tonic and adapting neurons might be rather similar to each other. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 191–198, May–June, 2008.     

Developmental change and sexual difference in synaptic modulation produced by oxytocin in rat substantia gelatinosa neurons

We have previously reported that oxytocin produces an inward current at a holding potential of ?70 mV without a change in glutamatergic excitatory transmission in adult male rat spinal lamina II (substantia gelatinosa; SG) neurons that play a pivotal role in regulating nociceptive transmission. Oxytocin also enhanced GABAergic and glycinergic spontaneous inhibitory transmissions in a manner sensitive to a voltage-gated Na⁺-channel blocker tetrodotoxin. These actions were mediated by oxytocin-receptor activation. Such a result was different from that obtained by other investigators in young male rat superficial dorsal horn neurons in which an oxytocin-receptor agonist enhanced glutamatergic and GABAergic but not glycinergic spontaneous transmissions. In order to know a developmental change and also sexual difference in the actions of oxytocin, we examined its effect on spontaneous synaptic transmission in adult female and young male rat SG neurons by using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in spinal cord slices. In adult female rats, oxytocin produced an inward current at ?70 mV without a change in excitatory transmission. GABAergic and glycinergic transmissions were enhanced by oxytocin, the duration of which enhancement was much shorter than in adult male rats. In young (11–21 postnatal days) male rats, oxytocin produced not only an inward but also outward current at ?70 mV, and presynaptically inhibited or facilitated excitatory transmission, depending on the neurons tested; both GABAergic and glycinergic transmissions were enhanced by oxytocin. The inhibitory transmission enhancements in adult female and young male rats were sensitive to tetrodotoxin. Although the data may not be enough to be estimated, it is suggested that synaptic modulation by oxytocin in SG neurons, i.e., cellular mechanism for its antinociceptive action, exhibits a developmental change and sexual difference.     

Noradrenergic axon terminals in the substantia gelatinosa of the rat spinal cord

Summary The noradrenergic terminals in the substantia gelatinosa of the dorsal horn of the cervical spinal cord of the rat were investigated by means of the histofluorescence technique and electron-microscopic cytochemistry using the glyoxylic acid-KMnO₄ fixation technique. In accordance with the topographical distribution of fluorescent catecholaminergic fibers, noradrenergic terminals containing small granular vesicles were frequently observed electron microscopically in the outer layer of the substantia gelatinosa. These terminals were most frequently found to appose without showing typical synaptic features, small-caliber dendrites, spine apparatus, and rarely, large caliber dendrites. Only in a few cases, the noradrenergic terminals exhibited typical synaptic contacts with dendritic elements of small size. In addition, noradrenergic terminals apposed non-noradrenergic terminals containing small agranular vesicles. In rats bearing surgical lesions of the dorsal roots, no noradrenergic terminal were found in contact with the degenerated axon terminals in the substantia gelatinosa. These findings suggest that the noradrenergic afferents to the substantia gelatinosa may exert their influence on sensory transmission via dorsal horn cells.     

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.     

Actions of a novel water-soluble benzodiazepine-receptor agonist JM-1232(-) on synaptic transmission in adult rat spinal substantia gelatinosa neurons

Although the intrathecal administration of JM-1232(-) reportedly produces antinociception, this action has not yet been examined at the cellular level. We examined the action of JM-1232(-) on synaptic transmission in spinal substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons which play an important role in regulating nociceptive transmission from the periphery. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was applied to the SG neurons of adult rat spinal cord slices. Bath-applied JM-1232(-) prolonged the decay phase of GABA(A)-receptor mediated spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current (sIPSC) and increased its frequency without a change in amplitude. The former but not latter action was sensitive to a benzodiazepine-receptor antagonist flumazenil. JM-1232(-) also increased glycinergic sIPSC frequency with no change in amplitude and decay phase. On the other hand, glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory transmission was unaffected by JM-1232(-). These results indicate that JM-1232(-) enhances inhibitory transmission by (1) prolonging the decay phase of GABAergic sIPSC through benzodiazepine-receptor activation and by (2) increasing the spontaneous release of GABA and glycine from nerve terminals without its activation. This enhancement could contribute to at least a part of the antinociceptive effect of intrathecally-administered JM-1232(-).     

Reversine inhibits spontaneous synaptic transmission in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

The dedifferentiation agent "reversine" [2-(4-morpholinoanilino)-N6-cyclohexyladenine 2], which can induce myogenic lineage-committed cells to become multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cells, was discovered by Shuibing Chen et al. in 2003. But its effects on neurons were unknown. Using patch-clamp technique, we found that reversine inhibits spontaneous synaptic transmission in cultured rat hippocampal neurons without influencing the dynamics function of potassium, sodium and calcium channels. This result suggests that reversine may also act as a dedifferentiation agent in neurons, and inhibiting the synaptic transmission maybe the early step of neuronal dedifferentiation.     

Potentiation of excitatory transmission in substantia gelatinosa neurons of rat spinal cord by inhibition of estrogen receptor alpha

The neuropeptide galanin is widely expressed in both the central and peripheral nervous systems and is involved in many diverse biological functions. There is a substantial data set that demonstrates galanin is upregulated after injury in the DRG, spinal cord and in many brain regions where it plays a predominantly antinociceptive role in addition to being neuroprotective and pro-regenerative. To further characterise the role of galanin following nerve injury, a novel transgenic line was created using the binary transgenic tet-off system, to overexpress galanin in galaninergic tissue in a suppressible manner. The double transgenic mice express significantly more galanin in the DRG one week after sciatic nerve section (axotomy) compared to WT mice and this overexpression is suppressible upon administration of doxycycline. Phenotypic analysis revealed markedly attenuated allodynia when galanin is overexpressed and an increase in allodynia following galanin suppression. This novel transgenic line demonstrates that whether galanin expression is increased at the time of nerve injury or only after allodynia is established, the neuropeptide is able to reduce neuropathic pain behaviour. These new findings imply that administration of a galanin agonist to patients with established allodynia would be an effective treatment for neuropathic pain.     

TRPV1 agonist piperine but not olvanil enhances glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory transmission in rat spinal substantia gelatinosa neurons

We examined the effects of TRPV1 agonists olvanil and piperine on glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory transmission in the substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons of adult rat spinal cord slices with the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Bath-applied olvanil did not affect the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC), and unchanged holding currents at −70 mV. On the other hand, superfusing piperine reversibly and concentration-dependently increased sEPSC frequency (half-maximal effective concentration: 52.3 μM) with a minimal increase in its amplitude. This sEPSC frequency increase was almost repetitive at an interval of more than 20 min. Piperine at a high concentration produced an inward current in some neurons. The facilitatory effect of piperine was blocked by TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine. It is concluded that piperine but not olvanil activates TRPV1 channels in the central terminals of primary-afferent neurons, resulting in an increase in the spontaneous release of l-glutamate onto SG neurons.     

Presynaptic functional trkB receptors mediate the release of excitatory neurotransmitters from primary afferent terminals in lamina II (substantia gelatinosa) of postnatal rat spinal cord

A subset of primary sensory neurons produces BDNF, which is implicated in control of nociceptive neurotransmission. We previously localized full-length trkB receptors on their terminals within lamina II. To functionally study these receptors, we here employed patch-clamp recordings, calcium imaging and immunocytochemistry on slices from 8-12 days post-natal rats. In this preparation, BDNF (100-500 ng/mL) enhances the release of sensory neurotransmitters (glutamate, substance P, CGRP) in lamina II by acting on trkB receptors expressed by primary afferent fibers of the peptidergic nociceptive type (PN-PAFs). Effect was blocked by trk antagonist K252a or anti-trkB antibody clone 47. A pre-synaptic mechanism was demonstrated after (i) patch-clamp recordings where the neurotrophin induced a significant increase in frequency, but not amplitude, of AMPA-mediated mEPSCs, (ii) real time calcium imaging, where sustained application of BDNF evoked an intense response in up to 57% lamina II neurons with a significant frequency rise. Antagonists of ionotropic glutamate receptors and NK(1) receptors completely inhibited the calcium response to BDNF. Reduction of CGRP (a specific marker of PN-PAFs) and substance P content in dorsal horn following BDNF preincubation, and analysis of the calcium response after depletion with capsaicin, confirmed that the neurotrophin presynaptically enhanced neurotransmitter release from PN-PAFs. This is the first demonstration that trkB receptors expressed by PN-PAF terminals in lamina II are functional during postnatal development. Implications of this finding are discussed considering that BDNF can be released by these same terminals and microglia, a fraction of which (as shown here) contains BDNF also in unactivated state.