血小板激活因子对大鼠海马脑片CA1区LTP的作用

目的:为了探讨血小板激活因子(platelet-activating factor,PAF)对大鼠海马脑片CA1区的长时程增强效应(long-term potentiation,LTP)的影响.方法:应用离体脑片电生理记录技术,记录大鼠海马CA1区的兴奋性突触后电位EPSP,研究了PAF对大鼠海马脑片CA1区的突触传递和可塑性的影响.结果:小剂量(1μmol/L)PAF可诱发大鼠海马CA1区LTP的产生;大剂量(10～50μmol/L)PAF不能诱发大鼠海马CA1区LTP的产生,且不能阻止高频电刺激(HFS,100 Hz,1 000 ms×2,每隔20 s给予)Schffer侧支引起的大鼠海马脑片CA1区LTP的形成和维持.大剂量PAF对海马CA1区基础EPSP没有影响.PAF受体拮抗剂银杏苦内酯(ginkgolide B,GB)可拮抗小剂量PAF诱发大鼠海马CA1区LTP的产生.结论:大剂量PAF具有神经毒性,可能是通过抑制海马CA1区的LTP的形成而参与艾滋病痴呆(HIV-1 associated dementia,HAD)的形成机制.     

Increased expression of phospho-cofilin in CA1 and subiculum areas after theta-burst stimulation of Schaffer collateral-commissural fibers in rat hippocampal slices

Activity-dependent structural plasticity of dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons in the central neuron system has been proposed to be a cellular basis of learning and memory. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is accompanied by changes in synaptic morphology and structural remodeling of dendritic spines. However, there is considerable uncertainty as to the nature of the adjustment. The present study tested whether immunoreactive phospho-cofilin, an index of altered actin filament assembly, could be increased by theta-burst stimulations (TBS), which is an effective stimulation pattern for inducing LTP in the hippocampus. The slope of fEPSPs evoked by TBS to Schaffer collateral-commissural fibers in hippocampal slices was measured, and p-cofilin expression was examined using immunofluorescence techniques. Results indicated that saturated L-LTP was produced by multiple TBS episodes to Schaffer collateral-commissural fibers in the hippocampal CA1 area, and TBSs also increased immunoreactive p-cofilin expression in the stratum radiatum of the hippocampal CA1 area and pyramidal layer of the subiculum. D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (D-APV) prevented LTP and expression of p-cofilin immunoreactive induced by multiple TBS episodes in the stratum radiatum of the hippocampal CA1 area. Two paired-pulse low-frequency stimulation (PP-LFS) episodes to Schaffer collateral-commissural fibers induced long-term depression (LTD), and did not affect p-cofilin expression in the stratum radiatum of the hippocampal CA1 area. These results suggest that LTP induction is associated with altered actin filament assembly. Moreover, the CA1 and subiculum areas of the hippocampal formation possibly cooperate with each other in important physiological functions, such as learning and memory, or in pathological diseases, such as epilepsy.     

Caspase-3 inhibition blocks long-term potentiation in hippocampal slices

Incubation of hippocampal slices with Z-DEVD-FMK, a specific inhibitor of caspase-3, elicits a time dependent decrease in long-term potentiation (LTP). After 4 hours or later after the incubation with Z-DEVD-FMK the tetanization fails to induce LTP. However, Z-DEVD-FMK does not affect basal indices of synaptic plasticity and short-term plasticity (population spike amplitudes and paired pulse facilitation). The results are the first evidence for the involvement of caspase-3-mediated mechanisms in long-term potentiation phenomenon.     

Involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase in hippocampal long-term potentiation

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade classically is thought to be involved in cellular transformation, including proliferation and differentiation. Recent behavioral studies suggest that MAPK may also have a role in learning and memory. Long-term potentiation (LTP), a candidate mechanism for learning and memory, has at least two distinct temporal phases: an early phase (E-LTP) which lasts for 1–2 h and a late phase (L-LTP) which can persist 3 h. Here, we report that PD 098059, a selective inhibitor of MAPK cascade, attenuates L-LTP induced by bath application of forskolin without affecting basal synaptic transmission. This effect was mimicked by direct injection of animals with MAPK antisense oligonucleotide into the hippocampal CA1 region. MAPK activity measured by using a synthetic peptide corresponding to the sequence surrounding the major site of phosphorylation of the myelin-basic protein by MAPK was enhanced by forskolin. The same antisense treatment also completely inhibited the increased MAPK activity. These results demonstrate an involvement of MAPK in the induction of L-LTP in the hippocampal CA1 neurons.     

Involvement of metabotropic glutamate receptors in excitatory amino acid and GABA release following spinal cord injury in rat

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to an increase in extracellular excitatory amino acid (EAA) concentrations resulting in glutamate receptor-mediated excitotoxic events. The glutamate receptors include ionotropic (iGluRs) and metabotropic (mGluR) receptors. Of the three groups of mGluRs, group-I activation can initiate intracellular pathways that lead to further transmitter release. Groups II and III mGluRs function mainly as autoreceptors to regulate neurotransmitter release. In an effort to examine the role of mGluRs in the increase in EAAs following SCI, we administered AIDA, a potent group-I mGluR antagonist immediately after injury. To determine subtype specific roles of the group-I mGluRs, we evaluated EAA release following LY 367385 (mGluR1 antagonist) and MPEP (mGluR5 antagonist) administration. To evaluate group-II and -III mGluRs we administered APDC (group-II agonist) and L-AP4 (group-III agonist) immediately following injury; additionally, we initiated treatment with CPPG (group-II/-III antagonist) and LY 341495 (group-II antagonist) 5 min prior to injury. Subjects were adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (225-250 g), impact injured at T10 with an NYU impactor (12.5 mm drop). Agents were injected into the epicenter of injury, amino acids where collected by microdialysis fibers inserted 0.5 mm caudal from the edge of the impact region and quantified by HPLC. Treatment with AIDA significantly decreased extracellular EAA and GABA concentrations. MPEP reduced EAA concentrations without affecting GABA. Combining LY 367385 and MPEP resulted in a decrease in EAA and GABA concentrations greater than either agent alone. L-AP4 decreased EAA levels, while treatment with LY 341495 increased EAA levels. These results suggest that mGluRs play an important role in EAA toxicity following SCI.     

Cloning of the genes for excitatory amino acid receptors.

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain, with receptors on every neuron in the central nervous system; it has major roles in fast synaptic transmission and in the establishment of certain forms of memory. More than 20 years ago Olney and his colleagues described the 'Excitotoxic Hypothesis' which postulates that, in addition to its normal function in the healthy brain, glutamate can kill neurons by prolonged, receptor-mediated depolarization resulting in irreversible disturbances in ion homeostasis. Therefore, glutamate is a two-edged sword; in certain undefined, adverse conditions it undergoes a transition from neurotransmitter to neurotoxin. Its toxicity has been implicated in the death of neurons in ischemia, epilepsy, and the neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's disease. Recent advances in the molecular cloning of the genes for the glutamate family of receptors has revealed a plethora of receptor subtypes and an unexpected level of complexity in the mechanisms of receptor expression and function.     

Actin study of the synapses of surviving hippocampal slices during long-term potentiation

A study was made of the synaptic actin ultrastructural localization in the hippocampal slices at long-lasting potentiation of area CA, using myosin subfragment-1 labeling. A specific qualitative ultrastructural sign of the potentiated hippocampal synapses was revealed for the first time - the formation in spines of rodlike bundles of actin filaments resembling the cilia. They penetrate the spine stalks to pass through the spine core towards the postsynaptic densities of active zones. The thinner bridges link the filament bundles with the actin cytoskeleton meshwork, with spine apparatus cisterns and with postsynaptic membranes of the active zones. Besides the increasing density of the presynaptic actin meshwork was shown. The changes in the actin cytoskeleton being taken into consideration, its contractile properties account for some morphofunctional features of the potentiated synapses known before and predict previously unknown ones.     

Rigid analogues as probes of excitatory amino acid receptors.

The classes of compounds to be discussed are based on rigid analogues of glutamic and aspartic acids. The glutamate analogue 1-amino-1,3-cyclopentane dicarboxylic acid (1,3-ACPD) exists as two enantiomeric pairs of geometric isomers. The absolute configurations were assigned and the compounds were found to differentiate between the kainic acid (KA) and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor subtypes when applied iontophoretically to hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurones. The results indicate a high degree of specificity for the interaction of D-cis-1,3-ACPD with the NMDA receptor, while the remaining three isomers of 1,3-ACPD were KA-like in their action. The results are augmented with binding studies and patch clamp analysis. The second class of compound is the closely related aspartate analogue 1-amino-1,2-cyclopentane dicarboxylic acid (1,2-ACPD). The geometric isomers have been examined and found to be somewhat less active than their 1,3-ACPD counterparts; however, the cis isomer does have antagonistic properties against quisqualate (QA) evoked excitation. The results indicate that while the three-dimensional arrangement of functional groups is important for the activation of receptor subtypes, other considerations must be made, including stereochemistry and receptor affinity for sterically hindered analogues of excitatory amino acids.     

Effects of excitatory neurotransmitter amino acids on swelling of rat brain cortical slices.

Abstract— With the single rat brain cortical slice serving as an in vitro bio-assay system, the effects of neurotransmitter amino acids (1 mm ) on brain swelling, water, sodium and potassium content, inulin space, and lactate production were studied. The putative dicarboxylic amino acid neurotransmitters, l -glutamic acid and l -aspartic acids, greatly increased intracellular brain swelling with increased intracellular Na⁺, water content and lactate production, and decreased inulin space and intracellular K⁺. Equimolar GABA, taurine, glycine, the putative inhibitory neurotransmitter amino acids, and equimolar α-amino-isobutyric acid had no effect. Brain swelling and intracellular Na⁺/K⁺ ratios were greatly increased by l -glutamate and l -aspartate at a concentration of 10 mm . However, l -aspartate at these concentrations greatly depleted the K⁺ content and lactate production as compared to l -glutamate. Further studies indicated that only the structural analogs and isomers of the dicarboxylic amino acids possessing two acidic groups and an α-amino group had a similar effect on the induction of brain swelling. Among the analogs of glutamic acid, dl -homocysteic acid and kainic acid had a greater effect on brain swelling, as observed from the total adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) levels and the time-course and dose-response. A biphasic response in lactate production was induced by dl -homocysteic acid and kainic acid, suggesting that these analogs had a neurotoxic effect on cellular metabolism at higher concentrations.     

Quantal analysis of long-term potentiation of combined neuronal postsynaptic potentials on hippocampal slices in vitro

Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP) were recorded from 14 neurons in guinea pig hippocampal slices (area CAl) after stimulating the stratum radiatum (Schaffer collaterals) and stratum oriens. An increase occurring in EPSP amplitude in 7 units (9 pathways) recorded 15–45 min after tetanic stimulation of Schaffer collaterals is viewed as long-term potentiation (LTP). Statistical analysis conducted according to two sets of quantal theory (histogram and variance methods) showed an increase in mean quantal content (m) during LTP. An increase in quantal size, found only when using the histogram method, did not correlate with LTP level. This increase is thought to be associated with the considerably greater sensitivity of the histogram method to noise level in comparison with the variance method, the latter being more reliable with signals of high noise level. The increase found in m using both methods matches findings previously obtained for the whole brain; it also points to presynaptic location of mechanisms responsible for raised synaptic efficacy during LTP.Institute for Brain Research, All-Union Mental Health Research Center, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Max-Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, West Germany. Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 465–472, July–August, 1990.     

Role of excitatory amino acid receptors in synaptic transmission in area CA1 of rat hippocampus

The new antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), which blocks responses to kainate and quisqualate, has been used in conjunction with D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV), which blocks selectively responses to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), to determine the role of excitatory amino acid receptors in synaptic transmission. An excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)-inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) sequence was evoked in CA1 neurons by stimulation of the Schaffer collateral-commissural pathway in rat hippocampal slices. CNQX (10 microM) substantially reduced the EPSP without having any effect on input resistance or membrane potential. The IPSP was also reduced provided that the stimulating electrode was place approximately 1 mm from the recording electrode. The EPSP that remained in the presence of CNQX had characteristics of an NMDA receptor-mediated potential; it had a slow timecourse, summated at high frequencies, was blocked reversibly by APV, increased greatly in size in Mg2+-free medium, and showed an anomalous voltage dependence in Mg2+-containing medium. In the presence of CNQX, an APV-sensitive polysynaptic GABAergic IPSP could be evoked, indicating that NMDA receptors can mediate suprathreshold EPSPS in inhibitory interneurons. It is suggested that either NMDA or non-NMDA receptors can, under different circumstances, mediate the synaptic excitation of pyramidal neurons and inhibitory interneurons in area CA1 of the hippocampus.     

Eugenol depresses synaptic transmission but does not prevent the induction of long-term potentiation in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices

Using field potential recording in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampal slices, the effects of eugenol on synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP) were investigated. Population spikes (PS) were recorded in the stratum pyramidal following stimulation of stratum fibers. To induce LTP, eight episodes of theta pattern primed-bursts (PBs) were delivered. Eugenol decreased the amplitude of PS in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect was fast and completely reversible. Eugenol had no effect on PBs-induced LTP of PS. It is concluded that while eugenol depresses synaptic transmission it does not affect the ability of CA1 synapses for tetanus-induced LTP and plasticity.     

Modulation of phosphoinositide metabolism in rat brain slices by excitatory amino acids,arachidonic acid,and GABA

In rat brain slices the synthesis of [³H]phosphoinositides and the production of [³H]inositol monophosphate (IP₁) induced by norepinephrine (NE) were inhibited by glutamate. Calcium concentrations were varied to test if these inhibitory effects of glutamate were mediated by a calcium-dependent process. Although reducing calcium or addition of the calcium antagonist verpamil reduced the inhibitory effects of glutamate, these results were equivocal because reduced calcium directly decreased agonist-induced [³H]phosphoinositide synthesis. The inhibitory effects of glutamate were mimicked by quisqualate in a dose-dependent manner, but none of a variety of excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists modified the inhibition caused by quisqualate. It is suggested that glutamate activates a quisqualate-sensitive receptor (for which an antagonist is not available) and causes inhibition of phosphoinositide hydrolysis mediated in part by a direct or indirect inhibitory effect of calcium on phosphoinositide synthesis. Modulatory effects of arachidonic acid were examined because glutamate and calcium can activate phospholipase A₂. Arachidonic acid caused a rapid and dose-dependent inhibition of [³H]phosphoinositide synthesis and of NE-stimulated [³H]IP₁ production. A similar inhibition of the response to carbachol also occurred. The inhibition caused by arachidonic acid was unchanged by addition of inhibitors of cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase. Activation of phospholipase A₂ with melittin caused inhibitory effects similar to those of arachidonic acid. Inhibitors of phospholipase A₂ were found to impair phosphoinositide metabolism, likely due to their lack of specificity for phospholipase A₂. Further studies were carried out in slices that were prelabelled with [³H]inositol in an attempt to separate modulatory effects on [³H]phosphoinositide synthesis and agonist-stimulated [³H]IP₁ production. Several excitatory amino acid agonists inhibited NE-stimulated [³H]IP₁ production. This inhibitory inter-action could be due to impaired synthesis of [³H]phosphoinositides because, even though the slices were prelabeled, addition of unlabelled inositol reduced NE-stimulated [³H]IP₁ production, indicating that continuous regeneration of [³H]phosphoinositides is required. In contrast to the inhibitory effects of the excitatory amino acids, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) enhanced the response to NE in cortical and hippocampal slices. GABA also enhanced the response to carbachol in hippocampal and striatal slices and to ibotenic acid in hippocampal slices. Baclofen potentiated the response to NE similarly to the effect of GABA and baclofen partially blocked the inhibitory effect of arachidonic acid but did not alter that of quisqualate.Abbreviations AMPA -amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic - acid AP₄ dl-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid - BPB bromphenacyl bromide - BSA bovine serum albumin - CNQX 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione - DFMO -difluoromethylornithine - DIDS diisothiocyanotostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid - EGTA ethyleneglycol-bis-N - N, N N-tetraacetic acid - GABA -aminobutyric acid - GDEE glutamate diethyl ether - -GG -glutamylglycine - IP₁ inositol monophosphate - IP₂ inositol bisphosphate - IP₃ inositol trisphosphate - NDGA nordihydroguaiaretic acid - NE norepinephrine - NMDA N-methyl-d-aspartate     

NMDAR/PKC通路介导基底外侧杏仁核的长时程增强

本文在大鼠杏仁核脑片上刺激外囊（external capsule,EC）,在基底外侧杏仁核（basolateral amygdala,BLA）记录场电位,观察能否在杏仁核诱导长时程增强（long—term potentiation,LTP）,并探讨杏仁核LTP形成的可能机制。应用两串间隔10min的0频率波刺激EC,可见BLA的场电位明显增强,持续时间在30min以上。EC—BLA的LTP表现为通路特异性,可被N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体（N-methyl—D—aspartate receptor,NMDAR）阻断剂D,L-2-氨基-5磷酸基戊酸（APV）阻断。在灌流液中加入蛋白激酶C（protein kinaseC,PKC）抑制剂chelerythrine chloride,对BLA的基础场电位和配对脉冲比率（pairedpulse ratio,PPR）没有影响;但在chelerythrine chloride存在的情况下,两串θ频率波刺激不能诱导出LTP;若于两串高频刺激10min后,在灌流液中加入chelerythrine chloride不能阻断BLA的LTP。上述结果表明,EC—BLA的LTP为NMDAR依赖性,PKC参与BLA的LTP诱导和早期维持。     

Lithium enhances long-term potentiation independently of hippocampal neurogenesis in the rat dentate gyrus

We measured the temporal and spatial profiles of neural precursor cells, hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), and signaling molecules in neurogenesis-induced adult rats. Chronic lithium treatment produced a significant 54% and 40% increase in the numbers of bromodeoxyuridine [BrdU(+)] cells after 12 h and 28 days, respectively, after treatment completion in the dentate gyrus (DG). Both LTP obtained from slices perfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF-LTP) and LTP recorded in the presence of bicuculline (bicuculline-LTP) were significantly greater in the lithium group than in the saline controls. Although the number of BrdU(+) cells, approximately 90% of which were double-labeled with a neural marker neuronal nuclear protein, were markedly increased in the granule cell layer (GCL) 28 days after the completion of the 28-day lithium treatment, the magnitude of LTP observed at this time was similar to that observed 12 h after completing the 28-day lithium treatment. However, protein levels of calcium and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, p-Elk and TrkB were highly elevated until 28 days after the 28-day lithium treatment. Acute lithium treatment for 2 days also enhanced LTP, which was accompanied by the elevated expression of p-CREB, but not by neurogenesis. Our results suggest that the enhancement of LTP is independent of the increased number of neurons per se and it is more closely associated with key molecules, which are probably involved in neurogenesis.     

低频刺激诱发海马突触传递去长时程增强的特性研究

目的和方法：以频率为1、3或5Hz,脉冲数为300或900,与高频刺激（HFS）时间间隔是20min或100min的低频刺激（LFS）作用于大鼠海马脑片,分别观察其对CA1区突触传递去长时程增强（DP）形成的影响。结果：HFS（100Hz,100脉冲的串刺激两串,串间隔30s)可诱发突触传递效率的长时程增强（LTP）。HFS经20min给予3Hz900脉冲的LFS可翻转LTP,产生DP,该作用可为NMDA受体阻断剂AP5（50μmol/L)所阻断,1Hz、5Hz、低脉冲数或与HFS时间间隔长的LFS,其诱发DP的效率减弱。结论：诱发海马CA1区DP的产生,对LFS的参数有较强的依从性。该作用可能是通过激活NMDA受体而实现的。     

Intracellular accumulation of amino acids increases synaptic potentials in rat hippocampal slices

Amino Acids - The application of high concentrations of taurine induces long-lasting potentiation of synaptic responses and axon excitability. This phenomenon seems to require the contribution of a...     

Effect of excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters on acid secretion in the rat stomach

Excitatory amino acids (EAAs), in particular,L-aspartate (L-Asp) neurons and their processes, were localized in the rat stomach using a immunohistochemical method with specific antibodies against eitherL-Asp or its synthesizing enzyme, aspartate aminotransferase (AAT). Myenteric ganglia and nerve bundles in the circular muscle and in the longitudinal muscle were found to be AAT-orL-Asp-positive. In addition, AAT- orL-Asp-positive cells were also found in the muscle layer and the deep mucosal layer. The distribution of AAT- orL-Asp-positive cells in both the mucosal and muscle layers was heterogeneous in the stomach. In addition,L-Asp at 10^–6 M negligibly influenced acid secretion in an everted preparation of isolated rat stomach. However, according to our results,L-Asp markedly inhibited the histamine-stimulated acid secretion, but not the oxotremorine- or the pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion. Furthermore,L-Asp also inhibited histamine-induced elevation of cAMP.L-Asp itself did not affect the cAMP level although it elevated the cGMP level in the stomach. Moreover, either (+)2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid or (±)3-(2-carboxy-piperazin-4-yl)prophyl-1-phosphonic acid, i.e. two specific antagonists for N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors, blocked the inhibitory effect ofL-Asp on histamine-stimulated acid secretion or histamine-induced elevation of cAMP. Since cAMP has been strongly implicated as the second messenger involved in histamine-induced acid secretion, we believe thatL-Asp regulates acid secretion in the stomach by inhibiting histamine release through the NMDA receptors, subsequently lowering the level of cAMP and ultimately reducing acid secretion.