Distribution of NT-IR perikarya in the brain of the guinea pig with special reference to cardiovascular centers in the medulla oblongata

Summary The occurrence and distribution of neurotensin-immunoreactive (NT-IR) perikarya was studied in the central nervous system of the guinea pig using a newly raised antibody (KN 1). Numerous NT-IR perikarya were found in the nuclei amygdaloidei, nuclei septi interventriculare, hypothalamus, nucleus parafascicularis thalami, substantia grisea centralis mesencephali, ventral medulla oblongata, nucleus solitarius and spinal cord. The distribution of NT-IR perikarya was similar to that previously described in the rat and monkey. In the gyrus cinguli, hippocampus and nucleus olfactorius, though, no NT-IR neurons were detected in this investigation. Additional immunoreactive perikarya, however, were observed in areas of the ventral medulla oblongata, namely in the nucleus paragigantocellularis, nucleus retrofacialis and nucleus raphe obscurus.The relevance of the NT-IR perikarya within the ventral medulla oblongata is discussed with respect to other neuropeptides, which are found in this area, and to cardiovascular regulation.Abbreviations abl nucleus amygdaloideus basalis lateralis - abm nucleus amygdaloideus basalis medialis - acc nucleus amygdaloideus centralis - aco nucleus amygdaloideus corticalis - ahp area posterior hypothalami - ala nucleus amygdaloideus lateralis anterior - alp nucleus amygdaloideus lateralis posterior - ame nucleus amygdaloideus medialis - atv area tegmentalis ventralis - bst nucleus proprius striae terminalis - CA commissura anterior - CC corpus callosum - cgld corpus geniculatum laterale dorsale - cglv corpus geniculatum laterale ventrale - cgm corpus geniculatum mediale - CHO chiasma opticum - CI capsula interna - co nucleus commissuralis - cod nucleus cochlearis dorsalis - cp nucleus caudatus/Putamen - cs colliculus superior - cu nucleus cuneatus - dmh nucleus dorsomedialis hypothalami - DP decussatio pyramidum - em eminentia mediana - ent cortex entorhinalis - epi epiphysis - FLM fasciculus longitudinalis medialis - fm nucleus paraventricularis hypothalami pars filiformis - FX fornix - gd gyrus dentatus - gp globus pallidus - gr nucleus gracilis - hl nucleus habenulae lateralis - hm nucleus habenulae medialis - hpe hippocampus - ift nucleus infratrigeminalis - io oliva inferior - ip nucleus interpeduncularis - LM lemniscus medialis - MT tractus mamillo-thalamicus - na nucleus arcuatus - nls nucleus lateralis septi - nms nucleus medialis septi - npca nucleus proprius commissurae anterioris - ns nucleus solitarius - n III nucleus nervi oculomotorii - nt V nucleus tractus spinalis nervi trigemini - ntm nucleus mesencephalicus nervi trigemini - osc organum subcommissurale - P tractus cortico-spinalis - PC pedunculus cerebri - PCI pedunculus cerebellaris inferior - pir cortex piriformis - pol area praeoptica lateralis - pom area praeoptica medialis - prt area praetectalis - pt nucleus parataenialis - pvh nucleus paraventricularis hypothalami - pvt nucleus paraventricularis thalami - r nucleus ruber - re nucleus reuniens - rgi nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis - rl nucleus reticularis lateralis - rm nucleus raphe magnus - ro nucleus raphe obscurus - rp nucleus raphe pallidus - rpc nucleus reticularis parvocellularis - rpgc nucleus reticularis paragigantocellularis - sch nucleus suprachiasmaticus - SM stria medullaris thalami - snc substantia nigra compacta - snl substantia nigra lateralis - snr substantia nigra reticularis - ST stria terminalis - tad nucleus anterior dorsalis thalami - tam nucleus anterior medialis thalami - tav nucleus anterior ventralis thalami - tbl nucleus tuberolateralis - tc nucleus centralis thalami - tl nucleus lateralis thalami - tmd nucleus medialis dorsalis thalami - TO tractus opticus - TOL tractus olfactorium lateralis - tpo nucleus posterior thalami - tr nucleus reticularis thalami - trs nucleus triangularis septi - TS tractus solitarius - TS V tractus spinalis nervi trigemini - tvl nucleus ventrolateralis thalami - vmh nucleus ventromedialis hypothalami - vh ventral horn, Columna anterior - zi zona incerta Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft (DFG) SFB 90, Carvas     

Histochemical demonstration of copper in normal rat brain and spinal cord. Evidence of localization in glial cells

The high sensitivity of the magnesium-dithizonate silver-dithizonate (MDSD) staining procedure makes this method very suitable for the histochemical localization of copper in different regions of the central nervous system of adult rats. In the telencephalon (bulbus olfactorius, nucleus caudatus-putamen, septum pellucidum and area dentata), diencephalon (nucleus habenulae medialis, nuclei of the hypothalamus in the vicinity of the third ventricle, and corpus mamillare), mesencephalon (substantia nigra), cerebellum (mainly in the nodulus), pons (locus coeruleus, nucleus vestibularis), medulla oblongata (nucleus tractus solitarii) and spinal cord, the glial cells exhibit specific copper staining. The glial cells of some circumventricular organs (e.g. the subfornical organ) are also stained using the MDSD method. The significant staining observed in white-matter glial cells (e.g. in the corpus callosum, cerebellum and spinal cord) further indicates the very high sensitivity of this method. In glial cells of the same regions, the presence of copper can likewise be demonstrated using the modified sulphide silver method. On the basis of the present histochemical results, it is suggested that copper may play an important role in the normal physiological functioning of glial cells and also, via glial-neuron interactions, in neuronal processes.     

The distribution of aminergic neurones and their projections in the brain of the teleost,Myoxocephalus scorpius

Summary Fluorescent histochemistry was carried out on the brain of the teleost Myoxocephalus scorpius to show the distribution of monoaminergic neurones and their projections.Posterior to the obex of the fourth ventricle, at the junction of the spinal chord and medulla, there is an unpaired dorsal nucleus of catecholaminergic cells. A second group of catecholaminergic perikarya are scattered lateral to the vagal and glossopharyngeal motor nuclei. Both groups of aminergic cells contribute to a tract which crosses the fourth ventricle at the obex and runs along the lateral wall of the medulla towards the diencephalon.At the level of the isthmus there is a lateral nucleus composed of large catecholaminergic cells with prominent fluorescent axons and its possible homology with the locus coeruleus is considered. Medially, in the same region a nucleus of serotonergic neurones lies between the paired tracts of the fasciculus longitudinalis medialis.In the diencephalon there are three paraventricular nuclei, the nuclei recessus posterioris and lateralis and the paraventricular organ pars anterior. Ventral to the lateral recess there is a further nucleus less closely associated with the ependyma.The distribution of fluorescent fibres is described and the dispositions of the aminergic nuclei compared to those of other teleosts.     

Opiocortin and catecholamine projections to raphe nuclei

Afferent projections to the nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) were identified using retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase conjugated wheat germ agglutinin (HRP-WGA). Neurons were labeled in important nociceptive regions including periaqueductal gray (PAG), arcuate nucleus, lateral hypothalamus and medial thalamic nuclei following both injections. We have immunocytochemically identified opiocortin/WGA neurons in the arcuate nucleus following NRM and DRN injections. Dual stained catecholamine/WGA perikarya were found in zona incerta, locus coeruleus, substantia nigra, nucleus tractus solitarius and adjacent A2, C2 and C3, lateral paragigantocellular reticular nucleus/C1 and lateral reticular nucleus/A1 following DRN injections and in zona incerta, substantia nigra, nucleus tractus solitarius/A2 and lateral reticular nucleus/A1 after NRM injections. These results provide further evidence for opiocortin and catecholamine modulation of analgesia.     

Histochemical demonstration of copper in normal rat brain and spinal cord

Summary The high sensitivity of the magnesium-dithizonate silver-dithizonate (MDSD) staining procedure makes this method very suitable for the histochemical localization of copper in different regions of the central nervous system of adult rats. In the telencephalon (bulbus olfactorius, nucleus caudatus-putamen, septum pellucidum and are dentata), diencephalon (nucleus habenulae medialis, nuclei of the hypothalamus in the vicinity of the third ventricle, and corpus mamillare), mesencephalon (substantia nigra), cerebellum (mainly in the nodulus), pons (locus coeruleus, nucleus vestibularis), medulla oblongata (nucleus tractus solitarii) and spinal cord, the glial cells exhibit specific copper staining. The glial cells of some circumventricular organs (e.g. the subfornical organ) are also stained using the MDSD method. The significant staining observed in whitematter glial cells (e.g. in the corpus callosum, cerebellum and spinal cord) further indicates the very high sensitivity of this method. In glial cells of the same regions, the presence of copper can likewise be demonstrated using the modified sulphide silver method. On the basis of the present histochemical results, it is suggested that copper may play an important role in the normal physiological functioning of glial cells and also, via glia-neuron interactions, in neuronal processes.     

Neuronal inputs from the hypothalamus and brain stem to the medial preoptic area of the ram: neurochemical correlates and comparison to the ewe

The retrograde tracer, FluoroGold, was used to trace the neuronal inputs from the septum, hypothalamus, and brain stem to the region of the GnRH neurons in the rostral preoptic area of the ram and to compare these imputs with those in the ewe. Sex differences were found in the number of retrogradely labeled cells in the dorsomedial and ventromedial nuclei. Retrogradely labeled cells were also observed in the lateral septum, preoptic area, organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, stria terminalis, subfornical organ, periventricular nucleus, anterior hypothalamic area, lateral hypothalamus, arcuate nucleus, and posterior hypothalamus. These sex differences may partially explain sex differences in how GnRH secretion is regulated. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry was used to determine the neurochemical identity of some of these cells in the ram. Very few tyrosine hydroxylase-containing neurons in the A14 group (<1%), ACTH-containing neurons (<1%), and neuropeptide Y-containing neurons (1-5%) in the arcuate nucleus contained FluoroGold. The ventrolateral medulla and parabrachial nucleus contained the main populations of FluoroGold-containing neurons in the brain stem. Retrogradely labeled neurons were also observed in the nucleus of the solitary tract, dorsal raphe nucleus, and periaqueductal gray matter. Virtually all FluoroGold-containing cells in the ventrolateral medulla and about half of these cells in the nucleus of the solitary tract also stained for dopamine beta-hydroxylase. No other retrogradely labeled cells in the brain stem were noradrenergic. Although dopamine, beta-endorphin, and neuropeptide Y have been implicated in the regulation of GnRH secretion in males, it is unlikely that these neurotransmitters regulate GnRH secretion via direct inputs to GnRH neurons.     

Control of echolocation pulses by neurons of the nucleus ambiguus in the rufous horseshoe bat,Rhinolophus rouxi

Horseradish peroxidase was applied by inotophoretic injections to physiologically identified regions of the laryngeal motor nucleus, the nucleus ambiguus in the CF/FM bat Rhinolophus rouxi. The connections of the nucleus ambiguus were analysed with regards to their possible functional significance in the vocal control system, in the respiration control system, and in mediating information from the central auditory system. The nucleus ambiguus is reciprocally interconnected with nuclei involved in the generation of the vocal motor pattern, i.e., the homonomous contralateral nucleus and the area of the lateral reticular formation. Similarly, reciprocal connections are found with the nuclei controlling the rhythm of respiration, i.e., medial parts of the medulla oblongata and the parabrachial nuclei. Afferents to the nucleus ambiguus derive from nuclei of the 'descending vocalization system' (periaqueductal gray and cuneiform nuclei) and from motor control centers (red nucleus and frontal cortex). Afferents to the nucleus ambiguus, possibly mediating auditory influence to the motor control of vocalization, come from the superior colliculus and from the pontine nuclei. The efferents from the pontine nuclei are restricted to rostral parts of the nucleus ambiguus, which hosts the motoneurons of the cricothyroid muscle controlling the call frequency.     

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactivity in the spinal cord of the guinea pig

Summary The distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-immunoreactive (VIP-IR) neurons in the lower medulla oblongata and the spinal cord has been analyzed in guinea pigs. This study includes results obtained by colchicine treatment and transection experiments. In the spinal cord, numerous VIP-IR varicosities were observed in the substantia gelatinosa of the columna dorsalis; some were also found in the substantia intermedia and the columna anterior. The spinal VIP-IR nerve fibers were mainly of intraspinal origin and oriented segmentally. VIP-IR nuclei in the spinal cord extended dorsally into corresponding regions of the caudal medulla oblongata, namely from the substantia intermedia medialis and lateralis into the vagus-solitarius complex and from the nucleus spinalis lateralis into the area of the nucleus reticularis lateralis. Additional VIP-IR perikarya were observed in the pars caudalis of the nucleus spinalis nervi trigemini. The VIP-IR nuclei within the caudal medulla oblongata probably form a continuous system with those localized within the spinal cord. They may be involved functionally in the modulation of cardiovascular and respiratory regulation in the guinea pig.Supported by the DFG, Carvas SFB 90     

Immunocytochemical study of the hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory nuclei of the snake Natrix maura and the turtle Mauremys caspica

Summary An immunocytochemical study of the magnocellular neurosecretory nuclei was performed in the snake Natrix maura and the turtle Mauremys caspica by use of antisera against: (1) a mixture of both bovine neurophysins, (2) bovine oxytocin-neurophysin, (3) arginine vasotocin, and (4) mesotocin. Arginine vasotocin- and mesotocin-immunoreactivities were localized in individual neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, with a distinct pattern of distribution in both species. The same cells appeared to be stained by the anti-oxytocin-neurophysin and anti-mesotocin sera. The supraoptic nucleus can be subdivided into rostral medial and caudal portions. In N. maura, but not in M. caspica, neurophysin-immunoreactive neurons were found in the retrochiasmatic nucleus. No immunoreactive elements were seen in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of both species after the use of any of the antisera. A dorsolateral aggregation of neurophysin-containing cells, localized over the lateral forebrain bundle, was present in both species. Magnocellular and parvocellular neurophysin-immunoreactive neurons were present in the paraventricular nucleus of both species. In the turtle, the paraventricular neurons were arranged into four distinct layers parallel to the ependyma; these neurons were bipolar with the major axis perpendicular to the ventricle, and many of them projected processes toward the cerebrospinal-fluid compartment. In N. maura a group of large neurons of the paraventricular nucleus was found in a very lateral position. The posterior lobe of the hypophysis and the external zone of the median eminence contained arginine vasotocin- and mesotocin-immunoreactive nerve fibers. The lamina terminalis of both species was supplied with a dense bundle of fibers containing immunoreactive neurophysin. Neurophysin-immunore-active fibers were also present in the septum, some telencephalic regions, including the cortex and the olfactory tubercule, in the paraventricular organ, and the periventricular and periaqueductal gray of the brainstem.This work was partially supported by a Grant S-85-39 from the Direccion de Investigaciones, Universidad Austral de Chile to E.M. Rodriguez     

Immunohistochemical demonstration of the distribution of serotonin neurons in the brainstem of the rat and cat

The morphological characteristics and distribution of the somata of serotonin-containing neurons in the brainstem of rats and cats were studied by use of the peroxidase-anti peroxidase (PAP) immunohistochemical method employing highly specific antibodies to serotonin. Antibodies were raised in rabbits against an antigen prepared by coupling serotonin to bovine thyroglobulin and using formaldehyde as the coupling reagent. The distribution pattern of serotonin neurons observed in the present material is essentially in agreement with that described by other investigators who used the Falck-Hillarp method. In addition, this immunohistochemical technique revealed serotonin-containing perikarya in the following regions: 1) the periaqueductal gray, especially lateral to the nucleus raphe dorsalis, 2) the nucleus interpeduncularis, 3) the nucleus parabrachialis ventralis and dorsalis, 4) the field of the lemniscus lateralis, and 5) the reticular formation of the pons and medulla oblongata. The described immunohistochemical procedure makes it possible to study central serotonin neurons in detail without pharmacological pretreatment. The wide distribution of serotonin neurons demonstrated in this study should be considered when interpreting experiments dealing with the serotonin system.     

Autoradiographic distribution of 125I calcitonin gene-related peptide binding sites in the rat central nervous system

Using autoradiographic method and 125I-Tyro rat CGRP as a ligand, receptor binding sites were demonstrated in the rat central nervous system. Saturation studies and Scatchard analysis of CGRP-binding to slide mounted tissue sections containing primarily cerebellum showed a single class of receptors with a dissociation constant of 0.96 nM and a Bmax of 76.4 fmol/mg protein. 125I-Tyro rat CGRP binding sites were demonstrated throughout the rat central nervous system. Dense binding was observed in the telencephalon (medial prefrontal, insular and outer layers of the temporal cortex, nucleus accumbens, fundus striatum, central and inferior lateral amygdaloid nuclei, most caudal caudate putamen, organum vasculosum laminae terminalis, subfornical organ), the diencephalon (anterior hypothalamic, suprachiasmatic, arcuate, paraventricular, dorsomedial, periventricular, reuniens, rhomboid, lateral thalamic pretectalis and habenula nuclei, zona incerta), in the mesencephalon (superficial layers of the superior colliculus, central nucleus of the geniculate body, inferior colliculus, nucleus of the fifth nerve, locus coeruleus, nucleus of the mesencephalic tract, the dorsal tegmental nucleus, superior olive), in the molecular layer of the cerebellum, in the medulla oblongata (inferior olive, nucleus tractus solitarii, nucleus commissuralis, nuclei of the tenth and twelfth nerves, the prepositus hypoglossal and the gracilis nuclei, dorsomedial part of the spinal trigeminal tract), in the dorsal gray matter of the spinal cord (laminae I-VI) and the confines of the central canal. Moderate receptor densities were found in the septal area, the "head" of the anterior caudate nucleus, medial amygdaloid and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the pyramidal layers of the hippocampus and dentate gyri, medial preoptic area, ventromedial nucleus, lateral hypothalamic and ventrolateral thalamic area, central gray, reticular part of the substantia nigra, parvocellular reticular nucleus. Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum, nucleus of the spinal trigeminal tract and gracile fasciculus of the spinal cord. The discrete distribution of CGRP-like binding sites in a variety of sensory systems of the brain and spinal cord as well as in thalamic and hypothalamic areas suggests a widespread involvement of CGRP in a variety of brain functions.     

Identification of Neural Networks That Contribute to Motion Sickness through Principal Components Analysis of Fos Labeling Induced by Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation

Motion sickness is a complex condition that includes both overt signs (e.g., vomiting) and more covert symptoms (e.g., anxiety and foreboding). The neural pathways that mediate these signs and symptoms are yet to identified. This study mapped the distribution of c-fos protein (Fos)-like immunoreactivity elicited during a galvanic vestibular stimulation paradigm that is known to induce motion sickness in felines. A principal components analysis was used to identify networks of neurons activated during this stimulus paradigm from functional correlations between Fos labeling in different nuclei. This analysis identified five principal components (neural networks) that accounted for greater than 95% of the variance in Fos labeling. Two of the components were correlated with the severity of motion sickness symptoms, and likely participated in generating the overt signs of the condition. One of these networks included neurons in locus coeruleus, medial, inferior and lateral vestibular nuclei, lateral nucleus tractus solitarius, medial parabrachial nucleus and periaqueductal gray. The second included neurons in the superior vestibular nucleus, precerebellar nuclei, periaqueductal gray, and parabrachial nuclei, with weaker associations of raphe nuclei. Three additional components (networks) were also identified that were not correlated with the severity of motion sickness symptoms. These networks likely mediated the covert aspects of motion sickness, such as affective components. The identification of five statistically independent component networks associated with the development of motion sickness provides an opportunity to consider, in network activation dimensions, the complex progression of signs and symptoms that are precipitated in provocative environments. Similar methodology can be used to parse the neural networks that mediate other complex responses to environmental stimuli.     

Immunohistochemical Localization of C-RFamide, a FMRF-related Peptide, in the Brain of the Goldfish, Carassius auratus

Carassius RFamide (C-RFa) is a novel peptide found in the brain of the Japanese crucian carp. It has been demonstrated that mRNA of C-RFa is present in the telencephalon, optic tectum, medulla oblongata, and proximal half of the eyeball in abundance. Immunohistochemical methods were employed to elucidate the distribution of the peptide in the brain of the goldfish (Carassius auratus) in detail. C-RFaimmunoreactive perikarya were observed in the olfactory bulb, the area ventralis telencephali pars dorsalis and lateralis, nucleus preopticus, nucleus preopticus periventricularis, nucleus lateralis tuberis pars posterioris, nucleus posterioris periventricularis, nucleus ventromedialis thalami, nucleus posterioris thalami, nucleus anterior tuberis, the oculomotor nucleus, nucleus reticularis superior and inferior, facial lobe, and vagal lobe. C-RFa immunoreactive fibers and nerve endings were present in the olfactory bulb, olfactory tract, area dorsalis telencephali pars centralis and medialis, area ventralis telencephali, midbrain tegmentum, diencephalon, medulla oblongata and pituitary. However, in the optic tectum the immunopositive perikarya and fibers were less abundant. Based on these results, some possible functions of C-RFa in the nervous system were discussed.     

辣椒素引起脑干内心血管活动相关核团中c-fos的表达

在１６只切断两侧缓冲神经的大鼠,观察颈总动脉注射辣椒素对脑干内心血管活动相关核团ｃ－ｆｏｓ原癌基因表达的影响。在剂对照组大鼠脑干,仅见少数Ｆｏｓ蛋白样免疫反应（ＦＬＩ）神经元。与对照组相比,颈总动脉注射辣椒素（１０μｍｏｌ,０．１ｍｌ）时,脑干内巨细胞旁外侧核（ＰＧＬ）、蓝斑（ＬＣ）、最后区（ＡＰ）和孤束核（ＮＴＳ）等部位的ＦＬＩ神经元显著增加,而中脑中央灰质（ＰＡＧ）和中缝核群（ＲＮ）的ＦＬＩ神     

Substance P in the ventrolateral medulla oblongata regulates ventilatory responses.

Local injection of substance P (SP) into the ventral portion of the nucleus gigantocellularis, nucleus reticularis lateralis, and nucleus retrofacialis of the ventrolateral medulla oblongata (VLM) or direct application on the ventral surface of the medulla oblongata caused marked stimulation of tidal volume (VT) and/or minute ventilation (VE). The ventilatory response to hypoxia was significantly blunted after SP in the VLM but not in the dorsal medulla oblongata (DM) (nucleus tractus solitarius). The SP antagonist [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]SP almost completely inhibited this response when applied locally to a wide area of the superficial layer of the VLM but not of the DM. Unilateral or bilateral application of 0.3-1.5 nmol of the SP antagonist in the VLM (corpus trapezoideum and the caudal region extending from the rootlets of the nucleus hypoglossus to the first cervical segment) markedly attenuated the response to a 5% CO2 inhalation. The inhibition of the CO2 response was seen after [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]SP in the rostral areas of the medulla oblongata corresponding to the corpus trapezoideum and the caudal region extending from the rootlets of the nucleus hypoglossus to the first cervical segment of the cervical cord. Electric somatosensory-induced ventilatory stimulation could be depressed by approximately 70% by [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]SP locally applied on the surface of the VLM. We conclude that SP is involved in the hypoxic, hypercapnic, and somatosensory ventilatory responses in the rat. However, these respiratory reflexes are mediated via different neuronal pools in the medulla oblongata, mainly the VLM.     

Immunocytochemical localization of GABA containing neurons in the ventrolateral medulla oblongata of the rat

Localization of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the ventrolateral medulla oblongata of the rat was studied, using antisera directed against GABA molecule fixed to bovine serum albumin. Within the rostral portion of the ventrolateral medulla, GABA-like immunoreactive neurons were found in the lateral wing of the raphe magnus and in the region of the paragigantocellular reticular nucleus. In the caudal portion of the ventrolateral medulla, a lesser number of GABA-stained neurons were found in the region around the nucleus reticularis lateralis. GABA-like immunoreactive punctate structures were also found throughout the ventrolateral medulla. These results provide further evidence for the existence of GABAergic neurons in the ventrolateral medulla oblongata of the rat.     

眼镜蛇毒对大鼠延髓一氧化氮合酶表达的影响

目的 探讨眼镜蛇毒对大鼠延髓某些核团一氧化氮合酶(NOS)表达的影响。方法 采用还原型尼克酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸脱氢酶(NADPH-d)方法,观察大鼠延髓某些核团NOS阳性神经元在眼镜蛇毒中毒组、生理盐水组、正常对照组的变化。结果 蛇毒组大鼠延髓的中缝大核,外侧网状核NOS阳性神经元比对照组表达增强。结论 眼镜蛇毒对延髓的NOS阳性神经元表达有上调作用。     

Ascending and descending efferent pathways of the midbrain reticular formation of the cat (radioautographic study)

By means of the anterograde axoplasmic transport technique for a mixture of labelled aminoacids (3H-leucine and 3H-proline), ascending and descending systems of the reticular formation fibers in the cat mesencephalon have been studied. Projections from the mesencephalon reticular formation (MRF) ascend to the subthalamus, lateral, dorsal and periventricular hypothalamus, to the periventricular nuclei of the midline and to the intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus. The descending pathways project to the grey substance surrounding the aqueduct of cerebrum, locus coeruleus, parabrachial region and reticular formation of the pons and medulla oblongata. The projections to the reticular nucleus of the thalamus, ventral nucleus of the external geniculate body and superior colliculi arise from the dorsal half of the MRF, and projections to the striatum, lateral reticular nucleus of the medulla oblongata--from its ventral half. Most of the structures are reciprocally connected with the MRF.     

Regional Distribution of Neuropeptide Y and Its Receptor in the Porcine Central Nervous System

The regional distribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY) immunoreactivity and receptor binding was studied in the porcine CNS. The highest amounts of immunoreactive NPY were found in the hypothalamus, septum pellucidum, gyrus cinguli, cortex frontalis, parietalis, and piriformis, corpus amygdaloideum, and bulbus olfactorius (200-1,000 pmol/g wet weight). In the cortex temporalis and occipitalis, striatum, hippocampus, tractus olfactorius, corpus mamillare, thalamus, and globus pallidus, the NPY content was 50-200 pmol/g wet weight, whereas the striatum, colliculi, substantia nigra, cerebellum, pons, medulla oblongata, and medulla spinalis contained less than 50 pmol/g wet weight. The receptor binding of NPY was highest in the hippocampus, corpus fornicis, corpus amygdaloideum, nucleus accumbens, and neurohypophysis, with a range of 1.0-5.87 pmol/mg of protein. Intermediate binding (0.5-1.0 pmol/mg of protein) was found in the septum pellucidum, columna fornicis, corpus mamillare, cortex piriformis, gyrus cinguli, striatum, substantia grisea centralis, substantia nigra, and cerebellum. In the corpus callosum, basal ganglia, corpus pineale, colliculi, corpus geniculatum mediale, nucleus ruber, pons, medulla oblongata, and medulla spinalis, receptor binding of NPY was detectable but less than 0.5 pmol/mg of protein. No binding was observed in the bulbus and tractus olfactorius and adenohypophysis. In conclusion, immunoreactive NPY and its receptors are widespread in the porcine CNS, with predominant location in the limbic system, olfactory system, hypothalamoneurohypophysial tract, corpus striatum, and cerebral cortex.