Apoptotic Cell Death and Caspase-3 Activation Induced by N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Antagonists and Their Prevention by Insulin-Like Growth Factor I

The effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists on cell viability was studied in rat primary cortical cells. NMDA antagonists [MK-801 and 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV)] induced cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation or fragmentation, and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Treatment of cells with MK-801 (an NMDA antagonist) for 1-2 days induced apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner (1 nM to 10 microM). NMDA (25 microM), however, inhibited the MK-801 (0.1 microM)-induced apoptotic cell death. MK-801 and APV decreased the concentration of intracellular calcium ion. Activation of caspase-3 was accompanied by MK-801-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner, and an inhibitor of caspase-3 reduced the cell death. Further, cycloheximide (0.2 microg/ml) completely protected the cells from MK-801-induced apoptotic cell death and caspase-3 activation. Insulin-like growth factor I completely attenuated MK-801-induced apoptotic cell death and caspase-3 activation. These results demonstrated that the moderate NMDA receptor activation is probably involved in the survival signal of the neuron.     

The N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Antagonist MK-801 Fails to Protect Dopaminergic Neurons from 1-Methyl-4- Phenylpyridinium Toxicity In Vitro

Abstract: Recent reports suggest that NMDA receptor antagonists when administered in vivo can protect dopaminergic neurons from the toxic actions of MPP⁺. In the present study the possible neuroprotective effects against MPP⁺ toxicity of the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 was studied in primary cultures of fetal rat mesencephalic dopamine neurons. MK-801 failed to protect dopaminergic neurons from MPP⁺ toxicity at concentrations that completely block NMDA-induced toxicity of these same neurons. In contrast to work carried out in cerebellar granule cells, MPP⁺ toxicity of mesencephalic dopamine neurons was unaffected by preexposure to subtoxic concentrations of either NMDA or cycloheximide. Our findings suggest that the toxic effects of MPP⁺ on dopaminergic neurons are not mediated through a direct interaction with the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptor.     

NMDA receptor-mediated Ca(2+) influx triggers nucleocytoplasmic translocation of diacylglycerol kinase ζ under oxygen-glucose deprivation conditions, an in vitro model of ischemia, in rat hippocampal slices

Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) plays a key role in pathophysiological cellular responses by regulating the levels of a lipid messenger diacylglycerol. Of DGK isozymes, DGKζ localizes to the nucleus in various cells such as neurons. We previously reported that DGKζ translocates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons after 20 min of transient forebrain ischemia. In this study, we examined the underlying mechanism of DGKζ translocation using hippocampal slices exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) to simulate an ischemic model of the brain. DGKζ-immunoreactivity gradually changed from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in CA1 pyramidal neurons after 20 min of OGD and was never detected in the nucleus after reoxygenation. Intriguingly, DGKζ was detected in the nucleus at 10 min OGD whereas the following 60 min reoxygenation induced complete cytoplasmic translocation of DGKζ. Morphometric analysis revealed that DGKζ cytoplasmic translocation correlated with nuclear shrinkage indicative of an early process of neuronal degeneration. The translocation under OGD conditions was blocked by NMDA receptor (NMDAR) inhibitor, and was induced by activation of NMDAR. Chelation of the extracellular Ca²⁺ blocked the translocation under OGD conditions. These results show that DGKζ cytoplasmic translocation is triggered by activation of NMDAR with subsequent extracellular Ca²⁺ influx. Furthermore, inhibition of PKC activity under OGD conditions led to nuclear retention of DGKζ in about one-third of the neurons, suggesting that PKC activity partially regulates DGKζ cytoplasmic translocation. These findings provide clues to guide further investigation of glutamate excitotoxicity mechanisms in hippocampal neurons.     

The N-terminal "beta-barrel" domain of 5-lipoxygenase is essential for nuclear membrane translocation

5-Lipoxygenase is the key enzyme in the formation of leukotrienes, which are potent lipid mediators of asthma pathophysiology. This enzyme translocates to the nuclear envelope in a calcium-dependent manner for leukotriene biosynthesis. Eight green fluorescent protein (GFP)-lipoxygenase constructs, representing the major human and mouse enzymes within this family, were constructed and their cDNAs transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Of these eight lipoxygenases, only the 5-lipoxygenase was clearly nuclear localized and translocated to the nuclear envelope upon stimulation with the calcium ionophore. The N-terminal "beta -barrel" domain of 5-lipoxygenase, but not the catalytic domain, was necessary and sufficient for nuclear envelope translocation. The GFP-N-terminal 5-lipoxygenase domain translocated faster than GFP-5-lipoxygenase. beta-Barrel/catalytic domain chimeras with 12- and 15-lipoxygenase indicated that only the N-terminal domain of 5-lipoxygenase could carry out this translocation function. Mutations of iron atom binding ligands (His550 or deletion of C-terminal isoleucine) that disrupt nuclear localization do not alter translocation capacity indicating distinct determinants of nuclear localization and translocation. Moreover, data show that GFP-5-lipoxygenase beta-barrel containing constructs can translocate to the nuclear membrane whether cytoplasmic or nuclear localized. Thus, the predicted beta-barrel domain of 5-lipoxygenase may function like the C2 domain within protein kinase C and cytosolic phospholipase A(2) with unique determinants that direct its localization to the nuclear envelope.     

Activity-dependent NMDA receptor-mediated activation of protein kinase B/Akt in cortical neuronal cultures

The serine/threonine protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt is a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) effector that is thought to play an important roll in a wide variety of cellular events. The present study examined whether PKB activation in cortical neuronal cultures is coupled with synaptic activity. A 1-h incubation of neuronal cultures with tetrodotoxin (TTX), the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin, the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 or removal of extracellular calcium significantly reduced basal levels of phospho(Ser473)-PKB, indicating that activity-dependent glutamate release maintains PKB activation through an NMDA receptor-PI3K pathway. A 5-min exposure to NMDA (50 micro m) in the presence of TTX increased phospho-PKB back to levels observed in the absence of TTX. NMDA stimulation of phospho-PKB was blocked by wortmannin, the CaMKII inhibitor KN-93, MK-801, and removal of extracellular calcium. We have previously shown that NMDA receptors can bi-directionally regulate activation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK), and NMDA receptor stimulation of PKB in the present study appeared to mirror activation of ERK. These results suggest that in cultured cortical neurons, PKB activity is dynamically regulated by synaptic activity and is coupled to NMDA receptor activation. In addition, NMDA receptor activation of ERK and PKB may occur through overlapping signaling pathways that bifurcate at the level of Ras.     

Intrinsic Effects of Gold Nanoparticles on Oxygen–Glucose Deprivation/Reperfusion Injury in Rat Cortical Neurons

This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) on rat cortical neurons exposed to oxygen–glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) and to elucidate the corresponding mechanisms. Primary rat cortical neurons were exposed to OGD/R, which is commonly used in vitro to mimic ischemic injury, and then treated with 5- or 20-nm Au-NPs. We then evaluated cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial respiration in these neurons. We found that 20-nm Au-NPs increased cell viability, alleviated neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress, and improved mitochondrial respiration after OGD/R injury, while opposite effects were observed for 5-nm Au-NPs. In terms of the underlying mechanisms, we found that Au-NPs could regulate Akt signaling. Taken together, these results show that 20-nm Au-NPs can protect primary cortical neurons against OGD/R injury, possibly by decreasing apoptosis and oxidative stress, while activating Akt signaling and mitochondrial pathways. Our results suggest that Au-NPs may be potential therapeutic agents for ischemic stroke.

     

Apoptosis is not an invariable component of in vitro models of cortical cerebral ischaemia

Characterising the mechanisms of cell death following focal cerebral ischaemia has been hampered by a lack of an in vitro assay emulating both the apoptotic and necrotic features observed in vivo. The present study systematically characterised oxygen-glucose-deprivation (OGD) in primary rat cortical neurones to establish a reproducible model with components of both cell-death endpoints. OGD induced a time-dependent reduction in cell viability, with 80% cell death occurring 24 h after 3 h exposure to 0% O2 and 0.5 mM glucose. Indicative of a necrotic component to OGD-induced cell death, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibition with MK-801 attenuated neuronal loss by 60%.The lack of protection by the caspase inhibitors DEVD-CHO and z-VAD-fmk suggested that under these conditions neurones did not die by an apoptotic mechanism. Moderating the severity of the insult by decreasing OGD exposure to 60 min did not reduce the amount of necrosis, but did induce a small degree of apoptosis (a slight reduction in cell death was observed in the presence of 10 μM DEVD-CHO). In separate experiments purported to enhance the apoptotic component, cells were gradually deprived of 02, exposed to 4% 02 (as opposed to 0%) during the OGD period, or maintained in serum-containing media throughout. While NMDA receptor antagonism significantly reduced cortical cell death under all conditions, a caspase-inhibitor sensitive component of cell death was not uncovered. These studies suggest that OGD of cultured cortical cells models the excitotoxic, but not the apoptotic component of cell death observed in vivo.     

肝细胞生长因子对氧糖剥夺/再灌注神经元的保护作用

本文旨在探讨肝细胞生长因子（hepatocyte growth factor,HGF）对神经元氧糖剥夺/再灌注损伤的影响。取原代培养12d的Sprague-Dawley大鼠大脑皮层神经元,无糖、无氧（95%N2＋5%CO2）孵育2h后,换含25mmol/L葡萄糖的培养液、常氧培养0-24h,以MTT比色法检测细胞活力、乳酸脱氢酶（lactate dehydrogenase,LDH）漏出率作为细胞损伤指标,建立体外氧糖剥夺/再灌注损伤细胞模型;用流式细胞仪和Hoechst33258染色分析细胞凋亡率;用RT-PCR和Western blot分别检测大鼠脑皮层神经元HGF受体c-Met mRNA和蛋白的表达。于氧糖剥夺2h/再灌注24h处理前2h,加入不同终浓度（5-120ng/mL）的HGF,观察HGF对皮层神经元的影响。结果显示,c-Met表达于皮层神经元,氧糖剥夺2h/再灌注24h后,c-Met mRNA和蛋白表达均显著上调,神经元细胞活力明显降低,LDH漏出率和细胞凋亡率显著增高。HGF预处理明显促进氧糖剥夺/再灌注损伤神经元的存活,降低LDH漏出率,最大效应剂量为80ng/mL。流式细胞术和Hoechst33258染色结果均显示,HGF（80ng/mL）显著降低氧糖剥夺/再灌注神经元的细胞凋亡率。此外,c-Met抑制剂SU11274（5μmol/L）完全阻断HGF的神经保护作用。结果表明,HGF对皮层神经元氧糖剥夺/再灌注损伤具有直接的保护作用,呈一定的剂量依赖关系,并能有效对抗神经元凋亡。     

ACEA改善线粒体复合体活性诱导神经保护作用研究

目的:探讨线粒体复合体活性对大麻素CB1受体选择性激动剂ACEA神经保护作用的影响。方法:将原代大鼠皮层神经元分为4组:对照组(Control)、氧糖剥夺组(OGD)、ACEA+OGD组和溶剂(Vehicle)+OGD组,分别检测各组神经元损伤程度和线粒体复合体Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅳ的活性。为进一步证实线粒体复合体活性对ACEA神经保护的影响,将原代大鼠皮层神经元分为5组:对照组(Control)、氧糖剥夺组(OGD)、ACEA+OGD组、线粒体复合体Ⅰ抑制剂(rotenone)+ACEA+OGD组和线粒体复合体Ⅱ抑制剂(TTFA)+ACEA+OGD组,检测和比较各组神经元细胞的损伤情况。结果:在OGD后24小时,ACEA明显增加神经元活性,减少LDH释放,降低神经元凋亡率(P0.05),改善OGD损伤后线粒体复合体Ⅰ和Ⅳ的活性(P0.05),而对复合体Ⅱ的活性没有影响;rotenone可以部分逆转ACEA的神经保护作用(P0.05),但TTFA却没有这一作用。结论:ACEA可以诱导神经保护作用,其机制是与改善线粒体呼吸链复合体活性有关。     

Role of excitatory amino acids in the ventral tegmental area for central actions of non-competitive NMDA-receptor antagonists and nicotine

Summary The putative role of non-NMDA excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) for the increase in dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus acumbens (NAC) and the behavioural stimulation induced by systemically administered dizocilpine (MK-801) was investigated. Microdialysis was utilized in rats with probes in the VTA and NAC. The VTA was perfused with the AMPA and kainate receptor antagonist CNQX (0.3 or 1.0 mM) or vehicle and dialysates from the NAC were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography for DA. Forty min after onset of CNQX or vehicle perfusion of the VTA MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously (sc). Subsequently, typical MK-801 induced behaviours were assessed. The MK-801 induced hyperlocomotion was associated with a 50% increase of DA levels in NAC dialysates. Both the MK-801 evoked hyperlocomotion and DA release in the NAC were effectively antagonized by CNQX perfusion of the VTA. However, by itself the CNQX or vehicle perusion of the VTA did not affect DA levels in NAC or the rated behaviours. The results indicate that MK-801 induced hyperlocomotion and increased DA release in the NAC are largely elicited within the VTA via activation of non-NMDA EAA receptors, tentatively caused by locally increased EAA release. In contrast, the enhanced DA output in the NAC induced by systemic nicotine (0.5 mg/kg sc) was not antagonized by intra VTA infusion of CNQX (0.3 or 1.0 mM), but instead by infusion of the NMDA receptor antagonist AP-5 (0.3 or 1.0 mM) into the VTA, which by itself did not alter DA levels in the NAC. Thus, the probably indirect, EAA mediated activation of the mesolimbic DA neurons in the VTA by MK-801 and nicotine, respectively, seems to be mediated via different glutamate receptor subtypes.     

Differential localization of 5- and 15-lipoxygenases to the nuclear envelope in RAW macrophages.

Leukotriene formation is initiated in myeloid cells by an increase in intracellular calcium and translocation of 5-lipoxygenase from the cytoplasm to the nuclear envelope where it can utilize arachidonic acid. Monocyte- macrophages and eosinophils also express 15-lipoxygenase, which converts arachidonic acid to 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. Enhanced green fluorescent 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) fusion proteins were expressed in the cytoplasm of RAW 264.7 macrophages. Only 5-lipoxygenase translocated to the nuclear envelope after cell stimulation, suggesting that differential subcellular compartmentalization can regulate the generation of leukotrienes versus 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in cells that possess both lipoxygenases. A series of truncation mutants of 5-LO were created to identify putative targeting domains; none of these mutants localized to the nuclear envelope. The lack of targeting of 15-LO was then exploited to search for specific targeting motifs in 5-LO, by creating 5-LO/15-LO chimeric molecules. The only chimera that could sustain nuclear envelope translocation was one which involved replacement of the N-terminal 237 amino acids with the corresponding segment of 15-LO. Significantly, no discrete targeting domain could be identified in 5-LO, suggesting that sequences throughout the molecule are required for nuclear envelope localization.     

A possible pivotal role of mitochondrial free calcium in neurotoxicity mediated by N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

We have previously shown that mitochondrial membrane potential disruption is involved in mechanisms underlying differential vulnerabilities to the excitotoxicity mediated by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors between primary cultured neurons prepared from rat cortex and hippocampus. To further elucidate the role of mitochondria in the excitotoxicity after activation of NMDA receptors, neurons were loaded with the fluorescent dye calcein diffusible in the cytoplasm and organelles for determination of the activity of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) responsible for the leakage of different mitochondrial molecules. The addition of CoCl₂ similarly quenched the intracellular fluorescence except mitochondria in both cultured neurons, while further addition of NMDA led to a leakage of the dye into the cytoplasm in hippocampal neurons only. An mPTP inhibitor prevented the NMDA-induced loss of viability in hippocampal neurons, while an activator of mPTP induced a similarly potent loss of viability in cortical and hippocampal neurons. Although NMDA was more effective in increasing rhodamine-2 fluorescence as a mitochondrial calcium indicator in hippocampal than cortical neurons, a mitochondrial calcium uniporter inhibitor significantly prevented the NMDA-induced loss of viability in hippocampal neurons. Expression of mRNA was significantly higher for the putative uniporter uncoupling protein-2 in hippocampal than cortical neurons. These results suggest that mitochondrial calcium uniporter would be at least in part responsible for the NMDA neurotoxicity through a mechanism relevant to promotion of mPTP orchestration in hippocampal neurons.     

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide is up-regulated in cortical pyramidal cells after focal ischemia and protects neurons from mild hypoxic/ischemic damage

The protective effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in stroke models is poorly understood. We studied patterns of PACAP, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and the PACAP-selective receptor PAC1 after middle cerebral artery occlusion and neuroprotection by PACAP in cortical cultures exposed to oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD). Within hours, focal ischemia caused a massive, NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent up-regulation of PACAP in cortical pyramidal cells. PACAP expression dropped below the control level after 2 days and was normalized after 4 days. Vasoactive intestinal peptide expression was regulated oppositely to that of PACAP. PAC1 mRNA showed ubiquitous expression in neurons and astrocytes with minor changes after ischemia. In cultured cortical neurons PACAP27 strongly activated Erk1/2 at low and p38 MAP kinase at higher nanomolar concentrations via PAC1. In astrocyte cultures, effects of PACAP27 on Erk1/2 and p38 were weak. During OGD, neurons showed severely reduced Erk1/2 activity and dephosphorylation of Erk1/2-regulated Ser112 of pro-apoptotic Bad. PACAP27 stimulation counteracted Erk1/2 inactivation and Bad dephosphorylation during short-term OGD but was ineffective after expanded OGD. Consistently, PACAP27 caused MEK-dependent neuroprotection during mild but not severe hypoxic/ischemic stress. While PACAP27 protected neurons at 1–5 nmol/L, full PAC1 activation by 100 nmol/L PACAP exaggerated hypoxic/ischemic damage. PACAP27 stimulation of astrocytes increased the production of Akt-activating factors and conferred ischemic tolerance to neurons. Thus, ischemia-induced PACAP may act via neuronal and astroglial PAC1. PACAP confers protection to ischemic neurons by maintaining Erk1/2 signaling via neuronal PAC1 and by increasing neuroprotective factor production via astroglial PAC1.     

鞘内注射MK-801对炎性痛大鼠海马NOS表达及NO含量的影响

目的：观察鞘内给予N-甲基-D-天门冬氨酸（NMDA）受体拮抗剂MK-801对足底注射甲醛诱导的自发痛反应和海马一氧化氮合酶（NOS）表达及一氧化氮（N0）含量的影响,探讨炎性痛诱导海马NO产生增多的机制。方法：通过观察舔足反射时间反映大鼠自发痛程度;采用NADPH—d组织化学法测定大鼠海马NOS表达;硝酸还原酶法测定海马组织NO含量。结果：足底注射甲醛后动物即出现舔、咬、摇动注射侧脚掌等自发痛相关表现,预先鞘内注射MK-801可使大鼠第二时相自发病程度显著降低,但对第一时相痛反应程度无明显影响。注射甲醛后12h时,海马CA1、CA2～3区及DG区NOS阳性细胞数目、阳性细胞染色深度均显著增加,海马组织NO含量显著增加;预先鞘内注射MK-801,可使甲醛炎性痛大鼠海马各区NOS阳性细胞数目明显减少,阳性细胞染色深度明显变浅,海马NO含量明显降低。结论：鞘内注射MK-801可逆转甲醛炎性痛诱导的海马NOS表达及NO产生的增加,表明甲醛炎性痛诱导的海马NO产生增加主要是由于伤害性信息传入所引起。     

Chronic blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors alters gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor peptide expression and function in the rat

Chronic in vivo or in vitro application of GABA(A) receptor agonists alters GABA(A) receptor peptide expression and function. Furthermore, chronic in vitro application of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) agonists and antagonists alters GABA(A) receptor function and mRNA expression. However, it is unknown if chronic in vivo blockade of NMDA receptors alters GABA(A) receptor function and peptide expression in brain. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically administered the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (0.40 mg/kg, twice daily) for 14 days. Chronic blockade of NMDA receptors significantly increased hippocampal GABA(A) receptor alpha4 and gamma2 subunit expression while significantly decreasing hippocampal GABA(A) receptor alpha2 and beta2/3 subunit expression. Hippocampal GABA(A) receptor alpha1 subunit peptide expression was not altered. In contrast, no significant alterations in GABA(A) receptor subunit expression were found in cerebral cortex. Chronic MK-801 administration also significantly decreased GABA(A) receptor-mediated hippocampal Cl- uptake, whereas no change was found in GABA(A) receptor-mediated cerebral cortical Cl- uptake. Finally, chronic MK-801 administration did not alter NMDA receptor NR1, NR2A, or NR2B subunit peptide expression in either the cerebral cortex or the hippocampus. These data demonstrate heterogeneous regulation of GABA(A) receptors by glutamatergic activity in rat hippocampus but not cerebral cortex, suggesting a new mechanism of GABA(A) receptor regulation in brain.     

Choline release and inhibition of phosphatidylcholine synthesis precede excitotoxic neuronal death but not neurotoxicity induced by serum deprivation

N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor overactivation has been proposed to induce excitotoxic neuronal death by enhancing membrane phospholipid degradation. In previous studies, we have shown that NMDA releases choline and reduces membrane phosphatidylcholine in vivo. We now observed that glutamate and NMDA induce choline release in primary neuronal cortical cell cultures. This effect is Ca(2+)-dependent and is blocked by MK-801 ((+)-5-methyl-10, 11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate). In cortical neurons, the NMDA receptor-mediated choline release precedes excitotoxic cell death but not neuronal death induced by either osmotic lysis or serum deprivation. Glutamate, at concentrations that release arachidonic acid, does not release choline in cerebellar granule cells, unless these cells are rendered susceptible to excitotoxic death by energy deprivation. The NMDA-evoked release of choline is not mediated by phospholipases A(2) or C. Moreover, NMDA does not activate phospholipase D in cortical cells. However, NMDA inhibits incorporation of [methyl-(3)H]choline into both membrane phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin. These results show that the increase in extracellular choline induced by NMDA receptor activation is directly related with excitotoxic cell death and indicate that choline release is an early event of the excitotoxic process produced by inhibition of phosphatidylcholine synthesis and not by activation of membrane phospholipid degradation.     

Diazoxide induces delayed pre-conditioning in cultured rat cortical neurons

We investigated the effect of diazoxide on neuronal survival in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Diazoxide pre-treatment induced delayed pre-conditioning and almost entirely attenuated the OGD-induced neuronal death. Diazoxide inhibited succinate dehydrogenase and induced mitochondrial depolarization, free radical production and protein kinase C activation. The putative mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate abolished the protective effect of diazoxide while the non-selective KATP channel blocker glibenclamide did not. The non-selective KATP channel openers nicorandil and cromakalim did not improve viability. Superoxide dismutase mimetic, M40401, or protein kinase C inhibitor, chelerythrine, prevented the neuroprotective effect of diazoxide. Diazoxide did not increase reduced glutathione and manganese-superoxide dismutase levels but we found significantly higher reduced glutathione levels in diazoxide-pre-conditioned neurons after OGD. In pre-conditioned neurons free radical production was reduced upon glutamate stimulation. The succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor 3-nitropropionic acid also induced pre-conditioning and free radical production in neurons. Here, we provide the first evidence that diazoxide induces delayed pre-conditioning in neurons via acute generation of superoxide anion and activation of protein kinases and subsequent attenuation of oxidant stress following OGD. The succinate dehydrogenase-inhibiting effect of diazoxide is more likely to be involved in this neuroprotection than the opening of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels.     

Prolonged inhibition of glutamate reuptake down-regulates NMDA receptor functions in cultured cerebellar granule cells

In the present study, we have examined the effects of prolonged (up to 72 h) inhibition of high-affinity glutamate reuptake by L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate (PDC; 100 microM) on glutamate receptor functions in primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule neurons. This was done by comparing the effects of various glutamate receptor agonists on neuronal 45Ca2+ uptake, free cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), and cell viability. We also determined the parameters of[3H]MK-801 binding as well as the expression of the NMDAR1 subunit protein in control and PDC-exposed cultures. The blockade of glutamate reuptake by PDC led to a gradual increase of ambient glutamate to concentrations that are neurotoxic when applied acutely to control cells. In PDC-exposed cells, however, the acute glutamate-induced NMDA receptor-mediated calcium fluxes were strongly diminished and no toxicity was observed. The down-regulation of the functional effects of glutamate was dependent on the duration of PDC exposure and was accompanied by a reduced NMDAR1 subunit expression and decreased [3H]MK-801 binding, indicative of a pronounced structural rearrangement of NMDA receptors. The possibility that the decrease of NMDA glutamate receptor sensitivity can be explained on the basis of a reduced density or altered subunit composition of NMDA receptors is discussed.     

实验性癫痫时海马内一氧化氮合酶的变化及其与谷氨酸受体的关系

应用免疫组织化学方法观察了青霉素致痫时海马内神经元型一氧化氮合酶（ｎＮＯＳ）表达的时程变化及海马内微量注射ＮＭＤＡ受体拮抗剂ＭＫ－８０１（５－ｍｅｔｈｙｌ－１０,１１－ｄｉｈｙｄｒｏ－５Ｈ－ｄｉｂｅｎｚｏ［ａ,ｄ］ｃｙｃｌｏｈｅｐｔａｎ－５,１０－ｉｍｉｎｅｍａｌｅａｔｅ）和非ＮＭＤＡ受体拮抗剂ＤＮＱＸ（６,７－ｄｉｎｉｔｒｏｑｕｉｎｏｘａｌｉｎｅ－２,３－ｄｉｏｎｅ）对大鼠海马内ｎＮＯＳ表达的影