大鼠隔—海马通路损伤对海马内递质含量及酶活力的影响

单侧切断大鼠海马缴和部分穹窿可使海马部分去神经。损伤后7d,海马内胆碱能系统中乙酰胆碱(ACh)含量下降72.5%,胆碱乙酰基转移酶(ChAT)活力下降45.7%,胆碱酯酶活力下降52.2%,在单胺能系统中,去甲肾上腺素(NA)含量下降16.3%,多巴胺(DA)含量下降31.3%,5-羟色胺含量下降30.3%。在损伤过程中,海马内氨基酸含量没有改变。实验结果表明,海马缴和穹窿是脑内胆碱能和单胺能传入神经到达海马靶区的部分共同通路。     

单唾液酸神经节苷脂对体外循环大鼠海马神经元的影响

目的:探讨单唾液酸神经节苷脂(GM1)对体外循环大鼠海马神经元凋亡的影响及机制。方法:18只健康成年雄性SD大鼠,随机分为3组:正常对照组、CPB组和GM1组。经右颈静脉插管引流,右颈动脉插管灌注建立CPB,转流时间60 min,建立CPB动物模型。CPB后3 h时处死大鼠,4%多聚甲醛灌注固定后取左侧大脑组织,利用TUNEL法观察海马神经元凋亡,免疫组化法检测海马神经元Caspase-3蛋白表达,并用电子显微镜观察神经元超微结构变化。结果:与正常组比较,GM1组和CPB组海马神经元凋亡细胞平均积分光密度(IA)、Caspase-3蛋白表达均增强(P<0.01)。GM1组海马神经元凋亡细胞平均积分光密度(IA)为8.94±0.42,与CPB组(14.87±0.70)相比明显降低(P<0.01);GM1组海马Caspase-3阳性神经细胞平均积分光密度比CPB组降低了38.84%(P<0.01)。电镜下CPB组海马可见异染色质明显边集、凝聚,线粒体嵴减少或空泡变性,细胞器消失等不可逆性的损伤改变;GM1组神经元细胞核圆形,线粒体嵴少量减少,细胞器仍可见。结论:单唾液酸神经节苷脂对体外循环大鼠海马神经元凋亡具有明显的抑制作用,其机制与抑制Caspase-3的表达有关。     

大鼠基底前脑NGF-R及CHAT免疫反应阳性神经元的分布:免疫双标法

本文用免疫组化双标法观察了神经生长因子受体(NGF-R)及胆碱乙酰转移酶(ChAT)免疫反应阳性神经元在成鼠基底前脑内的分布,结果发现嗅结节、隔内侧核、斜角带核、腹侧苍白球及基底大细胞核均有NGF-R及ChAT免疫反应阳性神经元.免疫组化双标染色发现,大部分免疫反应阳性神经元的NGF-R与ChAT共存,部分神经元呈单纯NGF-R或ChAT阳性,但这种NGF-R和ChAT的共存情况在不同区域不完全相同.在隔内侧核和斜角带核,大多数的NGF-R阳性神经元和ChAT阳性神经元共存,但在腹侧仓白球和基底大细胞核,两者共存的神经元较前两区为少.此外ChAT阳性神经元在尾壳核中分布较均匀,而NGF-R阳性神经元较少见.研究结果表明,大多数胆碱能神经元有NGF-R,提示NGF对胆碱能神经元的保护和激活作用,部分可能是通过直接与NGF受体的结合而发生作用.     

花生油对2型糖尿病大鼠海马CA1区神经生长因子及胆碱乙酰转移酶表达的影响

目的通过观察2型糖尿病大鼠海马CA1区神经生长因子（NGF）和胆碱乙酰转移酶（ChAT）表达的改变,研究花生油对2型糖尿病大鼠海马神经元NGF及ChAT表达的影响,探讨花生油在防治糖尿病脑病中的作用。方法 60只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组：正常对照组（C组）、2型糖尿病组（T2DM组）、2型糖尿病给予2 mL花生油组（T2DM＋2 mL组）及2型糖尿病给予5 mL花生油组（T2DM＋5 mL组）。其中C组给予正常饮食,糖尿病组大鼠给予高脂饮食喂养,2个月后,按25 mg/kg体质量腹腔注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）制成2型糖尿病模型,T2DM组、T2DM＋2 mL组及T2DM＋5 mL组大鼠继续给予高脂饮食。糖尿病造模1个月后处死全部大鼠,行脑冰冻切片,用免疫组织化学方法检测各组大鼠海马CA1区NGF和ChAT的表达。结果 （1）T2DM组大鼠海马CA1区NGF表达比C组明显降低（P〈0.05）,T2DM＋2 mL组及T2DM＋5 mL组大鼠海马CA1区NGF表达均明显高于未给予花生油的T2DM组（P〈0.05）。（2）T2DM组大鼠海马CA1区ChAT表达显著低于C组（P〈0.05）,T2DM＋2 mL组和T2DM＋5 mL组大鼠海马CA1区ChAT表达均明显高于未给予花生油的T2DM组（P〈0.05）。结论 2型糖尿病大鼠海马CA1区神经生长因子表达降低,胆碱能神经元数量减少,这可能是2型糖尿病脑病发生的原因之一。花生油能增加2型糖尿病大鼠海马区内神经生长因子表达,促进胆碱能神经元存活,表明花生油具有一定的保护大鼠糖尿病脑病的作用。     

神经节苷脂对脂多糖损伤大鼠嗜铬细胞瘤细胞的保护作用

目的：研究内源性神经节苷脂对大鼠嗜铬细胞瘤细胞株（PC12）脂多糖（LPS）损伤后的作用及机制。方法：培养PC12细胞,建立LPS损伤模型,采用MTT法检测不同浓度LPS对PC12细胞存活率的改变、葡萄糖神经酰胺合成酶抑制剂D（D-PDMP）耗竭内源性神经节苷脂时LPS对PC12细胞存活率的改变以及添加外源性神经节苷脂GM1后对PC12细胞存活率的保护作用;倒置显微镜和荧光显微镜观察细胞状态;RT-PCR检测NF-κB的相对表达含量。结果：LPS能导致PC12细胞形态学的改变及存活率下降,且随着LPS浓度的增加细胞存活率逐渐降低;神经节苷脂GM1能明显改善LPS所致的细胞形态学以及存活率的改变;工具药D-PDMP耗竭内源性神经节苷脂后,LPS对PC12细胞的损伤更严重,添加外源性神经节苷脂GM1,细胞形态学及存活率得到明显改善,细胞存活率上升;LPS损伤时细胞内NF-κB含量增加;D-PDMP预先耗竭内源性神经节苷脂时NF-κB含量增加更多;添加外源性神经节苷脂GM1后NF-κB含量降低。结论：内源性神经节苷脂对PC12细胞LPS损伤具有保护作用,可能是通过NF-κB信号通路来发挥作用的。     

神经生长因子对低氧缺血新生鼠纹状体内胆碱能神经元的保护作用

采用7日龄大鼠右侧颈总动脉结扎合并高温低氧环境制作的脑低氧缺血(hypoxia-ischemia)模型,观察神经生长因子(NGF)对新生动物纹状体胆碱能递质改变的影响。新生鼠结扎合并低氧后,脑室内一次注射NGF,可防止24h后纹状体乙酰胆碱(ACh)含量及乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)组织化学图像定量的改变,上述结果提示,新生鼠脑低氧缺血早期应用NGF对因低氧缺血所引起的新生鼠脑纹体胆碱能系统的变化有保护作用。     

乙酰胆碱对大鼠丘脑束旁核和中脑网状结构痛反应神经元电活动的影响

在54只大鼠上,用两支微电极同时记录神经元放电的方法,研究了脑室注射乙酰胆碱(ACh)对丘脑束旁核(Pf)和中脑网状结构(RF)痛反应神经元电活动的影响。结果表明,当脑内ACh含量增加时,Pf和RF中两个痛兴奋神经元(PEN)的电活动同时减弱,两个痛抑制神经元(PIN)的电活动同时加强,Pf中一个PEN电活动减弱的同时RF中一个PIN电活动加强,或者相反。阿托品可以阻断ACh的上述作用。这提示,ACh对不同中枢痛反应神经元的电活动的影响是通过M胆碱能受体而实现的。     

神经节苷脂GM1对帕金森模型小鼠黑质细胞凋亡及Bcl-2和Bax表达的影响

目的观察神经节苷脂GM1对帕金森模型小鼠黑质细胞凋亡及Bcl-2和Bax表达的影响,探讨其预防帕金森病的机制。方法成年C57-BL雄性小鼠分为正常对照组、模型组和神经节苷脂GMI治疗组。应用TUNEL法和免疫荧光组织化学染色技术观察各组小鼠黑质神经元凋亡及Bcl-2和Bax表达情况。结果TUNEL、Bcl-2和Bax阳性神经元主要位于黑质致密部。模型组黑质神经元凋亡数明显多于正常对照组,神经节苷脂GM1组黑质神经元凋亡数明显少于模型组。在模型组Bcl-2阳性神经元和Bax阳性神经元的数量均较正常对照组明显增多;在神经节苷脂GM1组Bcl-2阳性神经元的数量较模型组明显增多,但Bax阳性神经元的数量较模型组明显减少。结论神经节苷脂GM1可能通过增强黑质神经元内Bcl-2基因表达及抑制Bax基因表达的途径抑制黑质神经元的凋亡。     

新生大鼠脑低氧缺血早期对纹状体胆碱能系统的影响

采用7日龄大鼠右侧颈总动脉结扎合并高温、低氧环境制作新生动物脑低氧缺血模型,观察了脑低氧缺血对新生动物纹状体胆碱能系统的影响。乙酰胆碱(ACh)放射免疫测定结果表明,低氧缺血损伤后24h,两侧纹状体ACh含量均比正常对照组明显下降。乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)组织化学图象定量提示,脑低氧缺血后24h,纹状体内拟胆碱能神经元数量未见减少,而胞体内AChE染色强度略有下降。胆碱能递质和该标志酶在新生鼠脑低氧缺血早期的一致改变,证明发育中纹状体胆碱能系统对低氧缺血敏感。鉴于动物不结扎动脉仅作低氧处理者双侧纹状体ACh含量出现与低氧缺血组相同的改变,故提示缺氧可能是造成胆碱能系统早期损伤的直接原因。     

内侧隔核注射淀粉样β蛋白损害大鼠的长时程增强和认知行为（英文）

胆碱能神经元的逐渐丢失和进行性认知功能障碍是阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer’s disease,AD)的主要特征。脑内胆碱能神经元集中分布的区域之一是基底前脑的内侧隔核(medial septum,MS),其发出投射纤维至海马。尽管AD患者和动物模型脑内淀粉样β蛋白(amyloidβprotein,Aβ)的神经毒性包括特异性损伤胆碱能神经系统的作用已被广泛报道,但仍不清楚聚集在MS的Aβ是否会影响海马突触可塑性,进而影响学习记忆行为。本研究采用Morris水迷宫、Y型迷宫和在体海马长时程增强(long-term potentiation,LTP)记录,观察了MS注射Aβ对大鼠海马LTP及认知行为的影响,同时还以能特异性损伤γ氨基丁酸(γ-aminobutyric acid,GABA)能神经元的海人藻酸(kainic acid,KA)作为对照,进行了效应比较。结果显示:(1)MS注射Aβ_(25–35),而非KA,明显损伤了大鼠在经典Morris水迷宫和对位水迷宫中的空间学习记忆能力;(2)MS注射Aβ_(25–35)和KA均损害了大鼠在Y迷宫中的新异环境探索能力;(3)MS注射Aβ_(25–35),而非KA,明显抑制了大鼠海马CA1区在体LTP;(4)Aβ_(25–35)和KA均未影响大鼠在行为学测试中的运动能力和电生理记录中的海马CA1区双脉冲易化(paired-pulse facilitation,PPF)。以上结果表明,MS注射Aβ能够损伤大鼠空间学习记忆能力、学习记忆灵活性和探索行为,并压抑海马LTP。结合以往研究,本研究提示:MS的胆碱能神经元及其海马投射可能是AD病程中受Aβ神经毒性作用损害的主要细胞和组织,选择性损伤MS中的胆碱能神经元会导致AD病程中的海马突触可塑性损伤和认知功能伤害。     

Exogenous Nerve Growth Factor Increases the Activity of High-Affinity Choline Uptake and Choline Acetyltransferase in Brain of Fisher 344 Male Rats

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of age and chronic intracerebral administration of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the activity of the presynaptic cholinergic neuronal markers hemicholinium-sensitive high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the brain of Fisher 344 male rats. In 24-month-old rats, a substantial decrease in ChAT activity (30%) was measured in striatum, and decreases in HACU were found in frontal cortex (28%) and hippocampus (23%) compared with 4-month-old controls. Cholinergic neurons in brain of both young adult and aged rats responded to administration of exogenous NGF by increased expression of both phenotypes. In 4-month-old animals, NGF treatment at 1.2 micron/day resulted in increased activities of both ChAT and HACU in striatum (175 and 170%, respectively), frontal cortex (133 and 125%), and hippocampus (137 and 125%) compared with untreated and vehicle-treated 4-month-old animals; vehicle treatment had no effect on the activity of either marker. In 24-month-old animals treated with NGF for 2 weeks, ChAT activity was increased in striatum (179%), frontal cortex (134%), and hippocampus (119%) compared with 24-month-old control animals. Synaptosomal HACU in 24-month-old rats was increased in striatum (151%) and frontal cortex (128%) after 2 weeks of NGF treatment, but hippocampal HACU was not significantly different from control values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of Chronic Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Administration to Rats with Partial Flmbrial Transections on Presynaptic Cholinergic Parameters and Muscarinic Receptors in the Hippocampus: Comparison with Nerve Growth Factor

Abstract: The present study compares the effects of chronic administration of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) on various hippocampal cholinergic parameters in rats with partial unilateral fimbrial transections. Lesions resulted in marked reductions of several presynaptic cholinergic parameters: choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity (by 50%), [³H]-acetylcholine ([³H]ACh) synthesis (by 59%), basal and ve-ratridine (1 μM)-evoked [³H]ACh release (by 44 and 57%, respectively), and [³H]vesamicol binding site densities (by 35%). In addition, [³H]AF-DX 116/muscarinic M₂ binding site densities were also modestly decreased (by 23%). In contrast, [³H]pirenzepine/muscarinic M₁ and [³H]AF-DX 384/muscarinic M₂/M₄ binding site densities were not altered by the lesions, nor were they affected by any of the treatments. Intracerebroventricular administration of bFGF (10 ng, every other day, for 21 days) partially prevented the lesion-induced deficit in hippocampal ChAT activity, an effect that was not markedly different from that measured in the NGF-treated (1 μg intracerebroventricularly, every other day, for 21 days) rats. In rats treated with a combination of bFGF and NGF, ChAT activity was not different from that in rats treated with the individual factors alone. In contrast, the lesion-induced deficits in the other cholinergic parameters were not attenuated by bFGF treatment, although they were at least partially prevented by NGF administration. To determine whether higher concentrations of bFGF are necessary to affect cholinergic parameters other than hippocampal ChAT activity, rats were treated with 1 μg (every other day, 21 days) of the growth factor. In this group of rats, detrimental effects of bFGF, manifested by an increased death rate (46%), and marked reductions in body weight of the survivors, were observed. In addition, this concentration of bFGF appeared to exacerbate the lesion-induced reduction in [³H]ACh synthesis by hippocampal slices; [³H]ACh synthesis in lesioned hippocampi represented 36 and 52% of that in contralateral unlesioned hippocampi for the bFGF-treated and control groups, respectively. In conclusion, although bFGF administration attenuates the deficit in hippocampal ChAT activity induced by partial fimbrial transections, this does not appear to translate into enhanced functional capacity of the cholinergic terminals. This is clearly in contrast to NGF, which enhances not only hippocampal ChAT activity, but also other parameters indicative of increased function in the cholinergic terminals.     

Dose- and time-dependent hippocampal cholinergic lesions induced by ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion: Effects of nerve growth factor,GM1 ganglioside,and vitamin E

Ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion (ECMA) was infused intracerebroventricularly (icv) to rats followed by measurement of two markers of presynaptic cholinergic neurons, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity and high affinity choline transport (HAChT), in the hippocampus and cortex. Bilateral icv administration of 1, 2, or 3 nmol of ECMA per side produced dose-dependent reductions in each marker in the hippocampus, but not in the cortex, one week after treatment. Reductions of 52% and 46% for ChAT activity and HAChT, respectively, were produced in the hippocampus by 3 nmol ECMA. Measurement of these two markers at different times after icv infusion of 2 nmol ECMA/ventricle revealed that the activity of ChAT was reduced to a greater extent than was HAChT in the hippocampus 1 day and 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after treatment. The maximal reductions of ChAT activity and HAChT (61% and 53%, respectively) were reached between 1 and 2 weeks after ECMA administration. There was no evidence of regeneration of either marker at 4 or 6 weeks posttreatment. HAChT and ChAT activity in the cortex were not altered at any of the posttreatment times examined.ECMA-induced deficits in hippocampal ChAT activity and HAChT were not counteracted by the following treatments: (i) daily administration of GM₁ ganglioside (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (ip)) from the day prior to infusion of ECMA until 2 weeks later; (ii) daily administration of GM₁ ganglioside between 2 and 6 weeks after infusion of ECMA; and (iii) icv administration of nerve growth factor (NGF) twice per week for 2 weeks after ECMA treatment. Since similar treatments with NGF and GM₁ ganglioside ameliorate lesions induced by other methods, these results indicate that the mechanism of lesion formation and the surviving cellular components influence the functional effects of neurotrophic factors. In contrast to the above results, treatment with vitamin E significantly attenuated ECMA-induced deficits of ChAT activity and HAChT. Further studies of the effects of vitamin E on the development of ECMA-induced deficits may help to elucidate the mechanism action of ECMA.     

Nerve Growth Factor Increases the Intracellular Content of Acetylcholine in Cultured Septal Neurons from Developing Rats

The effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the intracellular content of acetylcholine (ACh) in cultured septal neurons from developing rats have been examined. The content of ACh could be measured by using HPLC and electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD), coupled with an immobilized enzyme column. This method of determination is very simple and rapid, and is highly sensitive. The content of ACh and the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in cultured postnatal day 1 (P1) septal neurons grown on an astroglial "feeder" layer was increased during the period of cultivation by the addition of NGF. The activities of ChAT and the content of ACh increased in a dose-dependent manner in direct relationship to the different amounts of NGF employed. These effects of NGF, i.e., elevating the intracellular content of ACh, accompanied by an increase in activity of ChAT, also were confirmed in the P1 septal organotypic cultures. Additionally, embryonic day 17 (E17) septal neurons in a serum-free medium displayed a similar responsiveness to NGF with respect to the elevation in the content of ACh and the increase in activity of ChAT. These results suggest that intracellular levels of ACh are likely to be regulated by NGF in a fashion similar to that of the activity levels of the biosynthetic enzyme.     

Cholinergic deficit in Alzheimer's disease: A study based on CSF and autopsy data

Cholinesterase (ChE) activity was measured as a possible marker of cholinergic neurotransmission of the brain in CSF of 93 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease/senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (AD/SDAT) and of 29 control patients. ChE activity in CSF was decreased significantly in the AD/SDAT patients as compared to the controls. This reduction correlated significantly with the various measures of the severity of dementia. However, the reduction of ChE activity was only moderate (25–30%) even in patients with the most severe dementia and nonsignificant in patients with early symptoms of AD/SDAT. The significance of various confounding factors, which may interfere with CSF ChE measurements is discussed. Our findings seem to indicate that the deficiency of cholinergic neurons is not directly reflected in CSF and that the measurements of ChE activities in CSF are not helpful in diagnosing AD/SDAT. In the autopsy study the activities of cholineacetyltransferase (ChAT) and ChE were determined for ten brain areas of 20 AD/SDAT patients and of 14 controls. In AD/SDAT patients ChAT activity was profoundly decreased (50–85% decrease) in the cortical areas and hippocampus, but was unchanged or only mildly reduced in other subcortical brain areas. This study further confirms that the affection of cholinergic neurons is limited to projections from nucleus basalis to cortex and hippocampus, whereas other cholinergic neurons, like in striatum, seem to be relatively spared. In general, the activities of ChAT and ChE were lower in Alzheimer patients dying at younger age suggesting more severe disease process with these patients.     

Differential Effects of Nerve Growth Factor on Expression of Choline Acetyltransferase and Sodium-Coupled Choline Transport in Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons in Culture

Abstract: Nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment of primary cultures of embryonic day 17 rat basal forebrain differentially altered activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and high-affinity choline transport; ChAT specific activity was increased by threefold in neurons grown in the presence of NGF for between 4 and 8 days, whereas high-affinity choline transport activity was not changed relative to control. Dose-response studies revealed that enhancement of neuronal ChAT activity occurred at low concentrations of NGF with an EC₅₀ of 7 ng/ml, with no enhancement of high-affinity choline transport observed at NGF concentrations up to 100 ng/ml. In addition, synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh) and ACh content in neurons grown in the presence of NGF for up to 6 days was increased significantly compared with controls. These results suggest that regulation of ACh synthesis in primary cultures of basal forebrain neurons is not limited by provision of choline by the high-affinity choline transport system and that increased ChAT activity in the presence of NGF without a concomitant increase in high-affinity choline transport is sufficient to increase ACh synthesis. This further suggests that intracellular pools of choline, which do not normally serve as substrate for ACh synthesis, may be made available for ACh synthesis in the presence of NGF.     

Effect of Nerve Growth Factor in Ethylcholine Mustard Aziridinium (AF64A)-Treated Rats: Sensitization of Cholinergic Enzyme Activity in the Septohippocampal Pathway

Abstract: In this study, we examined the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) administration on cholinergic enzyme activity in both normal and ethylcholine mustard aziridinium (AF64A)-treated rats. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase activity were measured in the hippocampus and septum of rats chronically administered NGF (0.36–2.85 µg/day) into the lateral ventricle for 14 days. In both normal and AF64A-treated rats, NGF increased cholinergic enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, although NGF increased ChAT activity in normal rats by 147%, it had a greater effect in AF64A-treated rats, increasing ChAT activity as much as 273%. NGF increased acetylcholinesterase activity in normal rats by only 125% but produced a 221% increase in this activity in AF64A-treated rats. These data indicate that AF64A produces an increased sensitivity to NGF in cholinergic neurons.     

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor ENA-713 protects against ischemia-induced decrease in pre- and postsynaptic cholinergic indices in the gerbil brain following transient ischemia

The effects of pre-treatment with ENA-713, an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, on changes in pre- and postsynaptic cholinergic indices in gerbil brain following transient ischemia were studied at 4 and 14 days after recirculation. In the ischemic group, hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh) level was significantly reduced (to 23% of sham-operated controls) at 4 days post-ischemia, but this reduction was completely prevented by ENA-713 treatment. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and cholinesterase (ChE) activities were not significantly changed at 4 and 14 days post-ischemia. Although the maximum number (Bmax) of muscarinic ACh receptor (mACh-R) binding in the hippocampus was decreased (to 44%) without any change in affinity at 14 days post-ischemia, this decrease was also inhibited by ENA-713 treatment. In addition, histological experiment indicated that ENA-713 inhibited ischemia-induced pyramidal cell loss in the hippocampal CA1 regions. Thus, these findings suggest that ENA-713 has protective, neurotrophic and therapeutic effects on cerebrovascular type dementia due to cerebral ischemia.     

Functional Restoration Using Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) Infusion in Kainic Acid Induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Rat: Neurobehavioural and Neurochemical Studies

Neurogenesis occurs in dentate gyrus of adult hippocampus under the influence of various mitogenic factors. Growth factors besides instigating the proliferation of neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) in dentate gyrus, also supports their differentiation to cholinergic neurons. In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the neurotrophic effect of bFGF in Kainic acid (KA) induced cognitive dysfunction in rats. Stereotaxic lesioning using (KA) was performed in hippocampal CA3 region of rat's brain. Four-weeks post lesioning rats were assessed for impairment in learning and memory using Y maze followed by bFGF infusion in dentate gyrus region. The recovery was evaluated after bFGF infusion using neurochemical, neurobehavioural and immunohistochemical approaches and compared with lesioned group. Significant impairment in learning and memory (P < 0.01) observed in lesioned animals, four weeks post lesioning exhibited significant restoration (P < 0.001) following bFGF infusion twice at one and four week post lesion. The bFGF infused animals exhibited recovery in hippocampus cholinergic (76%)/ dopaminergic (46%) receptor binding and enhanced Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity in CA3 region. The results suggest restorative potential of bFGF in cognitive dysfunctions, possibly due to mitogenic effect on dentate gyrus neurogenic area leading to generation and migration of newer cholinergic neurons.     

Involvement of Nerve Growth Factor and Its Receptor in the Regulation of the Cholinergic Function in Aged Rats

The role of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptor (NGFR) in the regulation of cholinergic activity has been studied during the aging process. NGFRs were quantified in cortical membranes using a radioactive binding assay. NGF levels and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity were determined in cortex, hippocampus, neostriatum, and septum. These assays were performed in both adult (6-month-old) and aged (36-month-old) rats. High- and low-affinity 125I-NGF binding sites were present in cortex of adult and aged rats. Furthermore, we observed a decrease in number and affinity of both NGFRs in aged rats. ChAT activity in these rats was lower (approximately 30%) than in adult rats in all the brain regions examined. NGF levels were not modified in cortex and hippocampus and were decreased in neostriatum (55%) and septum (35%). In conclusion, our results suggest that, during the aging process, the cholinergic impairment is related to a decrease in NGF levels in neostriatum but not in cortex and hippocampus. The reduction in level of NGF protein in septum could be due to a decrease in number of high-affinity 125I-NGF binding sites.