TRANS-SULPHURATION IN PRIMATE BRAIN: REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF METHIONINE-ACTIVATING ENZYME IN THE BRAIN OF THE RHESUS MONKEY AT VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

—The regional distribution of methionine-activating enzyme (ATP:l-methionine S-adenosyltransferase; EC 2.4.2.13) in the brain of the Rhesus monkey was determined at various stages of development. Activity of the methionine-activating enzyme was highest in pituitary gland, cerebellum and occipital grey matter, and lowest in areas rich in white matter: spinal cord, subcortical white matter, corpus callosum and optic chiasm. There was no marked change in activity in any area during development from the first-trimester foetus to the juvenile animal. During the same period of development, activity of the methionine-activating enzyme in the liver increased approximately four-fold. The findings are discussed in relation to those transmethylating enzymes and/or methylated products which have been studied in mammalian brain. The presence of high activity of the methionine-activating enzyme in cerebellum and occipital grey matter suggests that previously unrecognized methylating processes may be important in the metabolism of these areas of brain.     

电磁脉冲辐照大鼠海马区细胞凋亡与形态学变化

以体外原代培养的大鼠海马神经元和Wistar大鼠为研究对象,探讨电磁脉冲(场强为6× 104 V/m)辐照后早期海马区细胞凋亡和病理形态学的变化.在照射后1h、6h、12h、24h和48h分别采用MTT法和流式细胞仪测定死亡细胞和凋亡细胞的比例,用光镜和电镜分别进行形态学观察.结果显示在电磁脉冲辐照后,海马神经细胞不仅发生快速的坏死,而且还发生凋亡,同时在早期即可见到血管、胶质细胞和神经元等组织的形态学异常.表明大鼠大脑受电磁脉冲辐照后早期海马区可发生神经细胞坏死和凋亡,以及各组织成分的病理形态学改变,上述变化可能与电磁脉冲致细胞DNA损伤有关.     

坐骨神经阻滞引起成年大鼠初级体感皮层代表区的快速改变

为了探讨成年大鼠坐骨神经（ＳＣＩ）去传入后初级体感皮层是否发生快速重组,在氯胺酮麻醉下,利用微电极测定后爪代表区,然后用普鲁卡因阻滞对侧ＳＣＩ。结果表明,阻滞后１ｈ、４ｈ和８ｈ,隐神经代表区（ＳＡＲ）比对照分别增大３２．５％（ｎ＝７）、９３．０％（ｎ＝１７）和１００％（ｎ＝４）。此外,在原ＳＡＲ和新生ＳＡＲ记录的平均多单位诱发反应的峰潜伏期,后者比前者延长４．３ｍｓ。作者推测在快速出现的皮层重组机制中,皮层－皮层多突触通路的去抑制可能起重要作用     

腹腔注射对氯苯丙氨酸对达乌尔黄鼠冬眠的影响

本工作采用腹腔注射5-羟色胺合成抑制剂对氯苯丙氨酸降低脑内5-HT含量的方法,观察了脑内5-HT系统在达乌尔黄鼠自然冬眠和脑室注射6-羟多巴胺促进入眠效应中的作用。结果表明;在自然情况下,达乌尔黄鼠入眠后脑内5-HT含量增加,腹腔注射对氯苯丙氨酸后动物入眠诱导期明显延长;在脑室注射6-羟多巴胺人为地降低脑内NE系统活动的条件下,脑内5-HT含量即使处于较低水平,动物也能很快入眠,但入眠时脑内5-HT含量需要恢复到一定的基础水平。提示脑内NE系统功能活动的降低或/和5-HT系统功能活动加强同是触发动物入眠的重要因素。周期性入眠和觉醒可能依赖于脑内这两个系统功能活动的平衡。     

EARLY CHANGES IN ACETYLCHOLINE POOLS IN THE HIPPOCAMPUS OF THE RAT BRAIN AFTER SEPTAL LESIONS

—After placement of lesions in the hippocampus by electrocoagulation, an increase in bound acetylcholine above control levels was shown. There was no concomitant rise in free acetylcholine. The rise in bound acetylcholine was not due to changes in levels of either acetylcholinesterase or choline acetyltransferase and it is suggested that the interruption of septal impulses and/or alterations in uptake or availability of substrates is responsible.     

TRANS-SULPHURATION IN PRIMATE BRAIN: REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF CYSTATHIONINE SYNTHASE, CYSTATHIONINE AND TAURINE IN THE BRAIN OF THE RHESUS MONKEY AT VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

—The regional distributions of cystathionine synthase, cystathionine and taurine in the brain of the Rhesus monkey were determined at various stages of foetal and postnatal development. Activity of cystathionine synthase was highest in cerebellum, cortical grey areas and globus pallidus, and lowest in subcortical white matter and corpus callosum. There was no marked change in activity in any area during development from the first-trimester foetus to the juvenile animal. In the brain of the juvenile monkey concentrations of cystathionine were highest in subcortical white matter, corpus callosum, and globus pallidus, and lowest in cortical grey matter. There was a sharp increase in concentration between late foetal life and the first 2 weeks of postnatal life and a subsequent more gradual increase during the next 2 years. Concentrations of taurine were highest in lateral cerebellum and neostriatum and lowest in brain stem areas and spinal cord. During the first 6 months of postnatal life, there was a marked decrease in concentration as the brain matured. The regional distribution of cystathionine in brain suggests that this compound may be synthesized in the perikaryon of the nerve cell and transported down axons into white matter. The changes during development suggest the further possibility that cystathionine may have some relationship to myelin and/or myelination.     

POLYAMINE METABOLISM IN THE BRAIN AND LIVER OF THE DEVELOPING MONKEY

Abstract— The concentrations of putrescine and the polyamines, spermidine and spermine, along with the specific activities of the enzymes involved in their biosynthesis, ornithine decarboxylase, S -adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and spermidine synthase have been measured in brain and liver of the developing Rhesus monkey from mid-gestation, through birth and neonatal life to maturity. The results suggest that it is an increased concentration of putrescine and an increased specific activity of ornithine decarboxylase which are associated with the rapid growth of fetal brain during the middle of gestation. By the end of two-thirds of gestation, both of these parameters have attained values similar to those found in mature brain. The concentration of spermidine in brain and the specific activities of S -adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and spermidine synthase are lower in fetal brain than adult brain and increase slowly after birth to reach values similar to those of the adult only after several months. These results provide additional evidence that in the mature brain spermidine serves some function other than one associated with rapid growth.
Fetal liver at mid-gestation was characterized by increased concentrations of both putrescine and spermidine and increased specific activities of the enzymes which synthesize them. By two-thirds of gestation, values similar to those found in adult liver had been attained. Liver has thus reached maturity with regard to polyamine metabolism by this time.     

CHANGES IN THE PROLIFERATION RATE OF MOUSE EPIDERMIS AFTER IRRADIATION: CONTINUOUS LABELLING STUDIES

The proliferative response of mouse skin to damage caused by X-irradiation has been tested by giving repeated injections of tritiated thymidine and scoring the percentage of labelled cells in high resolution autoradiographs. Four, nine and fourteen daily fractions of 300 rads of X-rays were used and labelling commenced 4 days after the last fraction. The epidermis of the upper surface and the sole of the foot were scored separately and were compared with the skin of unirradiated feet. In unirradiated skin the proliferation rate of the basal layer cells is more rapid on the sole than on the upper surface. The cell cycle times deduced from continuous labelling curves were 81 hr and 111 hr respectively and the growth fractions were 97% and 85%. After irradiation with small daily doses the homeostatic response to cell killing was slow. More rapid proliferation occurred after nine fractions in the sole, but was not apparent in the skin of the upper surface until fourteen fractions had been given. After fourteen fractions the cell cycle time was about 24 hr on both surfaces and the growth fraction was about 90%. The initial labelling index after a single thymidine injection was a poor measure of proliferation rate. The delay in the time of onset of faster proliferation is similar, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to that measured previously from the additional dose increments needed if large doses were given at different times after the multifraction treatments (Denekamp, 1973).     

CHANGES IN MEMORY, ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, NEUROCHEMISTRY AND NEURONAL ULTRA-STRUCTURE AFTER DEUTERON IRRADIATION OF THE BRAIN IN C57B1/10 MICE

Abstract— Changes in memory, electrocorticograms (ECoG), protein, DNA, RNA, neurotransmitters, enzyme activity and neuronal ultrastructure were examined after deuteron irradiationof the brain in C57B1/10 mice. Twenty animals served as sha m -irradiated controls, while three irradiated groups received a dose of either 500, 5000 or 10,000 rads covering an area of 9 × 5 m m over the dorsal surface of the brain and extending to a depth of 2 m m from the skull. The 10,000 rad group differed significantly in retention of spontaneous locomotor performance and dark maze exploration during a 16-month post-irradiation period. Desynchronization with an overall amplitude reduction of both spontaneous and light evoked ECoG was observed in the 10,000 rad group. There was a dose-dependent decrease in protein, DNA and RNA content but not in their concentrations. Brain irradiation resulted in a significant change in content as well as concentration of 5-HT and in acetylcholinesterase activity both per brain and per gram fresh weight. Morphologically, there was a significant reduction in brain and pituitary weight. Histochemical observations indicated a uniform and dose-dependent reduction in vascular alkaline phosphatase activity and a selective decrease in staining for cellular DNA and RNA in different regions of the irradiated tissue of the brain. Electron microscopic comparisons of nuclear and cytoplasmic changes indicated serration of some nuclear membranes in the 10,000 rad group, accumulation of glycogen, numerous phagocytes and formation of multi-lamellar intraneuronal membranes. Prominent synaptic changes were not observed in the remaining neurons within the irradiated tissue of the brain. From the multidisciplinary comparisons it was concluded that deuteron irradiation of the CNS can be used as another approach for relating changes in such unique functions as learning and memory to subcellular and cellular changes in specific regions of the brain.     

早期干预改善缺氧缺血性脑损伤大鼠认知能力及其机制分析

目的研究早期干预对缺氧缺血性脑损伤(HIBD)大鼠学习记忆功能的影响及其作用机制。方法选用SD大鼠建立宫内HIBD动物模型,随机分为非干预组和干预组,非干预组与正常对照组常规饲养,对干预组采取早期触摸和丰富环境刺激。干预28d后,通过三等臂Y型迷宫试验检测各组大鼠的学习记忆功能,而后取大鼠额皮质和海马组织进行病理观察,并采用DNA缺口原位末端标记法(TUNEL反应法)检测凋亡细胞,观察脑组织神经元凋亡情况。结果单纯HIBD组大鼠学习获得与记忆保持能力明显低于正常对照组(P<0·01),但HIBD干预组Y迷宫测试成绩则优于HIBD非干预组(P<0·01)。同时,HIBD非干预组脑额皮质和海马CA1区神经元缺失远较正常组多(P<0·01),而HIBD干预组与HIBD非干预组之间神经元数量的差异则不那么显著。但HIBD干预组脑额皮质和海马神经元凋亡百分率明显低于HIBD非干预组(P<0·01)。结论早期干预可减轻缺氧缺血性损伤脑组织神经细胞凋亡,该作用可能是早期干预促进HIBD大鼠脑功能修复的机制之一。     

TAURINE IN THE BRAIN AND LIVER OF THE DEVELOPING HUMAN AND MONKEY

—The concentrations of taurine in brain and liver from human fetuses (2nd trimester) and adults and from Rhesus monkeys from mid-gestation, through birth and neonatal life to maturity have been measured. The concentration of taurine in human and monkey fetal brain was 4-5-fold higher than that in adult monkey brain. In human fetal brain the concentration of taurine decreased linearly with increasing crown-rump length (r=−0·75; P < 0·001). In fetal monkey brain, no correlation with gestational age was found. After birth, the concentration of taurine in monkey brain decreased linearly with increasing age (r=−0·96; P < 0·001) until values comparable to those found in the adult were reached 8-9 months after birth, approximately the end of weaning. The concentration of taurine in liver both from fetal humans and from fetal monkeys was approximately twice that in mature liver. Concentrations of taurine similar to those found in adult liver were reached within a few days of birth, compared to several months for brain. These results suggest that taurine may be associated with brain development in addition to any functional role it may play in the mature brain.     

BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN THE BRAIN IN RATS POISONED WITH AN ALKYLMERCURY COMPOUND, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE INHIBITION OF PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN BRAIN CORTEX SLICES

The incorporation of [U-¹⁴C]leucine into the protein of brain cortex slices from rats poisoned with methylmercury thioacetamide was markedly inhibited before the development of neurological symptoms and when the oxygen consumption, aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis and sulphydryl enzyme activities were unchanged. After the appearance of neurological symptoms, the oxygen consumption decreased significantly, while lactic acid formation did not change under anaerobic conditions, but slightly decreased under aerobic conditions. The activities of the three sulphydryl enzymes (Mg-activated ATPase, fructose- diphosphate aldolase and succinate dehydrogenase) were almost the same in visual cortex, motor cortex, cerebellum and caudate nucleus, while the activities of Mg-activated ATPase and succinate dehydrogenase in the white matter were lower than that in the grey matter. There was no difference in the activity of fructosediphosphate aldolase in grey and white matter. The activities of all three enzymes did not show any change in the earlier stage of poisoning when the animal remained free from neurological symptoms. At the more advanced stage, when neurological symptoms were present, only the activity of the succinate dehydrogenase decreased significantly, while the activities of the other two enzymes remained unchanged. The selective inhibition of protein synthesis may have a direct bearing on the poisoning by the alkylmercury compound.     

METABOLIC CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH ISO-OSMOTIC REGULATION IN BRAIN CORTEX SLICES

Abstract— The metabolism of single, first cortical rat brain slices was studied in response to incubation in media of various osmolalities. There was an inverse relationship between osmolality and the magnitude of the increase in tissue water content, and a direct relationship between osmolality and inulin space. Brain sodium varied directly with the media sodium, but hyperosmolal sucrose and glucose resulted in a drop in brain sodium. Brain potassium was constant in hyperosmolal sodium media, but it fell in hypo-osmolal media and hyperosmolal sucrose and glucose media.
Hypo-osmolality depressed the oxidation of [¹⁴C]glucose to ¹⁴CO₂ whereas hyperosmolality obtained with sodium, sucrose, or glucose stimulated glucose oxidation. Lactate production was enhanced only by sodium hyperosmolality. Hypo-osmolality caused a 70% drop in phosphocreatine and a minor decrease in energy charge potential, analagous to the effects of hypoxia. Hyperosmolality had no effect on energy metabolism.
The total amino acid nitrogen released into the media was suppressed by hypo-osmolality but was increased by hyperosmolal incubation. Hyperosmolality also increased production of ammonia fourfold.
The time course of the change in tissue osmolality and ion content following incubation in hyperosmolal sodium media showed the tissue osmolality reached the media osmolality within 5 min, but it took 30 min for the tissue sodium to reach equilibrium with the media sodium. This indicates that unidentified or'idiogenic osmoles'are induced transiently by hyperosmolality associated with changes in amino acid and ammonia metabolism.     

THE EFFECT OF AMINO-OXYACETIC ACID ON BRAIN CATECHOLAMINES

Abstract— —Administration of amino-oxyacetic acid (AOAA) to rats induced a pronounced decrease of midbrain norepinephrine (NE) and adrenal epinephrine (E) after 30 min, at which time the GABA level of midbrain had increased to 117 per cent of the initial value. The concentrations of NE in the pons-medulla and of dopamine (DA) in the cerebral hemispheres were not changed.
Further increases in brain GABA were accompanied by a rise of NE in midbrain and pons-medulla beginning 1 hr after AOAA administration. A rise of cerebral DA level was observed only after 4 hr. Six hours after AOAA administration the levels of both NE and DA in brain were reduced.
From the results of these and other studies, where administration of small amounts of GABA were shown to affect brain NE and serotonin levels, it is suggested that monoamines may be involved in the physiological action of GABA in the brain.     

CHANGES IN POLYSOMES OF THE DEVELOPING RAT BRAIN

Abstract— Rat brain polysomes were prepared from a deoxycholate-treated postmito-chondrial supernatant in the presence of 2% bentonite and 1 mg/ml of yeast RNA to prevent partial degradation during preparation.

• 1 The polysomal preparations had an absorption maximum at 260 mμ and an absorption minimum at 235 mμ. The ratio of absorption maximum to minimum and the RNA to protein ratio were 1·58 and 1·06 respectively in 6-day-old rat brain polysomes. The sedimentation patterns showed six distinct peaks with sedimentation coefficients of 235S, 185S, 173S, 135S, 100S and 80S, indicating that these preparations have the characteristics of pure heavy polysomes.

• 2 The rate of [¹⁴C]phenylalanine incorporation into brain polysomal protein was maximal at approximately 10 days of age and decreased thereafter. A similar progressive reduction with increasing age was found in the stimulation of phenylalanine incorporation by the addition of 60 μg/tube of polyuridylic acid. However, the incorporation of phenylalanine into young rat brain polysomes was usually greater even with the addition of polyuridylic acid than in the older animals.

• 3 The comparative studies on sucrose density gradient centrifugation of polysomes between young and adult rat brains showed a considerable decrease of heavy polysomes in the older animals.

• 4 The effect of various factors on the stability of brain polysomes from both ages has been studied. The rates of RNA, protein and acid-soluble phosphorus release from polysomes of the adult rat brains were usually greater in the presence of high salt concentration, ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid and urea than those from the corresponding preparations of younger animals. On the basis of evidence obtained from the above results it suggested that the adult brain polysomes were more unstable than those of younger animals.

• 5 The amount of polysomal RNA linearly increased up to the first 20 days after birth and then levelled off. The ratio of G + C/A + U of polysomal RNA was less in the young rat brains, falling to 1·30 as compared to 1·50 in older animals. The differences were statistically significant at less than a 1% level of confidence.

• 6 Polysomal preparations also contained RNase, phosphomonoesterase, phospho-diesterase and 5′-nucleotidase activities which cannot be washed off. The specific activities of these enzymes were generally higher in young rat brains than those in the adult.