新生、成年和老年小鼠尾壳核、皮层运动区与脊髓中某些递质氨基酸含量的研究

用本实验室改进的超微量 DANS 反应-聚酰胺薄膜层析-荧光方法测定了新生、成年和老年小鼠尾壳核、皮层运动区和脊髓的递质氨基酸:GABA、牛磺酸、甘氨酸、谷氨酸、天冬氨酸和丙氨酸。实验结果表明,不同年龄小鼠中枢神经系统不同部位的“抑制性”和“兴奋性”递质氨基酸的含量不同:(1)尾壳核的“抑制性”递质 GABA 含量随年龄的增长而增加。在发育过程中“兴奋性”递质天冬氨酸、谷氨酸也显著升高,而“抑制性”递质牛磺酸含量却显著降低。老化时除 GABA 继续升高外,所测定的其他递质氨基酸皆无显著变化。(2)皮层运动区的“抑制性”递质牛磺酸和甘氨酸含量在发育过程中是降低的,而“兴奋性”递质谷氨酸显著升高。在老化时只有“抑制性”递质 GABA 继续升高。(3)脊髓的“抑制性”递质 GABA 和牛磺酸含量在发育过程中显著降低,而“兴奋性”递质天冬氨酸含量却显著升高。(4)由新生到成年,尾壳核、皮层运动区和脊髓的“抑制性”与“兴奋性”递质氨基酸总量的比值是降低的。成年小鼠的此比值近似于1,新生小鼠此比值(?)1。而老年小鼠的脊髓此比值<1。新生小鼠尾壳核的高比值可能在生物化学上反映了其在发育期的功能特点。     

γ-氨基丁酸代谢研究的进展

γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)具有重要的神经生物学功能。它既是脑的能源物质,又是抑制性递质。在不同的水平上对脑代谢进行动态研究,显示出脑代谢的不均一性,由此导出“代谢区间”概念。这一概念将GABA的代谢作用与递质功能有机地联系在一起。小鼠脑内的GABA合成酶(GAD)与分解酶(GABA-T)已被纯化940及1,200倍,测得其分子量分别为85,000及109,000。目前对于这两种酶的理化性质进行了比较系统的研究。     

γ-氨基丁酸及其受体在家鸽基底视束核中的作用

采用细胞外记录和微量离子电泳技术,研究了γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)及其拮抗剂荷苞牡丹碱和2-hydroxysaclofen对家鸽基底视束核(nBOR)神经元的作用.实验结果表明,GABA是该核团内的一种抑制性递质或调质,且主要通过GABA_A受体起作用,GABA_B受体则起较小作用.另外,GABA通过GABA_A受体参与nBOR部分神经元的方向选择性调制.     

大鼠不同状态脑内神经递质功率的变化

目的:分析大鼠不同状态脑内递质功率的变化。方法:本研究采用脑涨落图仪。结果:与清醒状态相比,麻醉状态脑内递质的功率显著下降(P<0.05);大鼠死亡后脑内(死亡当时-死亡后48小时)6种递质的功率都降低到10-5级别(P值均大于0.05),说明死亡后不同时间脑内6种递质的功率无显著性差异。结论:从清醒状态到麻醉状态再到死亡状态,大脑的抑制程度逐渐加深。     

脑内γ-氨基丁酸能神经及其功能

γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)是脊椎动物中枢神经系统中一种主要的抑制性神经介质。脑内1/3的突触以它为递质。它也是三羧酸循环中“GABA环路”的产物,在体内作为供能物质参与能量代谢。作为神经递质的GABA可在神经末梢合成,约占脑内GABA全部含量的25～30%。同其它神经介质相比,脑内GABA的含量是很高的,其浓度以微克分子/克(脑组织)计算。GABA的结构简单,但功能复杂。关于GABA能神经元的分布、功能特性、受体分类以及与安定受体的关系等方面近年来作了大量的研究。一、GABA能神经元近几年由于方法学上的改进,人们对GABA能神经元有了更多的认识。例如,Robert     

根田鼠大脑内去甲肾上腺素水平的昼夜节律及低氧作用

研究表明, 哺乳动物脑中去甲肾上腺素(Norepinephrine, NE) 作为一种植物性神经信息传递的经典递质, 表现为水平波动的昼夜节律行为(李思嘉. 1982. 生理科学进展13 (2) : 189) , 该变化可能与机体生理机能改变相关。在低氧应激下, 脑内N E 的更新率升高, 可对脑中各脑区功能起到协调作用。根田鼠是青藏高原金露梅灌丛的优势小哺乳动物, 本文研究在自然光照下, 根田鼠大脑内去甲肾上腺素(NE) 水平的昼夜节律, 以及在模拟低氧5 000 m 和7 000 m 高度条件下的含量变化情况。     

GABA及BZD受体与肝脑病

GABA及BZD受体γ-氨基丁酸(γ-aminobutyric acid,GABA)是中枢神经系统的主要抑制性递质,它的抑制效应是通过兴奋GABA受体而实现的。根据GABA受体对药物的不同选择性,可分为GABA_A和GABA_B两种受体,前者又可进一步分成GABA_(A-1)、GABA_(A-2)及GABA_(A-3)等亚型。自1984年以来,国际上有几家实验室用各种现代技术(如分子生物学、免疫亲和层析等技术)来提取和纯化动物脑内的GABA受体。目前已了解到GABA_A受体是一个四聚体,分别有2个α及2个β亚单位构成。现已能人工合成GABA_A受     

新生、成年和老年小鼠大脑皮层突触小体神经递质氨基酸含量的比较研究

用DANS反应-薄膜层析-萤光方法测定了蔗糖密度梯度超离心制备的不同年龄小鼠大脑皮层突触小体中递质氨基酸的含量。实验结果表明:(1)不同年龄小鼠每克皮层组织中突触小体蛋白质含量不同。新生——5.68、成年——21.37、老年——19.14毫克/克脑组织湿重。(2)递质氨基酸含量以毫微克分子/克脑组织湿重表示时,GABA 含量在发育期升高,到老年期又降低;牛磺酸含量由新生到老年期持续下降;谷氨酸、天冬氨酸含量在发育期升高,到老年期无明显变化。(3)突触小体中“抑制性”递质氨基酸总量与“兴奋性”递质氨基酸总量的比值(GABA Tau Gly/Glu Asp)随年龄增长而明显降低,成年的比值趋近于1。新生——3.39、成年——1.06、老年——0.79。(4)老年小鼠皮层突触小体的蔗糖梯度区带明显分成两层。即除P_2B 层外,出现明显的P_2B' 层,其GABA、谷氨酸、天冬氨酸含量与P_B 层相比,分别降低24.2%(P<0.05)、50.4%(P<0.001)和44%(P<0.001)。     

新生、成年和老年小鼠大脑皮层突触小体神经递质氨基酸含量的比较研究

用DANS反应-薄膜层析-萤光方法测定了蔗糖密度梯度超离心制备的不同年龄小鼠大脑皮层突触小体中递质氨基酸的含量。实验结果表明:(1)不同年龄小鼠每克皮层组织中突触小体蛋白质含量不同。新生——5.68、成年——21.37、老年——19.14毫克/克脑组织湿重。(2)递质氨基酸含量以毫微克分子/克脑组织湿重表示时,GABA含量在发育期升高,到老年期又降低;牛磺酸含量由新生到老年期持续下降;谷氨酸、天冬氨酸含量在发育期升高,到老年期无明显变化。(3)突触小体中“抑制性”递质氨基酸总量与“兴奋性”递质氨基酸总量的比值(GABA Tau Gly/Glu Asp)随年龄增长而明显降低,成年的比值趋近于1。新——3.39、成年——1.06、老年——0.79。(4)老年小鼠皮层突触小体的蔗糖梯度区带明显分成两层。即除P_2B层外,出现明显的P_2B′层,其GABA、谷氨酸、天冬氨酸含量与P_2B层相比,分别降低24.2%(P<0.05)、50.4%(P<0.001)和44%(P<0.001)。     

神经多肽中的新成员：甘丙肽

甘丙肽(galanin,GAL)是由29个氨基酸残基组成的神经多肽,具有由123个氨基酸组成的前体蛋白,即前GAL原(prepro GAL)。甘丙肽样免疫反应物质(GAL-like immunoreactivity,GAL-LI)存在于脑和脊髓、周围神经系统和某些器官。在体内某些含有GAL-LI的细胞也存在儿茶酚胺、5-HT、GABA、乙酰胆碱等递质与神经多肽。新生鼠用辣椒素处理后,可减少脑内某些区域和脊髓内的GAL-LI的含量。GAL可减少血浆胰岛素的含量,增加血糖以及抑制肠道的运动。在大鼠第三脑室、人的静脉注射GAL,均可视察到血浆生长素含量增加。在大鼠下丘脑的室旁核内注射GAL可增强摄食活动。     

Neuronal [3H]Benzodiazepine Binding and Levels of GABA, Glutamate, and Taurine Are Normal in Huntington''s Disease Cerebellum

Alterations in one subunit of the proposed GABA receptor complex, namely, the GABA receptor, have been observed in Huntington's disease cerebellum. We measured binding to a second subunit, the benzodiazepine binding site, in the autopsied cerebellum of 12 patients dying with adult-onset Huntington's disease. Neuronal benzodiazepine ([3H]flunitrazepam) binding density (Bmax) and affinity in cerebellar cortex of the Huntington's disease patients were not significantly different from control values. Similarly, maximal GABA stimulation of benzodiazepine binding was normal in the Huntington's disease cerebellum. In addition, no significant changes were observed in the concentrations of GABA, glutamate, and taurine in cerebellar cortex, nor of GABA in the dentate nucleus.     

Acute metabolic effects of taurine on the enzymes metabolizing glutamate and gaba

100 mg of taurine per kg body weight had been administered intraperitoneally and 30 min after the administration the animals were sacrificed. Glutamate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glutaminase, glutamine synthetase, glutamate decarboxylase and GABA aminotransferase along with the content of glutamate and GABA in cerebral cortex, cerebellum and brain stem were studied and compared with the same obtained in the rats treated with normal saline in place of taurine. The results indicated a significant decrease in the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase in cerebral cortex and cerebellum and a significant increase in brain stem. Glutaminase and glutamine synthetase were found to increase significantly both in cerebral cortex and cerebellum. The activities of glutamate decarboxylase was found to increase in all the three regions along with a significant decrease in GABA aminotransferase while the content of glutamate showed a decrease in all the three brain regions, the content of GABA was observed to increase significantly. The above effects of taurine on the metabolism of glutamate and GABA are discussed in relation to the functional role of GABA and glutamate. The results indicate that taurine administration would result in a state of inhibition in brain.     

Changes in Regional Brain Levels of Amino Acid Putative Neurotransmitters After Prolonged Treatment with t he Anticonvulsant Drugs Diphenylhydantoin, Phenobarbitone, Sodium Valproate, Ethosuximide, and Sulthiame in the Rat

The effect of prolonged treatment (10 days) with the anticonvulsant drugs diphenylhydantoin (DPH), phenobarbitone, sodium valproate, ethosuximide and sulthiame, both singly and in combination, on regional rat brain amino acid neurotransmitter concentrations (GABA, glutamate, aspartate and taurine) were assessed. DPH had a major effect in the cerebellum and hypothalamus in that it significantly reduced cerebellar GABA, taurine and aspartate and hypothalamic GABA and aspartate. Sodium valproate significantly elevated GABA and taurine in most regions. Aspartate and glutamate were less affected. Phenobarbitone significantly elevated GABA concentrations in all brain regions, while taurine concentration was only elevated in the cerebral cortex. Ethosuximide induced changes were small compared to the other anticonvulsants while sulthiame produced complex changes. Anticonvulsant drugs administered in combination resulted in complex changes, suggesting that their mode of action is different.     

Release of Endogenous Taurine and γ-Aminobutyric Acid from Brain Slices from the Adult and Developing Mouse

The spontaneous and potassium-stimulated release of endogenous taurine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from cerebral cortex and cerebellum slices from adult and developing mice was studied in a superfusion system. The spontaneous release of GABA was of the same magnitude in slices from adult and developing mice, but the spontaneous release of taurine was considerably greater in the adults. The potassium-stimulated release of GABA from cerebral cortex slices was about five times greater in adult than in 3-day-old mice, but the potassium-stimulated release of taurine was more than six times greater in 3-day-old than in adult mice. In cerebellar slices from 7-day-old mice, potassium stimulation also evoked a massive release of taurine, whereas the evoked release from slices from adult mice was rather negligible. Also in cerebellar slices the potassium-stimulated release of GABA exhibited the opposite quantitative pattern. The stimulated release of both GABA and taurine was partially calcium dependent. The results suggest that taurine may be an important regulator of excitability in the developing brain.     

Excess of taurine supplementation in rat: effects on GABA-related amino acids in developing nervous tissues.

The effects of taurine supplementation on GABA-related amino acid homeostasis in developing nervous tissues of suckling rats were studied. In the first two weeks of postnatal growth, cerebral cortex and cerebellum appear more accessible to taurine supplementation in comparison to retina; in addition, different changes in excitatory/inhibitory amino acids were observed. After the 5th day of life, in the retina and cerebellum of taurine-supplemented pups a decrease in GABA levels was found; in contrast, in cerebral cortex GABA content significantly increased throughout 20 days of postnatal growth. In all nervous tissues studied (except for cerebellum) glutamine concentration increased at the 5th day; then in cerebellum and in retina, but not in cerebral cortex, a significant decrease until the 20th day occurred. Furthermore, in cerebellum and retina taurine supplementation decreased glutamate levels, in comparison to controls, at the 10th and until the 20th day of postnatal life, respectively, whereas in cerebral cortex an increase in glutamate level was observed only at the 5th day. In conclusion, taurine supplementation, in excess to the usual amount from the mother's milk, affected the glutamate compartments in various cell types. The changes in GABA-related amino acid concentrations in cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and retina may depend on the different pattern of the metabolic processes at different maturative stages.     

Stimulation of [3H]GABA and β-[3H]Alanine Release from Rat Brain Slices by cis-4-Aminocrotonic Acid

Abstract: cis -4-Aminocrotonic acid (CACA; 100 µ M ), an analogue of GABA in a folded conformation, stimulated the passive release of [³H]GABA from slices of rat cerebellum, cerebral cortex, retina, and spinal cord and of β-[³H]alanine from slices of cerebellum and spinal cord without influencing potassium-evoked release. In contrast, CACA (100 µ M ) did not stimulate the passive release of [³H]taurine from slices of cerebellum and spinal cord or of d -[³H]aspartate from slices of cerebellum and did not influence potassium-evoked release of [³H]taurine from the cerebellum and spinal cord and d -[³H]aspartate from the cerebellum. These results suggest that the effects of CACA on GABA and β-alanine release are due to CACA acting as a substrate for a β-alanine-sensitive GABA transport system, consistent with CACA inhibiting the uptake of β-[³H]alanine into slices of rat cerebellum and cerebral cortex. The observed K _i for CACA against β-[³H]alanine uptake in the cerebellum was 750 ± 60 µ M . CACA appears to be 10-fold weaker as a substrate for the transporter system than as an agonist for the GABA_c receptor. The effects of CACA on GABA and β-alanine release provide indirect evidence for a GABA transporter in cerebellum, cerebral cortex, retina, and spinal cord that transports GABA, β-alanine, CACA, and nipecotic acid that has a similar pharmacological profile to that of the GABA transporter, GAT-3, cloned from rat CNS. The structural similarities of GABA, β-alanine, CACA, and nipecotic acid are demonstrated by computer-aided molecular modeling, providing information on the possible conformations of these substances being transported by a common carrier protein.     

Changes in Regional Neurotransmitter Amino Acid Levels in Rat Brain During Seizures Induced by l-Allylglycine, Bicuculline, and Kainic Acid

Changes in amino acid concentrations were studied in the cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus of the rat brain, after 20 min of seizure activity induced by kainic acid, 47 mumol/kg i.v.; L-allylglycine, 2.4 mmol/kg i.v.; or bicuculline, 3.27 mumol/kg i.v. in paralysed, mechanically ventilated animals. Metabolic changes associated with kainic acid seizures predominate in the hippocampus, where there are decreases in aspartate (-26%), glutamate (-45%), taurine (-20%), and glutamine (-32%) concentrations and an increase in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration (+ 26%). L-Allylglycine seizures are associated with generalized decreases in GABA concentrations (-32 to -54%), increases in glutamine concentrations (+10 to +53%), and a decrease in cortical aspartate concentration (-14%). Bicuculline seizures, in fasted rats, are associated with marked increases in the levels of hippocampal GABA (+106%) and taurine (+40%). In the cerebellum, there are increases in glutamine (+50%) and taurine concentrations (+36%). These changes can be explained partially in terms of known biochemical and neurophysiological mechanisms, but uncertainties remain, particularly concerning the cerebellar changes and the effects of kainic acid on dicarboxylic amino acid metabolism.     

Taurine in the developing cat: Uptake and release in different brain areas

Taurine is an important modulator of neuronal activity in the immature brain. In kittens, taurine deficiency causes serious dysfunction in the cerebellar and cerebral visual cortex. The processes of taurine transport in vitro were now studied for the first time in different brain areas in developing and adult cats. The uptake of taurine consisted initially of two saturable components, high- and low-affinity, in synaptosomal preparations from the developing cerebral cortex and cerebellum, but the high-affinity uptake component completely disappeared during maturation. The release of both endogenous and preloaded labeled taurine from brain slices measured in a superfusion system was severalfold stimulated with a slow onset by depolarizing K⁺ (50 mM) concentrations. K⁺ stimulation released markedly more taurine from the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and brain stem in kittens than in adult cats. The responses were largest in the cerebellum. Both uptake and release of taurine are thus highly efficient in the brain of kittens and may be of significance in view of the vulnerability of cats to taurine deficiency.     

Alterations in the Content of Amino Acid Neurotransmitters Before the Onset and During the Course of Methoxypyridoxine-Induced Seizures in Individual Rabbit Brain Regions

In rabbits, generalized seizures were induced by methoxypyridoxine, and changes in amino acid concentrations of 15 brain regions were investigated before seizure onset and during the course of sustained epileptiform activity. As previously reported, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration decreased preictally in most regions. At the same time, taurine level was elevated in the hypothalamus, thalamus, hippocampus, caudatum, and frontal cortex. After 90 min of seizures, it was significantly decreased in the hypothalamus, periaqueductal grey, substantia nigra, frontal cortex, and cerebellum. Glycine content was reduced preictally only in the substantia nigra; after seizure onset its concentration rose in all brain areas. Glutamate content in the frontal cortex decreased before seizure onset; after 1.5 h of seizures, its concentration in cerebellum, caudatum, and hippocampus was reduced. Aspartate level was decreased in most areas after sustained seizures; in putamen, however, it was elevated. In contrast, glutamine content increased preictally in the superior colliculus and in all brain areas by approximately 200% after 90 min of seizures. Alanine and valine content also rose markedly in most brain areas after prolonged seizures, and threonine showed the same tendency. The single brain regions were observed to respond to methoxypyridoxine in highly individualistic ways. For example, the glycine content of the substantia nigra, which is believed to utilize this amino acid as a neurotransmitter, decreased preictally. The potential importance of the superior colliculus in seizure induction is considered in view of the early rise in glutamine level. The antagonistic preictal behavior of taurine and GABA is discussed with respect to synthesis, uptake from the blood, and antiepileptic properties.     

High-Affinity Transport of γ-Aminobutyric Acid, Glycine, Taurine, L-Aspartic Acid, and L-Glutamic Acid in Synaptosomal (P2) Tissue: A Kinetic and Substrate Specificity Analysis

In a cortical P2 fraction, [14C]gamma-aminobutyric acid ([14C]GABA), [14C]glycine, [14C]taurine, and [14C]glutamic and [14C]aspartic acids are transported by four separate high-affinity transport systems with L-glutamic acid and L-aspartic acid transported by a common system. GABA transport in cortical synaptosomal tissue occurs by one high-affinity system, with no second, low-affinity, transport system detectable. Only one high-affinity system is observed for the transport of aspartic/glutamic acids; as with GABA transport, no low-affinity transport is detectable. In the uptake of taurine and glycine (cerebral cortex and pons-medulla-spinal cord) both high- and low-affinity transport processes could be detected. The high-affinity GABA and high-affinity taurine transport classes exhibit some overlap, with the GABA transport system being more specific and having a much higher Vmax value. High-affinity GABA transport exhibits no overlap with either the high-affinity glycine or the high-affinity aspartic/glutamic acid transport class, and in fact they demonstrate somewhat negative correlations in inhibition profiles. The inhibition profiles of high-affinity cortical glycine transport and those of high-affinity cortical taurine and aspartic/glutamic acid transport also show no significant positive relationship. The inhibition profiles of high-affinity glycine transport in the cerebral cortex and in the pons-medulla-spinal cord show a significant positive correlation with each other; however, high-affinity glycine uptake in the pons-medulla-spinal cord is more specific than that in the cerebral cortex. The inhibition profile of high-affinity taurine transport exhibits a nonsignificant negative correlation with that of the aspartic/glutamic acid transport class.