藜芦碱致使大鼠背根神经节A类神经元产生触发性振荡

在大鼠L5背根节浸浴钠通道失活门阻断剂藜芦碱（veratridine),记录该背根节神经元A类单纤维传入放电。发现：浸浴藜芦碱（1．8－3μmol/L）10min后,触压皮肤感受野或刺激坐骨神经引起部分静息纤维产生高频放电,其放电峰峰间期（interspike interval,ISI)形成U字形等型式的振荡,称之为触发性振荡。刺激脉冲的间隔越大,触发该振荡所需要的刺激脉冲数也就越多;不同时程和形式的刺激引起触发性振荡的形式无明显差异;触发性振荡的后抑制时期一般为30－90s。另外,实验还观察到该触发性振荡可由同一神经刺激引起的传入冲动触发。上述结果表明,用黎芦碱处理可使初级感觉神经元产生一种触发性振荡,该振荡机制可能与触发病的发作有关。     

The effects of huwentoxin-I on the voltage-gated sodium channels of rat hippocampal and cockroach dorsal unpaired median neurons

Huwentoxin-I (HWTX-I) is a 33-residue peptide isolated from the venom of Ornithoctonus huwena and could inhibit TTX-sensitive voltage-gated sodium channels and N-type calcium channels in mammalian dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. However, the effects of HWTX-I on mammalian central neuronal and insect sodium channel subtypes remain unknown. In this study, we found that HWTX-I potently inhibited sodium channels in rat hippocampal and cockroach dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons with the IC₅₀ values of 66.1 ± 5.2 and 4.80 ± 0.58 nM, respectively. Taken together with our previous work on DRG neurons (IC₅₀ ≈ 55 nM), the order of sodium channel sensitivity to HWTX-I inhibition was insect central DUM ? mammalian peripheral > mammalian central neurons. HWTX-I exhibited no effect on the steady-state activation and inactivation of sodium channels in rat hippocampal and cockroach DUM neurons.     

Chronic pregabalin inhibits synaptic transmission between rat dorsal root ganglion and dorsal horn neurons in culture

In this study, we have examined the properties of synaptic transmission between dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and dorsal horn (DH) neurons, placed in co-culture. We also examined the effect of the anti-hyperalgesic gabapentinoid drug pregabalin (PGB) at this pharmacologically relevant synapse. The main method used was electrophysiological recording of excitatory post synaptic currents (EPSCs) in DH neurons. Synaptic transmission between DRG and DH neurons was stimulated by capsaicin, which activates transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) receptors on small diameter DRG neurons. Capsaicin (1 μM) application increased the frequency of EPSCs recorded in DH neurons in DRG-DH co-cultures, by about 3-fold, but had no effect on other measured properties of the EPSCs. There was also no effect of capsaicin in the absence of co-cultured DRGs. Application of PGB (100 μM) for 40-48 h caused a reduction in the capsaicin-induced increase in EPSC frequency by 57%. In contrast, brief preincubation of PGB had no significant effect on the capsaicin-induced increase in EPSC frequency. In conclusion, this study shows that PGB applied for 40-48 h, but not acute application inhibits excitatory synaptic transmission at DRG-DH synapses, in response to nociceptive stimulation, most likely by a presynaptic effect on neurotransmitter release from DRG presynaptic terminals.     

一种适合膜片钳单通道记录的大鼠DRG神经元急性分离方法

目的：建立一种适合膜片钳单通道记录的脊髓背根神经节神经元急性分离方法。方法：用酶消化和机械分离相结合的方法急性分离大鼠DRG神经元。结果：用本方法分离的DRG细胞容易形成较高的封接电阻（〉5GΩ）,降低了噪音干扰,可记录到pA级的单通道电流。结论：本方法急性分离的DRG神经元适合单通道膜片钳实验研究。     

缓激肽对背根节神经元钠通道电流的作用

目的：观察缓激肽(bradykinin,BK)对大鼠背根节神经元电压依赖性钠通道电流的作用。方法：采用全细胞膜片钳技术,记录钠通道电流。结果：缓激肽剂量依赖性(0．01～10μmol／L)增高小细胞背根节神经元诱发放电频率;缓激肽剂量依赖性(O．01～10μmol／L)增加小细胞背根节神经元的河豚毒素不敏感(TTX—resistant,TTX—R)钠电流,对TTX敏感(TTX—sensitive,TTX-S)钠电流无明显影响。结论：缓激肽引起炎性痛的机制可能与TTX-R钠通道电流有关。     

Chronic pregabalin inhibits synaptic transmission between rat dorsal root ganglion and dorsal horn neurons in culture

In this study, we have examined the properties of synaptic transmission between dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and dorsal horn (DH) neurons, placed in co-culture. We also examined the effect of the anti-hyperalgesic gabapentinoid drug pregabalin (PGB) at this pharmacologically relevant synapse. The main method used was electrophysiological recording of excitatory post synaptic currents (EPSCs) in DH neurons. Synaptic transmission between DRG and DH neurons was stimulated by capsaicin, which activates transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) receptors on small diameter DRG neurons. Capsaicin (1 μM) application increased the frequency of EPSCs recorded in DH neurons in DRG-DH co-cultures, by about 3-fold, but had no effect on other measured properties of the EPSCs. There was also no effect of capsaicin in the absence of co-cultured DRGs. Application of PGB (100 μM) for 40–48 h caused a reduction in the capsaicin-induced increase in EPSC frequency by 57%. In contrast, brief preincubation of PGB had no significant effect on the capsaicin-induced increase in EPSC frequency. In conclusion, this study shows that PGB applied for 40–48 h, but not acute application inhibits excitatory synaptic transmission at DRG-DH synapses, in response to nociceptive stimulation, most likely by a presynaptic effect on neurotransmitter release from DRG presynaptic terminals.     

Slow inactivation of tetrodotoxin-insensitive Na+ channels in neurons of rat dorsal root ganglia

Summary Whole-cell patch-clamp experiments were performed with neurons cultured from rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Two types of Na⁺ currents were identified on the basis of sensitivity to tetrodotoxin. One type was blocked by 0.1 nm tetrodotoxin, while the other type was insensitive to 10 m tetrodotoxin. The peak amplitude of the tetrodotoxin-insensitive Na⁺ current gradually decreased after depolarization of the membrane. The steady-state value of the peak amplitude was attained several minutes after the change of holding potential. Such a slow inactivation was not observed in tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na⁺ current. The slow inactivation of the tetrodotoxin-insensitive Na⁺ current was kinetically distinct from the ordinary short-time steady-state inactivation. The voltage dependence of the slow inactivation could be described by a sigmoidal function, and its time course had a double-exponential process. A decrease of external pH partially antagonized the slow inactivation, probably through an increased diffusion potential across the membrane. However, the slow inactivation was not due to change in surface negative charges, since a shift of the kinetic parameters along the voltage axis was not observed during the slow inactivation. Due to the slow inactivation, the inactivation curves for the tetrodotoxininsensitive Na⁺ current were shifted in the negative direction as the prepulse duration was increased. Consequently, the window current activated at potentials close to the resting membrane potential was markedly reduced. Thus, the slow inactivation may be involved in the long-term regulation of the excitability of sensory neurons.We thank Prof. Hirosi Kuriyama for his support and advice and Dr. M. Yoshii for helpful discussions. This study was supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education (Scientific Research 02670090).     

神经病理痛大鼠DRG神经元GABAA受体激活电流的变化

目的：观察坐骨神经慢性压榨损伤（CCI）致神经病理痛后,大鼠背根节神经元GABAA受体（γ-氨基丁酸A受体）激活电流的变化。方法：运用全细胞膜片钳技术记录CCI模型手术侧、手术对侧及假手术组大鼠背根神经节细胞GABAx受体激活电流,比较坐骨神经慢性压榨损伤后GABAA受体激活电流的变化。结果：①CCI模型组大鼠手术侧DRG神经元在不同浓度（0．1-1000μmol／L）GABAA受体激活电流幅值均显著小于假手术组。②CCI模型组大鼠手术对侧DRG神经元在不同浓度（0．01-1000μmol／L）GABAA受体激活电流幅值均显著大于手术同侧及假手术组。结论：在坐骨神经慢性压榨损伤的过程中,不仅损伤侧的DRG神经元GABAA受体激活电流显著减小,这种损伤同时还引起了手术对侧的DRG神经元GABA激活电流代偿性的增强,GABAA受体功能的改变导致的突触前抑制作用的减弱可能是神经病理痛产生的根本原因之一。     

咖啡因对大鼠背根神经节急性分离神经元GABA-激活电流的抑制作用

应用全细胞膜片钳记录技术,在大鼠新鲜分离背根神经节(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)神经元上,观察预加咖啡因对GABA-激活电流(IGABA)的调制作用。实验中,大部分受检细胞(97．4％,l13／116)对外加GABA敏感。1-1000μmol／L GABA引起一剂量依赖性、有明显上敏感作用的内向电流。在受检的108个DRG细胞中,约有半数(53．7％,58／108)对胞外加咖啡因(0．1-100μmol／L)敏感．产生一幅值很小的内向电流。倾加咖啡因(0．1～100μmol／L)30s后再加GABA能明显抑制GABA(100μmol／L)激活电流的幅值。预加咖啡因后GABA量效曲线明显下移;GABA-激活电流的最人值较之对照下降约57％;而Kd值(30μmol／L)几乎不变,表示此种抑制为非竞争性的。预加安定(diazepam,1μmol／L)对GABA(100μmol／L)激活电流有增强作用,而预加咖啡因(10μmol／L)有拈抗安定增强IGABA的作用。胞内透析H-8后,几乎可以完全消除咖啡因对,IGABA的抑制作用。已知GABA作用于初级感觉神经元能引起初级传入去极化,因而实验结果提示,咖啡因有可能在初级传入末梢产生对抗突触前抑制的效应。     

藜芦碱和乌头碱在受损背根节神经元诱发不同的放电模式

为了研究钠通道失活门阻断后受损背根节神经元放电模式的变化特征,在大鼠背根节慢性压迫模型上采用单纤维技术记录A类神经元的自发放电。藜芦碱和乌头碱是钠通道失活门的抑制剂,但二者作用于不同的位点,前者结合于D2-S6,后者结合于D3-S6。我们比较了这两种试剂引发的放电模式。结果发现,在同一神经元,藜芦碱(1．5～5．0μmol／L)可以引起放电峰峰间期的慢波振荡,即峰峰间期由大逐渐减小,然后又逐渐增大,形成重复的振荡波形,每个振荡持续约数十秒至数分钟：而乌头碱(10～200μmol／L)则引起强直性放电,即峰峰间期逐渐减小,然后维持在一个稳定的水平。这两种不同的放电模式不因背景放电或试剂浓度的不同而发生明显的改变。实验结果表明,藜芦碱和乌头碱在受损的背根节神经元可以引发不同的放电模式,这可能与它们结合于钠通道上不同位点的抑制作用有关。     

Characteristics of store-operated calcium channels activated by depletion of the endoplasmic reticulum ryanodine-sensitive calcium stores in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

In neurons of the rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG), using a patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration, we studied the characteristics of calcium channels activated by depletion of the ryanodine-sensitive calcium stores of the endoplasmic reticulum. Current-voltage (I-V) relationships of these store-operated calcium channels were obtained by subtraction of the integral I-V characteristics after application of caffeine from the integral I-V characteristics of calcium channels in the control. Currents through store-operated calcium channels could be induced by application of a series of hyperpolarization current pulses to the cell under conditions of replacement of a calcium-free solution containing caffeine by a caffeine-free solution containing 2 mM Ca²⁺. In this case, the following two main conditions were abserved: Voltage-operated calcium channels were inactivated, while a gradient of the electrochemical potential for calcium ions was increased, which made easier passing of these currents through store-operated calcium channels. Therefore, we found that in DRG neurons, despite the presence of great numbers of both voltage-operated and receptor-dependent calcium channels, one more mechanism underlying the entry of calcium through store-operated channels does exist. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 195–200, May–June, 2007.     

催产素对大鼠背根神经节分离细胞GABA激活电流的调制作用

在急性分离的大鼠背根神经节（ｄｏｒｓａｌ ｒｏｏｔ ｇａｎｇｌｉｏｎ,ＤＲＧ）细胞上,应用全细胞膜片箝技术观察了预知催产素（ｏｘｙｔｏｃｉｎ,ＯＴ）对ＧＡＢＡ激活电流的调制作用。结果如下：（１）大多数细胞（４８／５２,９０．５％）对ＧＡＢＡ敏感。（２）ＯＴ可引起５１．３％（２０／３９）的受检细胞出现外向膜电流;４３．６％（１７／３９）无明显膜反应;５．１％（２／３９）出现内向膜电流。（３）预加ＯＴ     

The effect of acute dissociation on the electrophysiological properties of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

The acutely dissociated neurons from the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) are extensively used. The effects of acute dissociation on the properties of these neurons are, however, not clear. In this study, the action potentials (APs) were recorded from both acutely dissociated and in vivo identified DRG neurons with patch clamp and sharp electrode recording techniques, respectively. We found that acute dissociation slowed both the depolarizing and repolarizing rate of APs, and elongated the AP duration (APD). The lower recording temperature presented in the acutely dissociated neurons contributed to about 10% of these differences. The major contributor of these differences was possibly modulation of the mRNA expression especially those of the ion channels, as suggested by our observation that acute dissociation significantly reduced the mRNA abundance of Nav1.6–1.9. In conclusion, acute dissociation altered the electrophysiological properties of the DRG neurons; the disrupted gene-expression pattern may contribute to this effect.     

Synaptic connections in a dissociated mixed culture of rat dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord neurons

Postsynaptic currents and action potentials recorded from neurons in a mixed culture of rat dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord cells are described. The existence of mutual synaptic connections between the above two types of neurons is demonstrated. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 358–360, July–August, 2006.     

Molecular design of new sodium channel blockers

Animal toxins targeting voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) have been considered as valuable tools for studying pharmacological functions of VGSCs. Recently we have reported that Drosotoxin (DrTx), an evolution-guided chimeric peptide, exhibits highly selective blocking activity to tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na⁺ channels in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. In this study, we constructed five new analogues of DrTx designed by altering amino-terminal sequences of DrTx, two of which have significant inhibitory effects on both TTX-R and tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) Na⁺ channels. Structure–activity relationship studies allow us to recognize key functional roles of a positive charge at site seven and a negative charge at site eight in evolving new blocking activity to TTX-S sodium channels. This work will enhance our understanding of the molecular determinants of toxins affecting VGSCs and aid the rational design of subtype-specific blockers of the channels.     

血管升压素对大鼠背根神经节神经元膜的作用

为研究血管升压素(arginine vasopressin,AVP)对大鼠背根神经节(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)神经元的作用及其机制,用细胞内微电极记录技术记录离体灌流DRG神经元的膜电位。结果如下:(1)在受检的120个细胞中,大多数(81.67％)在滴加AVP后产生明显的超极化反应。(2)滴加AVP(10μmol/L)后膜电导增加约19.34％(P<0.05)。(3)灌流平衡液巾的NaCl以氯化胆碱(CH-Cl)置代和用Cd2+阻断Ca2+通道后,AVP引起超极化反应的幅值均无明显变化(P>0.05),而加入K+通道阻断剂四乙铵(TEA)后,AVP引起的超极化反应幅值明显减小(P<0.05)。(4)AVP引起的超极化反应可被AVP V.受体拈抗剂阻断。结果捉示,AVP可使DRG大多数神经元膜产生超极化,DRG神经元膜上存在AVP V,受体,且AVP引起的超极化反应是通过神经元膜上AVP V.受体介导的K+外流所致.AVP可能参与了初级感觉信息传入的调制。     

电生理学特性得到确定的大鼠脊髓背根神经节细胞内谷氨酸和P物质的共存

在离体灌流带脊髓和坐骨神经经的标本上,对脊髓背根神经节（ＤＲＧ）细胞的电生理学特性、对Ｐ物质（ＳＰ）受体激动剂的反应及谷氨酸（Ｇｌｕ）／ＳＰ共存的特点进行了研究。（１）对１３５个细胞进行了细胞内记录,并依纤维传导速度将其分为Ａα／β（〉１２ｍ／ｓ）和Ｃ（〈１．３ｍ／ｓ）两大类,它们的动作电位的快速后超极化（ｆＡＨＰ）有明显区别,Ｃ类的ｆＡＨＰ幅度小、时程长,Ａα／β类的ｆＡＨＰ幅度大、时程短;（２     

Effects of levobupivacaine and bupivacaine on intracellular calcium signaling in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Bupivacaine and levobupivacaine have been shown to be effective in the treatment of pain as local anesthetics, although the mechanisms mediating their antinociceptive actions are still not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine on intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺]_i) signaling in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. DRG neuronal cultures loaded with 5?μM Fura-2/AM and [Ca²⁺]_i transients for stimulation with 30?mM KCl (Hi K⁺) were assessed by using fluorescent ratiometry. DRGs were excited at 340 and 380?nm, emission was recorded at 510?nm, and responses were determined from the change in the 340/380 ratio (basal-peak) for individual DRG neurons. Data were analyzed by using Student’s t-test. Levobupivacaine and bupivacaine attenuated the KCl-evoked [Ca²⁺]_i transients in a reversible manner. [Ca²⁺]_i increase evoked by Hi K⁺ was significantly reduced to 99.9?±?5.1% (n?=?18) and 62.5?±?4.2% (n?=?15, P?<?0.05) after the application of 5 and 50?µM levobupivacaine, respectively. Bupivacaine also inhibited Hi K⁺-induced [Ca²⁺]_i responses, reduced to 98.7?±?4.8% (n?=?10) and 69.5?±?4.5% (n?=?9, P?<?0.05) inhibition of fluorescence ratio values of Hi K⁺-induced responses at 5 and 50?μM, respectively. Our results indicate that bupivacaine and levobupivacaine, with no significant differences between both agents, attenuated KCl-evoked calcium transients in a reversible manner. The inhibition of calcium signals in DRG neurons by levobupivacaine and bupivacaine might contribute to the antinociceptive effects of these local anesthetics.     

Involvement of hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels in dorsal root ganglion in neuropathic pain

Dorsal root ganglion(DRG)neurons have peripheral terminals in skin,muscle,and other peripheral tissues,andcentral terminals