Serotonin and γ-Aminobutyric Acid Turnover After Injection into the Median Raphe of Substance P and D-Ala-Met-Enkephalin Amide

The raphe nuclei [which contain serotonin (5-HT) cell bodies] are also known to contain axons that store substance P, met-enkephalin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). We have previously shown that GABA has a tonic inhibitory action on 5-HT turnover. To examine other possible interactions of these neuronal systems, we assessed the effect on 5-HT turnover of injecting substance P and 2-D-ala-met-enkephalin into the median raphe nucleus, and the effects of substance P on GABA turnover. Serotonin turnover was increased by 30% in the hippocampus after the injection of substance P (4 micrograms) into the median raphe, indicating an excitatory effect of substance P on the raphe-hippocampal system. Local injection of the metabolically stable metenkephalin analog 2-D-ala-met-enkephalin amide (10 micrograms) increased the hippocampal steady state content of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) by 60%. The data suggest an excitatory effect of met-enkephalin within the raphe nucleus. We attempted to estimate GABA turnover from the rate of disappearance of GABA after inhibition of glutamic acid decarboxylase by isoniazid and by the rate of accumulation of GABA after inhibition of GABA transaminase by gabaculine. Isoniazid, which is a competitive inhibitor, had too short and incomplete an action to be of use when injected intranuclearly. Gabaculine, which is an irreversible inhibitor, induced a rapid-onset increase in GABA content. This accumulation was linear up to 90 min. The injection fo gabaculine (80 ng) into the raphe increased GABA content by five times the control values, but hippocampal 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents were not significantly changed. Substance P injection increased the GABA turnover by 30%. Gabaculine seems a promising tool for detecting changes in GABA turnover.     

Electron microscopic examination of the orexin immunoreactivity in the dorsal raphe nucleus

The ultrastructure and the synaptic relationships of the orexin-A-like immunoreactive fibers in the dorsal raphe nucleus were examined with an immunoelectron microscopic method. At the electron microscopic level, most of the immunoreactive fibers, a varicosity appearance at the light microscopic level, were found as axon terminals. The large dense-cored vesicles contained in the immunoreactive axon terminals were the most intensely immunostained organellae. These axon terminals were often found to make synapses. While the axo-dendritic synapses were usually asymmetric in appearance, the axo-somatic synapses were symmetric. Orexin-A-like immunoreactive processes with no synaptic vesicles were also found. These processes often received asymmetric synapses. With less frequency, the synapses were found between the orexin-like immunoreactive processes. The results suggest that the orexin peptides are stored in the large dense-cored vesicles; the orexin-containing fibers may have influences on the physiological activities of the dorsal raphe nucleus through direct synaptic relationships.     

Supersensitivity of the GABA receptor in the frog spinal cord, as induced by kainic acid

In the isolated frog spinal cord perfused with kainic acid (KA, 5 X 10(-4) M) containing Ringer's solution, within 2 hr there were increases in the amplitude of the dorsal root depolarization, as induced by the GABA-agonists. KA perfusion produced increases in the specific binding of [3H]muscimol to crude synaptic membranes and incubation with KA for 3 hr did not increase [3H]muscimol binding. [3H]GABA was released from KA-treated spinal cord slices in the presence of high K+. KA-induced supersensitivity of the dorsal root to GABA may relate to direct actions on primary afferent terminals and not to denervation of GABAergic neurons.     

The orexinergic synaptic innervation of serotonin- and orexin 1-receptor-containing neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus

Orexin/hypocretin has been well demonstrated to excite the serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). We studied the morphological relationships between orexin-containing axon terminals and serotonin- as well as orexin-receptor-containing neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus. Using immunohistochemical techniques at the light microscopic level, orexin A (OXA)-like immunoreactive neuronal fibers in the DRN were found to make close contact with serotonergic neurons, while some of the serotonergic neurons also expressed the orexin 1 receptor (OX1R). At the electron microscopic level, double-immunostaining experiments showed that the orexin A-like immunoreactive fibers were present mostly as axon terminals that made synapses on the serotonin- and orexin 1-receptor-containing neurons. While only axodendritic synapses between orexin A-containing axon terminals and serotonergic neurons were detected, the synapses made by orexin A-containing axon terminals on the orexin 1-receptor-containing neurons were both axodendritic and axosomatic. The present study suggests that excitation effect of orexin A on dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons is via synaptic communication through orexin 1 receptor.     

Blockade of substance P (neurokinin 1) receptors enhances extracellular serotonin when combined with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor: an in vivo microdialysis study in mice

Abstract Substance P antagonists of the neurokinin-1 receptor type (NK1) are gaining growing interest as new antidepressant therapies. It has been postulated that these drugs exert this putative therapeutic effect without direct interactions with serotonin (5-HT) neurones. Our recent microdialysis experiment performed in NK1 receptor knockout mice suggested evidence of changes in 5-HT neuronal function (Froger et al. 2001). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of coadministration of the selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine with a NK1 receptor antagonist (GR205171 or L733060), given either intraperitoneally (i.p.) or locally into the dorsal raphe nucleus, on extracellular levels of 5-HT ([5-HT]ext) in the frontal cortex and the dorsal raphe nucleus using in vivo microdialysis in awake, freely moving mice. The systemic or intraraphe administration of a NK1 receptor antagonist did not change basal cortical [5-HT]ext in mice. A single systemic dose of paroxetine (4 mg/kg; i.p.) resulted in a statistically significant increase in [5-HT]ext with a larger extent in the dorsal raphe nucleus (+ 138% over basal AUC values), than in the frontal cortex (+ 52% over basal AUC values). Co-administration of paroxetine (4 mg/kg; i.p.) with the NK1 receptor antagonists, GR205171 (30 mg/kg; i.p.) or L733060 (40 mg/kg; i.p.), potentiated the effects of paroxetine on cortical [5-HT]ext in wild-type mice, whereas GR205171 (30 mg/kg; i.p.) had no effect on paroxetine-induced increase in cortical [5-HT]ext in NK1 receptor knock-out mice. When GR205171 (300 micro mol/L) was perfused by 'reverse microdialysis' into the dorsal raphe nucleus, it potentiated the effects of paroxetine on cortical [5-HT]ext, and inhibited paroxetine-induced increase in [5-HT]ext in the dorsal raphe nucleus. Finally, in mice whose 5-HT transporters were first blocked by a local perfusion of 1 micro mol/L of citalopram into the frontal cortex, a single dose of paroxetine (4 mg/kg i.p.) decreased cortical 5-HT release, and GR205171 (30 mg/kg i.p.) reversed this effect. The present findings suggest that NK1 receptor antagonists, when combined with a SSRI, augment 5-HT release by modulating substance P/5-HT interactions in the dorsal raphe nucleus.     

Reciprocal Innervation between Serotonergic and GABAergic Neurons in Raphe Nuclei of the Rat

Midbrain slices containing the dorsal and medial raphe nuclei were prepared from rat brain in order to study serotonergic-GABAergic interaction. The slices were loaded with either [³H] serotonin or [³H]GABA, superfused and the electrically induced efflux of radioactivity was determined. The GABA_A receptor agonist muscimol (3 to 30 M) and the GABA_B receptor agonist baclofen (30 and 100 M) inhibited [³H]serotonin and [³H]GABA release. These effects of muscimol were reversed by the GABA_A antagonists bicuculline (100 M). The GABA_B antagonist phaclofen (100 M) also antagonized the baclofen-induced inhibition of [³H]serotonin and [³H]GABA release. Phaclofen by itself increased [³H]serotonin release but it did not alter [³H]GABA overflow. Muscimol (10 M) and baclofen (100 M) also inhibited [³H]serotonin release after depletion of GABAergic neurons by isoniazid pretreatment. These findings indicate the presence of postsynaptic GABA_A and GABA_B receptors located on serotonergic neurons. The 5-HT_1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT (0.01 to 1 M) and the 5-HT_1B receptor agonist CGS-12066A (0.01 to 1 M) inhibited the electrically stimulated [³H]serotonin and [³H]GABA release. The 5-HT_1A antagonist WAY-100135 (1 M) was without effect on [³H]serotonin and [³H]GABA efflux by itself but it reversed the 8-OH-DPAT-induced transmitter release inhibition. During KCl (22 mM)-induced depolarization, tetrodotoxin (1 M) did not alter the inhibitory effect of CGS-12066A (1 M) on [³H]GABA release, it did blocked, however, the ability of 8-OH-DPAT (1 M) to reduce [³H]GABA efflux. After depletion of raphe serotonin neurons by p-chlorophenylalanine pretreatment, CGS-12066A (1 M) still inhibited [³H]GABA release whereas in serotonin-depleted slices, 8-OH-DPAT (1 M) was without effect on the release. We conclude that reciprocal influence exists between serotonergic projection neurons and the GABAergic interneurons or afferents in the raphe nuclei and these interactions may be mediated by 5-HT_1A/B and GABA_A/B receptors. Both synaptic and non-synaptic neurotransmission may be operative in the 5-HTergic-GABAergic reciprocal interaction which may serve as a local tuning in the neural connection between cerebral cortex and midbrain raphe nuclei.     

GABA-benzodiazepine interactions: physiological, pharmacological and developmental aspects

Many of the pharmacological actions of the benzodiazepines can be attributed to their actions on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) systms in the brain. Electrophysiological studies on dorsal raphe neurons indicate that the benzodiazepines act postsynaptically to potentiate GABAergic inhibition in this midbrain nucleus. Direct binding studies have shown that both in vitro and in vivo binding of [3H]diazepam to a specific high affinity benzodiazepine binding site in cerebral cortical tissue are enhanced by the direct in vitro addition of GABA and GABA agonists or by pretreatment of animals with GABA analogs and agents that elevate GABA levels in brain. Ontogenic development of [3H]diazepam binding in brain parallels the development of the sodium-independent [3H]GABA binding. The ability of GABA to enhance benzodiazepine binding is present throughout development and inversely related to age. These data suggest that there is a functionally significant interaction between the benzodiazepines and GABA throughout development and at maturity. A model is proposed to relate these interactions to conformational changes in a benzodiazepine/GABA/Cl- ionophore complex.     

Alterations of Amino Acid Transmitter Systems in Spinal Cords of Chronic Paraplegic Dogs

The high-affinity uptake of [3H]serotonin, [3H]glutamate, and [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid [( 3H]GABA) and the Na+-independent binding of [3H]glutamate and [3H]GABA were studied using spinal cord preparations obtained from normal mongrel dogs and from dogs made paraplegic by midthoracic spinal cord crush. Lumbosacral regions of the spinal cord were removed either before (1 week) or after (3 to 8 weeks) onset of spasticity. A myelin-free synaptosomal fraction was obtained by centrifugation and used for studying high-affinity uptake and for preparing synaptic plasma membranes for Na+-independent binding experiments. For the paraplegic groups, the uptake of 30 nM [3H]serotonin was 66 and 18% of control values after 1 and 3 weeks, respectively. Eadie-Hofstee analysis of [3H]serotonin uptake showed a 90% reduction in Vmax for the paraplegic group relative to control values, thereby indicating the expected loss of descending serotonergic pathways. The high-affinity uptakes of 1 microM [3H]glutamate and [3H]GABA were the same in both the control and nonspastic paraplegic groups after 1 week. However, after 3 weeks, the uptakes of [3H]glutamate and [3H]GABA were 60-70% higher for the spastic group than for the control animals. For both amino acids, Eadie-Hofstee plots revealed no difference in Km and higher Vmax for the spastic group relative to control values. After 1 and 3 weeks, the Na+-independent binding of 5 nM [3H]glutamate was 40-85% higher and the binding of 10 nM [3H]GABA was 40-60% lower for the paraplegic groups relative to the values for the control animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

p-Chlorophenylalanine Changes Serotonin Transporter mRNA Levels and Expression of the Gene Product

Abstract: After a single intraperitoneal injection of the irreversible tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor p -chlorophenylalanine (PCPA; 300 mg/kg), there was a rapid down-regulation of serotonin (5-HT) transporter mRNA levels in cell bodies. This change was significant at 1 and 2 days after PCPA administration within the ventromedial but not the dorsomedial portion of the dorsal raphe nucleus. Seven days after PCPA treatment, 5-HT transporter mRNA levels were significantly elevated compared with controls in both regions of the dorsal raphe nucleus. PCPA administration produced no change in the [³H]-citalopram binding and synaptosomal [³H]5-HT uptake in terminal regions at 2 and 7 days after treatment but significantly reduced both these parameters by ∼20% in the hippocampus and in cerebral cortex 14 days after PCPA administration. The striatum showed a lower sensitivity to this effect. No significant changes were observed in the levels of [³H]citalopram binding to 5-HT cell bodies in the dorsal raphe nucleus. In the same animals used for 5-HT transporter mRNA level measurements, levels of tryptophan hydroxylase mRNA in neurons of the ventromedial and dorsomedial portions of the dorsal raphe nucleus were increased 2 days after PCPA administration and fell to control levels 7 days after injection in the ventromedial region but not in the dorsomedial portion of the dorsal raphe nucleus, where they remained significantly higher than controls. Altogether, these results show that changes in 5-HT transporter mRNA are not temporally related to changes in 5-HT transporter protein levels. In addition, our results suggest that the 5-HT transporter and tryptophan hydroxylase genes are regulated by different mechanisms. We also provide further evidence that dorsal raphe 5-HT neurons are differentially regulated by drugs, depending on their location.     

A Search for Receptors Modulating the Release of γ-[3H]Aminobutyric Acid in Rabbit Caudate Nucleus Slices

Various putative striatal transmitters and related compounds were studied for their effects on the release of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from slices of the head of the rabbit caudate nucleus. The slices were preincubated with [3H]GABA and then superfused and stimulated electrically at 5 or 20 Hz. Aminooxyacetic acid was present throughout. The main changes observed were the following. The basal and, less consistently, the electrically evoked overflow of [3H]GABA were enhanced by 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine (dopamine), an effect not blocked by cis-flupentixol or domperidone and not mimicked by apomorphine and D1-selective agonists. The electrically evoked overflow was diminished by 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin); the inhibition was prevented by methiothepin. The basal but not the electrically evoked overflow was enhanced by carbachol; acetylcholine and nicotine also accelerated the basal outflow whereas oxotremorine caused no consistent change; the effect of carbachol and acetylcholine were blocked by hexamethonium but not by atropine or by tetrodotoxin. These findings indicate that the GABA neurons in the caudate nucleus may be stimulated by dopamine, although the receptor type involved remains unclear; inhibited by serotonin; and stimulated by acetylcholine acting via a nicotine receptor. However, all drug effects observed were relatively small. No evidence was obtained for autoreceptors, alpha 2-adrenoceptors or receptors for opioids, adenosine or substance P at the GABA neurons.     

Localisation of Tricyclic Antidepressant Binding Sites on Serotonin Nerve Terminals

Abstract: High-affinity specific [³H]imipramine binding has been demonstrated in the brain and platelets of various species including man. Electrolytic lesion of the rat dorsal raphe, which resulted in a significant decrease in the endogenous levels of serotonin produced a reduction in the density of [³H]imipramine binding sites in the hypothalamus and cortex. The affinity constants were unchanged. These results suggest that [³H]imipramine binding sites are located on serotonin nerve terminals.     

Substance P-like immunoreactivity in the parietal eye visual system of the lizard Uta stansburiana

Summary We examined the parietal eye visual system of the iguanid lizard Uta stansburiana for the presence of substance P-like immunoreactivity by use of both immunofluorescence and peroxidase-antiperoxidase techniques. In the parietal eye no substance P-containing somata were found; however, its plexiform layer contained small (ca. 1 m diam) immunoreactive fibers. These fibers apparently originate outside the parietal eye. Immunoreactive fibers also were found in the parietal nerve, the dorsal sac, and the leptomeninx of the pineal gland. No labeled somata were observed in any of these regions in either normal or colchicine treated animals. Previously we demonstrated that a system of centrifugal fibers to the parietal eye originates from neurons in the dorsal sac (Engbretson et al. 1981). The apparent absence of substance P-containing neurons in the dorsal sac suggests that the substance P-containing fibers in the parietal eye are not the previously observed centrifugal fibers. The source of the substance P-containing fibers in the parietal eye is unknown. The pars dorsolateralis of the left medial habenular nucleus receives a dense substance P-positive projection. No such projection was seen in the right habenula. Simultaneous visualization of the terminals of ganglion cells of the parietal eye (labeled with orthograde intraaxonally transported horseradish peroxidase) and substance P-like immunofluorescence showed that the locus of habenular immunoreactivity is distinct from the projection field of the parietal eye. Thus the substance P-positive terminals in the habenula do not originate in the parietal eye. Transection of the parietal nerve confirmed this conclusion.     

Ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of excitatory amino acids in the somatosensory system.

We studied the ultrastructure and the synaptic arrangement of glutamate-immunoreactive terminals in rats, in the superficial laminae of the spinal cord, the brainstem cuneate nucleus, and the thalamic ventroposterolateral nucleus, where a role for glutamate as neurotransmitter has been suggested by biochemical, physiological and pharmacological approaches. The antiserum employed was raised against glutaramate conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin with glutaraldehyde, and was used for pre-embedding staining with an avidin-biotin-peroxidase method and for post-embedding staining with an immunogold procedure. Both methods yielded similar results, consisting of labeling of selected terminals in all the areas examined. Double immunogold labeling on the same thin section using antisera against gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) or substance P (SP), in combination with the anti-glutamate serum, showed that staining for glutamate and GABA was present in different terminals in all the regions examined; glutamate and SP were co-localized in a few terminals only in the superficial laminae of the spinal cord. By performing immunogold staining in combination with anterograde tracing, glutamate immunoreactivity could be localized in identified primary afferents to the dorsal spinal cord and cuneate nucleus, and in lemniscal afferents to the thalamus.     

Quantitative Autoradiography of [3H]Indalpine Binding Sites in the Rat Brain: II. Regional Distribution

The localization of binding sites for [3H]indalpine to sections of rat brain was studied by a quantitative autoradiographic technique. Binding sites for this specific neuronal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) uptake inhibitor are concentrated in areas rich in 5-HT neuronal cell bodies, fibers, and synaptic terminals. One of the most interesting features of this regional distribution is the very high density of these sites found in the dorsal raphe, substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, and locus ceruleus. Components of the visual system also show pronounced labelling with [3H]indalpine. The finding that limbic structures are strongly labelled by this drug may be related to the antidepressant activity of indalpine. The anatomical distribution of binding sites demonstrated is consistent with the specific labelling of 5-HT neurons by [3H]indalpine and confirms previous studies carried out with another 5-HT uptake inhibitor, [3H]imipramine.     

Decreased Release of D-Aspartate in the Guinea Pig Spinal Cord After Lesions of the Red Nucleus

This study attempts to determine if fibers that project from the guinea pig red nucleus to the spinal cord use L-glutamate and/or L-aspartate as transmitters. Unilateral injections of kainic acid were placed stereotaxically in the red nucleus to destroy the cells of origin of the rubrospinal tract. Six days after the injection, Nissl-stained sections through the lesion site showed that the majority of neurons in the red nucleus ipsilateral to the kainic acid injection were destroyed. In addition, the lesioned area included parts of the surrounding midbrain reticular formation. Silver-impregnated, transverse sections of the cervical spinal cord revealed the presence of degenerating fibers contralaterally in laminae IV-VII of the gray matter. Ipsilaterally, very sparse degeneration was evident in laminae VII and VIII of the gray matter. Two to six days after surgery, the electrically evoked, Ca2(+)-dependent release of both D-[3H]aspartate, a marker for glutamatergic/aspartatergic neurons, and gamma-amino[14C]-butyric acid ([14C]GABA) was measured in dissected quadrants of the spinal cervical enlargement. Lesions centered on the red nucleus depressed the release of D-[3H]aspartate by 25-45% in dorsal and ventral quadrants of the cervical enlargement contralaterally. The release of [14C]GABA was depressed by 27% in contralateral ventral quadrants. To assess the contribution of rubro- versus reticulospinal fibers to the deficits in amino acid release, unilateral injections of kainic acid were placed stereotaxically in the midbrain reticular formation lateral to the red nucleus. Nissl-stained sections through the midbrain revealed the presence of extensive neuronal loss in the midbrain and rostral pontine reticular formation, whereas neurons in the red nucleus remained undamaged. In the spinal cord, degenerating axons were present ipsilaterally in laminae VII and VIII of the gray matter. Some fiber degeneration was also evident contralaterally in laminae V and VI of the gray matter. This lesion did not affect the release of either D-[3H]aspartate or [14C]GABA in the spinal cord. The substantial decrements in D-[3H]aspartate release following red nucleus lesions suggests that the synaptic endings of rubrospinal fibers mediate the release of D-[3H]aspartate in the spinal cord. Therefore, these fibers may be glutamatergic and/or aspartatergic. Because other evidence suggests that rubrospinal neurons are probably not GABAergic, the depression of [14C]GABA release probably reflects changes in the activity of spinal interneurons following the loss of rubrospinal input.     

New insights into molecular mechanism(s) underlying the presynaptic action of nitric oxide on GABA release

Background

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important presynaptic modulator of synaptic transmission. Here, we aimed to correlate the release of the major inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA with intracellular events occurring in rat brain axon terminals during their exposure to NO in the range of nanomolar–low micromolar concentrations.

Methods

Using [³H]GABA and fluorescent dyes (Fluo 4-AM, acridine orange and rhodamine 6G), the following parameters were evaluated: vesicular and cytosolic GABA pools, intracellular calcium concentration, synaptic vesicle acidification, and mitochondrial membrane potential. Diethylamine NONOate (DEA/NO) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) were used as NO donors.

Results

DEA/NO and SNAP (in the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT)) stimulated external Ca^2 +-independent [³H]GABA release, which was not attributed to a rise in intracellular calcium concentration. [³H]GABA release coincided with increasing GABA level in cytosol and decreasing the vesicular GABA content available for exocytotic release. There was a strong temporal correlation between NO-induced increase in cytosolic [GABA] and dissipation of both synaptic vesicle proton gradient and mitochondrial membrane potential. Dissipation was reversible, and recovery of both parameters correlated in time with re-accumulation of [³H]GABA into synaptic vesicles. The molar ratio of DTT to SNAP determined the rate and duration of the recovery processes.

Conclusions

We suggest that NO can stimulate GABA release via GABA transporter reversal resulting from increased GABA levels in cytosol. The latter is reversible and appears to be due to S-nitrosylation of key proteins, which affect the energy status of the pre-synapse.

General significance

Our findings provide new insight into molecular mechanism(s) underlying the presynaptic action of nitric oxide on inhibitory neurotransmission.     

Chemically defined collateral projections from the pons to the central nucleus of the amygdala and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in the rat

Triple fluorescence labelling was employed to reveal the distribution of chemically identified neurons within the pontine laterodorsal tegmental nucleus and dorsal raphe nucleus which supply branching collateral input to the central nucleus of the amygdala and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. The chemical identity of neurons in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus was revealed by immunocytochemical detection of choline-acetyltransferase or substance P; in the dorsal raphe nucleus, the chemical content of the neurons was revealed with antibody recognizing serotonin. The projections were defined by injections of two retrograde tracers, rhodamine-and fluorescein-labelled latex microspheres, in the central nucleus of the amygdala and paraventricular nucleus, respectively. Neurons projecting to both the central nucleus of the amygdala and the paraventricular nucleus were distributed primarily within the caudal extensions of the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus and dorsal raphe nucleus. Approximately 11% and 7% of the labelled cells in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus and dorsal raphe nucleus projected via branching collaterals to the paraventricular nucleus and central nucleus of the amygdala. About half of these neurons in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus were cholinergic, and one-third were substance-P-ergic; in the dorsal raphe nucleus, approximately half of the neurons containing both retrograde tracers were serotonergic. These results indicate that pontine neurons may simultaneously transmit signals to the central nucleus of the amygdala and paraventricular nucleus and that several different neuroactive substances are found in the neurons participating in these pathways. This coordinated signalling may lead to synchronized responses of the central nucleus of the amygdala and paraventricular nucleus for the maintenance of homeostasis. Interactions between different neuroactive substances at the target site may serve to modulate the responses of individual neurons.     

The Distribution of Serotonergic Nerves in Microencephalic Rats Treated Prenatally with Methylazoxymethanol

Prenatal exposure of pregnant rats to methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) induces microencephaly in the offspring. In the present study of these microencephalic rats (MAM rats) we used quantitative autoradiography to investigate [³H] paroxetine binding sites, which are a selective marker of serotonin (5-HT) transporters (5-HTT). The binding in the accumbens, cortex, hippocampus, and dorsolateral thalamus was significantly increased in MAM rats, compared to the control rats, while there was a significant decrease in the dorsal raphe nucleus of the MAM rats. The levels of 5-HTT mRNA in the dorsal raphe nuclei were analyzed by in situ hybridization, which revealed a significant decrease in 5-HTT mRNA-positive neurons in the MAM rats compared to the control rats. The results imply serotonergic hyperinnervation in the cerebral hemispheres of MAM rats, while a target-dependent secondary degeneration of 5-HT neurons might be induced in the dorsal raphe nuclei of MAM rats.     

Involvement of P2X7 receptors in the regulation of neurotransmitter release in the rat hippocampus

Although originally cloned from rat brain, the P2X7 receptor has only recently been localized in neurones, and functional responses mediated by these neuronal P2X7 receptors (P2X7 R) are largely unknown. Here we studied the effect of P2X7 R activation on the release of neurotransmitters from superfused rat hippocampal slices. ATP (1-30 mm) and other ATP analogues elicited concentration-dependent [3 H]GABA outflow, with the following rank order of potency: benzoylbenzoylATP (BzATP) > ATP > ADP. PPADS, the non-selective P2-receptor antagonist (3-30 microm), Brilliant blue G (1-100 nm) the P2X7 -selective antagonist and Zn2+ (0.1-30 microm) inhibited, whereas lack of Mg2+ potentiated the response by ATP. In situ hybridization revealed that P2X7 R mRNA is expressed in the neurones of the cell body layers in the hippocampus. P2X7 R immunoreactivity was found in excitatory synaptic terminals in CA1 and CA3 region targeting the dendrites of pyramidal cells and parvalbumin labelled structures. ATP (3-30 microm) and BzATP (0.6-6 microm) elicited concentration-dependent [14 C]glutamate efflux, and blockade of the kainate receptor-mediated transmission by CNQX (10-100 microm) and gadolinium (100 microm), decreased ATP evoked [3 H]GABA efflux. The Na+ channel blocker TTX (1 microm), low temperature (12 degrees C), and the GABA uptake blocker nipecotic acid (1 mm) prevented ATP-induced [3 H]GABA efflux. Brilliant blue G and PPADS also reduced electrical field stimulation-induced [3 H]GABA efflux. In conclusion, P2X7 Rs are localized to the excitatory terminals in the hippocampus, and their activation regulates the release of glutamate and GABA from themselves and from their target cells.     

大鼠延髓网状背侧亚核内5-羟色胺能、P物质样和脑啡肽样阳性终末的中枢起源

研究用荧光金（ＦＧ）逆行追踪与免疫荧光组化染色相结合的双标技术对大鼠脑干向延髓网状背侧亚核（ＳＲＤ）的５┐羟色胺（５┐ＨＴ）能、Ｐ物质（ＳＰ）能和亮氨酸┐脑啡肽（Ｌ┐ＥＮＫ）能投射进行了观察。将ＦＧ注入ＳＲＤ后,ＦＧ逆标神经元主要见于中脑导水管周围灰质、脑干中缝核簇（中缝背核、中缝正中核、中缝桥核、中缝大核、中缝隐核和中缝苍白核）、巨细胞网状核α部、延髓网状结构的内侧部和外侧部、延髓外侧网状核、三叉神经脊束核尾侧亚核和孤束核。５┐羟色胺（５┐ＨＴ）样、Ｐ物质（ＳＰ）样和亮氨酸脑啡肽（Ｌ┐ＥＮＫ）样阳性神经元主要见于中脑导水管周围灰质、脑干中缝核簇和巨细胞网状核α部;此外,ＳＰ样和Ｌ┐ＥＮＫ样阳性神经元还见于臂旁核、背外侧被盖核和孤束核。ＦＧ逆标并呈５┐ＨＴ样、ＳＰ样或Ｌ┐ＥＮＫ样阳性的双标神经元也主要见于中脑导水管周围灰质、脑干中缝核簇和巨细胞网状核α部,尤其是位于延髓中缝核团内的双标神经元数量较多。本研究的结果说明ＳＲＤ内的５┐ＨＴ样、ＳＰ样和Ｌ┐ＥＮＫ样阳性终末主要来自中脑导水管周围灰质、脑干中缝核簇和巨细胞网状核α部,向ＳＲＤ发出５┐ＨＴ能、ＳＰ能和Ｌ┐ＥＮＫ能投射的上述核团对ＳＲＤ发挥“弥漫性伤害抑