Neuronal Control of Exocytosis and Calcium Homeostasis

We showed that 5 M acetylcholine (ACh) and 100 M norepinephrine (NE) cause increases in the total Ca²⁺ content in acinar cells by 30 and 87% and in the exocytosis intensity by 15 and 20%, respectively. Application of 5 M ACh and 100 M NE increased the free cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺] _i ) by 87 ± 2 and 140 ± 7 nM, respectively. Application of ACh and NE in a Ca²⁺-free external solution caused a [Ca²⁺] _i increase that was 40 and 67% lower than in physiological solution. We postulate that the exocytosis developing upon neural stimulation of the gland results from generation of Ca²⁺ transients that are spreading from the basal to the apical region of the exocrine cell, where secretory granules are concentrated.     

Synthesis and Characterization of N,N-Dichlorinated Amino Acids: Taurine,Homotaurine, GABA and L-Leucine

Epilepsy, trauma and other circumstances leading to hyperexcitable conditions in the CNS tend neurochemically to be associated with excessive stimulated release of glutamic acid and/or a failure of GABA modulated inhibition. Somewhat to a lesser extent, taurine and its homologue homotaurine, have also been shown to antagonize the excitatory actions of glutamic acid. Here we report the successful synthesis and isolation in pure form of N,N-dichlorinated GABA, taurine, homotaurine and leucine. These compounds are much more lipophilic than their parent compounds and may therefore more readily penetrate the blood-brain barrier systems into the neural tissue, where they can be easily dechlorinated. Very preliminary biological testing shows that this may indeed occur. The synthesis and purification methodology will likely also be applicable to a number of other amino acids as well as certain peptides or selected proteins.     

Increased extracellular dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels contribute to enhanced subthalamic nucleus neural activity during exhausting exercise

The purpose of the study was to explore the mechanism underlying the enhanced subthalamic nucleus (STN) neural activity during exhausting exercise from the perspective of monoamine neurotransmitters and changes of their corresponding receptors. Rats were randomly divided into microdialysis and immunohistochemistry study groups. For microdialysis study, extracellular fluid of the STN was continuously collected with a microdialysis probe before, during and 90 min after one bout of exhausting exercise. Dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels were subsequently detected with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For immunohistochemistry study, the expression of DRD₂ and HT_2C receptors in the STN, before, immediately after and 90 min after exhaustion was detected through immunohistochemistry technique. Microdialysis study results showed that the extracellular DA and 5-HT neurotransmitters increased significantly throughout the procedure of exhausting exercise and the recovery period (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry study results showed that the expression levels of DRD₂ and HT_2C in the rat STN immediately after exhausting exercise and at the time point of 90 min after exhaustion were both higher than those of the rest condition, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Our results suggest that the increased extracellular DA and 5-HT in the STN might be one important factor leading to the enhanced STN neural activity and the development of fatigue during exhausting exercise. This study may essentially offer useful evidence for better understanding of the mechanism of the central type of exercise-induced fatigue.     

Comparative neurochemical features of the innervation patterns of the gut of the basal actinopterygian,Lepisosteus oculatus,and the euteleost,Clarias batrachus

The structure and physiology of enteric system are very similar in all classes of vertebrates, although they have been investigated only occasionally in non‐mammalian vertebrates. Very little is known about the distribution of the neurotransmitters in the gut of actinopterygian fishes. Anatomical and physiological studies of enteric nervous systems in the spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) and airbreathing catfish (Clarias batrachus), a non‐teleost and teleost actinopterygian, respectively, have not been undertaken. This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of the range of neurochemical coding in the enteric nervous system of these two species, including the chemical diversity of the mucosal endocrine cells in the pyloric stomach of Clarias. Autonomic innervation of the secretory glands is also described and reported herein for the first time for fishes. We also report splanchnic (spinal) innervation of the stomach, submucosal ganglia (that also colocalize with nNOS) and caudal intestine of Clarias. In both fish species, numerous 5HT, ChAT, nNOS and TH‐positive nerve fibres have been observed. These discoveries demonstrate that much more physiological and pharmacological data are needed before a comprehensive model of enteric nervous system control in vertebrates can be developed.     

The Role of Neurotransmitters and Proteins in the Genetic-Functional Organization of the Animal Brain

It was shown that animals that differ in behavioral characteristics (August and Wistar rats) also differ in neurotransmitter and protein metabolism, which can be considered as tests that adequately reflect the functional condition of the central nervous system. These differences are expressed at the level of both subcortical structures (the hippocampus and caudate nucleus) and various morphofunctional types of the sensorimotor cortex neurons (layers III and V). Studies on genetically different animals strains have revealed metabolic features that allow the determination of individual behavioral features and an estimation of individual brain structures in these processes.     

家蝇对拟除虫菊酯抗性机理研究进展

本文概述了家蝇对拟除虫菊酯的抗性机制 ,特别是结合我国室内培育的抗拟除虫菊酯家蝇品系 (Dec R和 2Cl R) ,探讨了Na+通道、神经递质释放、ATPase、蛋白质磷酸化等与家蝇Kdr抗性的关系 ,从多方面证明了神经敏感性降低是家蝇对拟除虫菊酯产生抗性的重要机制。     

Issues About the Physiological Functions of Prolyl Oligopeptidase Based on Its Discordant Spatial Association With Substrates and Inconsistencies Among mRNA, Protein Levels, and Enzymatic Activity

Prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) is a serine endopeptidase that hydrolyses proline-containing peptides shorter than 30 amino acids. POP may be associated with cognitive functions, possibly via the cleavage of neuropeptides. Recent studies have also suggested novel non-hydrolytic and non-catalytic functions for POP. Moreover, POP has also been proposed as a regulator of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate signaling and several other functions such as cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as signal transduction in the central nervous system, and it is suspected to be involved in pathological conditions such as Parkinson''s and Alzheimer''s diseases and cancer. POP inhibitors have been developed to restore the depleted neuropeptide levels encountered in aging or in neurodegenerative disorders. These compounds have shown some antiamnesic effects in animal models. However, the mechanisms of these hypothesized actions are still far from clear. Moreover, the physiological role of POP has remained unknown, and a lack of basic studies, including its distribution, is obvious. The aim of this review is to gather information about POP and to propose some novel roles for this enzyme based on its distribution and its discordant spatial association with its best known substrates. (J Histochem Cytochem 57:831–848, 2009)     

脑电超慢涨落图技术在癫痫研究中的应用

目的：观察脑内多种神经递质对癫痫发作的影响。方法：以癫痫患者和ＳＤ大鼠为实验对象,用脑功能检测的最新脑电超电涨落图分析仪（ｅｎｃｅｐｈａｌｏｆｌｕｃｔｕｏｇｒａｍ ｔｅｃｈｎｏｌｏｇｙ,ＥＴ）长时程采集脑电信号,提取在脑电中载有脑神经递质调节系统的震荡信息（即Ｓ谱线）,分析癫痫发作时的脑神经递质的变化。结果：患儿癫痫发作时,Ｓ谱线中Ｓ２（谷氨酸）增高;Ｓ１（γ－氨基丁酸）降低,造成Ｓ１＜Ｓ２。Ｓ５