Removal of extracellular calcium after conditioning stimulation disrupts long-term potentiation in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices

During a conditioning stimulus, the influx of Ca2+ into neurons appears to be crucial for the induction of long-term potentiation at CA1 hippocampal synapses. We report here that extracellular Ca2+ is also required for full production of long-term potentiation during a critical period following the conditioning stimulus. In control slices, removal of extracellular Ca2+ (0 mM Ca2+/10 mM Mg2+) for 15 min eliminated synaptic transmission. Following reintroduction of normal extracellular solution, synaptic responses recovered fully within 15 min. However, removal of extracellular Ca2+ 15-30 min after theta burst stimulation significantly decreased the magnitude of long-term potentiation. A time window seems to exist for this effect, since either earlier or later Ca2+ removal was less effective. The effect of the 0 mM Ca2+/10 mM Mg2+ solution was observed in the absence of afferent stimulation, suggesting that evoked synaptic activity is not required. Perfusion with an extracellular solution containing Cd2+ (40 microM), a broad spectrum inhibitor of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, or a low concentration (50 microM) of Ni2+, which preferentially blocks T-type, low-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels, also caused a significant decrease in potentiation, whereas an inhibitor of L-type, high voltage-activated Ca2+ channel, nifedipine (20 microM), had no effect. These results suggest that the presence of extracellular Ca2+ during a specific period after high-frequency synaptic activity is necessary for the maintenance of long-term potentiation, and that voltage-gated Ca2+ channels play a role in the stabilization of synaptic plasticity.

Genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19 and lansoprazole pharmacokinetics in Japanese subjects

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether interindividual differences in the pharmacokinetic disposition of lansoprazole are attributed to the genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19 which occurred by two mutations. CYP2C19m1 and CYP2C19m2, in 20 Japanese subjects.

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism procedures were used to detect the CYP2C19m1 mutation in exon 5 and the CYP2C19m2 mutation in exon 4 using SmaI and BamHI, respectively.

RESULTS

Ten subjects were homozygous (wt/wt subjects) for the wt allele in both exon 5 and exon 4, four subjects were heterozygous (wt/m1) for the CYP2C19m1 mutation, and two subjects were heterozygous (wt/m2) for the CYP2C19m2. The remaining four subjects had both mutated alleles in CYP2C19 genes, i.e., two were homozygous (m1/m1) for the defect in exon 5 and two were heterozygous (m1/m2) for the two defects in exons 5 and 4. The subjects in group 1 (wt/wt, wt/m1 and wt/m2) were the extensive metabolizers (EMs) for 5-hydroxylation of lansoprazole and were in the range of hydroxylation indexes from 3.83 to 19.8, whereas the subjects in group 2 (m1/m1 and m1/m2) were the poor metabolizers (PMs) and the indexes were in the range of 38.5 to 47.6. In group 2, AUC, t1/2 and CL/f of lansoprazole were significantly greater, longer, and lower, respectively, than those in group 1.

Effects of coculture with the septum on the expression of long-term potentiation in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures

The hippocampus receives major afferent innervation from the septum. Using organotypic slice culture, we investigated whether coculture with the septum would modulate transmission and plasticity of hippocampal synapses. In septo-hippocampal cocultures, acetylcholinesterase-positive fibers extending from septal tissue to hippocampal slice were observed. Septo-hippocampal cocultures exhibited larger magnitude of long-term potentiation (LTP) in CA3 and CA1 synapses than hippocampal slices cultured alone, without significant changes in maximal synaptic responses and macroscopic hippocampal cytoarchitecture. Unexpectedly, the facilitatory effect on hippocampal LTP was independent of afferent innervation from the septum, because (1) electrical stimulation of the cocultured septum suppressed the induction of hippocampal LTP, (2) chronic application of 1 microM atropine did not block the facilitatory effect, and (3) septo-hippocampal cocultures without contact with each other still showed a larger magnitude of LTP than hippocampal slices alone. These results suggest that diffusible factor(s) released from the septal tissue modulate functional maturation of hippocampal synapses as to the ability to support synaptic plasticity.

Hydrogen peroxide-mediated neuronal cell death induced by an endogenous neurotoxin, 3-hydroxykynurenine

3-Hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) is a tryptophan metabolite whose level in the brain is markedly elevated under several pathological conditions, including Huntington disease and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Here we demonstrate that micromolar concentrations (1-100 microM) of 3-HK cause cell death in primary neuronal cultures prepared from rat striatum. The neurotoxicity of 3-HK was blocked by catalase and desferrioxamine but not by superoxide dismutase, indicating that the generation of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical is involved in the toxicity. Measurement of peroxide levels revealed that 3-HK caused intracellular accumulation of peroxide, which was largely attenuated by application of catalase. The peroxide accumulation and cell death caused by 1-10 microM 3-HK were also blocked by pretreatment with allopurinol or oxypurinol, suggesting that endogenous xanthine oxidase activity is involved in exacerbation of 3-HK neurotoxicity. Furthermore, NADPH diaphorase-containing neurons were spared from toxicity of these concentrations of 3-HK, a finding reminiscent of the pathological characteristics of several neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington disease. These results suggest that 3-HK at pathologically relevant concentrations renders neuronal cells subject to oxidative stress leading to cell death, and therefore that this endogenous compound should be regarded as an important factor in pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders.

Basic fibroblast growth factor increases functional L-type Ca2+ channels in fetal rat hippocampal neurons: implications for neurite morphogenesis in vitro

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent neurotrophic factor that regulates cell proliferation and differentiation during neuronal development. Here we report that fetal hippocampal neurons chronically treated with bFGF displayed larger [Ca2+]i increases than nontreated neurons in response to high K(+)-induced depolarization. This [Ca2+]i response was abolished by nicardipine and was little affected by treatments that depleted intracellular Ca2+ stores, thus reflecting the activities of L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Whole-cell recordings also demonstrated increased high-voltage-activated Ca2+ currents in bFGF-treated neurons, whereas low-voltage-activated Ca2+ currents remained unchanged. bFGF-stimulated increase in Ca2+ response was not observed in neurons treated with cycloheximide or actinomycin D, indicating that protein and RNA synthesis were required for this effect. Visualization using a fluorescent dihydropyridine analog revealed that bFGF-treated neurons expressed increased amounts of L-type Ca2+ channels on the cell body. In addition, bFGF-treated neurons acquired distinctive morphology of neurites that was characterized by markedly increased neuritic branching. The branching points in neurites were associated with clusters of L-type Ca2+ channels and resultant "Ca2+ hotspots" that showed large [Ca2+]i increases in response to membrane depolarization. Concurrent application of nicardipine completely blocked the bFGF-stimulated increase in neuritic branching. Therefore, bFGF enhances the expression of functional L-type Ca2+ channels on the cell body and neurites of fetal hippocampal neurons, which may play an important role in the regulation of their differentiation and the establishment of their neurite morphology.

[Epidural anesthesia for patients with bronchial asthma]

The choice of epidural anesthesia for patients with bronchial asthma is controversial. We used epidural anesthesia during surgery in 16 cases of asthma. Epidural anesthesia produced by 1% or 2% lidocaine or mepivacaine without epinephrine did not induce asthmatic attack in any patients. After epidural block, general anesthesia was induced with midazolam and vecuronium and endotracheal tube was inserted in 9 patients. Asthmatic attack occurred in two patients. In one patient it occurred by the endotracheal intubation and in another patient during thyroidectomy under nitrous oxide - oxygen - sevoflurane anesthesia, although no attack was observed in 7 patients. Two patients were considered to be in severe state of bronchial asthma and they had been on steroid drug and inhalation therapy before surgery. Both patients recovered soon with antiasthmatic therapy. These results suggest that epidural anesthesia has little or no relevance to asthmatic attack.

3-Hydroxykynurenine toxicity on the rat striatum in vivo

3-Hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) is a tryptophan metabolite whose level in the brain is elevated under several pathological states including Huntington's disease. In the present study, we examined the possible toxicity of 3-HK by injection of this substance into rat brain. Intrastriatal injection of 3-HK (50 nmol) induced tissue damage around the injected site. Quinolinic acid (QA) at 200 nmol also induced tissue damage, which was comparable in size to that induced by 50 nmol 3-HK. Co-administration of MK-801 significantly reduced QA-induced lesion, but failed to prevent 3-HK-induced lesion. On the other hand, the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (10 nmol) reduced 3-HK-induced damage. Thus, 3-HK may be involved in brain pathogenesis by providing oxygen radicals.

Determination of R(+)- and S(-)-lansoprazole using chiral stationary-phase liquid chromatography and their enantioselective pharmacokinetics in humans

PURPOSE

Stereoselective and sensitive methods employing chiral stationary phase columns for HPLC determination of enantiomers of lansoprazole in the human serum were developed and pharmacokinetic behaviors of the enantiomers were evaluated in seven subjects.

METHODS

Five chiral stationary phase columns: Chiralcel OD (cellulose tris(3,5-dimethyl-phenylcarbamate)), OF (cellulose tris(4-chlorophenylcarbamate)), OG (cellulose tris(4-methylphenylcarbamate)) and OJ (cellulose tris(4-methylbenzoate)), and Chiralpak AS (amylose tris ((S)-1-phenylethylcarbamate)) were investigated.

RESULTS

Chiralcel OD and Chiralpak AS columns gave a good resolution of R(+)- and S(-)-enantiomers from racemic lansoprazole, but Chiralcel OF, OG, and OJ did not. The mean Cmax and the AUC values of R(+)-enantiomer were 3-5 times greater than those of S(-)-enantiomer following oral administration of 30 mg of racemic lansoprazole. The CLtot values of R(+)-enantiomer were significantly smaller than those of S(-)-enantiomer. Binding of R(+)-enantiomer to human serum proteins was significantly greater than that of S(-)-enantiomer. The mean metabolic ratio (metabolites/parent compound) in human liver microsomes of S(-)-enantiomer was significantly greater than that of R(+)-enantiomer.

CONCLUSIONS

The stereoselective pharmacokinetics of lansoprazole enantiomers is likely due to its stereoselective protein binding and/or metabolism.

Effects of vitamin B6 and its related compounds on survival of cultured brain neurons

The effects of pyridoxine and its derived cofacter, pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) on the survival of primary cultured neurons from fetal rat brain were investigated. Pyridoxine and PLP significantly promoted the neuronal survival of various brain regions in high cell density culture (10(5) cells/cm2), but showed no positive effects on hippocampal neurons in low cell density culture (5 x 10(3) cells/cm2). This neurotrophic effect of PLP was remarkably suppressed by picrotoxin and ifenprodil. Aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), an inhibitor of PLP dependent enzymes, caused significant neuronal loss by itself, and largely counteracted the neurotrophic effect of PLP. Taken together, we presume that vitamin B6 afforded the survival-promoting activities of cultured neurons by virtue of its crucial coenzymatic actions in the biosynthesis of putative neurotransmitters.

Arachidonic acid as a neurotoxic and neurotrophic substance

In this article we summarize a wide variety of properties of arachidonic acid (AA) in the mammalian nervous system especially in the brain. AA serves as a biologically-active signaling molecule as well as an important component of membrane lipids. Esterified AA is liberated from the membrane by phospholipase activity which is stimulated by various signals such as neurotransmitter-mediated rise in intracellular Ca2+. AA exerts many biological actions which include modulation of the activities of protein kinases and ion channels, inhibition of neurotransmitter uptake, and enhancement of synaptic transmission. AA serves also as a precursor of a variety of eicosanoids, which are formed by oxidative metabolism of AA. AA cascade is activated under several pathological conditions in the brain such as ischemia and seizures, and may be involved in irreversible tissue damage. On the other hand, AA can show beneficial influences on brain tissues and cells in several situations. In a recent study using cultured brain neurons, we have found that AA shows quite distinct actions at a narrow concentration range, such as induction of cell death, promotion of cell survival and enhancement of neurite extension. The neurotoxic action is mediated by free radicals generated by AA metabolism, whereas the neurotrophic actions are exerted by AA itself. The observed in vitro actions of AA might be related to important roles of AA in brain pathogenesis and neural development.

The effects of thiamine and oxythiamine on the survival of cultured brain neurons

The effects of treatment with thiamine (Vitamin B1) alone or together with its antagonist oxythiamine on the survival of brain neurons in primary culture were investigated. Treatment with thiamine significantly promoted the survival of hippocampal neurons in high cell density culture, but had no effects on the neuronal survival in low cell density culture. In addition, the survival-promoting activity exerted by thiamine was remarkably decreased by the co-application of oxythiamine, although oxythiamine used alone revealed neither a trophic nor toxic effect on the neurons of examined brain regions. The neurotrophic function of thiamine may be due to its coenzymatic role in a biochemical reaction and/or its specific function on neurotransmission and nerve conduction.

Antioxidants, but not cAMP or high K+, prevent arachidonic acid toxicity on neuronal cultures

Arachidonic acid (AA) showed profound toxicity against primary neuronal cultures prepared from fetal rat striatum. This toxicity was attenuated by nordihydroguaiaretic acid but not by indomethacin, indicating that lipoxygenase pathway of AA metabolism is involved in the toxicity. Furthermore, the neurotoxic action of AA was abolished by antioxidants butylated hydroxyanisole or N-acetylcysteine. In contrast, treatment with forskolin or high K+, which have been shown to prevent neuronal death induced by MPP+ or high oxygen conditions, showed no protection against AA toxicity. These results suggest that, although oxygen free radicals generated through lipoxygenase metabolism is responsible for the neurotoxicity, distinct mechanisms from those of other oxidative stress are operative in AA-induced neuronal injury.

Construction of a plasmid for high level expression of Escherichia coli phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase

The minimum size DNA fragment (3011 bp) containing the entire phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase [EC 4.1.1.31] gene of E. coli was cloned into a modified plasmid vector of high copy-number. The gene expression was directed by its own promoter and the content of the enzyme reached about 30% of total soluble protein of the transformed cells.

Neurotrophic effects of conditioned media of astrocytes isolated from different brain regions on hippocampal and cortical neurons

The present study was designed to reveal whether astroglial cells from different brain regions produce diffusible factors that differentially support the survival of neurons and the establishment of neuronal morphology. For this purpose, astrocyte conditioned media (ACM) were prepared by conditioning chemically-defined medium with type I astrocyte culture dissociated from cerebral cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus. Hippocampal and cortical neurons were cultured in ACM or in non-conditioned medium. ACM derived from three brain regions all supported the survival of hippocampal and cortical neurons better than non-conditioned control medium. Of these, hypothalamic ACM was the most effective in supporting the survival of cortical neurons. The ACM also potentiated the elongation of the longest neurite of hippocampal and cortical neurons. However, there were no significant differences in the promoting effects on neurite elongation among ACM from three brain regions.

Arachidonic acid: toxic and trophic effects on cultured hippocampal neurons

Arachidonic acid (20:4) is a component of membrane lipids that has been implicated as a messenger both in physiological and pathophysiological processes, including ischemic injury and synaptic plasticity. In order to clarify direct trophic or toxic effects of arachidonic acid on central neurons, primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons were exposed to arachidonic acid under chemically-defined conditions. Arachidonic acid present in the culture medium at concentrations over 5 x 10(-6) M showed profound toxicity, whereas at lower concentrations (10(-6) M) it significantly supported the survival of hippocampal neurons. These effects were not mimicked by oleic acid (18:1) or palmitic acid (16:0). The toxic action of 10(-5) M arachidonic acid was markedly and significantly prevented by a lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (10(-6) M). AA861 and baicalein (each at 10(-6) M), a selective inhibitor for 5- and 12-lipoxygenase, respectively, also showed a significant protective effect, whereas cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10(-5) M) had no effect. The toxic action was also prevented by an antioxidant alpha-tocopherol (10(-6) M), but not by superoxide dismutase (100 U/ml) or catalase (200 U/ml). The trophic effect of 10(-6) M arachidonic acid was not suppressed by the treatments listed above. At lower concentrations (10(-7)-10(-6) M), arachidonic acid promoted neurite elongation, which was not inhibited by nordihydroguaiaretic acid or indomethacin. Overall, arachidonic acid has both trophic and toxic actions on cultured hippocampal neurons, part of which involves its metabolism by lipoxygenases. The mechanisms and the physiological significance of these effects are discussed.

Primary culture of postnatal rat suprachiasmatic neurons in serum-free supplemented medium

We have previously reported that postnatal hypothalamic neurons can be maintained in low density culture using astrocyte conditioned medium. The present study was designed to establish a method for the culture of postnatal hypothalamic neurons in a chemically defined medium. Neurons were dissociated from the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus of 21-day-old rats and plated on plastic dishes. First, the effects of several factors which have been known to exert trophic effects on neuronal cells were examined in culture medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. We have found that platelet-derived growth factor, interleukin-1 beta and vitronectin in combination markedly increased the number of surviving neurons bearing processes. Next we tested such effects in serum-free minimum essential medium. When these factors were added together the SCN neurons could be maintained in culture for up to 3 weeks without medium change. In this supplemented medium, SCN neurons gradually extended processes from 3-5 days after plating, and the cell number with processes reached maximal at days 8-11. The cells were identified as SCN neurons by the immunocytochemical staining for microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. This culture method may be valuable for investigating the electrophysiological properties and the mechanisms of regeneration of mature central neurons.

Inhibition by 5-HT7 receptor stimulation of GABAA receptor-activated current in cultured rat suprachiasmatic neurones

1. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were made from postnatal rat suprachiasmatic (SCN) neurones to investigate possible modulation by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-activated current (IGABA). 2. 5-HT reversibly inhibited IGABA in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-10) to 10(-6) M). (+/-)-8-Hydroxy-2-N,N-dipropylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 10(-10) to 10(-5) M) and 5-carboxamidotryptamine (10(-6) M) also inhibited IGABA, whereas 1-(2,5-dimethyl-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI, 10(-6) M) had no significant effect. 3. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT (10(-7) M) was blocked by ritanserin (10(-7) M), but not by pindolol (10(-7) M). The effect of 5-HT was also suppressed by ritanserin, but not by pindolol, ketanserin (10(-7) M) or ICS 205-930 (10(-6) M). 4. 8-Bromo-cAMP (10(-3) M) or forskolin (5 x 10(-5) M) suppressed IGABA. The effects of forskolin and 5-HT were not additive. Furthermore, the effect of 5-HT (10(-7) M) was significantly reduced by N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinoline sulphonamide (H-8, 10(-6) M). 5. It is concluded that 5-HT inhibits IGABA in the SCN neurones, which involves the activation of 5-HT7 receptors and cAMP-coupled systems.

3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine promotes survival and axon elongation of embryonic rat septal neurons

The effect of 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine (T3) on survival and morphology of primary cultured neurons of the fetal rat brain was studied. In defined conditions of serum-free culture media we found the death preventing effect of T3 in all tested neuronal populations cultivated at high initial densities of plating (10(5) cells/cm2). While the survival of cerebrocortical neurons was improved very slightly, the number of surviving hippocampal and septal neurons reached 127.2 +/- 2.0% or 134.8 +/- 12.3% of their respective controls. The septal neurons responded at normal physiological concentration of T3 (1 nM) in high density as well as in low density cultures (5 x 10(3) cells/cm2). Moreover the treatment with 10 nM of T3 caused significant extension of the axon elongation of septal neurons (194.5 +/- 15.7%). These findings suggest the direct positive effect of T3 on pure cell population of septal neurons derived from embryonic rat brain and support the evidence for the role of this peripheral hormone during neuritogenesis.

Divergent trophic actions of glioma conditioned media on cultured rat hippocampal neurons

Neuron-glia interaction is considered to be important for the establishment and maintenance of neuronal shape and polarity during development. Glial cells release a number of trophic factors, many of which have not been fully characterized. In the present study, the trophic influences of conditioned media (CMs) of four glioma cell lines (T98G, Hs683, AC, C6) were tested on cultured hippocampal neurons dissociated from fetal rat brain. The survival of hippocampal neurons was enhanced by C6-CM, but inhibited by T98G-CM. The elongation of neurites was remarkably potentiated by C6-CM and T98G-CM. The other two CMs had little effect on neuronal survival and neurite elongation. These results suggest that different glioma cell lines produce and release different kinds and/or amounts of neurotrophic factors. Our experimental method may provide a suitable assay system for the identification of unknown trophic factors.

Pharmacological characteristics of GABAA responses in postnatal suprachiasmatic neurons in culture

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is considered to be an endogenous circadian pacemaker. Previous studies have suggested functional roles of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the control of circadian rhythms. In this study, the responses to applied GABA in cultured SCN neurons dissociated from postnatal rat hypothalamus were investigated using whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques. GABA and muscimol induced a large current response (EC50 values 5.3 and 1.6 microM, respectively), which was blocked by the GABAA antagonist bicuculline. This current response was also blocked by Zn2+ (0.5-50 microM) in a concentration-dependent manner, but was not potentiated by diazepam (10 microM) or ethanol (21 mM). These characteristics seem to correspond to those of GABAA receptors that lack gamma-type subunits.

Synergism of tocopherol and ascorbate on the survival of cultured brain neurones

The effects of antioxidants tocopherols and ascorbic acid were tested on the survival of hippocampal and striatal neurones in dissociated culture. Alpha- and gamma-tocopherol increased the number of surviving neurones in a concentration-dependent manner. Significant effect was observed at concentrations of 10(-8)-10(-6) M. Furthermore, the promoting effect of alpha-tocopherol on neuronal survival was markedly enhanced in the presence of ascorbic acid (2 x 10(-6) M). These results indicate that tocopherols and ascorbic acid support the survival of cultured neurones by protecting them from oxidative attack.