Pulmonary stretch receptor afferents activate excitatory amino acid receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarii in rats

1. The goal of the present study was to identify potential neurotransmitter candidates in the Breuer-Hering (BH) reflex pathway, specifically at synapses between the primary afferents and probable second-order neurones (pump cells) within the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS). We hypothesized that if activation of specific receptors in the NTS is required for production of the BH reflex, then (1) injection of the receptor agonist(s) would mimic the reflex response (apnoea), (2) injection of appropriate antagonists would impair the apnoea produced by either lung inflation or agonist injection, and (3) second-order neurones in the pathway would be excited by either lung inflation or agonists while antagonists would prevent the response to either. 2. Studies were carried out either in spontaneously breathing or in paralysed, thoracotomized and ventilated rats in which either diaphragm EMG or phrenic nerve activity, expired CO2 concentration and arterial pressure were continuously monitored. The BH reflex was physiologically activated by inflating the lungs. 3. Pressure injections (0.03-15 pmol) of selective excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptor agonists, quisqualic acid (Quis) and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) into an area of the NTS shown previously to contain neurones required for production of the BH reflex produced dose-dependent apnoeas that mimicked the response to lung inflation. Injection of substance P (0.03-4 pmol) did not alter baseline respiratory pattern. 4. Injections of the EAA antagonists, kynurenic acid (Kyn; 0.6-240 pmol), 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) or 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) into the BH region of the NTS reversibly impaired the apnoea produced by lung inflation. All three antagonists reduced or abolished the apnoeas resulting from injection of Quis or NMDA, and slowed baseline respiratory frequency. In contrast, injections of the highly selective NMDA receptor antagonist, D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acids (AP5), in doses sufficient to block the apnoeic response to NMDA, neither altered the reflex apnoea evoked by lung inflation nor the baseline respiratory pattern. 5. Pump cells located within the BH region were excited by pressure injections of the broad spectrum EAA agonist, DL-homocysteic acid (DLH). Kyn reversibly blocked the excitation of pump cells in response to either lung inflation or DLH injection. 6. These findings suggest that EAAs mediate primary afferent excitation of second-order neurones in the Breuer-Hering reflex pathway, primarily through the activation of non-NMDA EAA receptor subtypes.

Hemorrhage induces Fos immunoreactivity in rat medullary catecholaminergic neurons

In urethane anesthetized rats one hour after lowering the systolic blood pressure to 70-75 mmHg by withdrawing 3-4 ml of blood, Fos immunoreactivity (Fos-IR), confined to the cell nucleus, was detected bilaterally in numerous cells of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and ventrolateral medulla (VLM). A few Fos-IR neurons were observed in the lateral reticular nucleus, dorsal medullary reticular nucleus, spinal trigeminal nucleus, medial inferior olive, interfasciculus hypoglossi and paramedian rostral medulla. In sham-operated animals, a much smaller number of Fos-IR neurons were scattered in the NTS, VLM and other nuclei mentioned above. Double labeling with antisera to tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) showed that 60% of TH-positive neurons in the NTS contained Fos-IR, and 70-80% of TH-positive neurons in the caudal VLM and 50-60% of PMNT-positive neurons in the rostral VLM expressed Fos-IR. Only a few TH- or PNMT-positive neurons in the C2, C3 (paramedian rostral medulla) areas and within the medial longitudinal fasciculus were Fos-IR. About 40% of PNMT/Fos-IR neurons in the rostral VLM contained the retrograde tracer fluorogold, which was injected (< 1 microliter) into the white matter dorsolateral to the intermediolateral cell column of T2-T3 segments 2 to 3 days prior to hemorrhagic experiments. Very few TH-positive neurons in the caudal VLM contained fluorogold. Finally, clusters of Fos-IR neurons, which also labeled with antisera to choline acetyltransferase, were detected in the intermediolateral cell column of the spinal cord. The results indicate that during hemorrhage aminergic neurons in the caudal and rostral VLM and in the NTS are activated insofar as c-fos expression is concerned. As a corollary, the monoaminergic neurons in the medulla constitute an essential component in the ascending as well as descending reflex pathway involved in the adjustment of cardiovascular dynamics during hemorrhage.

Activation of brainstem catecholaminergic neurons by conditioned and unconditioned aversive stimuli as revealed by c-Fos immunoreactivity

In an attempt to define areas of the brain that respond to stressors and influence immune function, we have previously identified stress-induced, c-Fos-immunoreactive areas of the diencephalon. We found that c-Fos was strongly expressed in cells of the paraventricular nuclei (some of which contain corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)) and other hypothalamic areas directly associated with autonomic function. To further characterize the presumptive pathways mediating stress-induced immune alterations, including the assessment of brainstem catecholaminergic neuron involvement, the induction of c-Fos immunoreactivity was examined in the brainstem of rats exposed to conditioned and unconditioned, immunomodulating stimuli. In response to electric footshock (the unconditioned stimulus (US)), c-Fos immunoreactivity was strongly induced in the noradrenergic neurons of the locus ceruleus (A6), the nucleus of the solitary tract (A2/C2), the ventral lateral medulla (A1/C1), A5, and A7, as well as in unidentified neurons of the dorsal and ventral subdivisions of the periaqueductal gray (PAG), and in the serotonergic neurons of the dorsal raphe nuclei. Conditioned animals re-exposed to the conditioned stimulus showed c-Fos induction in these same areas but to a lesser degree. Control animals exposed only to the conditioning stimulus (CS) (electronic tone) in the absence of the US, expressed very little, if any, c-Fos activity in the above loci except for a small degree of baseline expression in the PAG. These results further confirm the role of autonomic and endocrine pathways as mediators of the stress response and will help to more fully characterize the pathways of stress-induced immune alteration.

Kinetic cooperative effect of glycine receptor agonists and antagonists on the dissociation of strychnine binding

The dissociation of [3H]strychnine binding was studied in synaptosomal membranes of rat spinal cord. Dissociation elicited by 100-fold dilution was accelerated by completely displacing concentrations of glycinergic agents. The rank order of acceleration was iso-THAZ < strychnine approximately taurine < R 5135 < avermectin b1a approximately beta-alanine << glycine (THAZ, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-isoxazolo-(3,4-d)azepin-3-ol). The accelerating effects were correlated with the changes of entropy (r = 0.93) but not with the changes of free energies (r = 0.06) of their binding. Half-maximal acceleration was elicited by 58 microM glycine. The accelerating effects of glycine and beta-alanine were attenuated by the antagonists.

Extracellular potassium, glial and neuronal potentials in the solitary complex of rat brainstem slices

Extracellular K+ activities (aKe) and neuronal and glial membrane potentials were recorded in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and in the dorsal vagal motor nucleus (DVMN) of rat brainstem slices after orthodromic stimulation of the tractus solitarius (TS). In glial cells, repetitive stimulation of the TS induced depolarizations of up to 30 mV followed by repolarizations which were fitted by exponential curves with a time constant of 1.6-5 s. Similar stimulations induced elevations of aKe of up to 8 mM, the recovery of which was fitted by single exponential curves with a time constant ranging between 1.6 and 4 s. These elevations in aKe were reduced by 75% during blockage of synaptic transmission in low Ca2+, high Mg2+ solution, and by 24% with application of 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, 50 microM). Perfusion with a low Mg2+ solution increased the aKe response to stimulation of the TS, an effect that was reduced by the addition of 2-amino-5-phosphono-valeric acid (AP7, 50 microM) to the bath. No significant change in aKe and glial potential was seen when superfusing high concentrations of the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK8, 1-5 microM) and C-terminal tetrapeptide (CCK4, 50-100 microM). The effect of TS stimulations on solitary complex neurons suggests that extracellular K+ concentration is increased during synaptic activation of non-NMDA or NMDA ionotropic receptors. Conversely, slow depolarizations elicited by repetitive afferent activity or excitation by CCK agonists develop in neurons in the absence of measurable extracellular K+ fluctuations or glial depolarization.

Brain region-specific effects of neuroactive steroids on the affinity and density of the GABA-binding site

The allosteric regulation of specific [3H]-muscimol binding by neuroactive steroids to the GABA-binding sites of membrane fractions prepared from five different brain areas was characterized in order to elucidate if the regionally variable subunit composition of GABAA receptors is reflected in the responsiveness of the GABA binding site to neurosteroid modulatory effects. At a final concentration of 1 microM progesterone and its metabolite 3-alpha-hydroxy-5-alpha-pregnane-20-one (HPO) reduced the affinity in hippocampus (HIP), enhanced it in medulla (MED) and did not affect it in cerebellum (CER). However, there are differences in potency of these two steroids between frontal cortex (FC) and hypothalamus (HYP), since the affinity was enhanced in FC only by progesterone and in HYP only by HPO. While the magnitude of progesterone-induced alterations in affinity were similar in FC, MED and HIP, HPO affected the affinity significantly stronger in HIP than in HYP and MED. Concerning the density of the binding sites progesterone exerted no significant modulatory effect in contrast to HPO which increased the number of binding sites (Bmax) in all five brain areas investigated. However, the enhancements in Bmax were regionally different. The HIP reached the maximal increase of Bmax, followed by FC and MED. The smallest enhancement was found in CER, followed by HYP. Neurosteroidal activity exhibited also THDOC and alphaxalone, the synthetic HPO analogue. A significant different potency of THDOC was found in FC versus CER, whereas alphaxalone did not display regionally different efficacy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cervical sympathectomy reduces the heterogeneity of oxygen saturation in small cerebrocortical veins

This study evaluated the hypothesis that the peripheral sympathetic nervous system is one of the factors increasing the heterogeneity of venous O2 saturation in selective brain regions. Regional cerebral blood flow and O2 saturation were determined in the anterior cortex, posterior cortex, and medulla of either sham-operated or bilaterally sympathectomized Long-Evans rats. Cerebral venous O2 saturations, indicating the balance between local O2 supply and consumption, were found to be significantly more heterogeneous in the sham-operated group. In the anterior cortex, the coefficient of variation [100(SD/mean)] for the sham-operated animals was 22.4%. Sympathectomy significantly reduced this heterogeneity in the anterior cortex through a reduction in the number of low O2 saturation veins (coefficient of variation 11.7%). Blood flow and O2 consumption in the anterior cortex were not different between groups. The effects of sympathectomy in the posterior cortex were similar to those in the anterior cortex. However, sympathectomy did not alter any measured variables in the medulla. Thus, bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy reduced the heterogeneity of cerebrocortical venous O2 saturation by reducing the number of low O2 saturation veins in the rostral part of the brain.

Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors produces reciprocal regulation of ionotropic glutamate and GABA responses in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius of the rat

Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were made in thin transverse slices from neurons of the dorsomedial subdivision of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS) of the rat. Cells were exposed to either the ionotropic glutamate receptor agonist (R, S)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) or the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol via pressure ejection directed at the cell soma. The metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist 1S,3R-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate (1S,3R-ACPD; 2-100 microM) reversibly depressed muscimol-evoked currents. Conversely, 1S,3R-ACPD reversibly potentiated AMPA-evoked currents. High-frequency stimulation of the tractus solitarius in the presence of 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione and D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid also produced a reversible depression of muscimol-evoked currents that was occluded in the presence of 100 microM 1S,3R-ACPD. 8-Br-cGMP or brain-derived natriuretic peptide mimicked the effects of 1S,3R-ACPD on AMPA and muscimol currents. However, agents that mimicked the actions of cAMP or diacylglycerol did not. These findings indicate that metabotropic glutamate receptors may mediate multiple components of excitatory transmission in the NTS including modulation of glutamate and GABA-activated ion channels.

Changes in extracellular [K+] and [Ca2+] induced by anoxia in neonatal rabbit medulla

Ion-selective microelectrodes were used to record levels of extracellular K+ and Ca2+ concentrations ([K+]o and [Ca2+]o, respectively) and the changes evoked by anoxia in the medulla of anesthetized ventilated newborn rabbits, 1-14 days of age. Resting levels of [K+]o showed significant decline with increasing age. The mean initial level of [K+]o was 6.5 +/- 0.3 mM for the 1st neonatal wk and 5.1 +/- 0.4 mM for the 2nd wk. Brief periods of N2 inhalation (1-3 min) induced reversible increases in [K+]o that were smaller with progression of maturity. The duration of the initial increase (phase I) in [K+]o was twofold greater during the 1st wk than the 2nd wk. At the maximal steady-state level of change (phase III), [K+]o increased by 1.8 +/- 0.2 mM during wk 1 and by 0.9 +/- 0.1 mM during wk 2. Large transient bursts of increase were frequently observed during both early and recovery phases of the sustained [K+]o accumulation. Resting levels of [Ca2+]o also showed age dependence. The mean values during early neonatal days 1-3, compared with days 7-10, were 3.7 +/- 0.3 and 2.4 +/- 0.6 mM, respectively. Anoxia evoked multiphasic decreases in [Ca2+]o that were largest in the youngest pups. Early transient falls of 0.5 +/- 0.1 mM occurred at times similar to those for the earliest increases of [K+]o and negative focal potentials; larger decreases (0.9 +/- 0.2 mM) were recorded after reoxygenation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Loss of C1 and C3 epinephrine-synthesizing neurons in the medulla oblongata in Parkinson's disease

We used immunohistochemical analysis to determine whether medulla oblongata neurons containing phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) are affected in patients who died with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (n = 7) compared with age-matched control subjects who died with nonneurological diseases (n = 8). Transverse sections (50 microns) of medulla were prepared either for conventional neuropathological examination or for the immunohistochemical demonstration of PNMT. Immunopositive neurons at approximately 30 rostrocaudal levels, evenly spaced throughout the whole medulla, were mapped and cells in each section were counted with a camera lucida system linked to a computer. In the ventrolateral medulla, from the level of the obex to 11 mm rostral to the obex where the C1 group of neurons is located, there were 7,631 +/- 844 PNMT-positive neurons in control brains and 3,604 +/- 1,051 in brains affected by Parkinson's disease (47% of control). Many PNMT-positive neurons contained Lewy bodies. We observed a previously undescribed midline (C3) group of PNMT-positive neurons in normal brains, and this group was also severely affected (12% of control) in parkinsonian brains. Neither the C2 group nor the small PNMT-positive neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii were significantly reduced in numbers but there was a reduction in the numbers of melanin-pigmented cells in both the ventrolateral (50% of control) and the dorsomedial (79% of control) region. Our results demonstrate a selective loss of C1 and C3 PNMT-positive neurons, providing the first quantitative evidence for damage to these presumed brainstem sympathetic premotor neurons in Parkinson's disease. These changes may underlie some of the autonomic symptoms occurring in this condition.

Nitric oxide increases interstitial excitatory amino acid release in the rat dorsomedial medulla oblongata

In vivo microdialysis was employed to measure release of the neuroactive amino acids L-glutamate (Glu) and L-aspartate (Asp) in the dorsomedial medulla oblongata of the anaesthetised rat. Basal levels of endogenous extracellular Glu and Asp were increased over 5-fold and 3-fold, respectively, following perfusion with a depolarising stimulus of KCl. Intracerebral administration of the nitric oxide (NO) donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP, 30 microM) caused a 5-fold increase in extracellular Asp and a 2-fold increase in extracellular Glu, which was blocked by Methylene blue. These data suggest that NO, acting through guanylate cyclase, can affect excitatory amino acid neurotransmission in the dorsomedial medulla oblongata.

Increases in cytosolic Ca2+ in rat area postrema/mNTS neurons produced by angiotensin II and arginine-vasopressin

It is well established that neurons in the dorsal medulla, including the area postrema and the medial nucleus tractus solitarius (mNTS), are involved in the central actions of circulating peptides such as angiotensin II (ANG II) and arginine vasopressin (AVP). This report describes a preparation that permits the identification and maintenance of area postrema/mNTS neurons in culture in which the cellular and potentially subcellular responses to neurotransmitters and neuropeptides on area postrema/mNTS cells can be investigated. Following 15-21 days in culture, the effects of ANG II and AVP on changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were examined. Both ANG II and AVP resulted in a rapid and transient increase in [Ca2+]i reaching maximum in 15 s and returning towards baseline values within 180 s. The ANG II-mediated increase in [Ca2+]i was almost completely abolished by the selective angiotensin AT1 receptor subtype antagonist, losartan (DuP 753). These results suggest that ANG II and AVP modulate area postrema/mNTS neuronal activity by increasing intracellular Ca2+.

Substance P-like and serotonin-like immunoreactivity in the lateral cervical nucleus of the raccoon

The distribution of substance P and serotonin in the lateral cervical nucleus (LCN) of the raccoon was examined by light microscopic immunohistochemistry. Substance P-immunoreactive fibers were found to be clustered in the ventromedial part of the LCN, whereas only few such fibers appeared in the dorsolateral part of the nucleus. This organization is closely similar to that previously observed in the cat, and provides further evidence for an anatomic and functional segregation along the transverse axis of the LCN in carnivores. In some sections, substance P-positive fibers were found primarily in areas of the ventromedial LCN containing small neurons, indicating that such fibers may be involved in functions of the LCN associated with nociceptive projection neurons and/or local circuit neurons. The raccoon LCN also received a relatively sparse innervation of serotonin-positive fibers that were distributed throughout the nucleus, an organization similar to that previously observed in the cat. The functional role of the serotonergic fibers is unclear. However, their presence suggests that descending influences on transmission in the spinocervicothalamic pathway, in addition to the well-documented descending control of spinocervical tract neurons, may be present also at the level of the LCN.

Prenatal ontogeny of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the nucleus tractus solitarii and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve of the human fetus: an immunocytochemical study

By using immunocytochemical method, the prenatal ontogeny of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) was demonstrated in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (nX) and the nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS) of the human fetus at fetal age (menstruation age) of 11.5 weeks to 40 weeks. The time of initial appearance of SP-LI in the human brainstem nTS was between the fetal age 11.5 weeks and 16 weeks. At fetal age 16 weeks, the nTS showed moderate density of SP-LI fibers and terminals in subnucleus dorsalis of the nTS and nX. While the fetus grew, the density of SP-LI in the human fetus brainstem nTS and nX increased gradually from fetal age 16 weeks to 40 weeks. According to the Nissl staining, at fetal age 23 weeks, the nTS of human fetus can be subdivided into dorsal, medial, dorsolateral, ventrolateral, ventral and gelatinosus subnuclei. The cytoarchitectonic subdivisions of human fetus nTS is in good agreement with the results obtained by immunocytochemical staining. These findings indicated that substance P (SP) might play an important role in the development of human brainstem nX, nTS, their related cranial nerves, and in their functional establishment during the prenatal period.

Role of tissue renin angiotensin system in two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats

To investigate the molecular pathology of two-kidney, one-clip (2K-1C) rats, we examined the gene expressions of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and angiotensin II (ANG II) concentration in various tissues in the early (4 wk) and chronic (16 wk) phases of hypertension. Four weeks after clipping, the brain renin mRNA level was lower in 2K-1C rats than in control rats (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the levels of brain and renal angiotensinogen mRNA were not significantly different in the two groups. The brain and adrenal ANG II concentrations were significantly higher in 2K-1C rats than in control rats. Sixteen weeks after clipping, there was no significant difference in the brain renin mRNA levels in the two groups, and renal and brain angiotensinogen mRNA levels were normal. Moreover, the ANG II concentrations in the adrenals and brain (except the cortex) of 2K-1C rats were not significantly higher than those in control rats. These results show a differential pattern of tissue RAS gene expression in rats during the development of 2K-1C hypertension, which is regulated in a tissue-specific manner. Furthermore, the data suggest that brain ANG II may be affected by circulating ANG II, but not by the brain renin angiotensin system, and may regulate brain renin, probably by negative feedback through its own receptor.

Decreased norepinephrine content in the medulla oblongata in severely hypertensive rats

1. To clarify possible abnormalities in catecholamines in the medulla oblongata in relation to severe hypertension, the authors measured changes in catecholamine levels in the medulla oblongata of malignant stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (M-SHRSP). Effects of the adrenal medullae and peripheral nerves were ruled out by adrenal demedullation and chemical sympathectomy. 2. The level of norepinephrine in the medulla oblongata was significantly lower in untreated M-SHRSP than in untreated WKY (control) rats at 10 weeks of age. Further, it was significantly lower in treated M-SHRSP than in the treated WKY group at both 6 and 10 weeks of age. The level of epinephrine in 6 week old treated M-SHRSP was significantly higher than that in age-matched treated WKY, but no other differences were observed in terms of epinephrine content. There were no age- or treatment-related differences in dopamine levels in the medullar oblongata. 3. Since norepinephrine has an inhibitory effect on blood pressure elevation in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) in the medulla oblongata, the suppression of negative feedback due to a decrease in the activity of inhibitory neurons in the medulla oblongata appears to be involved in the development and progression of severe hypertension in M-SHRSP.

Migrated fetal astrocytes modulate nerve growth factor expression in host nucleus gracilis of the medulla after grafting in third cervical hindlimb dorsal columns of the spinal cord

Nerve growth factor (NGF) immunoreactivity in the nucleus gracilis of the medulla was quantitated for 90 days after aspiration of the C3 spinal hindlimb dorsal columns of 36 adult rats. Half the lesioned animals were a lesion-only group. The remaining lesioned animals received an immediate graft of two 1.0-mm pieces of 14 day gestation fetal rat cervical spinal cord (prelabeled with Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin) into the aspiration pocket (graft group). There were 3 normal controls. Groups of animals were analyzed at 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, and 90 days. At 90 days, NGF immunoreactivity was significantly elevated in the nucleus gracilis of lesion-only animals. This increase in NGF immunoreactivity was augmented in glial end-feet surrounding neurons and was also observed in the cytoplasm of astrocytes and some neurons. Previous experiments have shown that the cluster neurons of the nucleus gracilis undergo atrophy at this time with a concomitant decrease in hindlimb placement. NGF immunoreactivity (90 days) in grafted animals, however, was significantly less than in lesion-only animals (P < 0.05) but remained significantly elevated above control animals (P < 0.05). Unlike in lesion-only animals, there were no NGF positive neurons in the nucleus gracilis of grafted animals. Previous experiments have shown that astrocytes from fetal spinal cord grafts migrate to the nucleus gracilis, maintain cluster neuron cell size, and improve hindlimb placement at 90 days. The present data indicate that modulation of detrimental increases in NGF appeared to be a mechanism by which migrated fetal astrocytes can be used as a system for cell therapy.

Altered acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor expression following spinal cord injury

In normal spinal cord, acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) immunoreactivity was localized in the cytoplasm of ventral motor neurons and sensory fibers in the dorsal columns. Basic FGF (bFGF) immunoreactivity was restricted to astrocyte nuclei and the cytoplasm of a few neurons in the intermediate gray matter. Spinal cord lesions resulted in complete destruction of the dorsal columns at T8. Two days postlesion, aFGF immunoreactivity was increased in ventral motor neurons and was now seen in intermediate gray matter neurons. Acidic FGF was not detected in the lesioned fasciculus gracilis at T4-5, but markedly increased in the fasciculus cuneatus. At L1-2, aFGF-immunoreactive fibers in the fasciculus gracilis also increased. This aFGF immunostaining was maintained 5 and 12 days postlesion. A lesion-induced loss of aFGF immunoreactivity in the nucleus gracilis suggests that aFGF is anterogradely transported in ascending sensory fibers. Two days postlesion, glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity increased at the lesion site, as well as at T4-5 and L1-2, with no change in bFGF staining. Five days postlesion, increased bFGF immunoreactivity appeared at the edge of the cystic cavity and the dorsal columns at T4-5 in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm of reactive astrocytes, and was increased at 12 days postlesion. The differential cellular, temporal, and spatial expression of aFGF and bFGF following spinal cord lesion suggest they subserve distinct roles in the response to CNS injury.

[Glutathione conjugation with diethylmaleate in various brain structures]

It was shown that GSH concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity in hypothalamus (H) and sensomotor cortex (SC) were twice more than in ME. After single or double injection of diethylmaleate (DEM) two-phase change of the GSH level was observed in all the investigated structures. In the first 1-3 h phase, the pool of free GSH decreases by more than 50% as a result of conjugative effect of DEM. In the second phase which is about 3 days long the level of GSH is gradually restored mainly due to the activation of its biosynthesis. In various brain structures conjugation and reduction processes has their own peculiarities: conjugation processes predominate in H and SC while the reduction processes predominate in ME. These processes were almost two times intensified in all the investigated structures under double injection of DEM.

Immunocytochemical localization of the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (p75NGFR) in the cuneate nucleus of the rat and its relationship to cytochrome-oxidase activity

Immunohistochemical staining for the 75-kDa, low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (p75NGFR), within the cuneate nucleus (CN) of the adult rat revealed that this receptor is concentrated rostrocaudally in the middle CN (approximately 0.2-0.9 mm caudal to the obex), corresponding to that portion of the CN receiving densest projections of cutaneous primary afferent terminals. Furthermore, dense patches of p75NGFR-like immunoreactivity appear to correspond to the 'blotches' of cytochrome-oxidase activity observed in the middle region of the CN. This close correspondence between the localization pattern of p75NGFR in the CN and its functional organization suggests an important role for trophic factors in the CN's development and/or maintenance.

Induction of c-fos immunoreactivity in tyrosine hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase immunoreactive neurons of the medulla oblongata of the rat after phosphate-buffered saline load in the urethane-anaesthetized rat

We have studied the induction of c-fos immunoreactivity (c-fos IR) in catecholaminergic and vasopressinergic immunoreactive neurons after repeated phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) loading or after repeated elicitation of the baroreceptor reflex via repeated infusion of the vasoconstrictor agent L-phenylephrine. About 75% and 30%, respectively, of the tyrosine-hydroxylase immunoreactive (IR) cell bodies of the ventral noradrenaline (NA) A1/adrenaline (A) C1 and dorsal NA A2/A C2 areas and 60% and 30%, respectively, of the phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase IR nerve cells of the adrenaline C1 and C2 areas and 25% of the vasopressin (VP) IR neurons of the supraoptic (SO) nucleus developed nuclear c-fos IR after repeated PBS loading. This phenomenon remained unaltered by the repeated elicitation of the baroreceptor reflex. These results suggest that the activation of volume receptors promotes homeostatic responses via activation of early genes in subsets of central medullary noradrenaline and adrenaline neurons and SO VP neurons of the urethane-anaesthetized rat.

[Changes of endogenous opioid peptides content in RPGL during acupuncture analgesia]

By push-pull perfusion technique and RIA of neuro-peptides, it was found that after 20 minutes' electroacupunture (EA), the release of LEK from the RPGL in the EA group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The release of beta-EP from the RPGL in the EA group with higher efficacy was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05), but no significant changes were found in the EA group with lower efficacy. There was a positive correlation between the changes of release of LEK or beta-EP and the increase of pain threshold. The release of DynA1-13 tends to show a barely significant extent (P > 0.05). The results indicate that acupuncture analgesia is able to increase the release of LEK and beta-EP in the RPGL.

Hypotensive effects of 5-HT1A receptor activation: ventral medullary sites and mechanisms of action in the rat

Serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) binding sites were previously localized in several regions of the ventral medulla associated with neural regulation of the cardiovascular system. Some of these binding sites were associated with serotonergic neurons of the ventral medulla. The purpose of these studies was to assess and characterize hypotensive responses to a 5-HT1A agonist, (8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetraline, 8-OH-DPAT), administered to the ventral medulla of the rat, to correlate the responsive ventral medullary sites with the distribution of 3H-8-OH-DPAT binding sites, and to assess the role of serotonergic systems in mediating the hypotensive responses. Ventral medullary application of 8-OH-DPAT caused dose-related reductions in mean arterial pressure and heart rate which were mediated by the autonomic nervous system. The hypotensive response to 8-OH-DPAT was attenuated by pretreatment with the 5-HT1A antagonists, spiperone or NAN-190. Microinjections of 8-OH-DPAT into ventral medullary structures revealed that 8-OH-DPAT responsive sites included the raphe pallidus, the parapyramidal region, and the rostral ventrolateral medulla. The role of serotonergic terminals in mediating the responses of 8-OH-DPAT was evaluated in animals pretreated with the serotonin nerve toxin, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). Cardiovascular responses to ventral medullary application of 8-OH-DPAT were unaffected by the selective depletion of serotonin. Thus, whereas the hypotensive responses elicited by 8-OH-DPAT in the raphe pallidus and parapyramidal region may involve serotonergic neurons, other non-serotonergic sites (e.g. the rostral ventrolateral medulla) can mediate the hypotensive actions of 8-OH-DPAT.

Organization of presumptive catecholamine-synthesizing neurons in the canine medulla oblongata

Immunocytochemical methods were used to identify cells and processes containing two major catecholamine (CA)-biosynthetic enzymes in areas of the canine medulla implicated in autonomic control. Antisera were employed against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT). These enzymes respectively catalyze the conversions of tyrosine to L-DOPA and noradrenaline to adrenaline. Immunocytochemical studies laid the groundwork for subsequent investigations in conscious dog in which we characterized an area of cardiovascular control in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). In the anatomical studies, previously unidentified neuronal somata and processes were demonstrated in the canine medulla. Presumptive adrenergic (CI) neurons in the canine RVLM were subjacent to the nucleus ambiguous (NA) and most numerous at a level where the compact and semicompact divisions of NA merged. In contrast to their distribution in rodents, C1 neurons were skewed caudally and did not extend rostrally to the caudal pole of the facial nucleus. C1 neurons were also relatively less concentrated in the RVLM. A large number of C1 neurons extended dorsally into the lateral tegmental field (LTF). Most C1 neurons in the LTF (like those in the A1 area) were aligned with catecholaminergic (TH- and PNMT-ir) processes traversing the intermediate reticular zone. Since the numbers and locations of TH- and PNMT-ir neurons in the C1 area of the RVLM and rostral LTF were virtually identical on adjacent sections, it can be implicitly inferred that the enzymes are co-localized to the same somata and that these neurons are capable of biosynthesizing adrenaline. The C1 and A5 areas were clearly separated by a transitional zone, sparsely populated by TH-ir somata (1-2 cells per section), where the facial nucleus and rostral pole of the NA pars compacta (NAc) occupied the same level. A5 neurons were more abundant and complexly organized than suggested by previous CA-histofluorescence data. In addition, a new parvicellular subgroup was identified and composed of neurons containing TH but not PNMT. In contrast to other species, the A1 cell group was not confined to the VLM. A large number of A1 neurons extended into the caudal LTF and were situated between the nucleus tractus solitarii-motor vagal complex (NTS-X) and caudal VLM (CVLM). In contrast to previous reports, presumptive adrenergic (TH- and PNMT-ir) cell groups were more densely represented in the C2-3 areas of the canine NTS and dorsomedial reticular formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects of tianeptine on 5-hydroxyindoles and on the morphine-induced increase in 5-HT metabolism at the medullary dorsal horn level as measured by in vivo voltammetry in freely moving rats

The present study, by the use of in vivo electrochemical detection of 5-hydroxyindole (peak '3') in the bulbo spinal serotonergic system at the medullary dorsal horn (MDH) level, investigated the effects of the new tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) tianeptine, which has been shown to be a specific serotonin (5-HT) uptake enhancer. It was found that acutely administered tianeptine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) induced a marked significant increase in peak 3 within the dorsal horn, an in vivo observation which is in accordance with the biochemical properties of tianeptine as studied in forebrain structures. In addition, the effect of tianeptine on the morphine-induced increase in 5-HT metabolism was investigated, by comparison with the previous data obtained with the specific 5-HT uptake inhibitor femoxetine in the MDH. It was shown that tianeptine can display additive effect with morphine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) on 5-HT metabolism at the MDH level. These results are discussed in relation to the effects of classical TCAs and the particular properties of tianeptine.