[3H]D-aspartic acid release in brain slices of adult and aged Fischer 344 rates

Differential Effects of Human P301L Tau Expression in Young versus Aged Mice

The greatest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is increasing age. Understanding the changes that occur in aging that make an aged brain more susceptible to developing AD could result in novel therapeutic targets. In order to better understand these changes, the current study utilized mice harboring a regulatable mutant P301L human tau transgene (rTg(TauP301L)4510), in which P301L tau expression can be turned off or on by the addition or removal of doxycycline in the drinking water. This regulatable expression allowed for assessment of aging independent of prolonged mutant tau expression. Our results suggest that P301L expression in aged mice enhances memory deficits in the Morris water maze task. These behavioral changes may be due to enhanced late-stage tau pathology, as evidenced by immunoblotting and exacerbated hippocampal dysregulation of glutamate release and uptake measured by the microelectrode array technique. We additionally observed changes in proteins important for the regulation of glutamate and tau phosphorylation that may mediate these age-related changes. Thus, age and P301L tau interact to exacerbate tau-induced detrimental alterations in aged animals.

Symptomatic and neuroprotective effects following activation of nigral group III metabotropic glutamate receptors in rodent models of Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Increased glutamatergic innervation of the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr) and pars compacta (SNpc) may contribute to the motor deficits and neurodegeneration, respectively, in Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to establish whether activation of pre-synaptic group III metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors reduced glutamate release in the SN, and provided symptomatic or neuroprotective relief in animal models of PD.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Broad-spectrum group III mGlu receptor agonists, O-phospho-l-serine (l-SOP) and l-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (l-AP4), were assessed for their ability to inhibit KCl-evoked [(3)H]-d-aspartate release in rat nigral prisms or inhibit KCl-evoked endogenous glutamate release in the SNpr in vivo using microdialysis. Reversal of akinesia in reserpine-treated rats was assessed following intranigral injection of l-SOP and l-AP4. Finally, the neuroprotective effect of 7 days' supra-nigral treatment with l-AP4 was examined in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats.

KEY RESULTS

l-SOP and l-AP4 inhibited [(3)H]-d-aspartate release by 33 and 44% respectively. These effects were blocked by the selective group III mGlu antagonist (RS)-alpha-cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine (CPPG). l-SOP also reduced glutamate release in the SNpr in vivo by 48%. Injection of l-SOP and l-AP4 into the SNpr reversed reserpine-induced akinesia. Following administration above the SNpc, l-AP4 provided neurochemical, histological and functional protection against 6-OHDA lesion of the nigrostriatal tract. Pretreatment with CPPG inhibited these effects.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These findings highlight group III mGlu receptors in the SN as potential targets for providing both symptomatic and neuroprotective relief in PD, and indicate that inhibition of glutamate release in the SN may underlie these effects.

Age-related changes in glutamate release in the CA3 and dentate gyrus of the rat hippocampus

The present studies employed a novel microelectrode array recording technology to study glutamate release and uptake in the dentate gyrus, CA3 and CA1 hippocampal subregions in anesthetized young, late-middle aged and aged male Fischer 344 rats. The mossy fiber terminals in CA3 showed a significantly decreased amount of KCl-evoked glutamate release in aged rats compared to both young and late-middle-aged rats. Significantly more KCl-evoked glutamate release was seen from perforant path terminals in the DG of late-middle-aged rats compared young and aged rats. The DG of aged rats developed an increased glutamate uptake rate compared to the DG of young animals, indicating a possible age-related change in glutamate regulation to deal with increased glutamate release that occurred in late-middle age. No age-related changes in resting levels of glutamate were observed in the DG, CA3 and CA1. Taken together, these data support dynamic changes to glutamate regulation during aging in subregions of the mammalian hippocampus that are critical for learning and memory.

Age-related resistance to alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid-induced hippocampal lesion

This study compares the effects of acute alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) administration in the hippocampus in adult (3 months) and middle-aged (15 months) rats at 15 days postinjection. Injection of 1 and 2.7 mM AMPA produced dose-dependent neurodegeneration, assessed by Nissl staining; a glial reaction shown by glial fibrillary acidic protein immunocytochemistry; and calcification, revealed by alizarin red staining. Furthermore, at both doses, these alterations were significantly greater in 3-month-old rats. Finally, at AMPA 2.7 mM, no significant changes in the density of hippocampal parvalbumin- or calbindin-immunoreactive neurons or in choline acetyltransferase, glutamate uptake, or GABA uptake activities were found in 15-month-old animals, whereas significant reductions in parvalbumin (-76%) and calbindin (-32%) immunostaining and in GABA uptake (-27%) were observed in 3-month-old animals compared to the respective sham-operated or control animals. In conclusion, this study clearly demonstrates that in rats the vulnerability of hippocampal neurons and the glial and calcification reactions to AMPA-induced injury decreased with age between 3 and 15 months. Our results also indicate that hippocampal cholinergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic systems show an adaptive response to excitotoxic damage in both adult and middle-aged animals.

Glutamatergic neurotransmission in aging: a critical perspective

The effects of aging on glutamate neurotransmission in the brain is reviewed and evaluated. Glutamate is the neurotransmitter in most of the excitatory synapses and appears to be involved in functions such as motor behaviour, cognition and emotion, which alter with age. However, relatively few studies have been conducted to study the relationship between glutamate and aging of the brain. The studies presented here indicate the existence of a number of changes in the glutamatergic system during the normal process of aging. First, an age-related decrease of glutamate content in tissue from cerebral cortex and hippocampus has been reported, although it may be mainly a consequence of changes in metabolic activity rather than glutamatergic neurotransmission. On the other hand, studies in vitro and in vivo have shown no changes in glutamate release during aging. Since glutamate sampled in most of these studies is the result of a balance between release and uptake processes, the lack of changes in glutamate release may be due to compensatory changes in glutamate uptake. In fact, a reduced glutamate uptake capacity, as well as a loss in the number of high affinity glutamate transporters in glutamatergic terminals of aged rats, have been described. However, the most significant and consistent finding is the decrease in the density of glutamatergic NMDA receptors with age. A new perspective, in which glutamate interacts with other neurotransmitters to conform the substrates of specific circuits of the brain and its relevance to aging, is included in this review. In particular, studies from our laboratory suggest the existence of age-related changes in the interaction between glutamate and other neurotransmitters, e.g. dopamine and GABA, which are regionally specific.

Regulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration by interleukin-1beta in rat cortical synaptosomes: an age-related study

The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is released by cells during injury and stress, and increased neuronal expression of IL-1beta is a feature of age-related neurodegeneration. We have recently reported that IL-1beta has a biphasic effect on the K+-induced rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in cortical synaptosomes, exerting an inhibitory effect on the K+-induced rise in [Ca2+]i at lower (3.5 ng/mL) concentrations and a stimulatory effect on the K+-induced rise in [Ca2+]i at higher (100 ng/mL) concentrations. In the present study, we observed that the K+-induced rise in [Ca2+]i was inhibited to a similar extent by the lower concentration of IL-1beta in cortical synaptosomes prepared from young (3-month-old), middle-aged (12-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) rats. In contrast, cortical synaptosomes prepared from the aged rats exhibited an increased susceptibility to the higher concentration of IL-1beta, resulting in a marked elevation in [Ca2+]i. We propose that the age-related increase in neuronal concentration of IL-1beta promotes a dramatic elevation in [Ca2+]i following membrane depolarization, thereby altering Ca2+ homeostasis and exacerbating neuronal vulnerability to excitotoxicity.

Ageing is associated with changes in glutamate release, protein tyrosine kinase and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in rat hippocampus

We have used synaptosomes prepared from rat hippocampus to investigate the role of protein tyrosine kinase and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in modulating glutamate release in young animals and to investigate possible parallel age-related changes in release and kinase activity. We report that depolarization of synaptosomes with 40 mM KCl, which stimulated glutamate release, also significantly increased activity of both kinases, while the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein and the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor, KN62 (1-(N,O-bis[5-isoquinolinesulfonyl]-N-methyl-tyrosyl)-4-phenylpiperax ine) decreased K(+)-stimulated, Ca2(+)-dependent release of glutamate. K(+)-stimulated release of glutamate was significantly decreased in hippocampal synaptosomes prepared from aged, compared to young, animals. In parallel with these changes in release, we report an age-related decrease in activities of both protein tyrosine kinase and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. We conclude that these kinases play a role in modulating release of glutamate in hippocampus and that the age-related decrease in glutamate release may be partly due to an age-related decrease in kinase activities.

Comparative actions of synthetic omega-grammotoxin SIA and synthetic omega-Aga-IVA on neuronal calcium entry and evoked release of neurotransmitters in vitro and in vivo

The effects of synthetic omega-grammotoxin SIA (omega-GsTxSIA) and synthetic omega-Aga-IVA were tested in in vitro and in vivo neurochemical assays that are reflective of voltage-sensitive calcium channel function. Synthetic omega-GsTx SIA inhibited K(+)-evoked rat and chick synaptosomal 45Ca2+ flux, K(+)-evoked release of [3H]D-aspartate and [3H]norepinephrine from rat hippocampal brain slices and K(+)-evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine from chick cortical brain slices with potency values that were comparable to those found previously with omega-GsTx SIA purified from the venom of the tarantula spider Grammostola spatulata. These results indicate that trace contaminants do not account for the pharmacology of purified omega-GsTx SIA. omega-GsTx SIA caused a complete inhibition of rat synaptosomal 45Ca2+ flux and hippocampal slice [3H]D-aspartate release, whereas omega-Aga-IVA caused a maximal inhibition of approx 75%. omega-GsTx SIA and omega-Aga-IVA caused an identical partial inhibition of K(+)-evoked increases of intracellular calcium in cortical neurons in primary culture. The addition of nitrendipine to either omega-GsTx SIA or omega-Aga-IVA resulted in an additive and virtually complete inhibition of the cortical neuron intracellular calcium response. In in vivo microdialysis studies, the K(+)-evoked release of glutamate from hippocampus of awake freely moving rats was inhibited with the following rank order of potency: omega-conotoxin GVIA > omega-GsTx SIA > omega-Aga-IVA. Complete inhibition of K(+)-evoked hippocampal glutamate release was observed with 300 nM omega-conotoxin GVIA and 3 microM omega-GsTx SIA. In urethane anesthetized rats, omega-CgTx GVIA caused a partial inhibition, whereas omega-GsTx SIA caused a concentration-dependent and complete inhibition, of basal serotonin release in the hippocampus. Therefore, omega-GsTx SIA was shown to inhibit responses that are sensitive to omega-conotoxin GVIA, omega-Aga-IVA and omega-conotoxin MVIIC, consistent with the notion that omega-GsTx SIA inhibits N-, P- and Q-type high threshold voltage-sensitive calcium channels.

Age-related changes in the uptake and release of glutamate and aspartate in the mouse brain

The studies were carried out on 3- and 7-day, 3-, 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month-old mice. The levels of glutamate and aspartate increased in most brain areas in developing mice and then decreased gradually during ageing, the changes depending, however, on the brain region. The maximal velocity (V) of high-affinity uptake of [3H]glutamate was markedly reduced in cerebral cortical synaptosomes at the age of 24 months, indicating an age-related loss in the number of transport sites. The transport constant (Km) was also diminished in aged mice, indicating a compensatory increase in the affinity of the remaining transport sites. The basal and K(+)-stimulated (50 mM) release of endogenous glutamate and aspartate varied depending on the brain region. The responses to K+ stimulation generally increased during maturation, whereas the other age-related changes were more variable. The basal unstimulated release of glutamate remained fairly constant in the cerebral cortex during ageing, but K+ depolarization liberated more glutamate in 24-month-olds than in 3-month-olds. The decreased uptake capacity together with an increased release of glutamate may contribute to the degenerative changes associated with normal brain ageing and also to the pathogenesis of age-related neurodegenerative disorders.

Glucose deprivation increases aspartic acid release from synaptosomes of aged mice

To investigate the possible existence of age-related changes in excitatory amino acid release in brain, and the influence of glucose deprivation on this process, we have determined the release of endogenous aspartate and glutamate from synaptosomes freshly isolated from the cerebrum of young (12 months old) and aged (24 months old) mice. We found that there are no age-related changes in the synaptosomal release of aspartic and glutamic acids. However, in the absence of glucose in the medium of incubation aspartate and glutamate release was higher in old than in young animals (P < 0.05, and P = 0.09 respectively). Our results suggest that the ability of cerebral synaptosomes to release glutamate and aspartate remains functionally intact in old cerebrum, but there is an age-dependent dysfunction in this process linked to energy metabolism disturbances.

Regulation of D-aspartate release by glutamate and GABA receptors in cerebral cortical slices from developing and ageing mice

The basal release of D-[3H]aspartate, an unmetabolized analogue of glutamate, from cerebral cortical slices remained at the same level from three-day-old to 24-month-old mice, but the response to K+ stimulation (50 mM) was smaller in young than in adult or aged mice. Kainate, N-methyl-D-aspartate and quisqualate (0.1 mM) stimulated the basal release of D-aspartate in the cerebral cortex of seven-day-old mice, the effects of kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate being reduced by their antagonists 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and dizocilpine maleate, respectively, indicating that in the immature cerebral cortex the kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate types of the glutamate receptor are involved in the basal release. The K(+)-stimulated release was not affected by glutamate agonists in developing mice, though they markedly attenuated the evoked release in adults. The inhibitory amino acids GABA, taurine and glycine depressed the K(+)-stimulated release only in the adult cerebral cortex. The action of GABA was abolished by bicuculline, demonstrating the involvement of presynaptic GABAA receptors. The glycine effect was strychnine-insensitive, characteristic of the glycine modulatory site in the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. This kind of regulation by both kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors could be of physiological significance, particularly in the immature cerebral cortex.

The release and uptake of excitatory amino acids in rat brain: effect of aging and oxidative stress

The excitatory amino acids (EAAs) L-aspartate and L-glutamate constitute the major neurotransmitters in the mammalian brain. This study established the influence of aging and oxidative stress on the release and uptake of EAAs. The high affinity uptake of D-[3H]aspartate in synaptosomal fractions of the neostriatum, hippocampus, and neocortex was not significantly different in Fisher 344/Norwegian Brown hybrid rats aged 3, 12, 24, and 37 months. Similarly, the K(+)-evoked efflux of endogenous aspartate and glutamate from neocortical minislices was also unaffected by age. To examine the possibility that EAA nerve terminals become more vulnerable to oxidative stress with age, the influence of an inhibitor of the electron transport chain (sodium cyanide) on EAA uptake and release was determined. Although cyanide inhibited D-[3H]aspartate uptake and potentiated the potassium-evoked efflux of aspartate and glutamate in a Ca(2+)-independent fashion, neither of these changes were influenced by age. Thus, the functional integrity of EAA nerve terminals and their vulnerability to oxidative stress are both preserved in normal aging. The potency of cyanide to inhibit D-[3H]aspartate uptake did, however, display regional variability: hippocampus > neocortex > neostriatum (IC50 = 1.2 +/- 0.2 mM, 1.9 +/- 0.1 mM and 2.7 +/- 0.2 mM, respectively), suggesting that EAA nerve terminals in the hippocampus may be selectively vulnerable to oxidative stress.

Ammonia regulation of phosphate-activated glutaminase displays regional variation and impairment in the brain of aged rats

The regulation of PAG by ammonia in whole brain (Sprague-Dawley) and regional (Fischer-344) synaptosomal preparations from adult and aged animals was assessed. Whole brain synaptosomal preparations from both age groups displayed a significant decrease in PAG activity with increasing ammonium chloride concentrations, however, the aged rats exhibited a significant attenuation in ammonia-induced PAG inhibition. PAG activity measured in synaptosomes prepared from the striatum (STR), temporal cortex (TCX) and hippocampus (HIPP) was also inhibited by ammonium chloride. The STR showed the greatest degree of ammonia-induced PAG inhibition (55%) followed by the HIPP (30-35%) and the TCX (25-30%). This reduction in PAG activity was significantly attenuated in STR from aged rats at ammonium chloride concentrations greater than 50 microM and in the TCX, PAG activity was significantly attenuated in the aged rats at ammonia concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 mM. Ammonia regulation of PAG activity in the HIPP appeared to be unaffected by age. Ammonium chloride concentrations up to 5 mM had no effect on GLU release from cortical slices, although GLN efflux was significantly enhanced. These findings suggest that isozymes of PAG may exist in different brain regions based on their differential sensitivity to ammonia. The attenuation of ammonia-induced PAG inhibition seen in aged rats may have deleterious effects in the aged brain.

Kainic acid-induced seizures in aged rats: neurochemical correlates

This study was conducted to assess the functional integrity of the kainate receptor-mediated seizure response in aged rats. Kainic acid was administered systemically to aged female Long-Evans (LE) rats and aged male F344 rats and the proconvulsant actions of kainic acid was compared to adult controls. The effects of kainic acid on brain regional content of monoamines and amino acids was also determined in the aged female LE and adult control rats. The latency to full clonic-tonic seizures was significantly reduced in aged female LE rats, and the number of seizures was significantly increased above that of the controls. There was increased mortality and a reduction in the latency to exhibit wet dog shakes in the aged F344 rats. Studies were also conducted to evaluate the role of ovarian hormones, route of administration, and dose of kainic acid in mediating the enhanced proconvulsant actions of kainic acid in aged rats. The neurochemical studies suggested that kainic acid significantly enhanced the release of ASP, GLU, and norepinephrine (NE) in the aged rats exhibiting clonic-tonic seizures. The adult rats given the same dose of kainic acid (15 mg/kg, IP) did not exhibit any significant change in brain content of monoamines or amino acids except for a reduction in mediobasal hypothalamic NE. An in vitro study was also conducted using brain slices from adult and aged F344 and it was found that aged rats released significantly more ASP than adults in response to kainic acid. These neurochemical findings were discussed in relation to previous studies of age-related alterations in excitatory amino acids (EAAs) and the role of EAA and NE in modulating limbic seizures. This study has clearly demonstrated that aged rats may be more susceptible to the excitotoxic action of EEAs acting through kainetic receptors.