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Hockley A, Berger JI, Smith PA, Palmer AR, Wallace MN. Nitric oxide regulates the firing rate of neuronal subtypes in the guinea pig ventral cochlear nucleus. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 51:963-983. [PMID: 31494975 PMCID: PMC7078996 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The gaseous free radical, nitric oxide (NO) acts as a ubiquitous neuromodulator, contributing to synaptic plasticity in a complex way that can involve either long term potentiation or depression. It is produced by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) which is presynaptically expressed and also located postsynaptically in the membrane and cytoplasm of a subpopulation of each major neuronal type in the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN). We have used iontophoresis in vivo to study the effect of the NOS inhibitor L-NAME (L-NG-Nitroarginine methyl ester) and the NO donors SIN-1 (3-Morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride) and SNOG (S-Nitrosoglutathione) on VCN units under urethane anaesthesia. Collectively, both donors produced increases and decreases in driven and spontaneous firing rates of some neurones. Inhibition of endogenous NO production with L-NAME evoked a consistent increase in driven firing rates in 18% of units without much effect on spontaneous rate. This reduction of gain produced by endogenous NO was mirrored when studying the effect of L-NAME on NMDA(N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid)-evoked excitation, with 30% of units showing enhanced NMDA-evoked excitation during L-NAME application (reduced NO levels). Approximately 25% of neurones contain nNOS and the NO produced can modulate the firing rate of the main principal cells: medium stellates (choppers), large stellates (onset responses) and bushy cells (primary-like responses). The main endogenous role of NO seems to be to partly suppress driven firing rates associated with NMDA channel activity but there is scope for it to increase neural gain if there were a pathological increase in its production following hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Hockley
- Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing ResearchSchool of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Department of OtolaryngologyKresge Hearing Research InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Joel I. Berger
- Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing ResearchSchool of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of IowaIowa CityIAUSA
| | - Paul A. Smith
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Alan R. Palmer
- Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing ResearchSchool of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Hearing SciencesSchool of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Mark N. Wallace
- Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing ResearchSchool of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Hearing SciencesSchool of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
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Gambino G, Allegra M, Sardo P, Attanzio A, Tesoriere L, Livrea MA, Ferraro G, Carletti F. Brain Distribution and Modulation of Neuronal Excitability by Indicaxanthin From Opuntia Ficus Indica Administered at Nutritionally-Relevant Amounts. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:133. [PMID: 29867444 PMCID: PMC5954040 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have recently investigated the role of nutraceuticals in complex pathophysiological processes such as oxidative damages, inflammatory conditions and excitotoxicity. In this regard, the effects of nutraceuticals on basic functions of neuronal cells, such as excitability, are still poorly investigated. For this reason, the possible modulation of neuronal excitability by phytochemicals (PhC) could represent an interesting field of research given that excitotoxicity phenomena are involved in neurodegenerative alterations leading, for example, to Alzheimer’s disease. The present study was focused on indicaxanthin from Opuntia ficus indica, a bioactive betalain pigment, with a proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, previously found to cross blood-brain barrier (BBB) and to modulate the bioelectric activity of hippocampal neurons. On this basis, we aimed at detecting the specific brain areas where indicaxanthin localizes after oral administration at dietary-achievable amounts and highlighting eventual local effects on the excitability of single neuronal units. HPLC analysis of brain tissue 1 h after ingestion of 2 μmol/kg indicaxanthin indicated that the phytochemical accumulates in cortex, hippocampus, diencephalon, brainstem and cerebellum, but not in the striato-pallidal complex. Then, electrophysiological recordings, applying the microiontophoretic technique, were carried out with different amounts of indicaxanthin (0.34, 0.17, 0.085 ng/neuron) to assess whether indicaxanthin influenced the neuronal firing rate. The data showed that the bioelectric activity of neurons belonging to different brain areas was modulated after local injection of indicaxanthin, mainly with dose-related responses. A predominating inhibitory effect was observed, suggesting a possible novel beneficial effect of indicaxanthin in reducing cell excitability. These findings can constitute a new rationale for exploring biological mechanisms through which PhC could modulate neuronal function with a relapse on complex cognitive brain process and related neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuditta Gambino
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience (Bio.Ne.C.), Sezione di Fisiologia Umana G. Pagano, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Allegra
- Post-graduate School of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Sardo
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience (Bio.Ne.C.), Sezione di Fisiologia Umana G. Pagano, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Post-graduate School of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Attanzio
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luisa Tesoriere
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria A Livrea
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ferraro
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience (Bio.Ne.C.), Sezione di Fisiologia Umana G. Pagano, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Post-graduate School of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio Carletti
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience (Bio.Ne.C.), Sezione di Fisiologia Umana G. Pagano, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Allegra M, Carletti F, Gambino G, Tutone M, Attanzio A, Tesoriere L, Ferraro G, Sardo P, Almerico AM, Livrea MA. Indicaxanthin from Opuntia ficus-indica Crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier and Modulates Neuronal Bioelectric Activity in Rat Hippocampus at Dietary-Consistent Amounts. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2015; 63:7353-7360. [PMID: 26227670 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Indicaxanthin is a bioactive and bioavailable betalain pigment from the Opuntia ficus-indica fruits. In this in vivo study, kinetic measurements showed that indicaxanthin is revealed in the rat brain within 1 h from oral administration of 2 μmol/kg, an amount compatible with a dietary consumption of cactus pear fruits in humans. A peak (20 ± 2.4 ng of indicaxanthin per whole brain) was measured after 2.5 h; thereafter the molecule disappeared with first order kinetics within 4 h. The potential of indicaxanthin to affect neural activities was in vivo investigated by a microiontophoretic approach. Indicaxanthin, administered in a range between 0.085 ng and 0.34 ng per neuron, dose-dependently modulated the rate of discharge of spontaneously active neurons of the hippocampus, with reduction of the discharge and related changes of latency and duration of the effect. Indicaxanthin (0.34 ng/neuron) showed inhibitory effects on glutamate-induced excitation, indicating activity at the level of glutamatergic synapses. A molecular target of indicaxanthin is suggested by in silico molecular modeling of indicaxanthin with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), the most represented of the glutamate receptor family in hippocampus. Therefore, at nutritionally compatible amounts indicaxanthin (i) crosses the rat BBB and accumulates in brain; (ii) can affect the bioelectric activity of hippocampal neurons locally treated with amounts comparable with those measured in the brain; and (iii) modulates glutamate-induced neuronal excitation. The potential of dietary indicaxanthin as a natural neuromodulatory agent deserves further mechanistic and neurophysiologic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Allegra
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo , Via M. Cipolla 74, 90121 Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio Carletti
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Sperimentale e Neuroscienze Cliniche, Sezione di Fisiologia Umana "G. Pagano", University of Palermo , Corso Tukory 129, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuditta Gambino
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Sperimentale e Neuroscienze Cliniche, Sezione di Fisiologia Umana "G. Pagano", University of Palermo , Corso Tukory 129, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Tutone
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo , Via M. Cipolla 74, 90121 Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Attanzio
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo , Via M. Cipolla 74, 90121 Palermo, Italy
| | - Luisa Tesoriere
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo , Via M. Cipolla 74, 90121 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ferraro
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Sperimentale e Neuroscienze Cliniche, Sezione di Fisiologia Umana "G. Pagano", University of Palermo , Corso Tukory 129, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Sardo
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Sperimentale e Neuroscienze Cliniche, Sezione di Fisiologia Umana "G. Pagano", University of Palermo , Corso Tukory 129, 90134 Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Almerico
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo , Via M. Cipolla 74, 90121 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Antonia Livrea
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo , Via M. Cipolla 74, 90121 Palermo, Italy
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Kisucká A, Hricová Ľ, Pavel J, Strosznajder JB, Chalimoniuk M, Langfort J, Gálik J, Maršala M, Radoňak J, Lukáčová N. Baclofen or nNOS inhibitor affect molecular and behavioral alterations evoked by traumatic spinal cord injury in rat spinal cord. Spine J 2015; 15:1366-78. [PMID: 25151131 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2014.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT The loss of descending control after spinal cord injury (SCI) and incessant stimulation of Ia monosynaptic pathway, carrying proprioceptive impulses from the muscles and tendons into the spinal cord, evoke exaggerated α-motoneuron activity leading to increased reflex response. Previous results from our laboratory have shown that Ia monosynaptic pathway is nitrergic. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to find out whether nitric oxide produced by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) plays a role in setting the excitability of α-motoneurons after thoracic spinal cord transection. STUDY DESIGN We tested the hypothesis that the inhibition of nNOS in α-motoneurons after SCI could have a neuroprotective effect on reflex response. METHODS Rats underwent spinal cord transection at Th10 level followed by 7, 10, and 14 days of survival. The animals were treated with Baclofen (a gamma aminobutyric acid B receptor agonist, 3 μg/two times per day/intrathecally) applied for 3 days from the seventh day after transection; N-nitro-l-arginine (NNLA) (nNOS blocator) applied for the first 3 days after injury (20 mg/kg per day, intramuscularly); NNLA and Baclofen; or NNLA (60 mg/kg/day, single dose) applied on the 10th day after transection. We detected the changes in the level of nNOS protein, nNOS messenger RNA, and nNOS immunoreactivity. To investigate the reflex response to heat-induced stimulus, tail-flick test was monitored in treated animals up to 16 days after SCI. RESULTS Our data indicate that Baclofen therapy is more effective than the combined treatment with NNLA and Baclofen therapy. The single dose of NNLA (60 mg/kg) applied on the 10th day after SCI or Baclofen therapy reduced nNOS expression in α-motoneurons and suppressed symptoms of increased reflex activity. CONCLUSIONS The results clearly show that increased nNOS expression in α-motoneurons after SCI may be pharmacologically modifiable with Baclofen or bolus dose of nNOS blocker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kisucká
- Department of Neurodegeneration, Plasticity and Repair, Institute of Neurobiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4, Košice 040 01, Slovakia
| | - Ľudmila Hricová
- Department of Neurodegeneration, Plasticity and Repair, Institute of Neurobiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4, Košice 040 01, Slovakia
| | - Jaroslav Pavel
- Department of Neurodegeneration, Plasticity and Repair, Institute of Neurobiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4, Košice 040 01, Slovakia
| | - Joanna B Strosznajder
- Department of Cellular Signaling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Chalimoniuk
- Department of Cellular Signaling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jozef Langfort
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ján Gálik
- Department of Neurodegeneration, Plasticity and Repair, Institute of Neurobiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4, Košice 040 01, Slovakia
| | - Martin Maršala
- Department of Neurodegeneration, Plasticity and Repair, Institute of Neurobiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4, Košice 040 01, Slovakia; Anesthesiology Research Laboratory, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jozef Radoňak
- First Department of Surgery, University Hospital and Safarik University, SNP Street 1, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Nadežda Lukáčová
- Department of Neurodegeneration, Plasticity and Repair, Institute of Neurobiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4, Košice 040 01, Slovakia.
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Muoio V, Persson PB, Sendeski MM. The neurovascular unit - concept review. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2014; 210:790-8. [PMID: 24629161 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 340] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Revised: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The cerebral hyperaemia is one of the fundamental mechanisms for the central nervous system homeostasis. Due also to this mechanism, oxygen and nutrients are maintained in satisfactory levels, through vasodilation and vasoconstriction. The brain hyperaemia, or coupling, is accomplished by a group of cells, closely related to each other; called neurovascular unit (NVU). The neurovascular unit is composed by neurones, astrocytes, endothelial cells of blood-brain barrier (BBB), myocytes, pericytes and extracellular matrix components. These cells, through their intimate anatomical and chemical relationship, detect the needs of neuronal supply and trigger necessary responses (vasodilation or vasoconstriction) for such demands. Here, we review the concepts of NVU, the coupling mechanisms and research strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Muoio
- Institut für Vegetative Physiologie; Charite- Universisitätmedizin Berlin; Berlin Germany
| | - P. B. Persson
- Institut für Vegetative Physiologie; Charite- Universisitätmedizin Berlin; Berlin Germany
| | - M. M. Sendeski
- Institut für Vegetative Physiologie; Charite- Universisitätmedizin Berlin; Berlin Germany
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Kostin A, McGinty D, Szymusiak R, Alam MN. Sleep-wake and diurnal modulation of nitric oxide in the perifornical-lateral hypothalamic area: real-time detection in freely behaving rats. Neuroscience 2013; 254:275-84. [PMID: 24056193 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Revised: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in the regulation of sleep. The perifornical-lateral hypothalamic area (PF-LHA) is a key wake-promoting region and contains neurons that are active during behavioral or cortical activation. Recently, we found higher levels of NO metabolites (NOx), an indirect measure of NO levels, in the PF-LHA during prolonged waking (SD). However, NO is highly reactive and diffuses rapidly and the NOx assay is not sensitive enough to detect rapid-changes in NO levels across spontaneous sleep-waking states. We used a novel Nafion®-modified Platinum (NF-PT) electrode for real-time detection of NO levels in the PF-LHA across sleep-wake cycles, dark-light phases, and during SD. Sprague-Dawley male rats were surgically prepared for chronic sleep-wake recording and implantation of NF-PT electrode into the PF-LHA. Electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyogram (EMG), and electrochemical current generated by NF-PT electrode were continuously acquired for 5-7days including one day with 3h of SD. In the PF-LHA, NO levels exhibited a waking>rapid eye movement (REM)>non-rapid eye movement (nonREM) sleep pattern (0.56±0.03μM>0.47±0.02μM>0.42±0.02μM; p<0.01). NO levels were also higher during the dark- as compared to the light-phase (0.53±0.03μM vs. 0.44±0.02μM; p<0.01). NO levels increased during 3h of SD as compared to undisturbed control (0.58±0.04μM vs. 0.47±0.01μM; p<0.05). The findings indicate that in the PF-LHA, NO is produced during behavioral or cortical activation. Since elevated levels of NO inhibits most of the PF-LHA neurons that are active during cortical activation, these findings support a hypothesis that NO produced in conjunction with the activation of PF-LHA neurons during waking/SD, inhibits the same neuronal population to promote sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kostin
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Sepulveda, CA 91343, USA
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Kostin A, McGinty D, Szymusiak R, Alam M. Mechanisms mediating effects of nitric oxide on perifornical lateral hypothalamic neurons. Neuroscience 2012; 220:179-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2012] [Revised: 05/31/2012] [Accepted: 06/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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