Mg2+ reduces N-methyl-D-aspartate neurotoxicity in embryonic chick neural retina in vitro

Cellular Signaling in Müller Glia: Progenitor Cells for Regenerative and Neuroprotective Responses in Pharmacological Models of Retinal Degeneration

Retinal degenerative diseases are a leading cause of visual impairment or blindness. There are many therapies for delaying the progression of vision loss but no curative strategies currently. Stimulating intrinsic neuronal regeneration is a potential approach to therapy in retinal degenerative diseases. In contrast to stem cells, as embryonic/pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal progenitor cell or mesenchymal stem cells, Müller glia provided an endogenous cellular source for regenerative therapy in the retina. Müller glia are a major component of the retina and considerable evidence suggested these cells can be induced to produce the lost neurons in several species. Understanding the specific characteristic of Müller glia to generate lost neurons will inspire an attractive and alternative therapeutic strategy for treating visual impairment with regenerative research. This review briefly provides the different signal transduction mechanisms which are underlying Müller cell-mediated neuroprotection and neuron regeneration and discusses recent advances about regeneration from Müller glia-derived progenitors.

The effects of excitatory amino acids and their transporters on function and structure of the distal retina in albino rabbits

PURPOSE

To study the physiological and pathological roles of excitatory amino acid transporters in the distal retina of albino rabbits.

METHODS

Albino rabbits were injected intravitreally in one eye with different doses of L- or D-isomers of glutamate or aspartate, with mixtures of L-glutamate and antagonists to glutamate receptors or with inhibitors of glutamate transporters. The other eye was injected with saline, and served as a control. The electroretinogram (ERG) was recorded 4 h and 2 weeks after injection. At the end of the ERG follow-up period, retinas were prepared for light microscopy.

RESULTS

The ERG b-wave was reduced and the a-wave augmented by both isomers of EAAs when tested 4 h after injection. Long-term (2-week) follow-up indicated severe damage to the retina by both isomers of EAAs. Antagonists to glutamate-gated ionic channels failed to protect the rabbit distal retina from permanent damage. Competitive inhibitors of GLAST-1 transporter were highly effective in blocking synaptic transmission in the OPL and in inducing permanent ERG deficit. Selective inhibition of the GLT-1 transporter caused short-term augmentation of the ERG and no permanent ERG deficit.

CONCLUSION

GLAST-1, the glutamate transporter of Müller cells, plays a major role in synaptic transmission within the OPL of the rabbit retina. Over-activation of GLAST-1 seems to induce permanent damage to the distal rabbit retina via yet unidentified mechanism.

Neuroprotective effect of atrial natriuretic peptide against NMDA-induced neurotoxicity in the rat retina

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) can regulate aqueous humor production in the eye and has recently been suggested to play some functional roles in the retina. It has also been reported that ANP increases tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA levels and intracellular dopamine levels in PC12 cells. The effect of ANP on TH levels and the role of ANP in retinal excitotoxicity remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of ANP on TH expression and dopamine levels in rat retina after intravitreal injection of NMDA. Immunohistochemistry localized natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPRA) in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), the inner nuclear layer (INL) and the outer nuclear layer (ONL) in the rat retina. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis showed a dramatic reduction in retinal TH levels 5 days after NMDA injection, while ANP, at a concentration of 10(-4) M, ameliorated this reduction in TH mRNA and TH protein levels. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that NMDA reduced dopamine levels in the retina, and that ANP attenuated this reduction. Moreover, morphological analysis showed that ANP ameliorated NMDA-induced neurotoxicity through NPRA. The ameliorative effect of ANP was inhibited by a dopamine D(1) receptor antagonist. These results suggest that ANP may have a neuroprotective effect through possible involvement of dopamine induction.

Possible contraindications and adverse reactions associated with the use of ocular nutritional supplements

The role of oxidation in the development of age-related eye disease has prompted interest in the use of nutritional supplementation for prevention of onset and progression. Our aim is to highlight possible contraindications and adverse reactions of isolated or high dose ocular nutritional supplements. Web of Science and PubMed database searches were carried out, followed by a manual search of the bibliographies of retrieved articles. Vitamin A should be avoided in women who may become pregnant, in those with liver disease, and in people who drink heavily. Relationships have been found between vitamin A and reduced bone mineral density, and beta-carotene and increased risk of lung cancer in smoking males. Vitamin E and Ginkgo biloba have anticoagulant and anti-platelet effects respectively, and high doses are contraindicated in those being treated for vascular disorders. Those patients with contraindications or who are considered at risk of adverse reactions should be advised to seek specialist dietary advice via their medical practitioner.

Nuclear factor-kappa B p65 in NMDA-induced retinal neurotoxicity

Transcription factors of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB)/Rel family may be involved in neuronal cell death or survival. We examined the role of NF-kappaB p65 in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced neurotoxicity in the rat retina. Western blot analysis showed that elevated levels of retinal NF-kappaB p65 protein at days 1 and 5 after intravitreal NMDA injection. Immunohistochemistry localized increased NF-kappaB p65 immunoreactivity in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and the inner nuclear layer (INL) after NMDA injection especially in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), displaced amacrine cells, and amacrine cells. Concomitant with the early increase in NF-kappaB p65 protein levels, there was an increase in NF-kappaB DNA binding activity after NMDA injection as shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). These increases in NF-kappaB p65 protein levels and NF-kappaB DNA binding activity were totally abolished by simultaneous injection of NF-kappaB p65 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS ODN). A partial but significant protective effect on the inner retina was noted when the AS ODN was given together with NMDA as shown by morphological analysis, morphometry of cells in the GCL and morphometry of inner plexiform layer thickness as well as quantitative real-time PCR of Thy-1 mRNA levels. These results suggest that activated NF-kappaB p65 may participate in NMDA-induced retinal neuronal cell death and that inhibition of NF-kappaB activation such as the use of AS ODN may be a viable neuroprotective strategy for protective RGCs and other inner retinal neurons.

Involvement of RhoA and possible neuroprotective effect of fasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor, in NMDA-induced neurotoxicity in the rat retina

RhoA, a key protein involved in cytoskeleton regulation modulating neurogenesis and neural plasticity, has been implicated in a variety of cellular functions including the modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activity. We examined its possible involvement in NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in the retina, and evaluated the neuroprotective effect of fasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor, in this model of neurotoxicity. RhoA protein levels in NMDA-treated retinas were assessed by Western blot analysis and localized by immunohistochemistry. Fasudil (10(-6)-10(-4) M together with 4 x 10(-2) M NMDA) was given intravitreally and its effect was evaluated by counting the number of cells in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), measuring the thickness of the inner plexiform layer (IPL), and measuring retinal Thy-1 mRNA levels at 5 days after injection. Western blot analysis showed a transient increase in the level of retinal RhoA and ROCKII proteins at 1 day after NMDA injection, and that this increment was significantly prevented by simultaneous injection of fasudil. Immunohistochemistry showed that NMDA induced a substantial increase in RhoA immunoreactivity in the GCL and the IPL. Fasudil injection reduced cell loss in the GCL and the reduction in IPL thickness after NMDA injection. The reduction in Thy-1 mRNA levels by NMDA was also significantly attenuated by concomitant injection of fasudil. These results suggest that RhoA and ROCKII are upregulated and may be involved in NMDA-induced retinal neurotoxicity, and that fasudil is neuroprotective against glutamate-related excitotoxicity.

Neuroprotective effect of nitric oxide against NMDA-induced neurotoxicity in the rat retina is associated with tyrosine hydroxylase expression

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) may affect dopaminergic cells, which contain tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis. To clarify the involvement of TH in the neuroprotective effects of nitric oxide (NO), we investigated whether NMDA alters TH mRNA and TH protein levels and whether NO inhibits NMDA-induced changes in the rat retina. Dopamine levels in the retina were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR showed that intravitreal injection of NMDA caused a significant reduction in TH mRNA levels in the retina. Similarly, Western blot analysis showed that NMDA decreased the production of TH protein. These reductions in TH mRNA and TH protein levels were attenuated by concomitant injection of NOC 18, an NO donor. HPLC analysis showed that NMDA reduced dopamine levels in the retina and that NO attenuated this reduction. Furthermore, morphological analysis showed that NO prevents NMDA-induced neurotoxicity through dopamine D(1) receptors. These results suggest that the neuroprotective effect of NO may be associated with the induction of TH expression and increased levels of dopamine.

Corneal changes in magnesium-deficient rats

PURPOSE

The purpose of the current study is to investigate the cornea in magnesium (Mg) deficiency and elucidate the local function of trace elements.

METHODS

After delivery, mother Wistar Kyoto rats were fed a low Mg diet containing 0.1 mg Mg/100 g diet with all other nutrients and distilled and deionized water. Infant rats were suckled by their mothers for 21 days and then fed the same Mg-deficient diet. Control mother rats were fed commercial rat pellets containing 24 mg Mg/100 g diet and all other nutrients. The corneas were examined by electron microscopy at 6 weeks of age.

RESULTS

In the Mg-deficient rats, serum Mg levels were significantly lower and calcium (Ca) levels higher than in the control rats. The corneas of Mg-deficient rats showed decreased microvilli and microplicae in the epithelial cells of the most superficial layer, increased mitochondria with abnormal shapes in the basal cells in the epithelium, condensed chromatin in the nuclei of the basal cells, and high density deposits and macrophage-like cells in the subepithelium of the stroma. Mg-deficient rats had pentagonal and square endothelial cells.

CONCLUSION

Since Mg2+ has biologic functions including structural stabilization of protein, nucleic acids, and cell membranes, Mg deficiency may induce changes in the corneal surface and nuclei of corneal epithelial and endothelial cells. These disturbances may interfere with protection from infections, foreign bodies, dryness, and direct exposure to air. Thus, Mg is essential for the cornea to maintain normal structure and function.

Effects of magnesium administration on brain edema and blood-brain barrier breakdown after experimental traumatic brain injury in rats

In this study, we examined the effects of magnesium sulfate administration on brain edema and blood-brain barrier breakdown after experimental traumatic brain injury in rats. Seventy-one adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized, and experimental closed head trauma was induced by allowing a 450-g weight to fall from a 2-m height onto a metallic disk fixed to the intact skull. Sixty-eight surviving rats were randomly assigned to receive an intraperitoneal bolus of either 750 micromol/kg magnesium sulfate (group 4; n = 30) or 1 mL of saline (group 2; n = 30) 30 minutes after induction of traumatic brain injury; 39 nontraumatized animals received saline (group 1; n = 21) or magnesium sulfate (group 3; n = 18) with an identical protocol of administration. Brain water content and brain tissue specific gravity, as indicators of brain edema, were measured 24 hours after traumatic brain injury. Blood-brain barrier integrity was evaluated quantitatively 24 hours after injury by spectrophotometric assay of Evans blue dye extravasations. In the magnesium-treated injured group, brain water content was significantly reduced (left hemisphere: group 2, 83.2 +/- 0.8; group 4, 78.4 +/- 0.7 [P <.05]; right hemisphere: group 2, 83.1 +/- 0.7; group 4, 78.4 +/- 0.5. [P <.05]) and brain tissue specific gravity was significantly increased (left hemisphere: group 2, 1.0391 +/- 0.0008; group 4, 1.0437 +/- 0.001 [P <.05]; right hemisphere, group 2, 1.0384 +/- 0.001; group 4, 1.0442 +/- 0.005 [P <.05]) compared with the saline-treated injured group. Evans blue dye content in the brain tissue was significantly decreased in the magnesium-treated injured group (left hemisphere: group 2, 0.0204 +/- 0.03; group 4, 0.0013 +/- 0.0002 [P <.05]; right hemisphere: group 2, 0.0064 +/- 0.0009; group 4, 0.0013 +/- 0.0003 [P <.05]) compared with the saline-treated injured group. The findings of the present study support that beneficial effects of magnesium sulfate exist after severe traumatic brain injury in rats. These results also indicate that a blood-brain barrier permeability defect occurs after this model of diffuse traumatic brain injury, and magnesium seems to attenuate this defect.

Transient down-regulation of NMDA receptor subunit gene expression in the rat retina following NMDA-induced neurotoxicity is attenuated in the presence of the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801

Excitotoxic challenge has been thought to directly target NMDA-receptive neurons to undergo cell death. Recent evidence suggests that NMDA induced cell death is a selective process and that the specificity may be determined by the subunit composition of the NMDA receptor. Using a rat retinal model, we examined the effects of NMDA induced neurotoxicity on the regulation of NMDA receptor subunit gene and protein expression levels to determine if excitotoxic challenge preferentially regulates one or more of the NMDA receptor subunits. Following NMDA insult, the mRNA levels for NR1(com ), NR2A, NR2B and, to a lesser extent, the NR2C subunit were substantially reduced within 24 hr post-treatment (PT), and remained depressed for up to 48 hr. Levels for NR2D, although initially suppressed as early as 6 hr-PT, were least affected by NMDA insult and showed almost full recovery by 48 hr. By 10 days, the levels of gene expression for all five subunits recovered to levels that were indistinguishable from sham treated and untreated retinas. Co-administration of MK-801 with NMDA suppressed the effects of NMDA-induced down-regulation of all five genes. Protein levels for NR1(com ), NR2A and NR2B were also monitored at select time points following NMDA-insult. By 2 days-PT, protein levels for the three subunits were dramatically reduced. By day 10, the levels of protein expression for NR1(com)and NR2B remained suppressed despite the rise in gene expression for these two subunits, whereas protein for NR2A showed a substantial rise in expression. Of the five genes assayed, NR2A and NR2B showed the greatest reduction in expression following NMDA treatment, suggesting that one or both of these subunit may signal events leading to neuronal cell death in the retina. Conversely, gene expression of the NR2D subunit was least affected by NMDA exposure. In view of the evidence that the NR2D subunit is expressed by rod bipolar cells in the rat and that these neurons do not die following NMDA insult, it appears that inclusion of this subunit into functional receptors may provide protection against NMDA-induced cell death. Although the significance of the transient down-regulation of four out of the five NMDA receptor subunits is still not fully understood, the recovery of expression of these genes by day 10-PT indicates that not all of the NMDA receptive neurons are susceptible to NMDA-induced cell death. The preferential down-regulation of the NR2A and NR2B receptor subunits may implicate these subunits as key players in mediating the excitotoxic signal in the retina and possibly elsewhere in the brain.

Retinal changes in magnesium-deficient rats

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the retina in magnesium (Mg) deficiency and elucidate the local functions of trace elements. After delivery, mother Wistar Kyoto rats were fed a low Mg diet containing 0.1 mg Mg per 100 g diet with all other nutrients and distilled and deionized water. Infant rats were suckled by their mother rats for 21 days and then fed the same Mg-deficient diet. Control mother rats were fed commercial rat pellets containing 24 mg Mg per 100 g diet and all other nutrients. The retinas were examined by electron microscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) microscopy at 6 weeks of age. In the Mg-deficient rats serum Mg levels were significantly lower and calcium (Ca) levels higher than in the control rats. The retinas of Mg-deficient rats showed multifocal necrosis in the pigment epithelial cells; photoreceptor cell outer segments were deformed near the necrotic cells, and some pigment epithelial cells contained many lamellar bodies. Many photoreceptor cell nuclei showed pyknotic (apoptosis-like) changes. SIMS images showed lower Mg concentration throughout the retina of the Mg-deficient rats, and the ratio of Ca to Mg concentration was significantly higher than in the control rats. Mg deficiency induces multifocal necrosis in the retinal pigment epithelial cells and pyknotic (apoptosis-like) changes in the photoreceptor cell nuclei. The changes in Mg-deficient retinas may be due to an imbalance in the distribution of Mg and Ca trace elements.

A behavioral model of excitotoxicity: retinal degeneration, loss of vision, and subsequent recovery after intraocular NMDA administration in adult rats

To establish a new behavioral animal model of excitotoxicity, we injected adult rats intraocularly with a single dose of 2, 20, or 100 nmol of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). We quantified visual impairment by plotting the size of the visual field in which the rats successfully oriented towards a small, moving target. In comparison to the saline-injected (contralateral) control side, the side injected with 2 nmol of NMDA was not significantly impaired. When injected with higher doses, the rats were nearly blind immediately after surgery, with only about 20% (20 nmol NMDA) or 10% (100 nmol NMDA) of residual vision. Within about 3 weeks, however, visual performance returned to near-normal levels. Simultaneous intraocular administration of a non-competitive NMDA-antagonist, MK-801 (1 nmol), resulted in complete behavioral protection. NMDA administration led to a dose-dependent loss of cells within the ganglion cell layer, as assessed in whole-mounted retinae which were retrogradely labelled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Whereas 2 nmol of NMDA led to the loss of about 30% of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), at higher NMDA doses only 13% of the RGCs survived. After the injection of 20 nmol of NMDA, large-diameter RGCs (> 22 microns) survived the lesion to a greater extent than small diameter cells (8-21 microns); at 100 nmol cells of all diameters were equally affected. The number of Nissl-stained cells with small diameters (< 11 microns), presumed to be displaced amacrine cells, was also affected by NMDA, although to a lesser degree. Analysis of behavioral performance (vision score) and the number of cells in the retina revealed a correlation of r = 0.76 between visual performance and the number of HRP-filled RGCs immediately after surgery. Lower correlations were found between visual performance and cells stained with Nissl of diameters smaller than 11 microns (presumed RGCs without retinofugal connections; r = 0.55 and r = 0.58, respectively). Because of the spontaneous recovery of vision, all correlations declined to values near 0 after 3 weeks. Thus, despite a dramatic loss of RGCs following NMDA administration, visual deficits recover significantly in adult rats within 2-3 weeks.

Transient cerebral ischemia disrupts performance on a one-trial passive avoidance task in the domestic chick and is associated with neuronal degeneration in the central nervous system

We have examined the effects of transient cerebral ischemia on performance of a one-trial passive avoidance task by chicks. Transient forebrain ischemia was induced by bilateral carotid artery occlusion for a period of 10 min. In one experimental group, ischemia was produced prior to training on the avoidance task whereas in the other group ischemic intervention was not made until 3 h after initial training. Sham-operated groups were matched to each of the experimental groups. All four groups were tested for retention of the avoidance response 24 h post-surgery. The sham-operated birds and those receiving post-training ischemia showed good retention of the avoidance response, whereas in birds which received ischemia prior to training there was significant amnesia. Neuronal damage, determined qualitatively using a silver impregnation method, was observed in several forebrain regions including the hippocampus, hyperstriatal regions, paleostriatum primitivum, ventral archistriatum, and lateral corticoid area. Damage was also observed in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. The behavioural and anatomical effects of transient forebrain ischemia have not been previously investigated in an avian species and the finding of significant amnesia for a learning task following ischemia is in good agreement with several behavioural studies in mammals.

Ischemic damage visualized in flat mounts of rat retina after photochemically induced thrombosis

The method of photochemically induced thrombosis was used to produce severe ischemia in the rat retina. Flat mounts of the retina were prepared at 3 h, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 22 days after lesioning and Nissl-stained, which facilitated the study of the topography of the ischemic lesions. The regional variability of ischemic damage and the cytological features of ischemic cell death in the ganglion cell layer were evaluated. Neuropathological analysis showed ischemic cell damage of ganglion cells at 3 h, an infarction-type lesion at 1 to 7 days, and scar formation at 3 weeks. As an additional parameter of ischemic ganglion cell death, the degeneration of retinal axons was visualized in the contralateral dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus by Fink-Heimer silver impregnation and by immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in reactive astrocytes.

Substance P injected into the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus causes antidiuresis through the release of arginine-vasopressin in water-loaded and ethanol-anesthetized rats

The effects of injection of substance P (SP) into the hypothalamic supraoptic vasopressinergic nucleus (SON) in water-loaded and ethanol-anesthetized rats were examined. Substance P and its analog [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]SP induced marked decreases in urine outflow, with a ED50 value of approx. 0.4 and 0.9 nmol, respectively. The antidiuresis of SP was inhibited by a prior injection of [D-Arg1, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]SP (spantide), an SP-receptor antagonist into the SON. After the injection of SP, urine osmotic pressure was increased by threefold, and the urine level of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) was elevated by 70-fold. The effects of SP and [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]SP were completely blocked by pretreatment with an intravenous injection of d(CH2)5-D-Tyr(Et)VAVP, an AVP (V1V2)-receptor antagonist. A prior injection of atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, inhibited the effect of [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]SP, but not that of SP. The results suggest that SP, injected into the SON, causes antidiuresis through the release of AVP. A possible mechanism for the antidiureses induced by SP and [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]SP is discussed.

Evidence that the loss of the voltage-dependent Mg2+ block at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor underlies receptor activation during inhibition of neuronal metabolism

In this study, the importance of the Mg2+ blockade of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor during metabolic stress was examined in embryonic day 13 chick retina. Retina exposed to mild conditions of metabolic stress (i.e., blockade of glycolysis with 1 mM iodoacetate for 30 min) underwent acute histological somal and neuritic swelling and an increase in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release into the medium. These acute signs of metabolic stress were eliminated by NMDA antagonists present during pharmacological blockade of glycolysis, occurred in the absence of a net increase in extracellular glutamate or aspartate, and were not affected by the presence or absence of Ca2+ in the incubation medium. One possible explanation for the activation of NMDA receptors in the absence of an increase in extracellular ligand is that NMDA sensitivity during metabolic stress may be governed at the receptor level. Depolarization of membrane potential during metabolic stress may result in the loss of the Mg2+ blockade from the NMDA receptor channel, resulting in an increased potency for glutamate. To test this, the dose-response characteristics for NMDA, glutamate, and kainate in the presence or absence of extracellular Mg2+ and the effects of Mg2+ on metabolic inhibition were examined. The potency for NMDA- or glutamate-mediated acute toxicity was enhanced two- to fivefold in the absence of Mg2+. Omission of Mg2+ greatly decreased the minimal concentration of agonist needed to produce acute excitotoxicity; 25 versus 5 microM for NMDA and 300 versus 10 microM for glutamate in 1.2 or zero Mg2+, respectively. Elevating external Mg2+ to 20 mM completely protected against NMDA-mediated acute toxic effects. In contrast, varying external Mg2+ had no effect on kainate-induced toxicity. Acute toxicity caused by inhibition of metabolism was not potentiated in the absence of Mg2+ but was attenuated by elevating extracellular Mg2+. The protective effect of Mg2+ during metabolic inhibition was not additive with NMDA antagonists, suggesting that the action of Mg2+ was at the level of the NMDA receptor. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the Mg2+ block is lifted during metabolic inhibition and may be the primary event resulting in NMDA receptor activation.

N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced neurotoxicity in the adult rat retina

The present study provides evidence that the adult mammalian retina is highly sensitive to the excitotoxic action of NMDA. In particular, we have investigated the effects of a single intravitreal injection of different doses of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) (2-200 nmoles) on the adult rat retina. Morphological evaluation of transverse sections of retinae demonstrated a dose-dependent loss of cells in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and a reduction in the thickness of the inner plexiform layer. No obvious alterations were noted in the more distal retinal layers. Quantitative analyses of Nissl-stained whole-mounted retinae revealed that administration of 20 nmoles of NMDA resulted in a 70% loss of cells with a soma diameter greater than 8 microns (presumed retinal ganglion cells); a 20% loss of cells with a soma diameter smaller than 8 microns (presumed displaced amacrine cells) was also observed. In addition, NMDA produced a dose-dependent decrease of retinal choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, suggesting that NMDA affects cholinergic amacrine cells as well. MK-801, a non-competitive NMDA antagonist, completely prevented the NMDA-induced loss of cells in the GCL and blocked, in a dose-dependent manner, the NMDA-induced decrease of ChAT activity. The excitotoxic action of NMDA observed in these experiments is thus likely mediated through the NMDA receptor subtype. This "in vivo" model may be utilized to identify potential drugs that antagonize or limit the deleterious effects consequent to NMDA receptor overstimulation in the central nervous system.

Reduction of infarct volume by magnesium after middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats

The effects of magnesium, an endogenous inhibitor of calcium entry into neurons, upon ischemic brain damage were investigated using a well-characterized model of focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Infarct volumes were determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride transcardiac perfusion 48 h after middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. The area of ischemic damage was quantified by image analysis in coronal sections taken every 0.5 mm. MgCl2 (1 mmol/kg) was injected intraperitoneally just after MCA occlusion and again 1 h later. Posttreatment with MgCl2 (16 control and 16 treated rats) significantly reduced the cortical infarct volume. Compensation for the hyperglycemic effect of MgCl2 with insulin (17 rats) further reduced the infarct volume in the neocortex. No systemic effects of either treatment could account for the observed neuroprotection.

Thy-1 antigen is specific to ganglion cells in chicks

The cellular localization of Thy-1 in the chick retina was investigated by selectively destroying certain populations of neurons with toxins. In control retinae four weeks after intravitreal injection of vehicle, there was strong immunoreactivity for Thy-1 in the nerve fibre layer, ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer. By contrast, 4 weeks after intraocular injection with 1.25 nmol of colchicine, virtually all ganglion cells had been destroyed, but most amacrine cells remained. Very little Thy-1 immunoreactivity was evident in these retinae. Four weeks after intraocular injection of 2 mumol of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA), a large proportion of amacrine cells had been destroyed, but most ganglion cells remained. In these retinae Thy-1 immunoreactivity was present in the nerve fibre, ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers, in the latter with greater intensity than in controls. We conclude that in chicks the Thy-1 antigen is principally, if not exclusively restricted to ganglion cells.

Excitatory amino acid neurotoxicity in cultured retinal neurons: involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors and effect of ganglioside GM1

Cultures of chicken day 8 embryo retinal cells, essentially free of contaminating non-neuronal elements, were used to examine the neurotoxicity of various excitatory amino acid transmitter receptor agonists. At 7 days in vitro, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), following 24 hr exposure to 0.1-1.0 mM, destroyed 60-70% of the multipolar neurons, but apparently spared photoreceptors. The cytotoxic effect of NMDA was prevented by extracellular Mg2+ or phencyclidine, suggesting a role for the NMDA ion channel; competitive NMDA antagonists were also neuroprotective. The mixed excitatory amino acid receptor agonist glutamate (0.1-1.0 mM) was also neurotoxic (approximately 70% loss of multipolar neurons) and strongly blocked by NMDA (but weakly by non-NMDA) antagonists and Mg2+, indicating a major action at NMDA receptors. As with NMDA, glutamate did not appear to affect photoreceptors. The neurotoxic action of kainate against multipolar retinal neurons, as reported by others, was confirmed here. Kainate neuronal injury was sensitive to the quinoxalinedione non-NMDA antagonists 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) and 6-cyanoquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), but not to Mg2+ or phencyclidine. Ibotenate and quisqualate, even at millimolar concentrations, were not neurotoxic. The monosialoganglioside GM1 was also effective in reducing NMDA and non-NMDA agonist neurotoxicity to retinal neurons. Maximal ganglioside benefit required 1-2 hr of pretreatment with 100-200 microM GM1. The percentage of multipolar neurons remaining after the neurotoxin insult approximately doubled with GM1 treatment. Gangliosides may thus have a therapeutic potential in excitatory amino acid-initiated neuropathologies.

Effect of noncompetitive blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors on the neurochemical sequelae of experimental brain injury

Pharmacological inhibition of excitatory neurotransmission attenuates cell death in models of global and focal ischemia and hypoglycemia, and improves neurological outcome after experimental spinal cord injury. The present study examined the effects of the noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blocker MK-801 on neurochemical sequelae following experimental fluid-percussion brain injury in the rat. Fifteen minutes after fluid-percussion brain injury (2.8 atmospheres), animals received either MK-801 (1 mg/kg, i.v.) or saline. MK-801 treatment significantly attenuated the development of focal brain edema at the site of injury 48 h after brain injury, significantly reduced the increase in tissue sodium, and prevented the localized decline in total tissue magnesium that was observed in injured tissue of saline-treated animals. Using phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we also observed that MK-801 treatment improved brain metabolic status and promoted a significant recovery of intracellular free magnesium concentrations that fell precipitously after brain injury. These results suggest that excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters may be involved in the pathophysiological sequelae of traumatic brain injury and that noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists may effectively attenuate some of the potentially deleterious neurochemical sequelae of brain injury.

Lipid alterations correlate with tissue magnesium decrease following impact trauma in rabbit spinal cord

Secondary neurochemical events contribute to progressive tissue damage and subsequent neurological deficit after traumatic spinal-cord injury (SCI). Among proposed injury factors are alterations of phospholipids and certain cations. To clarify the relationship of membrane lipid changes (phospholipids, cholesterol, and arachidonic acid) to changes in tissue content of water and selected ions (sodium, potassium, and magnesium) after SCI, these variables were examined in spinal-cord segments from anesthetized ventilated rabbits subjected to laminectomy or to moderate (40 g-cm) or severe (150 g-cm) impact trauma at the lumbar (L2) segment. Trauma caused significant increases in tissue sodium, water, and arachidonic acid content, and significant decreases in phospholipids, cholesterol, potassium, and magnesium content. Alterations in magnesium were significantly related to injury severity. In contrast, changes in spinal-cord water content occurred to a similar degree in the two injury groups, as did tissue sodium and potassium content. Decreases in phospholipids were strongly correlated with decreases in tissue magnesium content, whereas changes in sodium and potassium were less well-correlated. Because magnesium ions play a critical role with regard to cellular bioenergetic state, calcium flux, amino acid receptor function, and eicosanoid production, reductions in tissue magnesium after injury may be important in the progression of secondary tissue damage.

A quantitative analysis of the effects of excitatory neurotoxins on retinal ganglion cells in the chick

The present study examines the differential effects of three excitotoxins, kainic acid (KA), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), and alpha-amino-2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-oxo-4-isoxazolepropanoic acid (AMPA) on neurons within the ganglion cell layer (GCL) of the chick retina. Two-day-old chicks were given a single, 5 microliters, intravitreal injection of KA, NMDA, or AMPA at a range of doses. Following treatment with 40 nmol KA, there was a 21% loss of neurons in the GCL. At 200 nmol KA, the loss increased to 46%. Exposure to KA eliminated mainly small neurons of soma area 5-15 microns2, and medium-sized ganglion cells of soma area 15-25 microns2. Large ganglion cells (greater than 25 microns2) remained unaffected. The vast majority of small cells were probably displaced amacrine cells. Exposure to 400 nmol NMDA resulted in a 14% loss of neurons, predominantly involving the large ganglion cells. At a dose of 3000 nmol NMDA, no further loss of cells was evident. Exposure to 200 nmol AMPA resulted in a 30% loss of large and some medium-sized ganglion cells. In a further series of experiments, exposure to excitotoxin was followed by a retinal scratch, which eliminated retinal ganglion cells within the axotomized region. The results indicate that only a small proportion of displaced amacrine cells are destroyed by NMDA and AMPA, whereas virtually all displaced amacrine cells are sensitive to KA. The findings of this study indicate the existence of subclasses of ganglion cells with specificity towards different types of excitatory amino acids (EAA).

Effects of competitive and non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists in spinal cord injury

The potential role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury was examined in rats by comparing the effects of the non-competitive NMDA antagonist dextrorphan and the competitive NMDA antagonist 3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP) on the behavioral and anatomical consequences of impact trauma to the spinal cord. Treatment with either dextrorphan or CPP, administered intrathecally 15 min after trauma, significantly improved chronic (4 weeks) behavioral recovery. Treatment with CPP, but not dextrorphan, limited the decline in serotonin below the injury zone, as shown by both immunocytochemistry and high performance liquid chromatography. Beneficial effects of CPP were dose-dependent. Dextrorphan treatment also improved behavioral outcome when the drug was administered intravenously. These studies implicate NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxins in tissue damage following spinal cord trauma and suggest that NMDA antagonists may be of value in the treatment of acute, clinical spinal cord injury.

Excitatory amino acids interfere with normal eye growth in posthatch chick

This study examines the effects of excitotoxic amino acids on eye growth and retinal morphology. Day old chicks received a single intraocular injection of either 200 nmoles kainic acid (KA), 200 nmoles quisqualic acid (QUIS) or 400 nmoles N-methyl-D,L-aspartate (NMDA). Following survival periods of 7, 14 and 21 days, eyeballs were removed and weighed. Measurements of axial length, equatorial length, anterior chamber depth and corneal diameter were taken. Treatment with KA increased eye weight and equatorial length. Treatment with QUIS increased the anterior chamber depth but decreased the equatorial length. Treatment with NMDA increased anterior chamber depth, but to a lesser extent than QUIS. The effects of QUIS and NMDA could be distinguished from those of KA since the former excitotoxins resulted in a marked increase in anterior chamber depth with no enlargement of vitreal chamber. Changes in eye size were evident by day 7 and were sustained throughout the duration of the experiment. Examination of retinae revealed that KA lesions amacrine cells, bipolar cells, some ganglion cells and photoreceptors. Exposure to QUIS lesions amacrine cells, horizontal cells and causes mild disruption of photoreceptor outer segments. In contrast, NMDA predominantly lesions amacrine cells. The results demonstrate that these neurotoxins have different effects on eye growth, which may be associated with differences in retinal pathology. It is proposed that photoreceptors are ideally suited to play a role in the control of eye growth.

Neurotoxicity of excitatory amino acid receptor agonists in young rat hippocampal slices

Hippocampal slices from young (8-day-old) rats were evaluated as a model for investigating the mechanisms underlying the neurotoxic action of excitatory amino acid receptor agonists. The slices were exposed to the agonists for up to 30 min and were then postincubated for 90 min in order to allow irreversibly damaged cells to become visibly necrotic. Under control conditions (greater than or equal to 3 h incubation) all regions of the hippocampus and dentate gyrus displayed good preservation. Exposure of the slices to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) resulted in widespread, oedematous necrosis of all neuronal types (except undifferentiated granule cells) which was maximal after 20 min exposure to a concentration of 100 microM. With 30 min exposure, the EC50 for NMDA was 30 microM; 10 min exposure to NMDA at a concentration of 100 microM was sufficient to destroy 50% of the neurones. Quisqualate produced a degeneration of most (98%) of the CA3 neurones, a proportion (65%) of CA1 neurons and some (25%) of the dentate granule cells. The occurrence of "dark cell degeneration" was prevalent. Half maximal effects on CA3 neurones were estimated to be produced by a concentration of 15 microM (with 30 min exposure) or by 8 min exposure (at 100 microM concentration). Incubation of the slices with kainate (100 microM for 30 min) did not cause widespread damage but led to the necrosis of a small population of cells scattered in all regions of the hippocampus and dentate gyrus. The patterns of toxicity of the different agonists resemble closely those found after their administration in vivo. It is suggested that the hippocampal slices provide a valuable new model system for studying excitatory amino acid toxicity.

Differential effects of excitatory amino acids on photoreceptors of the chick retina: an electron-microscopical study using the zinc-iodide-osmium technique

Although excitotoxins derived from acidic amino acids are known to damage neurons in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers of the retina, little is known about their effects on photoreceptors. This study examines the acute and long-term effects of excitotoxins on photoreceptors of the chick retina. The zinc-iodide-osmium (ZIO) technique, which darkly labels a substantial subpopulation of synaptic vesicles in normal photoreceptor terminals, was used to supplement routine electron microscopy. Two-day-old chicks received a single intraocular injection of either 10, 50, or 200 nmoles kainic acid (KA), 200 nmoles N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA), or 200 nmoles quisqualic acid (QUIS), and were allowed to survive for either 6 h, 7 d, or 21 d. At 6 h, following exposure to 10, 50, and 200 nmoles KA, there was swelling and disruption of photoreceptor lamellae of the outer segments. At 7- and 21-d survival, 50 and 200 nmoles KA resulted in rounded, condensed synaptic terminals, which contained a high density of synaptic vesicles. However, there was complete loss of ZIO-positive vesicles within these photoreceptors. Outer segments were still disrupted, although small patches of lamellae were evident, suggestive of regeneration. Following exposure to QUIS, there was extensive swelling of outer segment lamellae at 6 h survival. Synaptic ribbons in terminals were also swollen. At longer survival periods, QUIS exposure resulted in a reduction of ZIO-positive vesicles, as well as swollen lamellae in outer segments. NMDA exposure, at either short or long-term survival, did not alter photoreceptor morphology, including the pattern of ZIO stain. The prolonged effects of KA, and to a lesser extent QUIS, on photoreceptors suggests that these drugs have a long-term effect on photoreceptor function. The ZIO technique provides a novel and potentially useful approach for identification of damaged photoreceptors.

Cation interactions with putative NMDA receptor-gated channels labeled by [3H]MK-801 in rat cerebral cortex

Polyvalent cations that block excitatory responses to N-methyl-D-aspartate inhibited the binding of [3H]MK-801 to putative N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-gated channels in brain membranes. The order of potency was Zn2+ greater than La3+ = Cd2+ greater than Mn2+ greater than Co2+ greater than Ni2+ = Mg2+. These findings support the existence of interacting sites on the N-methyl-D-aspartate channel for ionic and organic antagonists, and provide a molecular mechanism for the modulation of excitatory neurotransmission and excitotoxicity by endogenous polyvalent cations.

N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist MK801 improves outcome following traumatic spinal cord injury in rats: behavioral, anatomic, and neurochemical studies

Antagonism of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) excitatory amino acid receptors limits tissue damage after experimental cerebral ischemia. Spinal cord trauma leads to a progressive decline in blood flow that is associated with secondary tissue damage. In the present studies, we evaluated the hypothesis that NMDA receptor activation contributes to the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury by examining the effects of the NMDA antagonist MK801 after impact trauma to rat thoracic spinal cords. MK801, in doses of 1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg administered intravenously (IV) at 15 min after trauma, improved long-term neurologic recovery. At a dose of 1.0 mg/kg, the drug reduced histologic changes as well as alterations in certain tissue cations found after spinal trauma. These findings suggest that excitotoxins contribute to the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury and that early treatment with NMDA antagonists may reduce posttraumatic tissue damage.

Systemic ketamine blocks cortical spreading depression but does not delay the onset of terminal anoxic depolarization in rats

Ketamine (KET)-induced blockade of cortical spreading depression (CSD) was examined in rats (n = 51) anesthetized with pentobarbital (50 mg/kg). CSD was elicited by intracortical injection of 1 microliter of 0.15 mol/l potassium acetate 10-40 min after i.p. injection of 6-50 mg/kg KET. KET was almost ineffective at 6 mg/kg but prevented CSD propagation at 12 mg/kg and at higher dosages. The blockade was maximal 20 min after injection. Terminal anoxic depolarization elicited by N2 breathing developed in control rats after a latency which was not significantly different from that in rats pretreated with 50 and 100 mg/kg KET. The failure of CSD blocking dosages of KET to delay the onset of terminal anoxic depolarization indicates that excitotoxic amino acids play different roles in the mechanism of the anoxia-elicited and CSD-related autoregenerative ionic shifts.

AMPA is a powerful neurotoxin in the chicken retina

Intravitreal (RS)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazoleacetic acid (AMPA) is a powerful excitotoxin on the chicken retina. Doses of 10 nmol/eye produce half-maximum destruction of cholinergic amacrine cells, making AMPA equipotent with kainic acid. The effects of AMPA can be distinguished from those of kainic acid morphologically, and from those of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid by the failure of 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (2-AP5) to block those of AMPA. Both morphologically, and in response to 2-AP5, the effects of AMPA and quisqualic acid are indistinguishable, but AMPA is much more potent than quisqualic acid, presumably due to the uptake and inactivation of quisqualic acid.

The anti-excitotoxic effects of certain anesthetics, analgesics and sedative-hypnotics

Various agents were tested for their ability to antagonize the acute excitotoxic action of N-methyl-DL-aspartate (NMA) and kainic acid (KA) on neurons in the in vitro chick embryo retina. The following compounds (in order of descending potencies) were effective in completely blocking the neurotoxic activity of NMA: phencyclidine, ketamine, (+/-)-SKF 10,047, pentazocine, D-aminophosphonovalerate, D-amino-phosphonoheptanoate, D-alpha-aminoadipate, OH-quinoxaline carboxylate, kynurenate, (+/-)-cis-2,3-piperidine dicarboxylate, secobarbital, amobarbital and pentobarbital. The latter 6 agents also protected against KA toxicity but complete protection was observed only from relatively high concentrations. At 20 mM, Mg2+ blocked NMA toxicity but at concentrations up to 30 mM did not block KA toxicity. Compounds that failed to block either NMA or KA toxicity include D- and L-aminophosphonobutyrate, L-glutamic acid diethyl ester, xanthurenate, GABA and taurine. The chick embryo retina is a useful preparation for identifying agents that have either excitotoxic or anti-excitotoxic activity.