Choline uptake in cholinergic nodose cell bodies

Choline's phosphorylation in rat striatal slices is regulated by the activity of cholinergic neurons

The mechanism by which populations of brain cells regulate the flux of choline (Ch) into membrane or neurotransmitter biosynthesis was investigated using electrically stimulated superfused slices of rat corpus striatum. [Me-14C]Ch placed in the superfusion medium for 30 min during a 1-h stimulation period was incorporated into tissue [14C] phosphorylcholine (PCh) and [14C]phosphatidylcholine (PtdCh). Stimulation also caused a profound inhibition of PCh synthesis and a 10-fold increase in [14C]ACh release into the medium; it failed to affect tissue [14C]ACh levels. This effect was not explained by changes in ATP levels nor in the kinetic properties of Ch kinase (E.C. 2.7.1.32) or Ch acetyltransferase (ChAT) (E.C.2.3.1.7). To investigate the mechanism of these effects, Ch uptake studies were performed with and without hemicholinium-3 (HC3), a selective inhibitor of high affinity Ch uptake. A two-compartment model accurately fit the observed data and yielded a K(m) for Ch uptake of 5 microM into cholinergic structures and 72 microM into all other cells. Using this model it was estimated that cholinergic neurons account for 60% of observed uptake of Ch at physiologic Ch concentrations, even though they represent fewer than 1% of the total cells in the slice. The model also predicts that an increase in Ch uptake within cholinergic neurons, reported to be associated with depolarization [4,27,32], would significantly inhibit Ch uptake into all other cells, and would account for the observed decrease in PCh synthesis.

Lack of long-term potentiation, non-cholinergic transmission and muscarinic inhibition in cat superior cervical ganglia innervated by nodose ganglion cells

In anesthetized cats, in which a nodose-superior cervical ganglion (SCG) anastomosis had been performed 6-9 months earlier, the nictitating membrane contraction evoked by electrical stimulation of the cervical vagus nerve ipsilateral to the anastomosis was recorded. The competence of nodose neurons in regulation the multiple synaptic mechanisms of the sympathetic ganglion was tested by comparing this response with the responses to stimulation of (self-reinnervated SCG). The response of the nictitating membrane ipsilateral to the anastomosis was smaller and had a lower EC50 for hexamethonium (C6) than the responses of the nictitating membrane ipsilateral to the intact or sutured CST. A 40 Hz 10s stimulus train to the intact or sutured CST produced potentiation of ganglionic transmission lasting 1 hour or longer, while a similar stimulus train to the anastomosed cervical vagus nerve produced no potentiation. During block of ganglionic nicotinic transmission with C6, CST or vagus nerve stimulation evoked responses which increased in amplitude with increasing stimulus frequency and were blocked by the selective muscarinic receptor antagonist pirenzepine. When the anticholinesterase eserine was added, the responses evoked by preganglionic stimulation decreased in amplitude in the intact SCG, as previously shown [7], and in the self-reinnervated SCG. This effect, which is due to inhibition mediated by muscarinic receptors selectively blocked by AF-DX116, was absent in the anastomosed SCG. During block of ganglionic transmission with C6 and atropine, a 40 Hz stimulus train to the intact or to the sutured CST evoked a slow, small amplitude contraction that was enhanced by naloxone. This response, most likely mediated by peptides [6], was absent in the anastomosed SCG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

High-sensitive chemiluminescent assay for cholesterol

Chemiluminescent measurement of cholesterol can be performed in various biological tissues and fluids. The method described in this study has a sensitivity of 54 pmol. The tissue samples used for the determination of cholesterol can be reduced to as little as 1 mg and assay can be performed on diluted biological fluids, allowing sampling of plasma or serum as little as 5 microliters. Cholesterol is solubilized in sodium cholate and aliquots are added to a reaction mixture containing cholesterol oxidase, luminol and peroxidase. Cholesterol oxidase, in the presence of cholesterol yields H2O2 which produces light in presence of luminol and peroxidase. Emitted light is quantified at a wavelength of 420 nm by means of a photomultiplier. Optimal conditions of the assay were determined and examples of cholesterol determinations, in blood plasma and nervous tissues, are presented.

Electrophysiological properties and chemosensitivity of acutely isolated nodose ganglion neurons of the rabbit

Neurons in the nodose ganglion were enzymatically dissociated from adult rabbits and electrophysiologically examined within 2 h. About 90% of the neurons survived the dissociation procedure. Their resting membrane potential (-59 +/- 0.6 mV), time constant (5.7 +/- 0.5 ms), input resistance (80 +/- 5.3 M omega), action potential properties (amplitude, 79 +/- 1.2 mV; overshoot 21 +/- 1.0 mV; duration 5.2 +/- 0.1 ms; threshold, -38 +/- 0.9 mV; and fast spike afterhyperpolarization, 10 +/- 0.5 mV, 64 +/- 3.8 ms) were not different from values obtained from nodose neurons in intact ganglion in vitro and in vivo. An unusually long duration spike afterhyperpolarization observed in about 35% of nodose neurons in intact ganglion was demonstrated in about 28% of the acutely isolated neurons. The percentage of isolated neurons responding to bath applied acetylcholine, bradykinin, serotonin and histamine was similar to those reported for neurons in the intact ganglia. We conclude that the electrophysiological and chemoreceptive properties of acutely isolated adult rabbit nodose neurons are similar to those observed for neurons in intact ganglia. Thus the availability of large numbers of acutely isolated adult nodose neurons should allow multidisciplinary studies of vagal afferent C-fiber neurons not readily obtainable in the intact ganglion.

Somatic Acetylcholine Release in Rabbit Nodose Ganglion

In the rabbit, as in various other species, the presence of a cholinergic vagal afferent contingent has been demonstrated previously using biochemical and immunohistological approaches at the nodose ganglion level, where vagal afferent cell bodies are located. This structure is completely devoid of synaptic contacts. In the present study, somatic acetylcholine release is demonstrated on different types of in vitro rabbit nodose ganglion preparations (fragments of nodose tissue or isolated cell bodies) using chemiluminescent detection. Acetylcholine endogenous content was measured and was shown to be greater in the right nodose ganglion compared to the left. This difference was also observed when spontaneous and potassium chloride-evoked acetylcholine release was measured in extracellular fluid after a 15-min incubation of nodose ganglion fragments. Calcium removal totally blocked this somatic release. A kinetic study of acetylcholine release was also performed by placing the samples (nodose ganglion fragments or isolated cell bodies) directly in front of the photomultiplier, allowing the direct monitoring of (acetylcholine + choline) and choline effluxes. The net acetylcholine release was then deduced by subtraction. Identical kinetics was obtained with the two different nodose ganglion preparations used. This somatic release is calcium-dependent. The occurrence of acetylcholine release at the nodose ganglion level is discussed in comparison with the events occurring in the cholinergic nerve endings. These mechanisms could be implicated in the premodulation of the vagal afferent messages conveyed from the periphery to the central nervous system.