Gamma-aminobutyric acid promotes human hepatocellular carcinoma growth through overexpressed gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor α3 subunit

AIM:To investigate the expression pattern of gamma-aminobutyric acid A(GABAA) receptors in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and indicate the relationship among gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor α3 subunit(GABRA3) and HCC.METHODS:HCC cell line Chang,HepG2,normal liver cell line L-02 and 8 samples of HCC tissues and paired non-cancerous tissues were analyzed with semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) for the expression of GABAA receptors.HepG2 cells were treated with gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA) at serial concentrations(0,1,10,20,40 and 60 μmol/L),and their proliferating abilities were analyzed with the 3-(4,5-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay,cell doubling time test,colon formation assay,cell cycle analysis and tumor planted in nude mice.Small interfering RNA was used for knocking down the endogenous GABRA3 in HepG2.Proliferating abilities of these cells treated with or without GABA were analyzed.RESULTS:We identified the overexpression of GABRA3 in HCC cells.Knockdown of endogenous GABRA3 expression in HepG2 attenuated HCC cell growth,suggesting its role in HCC cell viability.We determined the in vitro and in vivo effect of GABA in the proliferation of GABRA3-positive cell lines,and found that GABA increased HCC growth in a dose-dependent manner.Notably,the addition of GABA into the cell culture medium promoted the proliferation of GABRA3-expressing HepG2 cells,but not GABRA3-knockdown HepG2 cells.This means that GABA stimulates HepG2 cell growth through GABRA3.CONCLUSION:GABA and GABRA3 play important roles in HCC development and progression and can be a promising molecular target for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for HCC.

Hippocampal and cortical expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein in pentylenetetrazol-induced chronic epileptic rats

BACKGROUND： Gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter plays an important role in gamma-aminobutyric acid metabolism, and is highly associated with epilepsy seizures. Pathologically, astrocytes release active substances that alter neuronal excitability, and it has been demonstrated that astrocytes play a role in epileptic seizures. OBJECTIVE： To observe changes in gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in the hippocampus and cortex of the temporal lobe in rats with pentylenetetrazol-induced chronic epilepsy. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Department of Neurobiology, Third Military University of Chinese PLA between January 2006 and December 2007. MATERIALS： Pentylenetetrazol was purchased from Sigma, USA; rabbit anti-rat gammaaminobutyric acid transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein were from Chemicon, USA. METHODS： A total of 40 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into model and control groups. Rat models of chronic epilepsy were created by pentylenetetrazol kindling, and were subdivided into 3-, 7-, and 14-day kindling subgroups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression, as well as the number of positive cells in the hippocampus and cortex of temporal lobe of rats, were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses. RESULTS： Compared with the control group, the number of gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein -positive cells in the hippocampus and cortex of rats with pentylenetetrazol-induced epilepsy significantly increased, gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression increased after 3 days of kindling, reached a peak on day 7, and remained at elevated levels at day 14 （P〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Astrocytic activation and gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 overexpression may contribute to pentylenetetrazol-induced epilepsy.

Effects of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid on Performance of Lactating Sows during Heat Weather

[ Objective] To study the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid （GABA） on performance of lactating sows during heat stress. [ Metbod] A total of 14 sows at the same parity and with close expected date of childbirth and similar body we：,ght were randomly divided into control group and experimental group. They were fed a common basal diet and a GABA （300 mg/kg） supplementary diet, respectively. The trial lasted for 21 d. [ Result ] The daily feed intake, lactation yield and average daily gain of piglets in the experimental group were increased by 9.4%, 28.5% and 10.7%, respectively. The backfat of lactating sows was decreased less, and the same with the weaning-oestrus interval. The survival ratio of piglets was increased by 4.5%. Compared with the control group, the content of lactose and fat increased significantly, but other components almost did not change. [Conclusien] Supplementing GABA in diet can improve the performance of lactating sows and promote the growth of piglets effectively.

Expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor subunits aα_1,β_1,γ_2 mRNA in rats with hepatic encephalopathy

AIM To investigate the mRNA expression of gammaaminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor subunits α1,β1, γ2in different parts of the brain of rats with hepaticencephalopathy.METHODS: Twelve adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: (1) hepatic encephalopathy model group (n = 6), which was induced by intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide (TAA, 350 mg/kg) for threeconsecutive days; (2) control group (n = 6), in which the rats were treated with same dose of normal saline solution. After the freeze slice of cerebrum was made,in situ hybridization was used to detect the mRNA of GABAA receptor subunits α1, β1, and γ2 in rat cerebral cortex, basal nuclei, substantia nigra and hippocampi. Image data were collected and analyzed quantitatively by QWin550CWmodel image signal gather and analysis system. RESULTS: In rats with hepatic encephalopathy, mRNA expression levels of GABAA receptor subunits α1, β1 increased significantly in basal nuclei, substantia nigra pars compacta, substantia nigra pars reticularis and hippocampi (144.7±15.67/184.14±4.41, 60.61±33.66/113.07±32.44,87.71± 21.25/128.40±18.85, 122.34±5.56/161.60±4.56,123.29±5.21/140.65±4.15, 123.40±4.42/140.09±4.52,124.76±4.18/140.09±4.12, 141.62±15.09/182.80 ±5.20,69.13±30.74/134.21±43.76, 87.87±25.16/151.01±19.49,122.14±6.30/162.33±3.92, 122.81±5.09/137.19±7.12,123.00±4.63/138.11±5.92, 125.75 ±2.43/138.81±6.10,P＜0.01), but did not change in the cerebral cortex compared to the control group. Similar changes were found in the mRNA expression levels of GABAA receptor subunit γ2,which increased significantly in basal nuclei, substantia nigra pars compacta, substantia nigra pars reticularis (136.81±26.41/167.97±16.23, 51.00±36.14/113.18±36.52, 86.35±20.30/126.90±19.74, P＜0.01), CA1 of hippocampal (162.15±9.05/178.62±6.45, P＜0.05), and no changes were found in the cerebral cortex and CA2, CA3, CA4 of hippocampi.CONCLUSION: In rats with hepatic encephalopathy, mRNA expression levels of GABAA receptor subunits α1,β1, γ2 increase significantly in basal nuclei, substantia nigra and hippocampi, suggesting that the changes of mRNA expression levels in GABAA receptor subunits may contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit expression in rat spiral ganglion neurons

BACKGROUND： Gamma-aminobutyric acid A （GABAA） and N-methyl-D-aspartate （NMDA） receptors are significant receptors in the central nervous system. An understanding of GABAA and NMDA receptor expression in spiral ganglion neurons （SGN） provides information for the functional role of these receptors in the auditory system. OBJECTIVE： To investigate mRNA expression of GABAA receptor （GABAAR） and NMDA receptor （NMDAR） subunits in the rat SGN. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This in vitro, molecular biological study was performed at the Laboratory of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangxi Medical University, China from July 2007 to May 2008. MATERIALS： Reverse Transcriptase Kit and Taq DNA polymerase were purchased from Fermentas Burlington, ON, Canada; GABAAR and NMDAR primers were purchased from Shanghai Sangon, Shanghai, China. METHODS： SGN from 3-5 day postnatal Wistar rats was collected for primary cultures, mRNA expression of GABAAR and NMDAR subunits in the SGN was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Expression levels of GABAAR and NMDAR subunits were determined by quantitative analysis. RESULTS： GABAAR subunits （αl 6, β1 3, and y1 3） and NMDAR subunits （NR1, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C, NR2D, NR3A, and NR3B） were detected in the SGN. In α subunit genes of GABAAR, α1 and α3 expression was similar （P 〉 0.05） and greater than the other subunits. Of the β subunit genes, β1 subunit mRNA levels were greater than β2 and β3. Of the y subunit genes, y2 subunit mRNA levels were greater than y1 and y3. NR1 mRNA expression was the greatest of NMDAR subunits. CONCLUSION： GABAAR subunits （α1 6, β1-3, and y1-3） and NMDAR subunits （NR1, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C, NR2D, NR3A, and NR3B） were expressed in the rat SGN. Through comparison of GABAAR and NMDAR subunit expression, possible GABAAR combinations, as well as highly expressed subunit combinations, were estimated, which provided information for pharmacological and electrophysiological characteristics of GABAAR in the auditory system.

Evolution of neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid,glutamate and their receptors

Gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)and glutamate are two important amino acid neurotransmitters widely present in the nervous systems of mammals,insects,round worm,and platyhelminths,while their receptors are quite diversified across different animal phyla.However,the evolutionary mechanisms between the two conserved neurotransmitters and their diversified receptors remain elusive,and antagonistic interactions between GABA and glutamate signal transduction systems,in particular,have begun to attract significant attention.In this review,we summarize the extant results on the origin and evolution of GABA and glutamate,as well as their receptors,and analyze possible evolutionary processes and phylogenetic relationships of various GABAs and glutamate receptors.We further discuss the evolutionary history of Excitatory/Neutral Amino Acid Transporter(EAAT),a transport protein,which plays an important role in the GABA-glutamate“yin and yang”balanced regulation.Finally,based on current advances,we propose several potential directions of future research.

A Two-stage pH and Temperature Control with Substrate Feeding Strategy for Production of Gamma-aminobutyric Acid by Lactobacillus brevis CGMCC 1306

Methods to optimize the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid （GABA） by Lactobacillus brevis CGMCC 1306 were investigated. Results indicated that cell growth was maximal at pH 5.0, while pH 4.5 was pref-erable to GABA formation. The optimal temperature for cell growth （35 °C） was lower than that for GABA forma-tion （40 °C）. In a two-stage pH and temperature control fermentation, cultures were maintained at pH 5.0 and 35 °C for 32 h, then adjusted to pH 4.5 and 40 °C, GABA production increased remarkably and reached 474.79 mmol·L-1 at 72 h, while it was 398.63 mmol·L-1 with one stage pH and temperature control process, in which cultivation con-ditions were constantly controlled at pH 5.0 and 35 °C. In order to avoid the inhibition of cell growth at higher L-monosodium glutamate （L-MSG） concentrations, the two-stage control fermentation with substrate feeding strat-egy was applied to GABA production, with 106.87 mmol （20 g） L-MSG supplemented into the shaking-flask at 32 h and 56 h post-inoculation separately. The GABA concentration reached 526.33 mmol·L-1 at 72 h with the fer-mentation volume increased by 38%. These results will provide primary data to realize large-scale production of GABA by L. brevis CGMCC 1306.

Evolution of neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamate and their receptors

Gamma-aminobutyric acid （GABA） and glutamate are two important amino acid neurotransmitters widely present in the nervous systems of mammals, insects, round worm, and platyhelminths, while their receptors are quite diversified across different animal phyla. However, the evolutionary mechanisms between the two conserved neurotransmitters and their diversified receptors remain elusive, and antagonistic interactions between GABA and glutamate signal transduction systems, in particular, have began to attract significant attention. In this review, we summarize the extant results on the origin and evolution of GABA and glutamate, as well as their receptors, and analyze possible evolutionary processes and phylogenetic relationships of various GABAs and glutamate receptors. We further discuss the evolutionary history of Excitatory/Neutral Amino Acid Transporter （EAAT）, a transport protein, which plays an important role in the GABA-glutamate ＂yin and yang＂ balanced regulation. Finally, based on current advances, we propose several potential directions of future research.

Verification of Lactobacillus brevis tolerance to simulated gastric juice and the potential effects of postbiotic gamma-aminobutyric acid in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

The therapeutic effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)on diabetes was spread as one of the alarming epidemics worldwide.The study aims to investigate the function of Lactobacillus brevis KLDS_(1.0727) and KLDS_(1.0373) strains as glutamic acid decarboxylase 65(GAD65)carriers capable of generating GABA by comparing in vitro free and freeze-dried models and GABA intervention in vivo.PCR amplification of gad and in vitro i.e.,(growth rate,viability at different pH,bile tolerance,and survivability in simulated gastric juice)were performed.In vivo experiments were conducted in 7 groups of C57BL/6J mice.Each group was injected with streptozotocin(Cont_(STZ),INSSTZ,LAC1_(STZ),LAC_(1MFDSTZ),LAC_(2STZ),LAC_(2MFDSTZ))daily except for the control(Cont).One group was injected with insulin(INSSTZ).The body weight and hyperglycemia in the blood were assessed weekly,post-euthanasia blood plasma parameters,insulin,and histological examination were evaluated.Results indicated L.brevis strains demonstrated a great tolerance to bile and simulated gastric juice in vitro(P<0.05).Cont_(STZ) had the highest average glucose level(6.84±6.46)mmol/L while INS_(STZ) expressed dramatically decreed in glucose level and displayed a significant decline in the average of weekly blood glucose(−5.74±3.08)mmol/L.The lowest body weight(ContSTZ)was(19.30±0.25)g.Based on the blood plasma analysis,L.brevis strains improved good cholesterol properties,liver and kidney functions,where most of these parameters fall within the average the reference range and prevent the development of symptoms of type 1 diabetes in vivo.As recommended,L.brevis should be commonly distributed as a postbiotic GABA in pharmaceutical and nutritional applications.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors in Alzheimer＇s disease： highly localized remodeling of a complex and diverse signaling pathway

Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）, the predominant form of dementia, is a chronic, incurable neurodegenerative disorder presenting with symptoms includ- ing progressive memory loss and disturbed emotional state. It has been estimated that dementia affects over 47 million people worldwide （Prince et al., 2015）, and with 60-80% of cases attributable to AD.

Sodium glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid affect iron metabolism in the rat caudate putamen

Glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid （GABA） influence iron content in the substantia nigra and globus pallidus, although the mechanisms of action remain unclear. The present study measured iron content and changes in divalent metal transporter 1 （DMT1） and hephaestin expression in the substantia nigra and caudate putamen, and explored the effects of GABA and glutamic acid on iron metabolism. Results demonstrated that iron content and DMT1 non iron response element [DMT1 （-IRE）] expression were significantly greater but hephaestin expression was significantly lower in the caudate putamen of the monosodium glutamate group compared with the control group. No significant difference in iron content was detected between the GABA and control groups. DMT1 （-IRE） expression was significantly reduced, but hephaestin expressiori was significantly increased in the GABA group compared with the control group. In addition, there was no significant difference in tyrosine hydroxylase expression between monosodium glutamate and GABA groups and the control group. These results suggested that glutamate affected iron metabolism in the caudate putamen by increasing DMTI（-IRE） and decreasing hephaestin expression. In addition, GABA decreased DMT1 （-IRE） expression in the caudate putamen.

Relationship of nocturnal concentrations of melatonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid and total antioxidants in peripheral blood with insomnia after stroke： study protocol for a prospective non-randomized controlled trial

Melatonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid（GABA） have been shown to regulate sleep. The nocturnal concentrations of melatonin, GABA and total antioxidants may relate to insomnia in stroke patients. In this prospective single-center non-randomized controlled clinical trial performed in the China Rehabilitation Research Center, we analyzed the relationship of nocturnal concentrations of melatonin, GABA and total antioxidants with insomnia after stroke. Patients during rehabilitation of stroke were recruited and assigned to the insomnia group or non-insomnia group. Simultaneously, persons without stroke or insomnia served as normal controls. Each group contained 25 cases. The primary outcome was nocturnal concentrations of melatonin, GABA and total antioxidants in peripheral blood. The secondary outcomes were Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire（Chinese version）, and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale. The relationship of nocturnal concentrations of melatonin, GABA and total antioxidants with insomnia after stroke was analyzed and showed that they were lower in the insomnia group than in the non-insomnia group. The severity of stroke was higher in the insomnia group than in the non-insomnia group. Correlation analysis demonstrated that the nocturnal concentrations of melatonin and GABA were associated with insomnia after stroke. This trial was registered at Clinical Trials.gov, identifier： NCT03202121.

Effects of Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii extracts on gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor alpha 1 subunit brain expression during development in a recurrent seizure rat model

Extracts from Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii （Grassleaf Sweetflag Rhizome, Shichangpu） have been shown to improve learning and memory, reduce anxiety, allay excitement, and suppress seizures. Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii extracts interact with y-aminobutyric acid and activate the y-aminobutyric acid type A receptor, although few studies have addressed the precise effects of v-aminobutyric acid type A receptor al subunit. In the present study, y-aminobutyric acid type A receptor al subunit protein expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and pathological scores of brain injury, were significantly greater following recurrent seizures, but significantly decreased following treatment with Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii extracts. These results indicated that Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii extracts down-regulated y-aminobutyric acid type A receptor al subunit protein expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus and protected seizure-induced brain injury during development.

Expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor α_2 subunit in the dorsal root ganglion of rats with sciatic nerve injury

The γ-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitter in the spinal cord dorsal horn plays an important role in pain modulation through primary afferent-mediated presynaptic inhibition. The weakening of γ-aminobutyric acid-mediated presynaptic inhibition may be an important cause of neuropathic pain. γ-aminobutyric acid-mediated presynaptic inhibition is related to the current strength of γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor activation. In view of this, the whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used here to record the change in muscimol activated current of dorsal root ganglion neurons in a chronic constriction injury model. Results found that damage in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons following application of muscimol caused concentration-dependent activation of current, and compared with the sham group, its current strength and γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor protein expression decreased. Immunofluorescence revealed that γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor α2 subunit protein expression decreased and was most obvious at 12 and 15 days after modeling. Our experimental findings confirmed that the y-aminobutyric acid type A receptor α2 subunit in the chronic constriction injury model rat dorsal root ganglion was downregulated, which may be one of the reasons for the reduction of injury in dorsal root ganglion neurons following muscimol-activated currents.

Effect of propofol on the reactivity of acetylcholinesterase,N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors,and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors in the hippocampus of aged rats after chronic cerebral ischemia

We induced ischemic brain injury in aging rats to examine the effects of varying doses of propofol on hippocampal activities of acetylcholinesterase, N-methyI-D-aspartate receptors, and y-aminobutyric acid receptors. Propofol exhibited no obvious impact on acetylcholinesterase activity, but directly activated the y-aminobutyric acid receptor. The neuroprotective function of propofol on the hippocampus of aging rats following cerebral ischemic injury may be related to altered activities of y-aminobutyric acid receptors and N-methyI-D-aspartate receptors.

Electroacupuncture (EA) Speeds Up the Regulation of Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis Dysfunction in Acute Surgical Trauma Rats: Mediated by Hypothalamic Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)_AReceptors

Hypothalamic Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) directly activates the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA axis) during the surgical trauma induced stress response. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been demonstrated to have stress relieving effects in breast surgery, colorectal surgery, prostatectomy and craniotomy. This study was aimed to investigate the hypothesis that EA could regulate hypothalamic CRF in surgical trauma rats. In experiment one, Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were divided into intact, model (10% partial hepatectomy), sham EA and EA group. Rats from the Sham EA and EA group were stimulated at ST36-Zusanli and SP6-Sanyiniiao acupoints twice, 24 hours before the surgery and immediately after the surgery. Expressions of hypothalamic CRF and CRFR, GABA receptors, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and Corticosterone (CORT) were observed at 2, 4, 8 and 24 h after the surgery by radioimmunoassay (RIA), western blot, real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. In the experiment two, SD male rats were divided into the intact, model, model + vehicle, model + L-838,417 EA and EA + L838,417 group. It was found that hypothalamus CRF, serum ACTH and CORT levels were increased in model group compared with the intact group, and those in the EA group decreased in comparison with the model group. Compared with the model group, hypothalamus-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor Aα3 mRNA and protein expressions of the EA group raised strikingly. In conclusion, EA alleviated surgical stress response by improving the GABA synthesis in hypothalamus, thus enhancing GABA receptors’ inhibitory regulation of the HPA axis dysfunction in rats with acute surgical trauma.

Effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors on muscarinic receptor-mediated free calcium ion levels in the facial nucleus following facial nerve injury

Muscarinic receptors and nicotine receptors can increase free calcium ion levels in the facial nucleus via different channels following facial nerve injury. In addition, γ-aminobutyric acid A （GABAA） receptors have been shown to negatively regulate free calcium ion levels in the facial nucleus by inhibiting nicotine receptors. The present study investigated the influence of GABAA, γ-aminobutyric acid B （GABAB） and C （GABAc） receptors on muscarinic receptors in rats with facial nerve injury by confocal laser microscopy. GABAA and GABAB receptors exhibited significant dose-dependent inhibitory effects on increased muscarinic receptor-mediated free calcium ion levels following facial nerve injury. Results showed that GABAA and GABAB receptors negatively regulate muscarinic receptor effects and interplay with cholinergic receptors to regulate free calcium ion levels for facial neural regeneration.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor gamma 2 subunit following Mg-free-induced seizures in cultured developing neurons

BACKGROUND： Studies have demonstrated that in vitro cultured cortical neurons from embryonic rats can produce spontaneous recurrent epileptiform discharges following transient Mg^2＋-free extracellular solution culture. OBJECTIVE： To explore gammaminobutyric acid A receptor （GABAAR）γ 2 subunit expression following Mg^2＋-free-induced seizures in cultured developing neurons. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Cellular and molecular biology. The in vitro experiment was performed at the Department of Pediatrics, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central Southern University between January 2007 and February 2008. MATERIALS： Cortical neurons of Wistar rats on gestational days 16-17 were used. Normal extracellular solution （pH 7.3） consisted of NaCl 145 mmol/L, KCl 2.5 mmol/L, HEPES l0 mmol/L, MgC12 1 mmol/L, CaC12 2 mmol/L, glucose 10 mmol/L, and glycine 0.01 mmol/L. In addition, there was no MgCl2 in the Mg^2＋-free extracellular solution. METHODS： Cortical neurons cultured for 6 days were exposed to normal extracellular solution （control group） and Mg^2＋-free media （Mg^2＋-free group） respectively for 3 hours, followed by continuous culture in DMEM solution. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： On days 1, 7 and 12 after Mg^2＋-free treatment, real-time RT-PCR, immunochemistry, and flow cytometry were used to detect GABAAR 3/2 subunit expression. RESULTS： Compared with the control group, GABAAR γ-positive cells decreased significantly on days 1 and 7 after Mg^2＋-free treatment （P 〈 0.01）, but significantly increased on day 12 （P 〈 0.01 ）. GABAAR γ2 subunit mRNA expression decreased significantly at 7 days Mg^2＋-free treatment when measured by real-time RT-PCR compared with the control group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： GABAAR γ2 subunit expression is modified following Mg-free-induced seizures in cultured developing neurons. This indicates the possibility that abnormal GABAA receptor expression might play an important role in development of neuronal injury.

Silencing gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor alpha 1 subunit expression and outward potassium current in developing cortical neurons

We used RNA interference （RNAi） to disrupt synthesis of the cortical neuronal y-aminobutyric acid A receptor （GABAAR） al in rats during development, and measured outward K＋ currents during neuronal electrical activity using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Three pairs of small interfering RNA （siRNA） for GABAAR al subunit were designed using OligoEngine RNAi software. This siRNA was found to effectively inhibited GABAAR al mRNA expression in cortical neuronal culture in vitro, but did not significantly affect neuronal survival. Outward K^currents were decreased, indicating that GABAAR al subunits in developing neurons participate in neuronal function by regulating outward K＋ current.

Effects of progesterone on glutamate transporter 2 and gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 expression in the developing rat brain after recurrent seizures

Seizures were induced by flurothyl inhalation. Rats were intramuscularly treated with progesterone after each seizure. Results demonstrated that glutamate transporter 2 and y-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 expression levels were significantly increased in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the developing rat brain following recurrent seizures. After progesterone treatment, glutamate transporter 2 protein expression was upregulated, but ^-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 levels decreased. These results suggest that glutamate transporter 2 and y-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 are involved in the pathological processes of epilepsy. Progesterone can help maintain a balance between excitatory and inhibitory systems by modulating the amino acid transporter system, and protect the developing brain after recurrent seizures.