Arsenic exposure and glutamate-induced gliotransmitter release from astrocytes

The present study used cultures of primary astrocytes, isolated from neonatal rats, to verify the hypothesis that arsenite-induced neurotoxicity can influence neuronal function by altering glutamate-induced gliotransmitter release. Primary astrocytes were exposed to 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 or 30 μM arsenite for 24 hours. Cell viability and morphological observations revealed that 5 μM arsenic exposure could induce cytotoxicity. Cells were then cultured in the presence of 0, 2.5, 5, or 10 μM arsenite for 24 hours and stimulated with 25 μM glutamate for 10 minutes. Results showed that [Ca2＋]i in astrocytes exposed to 5 and 10 μM arsenite was significantly increased and levels of D-serine, γ-aminobutyric acid and glycine in cultures exposed to 2.5-10 μM arsenite were also increased. However, glutamate levels in the media were significantly increased only after treatment with 10 μM arsenite. In conclusion, our findings suggest that arsenic exposure may affect glutamate-induced gliotransmitter release from astrocytes and further disturb neuronal function.

D-AP5 blocks the increase of intracellular free Ca^(2+) induced by glutamate in isolated cochlear IHCs

Objective To investigate the effect of D-AP5 (D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate, a specific NMDA-antagonist) on the increase of intracellular free Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i) induced by glutamate in isolated cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs), and to detect the autoreceptors of the IHC membrane. Methods When a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) was used, the exogenous glutamate (Glu)-induced changes in [Ca 2+ ] i of isolated IHCs and OHCs of guinea pig cochlea were observed with fluo-3, a fluorescent probe for [Ca 2+ ] i. After D-AP5 or CNQX (6--cyano--7--nitroguinoxaline--2, 3--dione, a specific AMPA- antagonist) was administrated, the exogenous glutamate (Glu)-induced changes in [Ca 2+ ] i of isolated IHCs were recorded. Results In the presence of a low concentration Glu (3.85?μmol/L), there was an increase of [Ca 2+ ] i in IHCs, whereas there was no change in OHCs. When 50?μmol/L of D-AP5 was administrated in advance, Glu did not induce a corresponding increase in [Ca 2+ ] i in IHCs, and 50?μmol/L of CNQX did not completely block the increase of [Ca 2+ ] i in IHCs. Conclusions These results suggest that the autoreceptors existing in the IHC membrane are mainly of NMDA type, while there are relatively few AMPA receptors. Exogenous Glu is capable of increasing [Ca 2+ ] i in IHCs by acting on the NMDA autoreceptor of IHCs in a positive feedback manner.

Effects of free radicals and amyloid β protein on the currents of expressed rat receptors in Xenopus oocytes

Objective To investigate the effects of free radicals (FRs) and amyloid β protein 1 40 (Aβ 1 40 ) on the functions of expressed neurotransmitter receptors (NRs) in Xenopus oocytes Methods Total RNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) was prepared from 3 month old Wistar rat brain tissues with Promega kits and microinjected into maturated Xenopus oocytes (stages Ⅴ Ⅵ) with 50?nl (50?ng) for each oocyte The microinjected oocytes were incubated with modified Bath's solution at 19 0℃±1 0℃ for receptor expression and their currents were recorded with double electrode voltage clamp technique Superoxide anion free radicals (SAFRs) were produced via a reaction system (HPX/XO) with hypoxanthine (HPX, 0 05?mol/L) and xanthine oxidase (XO, 0 1?U/L) In order to observe the effects of Aβ and SAFRs on the expressed glutamate receptor, HPX/XO and Aβ 1 40 were added to incubation solution at 12?h, 24?h and 96?h before recording Results The results showed that the oocytes expressed functional NRs originating from rat brain tissues These NRs included muscarinic acetylcholine (mACh), glutamate (Glu), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5 HT) and γ aminobutyric acid (GABA) The current characteristics of expressed receptors were inward currents carried by chloride ion with their equibrilium potentials close to -22?mV The extent of effect on the current of expressed glutamate receptor from rat brain was different among different Aβ concentrations and incubation times Aβ 1 40 at a concentration of 20?nmol/L had little effect on the currents of expressed rat brain glutamate receptors up to 24?h of incubation period; but the currents of glutamate receptor were significantly decreased (25% off, P <0 01) in the treatment of 60?nmol/L Aβ 1 40 over 24?h Moreover, when 20?nmol/L Aβ 1 40 was co incubated over 12?h with SAFRs produced by the reaction system of HPX/XO, it was found that the currents of expressed rat brain glutamate receptors had been changed markedly When the oocytes were co treated with 60?nmol/L Aβ 1 40 and SAFRs over a period of 12?h, the currents of glutamate receptor significantly decreased (21% off, P <0 05), and the decreased percentage reached 52% over 24?h co treatment with 60?nmol/L Aβ 1 40 and SAFRs In addition, vitamin E had a partial effect against this inhibitory effect Conclusion The results suggest that Aβ has a kind of inhibitory effect upon the current of the glutamate receptor, similar to the effects of free radicals The effects can be antagonized by vitamin E These imply that Aβ may play a role via inhibiting receptor function in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease