Apoptotic markers in various stages of amygdala kindled seizures in rats.
Journal Title: Pharmacological Reports - Year 2006, Vol 58, Issue 4
Abstract
The aim of the study was to elucidate the relationship between various stages of amygdala kindling in rats and neuronal apoptosis. We used the unbiased method of RNase protection assay (RPA), measuring expression of several apoptosis-associated genes (for: caspase 1, caspase 2, caspase3, FAS antigen, bax and bcl-x, bcl-2). The obtained results were also verified in situ in hippocampal slices, using the TUNEL method. The mRNA level of the investigated genes was estimated by densitometry and standardized according to the amount of L32 RNA. Only the expression of bcl-x L, caspase 2, caspase3 and bax genes was measureable. In all experimental groups, the mRNA levels of bax and bcl-x genes were higher than mRNA of caspase-2 and caspase-3 genes. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the control and kindled animals. On the other hand, the TUNEL positive cells were found in total contralateral hippocampus of investigated animals belonging to C(0) (control group), C(3) (rats with 3rd stage of seizures) and c(5) (rats with 5th stage of seizures) groups. The number of TUNEL positive cells in the hippocampus was significantly higher in C(3) and C(5) groups (4.0 +/- 0.40 and 3.75 +/-0.49) when compared to C(0) group (1.25 +/- 0.25). In conclusion, although apoptotic cells were found in situ in the hippocampus of kindled rats, RNase protection assay failed to measure any changes in mRNA levels of the chosen apoptotic genes. In our opinion, apoptotic cells might be too rare to detect any changes in gene expression. Therefore, the TUNEL procedure still remains the most favorable method of apoptotic cell death evaluation in the brain structures.
Authors and Affiliations
Małgorzata Gawłowicz, Michał Reichert, Jacek Wojcierowski, Stanisław Czuczwar, Kinga Borowicz
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP128802
- DOI -
- Views 124
- Downloads 0
Gap junctions synchronize vascular tone within the microcirculation.
Gap junctions are formed in the cardiovascular system by connexin40 (Cx40), Cx37, Cx43, and Cx45. These low resistance channels allow the transfer of ions and small molecules between cells. The longitudinal coupling of e...
Evaluation of the anticonvulsant activity of 6-(4-chlorophenyoxy)-tetrazolo[5,1-a]phthalazine in various experimental seizure models in mice.
This study investigated the anticonvulsant activity of a new phthalazine tetrazole derivative, QUAN-0808 (6-(4-chlorophenoxy)-tetrazolo[5,1-a]phthalazine), in the mouse maximal electroshock (MES) seizure model. The neuro...
Inhibition of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced contact hypersensitivity reaction by antidepressant drugs.
Background: Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) induced by a topical application of hapten - 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), is a T cytotoxic (Tc)1-cell-mediated antigen-specific type of skin inflammation. Recently, it has b...
Chronic ethanol exposure changes dopamine D2 receptor splicing during retinoic acid-induced differentiation of human SH-SY5Y cells.
There is evidence for ethanol-induced impairment of the dopaminergic system in the brain during development. The dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) and the dopamine transporter (DAT) are decisively involved in dopaminergic sign...
Assessment of vascular disease using arterial flow mediated dilatation.
Arterial endothelial dysfunction occurs at all stages of atherosclerosis, both preceding structural atherosclerosis changes, as well as predisposing to clinical events in late obstructive disease. Endothelial dysfunction...