Modulation of Presynaptic GABA Release by Oxidative Stress in Mechanically-isolated Rat Cerebral Cortical Neurons

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which include hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), the superoxide anion (${O_2}^-{\cdot}$), and the hydroxyl radical ($OH{\cdot}$), are generated as by-products of oxidative metabolism in cells. The cerebral cortex has been found to be particularly vulnerable to production of ROS associated with conditions such as ischemia-reperfusion, Parkinson's disease, and aging. To investigate the effect of ROS on inhibitory GABAergic synaptic transmission, we examined the electrophysiological mechanisms of the modulatory effect of $H_2O_2$ on GABAergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current (mIPSCs) in mechanically isolated rat cerebral cortical neurons retaining intact synaptic boutons. The membrane potential was voltage-clamped at -60 mV and mIPSCs were recorded and analyzed. Superfusion of 1-mM $H_2O_2$ gradually potentiated mIPSCs. This potentiating effect of $H_2O_2$ was blocked by the pretreatment with either 10,000-unit/mL catalase or $300-{\mu}M$ N-acetyl-cysteine. The potentiating effect of $H_2O_2$ was occluded by an adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, and was blocked by a protein kinase A inhibitor, N -(2-[p-bromocinnamylamino] ethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide hydrochloride. This study indicates that oxidative stress may potentiate presynaptic GABA release through the mechanism of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent pathways, which may result in the inhibition of the cerebral cortex neuronal activity.