• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.459-466
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• 1999

Objectives:eurotoxicity is mediated by nitric oxide(NO) in the rat primary neuronal cultures and assess the effect of $Mn^{2+}$ on the N-methyl-D aspartate(NMDA) receptors. Methods: We have used 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)assay to examine the effect of cytotoxicity of $MnCl_2$ in neuronal cells , NO production was determined by measuring nirites, a stable oxidation product of NO. The neurons in the rat that contains neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS) were examined by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. The effects of $Mn^{2+}$ on the NMDA receptors was assesed by the whole cell voltage clamp technique. Results: We showed that the NO release and NOS expression was increased with 500uM $MnCl_2$ treatment and an NOS inhibitors, $N^G-nitro-L-arginine$, prevented neurotoxicity elicited by manganese. In the electrophysiological study, $Mn^{2+}$ does not block or activate the NMDA receptors and not pass through the NMDA receptors in a neurons of basal ganglia. Conclusions: It is concluded that manganese neurotoxicity in basal ganglia was partially mediated by nitric oxide in the cell culture model.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.564-569
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• 2019

Heavy drinking disrupts the nervous system by activation of GABA receptors and inhibition of glutamate receptors, thereby preventing short-term memory formation. Degradation of cognition by alcohol induces blackouts, and it can lead to alcoholic dementia if repeated. Therefore, drugs need to be developed to prevent alcohol-induced blackout. In this study, we confirmed the effect of an ethanol extract of Cassia obtusifolia seeds (COE) on alcohol-induced memory impairment. The effects of COE and ethanol on cognitive functions mice were examined using the passive avoidance and Y-maze tests. The manner in which alcohol affects long-term potentiation (LTP) in relation to the learning and memory was confirmed by electrophysiology performed on mouse hippocampal slices. We also measured N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated field excitatory synapses (fEPSPs), which have a known association with cognitive impairment caused by ethanol. Ethanol caused memory impairments in passive avoidance and Y-maze tests. COE prevented these ethanol-induced memory impairments in these tests. Ethanol also blocked LTP induction in the mouse hippocampus, and COE prevented this ethanol-induced LTP deficit. Ethanol decreased NMDA receptor-mediated fEPSPs in the mouse hippocampus, and this decrease was prevented by COE. These results suggest that COE might be useful in preventing alcohol-induced neurological dysfunctions, including blackouts.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 2021

West syndrome (WS) presenting with infantile spasms, developmental delay, and hypsarrhythmia has genetic etiology in some patients. Movement disorders or visual impairment that share genetic underpinnings with infantile spasms can provide diagnostic clues for specific genetic mutations. Mutations of the GRIN1 gene encoding the glutamate receptor inotropic N-methyl-D-aspartate subunit can result in WS with hyperkinetic movements, cortical visual impairment, autistic features, and bilateral polymicrogyria. An 11-month-old boy with WS showed hyperkinetic movements and visual impairment. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and metabolic investigations revealed no abnormalities. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a novel likely pathogenic variant (c.1561_1563del; p.Asn521del) of GRIN1 (NM_007327.3). The proband was treated with vigabatrin and became seizure-free within one week. Notably, the cortical blindness improved within 3 months and the hyperkinetic movements resolved one year after the proband became seizure-free. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of GRIN1 encephalopathy in Koreans.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2011

Previous studies have demonstrated that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and acetylcholine receptors are related to learning and memory in rat and mice. In this study, we examined the effects of MK-801, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, on learning and memory in zebrafish using a passive avoidance test. We further tested whether or not nicotine, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, and physostigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, reverse the effects of MK-801. Crossing time was increased significantly in the training and test sessions for the controls. When 20 ${\mu}M$ MK-801 was administered prior to the training session, the crossing time did not increase in either session. The MK-801-induced learning deficit was rescued by pretreatment with 20 ${\mu}M$ physostigmine, and crossing time was increased in the training and test sessions compared to the MK-801-treated zebrafish. Further, the MK-801-induced learning deficit was prevented by pretreatment with 20 ${\mu}M$ nicotine, and crossing time was increased in the training session but not in the test session. These results show that MK-801 induced a learning deficit in zebrafish that was prevented by pretreatment with nicotine and physostigmine.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1043-1050
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• 2015

Glutamate is one of the principle transmitters in the CNS. Ionotropic receptors of glutamate, selectively activated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), play an important role in the processes of cell development, learning, memory, and etc. On the other hand, many studies discovered that over-activation of glutamate receptors leads to neurodegeneration and are known to be implicated in major areas of brain pathology. Any sustained effect of a transient NMDA receptor activation is likely to involve signaling to the nucleus and to trigger coordinated changes in gene expression. Classically, a set of immediate-early genes are induced first; some of genes are by themselves transcription factors that control expression of other target genes. This study provides understanding of changes of inducible transcription factors mRNA levels with RT-PCR by inducing over-activation of NMDA receptor with intraperitoneal NMDA injection. The experimental conditions were varied by 1, 5, 25, and 125 g/ of body weight NMDA and measured transcription factors mRNA levels are Egr-1, c-Jun, JunB, and FosB. Based on result obtained, inducible transcription factors mRNA in NMDA injection to mice with 5 g/body weight showed the greatest change. And ITF mRNA showed greatest change 24 hr after injection. The expression level of JunB mRNA was markedly changed. Up to the present days, no study clearly understood how ITF mRNA affected the apoptosis of purkinje cells in the cerebellum. The current study improves the understanding of the mechanism of apoptosis of purkinje cells in the cerebellum.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.375-385
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• 2016

Background: The study was conducted to elucidate the extraction conditions under which white ginseng has cognition-improving efficacy. Methods and Results: Extracts from white ginseng under different solvent and temperature conditions were analyzed for ginsenoside content and inhibitory effect on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and acetylcholinesterase. The total ginsenoside contents and amounts of ginsenoside Rb1 plus ginsenoside Rg1 from the 1st extracts (prepared with EtOH/$H_2O$ as solvent) were higher than those from the 2nd extracts (extracted with $H_2O$ after the 1st EtOH/$H_2O$ extraction). The contents in the 1st and 2nd extracts produced at $80^{\circ}C$ were also higher than those obtained at $50^{\circ}C$. Samples from the 1st extraction at $80^{\circ}C$ indicated higher inhibitory activities on NMDA receptors-whose excessive activation is thought to mediate the calcium-dependent neurotoxicity associated with several neurodegenerative diseases-than those from the 2nd extraction. Among the samples prepared at varying temperatures, the extract prepared at $50^{\circ}C$ showed the highest suppression activity on NMDA receptors. Note, however, that the extracts from the 2nd extraction at $50^{\circ}C$ inhibited acetylcholinesterase-whose inhibition could be a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases with cognitive deficits and memory malfunction-more effectively than those from the 1st extraction. Conclusions: To enhance the cognition-improving activity of white ginseng extract, it is suggested that the extracts be utilized after being combined the 1st extracts (made with EtOH/$H_2O$ solvent) and the 2nd extracts (prepared with $H_2O$) at low temperature.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Background: Recent studies indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in persistent pain, including neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Since the data suggest that ROS are involved in central sensitization, the present study examines the levels of activated N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the dorsal horn after an exogenous supply of three antioxidants in rats with chronic post-ischemia pain (CPIP). This serves as an animal model of complex regional pain syndrome type-I induced by hindpaw ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods: The application of tight-fitting O-rings for a period of three hours produced CPIP in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Allopurinol 4 mg/kg, allopurinol 40 mg/kg, superoxide dismutase (SOD) 4,000 U/kg, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 10 mg/kg and SOD 4,000 U/kg plus L-NAME 10 mg/kg were administered intraperitoneally just after O-ring application and on the first and second days after reperfusion. Mechanical allodynia was measured, and activation of the NMDA receptor subunit 1 (pNR1) of the lumbar spinal cord (L4-L6) was analyzed by the Western blot three days after reperfusion. Results: Allopurinol reduced mechanical allodynia and attenuated the enhancement of spinal pNR1 expression in CPIP rats. SOD and L-NAME also blocked spinal pNR1 in accordance with the reduced mechanical allodynia in rats with CPIP. Conclusions: The present data suggest the contribution of superoxide, produced via xanthine oxidase, and the participation of superoxide and nitric oxide as a precursor of peroxynitrite in NMDA mediated central sensitization. Finally, the findings support a therapeutic potential for the manipulation of superoxide and nitric oxide in ischemia/reperfusion related pain conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.301-305
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• 2004

This study examined the effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), ${\alpha}-amino$-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) and kainate on basal and electrically-evoked release of acetylcholine (ACh) from the rat hippocampal and striatal slices which were preincubated with $[^3H]choline$. Unexpectedly, the basal and evoked ACh release were not affected at all by the treatment with NMDA $(3{\sim}100{\mu}M)$, AMPA $(1{\sim}100{\mu}M)$ or kainate $(1{\sim}100{\mu}M)$ in hippocampal slices. However, in striatal slices, under the $Mg^{2+}-free$ medium, $30{\mu}M$ NMDA increased the basal ACh release with significant decrease of the electrically-evoked releases. The treatment with $1{\mu}M MK-801 not only reversed the $30{\mu}M$ NMDA-induced decrease of the evoked ACh release, but also attenuated the facilitatory effect of $30\;{\mu}M$ NMDA on the basal ACh release. The treatment with either $30\;{\mu}M$ AMPA or $100\;{\mu}M$ kainate increased the basal ACh release without any effects on the evoked release. The treatment with $10{\mu}M$ NBQX abolished the AMPA- or kainate-induced increase of the basal ACh release. Interestingly, NBQX significantly attenuated the evoked release when it was treated with AMPA, although it did not affect the evoked release alone without AMPA. These observations demonstrate that in hippocampal slices, ionotropic glutamate receptors do not modulate the ACh release in cholinergic terminals, whereas in striatal slices, activations of ionotropic glutamate receptors increase the basal ACh release though NMDA may decrease the electrically-evoked ACh release.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.996-1001
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• 2003

It is well known that oxidative stress of reactive oxygen species(ROS) may be a causative factor in the pathogenesis of bone disorder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of oxidative stress. Cell viability by MTS assay or INT assay, activity of glutathione peroxidase(GPx), lipid peroxidation(LPO) activity and cell viablity. And also protctive effect of glutamate receptors against ROS-induced osteotoxicity was examined by protein synthesis, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in cultured rat osteoblasts and osteoclasts. XO/HX decreased cell viability and GPx activity, protein synthesis and ALP activity, but increased LPO activity and LDH activity. In the protective effect, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists or AMPA/kainate receptor antagonists such as D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), 7-chlorokynurenic acid (CKA), 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), NMDA receptor antagonists but AMPA/kainate receptor antagonists showed protective effect on xanthine oxidase (XO) and hypoxanthine (HX) in these cultures by the increse of protein synthesis, ALP activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.3 s.70
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• pp.505-512
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• 2005

Excitotoxicity and epileptogenesis have often been associated with glutamate receptor activation. Accumulating evidences indicates that topiramate (TPM), an antiepileptic drug with multiple mechanisms of action has neuroprotective activity. We explored the neuroprotective effect of TPM on the status epilepticus (SE)-induced hippocampal neuronal death. After development of SE by kainite injection (15 mg/Kg), rats were treated with TPM (10mg/kg) for 1 week. The neuronal death was detected by Apop tag in situ detection kit, and the expression levels of glutamate receptors were semi-quantitatively analyzed by immunoblot. Kainate-induced SE caused a significant neuronal death and cell loss in CAI and CA3 regions of hippocampus at 1 week. However, treatment of TPM for 1 week after SE markedly reduced hippocampal neuronal death. The expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit 1, was increased by SE, but was not affected by 1 week treatment of TPM. The expressions of NMDA receptor subunit 2a and 2b were not changed by either SE or TPM. As for ${\alpha}-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate$ (AMPA) glutamate receptors (GluR), kainate-induced SE markedly up-regulated GluR1 expression but down-regulated GluR2 expression, leading to increased formation of $Ca^{2+}$ permeable GluR2- lacking AMPA receptors. TPM administration for 1 week attenuated SE-induced expression of both the up-regulation of GluR1 and down-regulation of GluR2, reversing the ratio of GluR1/GluR2 to the control value. In conclusion, TPM protects neuronal cell death against glutamate induced excitotoxicity in kainate-induced SE model, supporting the potential of TPM as a neuroprotective agent.