• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.135-141
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• 2014

The downregulation of A-type $K^+$ channels ($I_A$ channels) accompanying enhanced somatic excitability can mediate epileptogenic conditions in mammalian central nervous system. As $I_A$ channels are dominantly targeted by dendritic and postsynaptic processings during synaptic plasticity, it is presumable that they may act as cellular linkers between synaptic responses and somatic processings under various excitable conditions. In the present study, we electrophysiologically tested if the downregulation of somatic $I_A$ channels was sensitive to synaptic activities in young hippocampal neurons. In primarily cultured hippocampal neurons (DIV 6~9), the peak of $I_A$ recorded by a whole-cell patch was significantly reduced by high KCl or exogenous glutamate treatment to enhance synaptic activities. However, the pretreatment of MK801 to block synaptic NMDA receptors abolished the glutamate-induced reduction of the $I_A$ peak, indicating the necessity of synaptic activation for the reduction of somatic $I_A$. This was again confirmed by glycine treatment, showing a significant reduction of the somatic $I_A$ peak. Additionally, the gating property of $I_A$ channels was also sensitive to the activation of synaptic NMDA receptors, showing the hyperpolarizing shift in inactivation kinetics. These results suggest that synaptic LTP possibly potentiates somatic excitability via downregulating $I_A$ channels in expression and gating kinetics. The consequential changes of somatic excitability following the activity-dependent modulation of synaptic responses may be a series of processings for neuronal functions to determine outputs in memory mechanisms or pathogenic conditions.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 1997년도 춘계학술대회
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• pp.102-102
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to determine the behavioral interaction between glutamatergic and serotonergic receptors. In the present study, both the competitive (AP-5 and D-CPP) and the noncompetitive (MK-801, ketamine, dextrorphan and dextromethorphan) N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists markedly enhanced 5-HT(5-hydroxytryptamine)-induced selective serotonergic behavior, head-twitch response (HTR), in mice. These results suggest that the glutamatergic neurotransmission may modulate serotonergic function at the 5-HT receptor. The precise relationship between glutamatergic and serotonergic system is as yet undefined. However, these are the first data available regarding glutamatergic modulation of serotonergic function at the 5-HT receptor in intact mice, and the present results support the notion that the NMDA receptors may play important roles in the glutamatergic modulation of serotonergic function at the 5-HT receptor.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 1995년도 제3회 추계심포지움
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• pp.125-132
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• 1995

In neurons, nitric oxide(NO) is produced by neuronal nitric oxide synthase following stimulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) receptors and the subsequent influx of Ca$\^$2+/. NO, induced in this manner, reportedly plays critical roles in neuronal plasticity, including neurite outgrowth, synaptic transmission, and long-term potentiation(LTP) (1-7). However, excessive activation of NMDA receptors has also been shown to be associated with various neurological disorders, including focal ischemia, epilepsy, trauma, neuropathic pain and chronic neurodegenerative maladies, such as Parkinson's disease, Hungtington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(8). The paradox that nitric oxide(NO) has both neuroprotective and neurodestructive effects may be explained, at least in part, by the finding that NO effects on neurons are dependent on the redox state. This claim may be supported by the recent finding that tissue concentrations of cysteine approach 700 ${\mu}$M in settings of cerebral ischemia (9), levels of thiol that is expected to influence both the redox state of the system and the NO group itself(10).

• 생명과학회지
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• 제25권9호
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• pp.1043-1050
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• 2015

신경과흥분은 신경세포의 수지돌기 말단부에 있는 흥분성 수용체에 대한 과도한 자극에 의해서 신경세포가 손상을 받는 현상으로 transcription factor의 발현을 유도하여 통증을 유발하는 자극, 학습, 발작, 흥분, 신경변성, 저산소성 국소빈혈, 뇌신경손상, 신경절제, 약제내성 등의 원인이 된다. 신경과흥분은 정상농도 이상의 NMDA에 의해서도 유발되는데 본 논문에서는 mouse의 복강으로 과량의 NMDA를 투여하여 소뇌에서 RT-PCR 방법으로 Inducible transcription factors (Egr-1, c-jun, JunB, FosB) mRNAs의 상대적 발현량을 비교하였다. NMDA를 투여한 군에서 inducible transcription factors (Egr-1, C-Jun, JunB, FosB)가 투여량과 시간의 경과에 따라 다양한 발현의 변화를 보였으며, NMDA투여 후 일정한 시간에서 투여한 양에 대한 변화는 체중 g 당 5 μg의 NMDA투여한 경우에 현저한 변화가 나타났다. 조사한 transcription factor 중에서 JunB의 발현 변화가 다른 transcription factor보다 두드러지게 나타났다. NMDA 투여량이 일정할 때 투여 후 경과 시간에 따른 발현양상은 투여 후 24시간이 경과한 후에 발현의 변화가 두드러지게 증가하는 경향을 나타내었고 대부분 이 48시간 경과 후 발현이 최고치에 도달하였다. 이러한 결과는 과흥분이 유도된 소뇌에서의 유전자 발현의 변화를 2D-gel 또는 microarray와 같은 방법을 이용하여 세포 내의 전체 단백질 혹은 유전자의 변화를 관찰함으로써 NMDA 수용체의 과흥분에 의한 뇌세포의 사멸에 관련된 기전을 밝힐 수 있는 좋은 자료가 될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.141-144
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• 1995

뇌간의 세로트닌 신경계는 내재성 하행성 동통억제계(endogenous descending pain inhibitory system)에 있어서 중추적인 역할을 하고 있다. 뇌간의 세로토닌 신경세포에 대한 glutamate 수용체 중 N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-(NMDA-) 및 non-NMDA 수용체 효현제들의 작용을 알아보기 위하여, 쥐의 태자(태생 14일)로부터 뇌간을 분리하여 10일 동안 배양한 후 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)의 분비에 대한 각 glutamate 수용체 효현제들이 영향을 연구하였다. Glutamate를 $10\;{\mu}M$에서 $1000\;{\mu}M$까지 농도를 변화하여 30분 동안 배지에 가한 후, 배지내에 분비되는 세로토닌을 측정한 결과, 농도 의존적으로 세로토닌의 분비가 증가되었다. Glutamate 수용체 중에서 NMDA 수용체 효현제인 NMDA를 $10\;{\mu}M$에서 $1000\;{\mu}M$까지 농도를 변화하여 30분 동안 배지에 가한 후, 배지내에 분비되는 세로토닌을 측정한 결과, 농도 의존적으로 세로토닌의 분비가 증가되었다. Non-NMDA 수용체 효현제인 kainate 및 AMPA를 $3\;{\mu}M$에서 $300\;{\mu}M$까지 농도를 변화하여 배지에 처리한 결과, 각 효현제에 의해 농도 의존적으로 세로토닌의 분비가 증가됨을 관찰하였다. 이상의 연구결과, 쥐의 태자(태생 14일)로부터 분리하여 10일동안 배양한 뇌간의 세로토닌 신경세포에 있어서 glutamate, NMDA, kainate 및 AMPA 모두 5-HT의 분비를 자극함으로써, NMDA- 및 non-NMDA 수용체 모두 5-HT의 분비에 관여하고 있음을 나타낸다.

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2003년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.1
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• pp.72-74
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• 2003

Excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptor, particularly NMDA receptor, are now known to be one of major transmitter receptors involved in synaptic excitation. Excessive release of EAA neurotransmitter, glutamate, is an important causative factor in the neurodegenerative processes and can cause neuronal damage and cell death. This excitotoxicity has been shown to be $Ca^{++}$ dependent. (omitted)

• 고려인삼학회:학술대회논문집
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• 고려인삼학회 2002년도 학술대회지
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• pp.531-544
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• 2002

Ginseng is the best known and most popular herbal medicine used worldwide. Ameliorating effects of ginseng were observed on the models of scopolamine-induced, aged or hippocampal lesioned learning and memory deficits. Further beneficial effects of ginseng were observed on neuronal cell death associated with ischemia or glutamate toxicity. In spite of these beneficial effects of ginseng on the CNS, little scientific evidence shows at the cellular level. In the present study, we have employed cultures of rat hippocampal neurons and examined the direct modulation of ginseng on NMDA receptor-induced changes in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and -gated currents using fura-2-based digital imaging and perforated whole-cell patch-clamp techniques, respectively. We found that ginseng total saponins inhibited NMDA-induced but less effectively glutamate-induced increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ Ginseng total saponins also modulated $Ca^{2+}$ transients evoked by depolarization with 50 mM KCI along with its own effects on $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. Among ginsenosides tested, ginsenoside $Rg_3$ was found to be the most potent component for ginseng actions on NMDA receptors. Furthermore, we examined the inhibitory effects ofbiotransformants of ginsenosides on NMDA receptor using purified stereoisomers of ginsenosides. 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and its metabolite, 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rh_3$, produced the strongest inhibition while 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rh_1$ and Compound K produced the moderate inhibition on NMDA-induced increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. The data obtained suggest that the inhibition of NMDA receptors by ginseng, in particular by 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and its metabolite, 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rh_2$, could be one of mechanisms for ginsengmediated neuroprotective actions.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.391-395
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• 1995

Several lines of evidence indicate that physiological activity of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor was blocked by physiological concentration of $Mg^{2+}$ (1.2 mM). However, the activity of NMDA receptor may not be blocked totally with this concentration of $Mg^{2+}$ under elevated membrane potential by kainate. Here, we described the effect of $Mg^{2+}$ on NMDA receptor and how much of NMDA receptor functions could be activated by kainate. Effects of NMDA receptor antagonist on kainate-induced elevation of intracellualr $Ca^{2+}$ levels $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ and extracellular glutamate level were examined in cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons. kainate-induced elevation of $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ was not affected by physiological concentration of $Mg^{2+}$. Kainate-induced NMDA-induced elevation was blocked by the same concentration of $MG^{2+}$Kainate-induced elevation of [$([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ was decreased by 32% in the presence of NMDA antagonists, MK-801 and CPP (3-[2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl]propyl-1-phosphonic acid), in $Mg^{2+}$ free buffer. Kainate receptor-activated gluamate release was also decreased (30%) by MK-801 or CPP. These resuts show that certain extent of elevations of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and extracellular glutamate by kainate is due to coativation of NMDA receptors.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.120-128
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• 2003

Alternative medicines such as herbal products are increasingly being used for preventive and therapeutic purposes. Ginseng is the best known and most popular herbal medicine used worldwide. In spite of some beneficial effects of ginseng on the nervous system, little scientific evidence shows at the cellular level. In the present study, I have examined the direct modulation of ginseng total saponins and individual ginsenosides on the activation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels and NMDA-gated channels in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and hippocampal neurons, respectively. In DRG neurons, application of ginseng total saponins suppressed high-voltage-activated $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents and ginsenoside Rg$_3$, among the 11 ginsenosides tested, produced the strongest inhibition on $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents. Occlusion experiments using selective $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers revealed that ginsenoside Rg$_3$ could modulate L-, N-, and P/Q-type currents. In addition, ginsenoside Rg$_3$ also proved to be an active component of ginseng actions on NMDA receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons. Application of ginsenoside Rg$_3$ suppressed NMDA-induced [Ca$^{2+}$]$_{i}$ increase and -gated channels using fura-2-based digital imaging and patch-clamp techniques, respectively. These results suggest that the modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels and NMDA receptors by ginsenoside Rg$_3$ could be part of the pharmacological basis of ginseng actions in the peripheral and central nervous systems.ous systems.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.490-495
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenoside Rk1, a saponin component isolated from heat-processed Panax ginseng Meyer, has been implicated in the regulation of antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Although our previous studies have demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3 significantly attenuated the activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in hippocampal neurons, the effects of ginsenosides Rg5 and Rk1, which are derived from heat-mediated dehydration of ginsenoside Rg3, on neuronal NMDARs have not yet been elucidated. Methods: We examined the regulation of NMDARs by ginsenosides Rg5 and Rk1 in cultured rat hippocampal neurons using fura-2-based calcium imaging and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Results: The results from our investigation showed that ginsenosides Rg3 and Rg5 inhibited NMDARs with similar potencies. However, ginsenoside Rk1 inhibited NMDARs most effectively among the five compounds (Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, Rg5/Rk1 mixture, and protopanaxadiol) tested in cultured hippocampal neurons. Its inhibition is independent of the NMDA- and glycine-binding sites, and its action seems to involve in an interaction with the polyamine-binding site of the NMDAR channel complex. Conclusion: Taken together, our results suggest that ginsenoside Rk1 might be a novel component contributable to the development of ginseng-based therapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.