• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.32 no.8
• /
• pp.864-869
• /
• 1999

To investigate the effect of dietary phosphatidylcholine(PPC) supplement on memory improvement, biochemical study on the brain, and morphometric studies on the cholinergic neurons in the rat basal forebrain were undertaken. The pregnancy rats were divided into the normal control, the choline deficient and the PPC supplemental groups according to quantity of the PPC in diet. According to choline deficiency and PPC supplement after birth, the neonate rate of the normal control group were subdivided into the control diet(N-N) and the PPC supplied (N-S) groups, the choline deficient group were subdivided into the continually deficient (D-D), the control diet(D-N) and the PPC supplied groups(D-S), and the PPC supplemental group were subdivided into the control diet (S-N)and the continually supplied (S-S)group. The PPC supplemented diet was added 2% egg PPC in AIN 76 formula diet. PPC concentrations and cholinesterase(CE) activities were measured in the serum, the liver and the brain, respectively. Immunohistochemical stains for choline acetyltransferase(ChAT) was employed for the morphological and morphometric studies. The maze test was undertaken to evaluate memory improvement. PPC concentration and CE activities in the serum, liver and the brain were high in the PPC supplemental groups and low in the choline deficient groups. ChAT immunoreactivity neurons at the medial septal diagonal bond complex and the basal forebrain nucleus of Meynert were reduced in the choline deficient groups. Average failure rate for the maze test was the lowest in the S-S group and the highest in the D-D group. Insufficient choline suppley during the neuronal development would result in cholinergic neuronal damage, which could be prevented by adequate PPC supplement. It is consequently suggested that PPC supplement may be effective on memory improvement by maintaining the cholinergic neuronal activity in the basal forebrain of the rats.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.135-152
• /
• 2005

Prefrontal cortex is a psychological and metaphysical cortex, which deals with feeling, memory, planning, attention, personality, etc. And it also integrates above-mentioned events with motor control and locomotor activities. Prefrontal cortex works as a highest CNS center, since the above mentioned functions are very important for one's successful life, and further more they are upgraded every moments through memory and learning. Many of these highest functions are supposed to be generated via forebrain basal nuclei (caudate nucleus, fundus striati nucleus, accumbens septi nucleus, septal nucleus, etc.). In this experiment, prefrontal efferent terminals within basal forebrain nuclei were ultrastructurally studied. Spraque Dawley rats, weighing $250{\sim}300g$ each, were anesthetized and their heads were fixed on the stereotaxic apparatus (experimental model, David Kopf Co.). Rats were incised their scalp, perforated a 3mm-wide hole on the right side of skull at the 11mm anterior point from the frontal O point (Ref. 13, Fig. 1), suctioned out the prefrontal cortex including cortex of the frontal pole, with suction instrument. Two days following the operations, small tissue blocks of basal forebrain nuclei were punched out, fixed in 1% glutaraldehyde-1% paraformaldehyde solution followed by 2% osmium tetroxide solutions. Ultrathin sections were stained with 1% borax-toluidin blue solution, and the stained sections were obserbed with an electron microscope. Degenerating axon terminals were found within all the basal forbrain nuclei. Numbers of degenerated terminals were largest in the caudate nucleus, next in order, in the fundus striati nucleus, in the accumbens septi nucleus, and the least in the septal nucleus. Only axospinous terminals were degenerated within the caudate nucleus and the fundus striati nucleus, and they showed the characters of striatal motor control system. Axodendritic and axospinous terminals were degenerated within the accumbens septi nucleus and the lateral septal nucleus, and they showed the characters of visceral limbic system. Prefrontal role in integrating the limbic system with the striatal system, en route basal forebrain nuclei, was discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.385-408
• /
• 1994

출생후 0일. 7일. 14일 및 21일 그리고 성체의 흰쥐 전뇌 기저부의 내측중격핵, 수직 및 수평 대각 Broca대 거대세포 시삭전핵 그리고 복부담창구에서 신경성장인자수용체 (nerv-growth 배ctor receptor, NGFr)에 면역반응을 보이는 신경조직과 세포의 분화를 면역조직화학적 및 전자현미경적 방법을 이용하여 조사하였다. 출생후 초기와 성체에서 신경세포 원형질막 뿐만 아니라 세포질에서 NGFr 면역반응이 확인되었다. 그러나 성체에서 신경세포 원형질 막에서의 면역반응은 관찰되지 않았다. 특히 NGFr 면역반응은 골지 부위에서 보였고, 점상의 면역반응물들이 세포체의 세포질과 수상돌기에 소수 분산 분포하였다. 뇌 기저부의 NGFr 면역반응 신경세포들은 뇌 크기의 증대와 뇌 조직의 분화에 따라 점차 수적 증가를 보였다. 이 NGFr 면역반응 신경세포들은 세포의 모양과 세포체의 장 .단축의 비에 따라 6가지 형. 즉 1) 원형. 2) 타원형. 3) 세장형, 4) 방추형, 5) 삼각형, 6) 다각형으로 분류되었다. 전뇌 기저 핵에서 원형과 난형신경세포들의 출현율은 출생후 0일에서 높았으나 성체로 되면서 감소된 반면, 세장형. 방추형, 삼각형 그리고 다각형신경세포들의 출현율은 출생후 0일에서는 낮았으나 성체로 되면서 증가하였다. 모든 핵들에서 NGFr 면역반응 신경세포체의 부피는 출생후 0일에 759-1,640 Um3로 제일 작았으며, 수직 대각 Broca대와 복부담창구에서는 출생후 14일에 각각 5 107 7.385 Um3 그리고 내측중격핵, 수평 대각 Broca대, 거대세포 시삭전핵에서는 출생후 21일에 각각 4,705, 6,061, 6,412 Um3로 최대치를 보였다. 그후 성체로 되면서 모든 핵에서 1,893-3,464 $\mu$m3로 다시 감소하였다. 전자현미경적 관찰에서 출생후 21일된 흰쥐 수평 대각 Broca대에서 NGFr 면역반응은 세포체와 수상돌기의 원형질막 그리고 세포체내에서는 골지체, 다소포성소체 및 조면소포체에서 관찰되었다. 이 결과들로 미루어 NGFr은 출생후 발생단계와 성체의 횐쥐 전뇌 기저부에서 신경세포의 분화와 분포에 관계되는 것으로 생각된다.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.245-263
• /
• 1993

신경성장인자 수용체(nerve growth factor receptor, HGFr)의 소재를 휜쥐 전뇌 기저부 핵들의 신경세포와 그 세포내 소기 관에서 연역세포화학적 방법으로 관찰하였다. NGFr에 면역반응을 보이는 신경세포들은 내측중격, 수직 및 수평대각선 브로카대, 거대세포 시삭전핵 그리고 Meynert 기저핵에는 다수 미상핵-피각과 복부담창구에는 소수 관찰 되었다 NGFr에 면역반응을 보이는 신경세포들은 형태학적으로 3가지 형 즉, 1) 난형(또는 원형). 2) 방추형, 3) 삼각형(또는 다각형)으로 구분되었다 내측중격은 주로 난형의 세포로 구성되었으며(91.2%), 수직 및 수평대각선 브로카대, 거대세포 시삭전핵 및 Meynert 기저 핵에는 난형의 세포가 높은 율로 구성되었으나, 방추형과 삼각형 세포들도 내측중격에서보다는 많았다 특히 복부담창구에는 다른 핵들에 비하여 방추형세포(25%)들이 높은 출현율을 보였다 일반적으로 이들 세포의 크기는 삼각형세포가 제일 컸으며, 방추형세포가 그 다음, 그리고 난형 세포가 제일 작았다 전자현미경적 관찰에서 0.05% triton X-100을 처리한 조직중 Meynert 기저핵을 관찰한 결과. Golgi체, multivesicular body 및 소포체들이 N6Fr에 면역반응을 보였으며. trion X-100을 처리하지 않은 조직에서는 단지 수평대각선 브로카대의 신경세포 원형질 막에서만 약한 면역반응을 보였다 위의 결과로 미루어 NGFr은 조연소포체에서 합성되어. Golgi체에서 농축되고, multivesicular body를 통하여 원형질막에 위치하게 되며, 원형질막에서 NGFr은 외래성의 NGF와 복합체를 형성한후, 궁극적으로는 Iysosome의 형태로 세포체 안으로 들어 가는 것으로 추정된다.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.291-300
• /
• 1998

Dementia is the neurodegenerative process that affects cognition, behavior and function and one of the most prominent diseases of dementia is Alzheimer's disease(AD). AD is a dementing illness characterized clinically by the progressive and irreversible deafferentation of the limbic system, association neocortex and basal forebrain. A number of conditions are known to be predisposing risk factors for AD. In several of these, initiation of glial-mediated inflammatory pathways as a mechanism of AD is getting a lot of attention. On the other hand, a biochemical marker for monitoring the onset and progression of the disease would be a valuable tool for disease management. Also such a marker might be used as an end point in clinical intervention protocols. This biochemical marker will have the potential for identifying subjects afflicted with the disease and possibly for monitoring the onset and longitudinal progression of the disease. Here we have reviewed the latest papers of different approaches to AD. Of course, there is a section of PET which is very useful clinically nowadays.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.562-579
• /
• 1993

출생후 발생에 따른 흰쥐 전뇌 기저부의 Mevnert 기저핵(nucleus basalis of Mevnert)에서 신경성장인자 수용체(nerve growth factor receptor, NGFr)를 함유하는 신경세포의 면역반응성 및 분포, 세포형의 분류, 각 형별 출현율 및 세포 크기 그리고 세포소기관과 NGFr 면역반응과의 관계를 조사하였다. NGFr 면역반응 신경세포들은 출생후 초기 발생에서 세포질 뿐만 아니라 원형질 막에서도 면역반응을 보였으나, 성체에서는 세포질에서만이 면역반응을 보였다. NGFr 면역반응 신경세포는 형태학적 특징인 세포체의 모양과 장·단축의 비를 기준으로 5가지 형, 즉 1) 원형, 2) 난형, 3) 세장형. 4) 방추형, 5) 삼각형(또는 다각형)세포로 구분되었다 원형과 난형 세포는 출생후 0일에서 각각 15.4%. 50.7%의 높은 출현율을 보였으나, 발생이 진행되면서 점차 감소하여 성체에서 각각 7.8%, 28.6%의 출현율을 보였다 반면, 세장형, 방추형 및 삼각형세포는 출생후 0일에서 각각 22%, 2.6% 9.2%의 낮은 출현율을 보였으나, 발생이 진행되면서 지속적으로 증가하여 성체에서는 각각 29 9%, 5.2%, 28.5%의 높은 출현율을 보였다. 출생후 0일에서 신경세포체의 부피는 매우 작았으나(1,642mm3), 발생에 따라 점차 증가하여 14일, 21일에서는 성체에서보다 매우 컸다(각각 6.745, 6,755mm3) 원형 및 난형세포체의 부피는 21일에서(각각 7 955. 7.020mm3), 세장형 방추형 그리고 삼각형세포체의 부피는 14일에서 제일 컸다(각각 7,067, 6,237, 7,748 mm3) 대체적으로 삼각형세포체의 부피가 제일 컸으며, 방추형세포체의 부피가 제일 작았다. 출생후 순일에서의 전자현미경적 관찰에서 세포소기관중 조면소포체, Golgi체, multivesicular body 그리고 세포표면 원형질막이 강한 NGFr 면역반응을 보였다. 위의 결과들로 미루어 MGFr은 출생후 흰쥐 전뇌 기저부 Meynert 기저핵 신경세포의 분화 및 분포와 밀접한 관계를 갖는 것으로 생각된다.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 1999

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was originally isolated as a hypothalamic peptide that regulates reproduction by stimulating the release of gonadotropins. Using comparative animal models has led to the discovery that GnRH has a more ancient evolutionary origin. Durinq evolution GnRH peptide underwent gene duplication and structural changes to give rise to multiple molecular forms of GnRHs. Mammalian GnRH initially considered to be the sole molecular form, is now grouped as a family of peptides along with GnRH variants determined from representatives in all classes of vertebrates. Vertebrate species including primates and humanshave more than one GnRH variant in individual brains; a unique GnRH form in the forebrain and chicken IIGnRH in the midbrain. Furthermore, several species of bony fish have three molecular variants of GnRH: salmon GnRH sea-bream GnRH and chicken II GnRH. Also, it has been shown that in addition to the olfactory placodes and the midbrain, there is a third embryonic source of GnRH neurons from the basal diencephalon in birds and fish, which might be true for other vertebrates. Therefore, comparative animal models like fish with discrete sites of expression of three molecular variants of GnRH in individual brains, could provide insight into novel functions of GnRH variants, conservation of gene regulation, and mechanisms governing reproduction in vertebrates.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.531-539
• /
• 2024

Sleep is one of the most essential physiological phenomena for maintaining health. Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, are often accompanied by psychiatric or physical conditions such as impaired attention, anxiety, and stress. Medication used to treat insomnia have concerns about potential side effects with long-term use, so interest in the use of alternative medicine is increasing. In this study, we investigated the hypnotic effects of β-lapachone (β-Lap), a natural naphthoquinone compound, using pentobarbital-induced sleep test, immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and western blot in mice. Our results indicated that β-Lap exerts a significant hypnotic effect by showing a decrease in sleep onset latency and an increase in total sleep time in pentobarbital-induced sleep model. The results of c-Fos immunostaining showed that β-Lap decreased neuronal activity in the basal forebrain and lateral hypothalamus, which are wakefulness-promoting brain regions, while increasing in the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus, a sleep-promoting region; all these effects were significantly abolished by 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), an adenosine A₁ receptor (A₁R) antagonist. Western blot analysis showed that β-Lap increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation and nuclear factor-kappa B translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus; these effects were inhibited by DPCPX. Additionally, β-Lap increased the mRNA levels of A₁R. Taken together, these results suggest that β-Lap exerts hypnotic effects, potentially through A₁R.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.355-365
• /
• 2001

This study was performed to investigate the distribution and differentiation on the immunoreacted cells of the ChAT (choline acetyltransferase) at the Meynert basal nucleus of the forebrains in the growth periods of rat, using the immunohistochemistric method. According to the cell shape and the ratio of long axis vs short axis of cell soma, the ChAT antibody reacted nerve cells in the Meynert basal nucleus of the rats were classified into six types. In the adult rats, the FD (frequency distributions) of round, oval and elongated cells were maximum. The FD of these types were shown to be progressively decreased during the postnatal development. In addition, the FD of elongated nerve cells in were observed in the adult rats respectively. This was thought to be the same phenomenon as those in the round and oval cells . The total mean volume of ChAT antibody reacted cell somata was lowest in the PND (postnatal days) 7 rats and was highest in the PND 21 rats. But, those were decreased to the adult. These results suggest that ChAT antibody reacted nerve cells grow up to PND 21 and then, differentiate into the various types by neurites outgrowing. On the electron micrography, the adult rat forebrain cells were obtained to be well developed ribosomes, polysomes , rough endoplasmic reticula and mitochondria. The immunreactivities were observed in ribosomes, polysomes, rough endoplasmic reticula and outer membrane of mitochondria. Golgi complexes were poorly developed and not showed jmmunreactivity. The ribosomes , polysomes and endoplasmic reticula are considered to be closely related to the inter cellular localization and biosynthesis of the ChAT but not Golgi complex. According to the results in the present study, it is considered that the ChAT-immunoreacted nerve cells in the Meynert basal nucleus of the rat forebrains are differentiated throughout the postnatal development with following processes of changes; 1) the cholinergic nerve cells develop postnatally 2) cell soma volumes gradually increase during the early postnatal days 3) and then, cells differentiate into the various types by projecting the neurites to the appropriate area after PND 21.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.9
• /
• pp.1211-1216
• /
• 2011

Sexual maturity in poultry is controlled by a complex neural circuit located in the basal forebrain, which integrates the central and peripheral signals to activate hypothalamic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. This study demonstrated the changes of GnRH-I, POMC and NPY mRNA transcription in hypothalamus and IGF-I and leptin levels in serum of Shaoxing ducks during puberty. Body weight increased progressively from d30 to d120 and at d120 the flock reached 5% of laying rate. A significant upregulation of hypothalamic GnRH-I mRNA expression was observed from d60, reaching the peak at d120. POMC and NPY mRNA expression in hypothalamus showed a similar pattern, which increased from d30 to d60, followed by a significant decrease towards sexual maturity. Serum IGF-I levels exhibited two peaks at d30 and d120, respectively. Serum leptin displayed a single peak at d90. The results indicate that the down-regulation of POMC and NPY genes in hypothalamus coincides with the up-regulation of GnRH-I gene to initiate sexual maturation in ducks. In addition, peripheral IGF-I and leptin may relay the peripheral metabolic status to the central system and contribute to the initiation of the reproductive function in ducks.