Cytotoxic Effect of 6-OHDA on the Dopaminergic Neurons and Astrocytes in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus of the Rat / 대한해부학회지

This study was designed to clarify the cytotoxic effects of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on the dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), and to investigate neurodegenerative changes by immuno-histochemistry. Adult male rats (Sprague-Dawley strain) weighing from 250 to 350 g were used as experimental animals. 6-OHDA (100 micrometer dissolved in 0.1% ascorbic acid) was injected into the lateral ventricle of the rat brain with the Hamilton syringe. The control rats were treated with the similar volume of 0.1 % ascorbic acid. The rats were sacrificed at the 3rd, 5th, 10th and 20th day, respectively, after the injection of 6-OHDA. The cytotoxicity of 6-OHDA resulted in severe neurodegeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in the DRN. In the 3rd day, the dopaminergic fibers were dilated. In the 5th and 10th days, the dopaminergic fibers were depleted, and dopaminergic cell bodies were shrunken. In the 20th day, the dopaminergic cell bodies were almost completely disappeared. Astroglial reactions induced by 6-OHDA were also observed in the DRN. In the 5th day, astrocytes were significantly increased as compared with that of the control value. The value were reached at its maximum by the 20th day. Based on the present results, it suggests that 6-OHDA may act as a specific neurotoxin to dopaminergic neurons in the DRN, and induce severe neurodegenerative changes. Also, it suggests that the astroglial reaction in the DRN is gradually activated during the neurodegerative changes.

Cytotoxic Effect of 5, 7-DHT on the Endogenous Glial Cells in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus of the Rat / 대한해부학회지

This study was designed to clarify the cytotoxic effects of 5, 7-dihydroxytryptamine (5, 7-DHT) on the serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus, and to investigate the glial reaction during the neurodegenerative changes by light and electron microscopy. Adult male rats (Sprague-Dawley strain) weighing from 250 g to 350 g each were used as experimental animal. 5, 7-DHT (200 mg dissolved in 0.9% NaCl) was injected into the lateral ventricle of the rat brain with the Hamiton syringe fixed on stereotaxic apparatus. The control rats were given with the similar volume of 0.9% NaCl. The rats were sacrified on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 10th and 20th day after the injection of 5, 7-DHT. The results were as follows : Glial reactions induced by 5, 7-DHT were also observed in DRN. In early experimental stage, microglial reactions prevailed, whereas astroglial reactions were prevailing in later stage. In addition, microglial cells phagocytosed and removed the degenerated cells. However, astrocytes in DRN did not show phagocytotic activities such as microglial cells. Based on the results, author thought that 5, 7-DHT act as a specific neurotoxin to serotonergic neurons in DRN, and induces severe neurodegenerative changes. The glial reactions in DRN are activated during the neurodegerative changes, and show characteristic patterns of glial reactions.

Cytotoxic Effect of 5, 7-DHT on the Serotonergic Neurons in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus of the Rat / 대한해부학회지

This study was designed to clarify the cytotoxic effects of 5, 7-dihydroxytryptamine (5, 7-DHT) on the serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus, and to investigate the glial reaction during the neurodegenerative changes by light and electron microscopy. Adult male rats (Sprague-Dawley strain) weighing from 250 g to 350 g each were used as experimental animal. 5, 7-DHT (200 microgram dissolved in 0.9% NaCl) was injected into the lateral ventricle of the rat brain with the Hamiton syringe fixed on stereotaxic apparatus. The control rats were given with the similar volume of 0.9% NaCl. The rats were sacrified on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 10th and 20th day after the injection of 5, 7-DHT. The results were as follows : The cytotoxicity of 5, 7-DHT resulted in severe neurodegenerations of the serotonergic neurons. Most degenerated cells mainly showed necrotic findings, but a few of them exhibited apoptotic features. That is, in early stage of this experiment, the degenerated cells showed edematic changes of cytoplasm, but their nuclei were relatively seen intact. In late stage, the cells showed dark degenerative changes both in their cytoplasm and nuclei. Thereafter the cells were autolysed or phagocytosed by neighboring glial cells. Based on the results, author thought that 5, 7-DHT act as a specific neurotoxin to serotonergic neurons in DRN, and induces severe neurodegenerative changes. The glial reactions in DRN are activated during the neurodegerative changes, and show characteristic patterns of glial reactions.