ABSTRACT
Objective:To prepare rat spinal synaptosomes, and to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis of various neurotransmitters in rat spinal synaptosomes to explore the physiological activities. Methods:Rat spinal synaptosomes were prepared by discontinuous Percoll density gradient centrifugation and their morphology and structure were observed under transmission electron microscopy. The properties and content of neurotransmitters in rat spinal synaptosomes were determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results:Under the experimental conditions, rat spinal synaptosomes were found to contain dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, homovanillic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzene, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, methoxytyramine, tryptophan, γ-aminobutyric acid, kynurenine, 3-hydroxy kynurenine and 3-hydroxy-2-aminobenzoic acid, and so on. The corresponding neurotransmitter contents were detected, and the corresponding linear relationship and correlation coefficient were obtained. Conclusion:Discontinuous Percoll density gradient centrifugation could prepare rat spinal synaptosomes and detect neurotransmitters and their contents in rat spinal synaptosomes.