ABSTRACT
Voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs), which are located at the mitochondrial outer membrane, playing an important role in the regulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism and mitochondria- mediated apoptotic events, are considered as potential targets for tumor therapy. Studies have indicated that neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) generally lead to mitochondrial dysfunction. During this process, VDAC1, changing in expression, interacting with disease-related molecules, was involved in the occurrence and development of diseases. This review summarizes the characteristics and physiological functions of VDAC1, common important structural units and its role in apoptosis. The focus is on the research progress of VDAC1 in AD, as well as the effects in learning and memory related functions by modulating VDAC1 expression or function.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of inhibiting vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT) on pain behaviors in animals. Methods The latency in hot plate test, number of writhes in acetic acid and licking time in formeldehyde solution (formalin) tests were recorded to determine the analgesic effect of Chicago sky blue 6B (CSB6B), a selective VGLUT inhibitor. Results Intraperitoneal administration of CSB6B did not affect the acute thermal pain responses in hot plate test. In acetic acid writhing, compared with control group (26.50±2.97), CSB6B (2.5 mg/kg, ip) significantly attenuated the acetic acid-induced writhing (8.22±1.90) 30 min after administration (P<0.01); CSB6B (2.5 mg/kg, ip) significantly reduced the acetic acid-induced writhing (9.60±1.84) 60 min after administration (P<0.01). In Formalin test, compared with control group(139.40±21.02), CSB6B 0.5 mg/kg, ip) significantly reduced the licking time 75.10±19.45) 30 min after administration P<0.05) during the second phase, but not during the first phases. CSB6B(p) did not affect the licking time 2 h after administration during the first and second phases. Conclusion Inhibition of VGLUTs activity is sufficient to attenuate the inflammatory pain and this finding suggests that VGLUT participate in regulation of inflammatory pain and be a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of pain.