Effects of cloperastine, a non-narcotic antitussive, on the expression of GIRK channels in the brain of methamphetamine-induced hyperactive mice

Objectives: Centrally-acting antitussives with inhibitory effects on G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels have been shown to also inhibit methamphetamine-induced hyperactivity in mice. In this study, we examined if cloperastine, which is the most potent inhibitor of the GIRK channels among antitussives, is sensitive to the expression levels of GIRK channels in the brain of methamphetaminetreated mice. Materials and Methods: The brain tissues have been removed and the total RNA has been extracted from tissues. The mRNA levels were evaluated using semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: The concentration levels of the mRNA of GIRK channels within the ventral midbrain of methamphetamine-treated mice increased as compared with that in control and cloperastine reduced an upregulation in GIRK2, one of the subunits of the GIRK channels, by the injection of methamphetamine. Conclusion: These findings suggest that cloperastine might ameliorate hyperactivity by inhibiting the GIRK channels in the brain.

Isolation and culture of neural stem cells in ventral midbrain of a rat embryo / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo establish a method of isolation and culture of neural stem cells(NSCs). MethodsTissues of ventral midbrain were isolated from a rat embryo,and the NSCs were cultured stimulated with basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)in vitro.The cells were identified by immunocytochemistry.ResultsNSCs proliferated into neurosphere in symmetric and non-symmetric cleavage ways,and differentiated into neuron, astroglia and oligodendrosyte. ConclusionsThe method has been established to isolate and culture the neural stem cells.