Changes of the amino acid receptors in solitary tract nucleus of rats with spinal cord injury / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the changes of the amino acid receptors in solitary tract nucleus(NTS)of rats after spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: The rat model of T4 spinal cord transection was used in this study. The study was divided into SCI group(n=5)and Control group(n=5). Changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were observed at 1,2,3,4, and 6 weeks after SCI; and the protein expression of the glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 (NMDA-R1) and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor A α1 (GABAA-α1) in the NTS were detected by Western blotting analysis at different time points. Results: The MAP level was significantly decreased at 1-3 weeks after SCI (P<0.05), and it gradually recovered 4 weeks after SCI; the HR was significantly increased 1-4 weeks after SCI (P<0.05) and recovered at the 6th week. The results of Western blotting analysis showed that the protein expression of GABAA-α1 was significantly increased 2 weeks after SCI and significantly reduced at 4 and 6 weeks after SCI (P<0.05). Moreover, the ratio of NMDA-R1 to GABAA-α1 expression in NTS was significantly elevated after SCI(P<0.05). Conclusion: The adaptable changes of important receptors in the NTS following SCI may improve SCI-induced cardiovascular dysfunction.