Death commitment point is advanced by axotomy in sympathetic neurons.

Axotomized neurons have several characteristics that are different from intact neurons. Here we show that, unlike established cultures, the axotomized sympathetic neurons deprived of NGF become committed to die before caspase activation, since the same proportion of NGF-deprived neurons are rescued by NGF regardless of whether caspases are inhibited by the pan-caspase inhibitor Boc-Asp(O-methyl)-CH(2)F (BAF). Despite prolonged Akt and ERK signaling induced by NGF after BAF treatment has prevented death, the neurons fail to increase protein synthesis, recover ATP levels, or grow. Within 3 d, all the mitochondria disappear without apparent removal of any other organelles or loss of membrane integrity. Although NGF does rescue intact BAF-treated 6-d cultures after NGF deprivation, rescue by NGF fails when these neurons are axotomized before NGF deprivation and BAF treatment. Moreover, cytosolic cytochrome c rapidly kills axotomized neurons. We propose that axotomy induces signals that make sympathetic neurons competent to die prematurely. NGF cannot repair these NGF-deprived, BAF-treated neurons because receptor signaling (which is normal) is uncoupled from protein renewal, and the mitochondria (which are damaged) go on to be eliminated. Hence, the order of steps underlying neuronal death commitment is mutable and open to regulation.

Compared toxicity of the potassium channel blockers, apamin and dendrotoxin.

The central toxicities of two potassium ion channel blockers, apamin and alpha-dendrotoxin (DTx), have been compared. Both apamin and dendrotoxin injected intracerebroventricularly produced signs of poisoning, including tremor and ataxia; however, only DTx produced changes in brain electrical activity, with high voltage spikes and epileptiform activity and subsequent brain damage. DTx, but not apamin, increased the amplitude of evoked field potentials and caused repetitive firing of neurones in hippocampal slices. Signs of poisoning following peripheral (intraperitoneal) administration of apamin were similar to those following central administration, including dramatic haemorrhagic effects on the lungs of decedent animals. These results are consistent with dendrotoxin being a centrally-active neurotoxin producing epileptiform activity and brain damage, whilst apamin produces its most significant pathology in the lung, possibly involving a neurogenic mechanism.

Interactions of the beta carboline abecarnil with the high pressure neurological syndrome in a primate model.

The neurophysiological interactions between the high pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS) and a new beta carboline, abecarnil, were studied in the non-human primate Papio anubis. Abecarnil is a partial agonist at the benzodiazepine site on the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor. Six animals were exposed on two occasions to pressures of 91 ATA in an environment of helium and oxygen. One exposure was pretreated with a total dose of abecarnil 1.0 mg/kg, the other with an equivalent volume of vehicle. Treatment with abecarnil prevented the severe signs of HPNS occurring between 51 and 91 ATA. Onset pressures of the various signs were unaffected. Some signs, e.g. myoclonus, became more frequent when abecarnil was used. A residual protective effect of abecarnil was present 4 weeks after the dose was given, active at pressures less than 71 ATA. Changes with pressure in the EEG were recorded primarily from the frontal cortex, but were also present in the parietal and occipital areas of the left cortex. Amplitude and frequency spectra were calculated and changes with pressure in the four conventional wavebands, plus two others, analysed. The most striking change was the prevention by abecarnil of the pressure-induced 100% increase in alpha wave amplitude in the frontal region. It is concluded that modulation of GABA transmission is important in controlling the expression of HPNS.