Changes in open-field activity and novelty-seeking behavior in periadolescent rats neonatally treated with monosodium glutamate.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) treatment of neonatal rodents leads to degeneration of the neurons in the arcuate nucleus, inner retinal layers and various other brain areas. It also causes various changes in the motor activity, sensory performance and learning abilities. We have previously shown that MSG treatment delays the appearance of some reflexes during neurobehavioral development and leads to temporary changes in reflex performance and motor coordination. Investigation of novelty-seeking behavior is of growing importance for its relationship with sensitivity to psychomotor stimulants. Perinatal administration of numerous toxic agents has been shown to influence novelty-seeking behavior in rats, but little is known about the influence of neonatal MSG treatment on the novelty-seeking behavior. The aim of the present study was to compare changes in locomotor, spontaneous exploratory and novelty-seeking behavior in periadolescent rats neonatally treated with MSG. Newborn rats were treated with 4 mg/g MSG subcutaneously on postnatal days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. Open-field behavior was tested at 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age. We found that MSG administration led to only temporary increases in locomotor behavior, which was more pronounced during the first few postnatal weeks, followed by a subtle hypoactivity at 2 months of age. Novelty-seeking was tested in four 5-min trials at 3 weeks of age. Trial 1 was in an empty open-field, two identical objects were placed in the arena during trial 2 and 3, and one of them was replaced to a novel object during trial 4. We found that the behavioral pattern of MSG-treated rats was the opposite in all tested signs in the novelty exploration test compared to control pups. In summary, our present study shows that neonatal MSG treatment leads to early temporary changes in the locomotor activity followed by hypoactivity at 2 months of age. Furthermore, MSG-treated rats show a markedly disturbed novelty-seeking behavior represented by altered activity when subjected to a novel object.

Effects of systemic PACAP treatment in monosodium glutamate-induced behavioral changes and retinal degeneration.

The present article investigated effects of systemic pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) treatment in monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced retinal degeneration and neurobehavioral alterations in neonatal rats. It was found that the dose of PACAP that effectively enhances neurobehavioral development in normal rats was able to counteract the retarding effect of MSG on righting, forelimb placing, and grasp reflexes and caused a significant amelioration of the righting and gait reflex performance and motor coordination at 2 weeks of age. In the retina, significant amelioration of neuronal loss in the inner retinal layers was achieved, but it was much less than that observed by local administration.

Preparative affinity membrane electrophoresis.

Using the patented Gradiflow system in conjunction with newly developed affinity membranes, the suitability of an electrokinetic technique for affinity fractionation was investigated. Blue dextran incorporated into an affinity membrane was used to deplete a solution of horse serum of albumin, with the result that a majority of serum proteins were enriched tenfold relative to albumin. The technique, when fully developed, would offer some advantages over affinity chromatography, since to a degree it is possible to control which components of the sample are presented to the affinity matrix. Furthermore, the technique would extend the capabilities of the already multifunctional Gradiflow system.

Preparative reflux electrophoresis.

As part of the method for large-scale preparative electrophoresis across membranes of controlled porosity, we show that successive amounts of the leading component of a mixture migrating across a thin membrane can be collected by 'reflux electrophoresis'. This consists of a series of cycles, in each of which the forward phase is stopped before the trailing components can emerge, the leading fraction is collected and the membrane cleared by reversing the current before commencing the next cycle. The reflux principle is demonstrated by separations based on size or on charge differences of protein molecules.

Multifunctional apparatus for electrokinetic processing of proteins.

New equipment (the "Gradiflow") has been designed and constructed to provide efficient large-scale preparative fractionation of macromolecules, based on charge and/or size differences, as well as the concentration of macromolecules and electrodialysis. Examples of its capability are the separation of a mixture of haemoglobin (50 mg) from bovine serum albumin (50 mg) within 15 min (based on charge differences at pH 6.8), the purification of phycoerythrin from a crude extract on the basis of size, and the fractionation of serum proteins into two discrete size classes.