Developmental expression of SNAP-25 protein in the rat striatum and cerebral cortex.

The developmental changes of 25-kDa synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP-25) expression in the rat striatum and cerebral cortex were examined using Western- blotting and densitometric scanning of immunoblots. Analysis of the striatum extracts from postnatal day 0 (P0) to postnatal day 120 (P120) demonstrated that SNAP-25 is poorly expressed until P14. From this point the expression level gradually increases to reach a maximum on P60 and then decreases. The pattern of SNAP-25 expression in the rat cerebral cortex is different. Two peaks are observed, the first on P10 and the second on P60, after which the expression level decreases. These results appear to confirm the role of SNAP-25 protein in axon outgrowth and synaptogenesis in the nervous system.

Developmental pattern of calbindin D28k protein expression in the rat striatum and cerebral cortex.

We examined the protein expression of the calcium-binding protein calbindin D28k in two developing rat brain structures, the striatum and the cerebral cortex. The relative protein concentration level was quantified by means of the Western blotting method and densitometric scanning. 32 Wistar rats were used, divided according to survival period (P0-P120-postnatal days). Observations of the calbindin D28k protein expression in the rat striatum and the cerebral cortex revealed an increase in band color intensity between P0 and P10. The intensity of protein staining in older groups of animals stabilised at a similar level and in the P28 and P120 groups we observed a decrement of calbindin expression in the striatum. Calbindin D28k stabilises the intracellular calcium level, preventing calcium-induced apoptotic cell death in neurons. Thus, changes in calbindin D28k expression might be related to its neuroprotective role in differentiation and synaptogenesis during the postnatal development of the brain.

Evolution of microglial and astroglial response during experimental intracerebral haemorrhage in the rat.

Intracerebral haemorrhage is a strong stimulus for both microglial and astroglial activations. There are some important pathophysiological features during haemorrhage that do not occur in ischaemic or traumatic brain injuries, and may influence the dynamics and intensity of glial activation. Studies on the evolution of glial reaction may have practical importance to the introduction of new therapeutic methods for influencing the inflammatory reaction during haemorrhage. Microglial and astroglial responses to experimental intracerebral haematoma were studied in 50 adult rats for 5 minutes after injection of 100 microl autologous arterial blood into the striatum. The survival period varied from 1 to 21 days. Microglial-macrophage lineage cells were immunocytochemically stained with antibodies OX42, OX6 and ED1. The astrocytic population was studied by means of anti-GFAP staining. Changes in cellular morphology and intensity of staining were time-dependent reactions in both microglial and astroglial cells. Strong activation of microglial-macrophage lineage cells revealed with OX6-and OX42-immunoreactivity started during the first postoperative day. The complete pattern of activation for ED1-immunoreactivity was observed from the third postoperative day. At this stage, numerous phagocytic macrophages started to appear in the perihaematoma region. Morphological changes were most intensive during the second postoperative week. The astroglial (anti-GFAP) reaction was observed after the third postoperative day and proceeded less dynamically. The glial reaction gradually stopped but not completely during the period of observation. The early occurrence of glial activation, pattern of morphological changes and characteristic sequence of antigens expression indicate a very intense type of glial reaction. Evolution of glial response to haemorrhage reveals characteristic features. In our opinion, the initial phase of glial activation, comprising 72 hours after the occurrence of haemorrhage, is potentially the most promising period for influencing the extent of glial reaction with therapeutic agents.

Developmental changes in nitric oxide synthase protein expression in the rat striatum and cerebral cortex.

We examined the expression of brain nitric oxide synthase (bNOS) in two developing rat brain structures, the striatum and the cerebral cortex. For this purpose, we quantified the relative protein concentration level using the Western blotting method and densitometric scanning. 32 Wistar rats, divided according to survival period (PO-P120-postnatal days) were used in this study. Our results demonstrate that bNOS expression rises in these structures during the first week of postnatal life, reaching a maximum in the striatum on the 10th day and in the cerebral cortex on the 7th day of postnatal life. After the period of increase the expression declines and after the 14th day a stabilisation of bone protein concentration is observed, both in the striatum and the cerebral cortex. These changes in bone protein expression might be related to the important role of nitric oxide in the developing rat brain, especially in synaptogenesis, apoptosis and neurotransmission.