Increased noradrenergic neurotransmission to a pain facilitatory area of the brain is implicated in facilitation of chronic pain.

BACKGROUND: Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors are known to produce analgesia through a spinal action but they also act in the brain. However, the action of noradrenaline on supraspinal pain control regions is understudied. The authors addressed the noradrenergic modulation of the dorsal reticular nucleus (DRt), a medullary pronociceptive area, in the spared nerve injury (SNI) model of neuropathic pain. METHODS: The expression of the phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB), a marker of neuronal activation, was evaluated in the locus coeruleus and A5 noradrenergic neurons (n = 6 rats/group). pCREB was studied in noradrenergic DRt-projecting neurons retrogradely labeled in SNI animals (n = 3). In vivo microdialysis was used to measure noradrenaline release in the DRt on nociceptive stimulation or after DRt infusion of clonidine (n = 5 to 6 per group). Pharmacology, immunohistochemistry, and western blot were used to study α-adrenoreceptors in the DRt (n = 4 to 6 per group). RESULTS: pCREB expression significantly increased in the locus coeruleus and A5 of SNI animals, and most noradrenergic DRt-projecting neurons expressed pCREB. In SNI animals, noradrenaline levels significantly increased on pinprick (mean ± SD, 126 ± 14%; P = 0.025 vs. baseline) and acetone stimulation (mean ± SD, 151 ± 12%; P < 0.001 vs. baseline), and clonidine infusion showed decreased α2-mediated inhibitory function. α1-adrenoreceptor blockade decreased nociceptive behavioral responses in SNI animals. α2-adrenoreceptor expression was not altered. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic pain induces brainstem noradrenergic activation that enhances descending facilitation from the DRt. This suggests that antidepressants inhibiting noradrenaline reuptake may enhance pain facilitation from the brain, counteracting their analgesic effects at the spinal cord.

Glutamatergic regulation of brain histamine neurons: In vivo microdialysis and electrophysiology studies in the rat.

The interactions between the glutamatergic and the histaminergic systems in the brain are not fully understood. Here we studied histamine release in the medial prefrontal cortex and the posterior hypothalamus-tuberomamillary nucleus (PH-TMN) using in vivo microdialysis and electrophysiological recordings of histaminergc neurons in the PH-TMN in vivo to further address the mechanistic details of these interactions. We demonstrated that histaminergic activity was regulated by group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR 2 and 3) using systemic dosing with mGluR 2/3 agonist and antagonists and an mGluR 2 positive allosteric modulator. These interactions likely occur via direct modulation of glutamate release in the PH-TMN. The importance of circadian rhythm for histamine release was also shown using microdialysis studies with mGluR 2/3 compounds under light and dark conditions. Based on histamine release studies with NMDA and ketamine, we propose the existence of two sub-populations of NMDA receptors where one subtype is located on histaminergic cell bodies in the PH-TMN and the second on GABA-ergic neurons projecting to the PH-TMN. These subpopulations could be distinguished based on function, notably opposing actions were seen on histamine release in the medial prefrontal cortex of the rat. In summary, this paper provides evidence that the histaminergic system is closely regulated by glutamate neurons in multiple ways. In addition, this interaction depends to a great extent on the activity state of the subject.

GABA acting on GABAB receptors located in a medullary pain facilitatory area enhances nociceptive behaviors evoked by intraplantar formalin injection.

The dorsal reticular nucleus (DRt) plays a key role in facilitation of nociceptive transmission at the spinal cord. In this study, we evaluated the mechanisms involved in GABA-mediated control of the DRt focusing on the role of local GABAB receptors. First, we used in vivo microdialysis to study the release of GABA in the DRt during the course of the formalin test. An increase of GABA levels in comparison with baseline values was detected in the second phase of the test. Because we previously showed that GABAB receptors are expressed by opioidergic DRt neurons, which respond to nociceptive stimuli and inhibit spinally projecting DRt neurons involved in descending pronociception, we then interfered with local GABAB receptors using gene transfer and pharmacological approaches. Lentiviral-mediated knockdown of GABAB1a expression decreased nociceptive responses during the second phase of the test. Local administration of the GABAB receptor antagonist CGP 35348 also decreased nociceptive responses in the second phase of the test, whereas the opposite was detected after injection of the GABAB agonist baclofen. Finally, we determined the GABAergic afferents of the DRt, namely those arising from its main brain afferents, which are located at the telencephalon and diencephalon. For that purpose, we combined retrograde tract-tracing from the DRt with immunodetection of glutamate decarboxylase, the GABA-synthesizing enzyme. The higher numbers of retrogradely labelled glutamate decarboxylase-immunoreactive neurons were located at insular, somatosensory, and motor cortices. Collectively, the results suggest that GABA acting on GABAB receptors may enhance pain facilitation from the DRt during inflammatory pain.

Interaction Between Brain Histamine and Serotonin, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine Systems: In Vivo Microdialysis and Electrophysiology Study.

Brain monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and histamine) play an important role in emotions, cognition, and pathophysiology and treatment of mental disorders. The interactions between serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine were studied in numerous works; however, histamine system received less attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions between histamine and other monoamines, using in vivo microdialysis and electrophysiology. It was found that the inverse agonist of histamine-3 receptors, thioperamide, increased the firing activity of dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area. Selective agonist of histamine-3 receptors, immepip, reversed thiperamide-induced stimulation of firing activity of dopamine neurons. The firing rates of serotonin and norpeinephrine neurons were not attenuated by immepip or thioperamide. Thioperamide robustly and significantly increased extracellular concentrations of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the rat prefrontal cortex and slightly increased norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the tuberomammillary nucleus of the hypothalamus. It can be concluded that histamine stimulates serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine transmission in the brain. Modulation of firing of dopamine neurons is a key element in functional interactions between histamine and other monoamines. Antagonists of histamine-3 receptors, because of their potential ability to stimulate monoamine neurotransmission, might be beneficial in the treatment of mental disorders.

Lentiviral delivery of a vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1)-targeting short hairpin RNA vector into the mouse hippocampus impairs cognition.

Glutamate is the principle excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain, and dysregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission is implicated in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric and neurological diseases. This study utilized novel lentiviral short hairpin RNA (shRNA) vectors to target expression of the vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) following injection into the dorsal hippocampus of adult mice, as partial reductions in VGLUT1 expression should attenuate glutamatergic signaling and similar reductions have been reported in schizophrenia. The VGLUT1-targeting vector attenuated tonic glutamate release in the dorsal hippocampus without affecting GABA, and selectively impaired novel object discrimination (NOD) and retention (but not acquisition) in the Morris water maze, without influencing contextual fear-motivated learning or causing any adverse locomotor or central immune effects. This pattern of cognitive impairment is consistent with the accumulating evidence for functional differentiation along the dorsoventral axis of the hippocampus, and supports the involvement of dorsal hippocampal glutamatergic neurotransmission in both spatial and nonspatial memory. Future use of this nonpharmacological VGLUT1 knockdown mouse model could improve our understanding of glutamatergic neurobiology and aid assessment of novel therapies for cognitive deficits such as those seen in schizophrenia.

Microdialysis-coupled enzymatic microreactor for in vivo glucose monitoring in rats.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is an important aid for diabetic patients to optimize glycemic control and to prevent long-term complications. However, current CGM devices need further miniaturization and improved functional performance. We have coupled a previously described microfluidic chip with enzymatic microreactor (EMR) to a microdialysis probe and evaluated the performance of this system for monitoring subcutaneous glucose concentration in rats. Nanoliter volumes of microdialysis sample are efficiently reacted with continuously supplied glucose oxidase (GOx) solution in the EMR. The hydrogen peroxide produced is amperometrically detected at a (polypyrrole (PPy)-protected) thin-film Pt electrode. Subcutaneous glucose concentration was continuously monitored in anesthetized rats in response to intravenous injections of 20% glucose (w/v), 5 U/kg insulin, or saline as a control. In vitro evaluation showed a linear range of 2.1-20.6 mM and a sensitivity of 7.8 ± 1.0 nA/mM (n = 6). The physical lag time between microdialysis and the analytical signal was approximately 18 min. The baseline concentration of blood glucose was 10.2 ± 2.3 mM. After administering glucose to the rats, glucose levels increased by about 2 mM to 12.1 ± 2.3 mM in blood and 11.9 ± 1.5 mM in subcutaneous interstitial fluid (ISF). After insulin administration, glucose levels decreased by about 8 mM relative to baseline to 2.1 ± 0.6 mM in blood and 2.1 ± 0.9 mM in ISF. A microfluidic device with integrated chaotic mixer and EMR has been successfully combined with subcutaneous microdialysis to continuously monitor glucose in rats. This proof-of-principle demonstrates the feasibility of improved miniaturization in CGM based on microfluidics.

The role of cortical and hypothalamic histamine-3 receptors in the modulation of central histamine neurotransmission: an in vivo electrophysiology and microdialysis study.

The current study aimed to investigate the effect of histamine-3 (H(3)) receptors, expressed in the tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) of the hypothalamus and in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), on histamine neurotransmission in the rat brain. The firing activity of histamine neurons in the TMN was measured using in vivo extracellular single-unit electrophysiology, under propofol anesthesia. Extracellular histamine levels were determined using the dual (PFC and TMN) probe microdialysis, in freely-moving animals. Histamine levels in dialysates were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and fluorescence detection. It was found that systemic administration of the selective H(3)-agonist, immepip, decreases, and the reverse H(3) /H(4)-agonist, thioperamide, increases the firing activity of histamine neurons in the TMN and the release of histamine in TMN and PFC. Local perfusion of immepip into the TMN increased, and thioperamide decreased, histamine levels in the TMN but not in the PFC. Local perfusion of immepip into the PFC, however, decreased extracellular histamine levels in both TMN and PFC. It can be concluded that brain H(3) receptors, and especially those expressed in the PFC, play an important role in the autoregulation of histamine neurotransmission. It is possible that H(3) receptors in the PFC are expressed on pyramidal neurons projecting to the TMN, and activation of these receptors diminishes glutamate excitatory input from PFC to the TMN. As the brain histamine system has a role in pathophysiology of psychotic, affective, cognitive, sleep and eating disorders, H(3) receptors are potential targets for future CNS medications.

CB-1 receptors modulate the effect of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, citalopram on extracellular serotonin levels in the rat prefrontal cortex.

A large percentage of depressed individuals use drugs of abuse, like cannabis. This study investigates the impact of cannabis on the pharmacological effects of the antidepressant citalopram. Using microdialysis in the prefrontal cortex of rats we monitored serotonin levels before and after cannabinoid (WIN55,212-2 or rimonabant) and citalopram administration. Stimulating CB-1 decreased the effect of citalopram on increasing serotonin levels in the prefrontal cortex. Blocking CB-1 augmented this effect of citalopram. Although repeating these experiments in a chronical setting is recommended the present results might have implication for the clinical effects of citalopram.

Biochemical and behavioral effects of long-term citalopram administration and discontinuation in rats: role of serotonin synthesis.

We have investigated effects of continuous SSRI administration and abrupt discontinuation on biochemical and behavioral indices of rat brain serotonin function, and attempted to identify underlying mechanisms. Biochemistry of serotonin was assessed with brain tissue assays and microdialysis; behavior was assessed as the acoustic startle reflex. Long-term SSRI administration to rats reduced the content of 5-HT and its main metabolite shortly after inhibition of 5-HT synthesis in many brain areas with more than 50%. Turnover was not appreciably decreased, but significantly increased within 48h of drug discontinuation. The microdialysis experiments indicate that neuronal release of 5-HT depends strongly on new synthesis and emphasize the role of 5-HT(1B) receptors in the regulation of these processes. Discontinuation of the SSRI rapidly increased behavioral reactivity to the external stimulus. Additional startle experiments suggest that the increased reactivity is more likely related to the reduced extracellular 5-HT levels than to impaired synthesis. The combination of the marked reduction of serotonin content and limited synthesis may destabilize brain serotonin transmission during long-term SSRI treatment. These combined effects may compromise the efficacy of an SSRI therapy and facilitate behavioral changes following non-compliance.

An enzymatic microreactor based on chaotic micromixing for enhanced amperometric detection in a continuous glucose monitoring application.

The development of continuous glucose monitoring systems is a major trend in diabetes-related research. Small, easy-to-wear systems which are robust enough to function over many days without maintenance are the goal. We present a new sensing system for continuous glucose monitoring based on a microreactor incorporating chaotic mixing channels. Two different types of chaotic mixing channels with arrays of either slanted or herringbone grooves were fabricated in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and compared to channels containing no grooves. Mixing in channels with slanted grooves was characterized using a fluorescence method as a function of distance and at different flow rates, and compared to the mixing behavior observed in channels with no grooves. For electrochemical detection, a thin-film Pt electrode was positioned at the end of the fluidic channel as an on-chip detector of the reaction product, H(2)O(2). Glucose determination was performed by rapidly mixing glucose and glucose oxidase (GOx) in solution at a flow rate of 0.5 microL/min and 1.5 microL/min, respectively. A 150 U/mL GOx solution was selected as the optimum concentration of enzyme. In order to investigate the dependence of device response on flow rate, experiments with a premixed solution of glucose and GOx were compared to experiments in which glucose and GOx were reacted on-chip. Calibration curves for glucose (0-20 mM, in the clinical range of interest) were obtained in channels with and without grooves, using amperometric detection and a 150 U/mL GOx solution for in-chip reaction.

Microfiltration sampling in rats and in cows: toward a portable device for continuous glucocorticoid hormone sampling.

To monitor temporal patterns of glucocorticoids hormones in living animals, most often blood samples are collected. Blood sampling is invasive and subjects may find it--in particular--unpleasant when multiple samples are collected. We have developed a microfiltration collection device (MCD) sampling continuously, pulse-free, over a selected period of time, with minimum invasiveness as the device is inserted with only one venipuncture. The MCD consists of a hollow fiber membrane (probe), capillary collection coil and flow creator. Three biocompatible hollow fiber membranes were assessed on flow rate in rats, by placing the probe intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, or intravascularly and with or without heparin coating. The probe made from polyethylene coated with ethylene vinyl alcohol-heparin conveyed the best results and had the most benefit of the heparin coating. Consequently this probe was built into a collection device and tested in cows, sampling blood microfiltrate. Cortisol (protein-bound and -free) could be monitored in cows over a period of 7 hours. This device has several major advantages compared to manual blood collection: minor stress is induced by the application of the device; it has a low weight and can therefore be used in freely active subjects being in their own surroundings. The device can be sterilized and manufactured as a disposable tool, and the filled MCD can be shipped by regular mail to a specialized laboratory facility for analysis.

Oxazepam and temazepam attenuate paroxetine-induced elevation of serotonin levels in guinea-pig hippocampus.

Selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used as a first-line treatment in depression. However, many depressed patients are also treated with benzodiazepines to alleviate increased anxiety and sleep disturbances normally associated with depression. Since benzodiazepines inhibit 5-HT neuronal firing activity, they might attenuate SSRI-induced increase in extracellular 5-HT levels. This study aimed to assess, using in-vivo microdialysis, the effects of the benzodiazepines oxazepam or temazepan on the SSRI paroxetine-induced 5-HT increase in the hippocampus of freely moving guinea-pigs. It was found that the acute systemic administration of paroxetine increased extracellular 5-HT levels. Pre-administration of oxazepam or temazepam significantly diminished the paroxetine-induced elevation of extracellular 5-HT levels (from 350% to 200% of baseline). It was concluded that benzodiazepines attenuate the ability of SSRIs to elevate hippocampal 5-HT levels. Thus, co-administration of benzodiazepines might affect the therapeutic efficacy of SSRI treatment.

Alpha1-adrenoceptors modulate citalopram-induced serotonin release.

Previous studies suggest that noradrenaline may regulate serotonergic (5-HT) neurotransmission at the serotonin cell body and noradrenaline nerve terminal. Using microdialysis coupled to HPLC, we investigated the effects of alpha1-adrenoceptor manipulation on extracellular serotonin levels - in the ventral hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and raphe nuclei - in the presence or absence of the serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), citalopram. Extracellular 5-HT levels from prefrontal cortex, ventral hippocampus and raphe nuclei were markedly increased following citalopram administration (3.0 mg/kg s.c.). In the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus, local blockade of the alpha1-adrenoceptor (3.0 microM prazosin infusion) significantly decreased this citalopram-induced increase in serotonin, while cirazoline (alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist) and reboxetine (noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) further increased extracellular serotonin levels when administered systemically (0.02 mg/kg i.p. and 5.0 mg/kg s.c. respectively) or locally infused (10.0 microM and 1.0 microM respectively). Moreover, prazosin pre-infusion into terminal areas prevented the increase in citalopram-induced increase in serotonin levels with systemic cirazoline or reboxetine administration. Prazosin also decreased the citalopram-induced increase in serotonin levels in the raphe nuclei; however no enhancement of the SSRI response was observed with systemic or local administration of cirazoline or reboxetine, suggesting that alpha1-adrenoceptors may already be maximally activated under these conditions. These data provide strong evidence that after acute citalopram administration, the alpha1-adrenoceptor exerts a modulatory role on serotonin levels.

Quantitative microdialysis using modified ultraslow microdialysis: direct rapid and reliable determination of free brain concentrations with the MetaQuant technique.

The only method to quantify free extracellular levels of drugs in the brain of living animals is microdialysis. However, quantitative microdialysis has been hampered by methodological issues for decades. The problems arise from the need to establish the in vivo recovery for appropriate quantitation. In dealing with these issues the "dynamic no-net-flux" (DNNF) method seemed to be the experimental method of choice. Major disadvantages were, however, the need for a very high degree of bioanalytical precision and accuracy and the need for a large number of animals. Moreover, today we know that the experimental data are not always straightforward. To improve robustness and practicality of quantitative microdialysis sampling we modified the ultraslow microdialysis approach. Ultraslow microdialysis uses very low microdialysis flow rates (<200 nl/min) which increase recovery (both in vivo and in vitro) to over 90%. However, new practical issues arise when attempting to work with these flow rates. The resulting very low volumes and long lag times make this method very impractical for general application. In the modified version, addition of a carrier flow after the dialysis process has been completed, which negates the problems of long lag times and low volumes. The resulting dilution of the dialysis sample concentration can simply be mathematically corrected. In the current study we measured the free brain levels of two CNS compounds using the classic DNNF and the new modified ultraslow dialysis method. Modified ultraslow microdialysis was shown to generate robust data with the use of only small numbers of rats. The method is a promising tool for common straightforward screening of blood-brain barrier penetration of compounds into the brain.

Antagonism of 5-HT(1A) receptors uncovers an excitatory effect of SSRIs on 5-HT neuronal activity, an action probably mediated by 5-HT(7) receptors.

Both microdialysis and electrophysiology were used to investigate whether another serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtype next to the 5-HT(1A) autoreceptor is involved in the acute effects of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor on 5-HT neuronal activity. On the basis of a previous study, we decided to investigate the involvement of the 5-HT(7) receptors. Experiments were performed with the specific 5-HT(7) antagonist SB 258741 and the putative 5-HT(7) agonist AS19. In this study WAY 100.635 was used to block 5-HT(1A) receptors. Systemic administration of SB 258741 significantly reduced the effect of combined selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and WAY 100.635 administration on extracellular 5-HT in the ventral hippocampus as well as 5-HT neuronal firing in the dorsal raphe nucleus. In the microdialysis study, co-administration of AS19 and WAY 100.635 showed a biphasic effect on extracellular 5-HT in ventral hippocampus, hinting at opposed 5-HT(7) receptor mediated effects. In the electrophysiological experiments, systemic administration of AS19 alone displayed a bell-shaped dose-effect curve: moderately increasing 5-HT neuronal firing at lower doses while decreasing it at higher doses. SB 258741 was capable of blocking the effect of AS19 at a low dose. This is consistent with the pharmacological profile of AS19, displaying high affinity for 5-HT(7) receptors and moderate affinity for 5-HT(1A) receptors. The data are in support of an excitatory effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on 5-HT neuronal activity mediated by 5-HT(7) receptors. It can be speculated, that the restoration of 5-HT neuronal firing upon chronic antidepressant treatment, which is generally attributed to desensitization of 5-HT(1A) receptors alone, in fact results from a shift in balance between 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(7) receptor function.

Microsensors for in vivo Measurement of Glutamate in Brain Tissue.

Several immobilized enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors for glutamate detection have been developed over the last decade. In this review, we compare first and second generation sensors. Structures, working mechanisms, interference prevention, in vitro detection characteristics and in vivo performance are summarized here for those sensors that have successfully detected brain glutamate in vivo. In brief, first generation sensors have a simpler structure and are faster in glutamate detection. They also show a better sensitivity to glutamate during calibration in vitro. For second generation sensors, besides their less precise detection, their fabrication is difficult to reproduce, even with a semi-automatic dip-coater. Both generations of sensors can detect glutamate levels in vivo, but the reported basal levels are different. In general, second generation sensors detect higher basal levels of glutamate compared with the results obtained from first generation sensors. However, whether the detected glutamate is indeed from synaptic sources is an issue that needs further attention.

Improving the in vivo predictability of an on-line HPLC stable free radical decoloration assay for antioxidant activity in methanol-buffer medium.

The pivotal role of ROS (reactive oxygen species) in various (patho)physiological processes has stimulated research on the potential of intervening in these processes with antioxidants (AO). In vitro model systems to investigate AO activity against the various ROS are a valuable tool in classifying antioxidants. To improve the in vivo predictability of the results obtained, we have modified and characterized the widely used DPPH (2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) on-line decoloration assay. Previous investigations using the DPPH reaction in a pure methanolic medium exhibit slow kinetics and a reaction going to completion. In this study, a medium which includes an aqueous buffer at physiological pH has been applied, resulting in the rapid establishment of equilibrium. The results obtained in an aqueous medium at physiological pH are expected to be more relevant for extrapolation to in vivo circumstances than previously published findings. The antioxidants investigated are classified according to the results obtained and the relevance of their behavior to in vivo situations is discussed. Special emphasis is put on the significance of the results for prediction of redox-cycling characteristics and structure-activity relationships.

Augmentation of SSRI effects on serotonin by 5-HT2C antagonists: mechanistic studies.

The treatment of depression may be improved by using an augmentation approach involving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in combination with compounds that focus on antagonism of inhibitory serotonin receptors. Using microdialysis coupled to HPLC, it has recently been shown that the systemic co-administration of 5-HT(2C) antagonists with SSRIs augmented the acute effect of SSRIs on extracellular 5-HT. In this paper, we have investigated the mechanism through which this augmentation occurs. The increase in extracellular 5-HT was not observed when both compounds were locally infused. However, varying the route of administration for both compounds differentially revealed that an augmentation took place when the 5-HT(2C) antagonist was locally infused into ventral hippocampus and the SSRI given systemically, but not when systemic 5-HT(2C) antagonist was co-administered with the local infusion of citalopram. This suggests that the release of extracellular serotonin in ventral hippocampus may be controlled by (an)other brain area(s). As 5-HT(2C) receptors are not considered to be autoreceptors, this would implicate that other neurotransmitter systems are involved in this process. To investigate which neurotransmitter systems were involved in the interaction, systemic citalopram was challenged with several glutamatergic, GABA-ergic, noradrenergic, and dopaminergic compounds to determine their effects on serotonin release in ventral hippocampus. It was determined that the involvement of glutamate, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the augmentation did not seem likely, whereas evidence implicated a role for the GABA-ergic system in the augmentation.

Evaluation of hydrogel-coated glutamate microsensors.

Glutamate microsensors form a promising analytical tool for monitoring neuronally derived glutamate directly in the brain. However, when a microsensor is implanted in brain tissue, many factors can diminish its performance. Consequently, a thorough characterization and evaluation of a microsensor is required concerning all factors that may possibly be encountered in vivo. The present report deals with the validation of a hydrogel-coated glutamate microsensor. This microsensor is constructed by coating a carbon fiber electrode (10-microm diameter; 300-500 microm long) with a five-component redox hydrogel, in which L-glutamate oxidase, horseradish peroxidase, and ascorbate oxidase are wired via poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether to an osmium-containing redox polymer. A thin Nafion coating completes the construction. Although this microsensor was previously used in vivo, information concerning its validation is limited. In the present study, attention was given to its selectivity, specificity, calibration, oxygen dependency, biofouling, operating potential dependency, and linear range. In addition, successful microsensor experiments in microdialysate, in vitro (in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures), and in vivo (in anesthesized rats) are shown.

Improving the performance of glutamate microsensors by purification of ascorbate oxidase.

Enzyme-based biosensors have the potential to directly detect extracellular concentrations of glutamate in brain tissue with a high spatial and temporal resolution. To optimize their analytical performance, much attention has been paid to the architectural construction of these biosensors. In particular, the coupling of enzymes to the electrode surface has received much interest, which has resulted in many (derivatives of) first-, second-, and third-generation type of biosensors. However, it is remarkable that in the literature little attention, if any, has been paid to the influence of the quality of the enzyme itself on the analytical performance of a biosensor. Previously we have reported that different batches of ascorbate oxidase significantly altered the performance of our glutamate microsensor.(1) In this note, it is shown that a simple enzyme purification procedure as buffer exchange leads to a more uniform enzyme quality and also significantly improves the reproducibility and performance of the microsensor. In our opinion, this is an important observation and of general interest for the construction of enzyme-based biosensors.