Prenatal protein malnutrition results in increased frequency of miniature inhibitory synaptic currents in rat CA1 pyramidal cells. 2000

J Luebke, and J St John, and J R Galler
Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02118, USA. jluebke@bu.edu

There is growing evidence for an effect of prenatal protein malnutrition on the GABAergic neurotransmitter system in the rat hippocampus and associated structures. In the present study, we examined the functional electrophysiological consequences of observed alterations in GABA(A) and benzodiazepine receptor systems. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings of spontaneous and of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) generated by CA1 pyramidal cells were performed in in vitro hippocampal slices prepared from control and prenatally protein malnourished adult male rats. The characteristics of spontaneous synaptic currents were unaltered by the prenatal insult, as were the amplitudes and kinetics of GABA(A) receptor-mediated mIPSCs. The frequency of mIPSCs, however, was significantly increased in CA1 pyramidal cells in slices prepared from prenatally malnourished vs. control rats. The effect of the benzodiazepine receptor agonist chlordiazepoxide on the characteristics of mIPSCs was also examined and found to be the same in cells from both nutritional groups. The increased frequency of mIPSCs together with the lack of a change in amplitude, kinetics, or modulation by benzodiazepines of mIPSCs in response to prenatal protein malnutrition indicate a presynaptic locus of effect of this insult.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008564 Membrane Potentials The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or ORGANELLES membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization). Resting Potentials,Transmembrane Potentials,Delta Psi,Resting Membrane Potential,Transmembrane Electrical Potential Difference,Transmembrane Potential Difference,Difference, Transmembrane Potential,Differences, Transmembrane Potential,Membrane Potential,Membrane Potential, Resting,Membrane Potentials, Resting,Potential Difference, Transmembrane,Potential Differences, Transmembrane,Potential, Membrane,Potential, Resting,Potential, Transmembrane,Potentials, Membrane,Potentials, Resting,Potentials, Transmembrane,Resting Membrane Potentials,Resting Potential,Transmembrane Potential,Transmembrane Potential Differences
D009433 Neural Inhibition The function of opposing or restraining the excitation of neurons or their target excitable cells. Inhibition, Neural
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011297 Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects The consequences of exposing the FETUS in utero to certain factors, such as NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENA; PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS; DRUGS; RADIATION; and other physical or chemical factors. These consequences are observed later in the offspring after BIRTH. Delayed Effects, Prenatal Exposure,Late Effects, Prenatal Exposure
D011502 Protein-Energy Malnutrition The lack of sufficient energy or protein to meet the body's metabolic demands, as a result of either an inadequate dietary intake of protein, intake of poor quality dietary protein, increased demands due to disease, or increased nutrient losses. Marasmus,Protein-Calorie Malnutrition,Malnutrition, Protein-Calorie,Malnutrition, Protein-Energy,Malnutritions, Protein-Energy,Protein Calorie Malnutrition,Protein Energy Malnutrition
D002149 Energy Intake Total number of calories taken in daily whether ingested or by parenteral routes. Caloric Intake,Calorie Intake,Intake, Calorie,Intake, Energy
D002707 Chlordiazepoxide An anxiolytic benzodiazepine derivative with anticonvulsant, sedative, and amnesic properties. It has also been used in the symptomatic treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Methaminodiazepoxide,7-Chloro-2-methylamino-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepine-4-oxide,7-Chloro-N-methyl-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-amine 4-oxide,Chlordiazepoxide Hydrobromide,Chlordiazepoxide Hydrochloride,Chlordiazepoxide Monohydrochloride,Chlordiazepoxide Perchlorate,Chlozepid,Elenium,Librium,7 Chloro 2 methylamino 5 phenyl 3H 1,4 benzodiazepine 4 oxide,7 Chloro N methyl 5 phenyl 3H 1,4 benzodiazepin 2 amine 4 oxide,Hydrobromide, Chlordiazepoxide,Hydrochloride, Chlordiazepoxide,Monohydrochloride, Chlordiazepoxide,Perchlorate, Chlordiazepoxide
D005260 Female Females
D005680 gamma-Aminobutyric Acid The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. 4-Aminobutyric Acid,GABA,4-Aminobutanoic Acid,Aminalon,Aminalone,Gammalon,Lithium GABA,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Calcium Salt (2:1),gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Hydrochloride,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Monolithium Salt,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Monosodium Salt,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Zinc Salt (2:1),4 Aminobutanoic Acid,4 Aminobutyric Acid,Acid, Hydrochloride gamma-Aminobutyric,GABA, Lithium,Hydrochloride gamma-Aminobutyric Acid,gamma Aminobutyric Acid,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Hydrochloride,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Monolithium Salt,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Monosodium Salt

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