Biomaterial Database

Differential responses of lateral and ventrolateral rat periaqueductal grey neurones to noradrenaline in vitro. 1996

C W Vaughan, and R Bandler, and M J Christie

Department of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.

1. The action of noradrenaline on the membrane properties of rat periaqueductal grey (PAG) neurones was examined using intracellular recordings in brain slices maintained in vitro. Morphological properties and the anatomical location of neurones were characterized by use of intracellular staining within biocytin. 2. Noradrenaline (0.3-100 microM) depolarized 66% (81/123) and hyperpolarized 30% (37/123) of neurones. The alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists phenylephrine and UK 14304 produced depolarizations and hyperpolarizations in all PAG neurones tested, respectively. Neurones depolarized by noradrenaline were more responsive to phenylephrine, whereas neurones hyperpolarized by noradrenaline were more responsive to UK 14304. 3. The UK 14304-induced hyperpolarizations reversed polarity at -108 +/- 2 mV (n = 11). The reversal potential increased when the extracellular potassium concentration was raised (slope = 57.8 mV/log[K+]o mM) in a manner similar to that predicted for potassium conductance. 4. The phenylephrine-induced depolarizations did not reverse polarity at negative potentials (n = 25), or did so at potentials (-119 +/- 2 mV, n = 13) more negative than the UK 14304-induced hyperpolarizations. Superfusion with low calcium (0.1 mM), high magnesium (10 mM) and either cobalt (2-4 mM), or cadmium (100 microM) usually reduced the response to phenylephrine and produced reversals near that predicted for potassium conductance. 5. The majority of the ventrolateral PAG neurones were depolarized by noradrenaline (85%, 62/73). In contrast, almost equal proportions of the lateral PAG neurones were hyperpolarized (54%, 20/37) and depolarized (46%, n = 17/37) by noradrenaline. PAG neurones depolarized or hyperpolarized by noradrenaline could not be differentiated on morphological grounds. 6. These results suggest that the net effect of noradrenaline on lateral and ventrolateral PAG neurones is to bias activity in favour of a ventrolateral PAG-mediated response pattern, which includes quiescence, hyporeactivity, hypotension and bradycardia.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008239	Lysine	An essential amino acid. It is often added to animal feed.	Enisyl,L-Lysine,Lysine Acetate,Lysine Hydrochloride,Acetate, Lysine,L Lysine
D008274	Magnesium	A metallic element that has the atomic symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and atomic weight 24.31. It is important for the activity of many enzymes, especially those involved in OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION.
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
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D009638	Norepinephrine	Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the ADRENAL MEDULLA and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and of the diffuse projection system in the brain that arises from the LOCUS CERULEUS. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic.	Levarterenol,Levonorepinephrine,Noradrenaline,Arterenol,Levonor,Levophed,Levophed Bitartrate,Noradrenaline Bitartrate,Noradrénaline tartrate renaudin,Norepinephrin d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine Bitartrate,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:2),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+,-)-Isomer
D010487	Periaqueductal Gray	Central gray matter surrounding the CEREBRAL AQUEDUCT in the MESENCEPHALON. Physiologically it is probably involved in RAGE reactions, the LORDOSIS REFLEX; FEEDING responses, bladder tonus, and pain.	Mesencephalic Central Gray,Midbrain Central Gray,Central Gray Substance of Midbrain,Central Periaqueductal Gray,Griseum Centrale,Griseum Centrale Mesencephali,Periaqueductal Gray Matter,Substantia Grisea Centralis,Substantia Grisea Centralis Mesencephali,Central Gray, Mesencephalic,Central Gray, Midbrain,Gray Matter, Periaqueductal,Gray, Central Periaqueductal,Griseum Centrale Mesencephalus,Periaqueductal Grays, Central
D010656	Phenylephrine	An alpha-1 adrenergic agonist used as a mydriatic, nasal decongestant, and cardiotonic agent.	(R)-3-Hydroxy-alpha-((methylamino)methyl)benzenemethanol,Metaoxedrin,Metasympatol,Mezaton,Neo-Synephrine,Neosynephrine,Phenylephrine Hydrochloride,Phenylephrine Tannate,Neo Synephrine,Tannate, Phenylephrine
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D011810	Quinoxalines		Quinoxaline
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon