Autor: |
Carrascal L; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain.; Instituto de Biomedicina de Cádiz (INIBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain., Vázquez-Carretero MD; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain., García-Miranda P; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain., Fontán-Lozano Á; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain., Calonge ML; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain., Ilundáin AA; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain., Castro C; Instituto de Biomedicina de Cádiz (INIBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain.; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain., Nunez-Abades P; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain.; Instituto de Biomedicina de Cádiz (INIBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain., Peral MJ; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain. |
Abstrakt: |
Neuroinflammation underlies neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we test whether acute colon inflammation activates microglia and astrocytes, induces neuroinflammation, disturbs neuron intrinsic electrical properties in the primary motor cortex, and alters motor behaviors. We used a rat model of acute colon inflammation induced by dextran sulfate sodium. Inflammatory mediators and microglial activation were assessed in the primary motor cortex by PCR and immunofluorescence assays. Electrophysiological properties of the motor cortex neurons were determined by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Motor behaviors were examined using open-field and rotarod tests. We show that the primary motor cortex of rats with acute colon inflammation exhibited microglial and astrocyte activation and increased mRNA abundance of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and both inducible and neuronal nitric oxide synthases. These changes were accompanied by a reduction in resting membrane potential and rheobase and increased input resistance and action potential frequency, indicating motor neuron hyperexcitability. In addition, locomotion and motor coordination were impaired. In conclusion, acute colon inflammation induces motor cortex microglial and astrocyte activation and inflammation, which led to neurons' hyperexcitability and reduced motor coordination performance. The described disturbances resembled some of the early features found in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and animal models, suggesting that colon inflammation might be a risk factor for developing this disease. |