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Neuroprotective effects of testosterone in two models of spinal motoneuron injury
Sengelaub DR, Osborne MC, Little CM, Huyck KD, Verhovshek T (2006) Neuroprotective effects of testosterone in two models of spinal motoneuron injury. Neuroscience 2006 Abstracts 683.12. Society for Neuroscience, Atlanta, GA.
Summary: Following induced death or axotomy of spinal motoneurons remaining motoneurons atrophy, but this atrophy can be reversed or prevented by treatment with testosterone (T). For example, partial depletion of motoneurons from the highly androgen-sensitive spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) induces dendritic atrophy in remaining motoneurons, and this atrophy is prevented by treatment with T. To test whether T has similar effects in more typical motoneurons, we examined potential neuroprotective effects in motoneurons innervating muscles of the quadriceps. Motoneurons innervating the vastus medialis muscle were selectively killed by intramuscular injection of cholera toxin conjugated saporin. Simultaneously, some saporin-injected rats were given implants containing T or left untreated. Four weeks later, motoneurons innervating the ipsilateral vastus lateralis muscle were labeled with cholera toxin conjugated HRP, and dendritic arbors were reconstructed in 3 dimensions. Compared to intact control males, partial motoneuron depletion resulted in decreased dendritic length (70%) and soma size (13%) in remaining quadriceps motoneurons, but as in the SNB, this atrophy was attenuated by T treatment. In a second model, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and T have a combinatorial effect in the maintenance of motoneurons after axotomy in that dendritic morphology is supported by BDNF treatment, but only in the presence of T. Using immunohistochemical methods, we examined the regulation of the expression of the BDNF receptor, trkB, by T. In both the highly androgen-sensitive motoneurons of the SNB and the more typical quadriceps motoneurons, the expression of trkB receptors was regulated by the presence of T. Motoneurons of castrated animals deprived of T show reduced expression of trkB receptors compared to motoneurons of intact animals or castrated animals given T replacement. This finding suggests that maintenance of trkB receptors with T may be necessary to permit the trophic effects of BDNF in supporting dendritic morphology after axotomy. Together, these findings suggest that T regulates neuroprotective effects through a variety of mechanisms, not only in highly androgen-sensitive motoneurons, but in more typical motoneuron populations as well.
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Testosterone treatment prevents deficits in motor activation caused by partial loss of motoneurons
Fargo KN, Sengelaub DR (2005) Testosterone treatment prevents deficits in motor activation caused by partial loss of motoneurons. Neuroscience 2005 Abstracts 672.8. Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC.
Summary: In male rats, motoneurons of the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) project to the bulbocavernosus and levator ani muscles (BC/LA). The SNB system is dependent on androgens for its development, adult morphology, and function. We have previously demonstrated that unilateral depletion of SNB motoneurons induces atrophy of dendrites and somata in contralateral SNB motoneurons, and that this atrophy is prevented by treatment with exogenous testosterone. In the present experiment, we tested the hypothesis that this neuroprotective effect of testosterone on the morphology of SNB motoneurons is accompanied by a neuroprotective effect on the electrophysiological function of the system. We unilaterally depleted right-side SNB motoneurons by intramuscular injection of cholera toxin-conjugated saporin. Simultaneously, some of the saporin-injected rats were castrated and immediately given exogenous testosterone in subcutaneous Silastic capsules designed to produce testosterone titers in the high-normal physiological range. Four weeks later, animals were anesthetized and spinally transected. A stimulating electrode was placed on the left L6 dorsal root, which carries motor afferents from the BC/LA, and a recording electrode was placed on the motor branch of the left pudendal nerve, which carries SNB motoneuron axons to the BC/LA. Both nerves were then severed distal to electrode placement, and recruitment curves were generated by stimulating through the entire range of effective intensities. Consistent with our previously reported morphological changes, unilateral motoneuron depletion resulted in an attenuation of the recruitment of motoneurons in the contralateral SNB, and this was completely prevented by treatment with exogenous testosterone. This result provides a functional correlate to the neuroprotective effects of testosterone treatment on SNB morphology following unilateral motoneuron depletion, further supporting a role for testosterone as a neurotherapeutic agent in the injured nervous system.
Related Products: CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14)
Ablation of vagal preganglionic neurons innervating the extra-thoracic trachea affects ventilatory responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia.
Wu M, Kc P, Mack SO, Haxhiu MA (2006) Ablation of vagal preganglionic neurons innervating the extra-thoracic trachea affects ventilatory responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 152(1):36-50. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2005.07.002
Summary: Hypercapnia, an excess of CO2 in the blood, is thought to stimulate the release of acetylcholine by airway-related vagal preganglionic neurons (AVPNs). AVPNs in the nucleus ambiguus (NA) were lesioned with ten 1-µl injections of CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14) into the trachealis muscle of rats. Treated animals maintained rhythmic breathing patterns, but episodes of increased respiratory rate in response to hypercapnia were significantly reduced.
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Molecular neurosurgery with targeted toxins
Wiley RG, Lappi DA (2005) Molecular neurosurgery with targeted toxins. Humana Press, Totowa, New Jersey.
Summary: The idea behind the book was to provide a road map for the users of Molecular Neurosurgery to see how experienced scientists used these exceptional reagents in their work. Experiments with several targeted toxins are described, and readers can get an idea either specifically about a targeted toxin that they’re using, or about how a type of molecule is used and at what dosage, in a paradigm similar to theirs.
Related Products: 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01), ME20.4-SAP (Cat. #IT-15), Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03), SSP-SAP (Cat. #IT-11), Dermorphin-SAP / MOR-SAP (Cat. #IT-12), IB4-SAP (Cat. #IT-10), CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14)
Prevention of depletion-induced motoneuron dendritic atrophy requires testosterone effects on target musculature
Fargo KN, Sengelaub DR (2004) Prevention of depletion-induced motoneuron dendritic atrophy requires testosterone effects on target musculature. Neuroscience 2004 Abstracts 310.10. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA.
Summary: Motoneurons in the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) in male rats project to the penile muscles bulbocavernosus (BC) and levator ani (LA). These motoneurons share a midline location, have intermingled somata, extensive dendritic overlap, and common afferents, and organize coordinated contractions of the penile musculature. Unilateral depletion of BC-projecting motoneurons causes marked dendritic atrophy in contralateral BC-projecting motoneurons, and this atrophy can be prevented with testosterone (T) treatment. In this experiment, we test whether the depletion-induced atrophy is related to the innervation of homotypic muscles. BC-projecting motoneurons were depleted by unilateral injection with saporin conjugated to the cholera toxin B subunit (SAP); some animals were simultaneously treated with T. Four weeks later, a period demonstrated to be sufficient to observe dendritic atrophy in remaining motoneurons, HRP conjugated to the cholera toxin B subunit (BHRP) was injected into the ipsilateral LA. SAP injection into the BC muscle killed over 40% of ipsilateral SNB motoneurons. Dendritic length in LA-projecting motoneurons was reduced by almost 60%. Because the SAP-induced depletion of motoneurons and the resultant dendritic atrophy occurred across motor populations, this result indicates that the dendritic atrophy we have observed previously is not restricted to motoneurons projecting to homotypic muscles. In previous studies, prevention of dendritic atrophy by T treatment in BC-projecting motoneurons was accompanied by a marked hypertrophy of the BC muscle. In the present experiment, T treatment failed to prevent dendritic atrophy in LA-projecting motoneurons, and further did not result in hypertrophy of the LA ipsilateral to the SAP-injected BC. Thus, it appears the neuroprotective effect of T treatment on SNB motoneurons may be dependent on T effects in the target musculature.
Related Products: CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14)
Exogenous testosterone prevents motoneuron atrophy induced by contralateral motoneuron depletion.
Fargo KN, Sengelaub DR (2004) Exogenous testosterone prevents motoneuron atrophy induced by contralateral motoneuron depletion. J Neurobiol 60(3):348-359. doi: 10.1002/neu.20027
Summary: Gonadal steroids have been shown to supply a variety of neuroprotective and neurotherapeutic effects. Using 1-µl injections of 0.1% CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14) into the ipsalateral bulbocavernosus and the levator ani of rats, the authors examined the protective effects of testosterone on motoneuron morphology. After the lesion was induced some rats were castrated, and all animals were treated with exogenous testosterone. The results suggest that high-normal levels of testosterone can prevent motoneuron atrophy induced by contralateral motoneuron depletion.
Related Products: CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14)
Recurrent paraplegia after remyelination of the spinal cord.
Jasmin L, Ohara PT (2004) Recurrent paraplegia after remyelination of the spinal cord. J Neurosci Res 77(2):277-284. doi: 10.1002/jnr.20143
Summary: Previously, the authors demonstrated that a 3 µg-injection of CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14) into the lumbosacral intrathecal space caused a loss of motor function due to spinal demyelination. The motor function was recovered and stable for up to 9 months, after which the rats exhibited a slow deterioration of motor function, loss of spinal white matter, and the appearance of calcium deposits. The results indicate that the CTB-SAP-induced demyelination model is useful for investigating long term effects of axon and motoneuron loss.
Related Products: CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14)
Testosterone manipulation protects motoneurons from dendritic atrophy after contralateral motoneuron depletion.
Fargo KN, Sengelaub DR (2004) Testosterone manipulation protects motoneurons from dendritic atrophy after contralateral motoneuron depletion. J Comp Neurol 469(1):96-106. doi: 10.1002/cne.10991
Summary: The authors wished to investigate the therapeutic effects of testosterone on motoneuron dendrites in nerve injury models. 1 µl of a 0.1% solution of CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14) solution was unilaterally injected into the ispilateral bulbocavernosus and levator ani muscles of rats, and the contralateral motoneuron morphology was examined. In castrated rats receiving testosterone, dendrites in the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus grew after CTB-SAP treatment. This is a demonstration of the neuroprotective/neurotherapeutic role of testosterone in the nervous system.
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A combinatorial network of evolutionarily conserved myelin basic protein regulatory sequences confers distinct glial-specific phenotypes.
Farhadi HF, Lepage P, Forghani R, Friedman HC, Orfali W, Jasmin L, Miller W, Hudson TJ, Peterson AC (2003) A combinatorial network of evolutionarily conserved myelin basic protein regulatory sequences confers distinct glial-specific phenotypes. J Neurosci 23(32):10214-10223. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.23-32-10214.2003
Summary: The authors used intrathecal injections of 0.3 µg CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14) to induce spinal cord demyelination for the purpose of defining the regulatory network controlling myelin basic protein transcription in mice.
Related Products: CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14)
Testosterone treatment protects motoneurons from dendritic atrophy following contralateral motoneuron depletion
Fargo KN, Sengelaub DR (2003) Testosterone treatment protects motoneurons from dendritic atrophy following contralateral motoneuron depletion. Neuroscience 2003 Abstracts 602.2. Society for Neuroscience, New Orleans, LA.
Summary: In male rats, motoneurons of the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) project to the bulbocavernosus and levator ani muscles. SNB motoneurons and their target muscles are dependent on testosterone (T). We have previously demonstrated that unilateral depletion of SNB motoneurons induces dendritic atrophy in contralateral SNB motoneurons, and this atrophy is prevented by androgen manipulation. In the previous study, males were castrated for 6 weeks, then given replacement T coincident with motoneuron depletion. Because castration results in SNB dendritic retraction, and T replacement causes SNB dendrites to regrow to normal length, it is possible that the regressive changes or the active regrowth are involved in the protective effect of T manipulation. Alternatively, it may be that the effect can be accounted for simply by the high-normal levels of T produced by hormone implants. In the present experiment we show that SNB motoneuron dendrites are protected from contralateral motoneuron depletion by exogenous T alone (i.e., with no delay between castration and T replacement). We unilaterally depleted SNB motoneurons in male rats by intramuscular injection of cholera toxin conjugated saporin. Simultaneously, some saporin-injected rats were castrated and immediately given implants containing T. Four weeks later, contralateral SNB motoneurons were labeled with cholera toxin conjugated HRP, and dendritic arbors were reconstructed in 3 dimensions. A group of intact control males was also used. Contralateral SNB motoneuron depletion induced dendritic retraction to about 40% of normal length, but this atrophy was completely prevented by T treatment. Thus, the protective effect of T on SNB motoneurons is not due to prior dendritic retraction or T-induced regrowth per se. Instead, the presence of high-normal levels of T prevents dendritic retraction induced by contralateral motoneuron depletion.
Related Products: CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14)