Changes in neurotransmitter parameters in the brain induced by L-cysteine injections in the young rat.
A single subcutaneous injection of L-cysteine (1.2 mg/g body wt.) to 4-day-old rats leads to atrophy of the brains examined 27-31 days later. The brains could be separated into two groups (type 1 and 2) on account of the degree of atrophy. Type-1 lesion, with a brain weight reduction of 20%, was dominated by a severe reduction in high-affinity uptake of L-glutamate in CNS regions receiving corticofugal fibers such as thalamus and striatum. Glutamate decarboxylase was only reduced in cortical structures. In type-2 lesion, with a severe brain atrophy of about 50%, high-affinity glutamate uptake was further reduced and there was a more pronounced reduction in glutamate decarboxylase activity in several brain regions. Cholinergic neurons were less affected by the lesion and the levels of choline acetyltransferase showed a relative increase in brain regions which partly compensated for their reduction in size.
Norwegian Defense Research Establishment, Division for Environmental Toxicology, Kjeller.
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F
Fonnum
D
D
Malthe-Sørenssen
R
R
Lund-Karlsen
E
E
Oddan
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D003545:Cysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D005971:Glutamates / Q000378:metabolism; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
D005971:Glutamates; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase; D003545:Cysteine; D000109:Acetylcholine