125I-beta-nerve growth factor binding is reduced in rat brain after stress exposure.
In the central nervous system (CNS), the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptor, NGFR, in cholinergic neurons has been demonstrated. In this study we report that, after exposure to stress, there was a reduction in total binding of NGF in the hippocampus and basal forebrain of 3.5-month-old rats without significant changes in the frontal cortex or cerebellum. Chronic treatment with acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR), that prevents some age-related impairments of CNS, for 1.5 months, decreased NGF binding in hippocampus and basal forebrain but abolished the stress-related reduction of NGF binding observed in the hippocampus of untreated rats.
Taglialatela
G
G
Department of Human Biological Chemistry and Genetics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550-2777.
Angelucci
L
L
Ramacci
M T
MT
Foreman
P J
PJ
Perez-Polo
J R
JR
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000378:metabolism*
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor