Hydrogen sulfide exposure alters the amino acid content in developing rat CNS.
Hydrogen sulfide is a widespread environmental pollutant that may produce severe effects on the developing nervous system. Putative amino acid neurotransmitter levels in the rat cerebrum and cerebellum were determined to evaluate the effects of exposure to hydrogen sulfide during perinatal development. The levels of aspartate, GABA, glutamate, glycine and taurine were quantitated using high-performance liquid chromatography. With the exception of glycine, all of the amino acids examined were affected by the treatment. On day 21 postnatal, which was the last day of the exposure, aspartate, glutamate and GABA in the cerebrum and aspartate and GABA in the cerebellum were significantly depressed. The observed alterations in the amino acid levels during this critical phase of development may have chronically affected the activity of the neurotransmitters, their receptor sensitivity or their individual target areas. The consequence of one or a combination of such alterations may lead to behavioral and structural abnormalities.
Hannah
R S
RS
Department of Anatomy, University of Calgary, Alta., Canada.
Hayden
L J
LJ
Roth
S H
SH
D000375:Aging; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D000596:Amino Acids; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide