title: Isolation of rat sacral dorsal commissural neurons.
abstract: To isolate rat sacral dorsal commissural neurons (SDCN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using enzymatic and mechanical dissociation techniques to isolate the neurons and using nystatin perforated patch technique to evaluate their functional state.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The isolated neurons exhibited good responses to excitatory and inhibitory amino acids. The responses of SDCN to N-methyl-D-aspartate were markedly potentiated by substance P and trans-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate, whereas GABA responses were significantly potentiated by diazepam, pregnenolone, and pentobarbital.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preparation provides a satisfactory model for exploring the mechanisms of the SDCN in nociception and antinociception.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, K K Leung Brain Research Center, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi-an, China. patchclp@mail.fmmu.edu.cn
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Z P
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018757:GABA Modulators; D013373:Substance P; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D003975:Diazepam