Diazepam induces FGF-2 and its mRNA in the spinal cord.
We have explored the possibility that the GABA system can influence the expression of FGF-2 in the spinal cord. The GABA agonist diazepam was systemically injected in adult rats, and the expression of FGF-2 was examined in the cervical spinal cord region between 6 h and 7 days post-injection. Results of nuclease protection assays showed increases in FGF-2 mRNA, starting by 6 h and returning to approximately control values by 3 days. There was an increase in the density of FGF-2 immunostained astrocyte-like cells between 6 h and 3 days. Results showing that diazepam up-regulates FGF-2 expression in the spinal cord suggest that GABA may promote neuroplasticity in concert with FGF-2.
Gómez-Pinilla
F
F
Department of Physiological Science, University of California, Los Angeles 90095-1527, USA.
Dao
L
L
D000818:Animals; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D018755:GABA Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
D018755:GABA Agonists; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D003975:Diazepam