title: Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) alters acid-sensitivity of cultured neurons derived from the medulla oblongata.
abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are known as environmental pollutants that may cause adverse health problems. However, little is known about the effects of PCBs on acid-sensitive neurons of the medulla oblongata, which regulate respiration. Therefore, the present study was designed to examine whether PCB alters acid-sensitivity of cultured neurons derived from the rat medulla oblongata. When extracellular pH was shifted from 7.4 to 7.0, acid-sensitive neurons showed depolarization, which was measured by voltage-sensitive fluorescent dye. Exposure to PCB (Aroclor 1254) decreased the amplitude of depolarization in low pH and increased the resting membrane potential in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, our results indicate that PCB potentially influences acid-sensitivity through alteration of the membrane potential of acid-sensitive neurons, which could affect the regulation of respiration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Physiology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Noriaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shimokawa
authors.forename: Noriyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koibuchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001463:Barbiturates; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007555:Isoxazoles; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000166:cytology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D001463:Barbiturates; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007555:Isoxazoles; C052795:bis(1,3-dibutylbarbiturate)trimethine oxonol; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls