title: Effects of Cd(2+) on AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal CA1 area.
abstract: Cadmium (Cd(2+)) is a common pollutant that causes a wide variety of toxic effects on the central nervous system. However, the mechanism of Cd(2+) neurotoxicity remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we examined the effects of Cd(2+) on AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission and short-term synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA1 area, using whole-cell patch clamp technique. Cd(2+) significantly inhibited the peak amplitude of evoked EPSCs (eEPSCs) in a concentration-dependent manner and enhanced the short-term synaptic plasticity including paired-pulse facilitation and frequency facilitation. Cd(2+) also decreased the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous EPSCs (sEPSCs) but had no effect on those of miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs). These effects of Cd(2+) may involve a presynaptic mechanism of blockade of action potential-sensitive, calcium-dependent release of glutamate. In addition, Cd(2+) prolonged the decay time of both sEPSCs and mEPSCs, which suggested a postsynaptic action site of Cd(2+). This study demonstrates that Cd(2+) impairs the Schaffer collateral-commissural-CA1 glutamatergic synaptic transmission and short-term plasticity in rat hippocampal slices, which may be a possible contributing mechanism for the Cd(2+)-induced neurotoxic effects.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, PR China.
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Pu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Hui-Li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ju-Tao
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jiu-Lai
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Di-Yun
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Ruan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019256:Cadmium Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D019256:Cadmium Chloride; D002118:Calcium