Basic Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2004. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 1, 2004; 10(1): 117-121
Published online Jan 1, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i1.117
Ultrastructure of junction areas between neurons and astrocytes in rat supraoptic nuclei
Li Duan, Hua Yuan, Chang-Jun Su, Ying-Ying Liu, Zhi-Ren Rao
Li Duan, Hua Yuan, Ying-Ying Liu, Zhi-Ren Rao, Institute of Neurosciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
Chang-Jun Su, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 39770251) and The Fourth Military Medical University Foundation (CX01A024)
Correspondence to: Dr. Zhi-Ren Rao, Institute of Neurosciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China. zrrao@fmmu.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-29-83374505 Fax: +86-29-83246270
Received: May 11, 2003
Revised: May 20, 2003
Accepted: June 12, 2003
Published online: January 1, 2004
Abstract

AIM: To determine the ultrastructure of junction areas between neurons and astrocytes of supraoptic nuclei in rats orally administered 30 g/L NaCl solution for 5 days.

METHODS: The anti-connexin (CX) 43 and anti-CX32 double immunoelectromicroscopic labeled method, and anti-Fos or anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistry were used to detect changes in the junctional area between neurons and astrocytes in supraoptic nuclei of 5 rats after 30 g/L NaCL solution was given for 5days.

RESULTS: A heterotypic connexin32/connexin43 gap junction (HGJ) between neurons and astrocytes (AS) in rat supraoptic nuclei was observed, which was characterized by the thickening and dark staining of cytomembranes with a narrow cleft between them. The number of HGJs and Fos like immunoreactive (-LI) cells was significantly increased following hyperosmotic stimuli, that is, the rats were administered 30 g/L NaCl solution orally or 90 g/L NaCl solution intravenously. HGJs could be blocked with carbenoxolone (CBX), a gap junction blocker, and the number of Fos-LI neurons was significantly decreased compared with that in rats without CBX injection, while Fos-LI ASs were not affected.

CONCLUSION: HGJ may be a rapid adaptive signal structure between neurons and ASs in response to stimulation.

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