[The role of spinal motoneurons in the mechanisms of hypogravitational motor syndrome development].

Studies results of gravity unloading influence on spinal control system of muscle structure and functions are summarized. It was shown that demyelization of axons due to reduction of genes expression responsible for myelin proteins synthesis, decrease in one of the key enzymes of cholinergic system--cholineacetyltransferase activity, alteration of normal kinetics of quantal and non-quantal neurotransmitter secretion, impaired autoregulation of acetylcholine secretion from motor nerve endings through presynaptic cholinergic receptors, slowing of axonal transport of substances in motor neurons that innervate postural muscles played the important role in the development of hypogravitational motor symptoms. At the same time, the evidences of neuroprotective mechanisms enclosing (increase in heat shock proteins Hsp25 and Hsp70 expression), that hinder apoptosis development in motor neurons and glial cells in the spinal cord under conditions of model hypogravity, were revealed.

[Myelination disorders in mechanism of hypogravity motor syndrome development].

When modeling effects of hypogravitation by the method of hindlimb unloading in rats the area of cross-section in lumbar part of a spinal cord was found to reduce. The analysis of spinal cord slides showed that these changes are associated with a decrease in the area of white substance of a spinal cord. Data obtained are consistent with our previous observation of a decrease in expression of the genes encoding myelin proteins. Results of our researches give the good reasons to believe that miyelinization failure in CNS is one of the factors that underlie the development of hypogravitational motor syndrome.

[Neuromuscular synaptic transmission at different stages of postnatal development in rats].

On the nerve-muscle preparation of rats diaphragm muscle on different stages of postnatal development, the comparison of morphological features and functions of synaptic apparatus, including induced secretion time parameters was carried out. It was found that, along with the reduced, compared to the adult animals, area of nerve endings in the newborn the speed of the motor nerve excitation was slower, intensity of spontaneous and induced secretion of quantum fluctuations was reduced and real synaptic delays in the end plate were intense. Severe degree of acetylcholine quanta asynchronous secretion with longer open state of the ion channel in newborns synapses can compensate reduction in reliability of synaptic transmission due to a decrease of the quantal content of the postsynaptic response.

[Excitatory action of GABA in ontogenesis].

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the main inhibitory mediator in central nervous system. However, at early stages of ontogenesis, GABA has an excitatory effect on immature neurons. This review surveys modern concepts of the mechanisms of GABAergic excitation and physiological role of excitatory GABA in generation of patterns of network activity in developing brain.

[Calcium modulation of the release kinetics of the acetylcholine quanta generating multiquantal postsynaptic response].

The effects of calcium on the quantal content of nerve-evoked endplate currents (EPC) and on the temporal parameters of quantal release were studied in the frog neuromuscular synapse using the method of "subtractions". It was shown that under physiological conditions quanta generating multiquantal postsynaptic responses were released nonsynchronously because of a considerable variability of latencies of the uniquantal responses forming multiquantal EPC. Different calcium dependences for EPCs quantal content and time course of the quantal release were revealed. The average quantal content grew exponentially with the increase in calcium concentration from 0.4 to 1.8 mmol/L, whereas the release synchronicity reached the maximum at 1 mmol/L calcium. It was suggested that the changes in the synchronicity of the evoked release were one of the mechanisms of the synaptic plasticity.

[Effect of functional unloading and dystrophin deficit on the local hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane of a skeletal muscle fiber].

The data have been obtained that confirm the identity of the electrogenic mechanism of hyperpolarization by nanomolar concentrations of cholinergic ligands in the extrasynaptic region and endogenous nonquantal acetylcholine in the synaptic region of a skeletal muscle fiber. In both cases, this mechanism is realized through the involvement of the alpha2 isoform of Na, K-ATPase and operates in the absence of Na+ entry through membrane channels. At the same time, there are peculiar properties which take place under functional disorders. Thus, the effectiveness of this mechanism in the synaptic region selectively increases under rat hindlimb unloading and decreases in case of dystrophin deficit in mdx mice. The last fact suggests that dystrophin is a molecular component that is essential for the functioning of the electrogenic mechanism of local hyperpolarization of the end-plate membrane.

[Changes in the kinetics of quanta secretion-effective mechanism of synaptic transmission modulation].

It is widely accepted that the leading presynaptic mechanisms underlying the synaptic plasticity involve changes of the number of neurotransmitter quanta released by one nerve pulse (the quantal content of postsynaptic response) and of the size of a single quantum. In addition, the existence of one more effective though previously ignored mechanism of modulation of synaptic plasticity was suggested related to the change in the time course (kinetics) of secretion of single neurotransmitter quanta forming the multiquantal response. This article reviews current data (including the authors' own results) on the kinetics of evoked neurotransmitter quanta secretion from motor nerve endings in peripheral synapses, mechanisms of their modulation and methods of quantitative analysis.

[Electrogenic activity of Na-K-ATPase and calcium ions in m. soleus fibers of rats and Mongolian gerbil during simulation of gravitational unloading].

Some of the electrophysiological parameters of m. soleus of rat and Mongolian gerbil, and Ca ions content in fiber myoplasm were compared in different periods of gravitational unloading simulated by tail-suspension. No difference was found between the control animals as for membrane potential at rest, electrogenic activities of Na-K-ATPase and its isoforms, and input resistance of m. soleus fibers. At the same time, unlike rats, gerbils exhibited a substantial Ca decrease in myoplasm. From day one to 14 of gravitational unloading the pace of electrophysiological changes in gerbil's m. soleus was noticeably slower than of rat's, whereas Ca ions depositing in myoplasm was observed in both species already at the beginning ofsuspension. Analysis of the results suggests that adaptive changes in m. soleus of Mongolian gerbil and rat during simulated gravitational unloading are fundamentally different due to, probably, peculiar water-electrolyte metabolism, type of locomotion, and other factors which are still unclear.

[Non-quantal mediator release: myth or reality?].

In the present review we analyze the papers devoted to phenomenon of non-quantal mediator release from the modern concepts of the functioning of synaptic contacts. In this connection the conception of quantal mediator release by itself is discussed as well as the mechanisms underlying the both the quantal and the non-quantal modes of signal molecules secretion. The data are systematized which verify the existence of the non-quantal mode of signaling in different synapses and demonstrate its physiological role.

[The study of effects of a novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitor on electrical activity of the heart].

We have investigated effect of a representative of the novel class of selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitors A 1,3-bis[5(diethyl-o-nitrobenzyl ammonio) penthyl]-6-methyluracildibromide (compound 547) on duration and rhythm of sequence of right atrial action potential (AP) as well as on kinetics of acetylcholinesterase catalyzed reaction in homogenates of skeletal muscle (m. extensor digitorum longus) and cardiac muscle in the rat. We have shown that contrary to classical acetylcholinesterase inhibitors armin and proserin none of studied concentrations (1, 10 and 100 nM) of compound 547 exerted significant effect on AP configuration and rate of sinus rhythm. Compound 547 belongs to noncompetitive type with K1(heart)=3.6 x 10(-4) M and K1(EDL)=1.3 x 10(-8) M. Proserin exerts comparable inhibitory action on reaction in the heart and skeletal muscle, its K1(heart)=0.73 x 10(-5) M and K1(EDL) = 0.4 x 10(-5) M. Thus low sensitivity of myocardium to compound 547 in electrophysiological experiments is not related to lesser availability of synaptic acetylcholinesterase in the heart compared with acetylcholinesterase in skeletal muscles but reaction catalyzed by cardiac acetylcholinesterase is actually to a substantial degree less prone to inhibition by compound 547.

[Decrease in the electrogenic contribution of Na,K-ATPase and resting membrane potential as a possible mechanism of calcium ion accumulation in filaments of the rat musculus soleus subjected to the short-term gravity unloading].

After three days of hind limb unloading, the depolarization of muscle fibers from -71.0 +/- 0.5 mV to -66.8 +/- 0.7 mV as well as a decrease in muscle excitability and a trend to fatigue acceleration were observed. After hind limb unloading, the electrogenic contribution of the ouabain-sensitive alpha2 isoform of Na,K-ATPase, tested as depolarization due to the administration of 1 microM ouabain, decreased from 6.2 +/- 0.6 to 0.5 +/- 0.8 mV. The contribution of the ouabain-resistant alpha1 isoform, estimated as additional depolarization after the administration of 500 microM ouabain, decreased from 4.6 +/- 0.6 to 2.6 +/- 0.6 mV. After hind limb unloading, the fluorescence intensity of single muscle fibers loaded with Fluo-4-AM increased more than four times, indicating an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The effect was prevented by local delivery of nifedipine, which blocks L-type Ca2+ channels. These data suggest the existence of a selective mechanism of suppression of the alpha2-pump electrogenic contribution, which led to the depolarization of soleus muscle fibers after 3 days of hind limb unloading. The depolarization in turn may activate L-type Ca2+ channels, resulting in intracellular Ca2+ accumulation.

[The influence of hindlimb unloading on the effectiveness of modulation of the mediator secretion via the autoreceptor system].

In experiments on neuromuscular synapses of rat fast (m. Extensor digitorum longus, EDL) and slow (m. soleus) skeletal muscles, changes in the intensity of spontaneous quantal mediator secretion in response to the activation of presynaptic cholinoreceptors by the nonhydrolyzable acetylcholine analogue carbachol and to an increase in K+ concentration in the control group of animals and in animals subjected to different terms of unloading of hindlimbs have been compared. The intensity of spontaneous secretion of mediator quanta was evaluated from the mean frequency of miniature endplate potentials. In the control group of animals, the frequency of miniature endplate potentials by the action of carbachol increased by 363% in m. EDL and by 62% in m. soleus. The frequency of miniature endplate potentials in the synapses of m. EDL was more sensitive to K(+)-induced depolarization too. The bearing unloading of hindlimbs abolished the sensitivity of spontaneous secretion to carbachol in the synapses of m. EDL, whereas in m. soleus it was unchanged. However, the preservation of sensitivity of nerve endings of fast muscle to K(+)-induced depolarization allows one to assume that the hindlimb unloading leads to a decrease in the number of functioning presynaptic receptors.

[Mechanism of carbachol and adenosine action on spontaneous quantal mediator release at frog neuromuscular junction].

Experiments on the frog sartorius muscle showed that nonhydrolisable acetylcholine analog carbachol (CCh) depresses spontaneous quantal mediator release via muscarinic M2 receptors of nerve ending. Adenosine (Ade) acting via inhibitory A1 receptors is another strong spontaneous quantal release modulator. Inhibition of pertussis toxin (PTx)-sensitive G-proteins only partly eliminated CCh and Ade depressive action. It means metabotropic A1 and M2 receptors of the frog nerve ending regulate spontaneous quantal release via activating of both PTx-sensitive and PTx-insensitive inhibitory mechanisms.

Effects of carbachol and adenosine on neurotransmitter secretion induced by potassium chloride, ionomycin, and sucrose.

We compared the effects of adenosine and cholinergic agonist carbachol on spontaneous secretion during local application of K+, ionomycin, and sucrose increasing Ca2+ concentration in the nerve terminal. Adenosine and carbachol had no effect on Ca2+ entry, but modulated later stages of exocytosis.

[Glutamatergic modulation of vertebrate neuromuscular transmission]. / Gluitamatérgicheskaia moduliatsiia nervno-myshechnoi peredachi u pozvonochnykh.

The paper is devoted to the analysis of evidence pointing to presence of glutamatergic modulation of vertebrate neuromuscular transmission. The data on the glutamate's origin and release in the endplate region as well as on the presence of specific glutamate receptors are discussed. The effects of glutamate on different types of acetylcholine secretion in the synapses of amphibians and mammals are described. The question of possible physiological role of glutamatergic modulation of neuromuscular transmission is discussed.

The effects of glutamate on spontaneous acetylcholine secretion processes in the rat neuromuscular synapse.

Experiments on rat diaphragm muscles showed that glutamate (10 microM-1 mM) had no effect on the mean frequency, interspike intervals, and amplitude-time characteristics of miniature endplate potentials, but had a suppressive action on non-quantum secretion (the intensity of which was assessed in terms of the H effect). The effect of glutamate was markedly concentration-dependent and was completely overcome by blockade of NMDA receptors, inhibition of NO synthase, and by binding of NO molecules in the extracellular space by hemoglobin. It is suggested that glutamate can modulate the non-quantum release of acetylcholine, initiating the synthesis of NO molecules in muscle fibers via activation of NMDA receptors followed by the retrograde action of NO on nerve terminals.