Lesion of the serotoninergic system in neonate rats is an ideal model for assessing the activity of chemical substances capable of affecting neuronal plasticity and regeneration (Jonsson et al., Dev Brain Res 16: 171-180, 1984). Treatment of newborn rats within 6 hr from birth with the selective neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytriptamine causes degeneration of the most distal serotoninergic axons. In our experimental conditions we have observed that after such neurotoxic treatment there is spinal cord denervation, which is particularly remarkable in the lumbar segment. This degenerative event is followed by gradual regeneration of the lesioned axons, with good reinnervation of the entire cord within 8 weeks. The degeneration-regeneration process is correlated with a transient hyperinnervation of the pons-medulla and hypothalamus by the short collaterals (pruning effect), as evidenced by increased serotonin content. Perinatal morphine exposure markedly impairs serotonin regeneration in the spinal cord. In addition, opiate treated rats are more susceptible to lesions, as shown by the neurotoxin induced denervation of the cortex, pons-medulla, and hypothalamus, which does not occur in lesioned controls. Therefore, our observations suggest that perinatal exposure to morphine affects the plasticity and regeneration of the developing serotoninergic system by increasing its susceptibility to neurotoxic lessions and reducing its regenerative capacity.

PERINATAL MORPHINE TREATMENT INHIBITS PRUNING EFFECT AND REGENERATION OF SEROTONINERGIC PATHWAYS FOLLOWING NEONATAL 5,7-HT LESIONS / A. GORIO, A. DIGIULIO, E. GERMANI, C. BENDOTTI, A. BERTELLI, P. MANTEGAZZA. - In: JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH. - ISSN 0360-4012. - 34:4(1993), pp. 462-471.

PERINATAL MORPHINE TREATMENT INHIBITS PRUNING EFFECT AND REGENERATION OF SEROTONINERGIC PATHWAYS FOLLOWING NEONATAL 5,7-HT LESIONS

A. GORIO
Primo
;
A. DIGIULIO
Secondo
;
1993

Abstract

Lesion of the serotoninergic system in neonate rats is an ideal model for assessing the activity of chemical substances capable of affecting neuronal plasticity and regeneration (Jonsson et al., Dev Brain Res 16: 171-180, 1984). Treatment of newborn rats within 6 hr from birth with the selective neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytriptamine causes degeneration of the most distal serotoninergic axons. In our experimental conditions we have observed that after such neurotoxic treatment there is spinal cord denervation, which is particularly remarkable in the lumbar segment. This degenerative event is followed by gradual regeneration of the lesioned axons, with good reinnervation of the entire cord within 8 weeks. The degeneration-regeneration process is correlated with a transient hyperinnervation of the pons-medulla and hypothalamus by the short collaterals (pruning effect), as evidenced by increased serotonin content. Perinatal morphine exposure markedly impairs serotonin regeneration in the spinal cord. In addition, opiate treated rats are more susceptible to lesions, as shown by the neurotoxin induced denervation of the cortex, pons-medulla, and hypothalamus, which does not occur in lesioned controls. Therefore, our observations suggest that perinatal exposure to morphine affects the plasticity and regeneration of the developing serotoninergic system by increasing its susceptibility to neurotoxic lessions and reducing its regenerative capacity.
5,7- dihydroxytriptamine; morphine; neonate rats; neuronal plasticity; neuronal regeneration
Settore BIO/14 - Farmacologia
1993
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/184728
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