Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the capacity of copper to modify synaptic hyperexcitability generated by penicillin G. This epileptogenic drug was studied with CA1 neurons of the rat hippocampus. Hippocampal slices were extracted from adult male Wistar rats (n = 16). The field potentials (FP) were registered in CA1 neurons after electrical stimulation from the stratum radiatum. The mean voltage and duration of FP were measured during control, penicillin G, copper and washout stages. Copper (100 μM) significantly decreased mean FP voltage compared to the control and penicillin stages. However, during the washout stage, the mean FP voltage was significantly higher than in the penicillin stage. Regarding the FP duration, 100 μM of copper significantly decreased the mean FP during the penicillin stage. After the washing stage, the mean FP lasted significantly longer. Thus, administering copper modified CA1 synapses by blocking hippocampal neuronal excitability was generated by the epileptic agent.
Highlights
Copper is an integral component of several proteins and as a trace element is a necessary co-factor for diverse enzymatic reactions [1]
We have recently shown that copper sulfate at concentration as low as 10 μM can partially reduce neuronal field potentials (FP) [12] and suppress LTP observed in CA1 neurons in rat hippocampal slices [13]
The principal result of this work indicates that copper sulfate in physiological concentrations significantly reduces the hyperactivity of CA1 neurons, defined by changes in both the amplitude and duration of the FP
Summary
Copper is an integral component of several proteins and as a trace element is a necessary co-factor for diverse enzymatic reactions [1]. Copper is associated with cytochrome oxidase, metallothionein, superoxide dismutase, dopamine β hydroxylase, tyrosinase, lysyl oxidase activities and coagulation factors V and VIII [2,3,4]. 100 μM of copper in the rat cortical neurons is capable of modulating neuronal activity [10,11]. We have recently shown that copper sulfate at concentration as low as 10 μM can partially reduce neuronal field potentials (FP) [12] and suppress LTP (a form of persistent synaptic voltage increase after a high rate of stimulus) observed in CA1 neurons in rat hippocampal slices [13]. It has been described that LTP is not induced in the CA1 neurons of rats that drank water with copper sulfate
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