Abstract
Three strains of laboratory rats (Lewis, Wistar and Sprague–Dawley) commonly used for the study of movement disorders differ in gait traits. Sialic acid containing glycosphingolipids, called gangliosides, are abundant in the nervous system, where they affect numerous neurochemical events. Cerebellum plays the key role in the integration of body movements. This study investigated glycosphingolipid phenotypes with the hypothesis that they differ in cerebella of the three rat strains. In addition, forebrain and brain stem glycosphingolipid phenotypes were determined. Total glycosphingolipid fractions (neutral and acidic) were analysed by high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Complex gangliosides were detected with HPTLC immunostaining by using cholera toxin B subunit after the neuraminidase pretreatment. The most significant differences were found in the cerebellum glycosphingolipid content. Lewis rats showed three fold higher monohexaosylceramides (galactosylceramide + sulfatide)/gangliosides ratio compared to Wistar rats. On the other hand, the cerebellum of Wistar rats contained an increased content of complex gangliosides GD1b, GT1b and GQ1b, fourfold, twofold and tenfold, respectively, compared to Lewis rats. This study shows that Wistar and Lewis rat strains have pronounced differences in glycosphingolipid content and the composition of cerebellum.
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