Modulation of inhibitory and excitatory fast neurotransmission in the rat CNS by heavy water (D2O)

Recent advances in optical heavy water sensors

D2O and H2O, as two important solvents with very similar properties, play a pivotal role in nuclear industrial production, life and scientific research. Unfortunately, D2O and H2O are highly susceptible to contamination by each other, so effective qualitative and quantitative analyses of both are necessary. This review comprehensively discusses the progress in optical sensing for the detection of a trace amount of H2O in heavy water or vice versa, mainly including five types of analytical systems: inorganic nanocrystals, carbon-based nanomaterials, lanthanide complexes, organic polymers, and organic small molecules. The whole article is divided into several sub-sections based on multiple mechanisms underlying the design of heavy water optical sensors, i.e., the difference in binding energy, the difference in quenching efficacy of oscillator types and the difference in acid-base of H2O and D2O. The working mechanism, advantages and disadvantages, analytical performance and applications of the reported sensors in recent years were analyzed in detail, and the future development is envisioned for the optical sensors towards distinguishing D2O and H2O.

Xylazine Regulates the Release of Glycine and Aspartic Acid in Rat Brain

Introduction

Xylazine, a type of α₂-adrenoceptors, is a commonly used drug in veterinary medicine. Xylazine-induced changes in the content of amino acid neurotransmitters - glycine (Gly) and aspartic acid (Asp), in different brain regions and neurons were studied.

Material and Methods

Wistar rats were administered 50 mg/kg or 70 mg/kg of xylazine by intraperitoneal injection. In addition, in vitro experiments were conducted, in which neurons were treated with 15 μg/mL, 25 μg/mL, 35μg/mL, and 45 μg/mL of xylazine. Test methods were based on the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

Results

During anaesthesia, Asp levels in each brain area were significantly lower compared to the control group. Except for the cerebrum, levels of Gly in other brain areas were significantly increased during the anaesthesia period. In vitro, xylazine-related neuron secretion of Gly increased significantly compared to the control group at 60 min and 90 min. Moreover, xylazine caused a significant decrease in the levels of Asp secreted by neurons at 20 min, but gradually returned to the level of the control group.

Conclusion

The data showed that during anaesthesia the overall levels of Asp decreased and overall levels of Gly increased. In addition, the inhibitory effect of xylazine on Asp and the promotion of Gly were dose-dependent. Our data showed that different effects of xylazine on excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters provided a theoretical basis for the mechanism of xylazine activity in clinical anaesthesia.

Xylazine regulates the release of glycine and aspartic acid in rat brain

Introduction

Xylazine, a type of α2-adrenoceptors, is a commonly used drug in veterinary medicine. Xylazine-induced changes in the content of amino acid neurotransmitters – glycine (Gly) and aspartic acid (Asp), in different brain regions and neurons were studied.

Material and Methods

Wistar rats were administered 50 mg/kg or 70 mg/kg of xylazine by intraperitoneal injection. In addition, in vitro experiments were conducted, in which neurons were treated with 15 μg/mL, 25 μg/mL, 35μg/mL, and 45 μg/mL of xylazine. Test methods were based on the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

Results

During anaesthesia, Asp levels in each brain area were significantly lower compared to the control group. Except for the cerebrum, levels of Gly in other brain areas were significantly increased during the anaesthesia period. In vitro, xylazine-related neuron secretion of Gly increased significantly compared to the control group at 60 min and 90 min. Moreover, xylazine caused a significant decrease in the levels of Asp secreted by neurons at 20 min, but gradually returned to the level of the control group.

Conclusion

The data showed that during anaesthesia the overall levels of Asp decreased and overall levels of Gly increased. In addition, the inhibitory effect of xylazine on Asp and the promotion of Gly were dose-dependent. Our data showed that different effects of xylazine on excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters provided a theoretical basis for the mechanism of xylazine activity in clinical anaesthesia.