Abstract
The CA1 pyramidal cells appear damaged in micrographs of guinea pig hippocampal slices incubated in normal physiological buffer at 36-37 degrees C. This is remedied if slices are incubated in modified buffers for the first 45 min. Cell morphology is improved if this buffer is devoid of added Ca2+ and much improved if it contains N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists or 0 mM Ca2+ and 10 mM Mg2+. The cells then appear similar to CA1 pyramidal cells in situ. These findings support the notion that NMDA receptor activation and Ca2+, acting in the period immediately after slice preparation, permanently damage CA1 pyramidal cells in vitro.
MeSH terms
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Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
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Amino Acids / pharmacology
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Animals
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Aspartic Acid / analogs & derivatives
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Aspartic Acid / antagonists & inhibitors
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Buffers
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Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
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Cytoplasm / ultrastructure
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Cytoskeleton / ultrastructure
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Endoplasmic Reticulum / ultrastructure
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Guinea Pigs
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Hippocampus / ultrastructure*
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Ketamine / pharmacology
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Magnesium / pharmacology
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Microscopy, Electron
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Mitochondria / ultrastructure
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N-Methylaspartate
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Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
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Receptors, Neurotransmitter / antagonists & inhibitors
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Receptors, Neurotransmitter / physiology*
Substances
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Amino Acids
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Buffers
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Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
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Receptors, Neurotransmitter
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4-amino-5-phosphonoheptanoic acid
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Aspartic Acid
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N-Methylaspartate
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Ketamine
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Adenosine Triphosphate
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Magnesium