Objective To observe the electrophysiological and morphological features of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in rats, and investigate its effect on the visual signal conduction. Methods Whole cell recordings were obtained from 112 RGCs of 30 rats at the age of 7-30 days. Resting membrane potential (RMP) was recorded, and input impedance was noted after given 2 mV hyperpolarizing current by voltage clamp. The action potential (AP) was induced by deplorizing current at different densities. The histological staining was actualized by injecting with biotin into the RGCs, and the diameter of the cells was measured. Results Three different discharge patterns of RGCs in response to maintained depolarizing currents were recorded: single spike (25 RGCs), transient firing (40 RGCs), and sustained firing (47 RGCs).The dia meter was 14-16μm in 57.14% transient firing RGCs, and 10-12 μm in 62.50% sustained firing RGCs. The maximum frequency of AP of sustained firing RGCs was significantly higher than that of transient firing RGCs (P＜0.05). Conclusion The single firing of RGCs was an immature electrophysiological feature. The electrophysiological features of transient firing and sustained firing RGCs may be important to make the visual information code in spatial and temporal pathway. The electrophysiological and morphological features of RGCs in rats may be correlated with each other. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：160-164)
Objective To investigate the relationship between electrophysiological and morphological properties of neurons in visual cortex of developing rat, speculate the coincided degree between electrophysiological and morphological change and realize the mechanism of normal visual development. Methods Whole cell patch-clamp recording and intracellular staining were used to acquire cellular microelectrode recording in visual cortex from Sprague-Dawley rats (4~28 days old). The histological process was made. Results The differences of electrical feature between pyramidal cells and non-pyramidal cells were significant. The morphological maturity degree is different in developing visual cortex. Conclusion The different function of pyramidal and non-pyramidal cells in local integrition is reflected by their electrical feature in the process of visual development. In critical period of visual development, the coincision degree of the electrophysiological and morphological change in visual cortex is larger than that in the subcortex constructure. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2001,17:289-292)
ObjectiveTo observe the changes in open probability and protein expression of large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channel in retinal vascular smooth muscle cells (RVSMCs) of diabetic rats. MethodsStreptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat diabetic animal model was established by STZ injection intraperitoneally.RVSMCs were isolated by enzyme digestion. The BK currents in control and diabetic groups were recorded by patch clamp technique in single channel configuration. BK channel protein expression in control and diabetic group were measured by Western blot. ResultsCompared with control group, the NP0 of BK channels in diabetic group were significantly increased (t=4.260, P < 0.05). Compared with control group, there was no significant difference inα-subunit protein expression in diabetic group in RVSMCs (t=10.126, P > 0.05); however, β1-subunit protein expression was remarkably increased in diabetic group (t=5.146, P < 0.05). ConclusionThe NP0 of BK channels andβ1-subunit protein expression are increased in RVSMCs of diabetic rats.
Objective To investigate the effects of docosahexenoic acid (DHA) on large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels in normal retinal artery smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). Methods Cultured human RASMCs (6 th-8 th generations) were used to patch clamp experiment. The open probabihties (NP0) in BK channels with different concentrations (0.0, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 μmol/L) of DHA were recorded by patch clamp technique in single channel configuration. RASMCs were intervened by different concentrations (0.0, 1.0, 5.0 μmol/L) of DHA as control group, low and high doses of DHA groups, respectively. The protein expressions of β subunit of BK channels in RASMCs from three groups were measured by Western blot. Results The NP0 of BK channels were 0.044 4±0.001 2, 0.081 2±0.004 2, 0.209 0±0.006 1, 0.310 5±0.005 3, 0.465 0±0.007 8 and 0.497 7±0.014 5 with perfusate of 0.0, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 μmol/L DHA. DHA activated BK channels in a dose-dependent manner (F=2.621,P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the protein expression of control group, low and high doses of DHA groups (F=11.657,P＞0.05). Conclusion DHA can directly activate BK channels, no increasing in subunit expression of BK channels.