Calcium Activity of Upper Thoracic Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats

Abstract EN

The aim of the present study was to examine the calcium activity of C8-T5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from Zucker diabetic fatty rats.

In total, 8 diabetic ZDF fatty animals and 8 age-matched control ZDF lean rats were employed in the study.

C8-T5 dorsal root ganglia were isolated bilaterally from 14 to 18 weeks old rats, and a primary culture was prepared.

Calcium activity was measured ratiometrically using the fluorescent Ca2+-indicator Fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester.

All neurons were stimulated twice with 20 mM K+, followed by stimulation with either 0.3 or 0.5 μM Capsaicin, alone or in combination with algogenic chemicals (bradykinin, serotonin, prostaglandin E2 (all 10−5 M), and adenosine (10−3 M)) at pH 7.4 and 6.0.

Neurons from diabetic animals exhibited an overall increased response to stimulation with 20 mM K+ compared to neurons from control.

Stimulation with Capsaicin alone caused an augmented response in neurons from diabetic animals compared to control animals.

When stimulated with a combination of Capsaicin and algogenic chemicals, no differences between the two groups of neurons were measured, neither at pH 7.4 nor 6.0.

In conclusion, diabetes-induced alterations in calcium activity of the DRG neurons were found, potentially indicating altered neuronal responses during myocardial ischemia.