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Changes in Expression of GABAA α4 Subunit mRNA in the Brain under Anesthesia Induced by Volatile and Intravenous Anesthetics

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Abstract

We investigated changes in levels of GABAA receptor α4 subunit mRNA in the mouse brain after administration of volatile or i.v. anesthetic, by performing quantitative RT-PCR. We also performed immunohistochemical assays for c-fos-like protein. During deep anesthesia (which was estimated by loss of righting reflex) after administration of propofol, levels of GABAA receptor α4 subunit mRNA in the hippocampus, striatum and diencephalons were significantly greater than those observed after administration of pentobarbital, midazolam or GOI (5.0% isoflurane and 70% nitrous oxide in oxygen). Under incomplete anesthesia, levels of GABAA receptor α4 subunit mRNA were significantly increased by midazolam in all brain regions, and were significantly increased by pentobarbital in the posterior cortex and striatum. Expression of GABAA receptor α4 subunit mRNA closely correlated with expression of c-fos-like protein. These results indicate that the GABAA receptor α4 subunit plays an important role in regulating the anesthetic stage of i.v. anesthetics.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Annual Prize for Best Young Researcher from Tokyo Medical University (S.S.) and the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) from the MEXT (Y.W.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Tokyo Medical University, 160-0023, Tokyo, Japan

    Shusuke Sekine, Shohei Matsumoto & Atsushi Issiki

  2. Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, 160-8402, Tokyo, Japan

    Taiko Kitamura & Jinzo Yamada

  3. Department of Pharmacology/Pharmacotherapy, School of Medical Pharmacy, Nihon Pharmaceutical University, 362-0806, Ina, Saitama, Japan

    Yasuo Watanabe

Authors
  1. Shusuke Sekine
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  2. Shohei Matsumoto
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  3. Atsushi Issiki
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  4. Taiko Kitamura
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  5. Jinzo Yamada
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  6. Yasuo Watanabe
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Correspondence to Yasuo Watanabe.

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Sekine, S., Matsumoto, S., Issiki, A. et al. Changes in Expression of GABAA α4 Subunit mRNA in the Brain under Anesthesia Induced by Volatile and Intravenous Anesthetics. Neurochem Res 31, 439–448 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-005-9024-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-005-9024-4

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