Cordycepin Suppresses Excitatory Synaptic Transmission in Rat Hippocampal Slices Via a Presynaptic Mechanism

摘要

Summary Aims Cordycepin plays an important role in modulating the function of central nervous system ( CNS ). However, the modulating mechanism is poorly understood. Excitatory synaptic transmission, the essential process in brain physiology and pathology, is critical in the signal integration activities of the CNS . To further understand the effects of cordycepin on CNS , we investigated the effects of cordycepin on excitatory synaptic transmission in the CA 1 region of rat hippocampal slices. Methods The effects of cordycepin on excitatory synaptic transmission were investigated by using in vitro field potential electrophysiology and whole‐cell patch clamp techniques. Results Cordycepin significantly decreased the amplitudes of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (f EPSP s) elicited in the CA 1 by stimulation of the S chaffer‐commissural fibers. And the reduction in f EPSP s amplitude was associated with an increase in the paired‐pulse facilitation. Cordycepin also suppressed α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionic acid ( AMPA ) and N ‐methyl‐ d ‐aspartic acid ( NMDA ) receptor‐mediated responses but did not directly affect AMPA receptors and NMDA receptors. Furthermore, quantal analysis revealed that cordycepin decreased the frequency but not amplitude of miniature spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents. Conclusions These results demonstrate that cordycepin suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission by decreasing the excitatory neurotransmitter release presynaptically, which provides an evidence for the novel potential mechanism of cordycepin in modulating the function of CNS .