Mitochondrial impairment, apoptosis and autophagy in a rat brain as immediate and long-term effects of perinatal phencyclidine treatment - influence of restraint stress

摘要

Phencyclidine (PCP) acts as a non-competitive antagonist of glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Its perinatal administration to rats causes pathophysiological changes that mimick some pathological features of schizophrenia (SCH). Numerous data indicate that abnormalities in mitochondrial structure and function could be associated with the development of SCH. Mitochondrial dysfunction could result in the activation of apoptosis and/or autophagy. The aim of this study was to assess immediate and long-term effects of perinatal PCP administration and acute restraint stress on the activity of respiratory chain enzymes, expression of apoptosis and autophagy markers and ultrastructural changes in the cortex and hippocampus of the rat brain.