Background and purpose: Glial cells seem to play role in synaptic plasticity because they have the ability to release trophic factors and gliotransmitters and respond to neurotransmitters. They also play important role in synaptic space homeostasis. In this study, the role of hippocampal glial cells in baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity were investigated.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, flourocitrate, glia inhibitor (1nmol/0.5μl), was microinjected intrahippcampally for inhibition of hippocampal glial cells. Baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity were evaluated by field potential recording. fEPSP was recorded from CA1 following Schaffer collaterals stimulation. After Input/Output curve construction, short term synaptic plasticity was induced by paired pulse stimulations.Results: Inhibition of glial cells by flourocitrate microinjection in CA1 did not have any effect on baseline synaptic response (P>0.05). Flourocitrate increased paired pulse index (PPI, control: 62.80%±5.48; flourocitrate treated: 87.19%±12.11) at 20 ms inter pulse interval (P<0.05). But it did not affect PPI at 80 and 200 ms IPI (P>0.05).Conclusion: The results suggest that hippocampal glial cells functions did not influence the baseline synaptic response but affected short term synaptic plasticity in CA1 area of the hippocampus.

Background and purpose: Astrocytic connexins (Cxs) play roles in ion diffusion to the extracellular milieu and in release of ATP and gliotransmitters including glutamate. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is one of the most abundant Cxs in brain tissue, especially in the hippocampus, so, we investigated its role on CA1 baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, bilateral intrahippocampal microinjection of TAT-Gap19, Cx43 blocker (1nmol/1μ l) was performed for inhibition of hippocampal astrocytic connexin 43. Baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity were evaluated by field potential recording. Results: According to two-way ANOVA, inhibition of hippocampal Cx43 did not have any effect on baseline synaptic response (P>0. 05). TAT-Gap19 decreased paired pulse index (PPI) at 20 and 80 ms inter pulse intervals (IPI, Unpaired t-test, P<0. 05), but it did not affect PPI at 200 ms IPI (P>0. 05). Conclusion: The results suggest that the function of hippocampal astrocytic Cx43 does not affect baseline synaptic response but affects short term synaptic plasticity in CA1 area of the hippocampus.

Background: Considering the increased activity of hypothalamic orexinergic neurons due to morphine administration, and its extensive projections to the hippocampus, it is probable that morphine effect on CA1 neuronal function is mediated by orexinergic system. So the effect of hippocampal orexin-1 receptors (OX1R) blockade on CA1 baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity was investigated.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, animals received morphine 10 mg/kg/12h/ (SC) for 10 days. SB-334867-A, OX1R antagonist (0.5μg/0.5 ml), was microinjected intrahippcampally for OX1R inhibition before each morphine injection. Baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity were evaluated by field potential recording. fEPSP was recorded from CA1 following Schaffer collaterals stimulation. After Input/Output construction, short term synaptic plasticity was induced by paired pulse stimulations.Results: Chronic use of morphine did not affect the baseline synaptic response (p>0.05). SB- 334867-A microinjection in CA1 did not have any effect on baseline synaptic response in morphine dependent rats. Morphine increased paired pulse index (PPI) at 80 ms inter pulse interval (IPI, p<0.05). SB-334867-A pretreatment did not affect this morphine induced PPI change.Conclusion: The results suggest that orexin-1 receptors (OX1R) do not mediate the effect of morphine on baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity in CA1 area of the hippocampus.

Background. Glial cells release different gliotransmitters and response to neurotransmitters released from neurons. These cells especially astrocytes, having different transporters, play an important role in synaptic space homeostasis and synaptic plasticity. In this study, the role of hippocampal glial glutamate transporter (EAAT2) in baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity were investigated. Methods. In this experimental study, ceftriaxone, EAAT2 activator (0. 5mmol/0. 5μ, l), was microinjected intrahippcampally for activation of hippocampal glial glutamate transporter in male wistar rats. Baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity were evaluated by field potential recording. fEPSP was recorded from CA1 following Schaffer collaterals stimulation. After Input/Output curve construction, short term synaptic plasticity was induced by paired pulse stimulations. Results. Activation of EAAT2 by ceftriaxone microinjection in CA1 did not have any effect on baseline synaptic response (P> 0. 05, Two Way ANOVA). There was no significant difference in Paired Pulse Index at 20, 80, and 200 ms inter-pulse interval between ceftriaxone treated and control group (P> 0. 05, Two Way ANOVA). Conclusion. The results suggest that hippocampal glial glutamate transporter activation does not have effect on baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity in CA1 area of the hippocampus. Practical implications. Considering the role of glial cells in regulating the excitability of the nervous system as well as synaptic plasticity, correcting these features of the nervous system by manipulating glial cells can help the treatment or prevention of neurological diseases. In this study, the role of glial cells in the homeostasis of the glutamate in the synaptic space of the hippocampus was evaluated, through the stimulation of its uptake, on the basic synaptic activity and short-term synaptic plasticity.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) has confirmed its efficacy in improving the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. However, no reliable biomarkers have been identified to predict the efficacy of AIT were found. We aimed to find clinical and immunological markers to predict efficacy in children after 2 years of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). A total of 285 children diagnosed with allergic rhinitis were recruited. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by comparing endpoint and baseline symptom and medication scores (SMS). Baseline clinical and immunological markers (serum total and specific immunoglobulin [Ig]E) and their correlation with clinical efficacy were analyzed. Of the 285 children recruited, 249 completed the 2-year SLIT program. After 2 years of SLIT, 68.3% of the children showed a significant response. Children in the Remarkable Response Group had the highest baseline SMS and most extended disease duration, followed by the Effective Relief and Unresponsive Group. Correlation analysis demonstrated that SMS improvement was positively correlated with baseline SMS (r=0.67) and disease duration (r=0.35). SMS improvement was not correlated with age, body mass index, total or specific IgE levels, or their ratios. Our results show that baseline SMS and disease duration can predict the efficacy of SLIT. Our study can guide the selection of suitable candidates for SLIT.

Background: Systolic blood pressure recovery (rSBP) is of prognostic value for predicting the survival and co-morbidity rate in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study investigated the association between rSBP and exercise indices after complete cardiac rehabilitation program (CR) in a population-based sample of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).Methods: The sample population consisted of 352 patients who underwent pure CABG. The patients underwent standard symptom-limited exercise testing immediately before and also after the completion of the CR sessions. rSBP was defined as the ratio of the systolic blood pressure at 3 minutes in recovery to the systolic blood pressure at peak exercise.Results: An abnormal baseline rSBP after exercise was a strong predictor of exercise parameters in the last session, including metabolic equivalents (β=-0.617, SE=0.127, p value<0.001) and peak O2 consumption (β =-1.950, SE=0.363, p value<0.001) measured in the last session adjusted for baseline exercise characteristics, demographics, function class, and left ventricular ejection fraction.Conclusion: The current study strongly emphasizes the predictive role of baseline rSBP after exercise in evaluating exercise parameters following CR. This baseline index can predict abnormal METs value, peak O2 consumption, post-exercise heart rate, and heart rate recovery after a 24-session CR program.

Objective: To assess the association between hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) baseline and the response rate of cirrhotic in patients who received carvedilol treatment. Methods: In total 48 cirrhotic patients with a basic HVPG value greater than 12 mmHg were included (from July 2011 to October 2014). All patients received carvedilol treatment and underwent the second HVPG measurement 7 days later. In the following, all participants received an endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) treatment. Results: HVPG was significantly reduced from 16. 04 3. 10 to 12. 76 5. 26mmHgfollowing carvedilol treatment. The response rate was about 58. 33% (28/48). The response rate of the HVPG < 16 mmHg group (71. 4%) was significantly higher than that of the HVPG  16 mmHg group (40%) (P < 0. 05). Patients were followed up for a median of 26 months, ranged from 6 to 33 months. During the follow-up period (two years), the rebleeding rate was 9. 97% and 49. 56% in HVPG < 16 and HVPG  16 mmHg groups, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0. 004). Also, the mortality rate (at 2 years) was 5. 26% and 21. 05%, respectively, which was significant (P = 0. 035). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the response rate of carvedilol on portal hypertension may be affected by the HVPG baseline, and the carvedilol was effective in reducing HVPG, especially for those with a HVPG < 16 mmHg.