Abstract:
In the present study, the influence of direct intrahippocampal injection of NGF (nerve growth factor) on synaptosomal free Ca
2+i in 1-month-old and 18-month-old mice was observed.The regulation of NGF on synaptosomal free Ca
2+i
in vitro was also investigated. The synaptosomal free Ca
2+i in the main brain regions (cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, diencephalon) of these mice was measured by fluorescent probe Fura-2 of Ca
2+ indicator and an AR-CM-MIC cation measurement system. The results are as follows: (1) NGF showed no detectable effect on hippocampal intrasynaptosomal free Ca
2+i in 1-month-old mice, but appropriate dose of NGF was shown to markedly reduce Ca
2+i in 18-month-old mice. (2) Under the condition of low Ca
2+i level caused by the drug, NGF was found to increase Ca
2+i; conversely, was reduced Ca
2+i when intracellular Ca
2+ was overloaded. These results suggest that NGF has dual regulation on Ca
2+ level in brain and this might be an important mechanism for its action in improving memory lesion,in aged person.