In the current study, we analyzed the impact of antenatal betamethasone on macroscopic cerebellar development, Purkinje cell morphology and the expression of the neuroprotective protein calbindin-D28k. Pregnant rats (Sprague-Dawley) were randomly divided into two experimental groups: control (CONT) and betamethasone-treated (BET). At gestational day 20 (G20), BET dams were subcutaneously inject...

The effects of radiation on neurons are incompletely characterized. We evaluated changes in the expression of neuronal nuclear and other proteins in the mouse hippocampus after 17-Gy whole-brain irradiation. Expression of neuronal nuclei (NeuN), neuron-specific enolas, prospero-related homeobox 1 (Prox1), calbindin D28k, and synaptophysin 1 in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus ...

The mammalian distal nephron develops a complex assembly of specialized cell types to accomplish the fine adjustment of urinary electrolyte composition. The epithelia of the distal convoluted tubule (DCT), the connecting tubule (CNT) and the cortical collecting duct (CCD) show an axial structural heterogeneity that has been functionally elucidated by the localization of proteins involved in the...

Phoneutria nigriventer spider accidental envenomation provokes neurotoxic manifestations, which when critical, results in epileptic-like episodes. In rats, P. nigriventer venom (PNV) causes blood-brain barrier breakdown (BBBb). The PNV-induced excitotoxicity results from disturbances on Na(+), K(+) and Ca(2+) channels and glutamate handling. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), beyond...