Abstract
Ammonia ( NH4+NH4+<math> <mrow> <msup><msub><mtext>NH</mtext> <mn>4</mn></msub> <mo>+</mo></msup> </mrow> </math> ) is a by-product of cell metabolism and may elicit subcellular effects with specific physiological responses. Chronic effects have been implicated in several neurological diseases and attributed to persistent elevation in blood ammonia levels transferred to the brain. In previous studies the activities of neurons and astrocytes have been examined at ammonia concentrations an order of magnitude higher than measured in the blood. The effects developed within several minutes. Here we focused upon acute responses of neurons to ammonia and whether they may occur at much lower doses. To this end, we combined patch-clamp in CA1 neurons with glutamate imaging in hippocampal slices. Particular attention was paid to the Rett syndrome that has been originally attributed to hyperammonemia. We compared the responses in the wild-type (WT) and model Rett mice (MECP2-null, RTT) to ammonia doses from 0.3 mM on. In both preparations NH4+NH4+<math> <mrow> <msup><msub><mtext>NH</mtext> <mn>4</mn></msub> <mo>+</mo></msup> </mrow> </math> promptly depolarized neurons and increased the ambient glutamate. The bursting activity emerged in WT and it was augmented in RTT. Searching for subcellular mechanisms we examined possible modulation of ion channels by ammonia. We did not find any changes in HCN- and Ca2+ currents, which substantially contribute to the bursting activity. The non-selective cation channels were markedly potentiated by ammonia. ASIC channels had a major contribution to the augmentation of neuronal activity by ammonia. Interestingly, their general blocker amiloride (100 μM) moderately excited CA1 cells akin to NH4+NH4+<math> <mrow> <msup><msub><mtext>NH</mtext> <mn>4</mn></msub> <mo>+</mo></msup> </mrow> </math> . In its presence subsequent ammonia effects were markedly compromised. Blockade of TRPC1 channels partially occluded NH4+NH4+<math> <mrow> <msup><msub><mtext>NH</mtext> <mn>4</mn></msub> <mo>+</mo></msup> </mrow> </math> effects. ASIC and TRPC1 blockers decreased the amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSC) and neuronal bursts, congruent with a postsynaptic location of the channels. Inhibition of TRPV1 channels potentiated the responses to NH4+NH4+<math> <mrow> <msup><msub><mtext>NH</mtext> <mn>4</mn></msub> <mo>+</mo></msup> </mrow> </math> . EPSC amplitudes did not change, but the frequency decreased, indicating presynaptic effects. All extracellular NH4+NH4+<math> <mrow> <msup><msub><mtext>NH</mtext> <mn>4</mn></msub> <mo>+</mo></msup> </mrow> </math> actions were observed at concentrations as low as 0.3 mM and the neurons reacted immediately after ammonia arrived the slice. We propose that a brief augmentation of neuronal activity by NH4+NH4+<math> <mrow> <msup><msub><mtext>NH</mtext> <mn>4</mn></msub> <mo>+</mo></msup> </mrow> </math> may occur either spontaneously during arousal or induced by inhalation of smelling salts.