Nano-Ag inhibiting action potential independent glutamatergic synaptic transmission but increasing excitability in rat CA1 pyramidal neurons

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the actions of silver nanoparticles (nano-Ag) on glutamatergic synaptic transmission and excitability in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons with whole cell patch technique. The amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) was inhibited by silver nano-particles (nano-Ag) (10^-5 g/ml and 10^-4 g/ml), but the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) were increased by nano-Ag treatment (10^-5 g/ml and 10^-4 g/ml). Furthermore, nano-Ag (10^-5 g/ml and 10^-4 g/ml) increased the spontaneous network activity. These results provide further insights into the underlying mechanisms responsible for the effects of nano-Ag on central nervous system (CNS).

Keywords::

• Nano-Ag
• neurons
• mEPSCs
• sEPSCs
• spontaneous action potential

Declaration of interest: This work was partly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31000509 and 31070890) and UK Royal Academy of Engineering on a Major Research Exchanges Award (Ref. 5502). The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.