The effects of adenosine on the discharging electricities and the c-fos expression of neurons in habenula nucleus of rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of adenosine(Ado) on the unit discharging electricities in habenula nucleus and on the c-fos expression in lateral habenular complex,and the influence of adenosine on the neuron activities and related gene expression involved in affecting sleep in habenula nucleus and the possible mechanisms.Methods:Intraperitoneal injection,brain flakes pouring of rats,immunohistochemistry and other methods were useel.Results:Ado pouring into flakes of brain depressed the unit discharging electricities of neurons in medial habenular complex(MHb),but obviously increased that of lateral habenular complex(LHb).0.5 h after the six rats being injected intraperitoneally with Ado,the c-fos protein expression in lateral habenular nucleus was significantly increased compared to the group with saline injection.Conclusion:Ado may restrain the unit discharging electricities of neurons in medial habenular complex but excite those in lateral habenular complex.At the meantime,Ado may increase the c-fos expression in LHb.This provides the experimental evidence that Ado may improve the sleep quality.