Variant distribution of voltage-gated sodium channel type I on different types of neurons in rat hippocampus

Objective To investigate the variant distribution of voltage-gated sodium channel type Ⅰ (Nav1.1) on the different types of neurons in rat hippocampus. Methods In brain tissue sections from adult SD rats, the expression of Nav1.1 on the different types of neurons in rat hippocampus was detected and observed by immunohistochemistry (DAB staining) and laser confocal microscopy. Results Nav1.1 protein was expressed weakly on the soma of pyramidal cells and granular cells of the dentate gyrus, while strongly expressed on the scattered interneurons.Conclusions In the hippocampus of SD rats, the expression of Nav 1.1 protein on interneurons was strong, but weak on the projection neurons (pyramidal cells and granular cells of the dentate gyms). It can be inferred that on different types of neurons, different subtypes of sodium channels are predominately expressed. Key words: Hippocampus;  Neuron;  Voltage-gated, type Ⅰ;  Sodium channel