Figure 7.
Onset of the expression and function of KATPchannels is delayed by exposure to postnatal undernutrition. (A) Relative expression of genes encoding KATP channel subunits and (B) neuropeptides in the ARH region of offspring of large litters (LL, blue bars) as compared to control litters (CTL, black bars) at P30 and P45. n = 4 samples per age and group, 4–6 mice per sample; **p < 0.01 CTL vs. LL, unpaired t-test. (C–F) Representative traces and average changes in membrane potential in Npy-GFP+ neurons in acute slices from P30–35 treated with SUR1 (C, D) or SUR2 (E, F) agonists in the absence (C, E) or presence (D, F) of presynaptic blockers (TTX 1 μM + bicuculine 5 μM). Data from control litters are shown on the left (grey bars) and LL litters on the right (blue bars). (C) SUR1 response to 50 μM diazoxide treatment in control (n = 7 cells from 5 animals) and LL offspring (n = 7 cells from 7 animals). (D) Response to 50 μM diazoxide in the presence of presynaptic blockers (n = 8 cells from 6 CTL animals and n = 6 cells from 6 LL animals). (E) SUR2 response to 50 μM pinacidil in control (n = 7 cells from 5 animals) and LL offspring (n = 7 cells from 6 animals). (F) Response to 50 μM pinacidil in the presence of presynaptic blockers in control (n = 5 cells from 4 animals) and LL offspring (n = 7 cells from 7 animals). Results are shown as mean ± s.e.m. *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001, paired t-test and ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc test.