Background and purpose: Glial cells seem to play role in synaptic plasticity because they have the ability to release trophic factors and gliotransmitters and respond to neurotransmitters. They also play important role in synaptic space homeostasis. In this study, the role of hippocampal glial cells in baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity were investigated. 

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, flourocitrate, glia inhibitor (1nmol/0.5μl), was microinjected intrahippcampally for inhibition of hippocampal glial cells. Baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity were evaluated by field potential recording. fEPSP was recorded from CA1 following Schaffer collaterals stimulation. After Input/Output curve construction, short term synaptic plasticity was induced by paired pulse stimulations.   

Results: Inhibition of glial cells by flourocitrate microinjection in CA1 did not have any effect on baseline synaptic response (P>0.05). Flourocitrate increased paired pulse index (PPI, control: 62.80%±5.48; flourocitrate treated: 87.19%±12.11) at 20 ms inter pulse interval (P<0.05). But it did not affect PPI at 80 and 200 ms IPI (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The results suggest that hippocampal glial cells functions did not influence the baseline synaptic response but affected short term synaptic plasticity in CA1 area of the hippocampus.