亚低温对缺血性神经元凋亡、细胞色素C释放的影响

通过大鼠短暂全脑缺血模型来探讨亚低温对大鼠脑缺血后细胞色素C(CytochromeC ,CytC)释放及缺血性神经元凋亡的影响 ,揭示亚低温的部分神经保护机制。用原位细胞凋亡检测法 (TUNEL染色 )检测及电镜观察脑缺血后大鼠脑海马CA1区神经元凋亡发生情况 ;免疫组织化学法测定脑缺血后大鼠脑海马区神经元中细胞色素C释放情况。结果显示 :①低温缺血组海马CA1区凋亡神经元数明显少于常温缺血组 (P <0 .0 1) ;②低温缺血3h组海马CA1区神经元CytC阳性表达低于常温缺血 3h组 (P <0 .0 1)。据此认为 ,全脑缺血后的迟发性神经元死亡很可能经由凋亡途径 ,而CytC激活、释放是缺血性神经元凋亡的一个关键事件。亚低温可抑制CytC的释放 ,推测经此途径减少缺血性神经元凋亡而发挥一定的神经保护作用。     

亚低温对缺血性神经元凋亡、细胞色素C释放的影响

通过大鼠短暂全脑缺血模型来探讨亚低温对大鼠脑缺血后细胞色素c(Cytoehrome c,CytC)释放及缺血性神经元凋亡的影响,揭示亚低温的部分神经保护机制.用原位细胞凋亡检测法(TUNEL染色)检测及电镜观察脑缺血后大鼠脑海马CAi区神经元凋亡发生情况;免疫组织化学法测定脑缺血后大鼠脑海马区神经元中细胞色素C释放情况.结果显示:①低温缺血组海马CAi区凋亡神经元数明显少于常温缺血组(P<0.01);②低温缺血3 h组海马CA1区神经元CytC阳性表达低于常温缺血3 h组(P<0.01).据此认为,全脑缺血后的迟发性神经元死亡很可能经由凋亡途径,而CytC激活、释放是缺血性神经元凋亡的一个关键事件.亚低温可抑制CytC的释放.推测经此途径减少缺血性神经元凋亡而发挥一定的神经保护作用.     

亚低温对大鼠短暂性全脑缺血后皮质NOS亚型表达及神经元凋亡的影响

目的观察亚低温对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注后皮质3种一氧化氮合酶亚型表达、一氧化氮产生以及神经元凋亡的影响,探讨亚低温的神经保护机制。方法成年雄性SD大鼠,采用双侧颈总动脉阻断闭塞+低血压法制备短暂性全脑缺血动物模型,随机分为常温缺血组、亚低温缺血组和常温假手术对照组;常温时的脑温为36.5℃～37.5℃,肛温为35.9℃～36.9℃;亚低温时控制在32.5℃～33.5℃,相对应肛温为32.2℃～33.1℃;分别于缺血后及亚低温治疗后30min、2h、24h和72h观察短暂缺血对脑组织一氧化氮合酶亚型表达及神经元凋亡的影响,以及亚低温对缺血性脑损伤的保护作用。行神经元尼氏体亚甲蓝染色观察神经元数目及形态学的变化;免疫组化染色检测神经元型、诱导型和内皮型一氧化氮合酶的表达水平;应用硝酸还原酶法检测硝酸盐/亚硝酸盐水平的变化;采用TUNEL染色法并结合电子显微镜观察神经元凋亡的变化。结果常温缺血组大鼠额叶皮质3种一氧化氮合酶亚型表达水平及硝酸盐/亚硝酸盐含量均明显高于常温假手术对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01),出现凋亡神经元;低温缺血组大鼠3种一氧化氮合酶亚型表达水平和硝酸盐/亚硝酸盐含量明显低于常温缺血组(P<0.05或P<0.01),未检测到凋亡神经元。结论脑缺血后一氧化氮参与了神经元的凋亡过程,而亚低温治疗可以     

不同时期亚低温对短暂性脑缺血后海马神经元调亡及Bcl—2／Bax的影响

目的 观察不同时期亚低温（33℃）对短暂性全脑缺血的神经保护作用及对Bcl-2/Bax表达的影响。方法 40只SD大鼠随机分成常温组、即刻亚低温组、延迟亚低温组和对照组,采用大鼠短暂性脑缺血模型,尼氏体染色观察存活神经元,TUNEL法检测凋亡神经元,免疫组化检测Bcl-2、Bax蛋白的表达。结果 即刻亚低温可上调海马CA1、CA3区Bcl-2/Bax比值,减少细胞凋亡,延迟亚低温仅对CA3区有此作用。结论 亚低温对缺血后神经元有保护作用,该作用与低温开始时间有关。     

不同时期亚低温对短暂性脑缺血后海马神经元凋亡及Bcl-2/BaX的影响

目的观察不同时期亚低温(33℃)对短暂性全脑缺血的神经保护作用及对Bcl-2/Bax表达的影响.方法40只SD大鼠随机分成常温组、即刻亚低温组、延迟亚低温组和对照组,采用大鼠短暂性脑缺血模型,尼氏体染色观察存活神经元,TUNEL法检测凋亡神经元,免疫组化检测Bcl-2、Bax蛋白的表达.结果即刻亚低温可上调海马CA1、CA3区Bcl-2/Bax比值,减少细胞凋亡,延迟亚低温仅对CA3区有此作用.结论亚低温对缺血后神经元有保护作用,该作用与低温开始时间有关.     

亚低温对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护研究

目的观察亚低温对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注后海马CAI区神经元凋亡的影响,探讨亚低温对缺血再灌注脑损伤的保护作用。方法SD大鼠30只随机分为对照组（n=10）,常温缺血组（n=10）,亚低温组（n=10）,采用改良的Pulsinelli-Brierley4血管法建立全脑缺血再灌注动物模型,缺血30min后再灌注72h,尼氏体染色观察海马区存活锥体细胞数,TUNEL法检测缺血后海马CAI区神经元凋亡情况,电镜下观察神经细胞形态学改变。结果与对照组比较,常温缺血组的海马CAI区存活的锥体细胞数目减少（P〈0.01）;与常温缺血组比较,亚低温组海马CAI存活的锥体细胞数目明显增多（P〈0.01）。对照组、亚低温组的海马CAI区神经元凋亡数目和凋亡指数明显低于常温缺血组。在电镜下观察亚低温能明显减轻缺血后脑组织病理形态学的损害程度。结论亚低温可以抑制脑缺血再灌注后的神经细胞凋亡,对神经细胞有保护作用。     

亚低温对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注损伤后海马CA1区c-Jun蛋白表达的影响

目的研究亚低温对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注损伤后海马CA1区神经元的保护作用,并探讨其可能的机制。方法采用四血管阻断法建立大鼠全脑缺血模型。SD大鼠,随机分为假手术组(SH组)、常温组(IR组)和亚低温组(HIR组)。各组在全脑缺血15min后分别再灌注6h、12h、1d、3d,采用苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察各时间点海马CA1区细胞形态学变化和TUNEL法检测海马CA1区神经元凋亡,免疫印迹检测c-Jun蛋白表达。结果(1)HE染色结果 IR组和HIR组于全脑缺血再灌注后6h,HE染色未见明显改变,IR组缺血再灌注1d时CA1区出现严重改变,3d时损伤最严重,出现细胞数目减少,细胞胞体缩小、胞核固缩深染,损伤严重,排列紊乱,核膜不清,核仁消失。而HIR组海马存活的锥体细胞数较之IR组12h、1d、3d时间点均明显增加(P<0.05)。(2)TUNEL标记IR组于缺血再灌注后6h在海马CA1区阳性细胞开始增多,缺血再灌注1 d时阳性细胞数最多。而HIR组各时间点阳性细胞数均较IR组明显减少(P<0.01)。(3)免疫印迹结果全脑缺血再灌注后6h c-Jun蛋白在IR组海马CA1区表达开始增加,12h达高峰,持续到3d;HIR组在各时间点的表达均弱于IR组(P<0.01)。结论亚低温通过减少海马CA1区c-Jun的表达,抑制海马CA1区神经元的凋亡,可能是亚低温脑保护作用的机制之一。     

沙土鼠脑缺血后海马CA1区神经细胞凋亡、相关基因表达及亚低温的干预作用

目的 研究沙土鼠脑缺血后海马CA1区神经细胞凋亡、相关基因表达及亚低温的干预作用. 方法 72只沙土鼠采用随机数字表法分为假手术组(SH)、低温假手术组(HSH)、常温再灌注组(IR)和低温再灌注组(HIR).采用双侧颈总动脉阻断5 min制作脑缺血再灌注损伤模型,各组依术后处死动物时间的不同再分为1、3、7d亚组(n=6),在预定时间点行开阔法迷宫检查、TUNEL法检测海马CA1区神经细胞的凋亡、免疫组化检测肿瘤抑制基因p53、核因子-kB的表达情况.结果 常温状态下脑缺血5 min可诱导沙土鼠1、3、7d的探索活动增加(P<0.051.亚低温状态下仅缺血再灌注后1 d探索活动增加(P<0.05);TUNEL与免疫组化染色显示海马CA1区神经细胞凋亡数量及p53蛋白和NF-KB表达增加,亚低温对以上过程有明显抑制作用(P均<0.05). 结论 海马CA1区p53蛋白和NF-KB表达增加可能是沙土鼠脑缺血5 min神经元凋亡的机制之一,亚低温脑保护机制可能与其对此过程的抑制作用有关.     

胰岛素对脑缺血后鼠海马CA1区神经元凋亡及记忆影响

目的　观察胰岛素对全脑缺血后海马CA1区神经元凋亡及大鼠学习记忆力改变的影响 ,探讨胰岛素对全脑缺血后海马CA1区神经元产生中枢直接保护作用的机理。方法　利用 4 VO法制作大鼠全脑缺血模型。造成脑缺血 15min后行再灌注 ,于再灌注后即刻经脑室注入 1U胰岛素 ,利用免疫组化及原位标记法分别于全脑缺血后 1、3d观察海马CA1区Bcl 2、Bcl xl蛋白表达及神经元凋亡的情况 ;缺血后 8周 ,利用“Y”型迷宫测试大鼠的学习记忆功能。结果　全脑缺血后 3d ,缺血组大鼠海马CA1区Bcl 2、Bcl xl蛋白的表达呈阴性 ,海马CA1区原位标记阳性细胞计数为 14 3.5± 11.6。治疗组大鼠海马CA1区Bcl 2、Bcl xl蛋白呈阳性表达 ,海马CA1区原位标记阳性细胞计数为 75 .6±6 .7。全脑缺血后 8周 ,治疗组大鼠学习记忆力明显好于缺血组。结论　全脑缺血后脑室内注入胰岛素可促进海马CA1区Bcl 2、Bcl xl蛋白表达 ,减少神经元的凋亡 ,进而减轻脑缺血后大鼠的学习记忆力损害 ,这可能是其对全脑缺血后海马CA1区神经元产生中枢直接保护作用主要机理之一     

酸敏感离子通道2a对缺血预处理诱导大鼠海马缺血耐受的作用

目的探讨脑缺血时的组织病理学变化及酸敏感离子通道2a（ASIC2a）在缺血预处理诱导的脑缺血模型耐受中的作用。方法取成年雄性SD大鼠160只,随机分为假手术组、预缺血组、缺血组、缺血预处理组共4组。行焦油紫染色观察各组大鼠海马CAI区存活神经元密度,TUNEL染色观察大鼠海马CA1区神经元凋亡情况,RT—PCR和Western blotting检测ASIC2a在大鼠海马CAl区mRNA和蛋白表达情况。结果缺血预处理能够显著减少大鼠海马CA1区锥体神经元的死亡和凋亡,PC＋Isch组和Isch组相比具有显著性差异（P〈0．01）。全脑缺血能够上调ASIC2a在大鼠海马CA1区mRNA和蛋白表达,在24h达到高峰,而缺血预处理进一步上调ASIC2a表达,呈进行性上升,在24h和72h时相点,PC＋Isch组和Isch组相比具有显著性差异（P〈0．01）。结论在脑缺血耐受中,缺血预处理对第二次致死性缺血表现出保护作用。在这个过程中,大鼠海马CA1区ASIC2a基因和蛋白表达上调发挥了重要的保护作用。     

小檗碱对大鼠脑缺血后MCP-1表达的影响

目的探讨小檗碱处理对大鼠脑缺血后单核细胞趋化蛋白-1（MCP-1）表达的影响及小檗碱对脑缺血的神经保护作用。方法建立大鼠短暂性全脑缺血模型，采用尼氏体亚甲蓝染色观察脑缺血后大鼠脑海马CA1区神经元存活情况；采用免疫荧光染色方法检测脑缺血后大鼠缺血脑组织中MCP-1的表达情况。结果（1）与假手术组比较，脑缺血组大鼠脑海马CA1区神经元明显缺失，而小檗碱处理组大鼠脑海马CA1区神经元存活数明显多于缺血对照组；（2）与假手术组比较，脑缺血组大鼠脑缺血区MCP-1表达显著增多，而小檗碱处理显著降低了大鼠脑缺血区MCP-1的阳性表达。结论脑缺血引起MCP-1表达上调，提示MCP-1可能参与脑缺血损伤。小檗碱可抑制缺血脑组织MCP-1的表达，推测其可能经此途径减轻脑缺血的炎症反应而发挥一定的神经保护作用。     

Mild hypothermia on anoxic depolarization and subsequent cortical injury following transient ischemia.

Anoxic depolarization (AD) is one of the major physiological characteristics in the ischemic core. The effect of mild hypothermia on the appearance of AD and subsequent brain injury following profound ischemia is studied to evaluate the protective mechanism of hypothermia against severe ischemia. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to transient ischemia by hypotension (50-20 mmHg) and bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCA-O) for 20 min in normothermia and 30 min in hypothermia. The temperature of body and temporal muscles was maintained at 37.5 degrees C and 36.5 degrees C in normothermia and 33.0 degrees C and 31.0 degrees C in hypothermia, respectively. Recording of the DC potential shift and electrocorticogram and monitoring of the cortical blood flow (CoBF) with a laser Doppler flowmeter were done epidurally on the right parietal cortex. The right parietal cortex pathology was examined 24 h after ischemia in normothermia and after 30 days in hypothermia. AD appeared in all seven normothermic rats with a fall in the CoBF to 9%-10% of the control flow. However, in spite of CoBF reduction to 8%-9% of the control flow, it did not appear in five hypothermic rats. Intra-ischemic CoBF was not statistically different between these two groups. AD appeared with the CoBF decreasing to 4%-5% of the control flow in seven hypothermic rats. Intra-ischemic CoBF in hypothermic rats exhibiting AD was significantly lower than the other two groups. The interval between BCA-O and the appearance of AD in hypothermic rats was 5.1 +/- 0.3 min (mean +/- SE), which was significantly longer than the 2.2 +/- 0.5 min observed in normothermia (p < 0.0005). Of seven normothermic rats exhibiting AD, two died within 24 h and four revealed massive neuronal injury. Of seven hypothermic rats with AD, four died between day 2 and day 13, and one revealed diffuse cerebral infarction. However, no severe ischemic injury or ischemic death was observed in all five hypothermic rats without AD. The incidence of severe neuronal injury or ischemic death was significantly lower in hypothermic rats without AD compared with normothermic rats with AD (p < 0.02) or hypothermic rats with AD (p < 0.05). Although mild hypothermia delays AD, it is suggested that raising the cerebral blood flow threshold for AD appearance has a key role in the hypothermic protection of a severely ischemic area such as the ischemic core.     

Mild hypothermia on anoxic depolarization and subsequent cortical injury following transient ischemia

Abstract

Anoxic depolarization (AD) is one of the major physiological characteristics in the ischemic core. The effect of mild hypothermia on the appearance of AD and subsequent brain injury following profound ischemia is studied to evaluate the protective mechanism of hypothermia against severe ischemia. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to transient ischemia by hypotension (50-20 mmHg) and bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCA-O) for 20 min in normothermia and 30 min in hypothermia. The temperature of body and temporal muscles was maintained at 37.5°C and 36.5°C in normothermia and 33.0°C and 31.0°C in hypothermia, respectively. Recording of the DC potential shift and electrocorticogram and monitoring of the cortical blood flow (CoBF) with a laser Doppler flowmeter were done epidurally on the right parietal cortex. The right parietal cortex pathology was examined 24 h after ischemia in normothermia and after 30 days in hypothermia. AD appeared in all seven normothermic rats with a fall in the CoBF to 9%-10% of the control flow. However, in spite of CoBF reduction to 8%-9% of the control flow, it did not appear in five hypothermic rats. Intra-ischemic CoBF was not statistically different between these two groups. AD appeared with the CoBF decreasing to 4%-5% of the control flow in seven hypothermic rats. Intra-ischemic CoBF in hypothermic rats exhibiting AD was significantly lower than the other two groups. The interval between BCA-O and the appearance of AD in hypothermic rats was 5.1 ± 0.3 min (mean ± SE), which was significantly longer than the 2.2 ± 0.5 min observed in normothermia (p < 0.0005). Of seven normothermic rats exhibiting AD, two died within 24 h and four revealed massive neuronal injury. Of seven hypothermic rats with AD, four died between day 2 and day 13, and one revealed diffuse cerebral infarction. However, no severe ischemic injury or ischemic death was observed in all five hypothermic rats without AD. The incidence of severe neuronal injury or ischemic death was significantly lower in hypothermic rats without AD compared with normothermic rats with AD (p < 0.02) or hypothermic rats with AD (p < 0.05). Although mild hypothermia delays AD, it is suggested that raising the cerebral blood flow threshold for AD appearance has a key role in the hypothermic protection of a severely ischemic area such as the ischemic core. [Neurol Res 1999; 21: 670-676]     

Mild hypothermia ameliorates ubiquitin synthesis and prevents delayed neuronal death in the gerbil hippocampus.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of mild hypothermia on the synthesis of ubiquitin, an important protein for maintenance of cell viability, in the hippocampal neurons following transient cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Transient ischemia was induced by occluding both common carotid arteries for 5 minutes. In experiment 1, the animals were divided into four groups according to the rectal and scalp temperatures during ischemia: the normothermia group and the graded hypothermia A, B, and C groups (n = 9 per group). CA1 neuronal density was assessed at 7 days after ischemia. In experiment 2, the animals were divided into two groups designated the normothermia and the hypothermia groups (n = 6 per group). The presence of ubiquitin was examined by immunohistochemistry at 6, 24, and 48 hours after transient ischemia in various regions of the hippocampus. RESULTS: In experiment 1, the mean +/- SEM neuronal density per millimeter was 12 +/- 1 in the normothermia group and 126 +/- 25, 225 +/- 10, and 214 +/- 9 in hypothermia groups A, B, and C, respectively. Mild hypothermia in groups B and C, in which the brain temperature was below 33 degrees C, ameliorated markedly the extent of ischemic neuronal damage in the CA1 sector (p less than 0.01). In experiment 2, ubiquitin immunoreactivity had disappeared in all regions of the hippocampus at 6 hours after ischemia and showed no subsequent recovery in the CA1 pyramidal neurons under normothermic conditions. Under hypothermic conditions, however, it had recovered significantly in the CA1 pyramidal neurons at 24 and 48 hours after ischemia (p less than 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that mild hypothermia, in which the brain temperature is below 33 degrees C, markedly improves the ischemic delayed neuronal damage in the CA1 sector, and that increased ubiquitin synthesis and protein ubiquitination could be one essential part of the protective mechanism afforded by mild hypothermia against delayed neuronal death.     

Hypothermia inhibits ischemia-induced efflux of amino acids and neuronal damage in the hippocampus of aged rats

Brain hypothermia has been reported to protect against ischemic damages in adult animals. Our goal in this study was to examine whether brain hypothermia attenuates ischemic neuronal damages in the hippocampus of aged animals. We also determined effects of hypothermia on ischemia-induced releases of amino acids in the hippocampus. Temperature in the hippocampus of aged rats (19-23 months) was maintained at 36 degrees C (normothermia), 33 degrees C (mild hypothermia) or 30 degrees C (moderately hypothermia) using a thermoregulator during 20 min of transient forebrain ischemia. Cerebral ischemia increased extracellular concentrations of glutamate and aspartate by 6- and 5-fold, respectively, in the normothermic group. Mild and moderate hypothermia, however, markedly inhibited the rise of these amino acids to less than 2-fold. Elevation of extracellular taurine, a putative inhibitory amino acid, was 16-fold in the normothermic rats. Mild hypothermia attenuated ischemia-induced increase in taurine (10-fold), and moderate hypothermia inhibited the increase. Ischemic damages, evaluated by histopathological grading of hippocampal CA1 area 7 days after ischemia, was significantly ameliorated in the mild (1.3+/-0.5, mean+/-S.E.M.) and moderate hypothermic rats (0.8+/-0.3) compared with the normothermic ones (3.4+/-0.4). These results suggest that brain hypothermia protects against ischemic neuronal damages even in the aged animals, and the protection is associated with inhibition of excessive effluxes of both excitatory and inhibitory amino acids.     

亚低温对局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑皮质神经元凋亡及存活素、脑源性神经营养因子表达的影响

目的观察亚低温干预对局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑皮质神经元凋亡及存活累(Survivin)、脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)表达的影响,探讨Survivin、BDNF在亚低温脑保护机制中的作用。方法采用线栓法制备成年雄性SD大鼠大脑中动脉闭塞(MCAO)局灶性脑缺血再灌注改良模型,将90只大鼠随机分为假手术组、常温缺血组和亚低温缺血组,缺血组分别于缺血3h再灌注3h、6h、12h、24h、48h、72h、7d处死,亚低温缺血组于缺血后10min实施全身亚低温持续3h。进行TUNEL染色及免疫组化染色,检测梗死灶周围皮质神经元凋亡数量和Sur-vivin、BDNF的表达水平。结果 (1)亚低温缺血组和常温缺血组于再灌注6h皮质区均出现TUNEL染色阳性细胞,72h达高峰,随后逐渐减少,两组内相邻时间点比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);在相同时间点亚低温缺血组凋亡细胞数明显少于常温缺血组,两组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(2)亚低温缺血组于再灌注3hSurvivin、BDNF表达有所增加,BDNF于24h达高峰,Survivin于48h达高峰,随后表达逐渐降低,但7d时仍高于假手术组,常温缺血组表达趋势与之相似,两组各时间点Survivin、BDNF表达均高于假手术组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);除再灌注3h Survivin表达在亚低温缺血组与常温缺血组间无明显差异外,其余各时间点亚低温缺血组Sur-vivin、BDNF表达均高于常温缺血组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论亚低温干预可抑制梗死灶周围脑皮质神经细胞凋亡,促进存活素及脑源性神经营养因子的表达,发挥脑保护作用。     

Hypothermia inhibits ischemia-induced efflux of amino acids and neuronal damage in the hippocampus of aged rats

Brain hypothermia has been reported to protect against ischemic damages in adult animals. Our goal in this study was to examine whether brain hypothermia attenuates ischemic neuronal damages in the hippocampus of aged animals. We also determined effects of hypothermia on ischemia-induced releases of amino acids in the hippocampus. Temperature in the hippocampus of aged rats (19–23 months) was maintained at 36°C (normothermia), 33°C (mild hypothermia) or 30°C (moderately hypothermia) using a thermoregulator during 20 min of transient forebrain ischemia. Cerebral ischemia increased extracellular concentrations of glutamate and aspartate by 6- and 5-fold, respectively, in the normothermic group. Mild and moderate hypothermia, however, markedly inhibited the rise of these amino acids to less than 2-fold. Elevation of extracellular taurine, a putative inhibitory amino acid, was 16-fold in the normothermic rats. Mild hypothermia attenuated ischemia-induced increase in taurine (10-fold), and moderate hypothermia inhibited the increase. Ischemic damages, evaluated by histopathological grading of hippocampal CA1 area 7 days after ischemia, was significantly ameliorated in the mild (1.3±0.5, mean±S.E.M.) and moderate hypothermic rats (0.8±0.3) compared with the normothermic ones (3.4±0.4). These results suggest that brain hypothermia protects against ischemic neuronal damages even in the aged animals, and the protection is associated with inhibition of excessive effluxes of both excitatory and inhibitory amino acids.     

Mild hypothermia enhances the neuroprotective effects of FK506 and expands its therapeutic window following transient focal ischemia in rats

FK506 (tacrolimus), an immunosuppressant, reportedly reduces ischemic brain injury following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. The authors previously reported that the therapeutic window of FK506 in this model is more than 1 h, but less than 2 h. The aim of the present study is to determine whether mild hypothermia (35 degrees C) enhances the neuroprotective effects of FK506 and expands its therapeutic window. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 2 h MCAO followed by 24 h reperfusion. Animals were randomly divided into four groups: (I) vehicle-treated normothermic group; (II) FK506-treated normothermic group; (III) vehicle-treated hypothermic group; (IV) FK506-treated hypothermic group. Animals received a single injection of FK506 (0.3 mg/kg) or vehicle intravenously at 2 h after ischemic induction. During ischemia, temporal muscle and rectal temperatures were maintained at 37 degrees C in the normothermic animals and at 35 degrees C in the hypothermic animals. Infarct volumes and neurological performance were evaluated at 24 h after reperfusion. The combination of FK506 and mild hypothermia significantly reduced infarct volume (cortex, -61%; striatum, -31%) and edema volume (cortex, -57%; striatum, -41%), while mild hypothermia or FK506 alone failed to improve ischemic brain damage. Furthermore, this combination also provided for the best functional outcome. These results demonstrate that the combination of FK506 and mild hypothermia significantly reduces ischemic brain damage following transient MCAO in rats, and expands the therapeutic window for FK506. This therapy may be a new approach for treatment of acute stroke.