An optimal dose of tea polyphenols protects against global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Previous studies addressing the protection of tea polyphenols against cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury often use focal cerebral ischemia models, and the optimal dose is not unified. In this experiment, a cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury rat model was established using a modified four-vessel occlusion method. Rats were treated with different doses of tea polyphenols (25, 50, 100, 150, 200 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection. Results showed that after 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours of reperfusion, peroxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant capacity in brain tissue gradually increased, while malondialdehyde content gradually decreased after tea polyphenol intervention. Tea polyphenols at 200 mg/kg resulted in the most apparent changes. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling and flow cytometry showed that 200 mg/kg tea polyphenols significantly reduced the number and percentage of apoptotic cells in the hippocampal CA1 region of rats after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. The open field test and elevated plus maze experiments showed that tea polyphenols at 200 mg/kg strengthened exploratory behavior and reduced anxiety of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injured rats. Experimental findings indicate that tea polyphenols protected rats against cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury and 200 mg/kg is regarded as the optimal dose.     

Regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 influences hippocampal neuronal survival in a rat model of diabetic cerebral ischemia

Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 has been demonstrated in acute brain ischemia. We hypothesized that activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 can protect hippocampal neurons from injury in a diabetic model after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. In this study, transient whole-brain ischemia was induced by four-vessel occlusion in normal and diabetic rats, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 inhibitor （U0126） was administered into diabetic rats 30 minutes before ischemia as a pretreatment. Results showed that the number of surviving neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region was reduced, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation and KuT0 activity were decreased, and pro-apoptotic Bax expression was upregulated after intervention using U0126. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activity aggravated neuronal loss in the hippocampus in a diabetic rat after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, further decreased DNA repairing ability and ac- celerated apoptosis in hippocampal neurons. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation plays a neuroprotective role in hippocampal neurons in a diabetic rat after cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion.     

Neuroprotective effects of rutaecarpine on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury**

Rutaecarpine,an active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Tetradium ruticarpum,has been shown to improve myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.Because both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are forms of ischemic vascular disease,they are closely related.We hypothesized that rutaecarpine also has neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury.A cerebral ischemia reperfusion model was established after 84,252 and 504 μg/kg rutaecarpine were given to mice via intraperitoneal injection,daily for 7 days.Results of the step through test,2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride dyeing and oxidative stress indicators showed that rutaecarpine could improve learning and memory ability,neurological symptoms and reduce infarction volume and cerebral water content in mice with cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury.Rutaecarpine could significantly decrease the malondialdehyde content and increase the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in mouse brain.Therefore,rutaecarpine could improve neurological function following injury induced by cerebral ischemia reperfusion,and the mechanism of this improvement may be associated with oxidative stress.These results verify that rutaecarpine has neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia reperfusion in mice.     

吗啡预处理与脑缺血再灌注损伤后细胞凋亡：抑制效应的途径？

[摘要] 背景：大量研究已经证明凋亡是脑缺血再灌注损伤后神经元损伤的重要形式,且这一过程可以人为干预以改善预后。药物预处理对缺血再灌注损伤后神经元凋亡的影响是脑缺血研究的热点。吗啡是临床常用药,几项研究显示其对某种形式的脑损伤有保护作用,但吗啡预处理对脑缺血再灌注损伤后神经元凋亡的影响尚未见报道。 目的: 探讨吗啡预处理对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注损伤后神经元凋亡及相关基因表达的影响。 设计、时间及地点：2008年6月-2009年8月在青岛大学医学院脑血管病研究所完成分子生物学水平的随机对照实验。 材料：神经元凋亡及免疫组化检测试剂盒均由武汉博士德公司提供 方法: 健康雄性成年Wistar大鼠72只,随机分成4组：假手术组;脑缺血/再灌注组;吗啡预处理1mg/kg组;吗啡预处理7mg/kg组,18只/组。依再灌注时间不同,各组又分为再灌注1d、3d、7d 三个亚组,6只/亚组。以Pusinelli方法为标准建立四动脉阻断法全脑缺血模型,假手术组仅暴露第一颈椎双侧翼孔和双侧颈总动脉而不烧灼,不夹闭动脉;脑缺血组缺血前60min腹腔注射生理盐水2mg/kg;吗啡预处理1mg/kg组及吗啡预处理7mg/kg组分别在脑缺血前60min腹腔内注射吗啡1mg/kg及7mg/kg。在脑缺血8分钟后恢复血流,再灌注1d、3d、7d后断头取脑制作石蜡切片。 主要观察指标： HE染色观察海马CA1区组织病理学改变,TUNEL法检测海马CA1区神经元凋亡,免疫组化检测海马CA1区Casepase-3蛋白表达。 结果：HE染色：假手术组海马CA1区神经元结构正常;脑缺血组则出现大量的肿胀、核固缩及胞浆空泡样变异常细胞并神经元数量显著减少;吗啡预处理组细胞肿胀、核皱缩及细胞缺失的病理学改变显著轻于脑缺血再灌注组。凋亡细胞计数：与假手术组比较,缺血组和吗啡预处理组海马CA1区神经元凋亡数明显增加(P<0.01) ;与缺血再灌注组比较, 吗啡预处理组神经元的凋亡数明显减少(P<0.01);与吗啡预处理1mg/kg组比较,吗啡预处理7mg/kg组神经元凋亡数显著降低(P< 0.05 或P< 0.01)。Casepase-3蛋白表达：缺血组和吗啡预处理组Casepase-3表达明显高于假手术组(P<0.01);吗啡预处理组Casepase-3表达显著低于缺血再灌注组(P<0.01);吗啡预处理7mg/kg组Casepase-3表达明显低于吗啡预处理1mg/kg组(P< 0.05 )。应用吗啡后,在1d、3d、7d三个时点,神经元凋亡的减少趋势与Casepase-3降低的趋势一致。 结论： 吗啡预处理可减轻缺血性脑损伤,提高脑缺血耐受性,且大剂量吗啡效果优于小剂量;吗啡抗凋亡作用机制与Casepase-3密切有关。     

Anti-inlfammatory properties of lipoxin A4 protect against diabetes mellitus complicated by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Lipoxin A4 can alleviate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by reducing the inlfammatory reaction, but it is currently unclear whether it has a protective effect on diabetes mellitus complicated by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this study, we established rat models of diabetes mellitus using an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. We then induced focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 2 hours and reperfusion for 24 hours. After administration of lipoxin A4via the lateral ventricle, infarction volume was reduced, the expression levels of pro-inlfammatory factors tumor necrosis factor alpha and nuclear fac-tor-kappa B in the cerebral cortex were decreased, and neurological functioning was improved. These ifndings suggest that lipoxin A4 has strong neuroprotective effects in diabetes mellitus complicated by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and that the underlying mech-anism is related to the anti-inlfammatory action of lipoxin A4.     

Puerarin protects brain tissue against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting the inflammatory response

Puerarin, a traditional Chinese medicine, exerts a powerful neuroprotective effect in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, but its mechanism is unknown. Here, we established rat models of middle cerebral artery ischemia/reperfusion injury using the suture method. Puerarin(100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 30 minutes before middle cerebral artery occlusion and 8 hours after reperfusion. Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, we found that puerarin significantly improved neurological deficit, reduced infarct size and brain water content, and notably diminished the expression of Toll-like receptor-4, myeloid differentiation factor 88, nuclear factor kappa B and tumor necrosis factor-α in the ischemic region. These data indicate that puerarin exerts an anti-inflammatory protective effect on brain tissue with ischemia/reperfusion damage by downregulating the expression of multiple inflammatory factors.     

Remifentanil postconditioning improves global cerebral ischemia-induced spatial learning and memory deficit in rats via inhibition of neuronal apoptosis through the PI3K signaling pathway

Global cerebral ischemia followed by reperfusion, which leads to extensive neuronal damage, particularly the neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region. Apoptosis is one of the major mechanisms that lead to neuronal death after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. The neuroprotective effects of remifentanil preconditioning against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury have been recently reported. Here we investigated whether remifentanil postconditioning exerts neuroprotective effects against global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats and its potential mechanisms. Global cerebral ischemia was performed via 10 min of four-vessel occlusion. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling positive cells and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the hippocampal CA1 region were assessed after reperfusion. Morris water maze task was used to quantify spatial learning and memory deficits after reperfusion. We found remifentanil postconditioning markedly improved the spatial learning and memory as well as attenuated neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus caused by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, remifentanil postconditioning enhanced the expression of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 while suppressed the expression of pro-apoptotic gene Bax in hippocampal CA1 region. However, the neuroprotective effects of remifentanil postconditioning were abolished by pretreatment of the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. The results suggest that remifentanil postconditioning exhibits neuroprotective effects against global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats, and its mechanisms might involve inhibition of neuronal apoptosis through the PI3K pathway.     

Neuroprotective effect of pretreatment with ganoderma lucidum in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat hippocampus

Ganoderma lucidum is a traditional Chinese medicine,which has been shown to have both anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects,and noticeably decreases both the infarct area and neuronal apoptosis of the ischemic cortex.This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of pretreatment with ganoderma lucidum(by intragastric administration)in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.Our results showed that pretreatment with ganoder-ma lucidum for 3 and 7 days reduced neuronal loss in the hippocampus,diminished the content of malondialdehyde in the hippocampus and serum,decreased the levels of tumor necrosis fac-tor-αand interleukin-8 in the hippocampus,and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase in the hippocampus and serum.These results suggest that pretreatment with ganoderma lucidum was protective against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through its anti-oxidative and an-ti-inflammatory actions.     

Atorvastatin protects against cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects

In addition to its lipid-lowering effect, atorvastatin exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects as well. In this study, we hypothesized that atorvastatin could protect against cerebral isch-emia/reperfusion injury. The middle cerebral artery ischemia/reperfusion model was established, and atorvastatin, 6.5 mg/kg, was administered by gavage. We found that, after cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury, levels of the inflammation-related factors E-selectin and myeloperoxidase were upregulated, the oxidative stress-related marker malondialdehyde was increased, and super- oxide dismutase activity was decreased in the ischemic cerebral cortex. Atorvastatin pretreatment significantly inhibited these changes. Our findings indicate that atorvastatin protects against ce-rebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.     

白果内酯对高血糖大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的 观察白果内酯对高血糖大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其可能机制.方法 采用50%的葡萄糖溶液腹腔注射(6 ml/kg)建立急性高血糖模型.采用线栓法建立大鼠脑缺血再灌注模型,按随机数字表方法将40只大鼠分为高血糖假手术组(假手术组),高血糖+缺血再灌注损伤组(模型组),高血糖+缺血再灌注损伤+白果内酯组(白果内酯组),白果内酯分三个剂量组(2.5,5,10 mg/kg),每组各8只.白果内酯组于术前3 d连续给予白果内酯腹腔注射,术前1 h再给予腹腔注射1次.脑缺血2 h,再灌注24 h后行神经功能缺损评分、脑梗死体积及脑含水量测定,同时测定脑组织中水通道蛋白-4(AQP4)mRNA的表达,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活力,计算脑组织中丙二醛(MDA)的含量及去甲肾上腺素(NE)、多巴胺(DA)和5-羟色胺(5-HT)的表达.结果 白果内酯(5,10 mg/kg)组大鼠与模型组相比,神经功能缺损评分下降,脑梗死体积缩小,脑含水量降低,缺血侧脑组织中AQP4 mRNA的表达下调,SOD活力提高,MDA含量减低,NE、DA及5-HT的含量增加,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 白果内酯对高血糖条件下的局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤具有一定的保护作用.     

Protective effect of oxysophoridine on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice

Oxysophoridine, a new alkaloid extracted from Sophora alopecuroides L., has been shown to have a protective effect against ischemic brain damage. In this study, a focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury model was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice. Both 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg oxysophoridine, via intraperitoneal injection, and 6 mg/kg nimodipine, via intragastric administration, were administered daily for 7 days before modeling. After 24 hours of reperfusion, mice were tested for neurological deficit, cerebral infarct size was assessed and brain tissue was collected. Results showed that oxysophoridine at 125, 250 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg nimodipine could reduce neurological deficit scores, cerebral infarct size and brain water content in mice. These results provided evidence that oxysophoridine plays a protective role in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, oxysophoridine at 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg nimodipine increased adenosine-triphosphate content, and decreased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide content. These compounds enhanced the activities of glutathione-peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased the activity of nitric oxide synthase. Protein and mRNA expression levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR1 were markedly inhibited in the presence of 250 mg/kg oxysophoridine and 6 mg/kg nimodipine. Our experimental findings indicated that oxysophoridine has a neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice, and that the effect may be due to its ability to inhibit oxidative stress and expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR1.     

穴位配伍与脑区激活的关系：一项fMRI研究

临床上,穴位常配伍使用,但目前以健康人穴位穴位配伍针刺后进行脑功能成像的研究报道较少。实验运用功能性磁共振成像观察穴位配伍针刺后各脑区的不同激活现象。选用外关穴（SJ5）为主穴,针刺同名同经穴--支沟穴（SJ6）、表里经穴--内关穴（PC6）、同名异经穴--阳陵泉(GB34)以及非穴配穴（sham point）,并实时进行fMRI脑部扫描,分析比较各组脑区的激活概率、激活数量以及激活强度。结果证实,不同的穴位配伍对于脑区的激活有所不同,单纯针刺外关穴,能较为集中激活右侧小脑,配伍其他穴位后,能不同程度地激活不同脑功能区,此激活作用与不同穴位配伍组合有关。     

补阳还五汤预处理脑缺血再灌注沙鼠海马组织微血管的变化

补阳还五汤是防治缺血性脑血管病的经典方剂。实验应用补阳还五汤预处理脑缺血再灌注长爪沙鼠,通过激光多普勒监测、单宁酸-氯化铁媒染以及电镜等方法观察微血管变化。结果发现,补阳还五汤预处理脑缺血再灌注损伤沙鼠海马微血管应激能力增强,微血管密度及微血管面积比增加,通过防止微血管闭塞,增强微血管再通能力,增加了脑组织血流量,抑制神经元损伤。     

Protective effect of ginkgo proanthocyanidins against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury associated with its antioxidant effects

Proanthocyanidins have been shown to effectively protect ischemic neurons, but its mechanism remains poorly understood. Ginkgo proan-thocyanidins (20, 40, 80 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally administered 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours before reperfusion. Results showed that ginkgo proanthocyanidins could effectively mitigate neurological disorders, shorten infarct volume, increase superoxide dismutase activity, and de-crease malondialdehyde and nitric oxide contents. Simultaneously, the study on grape seed proanthocyanidins (40 mg/kg) conifrmed that different sources of proanthocyanidins have a similar effect. The neurological outcomes of ginkgo proanthocyanidins were similar to that of nimodipine in the treatment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Our results suggest that ginkgo proanthocyanidins can effectively lessen cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and protect ischemic brain tissue and these effects are associated with antioxidant properties.     

针刺预处理对短暂性脑缺血再灌注损伤海马神经元的保护

The present study established a model of brain ischemia in aged rats using four-vessel occlusion.We observed hippocampal CA1 neuronal apoptosis and apoptosis-mediated protease caspase-3 expression following preconditioning of electroacupuncture at Baihui(GV 20).Our results showed that the number of hippocampal CA1 normal neurons was decreased,and degenerated neurons were increased 12 hours to 3 days following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.The number of hippocampal CA1 apoptotic neurons and caspase-3-positive neurons in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was significantly decreased following acupuncture preconditioning.Acupuncture preconditioning protects aged rats against ischemia/reperfusion injury by regulating caspase-3 protein expression.     

The role of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta in brain injury induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model of diabetes mellitus

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury can lead to severe brain injury. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta is known to be involved in myo-cardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and diabetes mellitus. However, the precise role of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced brain injury is unclear. In this study, we observed the effects of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta on brain injury induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in diabetic rats. Rat models of diabetes mellitus were generated via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury were generated by occluding the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. Post-conditioning comprised three cycles of ischemia/reperfusion. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot assays demonstrated that after 48 hours of reperfusion, the structure of the brain was seriously damaged in the experimental rats compared with normal controls. Expression of Bax, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling, and cleaved caspase-3 in the brain was significantly increased, while expression of Bcl-2, interleukin-10, and phospho-glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta was decreased. Diabetes mellitus can aggravate inflammatory reactions and apoptosis. Ischemic post-conditioning with glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta inhibitor lithium chloride can effectively reverse these changes. Our results showed that myocardial ischemic post-conditioning attenuated myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced brain injury by activating glyco-gen synthase kinase 3 beta. According to these results, glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta appears to be an important factor in brain injury induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.     

Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel involvement in suppression of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury after electroacupuncture atShuigou (GV26) acupoint in rats

Excess activation and expression of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BKCa channels) may be an important mechanism for delayed neuronal death after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Electroacupuncture can regulate BKCa channels after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, but the precise mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we established a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Model rats received electroacupuncture of 1 mA and 2 Hz atShuigou (GV26) for 10 minutes, once every 12 hours for a total of six times in 72 hours. We found that in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury rats, ischemic changes in the cerebral cortex were mitigated after electroacupuncture. Moreover, BKCa channel protein and mRNA expression were reduced in the cerebral cortex and neurological function noticeably improved. These changes did not occur after electroacupuncture at a non-acupoint (5 mm lateral to the left side of Shuigou). Thus, our ifndings indicate that electroacupuncture atShuigou improves neurological function in rats following cerebral ischemia/reperfu-sion injury, and may be associated with down-regulation of BKCa channel protein and mRNA expression. Additionally, our results suggest that theShuigou acupoint has functional speciifcity.     

Total flavonoid of Litsea coreana leve exerts anti-oxidative effects and alleviates focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

In this study, we hypothesized that total flavonoid of Litsea coreana leve （TFLC） protects against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. TFLC （25, 50, 100 mg/kg） was administered orally to a rat model of focal ischemia/reperfusion injury, while the free radical scavenging agent, edaravone, was used as a positive control drug. Results of neurological deficit scoring, 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining, hematoxylin-eosin staining and biochemical tests showed that TFLC at different doses significantly alleviated cerebral ischemia-induced neurological deficits and histopathological changes, and reduced infarct volume. Moreover, it suppressed the increase in the levels of nitrates plus nitrites, malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase, and it diminished the reduction in glu- tathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Compared with edaravone, the protective effects of TFLC at low and medium doses （25, 50 mg/kg） against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury were weaker, while the protective effects at high dose （100 mg/kg） were similar. Our experimental findings suggest that TFLC exerts neuroprotective effects against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats, and that the effects may be asso- ciated with its antioxidant activities.