Bumetanide promotes neural precursor cell regeneration and dendritic development in the hippocampal dentate gyrus in the chronic stage of cerebral ischemia

Bumetanide has been shown to lessen cerebral edema and reduce the infarct area in the acute stage of cerebral ischemia. Few studies focus on the effects of bumetanide on neuroprotection and neurogenesis in the chronic stage of cerebral ischemia. We established a rat model of cerebral ischemia by injecting endothelin-1 in the left cortical motor area and left corpus striatum. Seven days later, bumetanide 200 μg/kg/day was injected into the lateral ventricle for 21 consecutive days with a mini-osmotic pump. Results demonstrated that the number of neuroblasts cells and the total length of dendrites increased, escape latency reduced, and the number of platform crossings increased in the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus in the chronic stage of cerebral ischemia. These findings suggest that bumetanide promoted neural precursor cell regeneration, dendritic development and the recovery of cognitive function, and protected brain tissue in the chronic stage of ischemia.     

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields promote cognitive function and hippocampal neurogenesis of rats with cerebral ischemia

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields(ELF-EMF) can improve the learning and memory impairment of rats with Alzheimer's disease, however, its effect on cerebral ischemia remains poorly understood.In this study, we established rat models of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion.One day after modeling, a group of rats were treated with ELF-EMF(50 Hz, 1 mT) for 2 hours daily on 28 successive days.Our results showed that rats treated with ELF-EMF required shorter swimming distances and latencies in the Morris water maze test than those of untreated rats.The number of times the platform was crossed and the time spent in the target quadrant were greater than those of untreated rats.The number of BrdU~+/NeuN~+ cells, representing newly born neurons, in the hippocampal subgranular zone increased more in the treated than in untreated rats.Up-regulation in the expressions of Notch1, Hes1, and Hes5 proteins, which are the key factors of the Notch signaling pathway, was greatest in the treated rats.These findings suggest that ELF-EMF can enhance hippocampal neurogenesis of rats with cerebral ischemia, possibly by affecting the Notch signaling pathway.The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Sichuan University, China(approval No.2019255A) on March 5, 2019.     

黄芩干预成年大鼠海马齿状回神经发生和空间记忆功能的变化

We investigated the effects of ethanol extracted Scutellaria baicalensis(EESB) on spatial memory function and neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus.Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered 50,100,or 200 mg/kg of EESB for 6 successive days.The radial-arm maze test showed that 200 mg/kg of EESB improved the spatial memory of adult rats.Confocal microscopy results showed that 100 mg/kg of EESB increased the number of bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU)-and neuron-specific nuclear protein-positive cells in the granular cell layer,and that 100 and 200 mg/kg of EESB increased the number of BrdU-/neuron-specific nuclear protein-positive cells in the sub-granular zone.200 mg/kg of EESB increased the number of BrdU-/glial fibrillary acid protein-positive cells in the subgranular zone.These findings indicate that EESB can effectively promote neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and improve spatial memory function.     

普伐他汀对脑缺血大鼠的神经保护及神经发生的作用(英文)

目的研究中枢神经系统缺血损伤后,普伐他汀的神经保护和促进神经发生作用。方法采用线栓法造成大鼠大脑中动脉的暂时性缺血,在以下时间点给予普伐他汀:伤后6 h,伤后每天直至伤后14 天。用神经学评分、平衡实验和旋转实验评价伤后神经学恢复情况。检测血清胆固醇和甘油三酯的含量,计算脑梗塞面积。通过三染色法(BrdU, DCX, NeuN染色)研究普伐他汀对神经发生的作用。结果各组间血清胆固醇和甘油三酯无显著性差异;与对照组相比,实验组动物术后旋转实验评分显著性增加,梗塞面积减小;普伐他汀显著增加了齿状回和脑室下区的BrdU阳性细胞数,并增加了齿状回、脑室下区和纹状体中的BrdU/DCX阳性细胞数。结论中枢神经系统损伤早期重复使用低剂量的普伐他汀是相对安全的,并能够显著改善伤后的神经功能恢复,减少梗死面积。普伐他汀能够诱导大鼠齿状回及脑室下区的神经发生并增加纹状体中迁移神经元的数量,这与普伐他汀的降脂作用无关。     

普伐他汀对脑缺血大鼠的神经保护及神经发生的作用

目的研究中枢神经系统缺血损伤后,普伐他汀的神经保护和促进神经发生作用。方法采用线栓法造成大鼠大脑中动脉的暂时性缺血,在以下时间点给予普伐他汀：伤后6h,伤后每天直至伤后14天。用神经学评分、平衡实验和旋转实验评价伤后神经学恢复情况。检测血清胆固醇和甘油三酯的含量,计算脑梗塞面积。通过三染色法（BrdU, DCX, NeuN染色）研究普伐他汀对神经发生的作用。结果各组间血清胆固醇和甘油三酯无显著性差异;与对照组相比,实验组动物术后旋转实验评分显著性增加,梗塞面积减小;普伐他汀显著增加了齿状回和脑室下区的BrdU阳性细胞数,并增加了齿状回、脑室下区和纹状体中的BrdU/DCX阳性细胞数。结论中枢神经系统损伤早期重复使用低剂量的普伐他汀是相对安全的,并能够显著改善伤后的神经功能恢复,减少梗死面积。普伐他汀能够诱导大鼠齿状回及脑室下区的神经发生并增加纹状体中迁移神经元的数量,这与普伐他汀的降脂作用无关。     

Effects of exercise on neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus and ability of learning and memory after hippocampus lesion in adult rats

Objective To explore the effects of exercise on dentate gyrus （DG） neurogenesis and the ability of learning and memory in hippocampus-lesioned adult rats. Methods Hippocampus lesion was produced by intrabippocampal microinjection of kainic acid （KA）. Bromodeoxyuridine （BrdU） was used to label dividing cells. Y maze test was used to evaluate the ability of learning and memory. Exercise was conducted in the form of forced running in a motor-driven running wheel. The speed of wheel revolution was regulated at 3 kinds of intensity： lightly running, moderately running, or heavily running. Results Hippocampus lesion could increase the number of BrdU-labeled DG cells, moderately running after lesion could further enhance the number of BrdU-labeled cells and decrease the error number （EN） in Y maze test, while neither lightly running, nor heavily running had such effects. There was a negative correlation between the number of DG BrdU-labeled cells and the EN in the Y maze test after running. Conclusion Moderate exercise could enhance the DG neurogenesis and ameliorate the ability of learning and memory in hippocampus-lesioned rats.     

Effects of exercise on neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus and ability of learning and memory after hippocampus lesion in adult rats

Objective To explore the effects of exercise on dentate gyrus (DG) neurogenesis and the ability of learning and memory in hippocampus-lesioned adult rats. Methods Hippocampus lesion was produced by intrahippocampal microinjection of kainic acid (KA). Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was used to label dividing cells. Y maze test was used to evaluate the ability of learning and memory. Exercise was conducted in the form of forced running in a motor-driven running wheel. The speed of wheel revolution was regulated at 3 kinds of intensity: lightly running, moderately running, or heavily running. Results Hippocampus lesion could increase the number of BrdU-labeled DG cells, moderately running after lesion could further enhance the number of BrdU-labeled cells and decrease the error number (EN) in Y maze test, while neither lightly running, nor heavily running had such effects. There was a negative correlation between the number of DG BrdU-labeled cells and the EN in the Y maze test after running. Conclusion Moderate exercise could enhance the DG neurogenesis and ameliorate the ability of learning and memory in hippocampus-lesioned rats.     

雌激素对慢性脑缺血大鼠认知功能及突触素的影响

目的 研究苯甲酸雌二醇对慢性脑缺血大鼠认知功能及突触素的影响.方法 采用双侧颈总动脉永久性结扎制备慢性脑缺血模型,30只大鼠随机分为3组,A组:假手术组;B组:缺血组;C组:雌激素治疗组.各组于手术60d后,应用Y迷宫、免疫组化及图像分析系统测定大鼠认知功能及海马、齿状回突触素的含量.结果 治疗组较缺血组认知障碍明显改善(P＜0.01),与假手术组相比,缺血组突触素的含量明显下降,治疗组以上变化明显减轻(P＜0.01).结论 苯甲酸雌二醇能改善慢性脑缺血大鼠的认知功能,这可能与增加大鼠脑内突触素的含量有关.     

Effects of mild hypothermia on the expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 in neurons of the hippocampal dentate gyrus in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

BACKGROUND： It is widely accepted that mild hypothermia can protect against injury to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of mild hypothermia on microtubule-associated protein 2 （MAP2） expression in the hippocampal dentate gyms in rats following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Also, to study neuronal ultrastmctural changes in the dentate gyms to investigate the mechanism of the protection against injury to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion conferred by mild hypothermia. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This randomized grouping, neural cell morphology trial was performed at the Laboratory Animal Center of Yijishan Hospital between March and June 2007. MATERIALS： Eighty-five healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated to three groups： mild hypothermia （n = 40）, normothermia （n = 40）, and sham-operated （n = 5）. METHODS： Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced by the suture method in the mild hypothermia and normothermia groups, with a threading depth of 180.5 mm. In the sham-operated group, the suture was inserted 15 mm, with no vascular ligafion, and was followed by reperfusion 2 hours later. In the sham-operated and normothermia groups, the rat rectal temperature was maintained at 36-37 ℃ ; in the mild hypothermia group, it was controlled at 32-33 ℃. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The hippocampal dentate gyms was serially sectioned for hematoxylin-eosin staining and MAP2 immunohistochemistry. Ultrastructural changes and the MAP2 absorbance value of the hippocampal dentate gyms were examined by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS： The sham-operated group exhibited approximately normal ultrastructure of neurons in the bilateral hippocampal dentate gyms. In the normothermia group, ischemic hippocampal dentate gyms neurons were found with markedly fewer normal mitochondria, greatly proliferated rough endoplasmic reticulum, and a swollen and dysmorphic Golgi. In the mild hypothermia group, at each corresponding time point, these abnormal changes w     

补阳还五汤对老龄大鼠脑缺血再灌注海马齿状回细胞增殖分化的影响

BACKGROUND： The mobilization of endogenous stem cells is an effective way to promote repair following ischemic brain damage. Buyang Huanwu decoction （BHD） can effectively improve cerebral blood flow and protect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion damage. OBJECTIVE： To study the effects of BHD on cell proliferation and differentiation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of rats following cerebral infarction, to investigate the protective effects of BHD against cerebral infarction, and to analyze the dose-effect relationship. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This randomized, controlled, animal study was performed at the Laboratory of Department of Physiology, Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China from June 2007 to February 2008. MATERIALS： A total of 36 male, Sprague Dawley rats, aged 20-21 months, were equally and randomly assigned to the following groups： sham operation, model control, and nimodipine, as well as high-dose, moderate-dose, and low-dose BHD. BHD was composed of milkvetch root, Chinese angelica, red peony root, earthworm, peach seed, safflower, and Szechwan Iovage rhizome, which were provided by the Outpatient Department, Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China. METHODS： The Chinese medicinal ingredients described above were decocted. The external carotid artery was ligated in rats from the sham operation group. Rat models of focal cerebral infarction were established by middle cerebral artery occlusion in the model control and nimodipine groups, as well as the high-dose, moderate-dose, and low-dose BHD groups. The drugs were administered by gavage 5 days, as well as 2 hours, prior to model induction. Rats in the nimodipine group were daily administered a 6 mg/kg nimodipine suspension by gavage. Rats in the high-dose, moderate-dose, and low-dose BHD groups were administered daily 26, 13, and 6.5 g/kg BHD, respectively. Rats in the sham operation and model control groups were treated with an equal volume of saline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The effects of BHD on neurological dysfunction score, brain water content, cell proliferation and differentiation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, and pathological changes in the ischemic brain hemisphere were measured in cerebral infarction rats. RESULTS： Compared with the sham operation group, the neurological dysfunction score, brain water content, number of BrdU-positive cells, BrdU/NeuN-positive cells, and BrdU/GFAP-positive cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus significantly increased in the model control group （P 〈 0.01 ）. Compared with the model control group, neurological dysfunction score and brain water content were significantly decreased （P 〈 0.01 or 0.05）, as were the number of BrdU-positive and BrdU/NeuN-positive cells （P 〈 0.01 or 0.05）. The number of BrdU/GFAP-positive cells was significantly reduced （P 〈 0.05） in the nimodipine group, high-dose, moderate-dose, and low-dose BHD groups. Compared with the nimodipine group, the neurological dysfunction score was significantly reduced in the moderate-dose BHD group （P 〈 0.05）. However, the number of BrdU-positive cells was significantly increased in the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus in the high-dose and moderate-dose BHD groups （P 〈 0.01 or 0.05）. The following was determined by microscopy： slightly disarranged neural cells, mild vascular dilatation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and light tissue edema were observed in the nimodipine group; inflammatory celt infiltration was reduced in the low-dose BHD group; cerebral edema and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly reduced in the high-dose and in the moderate-dose BHD group. Electron microscopy revealed lipofuscin, slightly swollen mitochondria, and normal rough endoplasmic reticulum in the high-dose and moderate-dose BHD groups. Improvement was best in the moderate-dose BHD group. CONCLUSION： Cerebral ischemia activated proliferation of neural stem cells in the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus. The actions of BHD against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion damage correlated with proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. A moderate-dose of BHD resulted in the most effective outcome.     

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in the hippocampal CA1 region of hyperlipidemic rats with chronic cerebral ischemia

Chronic cerebral ischemia is a pathological process in many cerebrovascular diseases and it is induced by long-term hyperlipidemia,hypertension and diabetes mellitus.After being fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks,rats were subjected to permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries to establish rat models of chronic cerebral ischemia with hyperlipidemia.Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in rat hippocampal CA1 region was determined to better understand the mechanism underlying the effects of hyperlipidemia on chronic cerebral ischemia.Water maze test results showed that the cognitive function of rats with hyperlipidemia or chronic cerebral ischemia,particularly in rats with hyperlipidemia combined with chronic cerebral ischemia,gradually decreased between 1 and 4 months after occlusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries.This correlated with pathological changes in the hippocampal CA1 region as detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Immunohistochemical staining showed that intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in the hippocampal CA1 region was noticeably increased in rats with hyperlipidemia or chronic cerebral ischemia,in particular in rats with hyperlipidemia combined with chronic cerebral ischemia.These findings suggest that hyperlipidemia aggravates chronic cerebral ischemia-induced neurological damage and cognitive impairment in the rat hippocampal CA1 region,which may be mediated,at least in part,by up-regulated expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1.     

丁咯地尔对慢性脑缺血大鼠海马CA1区星形胶质细胞及认知障碍的影响

目的研究丁咯地尔对慢性脑缺血大鼠海马CA1区星形胶质细胞和认知障碍的影响。方法采用双侧颈总动脉永久性结扎制备慢性脑缺血模型,治疗组大鼠给与丁咯地尔灌胃,免疫组化法多克隆抗血清GFAP标记海马CA1区星形细胞,用Y-型迷宫测定大鼠的认知功能变化。实验研究为持久性2VO2个月。结果慢性脑缺血2个月后大鼠海马CA1区星形胶质细胞大量增生肥大,认知能力明显下降,丁咯地尔治疗后,星形胶质细胞的活动明显减少,认知功能明显提高。结论丁咯地尔能抑制慢性脑缺血大鼠海马CA1区星形胶质细胞反应,改善其认知功能障碍。     

缬沙坦对慢性脑缺血大鼠认知障碍及MDA、SOD的影响

目的　研究缬沙坦对慢性脑缺血大鼠认知障碍、丙二醛 (MDA)及超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)的影响。方法　采用双侧颈总动脉永久性结扎制备慢性脑缺血模型 ,3 0只大鼠随机分为 3组 ,A组 :假手术组 ;B组 :缺血组 ;C组 :缬沙坦治疗组。术后 12周测定其认知能力及脑组织MDA、SOD含量。结果　C组较B组认知障碍明显改善 (P <0 0 1) ,MDA含量明显降低 (P <0 0 1) ,SOD明显升高 (P <0 0 1)。结论　缬沙坦能有效清除自由基 ,并能改善慢性脑缺血大鼠的认知障碍。     

Changes of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signaling and the effect of cilostazol in chronic cerebral ischemia

Hypoxiainducible factor1 and its specific target gene heme oxygenase1, are involved in acute cerebral ischemia. However, very few studies have examined in detail the changes in the hy poxiainducible factor1/heme oxygenase1 signaling pathway in chronic cerebral ischemia. In this study, a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia was established by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, and these rats were treated with intragastric cilostazol （30 mg/kg） for 9 weeks. Morris water maze results showed that cognitive impairment gradually worsened as the cerebral ischemia proceeded. Immunohistochemistry, semiquantitative PCR and western blot analysis showed that hypoxiainducible factorla and heme oxygenase1 expression levels in creased after chronic cerebral ischemia, with hypoxiainducible factorla expression peaking at 3 weeks and heme oxygenase1 expression peaking at 6 weeks. These results suggest that the elevated levels of hypoxiainducible factorla may upregulate heine oxygenase1 expression fol lowing chronic cerebral ischemia and that the hypoxiainducible factor1/heme oxygenase1 sig naling pathway is involved in the development of cognitive impairment induced by chronic cerebral ischemia. Cilostazol treatment alleviated the cognitive impairment in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia, decreased hypoxiainducible factorla and heme oxygenase1 expression levels, and reduced apoptosis in the frontal cortex. These findings demonstrate that cilostazol can protect against cognitive impairment induced by chronic cerebral ischemic injury through an antiapoptotic mechanism.     

骨髓基质细胞源神经干细胞对大鼠局灶性脑缺血神经细胞凋亡及相关蛋白表达的动态影响

目的探讨骨髓基质细胞源神经干细胞对大鼠局灶性脑缺血神经细胞凋亡及相关蛋白表达的影响。方法建立大鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注模型。32只健康Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠分为假手术组、缺血对照组、缺血骨髓基质细胞移植组和缺血骨髓基质细胞源神经干细胞移植组。分别在移植后7d和14d行脑灌注固定取材,应用免疫组化染色及原位细胞凋亡检测脑组织Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达及凋亡细胞数。结果缺血移植组各时点的凋亡细胞数均少于缺血对照组(P<0.01),缺血移植14d组凋亡细胞数明显少于缺血移植7d组(P<0.01),骨髓基质细胞源神经干细胞移植组凋亡细胞明显少于骨髓基质细胞移植组(P<0.05)。缺血移植组Bcl-2表达显著高于缺血对照组(P<0.01)。缺血移植组Bax蛋白表达明显低于缺血对照组(P<0.01)。结论骨髓基质细胞源神经干细胞可能通过上调Bcl-2蛋白表达,下调Bax蛋白表达,对脑缺血再灌注损伤起保护作用。     

骨髓基质细胞及血管内皮祖细胞移植对局灶性脑缺血大鼠神经功能恢复的影响

目的 观察经静脉移植骨髓基质细胞(BMSCs)及血管内皮祖细胞(EPCs)后,缺血性脑损伤大鼠神经系统功能恢复情况.方法 40只健康成年Wistar大鼠按随机数字表法分为模型组、移植BMSCs组、移植EPCS组、移植BMSCs/EPCs组,每组10只.线栓法建立大鼠大脑中动脉闭塞(MCAO)模型.造模后24h取1 mLBMSCs、EPCs、BMSCs/EPCs细胞悬液(3×10~6个/mL)分别经尾静脉注射移植入后3组大鼠.模型组大鼠注射等量生理盐水.移植前、移植后1、7、14、28 d,采用旋转试验、躯体感觉试验、神经系统功能评分(NSS)评估各组大鼠神经功能的恢复情况.移植后28d,免疫荧光染色检测各组大鼠缺血脑组织的微血管密度(MVD).结果 移植后第7天,旋转试验显示移植BMSCs/EPCs组大鼠旋转时间长于其他3组,躯体感觉试验和NSS评分分别显示移植BMSCs/EPCs组大鼠移物时间和NSS评分低于其他3组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);移植后28 d,免疫荧光染色检测结果显示缺血脑组织MVD明显高于其他3组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 静脉BMSCs/EPCS联合移植可增强缺血性脑损伤功能的恢复.     

雌激素对血管性痴呆大鼠认知功能及海马CA1区胰岛素样生长因子-1、胆碱乙酰转移酶表达的影响

目的 探讨雌激素对血管性痴呆(VD)大鼠认知功能及海马CA1区胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)、胆碱乙酰转移酶(ChAT)表达的影响.方法 30只雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、VD组和雌激素组,每组10只.采用双侧颈总动脉结扎(2VO)法制备VD大鼠模型;雌激素组大鼠腹腔注射17-β雌二醇(花生油溶解)1 mg/kg,假手术组和VD组大鼠腹腔注射等量的花生油,均为隔日1次,共30次.60 d后,用Morris水迷宫检测各组大鼠逃避潜伏期和跨越平台次数;HE染色观察大脑海马CA1区神经细胞形态学变化,免疫组化染色检测海马CA1区IGF-1、ChAT阳性细胞数.结果 假手术组海马CA1区未见明显的病理变化;VD组神经细胞数量和层次明显减少;雌激素组偶见小的软化灶,细胞数和形态接近假手术组.与假手术组相比,VD组及雌激素组逃避潜伏期明显延长,跨越平台次数明显减少,海马CA1区IGF-1表达明显增加,ChAT表达明显减少(均P<0.05);与VD组比较,雌激素组逃避潜伏期明显缩短,跨越平台次数明显增加,海马CA1区IGF-1及ChAT表达明显增加(均P<0.05).结论 雌激素可以通过上调内源性IGF-1而减轻海马神经元损伤,增加ChAT的表达,改善VD大鼠认知功能.     

A novel voltage-sensitive Na and Ca channel blocker, NS-7, prevents suppression of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and reduces infarct area in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia in rat

Binding of cyclic AMP to the regulatory subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is an essential step in cyclic AMP-mediated intracellular signal transduction. This binding is, however, rapidly inhibited in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia, indicating that the signal transduction via PKA is very vulnerable to ischemia, although this signal pathway is very important for neuronal survival in the brain. Several lines of evidence suggest that the activation of voltage-sensitive Na+ and Ca(2+) channels is an important mediator of acute ischemic brain damage. In the present study, therefore, we examined the effect of a novel Na+ and Ca(2+) channel blocker, NS-7 (4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy) pyrimidine hydrochloride), on changes in the binding activity of PKA to cyclic AMP in permanent focal cerebral ischemia, which was induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery by the intraluminal suture method for 5 h in the rat. NS-7 (1 mg/kg) or saline was intravenously infused 5 min after occlusion. The binding activity of PKA to cyclic AMP and local cerebral blood flow were assessed by the in vitro [(3)H]cyclic AMP binding and the [(14)C]iodoantipyrine methods, respectively. NS-7 significantly suppressed inhibition of the binding activity of PKA to cyclic AMP in the ischemic regions such as the frontal and parietal cortices and the medial region of the caudate-putamen without affecting cerebral blood flow or arterial blood pressure. Infarct area measured in the brain slices stained with cresyl violet was significantly smaller in animals treated with NS-7 than in those treated with saline. Blockade of voltage-sensitive Na+ and Ca(2+) channels by NS-7 was expected to reduce ischemia-induced depolarization and thus prevent a massive formation of free radicals, which is known to inhibit the binding activity of PKA to cyclic AMP. These data clearly indicate that NS-7 provides very efficient neuroprotection in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia, and sustains the normal function of PKA.