Bradykinin preconditioning affects the number of degenerated neurons and the level of antioxidant enzymes in spinal cord ischemia in rabbits

Bradykinin preconditioning has been used for acquisition of tolerance after spinal cord ischemia. Rabbits were preconditioned intraperitoneally with bradykinin 48 h prior to 20 min of abdominal aorta ligation followed by 24 and 48 h of reperfusion. The activities of SOD and catalase were measured and Fluoro Jade B (FJB)-positive degenerated neurons were evaluated. The outcomes of Tarlov scoring system used to assess neurological functions showed significant improvement in bradykinin groups compared to the ischemic group. The number of FJB-positive degenerated neurons was decreased in ventral horns of both bradykinin groups. Significantly decreased activities of total SOD and mitochondrial Mn-SOD were also detected in both bradykinin groups versus ischemic group while CuZn-SOD and catalase activities were significantly decreased only in the bradykinin group after 24 h of reperfusion versus ischemic group. These findings suggest that one of the possibilities of the neuroprotective effect of delayed bradykinin preconditioning against spinal cord ischemic injury could be realized by mitochondrial protection and decreased synthesis of Mn-SOD as well as by promotion of neuronal survival.     

缺血预处理快速效应对兔急性缺血脊髓的保护作用

目的:探讨缺血预处理快速相对兔腹主动脉短暂阻断致缺血脊髓的保护作用。方法:36只雄性新西兰兔随机分成3组(n=12):即缺血再灌注损伤组(IR组)、缺血预处理组(IPC+IR组)及假手术组(Sham组)。IR组阻闭兔腹主动脉肾下段20min,复制兔脊髓缺血损伤模型;IPC+IR组预先阻闭腹主动脉肾下段6min,再灌注30min后再次阻闭腹主动脉肾下段20min;Sham组除不夹闭腹主动脉外,其余处理同IR组。再灌注后8h、12h、24h和48h分别对动物神经功能评分,然后,处死动物取脊髓(L_5-7),分别行组织病理学观察及测定脊髓组织中Na⁺,K⁺-ATP酶的活性。结果:Sham组及IPC+IR组神经功能评分各时点均明显高于IR组(P＜0.01);Sham组及IPC+IR组脊髓前角正常神经细胞数明显多于IR组(P＜0.01);Sham组及IPC+IR组脊髓组织中Na⁺,K⁺-ATP酶的活性明显高于IR组(P＜0.01)。结论:缺血预处理快速相对兔急性缺血脊髓有显著的保护作用,这种保护作用可能与稳定Na⁺,K⁺-ATP酶的活性有关。     

Ischemic preconditioning suppresses apoptosis of rabbit spinal neurocytes by inhibiting ASK1-14-3-3 dissociation

The mechanism by which a brief episode of sublethal ischemia followed by reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning, IPC) prevents the lethal effects of subsequent periods of prolonged ischemia, are poorly understood. A completely randomized, controlled study was designed to study the effect of IPC using a rabbit model of ischemic spinal cord injury. Twenty-four white adult New England rabbits were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups (n=8 per group); the groups were assigned as follows: Group I: sham-operation group, Group II: ischemic reperfusion (I/R) group, and Group III: ischemic preconditioning group. Spinal cord ischemia was induced by introducing an infra renal aortic cross-clamp for 30min. Following injury, rabbits were subjected to 30min, 2h, or 8h of reperfusion in Group II. In Group III, subjects underwent three cycles, 5min each, of ischemia followed by 5min of reperfusion, before receiving 30min of ischemia. We previously reported that the association between ASK1 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1) and 14-3-3 played an important role in regulating ischemia/reperfusion spinal cord injuries. To evaluate the effect of ischemic preconditioning in injured spinal cords, we examined alterations in spinal tissue morphology, activation of key members of the ASK1-mediated signaling pathway, and the association between ASK1 and 14-3-3. Changes in spinal cord morphology were observed with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and electron microscopy. The phosphorylation levels of ASK1, JNK, and p38 were assessed by immunoblot analysis. The association between ASK1 and 14-3-3 was analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation experiments. We observed that swelling of the neurocyte bodies and hemorrhage of the spinal cord were dramatically decreased in Group III compared to Group II. In addition, the degree of apoptosis among neurocytes was reduced in Group III compared to Group II. Finally, the phosphorylation of ASK1, JNK, p38 and the dissociation of ASK1 from 14-3-3 were dramatically decreased in Group III compared with Group II. These results indicate that ischemic preconditioning may have a protective affect against ASK1/14-3-3 dissociation-induced spinal cord injuries.     

缺血预处理联合缺血后处理对肺移植中缺血再灌注肺损伤的影响

背景：研究显示缺血预处理和缺血后处理在缺血再灌注肺损伤中均具有明显的保护作用。 目的：观察缺血预处理联合缺血后处理对肺移植中缺血再灌注损伤的累积保护效应。 方法：将40只SD大鼠随机等分为假手术组、模型组、缺血预处理组、缺血后处理组和联合处理组。后4组建立缺血再灌注肺损伤动物模型,缺血预处理组、缺血后处理组和联合处理组在造模前或/和造模后反复3次阻断开放左侧肺门。 结果与结论：与缺血预处理组和缺血后处理组相比,联合处理组大鼠肺组织的干质量比、丙二醛和髓过氧化物酶降低(P < 0.05),而肺组织中超氧化物歧化酶活性升高(P < 0.05),肺组织病理损伤程度明显减轻;缺血预处理组与缺血后处理组大鼠肺组织超氧化物歧化酶活性、丙二醛水平及髓过氧化物酶活性接近(P > 0.05),且肺组织病理损伤程度基本相似。而且缺血预处理与联合处理组中超氧化物歧化酶、丙二醛和髓过氧化物酶水平呈正相关。提示缺血预处理和缺血后处理联合应用对于减轻中性粒细胞的侵润和激活及氧化反应对于肺组织的损伤有明显的累积保护效应,从而可以更好的减轻肺缺血再灌注损伤程度。     

Selective occlusion of lumbar arteries as a spinal cord ischemia model in rabbits

Paraplegia is a devastating complication of operations requiring transient occlusion of the descending thoracic aorta. Many animal models of spinal cord ischemia have been utilized to examine the efficacy of various neuroprotective methods. In this study, we establish a rabbit model of spinal cord ischemia by selective temporary occlusion of lumbar arteries and examine the protective effects of systemic mild hypothermia in this model. Animals were divided into the following four groups: sham group (group A, n = 6); 10 min ischemia, normothermia (39 degrees C) (group B, n = 6); 20 min ischemia, normothermia (group C, n = 6); and 30 min ischemia, mild hypothermia (35 degrees C) (group D, n = 6). After 7 d of reperfusion, three rabbits in group B and five rabbits in group C developed paraplegia (Tarlov's score = 0). In contrast, all rabbits preserved hindlimb motor function (Tarlov's score = 4) in groups A and D. Histological findings indicated that the number of motor neurons in the anterior horns in group C were significantly fewer than in group A. A large number of motor neurons were preserved in group D. Hypothermia is known to be an effective and reliable method of neuroprotection, but the risk of complications rises at deep hypothermia. Our current results confirm that systemic, mild hypothermia is a safe and effective neuroprotective method during ischemia-reperfusion injury of the spinal cord.     

TREK1 activation mediates spinal cord ischemic tolerance induced by isoflurane preconditioning in rats

The aim of this study is to examine the role of one of the two-pore (2P) domain K⁺ channels, TREK (TWIK-related K⁺ channels, TREK)-1, mediated neuroprotection on spinal cord afforded by isoflurane preconditioning. In Experiment 1, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control (Con) group, an iso?urane preconditioning (Iso) group, and sham group. Twenty-four hours after the last pretreatment, spinal cord ischemia was induced in Con and Iso groups. Neurobehavioral testing and histopathologic examination were performed after reperfusion. In Experiment 2, the expression of the TREK1 in the spinal cord was assessed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction. In Experiment 3, Amiloride, a blocker of stretch-sensitive channels, was administered intraperitoneally immediately prior to each isoflurane preconditioning. Iso group showed a significant reductions in motor deficit index as well as increases in the number of normal neurons compared with the Con group. The expression of TREK1 protein and the level of mRNA after ischemia were higher in the rats of the Iso group than those in the Con group. Amiloride pretreatment abolished the protective effects of Iso preconditioning. These finding indicate that isoflurane preconditioning had a neuroprotective effect against spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury. These effects may be mediated through the TREK1 pathway.     

右美托咪定在大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤中的 保护作用及机制研究

目的 探讨右美托咪定对大鼠脊髓缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用及PI3K/Akt传导通路在其中的作用。方法 30只成年雄性大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组和右美托咪定治疗组,每组10只。建立大鼠脊髓缺血/再灌注损伤模型,对再灌注损伤后6 h、12 h、24 h、48 h实验大鼠后肢运动功能进行评分,检测缺血脊髓前角组织中P-AKT的表达水平及神经元的凋亡指数。结果 右美托咪定可改善脊髓缺血/再灌注损伤后实验大鼠的后肢运动功能(P＜0.05);提高脊髓前角P-AKT的表达水平(P＜0.05),抑制缺血/再灌注损伤所致的脊髓神经元的凋亡(P＜0.05)。结论 右美托咪定对脊髓缺血/再灌注损伤有一定的保护作用,其机制可能与激活PI3K/Akt传导通路,从而抑制神经元的凋亡有关。     

他克莫司后处理诱导缺血脊髓对再灌注损伤的耐受*

目的探讨他克莫司后处理能否诱导大鼠缺血脊髓对再灌注损伤的耐受。方法成年雄性SD大鼠30只,随机分为假手术（s0）组、缺血再灌注（IR）组和他克莫司后处理（TP）组,每组10只大鼠,采用经股动脉置管球囊扩张制备脊髓缺血模型,SO组仅行置管,IR组在脊髓缺血20分钟后行再灌注,TP组在脊髓缺血20分钟后再灌注,即刻经左颈总动脉一次性注射他克莫司0．5mg／kg。再灌注后7、14天采用Tarlov评分法检测大鼠后肢运动功能,脊髓组织切片HE染色观察病理学改变。结果SO组大鼠各时间点后肢Tarlov评分均为5分,形态学检测显示脊髓组织结构正常;IR组大鼠Tarlov评分明显降低,脊髓组织呈现出坏死、水肿、空腔形成等缺血再灌注损伤表现;TP组大鼠Tarlov评分结果显著优于IR组,脊髓组织病理变化较IR组为轻。结论建立大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤模型,并初步证实他克莫司后处理能诱导缺血脊髓对再灌注损伤的耐受。     

Ubiquitin and endogenous antioxidant enzymes participate in neuroprotection of the rabbit spinal cord after ischemia and bradykinin postconditioning

The aim of this study was to investigate neuroprotective effect of bradykinin postconditioning on the rabbit spinal cord after 20 min of ischemia and 3 days of reperfusion. Bradykinin was administered by single i.p. application at 1, 6, 12 or 24 h after ischemia. Assessment of neurological function of hind limbs (Tarlov score) was estimated. Quantitative analysis was evaluated by Fluoro Jade B method, NeuN and ubiquitin immunohistochemistry in anterior horn neurons of the spinal cord. Histomorphologically distribution of ubiquitin and endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, SOD2, catalase) immunoreaction was described. Bradykinin postconditioning showed decreased number of degenerated neurons, increased number of surviving neurons and increase in number of ubiquitin positive neurons in all bradykinin postconditioned groups versus ischemia/reperfusion group. According to our results bradykinin postconditioning applied 24 h after ischemia significantly decreased (p < 0.001) number of degenerated neurons versus ischemia/reperfusion group. The least effective time window for bradykinin postconditioning was at 12 h after ischemia. Tarlov score was significantly improved (p < 0.05) in groups with bradykinin postconditioning applied 1, 6 or 24 h after ischemia versus ischemia/reperfusion group. Tarlov score in group with bradykinin application 12 h after ischemia was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) versus sham control group. Neuronal immunoreaction of ubiquitin, SOD1, SOD2 and catalase influenced by bradykinin postconditioning was dependent on neuronal survival or degeneration. In conclusion, bradykinin postconditioning showed protective effect on neurons in anterior horns of the rabbit spinal cord and improved motor function of hind limbs.     

非创伤性预处理对大鼠缺血心脏的保护效应

目的 :探讨三种非创伤性预处理对大鼠缺血心脏的保护效应。方法 :采用 2 5 0g～ 3 0 0 gSD雄性大鼠 48只 ,分成 6组 ,即假手术组(Ⅰ组 )、缺血 /再灌组 (Ⅱ组 )、经典缺血预处理组 (Ⅲ组 ) ,缺氧预处理组 (Ⅳa组 )、后肢缺血预处理组 (Ⅳb组 )、去甲肾上腺素预处理组 (Ⅳc组 ) ,观察各组左室梗塞范围、心肌琥珀酸脱氢酶 (SDH )、Ca2 + Mg2 + ATPase、细胞色素氧化酶 (CCO)活性的变化。结果 :Ⅳa、Ⅳb、Ⅳc三组非创伤性预处理均可明显缩小左室梗塞范围、提高心肌SDH、Ca2 + Mg2 + ATPase、CCO酶活性。结论 :三种非创伤性预处理均能使大鼠显示和经典预处理相类似的心脏保护效应。     

缺血预处理对脊髓缺血再灌注损伤HIF-1α表达的影响

目的探讨缺血预处理对大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤后低氧诱导因子-1α(hypoxia-inducible factor-1α,HIF-1α)表达的影响。方法 Sprague-Dawley大鼠120只,随机分为4组:Sham组置入球囊导管但不阻断胸主动脉;I/R组球囊导管阻断胸主动脉12min造成脊髓缺血再灌注损伤;缺血预处理(Ischemic preconditioning,IPC)先短暂阻断胸主动脉3min,恢复灌注10 min实施缺血预处理,之后阻断胸主动脉造成脊髓缺血再灌注损伤;IPC+2ME2组缺血预处理前30min腹腔注射HIF-1α抑制剂2ME2(15 mg/kg),缺血预处理后阻断胸主动脉造成脊髓缺血再灌注损伤。分别于再灌注损伤后为4 h、12 h、24 h、3 d和7 d进行神经功能评分,并取脊髓L4-6缺血节段,脊髓组织病理学观察脊髓前角内健存运动神经元,Real time-PCR法检测HIF-1αmRNA表达。结果与Sham组比较,I/R组神经运动功能评分降低,脊髓灰质前角内健存运动神经元数量减少,HIF-1α表达增加(P<0.05)。与I/R组比较,IPC组神经运动功能评分增高,脊髓灰质前角内健存运动神经元数量增多,HIF-1α表达更多(P<0.05)。IPC+2ME2组HIF-1α表达上调受到抑制,神经运动功能评分降低,脊髓灰质前角内健存运动神经元数量减少(P<0.05)。结论缺血预处理可能通过上调HIF-1α表达减轻脊髓缺血再灌注损伤。     

脊髓缺血性再灌注损伤和预处理保护作用的实验研究

目的：探讨缺血预处理对家兔须缺血性损伤的保护作用。方法：家兔18只，随机分为Ⅰ组（假手术组）、Ⅱ组（缺血预处理组）和Ⅲ组（缺血再灌组），每组6只，Ⅰ组开腹后，在左肾动脉起点以下0．5cm处暴露并分离腹主动脉即关腹；Ⅲ组一次性阻断腹主动脉血流30min，松夹后关腹；Ⅱ组阻断腹主动脉血流5min，松夹后再灌注10min（如此反复2次），最后再持续夹闭腹主动脉30min，松夹后关腹。结果：Ⅰ组术后后肢运动功能全部正常，光镜和电镜检查显示组织结构变化甚微。Ⅲ组术后后肢运动功能发生严重障碍，脊髓组织严重损伤，与Ⅲ组比较，Ⅱ组术后后肢运动功能障碍较轻微，须组织损伤明显减轻，神经功能评价各组差异具有显著性（P12h=0.006和P36h=0.001)。结论：缺血预处理能够促进神经功能的恢复，减轻脊髓组织损伤，提示预处理对脊因再灌注损伤具有保护作用。     

Preconditioning of the response to ischemia/ reperfusion-induced plasma leakage in hamster cheek pouch microcirculation

OBJECTIVE:

Ischemic preconditioning and some drugs can protect tissues from injury by preserving microcirculation. This study evaluated vascular permeability in a hamster cheek pouch preparation using either short ischemic periods or bradykinin as preconditioning stimuli followed by 30 min of ischemia/reperfusion.

METHOD:

Sixty-six male hamsters were divided into 11 groups: five combinations of different ischemic frequencies and durations (one, three or five shorts periods of ischemia, separated by one or five minutes) with 10 min intervals between the ischemic periods, followed by 30 min ischemia/reperfusion; three or five 1 min ischemic periods with 10 min intervals between them followed by the topical application of histamine (2 µM); bradykinin (400 nM) followed by 30 min of ischemia/reperfusion; and three control groups (30 min of ischemia/reperfusion or histamine or bradykinin by themselves). Macromolecular permeability was assessed by injection of fluorescein-labeled dextran (FITC-dextran, MW = 150 kDa; 250 mg/Kg body weight), and the number of leaks/cm2 was counted using an intravital microscope and fluorescent light in the cheek pouch.

RESULTS:

Plasma leakage (number of leaks/cm²) was significantly reduced by preconditioning with three and five 1 min ischemic periods, one and three 5 min ischemic periods and by bradykinin. Histamine-induced macromolecular permeability was also reduced after three periods of 5 min of ischemia.

CONCLUSION:

Short ischemic periods and bradykinin can function as preconditioning stimuli of the ischemia/reperfusion response in the hamster cheek pouch microcirculation. Short ischemic periods also reduced histamine-induced macromolecular permeability.     

Delayed preconditioning effect of isoflurane on spinal cord ischemia in rats

Paraplegia is one of the most common complications following aortic aneurysmal surgery. This study was designed to determine if isoflurane-induced delayed preconditioning is mediated by nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) in the rat spinal cord. The animals were divided into four groups: the control group, the pyrrolidinedithio carbamate (PDTC, an NF-kappaB inhibitor)-treated group, the isoflurane-treated group, and the PDTC/isoflurane-treated group. In the PDTC-treated groups, 2% 100mg/kg PDTC was administered intraperitoneally at 1h before operation and at 24h and 48 h after reperfusion. The rats in the isoflurane-treated groups received 30 min inhalation of 2.8% isoflurane at 24h before spinal cord ischemia. Pretreatment with NF-kappaB inhibitor significantly reduced NF-kappaB expression and the number of intact motor neurons when compared to the control group. Preconditioning with isoflurane increased the number of normal motor neurons, whereas pretreatment with both PDTC and isoflurane significantly decreased them, compared to the isoflurane-treated group. Isoflurane-induced delayed preconditioning on spinal cord ischemia improved histopathological outcomes. This neuroprotective effect of isoflurane preconditioning on spinal cord ischemia is associated with NF-kappaB expression.     

己酮可可碱对兔缺血再灌注损伤脊髓的保护作用及机制

目的： 对己酮可可碱(PTX)在脊髓缺血再灌注损伤中神经元的保护作用及其机制进行初步探讨。方法: 采用日本大耳白兔腹主动脉夹闭法建立脊髓缺血再灌注损伤动物模型，随机分为A组（假手术组，8只）、B组（对照组，20只）、C组（夹闭血管前用药组，20只）、D组（再灌注即刻用药组，20只）。于再灌注后12 h、24 h、48 h、72 h检测血TNF-α活性、组织MPO活性、免疫组化法观察并检测PECAM-1及caspase-3表达、HE染色观察神经元并计数坏死神经元、TUNEL染色观察并计数凋亡神经元、电镜观察坏死及凋亡神经元形态改变，并于再灌注后48 h进行运动功能评分（改良Tarlov评分）。结果: 用药组（C组及D组）改良Tarlov评分明显高于对照组（P<0.05），血TNF-α、组织MPO含量、免疫组化PECAM-1及caspase-3表达强度均明显下降，HE及TUNEL染色切片中坏死细胞及凋亡细胞均明显减少，与对照组有显著差异（P<0.05）。假手术组未见坏死及凋亡细胞。结论: 己酮可可碱在脊髓缺血再灌注损伤中能够发挥抑制神经元坏死及凋亡的双重脊髓保护作用。     

肢体缺血预处理大鼠肝损伤保护效应中内皮素1的变化和意义

背景：研究体内最强的缩血管物质内皮素1在肢体缺血预处理保护大鼠肢体缺血再灌注后肝损伤中的变化和意义,有助于从肝脏微循环角度探讨肢体缺血预处理的保护作用。 目的：探讨内皮素1在肢体缺血预处理保护大鼠肢体缺血再灌注后肝损伤中的变化和意义。 方法：雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组、肢体缺血再灌注组和肢体缺血预处理组。肢体缺血预处理组以橡皮带预先阻断双后肢血流5 min,然后恢复血流灌注5 min,反复4次进行缺血预处理。然后肢体缺血再灌注组和肢体缺血预处理组以橡皮带环绕结扎大鼠双后肢根部,阻断血流4 h后松解,恢复血流灌注4 h制备肢体缺血再灌注模型,并于再灌注前20 min于左侧颈外静脉插管滴注生理盐水。对照组双后肢松弛环绕橡皮带但不阻断血流,其后操作同肢体缺血再灌注组。 结果与结论：大鼠肢体缺血再灌注后血浆内皮素1、透明质酸酶、丙二醛、谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶水平和肝组织内皮素1、丙二醛、髓过氧化物酶水平均明显升高(P < 0.05),肢体缺血预处理干预后上述指标均明显降低(P < 0.05)。光镜下可见肢体缺血再灌注组肝细胞肿胀,肝索排列不规则;肢体缺血预处理组上述损伤表现减轻。结果可见大鼠肢体缺血预处理对肢体缺血再灌注后肝损伤的保护作用可能与抑制了内皮素1的缩血管作用从而改善肝脏的微循环有关,也可能与内皮素1含量的降低减少了白细胞过度聚集活化和减弱脂质过氧化有关。     

高压氧前处理脊髓损伤大鼠前角运动神经元的凋亡*☆

背景：脊髓损伤后难以修复,损伤后保护残存的神经元是促进神经再生的关键。 目的：验证高压氧预处理可以通过抑制早期的细胞凋亡来保护脊髓前角运动神经元。 方法：随机将26只雄性Wistar大鼠等分成模型组和实验组。实验组在给予高压氧5 d后与模型组同时制作脊髓T9~10全横断模型。 结果与结论：尼氏染色显示脊髓T9~T10全横断后8 h及1 d,脊髓前角的浓染的细胞多见,与模型组相比,实验组脊髓前角浓染的细胞较少。TUNEL染色也显示脊髓T9~T10全横断后脊髓损伤后8 h~1 d,2组大鼠脊髓前角内均可见大量的凋亡神经元,3 d时凋亡神经元数量减少。相比于模型组,高压氧预处理8 h,1 d后大鼠脊髓前角凋亡神经元较少(P < 0.05,        P < 0.01)。说明高压氧预处理能对脊髓损伤后前角运动神经元起保护作用。       

带气囊导管构建脊髓缺血模拟再灌注与缺血分离模型

背景：采用带有气囊的导管急性压迫脊髓缺血模拟人类损伤可以造成再灌注与缺血分离的动物模型。 目的：应用免疫组化和生物化学分析方法观察不同缺血时间窗处理对损伤脊髓的影响。 方法：SD大鼠36只,随机分为假手术组,带气囊导管造成大鼠脊髓缺血10,30,45,60,90 min组。 结果与结论：再灌注48 h后,随着缺血时间的延长,脊髓前角神经元坏死和凋亡逐渐加重,丙二醛水平逐渐增加,超氧化物歧化酶活性逐渐下降,大鼠的神经行为学病症加重。提示用带气囊的导管建立缺血再灌注大鼠模型成功,再灌注后大鼠脊髓的损伤随缺血时间的延长而加重。     

Administration of bovine superoxide dismutase prevents sequelae of spinal cord ischemia in the rabbit

Summary The contribution of free radical-mediated reperfusion injury to the ischemic damage caused by total arterial occlusion has been investigated in a model of transient spinal cord ischemia in the rabbit. Spinal cord ischemia was produced in 20 anaesthetized rabbits by temporary luminal occlusion (20 min) of the abdominal aorta below the renal arteries. Superoxide dismutase (5 mg/kg) (10 animals) was infused before and during reperfusion below aortic occlusion using an infusion pump that infused the enzyme through the contralateral femoral artery. Control (10 animals) received sterile saline with the same procedure. In this later group, 4 animals developed paraplegia, 4 were paretic and only 2 were normal. However, in the treated group, 6 animals were normal while 3 were paretic and only one appeared paralyzed. We conclude that: a) oxygen free radicals generated during reperfusion are involved in producing the ischemic injury, and b) the ischemic spinal cord injury is prevented by superoxide dismutase.     

Intrathecally injected granulocyte colony-stimulating factor produced neuroprotective effects in spinal cord ischemia via the mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt pathways

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a potent hematopoietic factor. Recently, this factor has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects on many CNS injuries. Spinal cord ischemic injury that frequently results in paraplegia is a major cause of morbidity after thoracic aorta operations. In the present study, we examined the neuroprotective role of G-CSF on spinal cord ischemia-induced neurological dysfunctions and changes in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt signaling pathways in the spinal cord. Spinal cord ischemia was induced in male Wistar rats by occluding the descending aorta with a 2F Fogarty catheter for 12 min 30 s. Immediately after ischemia surgery, the rats were administered G-CSF (10 mug) or saline by intrathecal (i.t.) injection. The rats were divided into four groups: control, ischemia plus saline, ischemia plus G-CSF and G-CSF alone. The neurological dysfunctions were assessed by calculating the motor deficit index after ischemia surgery. The expressions of MAPK and Akt were studied using Western blotting and double immunohistochemistry. First, we observed that ischemia plus i.t. G-CSF can significantly reduce the motor function defects and downregulate phospho-p38 and phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase protein expressions-this can be compared with the ischemia plus saline group. In addition, G-CSF inhibited the ischemia-induced activation of p38 in the astrocytes. Furthermore, we concluded that i.t. G-CSF produced a significant increase in phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK in the motor neurons and exhibited beneficial effects on the spinal cord ischemia-induced neurological defects.