Experimental cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils

Summary A cerebral ischemia was produced by unilateral ligation of the common carotid artery in the neck of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), which are frequently characterized by deficiencies in the circulus of Willis. Concentrations of glucose, lactate, pyruvate and glycogen were measured in the hemisphere on the side of occlusion and in the contralateral control hemisphere of animals sacrificed after 5, 15 and 30 min, as well as after 1, 3, 5 and 9 hrs of carotid clamping. Significant decrease of glucose, and increase in lactate and pyruvate concentration were found in the hemisphere ipsilateral to occlusion; the extent of the changes was proportional to the duration of the ischemia. After an initial fall, an increase in the glycogen content occurred in the later stages of ischemia. Glycogen, glucose, lactate and pyruvate were determined also at 1, 5, 20 hrs and 1 week intervals following release of an occlusion lasting for 1 hr. Return to normal values of glucose and pyruvate was seen at 1 hr after release. The lactate and glycogen levels were significantly raised on the occluded side after 20 hrs release. An increased level of glycogen was observed as long as 1 week after a 1-hr carotid occulusion.     

Experimental cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils

Summary Behaviour of biogenic amines was studied in the brains of Mongolian gerbils subjected to unilateral occlusion of the common carotid artery. Assays on the hemispheres ipsilateral to occlusion revealed in symptom-positive animals a progressive decrease in norepinephrine and dopamine, and an increase in serotonin throughout the duration of an ischemic insult. In post-ischemic periods following the release of the clip, changes in biogenic amine levels generally conformed to the principles of a previously described maturation phenomenon, with delayed reactions occurring after the shorter ischemic insults.     

Experimental cerebral ischemia in mongolian gerbils

Summary Mongolian gerbils exposed to relatively short (7 or 15 min) unilateral or bilateral occlusions of the common carotid artery develop, 20 h after release of the clipping, characteristic morphologic changes in the H3 sector of the hippocampus. Ultrastructural study of these changes revealed an eccentric shift of the nuclei associated with chromatolytic perikarya which showed a dense accumulation of lysosomes and mitochondria in their central parts. The Golgi apparatus was recognizable only by clusters of vesicles, and this change was associated with a negative thiamine pyrophosphatase reaction.     

Time- and temperature-dependent forebrain ischemic damage in Mongolian gerbils

The influence of transient bilateral carotid artery occlusion time, core body temperature regulation and post-operative survival time was examined on delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal subregions of Mongolian gerbils. A simple and rapid histologically based scoring system was used. A carotid artery occlusion time of 5 min with stabile core body temperature at 37.5-38.0 degrees C and a post-operative survival time of 4 days was sufficient to induce a reproducible and almost total neuronal damage in the hippocampal subfields. Furthermore, the use of gerbils with ages varying from 50 to 100 days did not markedly influence the development of the neuronal damage although the variation in the severity of the damage seemed to decrease with age. The addition of a drop of room tempered (21-22 degrees C) isotonic water, to avoid adherence between the clips and the carotid artery, reduced neuronal damage in some animals.     

Morphological characteristics of eosinophilic neuronal death after transient unilateral forebrain ischemia in Mongolian gerbils

Various types of eosinophilic neurons (ENs) are found in the post‐ischemic brain. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the temporal and spatial profile of ENs, the expression of TUNEL staining and ultrastructural characteristics in the core and peripheral regions of the cortex post‐ischemia. Unilateral forebrain ischemia was induced in Mongolian gerbils by transient common carotid artery occlusions, and the brains from 3 h to 2 weeks post‐ischemia were prepared for morphometric, electron microscopy (EM) and TUNEL staining of the ENs. Light microscopy showed that ENs with minimally abnormal nuclei and swollen cell bodies appeared at 3 h in the ischemic core and at 12 h in the periphery. Thereafter, ENs with pyknosis and irregular atrophic cytoplasm peaked at 12 h, pyknosis with scant cytoplasm peaked at 4 days, and TUNEL‐positive staining was observed in the ischemic core. In the ischemic periphery, ENs had slightly atrophic cytoplasm and sequentially developed pyknosis, karyorrhexis and karyolysis over 1 week. These cells were also positive for TUNEL. In EM, severe organelle dilation and vacuolization preceded chromatin fragmentation in the ischemic core, while chromatin fragmentation and homogenization were the vital characteristics in the ischemic periphery. There might be two region‐dependent pathways for EN changes in the post‐ischemic brain: pyknosis with cytoplasmic shrinkage in the core and nuclear disintegration with slightly atrophic cytoplasm in the periphery. These pathways were comparable to necrosis and proceeded from non‐classical apoptosis to necrosis, respectively.     

Developmental and regional differences in the localization of Na,K-ATPase activity in the rabbit hippocampus

Regional differences in Na,K-ATPase activity, and development of Na,K-ATPase activity were examined in rabbit hippocampus using a histochemical marker of enzyme activity. Stratum lucidum of CA3/CA2, corresponding to the mossy fiber terminal field, showed high Na,K-ATPase activity compared to stratum radiatum of CA1. A significant increase in Na,K-ATPase activity was found between 8 and 15 days postnatal. Tissues with limited Na,K-ATPase activity (immature hippocampus, the mature CA1 region) appear particularly prone to seizure-like abnormalities, perhaps reflecting an inability to regulate extracellular potassium.     

Expression, activity and distribution of Na,K-ATPase subunits during in vitro neuronal induction

The expression pattern of the alpha and beta isoforms and the gamma subunit of the Na,K-ATPase was investigated during in vitro induction of pluripotent murine embryonic stem (ES) cells into neuronal cells. alpha1 protein was expressed in undifferentiated ES (UES) cells and throughout all stages studied. In contrast, alpha3 protein was prominent only when neuronal cells have reached full differentiation. In this model, neuron-depleted cultures did not express the alpha3 isoform, indicating its specificity for mature neuronal cells. UES possessed Na,K-ATPase activity consistent with a single isoform (alpha1), whereas in fully mature neuronal cells a ouabain-sensitive isoform (alpha3) accounted for 27+/-4% of the activity, and a ouabain-resistant isoform (alpha1) 66+/-3%. Immunocytochemistry of mature neuronal cells for alpha1 and alpha3 proteins showed a similar distribution, including cell soma and processes, without evidence of polarization. beta1 protein was expressed in uninduced ES, embryonic bodies (EB) and neuronal cells. While proteins of the beta2 and beta3 isoforms were not detected by immunoblots (except for beta2 in UES), their mRNAs were detected in UES and EB (beta2 and beta3), and in immature and fully differentiated neuronal cells (beta3). Message for the beta2 isoform, however, was not present in neuronal cells. gamma subunit mRNA and protein were undetectable at any stage. These results provide further characterization of neuron-like cells obtained by induction of ES cells in vitro, and establish a model for the expression of isoforms of the Na,K-ATPase during neuronal differentiation. The relation to other aspects of neuronal cell development and relevance to a specialised function for the alpha3 subunit in neurons are discussed.     

Region- and neuronal-subtype-specific expression of Na,K-ATPase alpha and beta subunit isoforms in the mouse brain

Na,K-ATPase is a ubiquitous molecule contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions across the plasma membrane and maintenance of the membrane potential, a prerequisite of neuronal activity. Na,K-ATPase comprises three subunits (α, β, and FXYD). The α subunit has four isoforms in mice, with three of them (α1, α2, and α3) expressed in the brain. However, the functional and biological significances of the different brain isoforms remain to be fully elucidated. Recent studies have revealed the association of Atp1a3, a gene encoding α3 subunit, with neurological disorders. To map the cellular distributions of the α subunit isoforms and their coexpression patterns, we evaluated the mRNA expression of Atp1a1, Atp1a2, and Atp1a3 by in situ hybridization in the mouse brain. Atp1a1 and Atp1a3 were expressed in neurons, whereas Atp1a2 was almost exclusively expressed in glial cells. Most neurons coexpressed Atp1a1 and Atp1a3, with highly heterogeneous expression levels across the brain regions and neuronal subtypes. We identified parvalbumin (PV)-expressing GABAergic neurons in the hippocampus, somatosensory cortex, and retrosplenial cortex as an example of a neuronal subtype expressing low Atp1a1 and high Atp1a3. The expression of Atp1b isoforms was also heterogeneous across brain regions and cellular subtypes. The PV-expressing neurons expressed a high level of Atp1b1 and a low level of Atp1b2 and Atp1b3. These findings provide basic information on the region- and neuronal-subtype-dependent expression of Na,K-ATPase α and β subunit isoforms, as well as a rationale for the selective involvement of neurons expressing high levels of Atp1a3 in neurological disorders.     

Meta-analysis of erythrocyte Na,K-ATPase activity in bipolar illness

Sodium, potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Na,K-ATPase) pump activity has been variously reported to be increased, decreased, or unchanged in bipolar patients. To explore this association we conducted a meta-analysis of the available literature. All papers containing data on erythrocyte Na,K-ATPase activity were reviewed independently by both authors. A meta-analysis of these data was accomplished by standard procedure. We found a significant mood-state-related decrease in Na,K-ATPase activity in both manic and bipolar depressed patients when compared to euthymic bipolar patients, but not when ill patients were compared to normal controls. The overall change can be characterized as small to moderate in magnitude. Depression and Anxiety 5:53–65, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc     

Experimental cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils

Summary Light microscopic observations were carried out on Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) subjected to a partial cerebral ischemia by occlusion of the left common carotid artery at the neck. About 30% of gerbils developed an ischemic injury in the ipsilateral hemisphere and their brains revealed the following histopathologic features: 1. the changes were related to the intensity (duration) of the ischemic insult and to the time elapsed following release of the occlusion. The ischemic lesions appear to progress after re-establishment of the circulation and this presents one facet of a maturation phenomenon which seems to be a general principle applicable to various parameters of ischemic injury. The rate of maturation of the lesions is related to the intensity of the ischemic insult, a lesser intensity resulting in longer development of lesions. 2. The changes were either focal or diffuse in character. The former were assumed to be directly related to a vascular involvement; among the latter the topistic distribution of the hippocampal changes suggested a feature of selective vulnerability. 3. An indirect indication of neuronal recovery was surmised from observations on animals sacrificed after different periods following occlusions of the same duration. Also capable of recovery was a reactive change observed in the H3 neurons of the hippocampus. This change was characterized by central chromatolysis and resembled the primäre Reizung of Nissl.     

Stimulation of glutamate uptake and Na,K-ATPase activity in rat astrocytes exposed to ischemia-like insults

The postsynaptic actions of glutamate are rapidly terminated by high affinity glutamate uptake into glial cells. In this study we demonstrate the stimulation of both glutamate uptake and Na,K-ATPase activity in rat astrocyte cultures in response to sublethal ischemia-like insults. Primary cultures of neonatal rat cortical astrocytes were subjected to hypoxia, or to serum- and glucose-free medium, or to both conditions (ischemia). Cell death was assessed by propidium iodide staining of cell nuclei. To measure sodium pump activity and glutamate uptake, ³H-glutamate and ⁸⁶Rb were both simultaneously added to the cell culture in the presence or absence of 2 mM ouabain. Na,K-ATPase activity was defined as ouabain-sensitive ⁸⁶Rb uptake. Concomitant transient increases (2–3 times above control levels) of both Na,K-ATPase and glutamate transporter activities were observed in astrocytes after 4–24 h of hypoxia, 4 h of glucose deprivation, and 2–4 h of ischemia. A 24 h ischemia caused a profound loss of both activities in parallel with significant cell death. The addition of 5 mM glucose to the cells after 4 h ischemia prevented the loss of both sodium pump activity and glutamate uptake and rescued astrocytes from death observed at the end of 24 h ischemia. Reoxygenation after the 4 h ischemic event caused the selective inhibition of Na,K-ATPase activity. The observed increases in Na,K-ATPase activity and glutamate uptake in cultured astrocytes subjected to sublethal ischemia-like insults may model an important functional response of astrocytes in vivo by which they attempt to maintain ion and glutamate homeostasis under restricted energy and oxygen supply. © 1997 Wiley-Liss Inc.     

Inhibition of the electrogenic Na,K pump and Na,K-ATPase activity by tetraethylammonium, tetrabutylammonium, and apamin

The K+-induced hyperpolarization of Na-loaded mouse diaphragm muscle, enzymatic activity of Na,K-ATPase and 3H-ouabain binding to rat brain microsomes was measured in the presence of K+ channel blockers tetraethylammonium (TEA), tetrabutylammonium (TBA) and apamin. TBA, and to a lesser extent TEA in millimolar concentrations, inhibited the electrogenic effect of the Na,K pump, Na,K-ATPase activity, and 3H-ouabain binding. The inhibition of 3H-ouabain binding by TEA or TBA was more evident in the presence of ATP and Na+ ions. Apamin in nanomolar concentrations inhibited the electrogenic effect of Na,K pump and Na,K-ATPase but not the 3H-ouabain binding. The hyperpolarizing effects of insulin and NADH, but not that of noradrenaline, were also prevented by apamin. The inhibition of Na,K pump by TEA and TBA is apparently due to both competition with K+ for a binding site on the Na,K-ATPase and a reduction in the number of transporting sites. The site of action of apamin on Na,K-ATPase is different from that of tetra-alkylammonium compounds; it apparently decreases the turnover rate of the enzyme.     

Delayed neuronal death in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons after forebrain ischemia in hyperglycemic gerbils: amelioration by indomethacin

Hyperglycemia worsens ischemic-induced neuronal damage. Many reports argue the delayed neuronal cell death (DND) after forebrain ischemia in gerbils is due to apoptosis. We examined the effects of hyperglycemia and indomethacin on DND after forebrain ischemia in gerbils. Complete occlusion of both common carotid arteries was performed for 3.5 min followed by declamping and reperfusion. Blood glucose levels were maintained at 25-30 mmol/1 for 24 h after reperfusion in the hyperglycemic groups. We examined morphological changes consistent with DND using Nissel-stained sections and DNA fragmentation using TUNEL staining, at 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120 h, and 7 days after reperfusion. DND was noted 96-120 h after ischemia in normoglycemic group. Hyperglycemia enhanced the development of DND at an earlier stage (48-84 h after ischemia). TUNEL positive neurons were detected 72-108 h after reperfusion in normoglycemic group, but very few TUNEL positive neurons were detected in hyperglycemic group at 36-48 h. Indomethacin reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells in normoglycemia and completely inhibited the appearance of TUNEL-positive cells under hyperglycemia. The number of viable neurons at 7 days after ischemia was markedly higher in indomethacin-treated groups than vehicle-treated group. Our results indicate that hyperglycemia worsens DND after forebrain ischemia in gerbils but such process is not associated with DNA fragmentation. Our results also showed that indomethacin provides a neuroprotective effect in normo- and hyperglycemic conditions.     

SEX DIFFERENCES IN HUMAN LYMPHOCYTE Na,K-ATPase AS STUDIED BY LABELED OUABAIN BINDING

Lymphocytes Na,K-ATPase is a plasma membrane enzyme that is up-regulated under lymphocytes activation. It is also studied as a model of brain cells Na,K-ATPase. Data about sex-related specificities of the enzyme are not available.The binding of tritium-labelled ouabain to lymphocyte plasma membrane Na,K-ATPase was studied in healthy volunteers of both sexes. The binding interactions were expressed in terms of K_D and B_Max. The first parameter is related to the affinity of ouabain for the enzyme whereas the second one is related to its density on the cell membrane. Distinct sex-related differences were found. Whereas in males there is a significant direct correlation between the parameters K_D and B_Max, in females this is not present. However, in females there is a significantly lower K_D in the 25–37 age range. The latter result probably reflects the expression of subunit variants giving a greater affinity for ouabain. This circumstance may be relevant both to lymphocytes’ ability to be activated and to brain function, if one admits that lymphocyte Na,K-ATPase faithfully represents the brain-borne one.     

Differential expression of Na,K-ATPase α-isoform mRNAs in aging rat cerebellum

Age-dependent changes in the expression of Na,K-ATPase α1- and α3-mRNAs were analyzed in the rat cerebellum by in situ hybridization. In young rats, α1-mRNA showed prominent labeling in the granular layer (GL) with moderate fine distribution in the molecular layer (ML), Purkinje cell layer (PCL), and white matter (WM) but no clusters over Purkinje cells (PCs). In old rats, α1-mRNA remained unchanged in ML and PCL, but declined by 43% (P < 0.0001) in GL and increased by 624% (P < 0.0001) in WM. α3-mRNA in young rats showed large clusters of label on stellate, basket, Golgi, and PCs and fine grains diffusely in ML, GL, and WM. In old rats, α3-mRNA declined by 87% in ML, 83% in PCL, 84% per PC, and 89% in GL and increased by 111% in WM (all values P < 0.0001) relative to young rats. PC numbers were reduced by 30%, but the average area of PC profiles did not change significantly. In old rats, the specific cluster-like label related to α3-mRNA on PCs, stellate, basket, and Golgi cells was lost. Immunocytochemistry of cerebellum and hippocampus showed no age-related change in the distribution and density of total catalytic polypeptide. Thus, the discordance between changes in the levels of mRNAs in neuronal layers and WM in the face of constant polypeptide levels indicates age-related changes in polypeptide turnover. Cell- and isoform-specificity of α-isoform mRNAs in aging rat cerebellum may reflect differential regulation underlying age-related impairments in signal transduction and motor learning. J. Neurosci. Res. 47:287–299, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

蒙古沙鼠一过性脑缺血模型迟发性脑梗死的病理学特点

目的 观察一过性缺血后脑组织中嗜酸性神经元、反应性星形胶质细胞和梗死区域的分布,探明脑缺血病理形态学改变的时序性变化.方法 通过2次10 min、间隔5h的单侧颈总动脉夹闭制造蒙古沙鼠脑缺血模型,激光多普勒血流仪检测前部脑皮质血流;于24 h,4d,2、4、16周观察脑组织病理形态学改变.结果 颈总动脉夹闭后激光多普勒血流仪显示前部至后部脑血流量明显降低:分别为22.1％±9.5％,26.3％±4.9％,37.5％±3.5％,F =67.219,P＜0.01;位于前脑部的脑血流量的降低明显高于后脑部.缺血24h后,嗜酸性神经元出现于脑前部皮质中层和深层、4d后遍及整个皮质各层,4d至4周大范围的高密度嗜酸性神经元区域(≥80个/mm2)进展为梗死.脑后部皮质中层和深层进展为低嗜酸性神经元区(＜ 80个/mm2),未进一步进展为梗死.反应性星形胶质细胞分布区域与嗜酸性神经元一致;反应性星形胶质细胞伴随高密度嗜酸性神经元区域在缺血后4d至4周大部分转化为梗死.迟发性星形胶质细胞死亡发生于反应性星形胶质细胞伴随高密度嗜酸性神经元区域.结论 嗜酸性神经元密度是缺血脑组织梗死及迟发性星形胶质细胞死亡的重要标志.     

Changes in the contralateral dentate gyrus in Mongolian gerbils subjected to unilateral cerebral ischemia

Summary Distinct morphological changes were demonstrated in the contralateral hemisphere in the brains of Mongolian gerbils that were subjected to transient unilateral cerebral ischemia. The alterations were most obvious in a narrow region of the contralateral dentate gyrus (fascia dentata), where commissural inputs to the dentate gyrus are known to form synapses with the dentate granule cells. Electron microscopic examination revealed that these changes were caused by degenerative processes which took place in presynaptic terminals of the commissural inputs. An interesting fact was that the degenerated terminals were detected by light microscopy without the aid of special silver impregnation methods. After 1 week, these alterations almost disappeared, and after 3 months the dentate gyrus was undistinguishable from normal. These results strongly suggest that the changes were closely related to axonal degeneration and subsequent repair mechanisms of the brain. The present study indicates the importance of such anatomo-pathological study to delineate the effect of focal ischemia upon distant areas of the brain.     

苯甲酸雌二醇对去卵巢大鼠慢性前脑缺血脑保护作用的研究

目的观察苯甲酸雌二醇对去卵巢大鼠慢性前脑缺血脑组织病理形态、学习记忆以及死亡率的影响,探讨雌激素对慢性缺血性脑损害的保护作用。方法50只健康雌性Wistar大鼠,随机分为4组。A组:正常对照组,n=5;B组:假去卵巢缺血组,n=15;C组:去卵巢缺血组n=15;D组:去卵巢缺血苯甲酸雌二醇治疗组。各组按要求制备模型,应用Morris水迷宫筛选并检测记忆功能,坚劳蓝 焦油紫染色、CD31免疫组化染色观察额叶皮质和海马CA1区神经元毛细血管变化。结果A组大鼠额叶皮质和海马CA1区神经元、毛细血管形态正常,学习记忆功能良好,B、C、D组与A组相比上述指标改变明显,差异具有显著性(P<0.05),而且C组改变明显重于B、D组(P<0.05);C组额叶皮质神经元、毛细血管和海马CA1区神经元数量减少,与A、B、D组相比差异具有显著性(P<0.05),B、D组相比上述改变无差异(P>0.05);缺血后各组大鼠急性期死亡率比较,差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论雌激素对去卵巢慢性前脑缺血大鼠额叶皮质及海马CA1区病理变化以及学习记忆功能均产生了有益的影响,但未能降低急性期大鼠的死亡率。     

Acute effects of GM1 ganglioside: Reduction in both behavioral asymmetry and loss of Na,K-ATPase after nigrostriatal transection

GM1 ganglioside injections (i.p.) reduce amphetamine-induced asymmetric rotation in rats 48 h after a partial unilateral transection of the nigrostriatal pathway. We found that this reduction was maximal when rats received their first GM1 injection within 2 h after surgery. Rats injected 4-12 h after surgery, or rats only pretreated with GM1, showed no significant effect on rotation. Striatal membrane Na+,K+-ATPase in rats injected with GM1 0-2 h after hemitransection showed only a 10% loss in activity (versus the untransected hemisphere) as compared to control losses of 38%. The maintenance of membrane Na+,K+-ATPase activity in GM1-treated rats may be one mechanism by which a balance between hemispheres in striatal dopaminergic transmission is preserved, resulting in reduced asymmetric rotation. The observation that there is a critical postsurgical period when GM1 administration results in optimal functional recovery supports our hypothesis that gangliosides are exerting an acute effect on damaged CNS tissue. This acute effect is further evidenced by the reduced loss of membrane Na+,K+-ATPase following injury.