Immunohistochemical investigation of ischemic and postischemic damage after bilateral carotid occlusion in gerbils

We investigated progression and recovery of neuronal damage during and after global cerebral ischemia in gerbils after bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries, using the immunohistochemical method (reaction for tubulin and creatine kinase BB-isoenzyme). The earliest, but reversible, ischemic lesions occurred after 3 minutes' ischemia in the subiculum-CA1 and CA2 regions of the hippocampus. The lesions became irreversible after 4 minutes' ischemia. The ischemic and postischemic lesions in the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and caudoputamen were partially or completely reversible if the ischemic period was 5 minutes, whereas delayed degeneration occurred in the pyramidal cells of the medial CA1 region after reperfusion for 48 hours (delayed neuronal death). After 10 minutes' ischemia and subsequent reperfusion, delayed neuronal death extended from the medial to the lateral CA1 region; the ischemic and postischemic lesions in the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and caudoputamen also expanded during reperfusion. Our investigation demonstrates that selective vulnerability existed in global cerebral ischemia as in incomplete or regional ischemia and suggests that neurons in many areas of the brain possessed the potential for recovery, progressive deterioration, and even delayed neuronal death depending on the severity and duration of cerebral ischemia.     

Selective alterations in the cellular distribution of apolipoprotein E immunoreactivity following transient cerebral ischaemia in the rat

The aim of this study was to examine the cellular localization and alterations of apolipoprotein E (apoE) following a transient ischaemic insult using immunohistochemistry. Transient cerebral ischaemia was induced in Wistar rats by occlusion of both carotid arteries with hypotension followed by reperfusion for 4 h (n = 5), 24 h (n = 5) or 72 h (n = 6). In sham-operated animals (n=9), the carotids were not occluded. In this model, ischaemia for 15 min results in selective neuronal damage in the caudate nucleus and neocortex (24 h after reperfusion) and the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells (72 h after reperfusion) while there is minimal damage in other areas such as the CA3 hippocampal region. In sham animals, apoE immunoreactivity was confined to astrocytes and their processes. ApoE immunoreactivity was not altered at 4 h post-ischaemic reperfusion. At 24 h reperfusion, intense apoE staining of the cytoplasm of astrocytes and neuropil within the caudate and neocortex was observed and at 72 h reperfusion apoE stained neuronal cell bodies within these regions. Within the CA1 region at 24 h reperfusion, there was increased immunoreactivity of the cytoplasm of astrocytes and the neuropil was more intensely stained compared with sham animals. At 72 h reperfusion, intense apoE staining of pyramidal cell bodies and dendrites was consistently observed in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. In contrast, at 72 h reperfusion, apoE staining of astrocytic processes was dramatically reduced in the CA1 region although GFAP staining indicated their preservation. The results demonstrate that following an ischaemic insult apoE is localized to degenerating neurons and their processes. This may indicate an inherent protective response of cells to injury. Alternatively, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that apoE is synthesized and released by astrocytes and taken up by neurons following injury.     

Electron microscopic investigation of the cerebral cortex after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in the gerbil

Prompt dendritic damage has been observed in the hippocampus of the gerbil brain after transient cerebral ischemia. In the present study, we studied the frontoparietal cortex of the gerbil brain electron microscopically after brief bilateral carotid occlusion to assess the vulnerability of dendritic processes. After ischemia for 5 min, there was swelling of the periphery of dendrites accompanied by swelling of mitochondria, cytoplasmic vacuolation and disintegration of microtubules in layer I, which spread to layer III after ischemia for 20 min. After reperfusion for 3-24 h following ischemia for 20 min, swelling in the periphery of dendrites and of mitochondria inside receded but vacuole formation and disintegration of microtubules propagated proximally. In neuronal perikarya, polyribosomal disaggregation was observed after ischemia for 20 min and persisted thereafter, while fragmentation of rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and microvacuolation occurred after reperfusion for 3 h. Electron-dense clumping of neuronal perikarya was observed after reperfusion for 6 h particularly in layers III and Vb, which increased in number for up to 72 h. The observed progressive damage in dendrites may be common to neurons vulnerable to cerebral ischemia and may significantly contribute to development of delayed neuronal death.     

Immunoelectron microscopic study of tubulin and microtubule-associated proteins after transient cerebral ischemia in gerbils

Summary Differential vulnerability of microtubule components to cerebral ischemia has been reported previously. We investigated the disintegration of microtubules using immunoelectron microscopy for -tubulin and microtubule-associated protein 1A and 2 (MAP1A and 2). Mongolian gerbils were subjected to bilateral carotid occlusion for 10 to 30 min and reperfusion for up to 72h following ischemia for 10 min. After ischemia for 10 min, some dendrites in the stratum moleculare of the subiculum-CA1 region lost immunoreaction products for -tubulin and MAPs. Loss of the reaction products spread to the medial CA1 region during progressive ischemia for 30 min. In some dendrites, electron-dense precipitates for MAPs were dispersed in the dendritic cytoplasm with little reaction product on microtubules and without alteration of the reaction for -tubulin. After recirculation, loss of electron-dense precipitates for -tubulin and MAPs, as well as disintegration of microtubules, propagated further to the medial CA1 region and to the proximal dendrites. The present study demonstrated prompt disintegration of microtubules with rapid disappearance of the reaction for MAPs which seemed to be caused by detachment of MAPs from the microtubule cores.     

Immunoelectron microscopic investigation of creatine kinase BB-isoenzyme after cerebral ischemia in gerbils

Alteration of creatine kinase BB-isoenzyme (CK-BB) was investigated in the vulnerable CA1 region of the hippocampus of ischemic and postischemic gerbil brains using immunoelectron microscopy. CK-BB existed in the neuronal perikarya, dendrites and axons as well as in astroglias in the normal gerbil brain. Immunocytochemical reaction products were associated with microtubules and polyribosomes. Propagation of ischemic and postischemic damage with disintegration of microtubules was observed in the dendro-somatic direction in neurons, which progressed in parallel with dispersion and loss of the immunocytochemical reaction for CK-BB in the dendroplasm. After reperfuson for longer than 24 h, CK-BB was also observed in the extracellular space. The present result supported the notion that loss of the immunohistochemical reaction for CK-BB which has been observed by light microscopy after cerebral ischemia, was at least partly due to dispersion of this enzyme caused by disintegration the mirotubules and extracellular leakage of this enzyme, although other processes, including degradation of CK-BB per se, were also possible. The loss of CK-BB from the neuronal structure may delay the recovery from ischemic damage and may eventually lead to neuronal death.The present investigation was supported by the grant NS-06663 from the National Institute of Health, U.S. Public Health Services     

Neuronal integrity and astrocytic reaction in cold injury: an immunohistochemical investigation

The relationship between extravasation of serum albumin and damage to the neuronal elements as well as the astrocytic reaction was investigated following cold injury, using immunohistochemistry for albumin, microtubule-associated protein I and II (MAPs) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). After 30 min, spreading of albumin to the neuropil and uptake into nerve cell bodies and dendrites were clearly observed in the area surrounding the cold lesion. Extravasation of albumin was maximal at 24 h and extended to the ipsilateral hippocampus and thalamus as well as to the paramedian part of the contralateral cerebral hemisphere. Uptake of albumin was seen in neurons with and without loss or reduction of the reaction for MAPs, but the former was confined to the area surrounding the cold lesion. When extravasated albumin receded from the neuropil, the positive reaction for albumin also disappeared from the neuronal elements and those neurons recovered immunoreactivity for MAPs. Astrocytes immunopositive for albumin were observed at 24 h in the white matter, and reactive astrocytes became notable even in the gray matter surrounding the cold lesion. Although reactive astrocytes persisted even after resolution of cerebral edema, immunopositivity for albumin disappeared from astrocytes soon after the disappearance of the reaction from the neuropil. As to the mechanism, rapid endo-and exocytosis may take place in response to the amount of edema fluid in the surrounding extracellular space, where albumin may be eliminated through the transvascular route and/or via the cerebrospinal fluid space. Received: 26 August 1996 / Revised, accepted: 15 January 1997     

Leucine-enkephalin-containing neuron system in the facial nucleus of the rat with special reference to its fine structure

The light and electron microscopic localization of leucine-enkephalin-containing terminals in the facial nucleus of the rat were investigated by means of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunocytochemical technique. By light microscopy, leucine-enkephalin-like immunoreactive (LEI) terminals were unevenly distributed in the facial nucleus. The greatest accumulation of the terminals was seen in the medial part of the nucleus. Electron microscopic examination of LEI-terminals in the medial part of the nucleus revealed that the predominant type of synaptic contacts of LEI-terminals in this area were axo-dendritic contacts (about 75%). These dendrites which made synapses with LEI-terminals were relatively large and rich in cytoplasmic organella, suggesting that they belonged to the proximal segment of the dendrite. A small number of LEI-terminals was found to make synaptic contact with neuronal perikarya (5%). These perikarya were very large and had nuclei with less chromatin particles. These findings suggest that LEI-terminals make contact with neurons which exist in the facial nucleus. The rest of the LEI-terminals (20%) were in apposition to the non-labelled axon terminals which contain small, clear and round vesicles.     

Immunohistochemical investigation of cerebral ischemia in gerbils

Experimental cerebral ischemia was produced in gerbils by occlusion of the right common carotid artery in the neck. The evolution of the ischemic lesions was followed from five minutes to six hours by using the immunohistochemical techniques for tubulin and creatine kinase BB-isoenzyme. The earliest lesion was found in the subiculum-CA1 and CA2 regions of the hippocampus in five minutes. There was loss of staining in the apical dendrites and perikarya of the pyramidal cells. The earliest lesion in the cerebral cortex, visible in ten minutes, was a laminar loss of staining for tubulin. Evolution of the ischemic lesions in the thalamus and caudoputamen was delayed. However, in two hours widespread ischemic lesions were seen there. Evolution of the ischemic lesions was slightly slower with the reaction for creatine kinase BB-isoenzyme as compared to the reaction for tubulin, but was far more sensitive than hematoxylin-eosin staining. The distribution of ischemic lesions detected by the immunohistochemical method compared to ischemic areas detected by an India ink perfusion study suggested that both the extent of regional ischemia and regional difference in tissue vulnerability were contributing factors for the emergence of early ischemic lesions. The mechanism for prompt disappearance of the immunohistochemical reaction for tubulin is not clear, but the present investigation demonstrates the usefulness of the immunohistochemical technique for detecting early ischemic lesions and provides a possible biochemical mechanism for cellular damage after ischemic insults.     

Effect of acrylamide on the distribution of microtubule-associated proteins (MAP1 and MAP2) in selected regions of rat brain

The effect of acrylamide treatment on the immunocytochemical localization of microtubule-associated proteins (MAP1 and MAP2) was studied in different brain regions (cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus) of adult rats. Animals were treated with acrylamide (estimated mean dose: 15 mg/kg/d) orally for 2 wk when they showed slight hindlimb weakness. Immunoreactivity for MAP1 and MAP2 was detected in tissue sections with monoclonal antibodies according to the Sternberger’s peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. Intense MAP1 immunoreactivity was observed in neuronal perikarya and dendrites, with faint staining in axons. By contrast, MAP2 immunostaining was selectively observed in dendrites and neuronal perikarya. Treatment of animals with acrylamide reduced immunoreactivity for both MAP1 and MAP2 in hippocampus and cerebellum, with relatively little change in cerebral cortex. Loss of MAPs immunoreactivity in affected brain areas likely proceeded from dendrite to perikaryon. The results of this study indicate that hippocampal compromise is part of the neurotoxic picture associated with rodent exposure to acrylamide.     

Ultrastructural study of cholecystokinin-immunoreactive cells and processes in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus

We used light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical methods to examine the structure of neuronal perikarya and processes containing cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity (CCK-IR) in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus. The morphology of stained perikarya, their positions within all laminae, and the orientation of their dendrites indicate that CCK-IR is located in interneurons. These cells were seen in the electron microscope to have deeply folded nuclei and to receive both symmetric and asymmetric synaptic junctions on their cell somata and dendritic shafts. Their dendrites are essentially spine-free, but form bulges at the site of some asymmetric synaptic junctions. Axonal varicosities containing CCK-IR make symmetric synaptic junctions with cell somata and dendritic shafts of both pyramidal and non-pyramidal neurons. In addition, CCK-IR varicosities form symmetric junctions with unstained non-pyramidal neurons and with CCK-IR cells, suggesting either recurrent innervation of one cell on itself or interaction between interneurons. The presence of CCK-IR varicosities and synaptic junctions on pyramidal cells is in agreement with physiological data which indicate that CCK has a direct postsynaptic action. The observation of CCK-IR varicosities forming synaptic junctions on non-pyramidal cells suggests that CCK might also modify the response of interneurons.     

An immunohistochemical study of MAP2 and clathrin in gerbil hippocampus after cerebral ischemia

Changes in MAP2 and clathrin immunoreactivity were studied in gerbil hippocampus after transient cerebral ischemia. MAP2 immuno-reactivity decreased significantly by 1 h in the subiculum-CA1 and CA2 areas which correspond to reactive change, while no decrease was observed in CA1 until day 4. Before the initiation of delayed neuronal death, MAP2 immunoreactivity was not changed in CA1. On the other hand clathrin immunoreactivity increased in the pyramidal cell layer of CA1 by 3 h after ischemia and remained high for 2 days. Clathrin immunoreactivity in the pyramidal cell layer of CA1 diminished after delayed neuronal death. The transient change of clathrin was noted especially in CA1 in the period prior to delayed neuronal death. These results imply an abnormal change in clathrin turnover after ischemia, which may participate in the pathogenesis of delayed neuronal death.     

神经生长因子对大鼠脑缺血再灌注海马神经细胞损伤的影响

目的 :观察神经生长因子 (NGF)对脑缺血再灌注后海马CA1区神经细胞损伤的影响。方法 :采用大鼠脑缺血再灌注模型 ,在光镜和透射电镜下观察NGF治疗组和缺血再灌组动物脑缺血 3 0min再灌注 2 4h和 72h时海马组织学及超微结构的改变。结果 :在缺血 3 0min再灌注 2 4h和 72h时 ,NGF治疗组海马CA1区神经细胞的结构损伤与缺血再灌组比较显著减轻 ;NGF可以减轻海马迟发性神经细胞死亡 (DND)性损伤。结论 :NGF对缺血再灌注所致的神经细胞损伤可能具有一定的保护作用     

Septal efferent axon terminals identified by anterograde degeneration show multiple sites for modulation of neuropeptide Y-containing neurons in the rat dentate gyrus

The ultrastructure and cellular associations of septal efferent terminals identified by anterograde degeneration with neurons containing neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the rat dentate gyrus were examined quantitatively. For this, the septal complex (i. e., medial septal and diagonal band nuclei) of adult male rats was injected with the neurotoxin ibotenic acid (1%; 150 nl) and following a 2–4-day survival period, the hippocampal formation was processed for the electron microscopic immunocytochemical demonstration of NPY using the avidin-biotin complex method. Terminals with the morphological characteristics of anterograde degeneration, in particular an increase in osmiophilia, and neurons containing NPY-like immunoreactivity (NPY-LI) were most abundant in the hilus of the dentate gyrus. In this region, degenerating terminals (n = 109) were usually small (0.2–0.4 μm in diameter) and formed both asymmetric and symmetric synapses with small (distal) dendrites. The degenerating terminals contacted either single NPY-containing (19%) perikarya or dendrites or unlabeled (48%) perikarya or dendrites. Some degenerating terminals contacted the same perikarya or dendrites as an NPY-containing terminal (11%); these neurons were either immunoreactive for NPY or unlabeled. The remaining degenerating terminals were either directly apposed without glial intervention to unlabeled and NPY-labeled terminals (11%) or lacked associations with any neuronal processes in the plane of section analyzed (11%). The findings demonstrate that ibotenic acid injections in the septal complex can identify septal efferent terminals by degeneration and provide cellular substrates for the direct synaptic regulation as well as presynaptic modulation of hippocampal NPY-containing neurons by septal efferent terminals. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Immunocytochemical localization of enkephalin in the neostriatum of rat brain: A light and electron microscopic study

The peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunocytochemical technique was used to determine the light and electron microscopic localization of antisera directed against either methionine [Met⁵]- or leucine [Leu⁵]-enkephalin in the neostriatum of brains from untreated rats. By light microscopy, neuronal perikarya and processes showing enkephalin-like immunoreactivity (ELI) were unevently distributed throughout the neostriatum. The greatest accumulation of neuronal structures showing ELI was in the ventro- and caudo- lateral portions of the nucleus. The labeled perikarya measured 10–15 μm in diameter and constituted about 15–20% of the total neurons in the enostriatum. By electron microscopy, examination of three areas from horizontal and coronal sections revealed no regional differences in types of neurons showing ELI or in their synaptic organization. All labeled neurons showed a relatively low intensity reaction product which was diffusely distributed throughout the perikarya and dendrites. The cytoplasm contained relatively few organelles, which included mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and numerous “alveolate” vesicles. The dendrites had many spiny processes which formed asymmetric synapses with unlabeled axon terminals containing all small clear vesicles. In contrast to the perikarya and dendrites a dense accumulation of reaction product was present in a few myelinated and numerous unmyelinated axons and axonal varicosties. Approximately 75% of the labeled varicosities did not form a specialized synaptic junction in a single plane of section. The remaining 25% of the labeled terminals formed asymmetric junctions primarily with unlabeled dendrites and rerely with unlabeled perikarya or axons. The morphology and synaptic relations of the neurons showing ELI suggest that they may belong to the general group of medium-sized spiny cells characterized in Golgi studies by Kemp and Powell ('71a). At least some of the peptide-containing neurons may also have a myelinated efferent axon.     

The role of early Ca influx in the pathogenesis of delayed neuronal death after brief forebrain ischemia in gerbils

To examine the role of calcium influx in the early phase after brief forebrain ischemia and subsequent delayed neuronal cell death in the hippocampus,⁴⁵Ca autoradiography and electron microscopic cytochemistry, by a combined oxalate-pyroantimonate method, were carried out in gerbil brains after 5 min bilateral common carotid arterial occlusion. Further, neuronal during the ischemic and postischemic periods was determined by conventional or immunohistochemical staining for microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) with and without calcium-entry blockers.⁴⁵Ca autoradiography showed a high peak of calcium in the hippocampus at 5 min of recirculation. Electron cytochemical microscopy also demonstrated accumulation of intracellular calcium pyroantimonate deposits in the neuronal cells in all regions. At 30 min of reperfusion, amounts of calcium in the hippocampus returned to the control levels, and intracellular dense calcium pyroantimonate deposits were reduced in these areas. Loss of the reaction for MAP2 was noted in the medial CA1 of the hippocampus immediately after 5 min ischemia and at 5 and 30 min after reperfusion. MK-801 (10 mg kg⁻¹, anN-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, injected intraperitoneally 1 h before ischemia, suppressed the early increase of calcium in the forebrain and neuronal cell necrosis in the CA1. However, neither injection of MK-801 30 min after reperfusion nor preischemic treatment with 0.5 mg kg⁻¹ Nicardipine, voltage-sensitive calcium channel antagonists, prevented neuronal death. In immunohistochemical staining for MAP2, the ischemic lesion in the medial CA1 maintained after 5 min ischemia and the subsequent early reperfusion period in the untreated brains was protected by the preischemic injection of 10 mg kg⁻¹ MK-801, but was not restored by the injection of 0.5 mg kg⁻¹ Nimodipine or 1 mg kg⁻¹ Nicardipine. In conclusion, it is suggested that an early excess of calcium influx could be caused mainly by excitatory amino acid overload through NMDA receptor-mediated calcium channels during the ischemic and early postischemic periods.     

Demonstration of hyperphosphorylated neurofilaments in neuronal perikarya in vivo by microinjection of antibodies into cultured spinal neurons

With conventional immunocytochemical techniques on fixed tissue, antibodies which recognize highly phosphorylated neurofilament proteins strongly label axons, but often react poorly with perikaryal neurofilaments. The reactivity of one such antibody, SMI31, with neurofilaments in vivo has been investigated by microinjecting purified SMI31 into large neurons in living cultures of embryonic mouse spinal cord. Microinjected SMI31 (SMI31I) labeled perikarya and dendrites in a fibrillar pattern indistinguishable from that of microinjected SMI32 (SMI32I), which labels hypophosphorylated neurofilaments of perikarya and dendrites in fixed tissue. SMI31 also labeled perikarya and dendrites when applied to whole unfixed cultures after extraction with 1% Triton X-100 or to cultures fixed in acetone after Triton-extraction, but prior to exposure to primary antibody. SMI31 labeled mainly axons when applied after fixation with acetone without Triton-extraction. Positive labeling of neurofilaments and various inclusions in neuronal somata with antibodies against highly phosphorylated neurofilaments has been described in a number of neurotoxic and neurodegenerative diseases and after neuronal injury. The results of this study indicate that explanations other than alterations in phosphorylation could account for these observations.     

The microglial reaction in the rat hippocampus following global ischemia: immuno-electron microscopy

Summary Transient arrest of the cerebral circulation leads to neuronal cell death in selectively vulnerable regions of the central nervous system. It has recently been shown at the light microscopical level that neuronal necrosis is accompanied by a rapid microglial reaction in ischemia (Gehrmann et al. (1992) J. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab. 12:257–269). In the present study we have examined the postischemic microglial reaction in the dorsal rat hippocampus at the ultrastructural level using immuno-electron microscopy. Global ischemia was produced by 30 min of four-vessel occlusion and the microglial reaction then studied after 8, 24 and 72 h. In sham-operated controls microglial cells were not phagocytic; they were randomly distributed throughout the neuropil and occasionally made contacts with other structures such as dendrites in CA1. Ultrastructural signs of activation were observed from 1 day postlesion onward. Reactive microglial cells were consistently seen to phagocytose degenerating neurons particularly in the CA1 stratum pyramidale and in the CA4 sector. They were sometimes interposed between two morphologically distinct types of CA1 neurons, i.e., dark (degenerating) and pale (surviving) types of neurons. Phagocytic microglial cells also became positive for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens at these locations from 1 day after ischemia onward. Furthermore, activated microglial cells were frequent along degenerating dendrites in the stratum radiatum of CA1. After survival times of up to 72 h microglial cells, but not astrocytes, were occasionally observed to undergo mitosis. In addition to their random distribution across the neuropil, microglial cells were frequently observed in a perivascular position under normal conditions. These perivascular microglial cells rapidly expressed MHC class II antigens, extended broad cellular processes and showed signs of phagocytic activity from 1 day onward. These results demonstrate that upon ischemic injury microglial cells proliferate and are rapidly recruited to the site of injury. By virtue of their pronounced cytotoxic potential, microglial cells could be further involved in mediating tissue destruction in ischemia, thus constituting the main immuneffector cell population in this pathological state.     

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.     

Calpain activity in the rat brain after transient forebrain ischemia.

Activity of the Ca(2+)-dependent protease calpain is increased in neurons after global and focal brain ischemia, and may contribute to postischemic injury cascades. Understanding the time course and location of calpain activity in the post-ischemic brain is essential to establishing causality and optimizing therapeutic interventions. This study examined the temporal and spatial characteristics of brain calpain activity after transient forebrain ischemia (TFI) in rats. Male Long Evans rats underwent 10 min of normothermic TFI induced by bilateral carotid occlusion with hypovolemic hypotension (MABP 30 mm Hg). Brain calpain activity was examined between 1 and 72 h after reperfusion. Western blot analysis of regional brain homogenates demonstrated a bimodal pattern of calpain-mediated alpha-spectrin degradation in the hippocampus, cortex, and striatum with an initial increase at 1 h followed by a more prominent secondary increase at 36 h after reperfusion. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that calpain activity was primarily localized to dendritic fields of selectively vulnerable neurons at one hour after reperfusion. Between 24 and 48 h after reperfusion neuronal calpain activity progressed from the dorsal to ventral striatum, medial to lateral CA1 hippocampus, and centripetally expanded from watershed foci in the cerebral cortex. This progression was associated with fragmentation of dendritic processes, calpain activation in the neuronal soma and subsequent neuronal degeneration. These observations demonstrate a clear association between calpain activation and subsequent delayed neuronal death and suggest broad therapeutic window for interventions aimed at preventing delayed intracellular Ca(2+) overload and pathologic calpain activation.     

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation in hippocampus after cerebral ischemia may not interfere with postischemic cell death

To investigate the effect of the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) on cerebral ischemic injury, temporospatial alterations of active (diphosphorylated) ERK1/2 immunoreactivity in hippocampus was examined. Western blot showed that diphosphorylated ERK1/2 were decreased at 10 min of cerebral ischemia but increased rapidly (within 2 min) and transiently (within 4 h) during reperfusion. Immunohistochemistry showed that little diphosphorylated ERK1/2 immunoreactivity was seen in CA1 pyramidal cell bodies after ischemia, while strong immunoreactivity were seen in neuronal bodies in CA3/DG and in fiber systems in both CA1 and CA3 regions. Cerebral ventricular infusion of PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK kinase, completely prevented ERK1/2 activation after ischemia but had no effect on the survival of pyramidal cells in CA1 subfield. The results suggest that ERK1/2 activation in hippocampus after brain ischemia may not interfere with the postischemic cell death in CA1 region.