Neuroprotection by dimethyloxalylglycine following permanent and transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) is an inhibitor of prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain (PHD) enzymes that regulate the stability of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). We investigated the effect of DMOG on the outcome after permanent and transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (p/tMCAO) in the rat. Before and after pMCAO, rats were treated with 40 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg DMOG, or vehicle, and with 40 mg/kg or vehicle after tMCAO. Serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to assess infarct evolution and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Both doses significantly reduced infarct volumes, but only 40 mg/kg improved the behavior after 24 hours of pMCAO. Animals receiving 40 mg/kg were more likely to maintain rCBF values above 30% from the contralateral hemisphere within 24 hours of pMCAO. DMOG after tMCAO significantly reduced the infarct volumes and improved behavior at 24 hours and 8 days and also improved the rCBF after 24 hours. A consistent and significant upregulation of both mRNA and protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was associated with the observed neuroprotection, although this was not consistently related to HIF-1α levels at 24 hours and 8 days. Thus, DMOG afforded neuroprotection both at 24 hours after pMCAO and at 24 hours and 8 days after tMCAO. This effect was associated with an increase of VEGF and eNOS and was mediated by improved rCBF after DMOG treatment.     

Postischemic administration of basic fibroblast growth factor improves sensorimotor function and reduces infarct size following permanent focal cerebral ischemia in the rat

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a polypeptide with potent trophic and protective effects on the brain. bFGF has been reported to exert neuroprotection against a wide variety of insults, including ischemic neuronal injury. To date, animal models of focal ischemia have not been translated to efficacy in stroke clinically with respect to testing of neuroprotective agents. Because functional outcome is the measurement of efficacy for putative neuroprotective agents in the clinic, we sought to evaluate the functional consequences of bFGF administration in rats subjected to focal ischemia. In this study, we assessed the effects of bFGF on functional outcome as well as infarct size in rats subjected to severe cerebral ischemia by permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to permanent MCAO by the intraluminal filament technique. Two hours following occlusion, rats were infused intravenously with either bFGF, at a dose of 150 microg/kg, or vehicle alone. Functional sensorimotor impairment, which was assessed by the accelerating rotarod test, was recorded at baseline and compared to performance assessed at 24 h after MCAO. Permanent occlusion of the MCA caused marked impairment in rotarod performance in both groups. Treatment of rats with bFGF showed a significant 46% improvement in rotarod fall latency when compared with that from the animals treated with vehicle alone. The volume of cortical infarction was significantly reduced by 32% as a function of bFGF treatment. These results suggest that the delayed intravenous administration of bFGF improves sensorimotor function as well as reduces infarct size following permanent focal ischemia in rat.     

大鼠短暂局灶性大脑中动脉缺血后calpain的表达

目的：研究calpain在缺血性脑损伤中的作用，进一步探讨缺血性脑血管病的分子机制，为治疗研发提供理论依据。方法：用Belayev改良的Langa线栓法制备大鼠局灶性大脑中动脉(MCA)缺血／再灌注模型，TTC染色观察梗死灶的形成，分别用原位杂交及免疫组化技术检测鼠脑中calpain mRNA与活性蛋白的表达。结果：缺血2h再灌注24h,TTC染色见明显的梗死灶形成，正常脑组织、假手术组及：MCAO缺血对侧脑中有少量的calpain mRNA表达，但活性蛋白几无表达；缺血脑组织calpain mRNA表达及蛋白质活化均显著增加，呈双峰式，MCA缺血2h增加，再灌注4h减少，至24h更明显增高，而48h又有所下降。结论：Calpain参与了缺血性脑损伤过程，尤其在迟发性神经元死亡中起重要作用。     

Characterization of astrocytes and microglial cells in the hippocampal CA1 region after transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats treated with Ilexonin A

Ilexonin A is a compound isolated from the root of Ilex pubescens,a traditional Chinese medicine.Ilexonin A has been shown to play a neuroprotective role by regulating the activation of astrocytes and microglia in the peri-infarct area after ischemia.However,the effects of ilexonin A on astrocytes and microglia in the infarct-free region of the hippocampal CA1 region remain unclear.Focal cerebral ischemia models were established by 2-hour occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in rats.Ilexonin A(20,40 or 80 mg/kg)was administered immediately after ischemia/reperfusion.The astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein,microglia marker Iba-1,neural stem cell marker nestin and inflammation markers were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot assay.Expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-αand interleukin 1βwere determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in the hippocampal CA1 tissue.Astrocytes were activated immediately in progressively increasing numbers from 1,3,to 7 days post-ischemia/reperfusion.The number of activated astrocytes further increased in the hippocampal CA1 region after treatment with ilexonin A.Microglial cells remained quiescent after ischemia/reperfusion,but became activated after treatment with ilexonin A.Ilexonin A enhanced nestin expression and reduced the expression of tumor necrosis factor-αand interleukin 1βin the hippocampus post-ischemia/reperfusion.The results of the present study suggest that ilexonin A has a neuroprotective effect in the hippocampus after ischemia/reperfusion,probably through regulating astrocytes and microglia activation,promoting neuronal stem cell proliferation and reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory factors.This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital,China.     

GM1 ganglioside reduces edema and monoaminergic neuronal changes following experimental focal ischemia in rat brain

Seventy-two hours following a middle cerebral artery occlusion, the associated increase in water content on the ischemic side was significantly reduced by the exogenous administration of monosialoganglioside GM1 (30 mg/kg, i.p.). The levels of dopamine and serotonin on the ischemic side were approximately 50% and 80% of those on the contralateral non-ischemic side, respectively. Treatment with GM1 (5 times during the first 48 h after occlusion) produced a significant reduction in the levels of dopamine and serotonin loss. The present findings are compatible with the observed protective action of the exogenously administered GM1 following ischemic brain injury.     

Immune cell infiltration in malignant middle cerebral artery infarction: comparison with transient cerebral ischemia

We tested whether significant leukocyte infiltration occurs in a mouse model of permanent cerebral ischemia. C57BL6/J male mice underwent either permanent (3 or 24 hours) or transient (1 or 2 hours+22- to 23-hour reperfusion) middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Using flow cytometry, we observed ∼15,000 leukocytes (CD45^+high cells) in the ischemic hemisphere as early as 3 hours after permanent MCAO (pMCAO), comprising ∼40% lymphoid cells and ∼60% myeloid cells. Neutrophils were the predominant cell type entering the brain, and were increased to ∼5,000 as early as 3 hours after pMCAO. Several cell types (monocytes, macrophages, B lymphocytes, CD8⁺ T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells) were also increased at 3 hours to levels sustained for 24 hours, whereas others (CD4⁺ T cells, natural killer T cells, and dendritic cells) were unchanged at 3 hours, but were increased by 24 hours after pMCAO. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that leukocytes typically had entered and widely dispersed throughout the parenchyma of the infarct within 3 hours. Moreover, compared with pMCAO, there were ∼50% fewer infiltrating leukocytes at 24 hours after transient MCAO (tMCAO), independent of infarct size. Microglial cell numbers were bilaterally increased in both models. These findings indicate that a profound infiltration of inflammatory cells occurs in the brain early after focal ischemia, especially without reperfusion.     

大鼠局灶性脑缺血损伤后半暗带区锌离子的变化

目的观察大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后半暗带区锌离子的变化,探讨锌离子在脑缺血再灌注损伤中的可能作用。方法将28只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(n=12)和大脑中动脉梗死(MCAO)组(n=16),以线栓法制作大鼠MCAO模型。分别于再灌注0h、3h、12h和24h时处死大鼠,取脑组织行TTC染色检测梗死体积,并制作脑组织冷冻切片,采用Newport Green(NG)染色法计数半暗带区NG阳性细胞数目并检测其平均荧光强度,分析NG阳性细胞数目与脑梗死体积的相关性。结果 (1)假手术组大鼠脑组织无梗死灶,也未见NG染色阳性细胞。MCAO组大鼠随再灌注时间延长脑梗死体积增大(均P<0.01),脑缺血半暗带区域NG阳性染色细胞数目随再灌注时间延长递增(均P<0.01)。各时间点间NG染色阳性细胞平均荧光强度无统计学差异(P>0.05)。(2)MCAO组大鼠脑切片NG阳性细胞数目与脑梗死体积比率呈正相关(r=0.88,P<0.01)。结论锌离子可能参与了脑缺血再灌注损伤的过程。     

大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注DNA损伤原位检测

目的 研究大鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注时，DNA损伤随再灌注时程在各脑区的动态分布情况。方法 用线栓闭合大鼠大脑中动脉30min，然后分别再灌注30min、1h、2h、4h、6h、12h、24h和48h。采用原位PANG（DNA聚合酶I介导的生物素标记的dATP缺口平移)及原位TUENL(末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP末端标记)分别检测DNA损伤的单链断裂(SSBs)及双链断裂(DSBs)，分别观察SSBs细胞和DSBs细胞在大鼠前囟水平冠状切面的脑组织切片各区域的分布。结果 DNA单链断裂和双链断裂都首先发生在尾壳核(CPU)，而且在再灌注的各时间点，分布在尾壳核和梨状皮质(PI)的PANT或TUNEL阳性细胞数量显著多于分布在额叶皮质(FR)及顶叶皮质(PA)的数量(P＜0．05)。DNA单链断裂比双链断裂发生要早。结论 尾壳核和梨状皮质是受缺血影响的中心区域，额叶和顶叶皮质是受缺血影响相对较轻的区域，可能是缺血半影区。     

Oxygen protects rat brain from ischaemic injury

Interruption of the oxygen supply to the brain promotes functional and structural damage of the brain, such as oedema and swelling. The most prominent cellular reaction to this type of damage has been found to be trophic or proliferative changes in glial cells. We examined dynamic changes in glial cells adjacent to the infarcted tissue in response to oxygenation. Results showed that astrocyte proliferation was seen more at 3 than at 7 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion, while their numbers with and without oxygenation were almost the same. The proliferation of microglia, however, was seen more with than without oxygenation. However, microglia seem to be able to secrete an angiogenetic factor under hypoxic conditions, and are active in terms of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Cerebral blood flow is directly related to tissue oxygen content and its auto regulatory capacity has been found to be greater as the volume contracts. As a resultwe suggest that the application of oxygen-treated microglia to ischaemic tissue could diminish tissue damage, and that the most effective oxygenation can be achieved by the withdrawal of blood and reduction of the intracranial pressure.     

Neuroprotective effect of aminoguanidine on transient focal ischaemia in the rat brain

Using serial magnetic resonance imaging we have evaluated the effectiveness of aminoguanidine (AG) as a neuroprotective agent in a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Because aminoguanidine's neuroprotective properties have primarily been ascribed to its action as iNOS inhibitor, we also performed a biochemical analysis of nitric oxide metabolites and NOS isoforms in our model of ischaemia. Daily injections of AG (100 mg/kg) or saline, were started at 6 h after the occlusion and the effects of this treatment on lesion progression monitored by T(2)-weighted MRI at 6 (pre-treatment scan), 24 and 72 h. Measurements of lesion volumes showed that between 6 and 72 h post-MCAO, lesion growth was slower in AG-treated rats than in control rats. This difference was most pronounced between 24 and 72 h post-MCAO when AG halted the lesion volume expansion observed in control rats. Measurements of plasma NOx (nitrite plus nitrate) at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h after MCAO, showed that NO levels did not differ significantly between the AG- and saline-treated groups at any time-point. Moreover, NOS activity assays revealed that no iNOS activity was present in any of the brains tested and that constitutive neuronal NOS activity was similar across the two hemispheres between both groups. The absence of iNOS protein in the ischaemic and contralateral hemispheres at 48 and 72 h after MCAO (control group only) was confirmed by Western blot analysis. These results suggest that AG treatment reduces the rate of growth of ischaemic lesions, perhaps preserving the functioning of perifocal neurons. Our observations contradict suggestions that high levels of NO generated by iNOS are partially responsible for exacerbating the neuronal damage in the postischaemic phase of MCAO. Although this does not rule out a role for AG as a neuroprotective agent via its ability to inhibit iNOS, these findings indicate that neuroprotective actions of AG may also be mediated via other cellular targets.     

Expression of c-fos and inducible hsp-70 mRNA following a transient episode of focal ischemia that had non-lethal effects on the rat brain

Expression of c-fos and inducible hsp-70 mRNA was studied with in situ hybridization techniques at different times following an episode of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion not resulting in any apparent lethal effect on the rat brain. hsp-70 and c-fos mRNA were found in the ipsilateral striatum and adjacent cortex. In the striatum, levels of hsp-70 mRNA increased from 1 to 2 and 4 h of reperfusion, whereas levels of c-fos mRNA decreased from 1 to 4 h of reperfusion. These results demonstrate that following non-lethal focal ischemia the brain areas within the MCA territory show high c-fos and hsp-70 mRNA expression response, illustrating the concomitant induction of these mRNAs in cells that survive the ischemic insult.     

铁螯合剂-DFX通过保护血脑屏障减轻大鼠短暂性局灶性脑缺血后出血性转化的研究

目的 旨在明确铁螯合剂-DFX能否减轻大鼠短暂性局灶性脑缺血后出血性转化的发生率和程度,并探讨减轻出血性转化的机制.方法 采用高血糖结合大脑中动脉线栓(MCAO)2h再灌注模型,将98只SD大鼠随机分为DFX组和对照组,分别观察其死亡率和出血性转化率、脑梗死体积、脑水肿程度、出血体积及血脑屏障通透性.结果 MCAO 2h再灌注2h,DFX组患侧半球Evans-blue漏出率明显低于对照组(P ＜0.01);MCAO缺血2h再灌注6h,DFX组出血量明显少于对照组(P ＜0.05);MCAO缺血2h再灌注22h,DFX组动物死亡率、脑梗死体积、基底节区脑肿胀比率均明显低于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 DFX通过保护血脑屏障减少了出血性转化的发生率及其伴随的脑损伤.     

局灶缺血诱导大鼠脑肝细胞生长因子表达的动态观察

目的:探讨肝细胞生长因子(HGF)在局灶脑缺血边缘区表达的动态变化及其意义。方法:采取线栓法建立局灶脑缺血模型,根据缺血时间分为1h、3h、12h、24h组,RT-PCR法检测HGF的表达及其动态变化。结果:缺血1h脑缺血边缘区即有HGF的表达,且随着缺血时间的延长其表达逐渐增强,24h尤为明显。结论:HGF在局灶脑缺血诱导的高表达可能在脑缺血损伤组织的保护及修复过程中起重要作用。     

Antioxidant CR-6 protects against reperfusion injury after a transient episode of focal brain ischemia in rats

Oxidative and nitrosative stress are targets for intervention after ischemia/reperfusion. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of CR-6, a vitamin-E analogue that is antioxidant and scavenger of nitrogen-reactive species. Sprague–Dawley rats had the middle cerebral artery (MCA) occluded either for 90 mins or permanently. Cortical perfusion was continuously monitored by laser–Doppler flowmetry. CR-6 (100 mg/kg) was administered orally either at 2 and 8 h after MCA occlusion, or at 2 h only. Infarct volume, neurological deficit, and signs of reperfusion injury were evaluated. CR-6 was detected in plasma and brain by HPLC. CR-6 reduced glutathione consumption in the ischemic brain and superoxide generation in the isolated MCA. CR-6 decreased infarct volume and attenuated the neurological deficit at 1 and 7 days after ischemia/reperfusion, but not after permanent ischemia. Immediately after reperfusion, cortical blood flow values returned to their baseline (±20%) in several animals, whereas others showed hyper-perfusion (>20% of baseline). Reactive hyperemia was associated with adverse events such as increased cortical BBB leakage, edema, protein nitrotyrosination, COX-2 expression, and neutrophil accumulation; and with a poorer outcome, and CR-6 attenuated these effects. In conclusion, oral CR-6 administration after transient ischemia protects the brain from reperfusion injury.     

Rasagiline is neuroprotective in an experimental model of brain ischemia in the rat

Summary. The neuroprotective effects of intravenous rasagiline were investigated in a rat model of stroke. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion was performed in male rats and the short- (neurological severity score [NSS], infarct size), intermediate- (cognition) and long-term (necrotic area) effects were assessed. A bolus (3 mg/kg) of rasagiline followed by a 3-h infusion (3 mg/kg/h), initiated immediately after MCA occlusion, reduced infarct size by 48.6% and NSS by 32.7% relative to saline treatment. Cognitive function, tested in a water maze 2–3 weeks after occlusion, also significantly improved compared with saline-treated controls. Necrotic brain area was 35–50% smaller with rasagiline than with saline following a single bolus dose. The single bolus rasagiline dose was as effective as a rasagiline bolus followed by rasagiline infusion in short-term outcomes. The neuroprotective effect of rasagiline was fully reproducible when administered at 2 h following occlusion but not after 4 h.     

Environmental enrichment reverses learning impairment in the Morris water maze after focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Cognitive impairment is common after ischemic stroke. In rodent stroke models using occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) this is reflected by impaired spatial memory associated with the size of the ischemic lesion. Housing in an enriched environment enhances brain plasticity and improves recovery of sensorimotor functions after experimental stroke in rats. In this study we report that postischemic housing in an enriched environment also attenuates the long-term spatial memory impairment after MCA occlusion and extinguishes the association between spatial memory and infarct volume. An enriched environment did not significantly alter the expression of selected neuronal plasticity-associated genes 1 month after MCA occlusion, indicating that most of the adaptive changes induced by an enriched environment have already occurred at this time point. We conclude that the attenuated memory impairment induced by environmental enrichment after MCA occlusion provides a useful model for further studies on the neurobiological mechanisms of recovery of cognitive functions after ischemic stroke.     

A new method for focal transient cerebral ischaemia by distal compression of the middle cerebral artery

A. Morancho, L. García‐Bonilla, V. Barceló, D. Giralt, M. Campos‐Martorell, S. Garcia, J. Montaner and A. Rosell (2012) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology 38, 617–627 A new method for focal transient cerebral ischaemia by distal compression of the middle cerebral artery Aims: Rodent experimental models are essential for in vivo study of stroke. Our aim was to develop a reproducible method of mouse transient focal cerebral ischaemia by distal artery compression. Methods: The distal middle cerebral artery (dMCA) was occluded by compression with a blunted needle, and cerebral blood flow was monitored by laser Doppler flowmetry to ensure appropriate occlusion and reperfusion in Balb/c mice. The ischaemic lesion was evaluated 24 h after occlusion by TTC staining and immunolabelling (NeuN, CD31, GFAP and Iba‐1) while the established permanent dMCA occlusion (dMCAO) model was used as a control. The corner test was performed to evaluate neurological behaviour. Results: Laser Doppler flowmetry register showed a homogenous arterial occlusion among animals. Forty‐five minutes of arterial occlusion did not lead brain infarction when evaluated by TTC staining 24 h after occlusion. Extending the cerebral ischaemia period to 60 min induced a cortically localized homogeneous brain infarct. No differences in infarct volume were detected between animals submitted to permanent or 60‐min transient dMCAO (42.33 ± 9.88 mm³ and 37.63 ± 12.09 mm³ respectively). The ischaemic injury was confirmed by immunohistochemistry in the 60‐min transient dMCAO model but not in the 45‐min model. Neurological deficits assessed with the corner test were significant only during the first 48 h but not at long term. Conclusions: This work shows an easy‐to‐perform method for the induction of brain ischaemia and reperfusion to assess stroke repair and treatment screening, with cortically localized ischaemic cell damage, low mortality and neurological impairment in the acute phase.