Influence of chronic intermittent hypoxia on growth associated protein 43 expression in the hippocampus of young rats

This study aimed to explore the pathological change to hippocampal neurons and the expression of growth associated protein 43 in 21-day-old young rats following chronic intermittent hypoxia.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis in hippocampal neurons depending on the modeling time.Immunohistochemistry revealed that growth associated protein 43 expression in young rats following chronic intermittent hypoxia decreased,but that levels were still higher than those of normal rats at each time point,especially 4 weeks after modeling.During 1-5 weeks after modeling,a slow growth in rat weight was observed.Experimental findings indicate that chronic intermittent hypoxia may induce growth dysfunction and necrosis of hippocampal neurons,as well as increase the expression of growth associated protein 43 in young rats.     

Effects of continuous peripheral nerve block by tetrodotoxin on growth associated protein-43 expression during neuropathic pain development

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injury may lead to neuropathic pain and cause a markedly increase expression of growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion, local anesthetics blocking electrical impulse propagation of nerve fibers may also affect the expression of GAP-43 in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of continuous peripheral nerve block by tetrodotoxin before and after nerve injury on GAP-43 expression in the dorsal root ganglion during the development of neuropathic pain. DESIGN: A randomized controlled animal experiment. SETTINGS: Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Hospital of Xiamen City; Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College. MATERIALS: Thirty-five Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, weighing 200–250 g, were randomly divided into four groups: control group (n =5), simple sciatic nerve transection group (n =10), peripheral nerve block before and after sciatic nerve transection groups (n =10). All the sciatic nerve transection groups were divided into two subgroups according to the different postoperative survival periods: 3 and 7 days (n =5) respectively. Mouse anti-GAP-43 monoclonal antibody (Sigma Co., Ltd.), supervision TM anti-mouse reagent (HRP, Changdao antibody diagnosis reagent Co., Ltd., Shanghai), and HMIAS-100 image analysis system (Qianping Image Engineering Company, Tongji Medical University) were employed in this study. METHODS: This experiment was carried out in the Department of Surgery and Pathological Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College from April 2005 to April 2006. ①The animals were anesthetized and the right sciatic nerve was exposed and transected at 1 cm distal to sciatic notch. ② Tetrodotoxin 10 μg/kg was injected percutaneously between the greater trochanter and the posterior superior iliac spine of right hind limb to block the sciatic nerve proximally at 1 hour before or 4 hours after nerve injury respectively, the injection was repeated in all the rats every 12 hours. ③ At 3 or 7 days after nerve injury, immunohistochemistry and image analysis were used to evaluate the expression of GAP-43 in the dorsal root ganglions of L5 to the transected sciatic nerve, and quantitative analysis was also performed. ④ Statistical analysis was performed using one way analysis of variance followed by t test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Expression of GAP-43 in the right dorsal root ganglions of L5. RESULTS: All the 35 SD rats were involved in the final analysis of results. In normal rats, there were very low expressions of GAP-43 in the dorsal root ganglions. In simple sciatic nerve transection rats 3 and 7 days after sciatic nerve transection, the average absorbance value of GAP-43 immunopositive neurons were significantly different from that in normal rats (t =8.806, 6.771, P < 0.01). Whereas 3 and 7 days after sciatic nerve transection in rats with peripheral nerve block before and after nerve injury, the average absorbance value of GAP-43 immunopositive neurons were not significantly different from that in normal rats (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Local anesthetic continuous peripheral nerve block before or after nerve injury can suppress nerve injury induced high expression of GAP-43 during the development of neuropathic pain.     

脑缺血再灌注损伤后GAP-43蛋白的表达和意义

目的 探讨脑缺血再灌注损伤后生长相关蛋白-43（GAP-43）的表达对神经元轴突再生的可塑性变化.方法 成年健康雄性Wistar大鼠40只,随机分为正常对照组、假手术组和缺血1h再灌注2h、6h、12h、24h、48h、3d、7d、14d组,每组各4只（n=4）.应用线栓法制备大鼠脑中动脉闭塞再灌注模型（MCAO）,采用免疫组织化学方法检测GAP-43的表达并观察神经元轴突再生的变化,并进行计算机图像分析.结果 缺血再灌注2h,海马、皮质区及纹状体区GAP-43呈基础表达,6h、12h、24h、48h表达逐渐增高,7d达高峰,P＜0.05,14d达最低表达,P＜0.05.与假手术组比较有显著性差异,P＜0.05.正常对照组无表达.缺血再灌注48h～7d损伤区域神经元轴突呈出芽征,发出突触纤维.结论 脑缺血再灌注损伤后GAP-43呈非特异性表达,并促进神经元的修复和再生.     

坐骨神经损伤模型大鼠神经传导速度及损伤运动神经元内生长相关蛋白43表达与磁刺激干预

背景：磁刺激可促进损伤神经的修复。 目的：观察磁刺激对大鼠损伤坐骨神经神经传导速度及相应水平脊髓运动神经元内生长相关蛋白43表达的影响。 方法：将60只SD大鼠随机分为实验组(n=24)、模型组(n=24)和假手术组(n=12),用一新的长17 cm的止血钳钳夹坐骨神经至第二扣,以21.95×103 Pa维持10 s制备损伤模型。造模后24 h,实验组每天给予0.09 T的磁刺激。 结果与结论：造模后第2,4,8,12周,免疫组织化学染色显示实验组脊髓L4~5运动神经元生长相关蛋白43的表达较模型组相应时间点明显增高( P < 0. 05);造模后12周,电生理检测发现,与模型组比较,实验组再生神经传导速度加快,波幅升高,潜伏期缩短(P < 0.05)。说明磁刺激能提高损伤坐骨神经的传导速度,增加其对应脊髓节段运动神经元中生长相关蛋白43的表达,对大鼠损伤坐骨神经的修复起促进作用。     

脑出血大鼠脑内嗅鞘细胞移植后生长相关蛋白-43及层粘连蛋白的表达变化

目的研究嗅鞘细胞移植对大鼠脑出血后脑内生长相关蛋白-43及层粘连蛋白表达的影响。方法取新生3d的Wistar乳鼠嗅球,差速贴壁法培养获得嗅鞘细胞。40只Wistar大鼠造模后(胶原酶Ⅶ注入尾状核)随机分为嗅鞘细胞移植组和脑出血模型组。嗅鞘细胞移植组(20只)术后3d,移植嗅鞘细胞;脑出血模型组(20只)注射等量的生理盐水。两组大鼠分别在术后1d、7d、14d及28d用Bederson方法进行评分。各时间点于每组随机取3只大鼠处死,取脑组织做成石蜡切片,免疫组化法观察生长相关蛋白-43及层粘连蛋白表达的变化。结果运动功能评分显示,移植组与对照组均出现运动功能恢复,移植组明显优于对照组(P<0.05);生长相关蛋白-43及层粘连蛋白免疫组化结果表明,除术前1d外,其它各时间点生长相关蛋白-43及层粘连蛋白阳性表达值,移植组较对照组均强,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论嗅鞘细胞移植可提高生长相关蛋白-43及层粘连蛋白的表达,改善脑出血后神经再生微环境,促进神经再生。     

大鼠坐骨神经修复后重组睫状神经营养因子对相关神经元生长相关蛋白43、生长抑素表达的影响

目的观察周围神经修复后，重组睫状神经营养因子(CNTF)对相关神经元中生长相关蛋白表达的调控作用。方法用硅管套接切断的成年大鼠坐骨神经，在神经切断处给予重组CNTF，用免疫组织化学和原位杂交组织化学方法结合计算机图像分析观测L4脊髓和L4、L5脊神经节中生长相关蛋白43(GAP43)和生长抑素(SOM)mRNA的相对含量。结果在CNTF组修复侧脊髓前角外侧核，大、中型神经元胞质中神经元GAP43阳性物质的面积百分率显著高于生理盐水组，SOM mRNA杂交信号阳性的大、中型神经元的数量少于生理盐水组，但两组脊神经节的相应指标无显著差别。结论坐骨神经修复后，外加重组CNTF能上调相关运动神经元表达GAP43，下调其表达SOM mRNA，但对感觉神经元的相应作用不明显。     

Pathological changes in the retina and growth associated protein-43 expression following treatment of intracanalicular optic nerve injury via optic canal decompression, dexamethasone or their combination

BACKGROUND: The main clinical treatments for optic nerve injury are optic canal decompression and systemic administration of hormones, but both treatments have disadvantages. OBJECTIVE: To observe the pathological changes in the retina and growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) expression, to compare the treatment of optic canal decompression, hormones, and their combination with the intracanalicular optic nerve injury.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled animal study was performed at the Department of Anatomy, Weifang Medical University, China, from September 2007 to November 2008.MATERIALS: Dexamethasone (Shandong Huaxin Pharmaceutical, China) and rabbit anti-GAP-43 polyclonal antibody (Boster, China) were used.METHODS: All 36 healthy adult rabbits were randomly assigned to control group (n = 4), simple injury group (n = 20), and treatment group (n = 12). Intracanalicular optic nerve injury models were established using the metal cylinder free-fall impact method. The control group was left intact. The treatment group (four rabbits in each subgroup) was treated by optic nerve decompression, dexamethasone treatment (1 mg/kg daily via two intravenous infusions, 1/5 total dose reduction every 3 days, for 14 days), and simultaneously giving surgery and hormone treatment.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pathological changes in the retina were determined using hematoxylin-eosin staining. GAP-43 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry in the retina.RESULTS: Retina injury induced obvious pathological changes in the retina. With prolonged time after optic nerve injury, the number of retinal ganglion cells was gradually decreased, and reached the minimum on day 14 (P＜0.01). All three treatments increased the number of retinal ganglion cells (P＜0.01), but surgery + hormone treatment was most effective. No GAP-43 cells were present in the normal retinal, but they appeared 3 days after injury, peaked 7 days after injury, and then began to decline.CONCLUSION: Intracanalicular optic nerve injury induced obvious pathological changes in the retina, including increased GAP-43 expression. Optic canal decompression and hormones improved nerve repair after injury, and their combination produced better outcomes.     

Regulation of GAP-43 expression by chronic desipramine treatment in rat cultured hippocampal cells.

BACKGROUND: The importance of molecular and cellular changes in hippocampus in major depression and in the mechanism of action of antidepressants has become increasingly clear. Identification of novel targets for antidepressants in hippocampus is important to understanding their therapeutic effects. METHODS: We used cDNA microarray to measure the expression patterns of multiple genes in primary cultured rat hippocampal cells. In situ hybridization and Northern and immunoblotting analysis were used to determine brain regional distribution and mRNA and protein levels of target genes. RESULTS: After comparing hybridized signals between control and desipramine treated groups, we found that chronic treatment with desipramine increased the expression of six genes and decreased the expression of two genes. One of the upregulated genes is growth associated protein GAP-43. In situ hybridization revealed that desipramine increased GAP-43 gene expression in dentate gyrus but not other brain regions. Northern and immunoblotting analysis revealed that desipramine increased GAP-43 mRNA and protein levels. GAP-43 expression is also increased by another antidepressant, tranylcypromine, but not by lithium or haloperidol. CONCLUSIONS: Because GAP-43 regulates growth of axons and modulates the formation of new connections, our findings suggest that desipramine may have an effect on neuronal plasticity in the central nervous system.     

微管相关蛋白1B在Fmr1基因敲除小鼠脑组织内的表达变化

目的 探讨脆性X智能低下蛋白（fragile X mental retardation protein,FMRP）对微管相关蛋白1B（microtubuleassociated protein 1B,MAP1B）是否具有调控作用。方法应用免疫组化、免疫印记和原位杂交的方法,对1周龄和6周龄的Fmr1基因敲除型（KO）和同龄野生型（WT）小鼠脑组织MAP1B及MAP1B mRNA进行分析。结果免疫组化的结果显示 ：6周龄KO小鼠各个脑区MAP1B的平均光密度值（MOD）值均显著低于同龄WT小鼠（P 〈 0.05）,1周龄KO小鼠仅在小脑和海马显著降低（P 〈 0.01） ;各脑区MAP1B的MOD值在6周龄小鼠均比同基因型的1周龄小鼠显著降低（P 〈 0.05）。免疫印记和原位杂交结果分别显示MAP1B及MAP1B mRNA在KO小鼠的海马组织均显著降低（P 〈0.05）。结论MAP1B和MAP1B mRNA在Fmr1基因敲除小鼠脑组织的表达均显著减少,提示FMRP可能正性调节MAP1B的表达。     

Effects of cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor on growth-associated protein 43 and nerve growth factor expression in dorsal root ganglion during neuropathic pain development

BACKGROUND： Inflammatory responses in injured nerves have been recognized as important factors for initially sensitizing nociceptive neurons. Cyclooxygenase （COX） is the rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandin synthesis, and COX-2 inhibitor is involved in mechanisms of analgesia and anti-inflammation. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of COX-2 inhibitor on thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, as well as expression of growth associated protein 43 （GAP-43） and nerve growth factor （NGF） in dorsal root ganglion, in a rat model of neuropathic pain due to chronic constriction injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, comparison study that was performed at the Surgical Department and Pathological Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College from September 2006 to September 2007. MATERIALS： COX-2 inhibitor, Iornoxicam, was purchased from Nycomed Pharmaceutical （Austria）; rabbit anti-GAP-43, and rabbit anti-NGF polyclonal antibodies were purchased from Boster, Wuhan, China. METHODS： A total of 50 adult, Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups： normal control （n = 5）, model （n = 15）, normal saline control （n = 15）, and Iornoxicam treatment （n =15）. With exception of the control group, the sciatic nerve of all rats was loosely ligated to establish a model of chronic constriction injury. The model rats were divided into three subgroups according to varying post-operative survival periods： 3, 7 and 14 days （n = 5）, respectively. Rats in the Iornoxicam treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with 1.3 mg/kg lornoxicam every 12 hours throughout the entire experimental procedure. Rats in the normal saline control group were intraperitoneally injected with 1.3 mL/kg saline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Immunohistochemistry revealed expression of GAP-43 and NGF in the L5 dorsal root ganglions. Mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were used to observe neurological behavioral changes in rats. RESULTS： The relative gray values of GAP-43- and NGF-positive neurons in the model group were remarkably increased compared with the normal control rats （P 〈 0.01）, while the relative gray values in the Iomoxicam treatment group were significantly less than the model and normal saline control groups （P 〈 0.01）. Mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency gradually decreased with increasing injury time in the model, normal saline control, and Iornoxicam treatment groups, and were significantly less than the normal control group （P 〈 0.05）. In addition, mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were significantly greater in the Iornoxicam treatment group compared with the model and normal saline control groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Intraperitoneal injection of the COX-2 inhibitor Iornoxicam attenuated mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia induced by sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury and inhibited the increased expression of GAP-43 and NGF.     

微管相关蛋白1B在Fmr1基因敲除小鼠脑组织内的表达变化(英文)

目的探讨脆性X智能低下蛋白(fragile X mental retardation protein,FMRP)对微管相关蛋白1B(microtubuleassociated protein 1B,MAP1B)是否具有调控作用。方法应用免疫组化、免疫印记和原位杂交的方法,对1周龄和6周龄的Fmr1基因敲除型(KO)和同龄野生型(WT)小鼠脑组织MAP1B及MAP1B mRNA进行分析。结果免疫组化的结果显示 :6周龄KO小鼠各个脑区MAP1B的平均光密度值(MOD)值均显著低于同龄WT小鼠(P < 0.05),1周龄KO小鼠仅在小脑和海马显著降低(P < 0.01) ;各脑区MAP1B的MOD值在6周龄小鼠均比同基因型的1周龄小鼠显著降低(P < 0.05)。免疫印记和原位杂交结果分别显示MAP1B及MAP1B mRNA在KO小鼠的海马组织均显著降低(P <0.05)。结论MAP1B和MAP1B mRNA在Fmr1基因敲除小鼠脑组织的表达均显著减少,提示FMRP 可能正性调节MAP1B的表达。     

B-50/GAP43 Gene Expression in the Rat Olfactory System During Postnatal Development and Aging

The olfactory neuroepithelium exhibits neurogenesis throughout adult life, and in response to lesions, a phenomenon that distinguishes this neural tissue from the rest of the mammalian brain. The newly formed primary olfactory neurons elaborate axons into the olfactory bulb. Thus, denervation and subsequent re-innervation of olfactory bulb neurons may occur throughout life. In this study the authors demonstrate the distribution of the growth-associated phosphoprotein B-50/GAP43 and its mRNA in the olfactory neuroepithelium and olfactory bulb during development and aging. In neonatal rats B-50/GAP43 mRNA was expressed in primary olfactory neurons throughout the olfactory epithelium and in their target neurons in the olfactory bulb, the mitral, juxtaglomerular and tufted cells. In contrast, in adult (7.5 weeks) and aging animals (6 - 18 months of age) B-50/GAP43 mRNA expression was progressively restricted to neurons in the basal region of the neuroepithelium and to some of their target mitral and juxtaglomerular cells in the olfactory bulb. The continuing expression of B-50/GAP43 mRNA in mitral- and juxtaglomerular cells in mature animals is thought to be related to their capacity to respond to continuously changing input from the primary olfactory neurons present in the olfactory neuroepithelium.     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植及生长相关蛋白43表达在脑修复中的作用

背景：研究证实骨髓间充质干细胞移植能够促进脑功能恢复,并对大鼠脑皮质及海马结构损伤具有修复作用,可能与细胞的自身代偿以及神经生长递质的参与有关,也可能是由于神经应激性损伤刺激靶组织细胞分泌各种神经因子的表达有关。 目的：从细胞生物学的角度,观察大鼠脑缺血损伤后骨髓间充质干细胞移植对神经再生及脑的修复作用。 方法：参考改良Nagasawa法建立大脑中动脉闭塞再灌注模型后,实施骨髓间充质干细胞移植,并分别进行跑台运动训练和水迷宫康复训练,进行神经功能评分及学习记忆评分。采用TUNEL法检测脑皮质区及海马区凋亡神经元的表达以及免疫组化技术检测生长相关蛋白43蛋白在两区的表达变化。 结果与结论：移植组16 h移植骨髓间充质干细胞在皮质区及海马CA1区表达明显增加;7 d细胞表达达高峰,分化细胞明显增加。移植后运动训练7,19,21 d移植组mNSS评分低于模型组(P均< 0.01);移植组大鼠水迷宫试验平台潜伏期的时间较模型组明显缩短(P < 0.05);移植组大鼠穿越平台次数较模型组增多(P < 0.05);缺血再灌注24 h凋亡细胞达高峰,3 d梗死体积测量为最大值;再灌注19 d生长相关蛋白43达高峰。提示大鼠脑缺血损伤介导了神经功能缺损,骨髓间充质干细胞移植促进了神经再生,生长相关蛋白43表达上调抑制神经元凋亡,进一步促进了脑梗死灶的修复。     

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) inhibits neuronal apoptosis in the developing cerebral cortex in vivo

Increased expression of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in embryonic neural progenitors in vivo has been shown to accelerate neuron proliferation in the neocortex. In the present study, the in vivo actions of (IGF-I) on naturally occurring neuron death in the cerebral cortex were investigated during embryonic and early postnatal development in a line of transgenic (Tg) mice that overexpress IGF-I in the brain, directed by nestin genomic regulatory elements, beginning at least as early as embryonic day (E) 13. The areal density of apoptotic cells (N(A), cells/mm2) at E16 in the telencephalic wall of Tg and littermate control embryos was determined by immunostaining with an antibody specific for activated caspase-3. Stereological analyses were conducted to measure the numerical density (N(V), cells/mm3) and total number of immunoreactive apoptotic cells in the cerebral cortex of nestin/IGF-I Tg and control mice at postnatal days (P) 0 and 5. The volume of cerebral cortex and both the N(V) and total number of all cortical neurons also were determined in both cerebral hemispheres at P0, P5 and P270. Apoptotic cells were rare in the embryonic telencephalic wall at E16. However, the overall N(A) of apoptotic cells was found to be significantly less by 46% in Tg embryos. The volume of the cerebral cortex was significantly greater in Tg mice at P0 (30%), P5 (13%) and P270 (26%). The total number of cortical neurons in Tg mice was significantly increased at P0 (29%), P5 (29%) and P270 (31%), although the N(V) of cortical neurons did not differ significantly between Tg and control mice at any age. Transgenic mice at P0 and P5 exhibited significant decreases in the N(V) of apoptotic cells in the cerebral cortex (31% and 39%, respectively). The vast majority of these apoptotic cells (> 90%) were judged to be neurons by their morphological appearance. Increased expression of IGF-I inhibits naturally occurring (i.e. apoptotic) neuron death during early postnatal development of the cerebral cortex to a degree that sustains a persistent increase in total neuron number even in the adult animal.     

白藜芦醇对裸鼠胶质瘤模型肿瘤生长的抑制作用

目的 探讨白藜芦醇（RES）不同途径给药对裸鼠胶质瘤模型肿瘤生长的抑制效果。方法 取80只雄性无胸腺裸鼠（BALB/c-nu;21~27日龄,体重10~12 g）,采用U87细胞建立人裸鼠脑胶质瘤原位移植模型,采用随机数字表法分为RES干预组（造模后10 d,开始给药,1次/d,40 mg/kg）和溶剂对照组（造模后10 d,开始给药,1次/d,10 mg/kg;溶剂为0.5%羧甲基纤维素钠）,根据给药途径,RES干预组又分为RES灌胃组和RES经鼻组,溶剂对照组又分为溶剂灌胃组和溶剂经鼻组,每组20只。经鼻给药采用经鼻滴入法。采用Kaplan-Meier法分析生存曲线;造模后14、21、28、35 d测定肿瘤体积;采用CD31标记胶质瘤血管内皮细胞并计算微血管密度（MVD）,采用免疫组化方法检测胶质瘤血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）以及Ki-67表达,采用TUNEL法检测胶质瘤细胞凋亡。结果 与溶剂对照组相比,RES干预组裸鼠生存时间明显延长（P<0.05）,造模后28、35 d肿瘤体积明显缩小（P<0.05）,肿瘤组织MVD明显减小（P<0.05）,肿瘤组织VEGF和Ki-67表达水平明显降低（P<0.05）,肿瘤细胞凋亡率明显增加（P<0.05）,而且,RES经鼻给药较灌胃给药作用更明显（P<0.05）。结论 RES可有效抑制裸鼠胶质瘤模型肿瘤生长,机制可能与抑制肿瘤血管生成和促进肿瘤细胞凋亡有关。与灌胃给药相比,经鼻给药肿瘤抑制效果更好。     

Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of two-pore domain potassium channel TREK-1 alters depression-related behaviors and neuronal plasticity in the hippocampus in mice

IntroductionThe two‐pore domain potassium channel TREK‐1 is a member of background K⁺ channels that are thought to provide baseline regulation of membrane excitability. Recent studies have highlighted the putative role of TREK‐1 in the action of antidepressants, and its antagonists might be potentially effective antidepressants. However, the mechanisms underlying the actions of TREK‐1 are not yet fully understood.MethodsThe expression of TREK‐1 was examined in a mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) using immunoblotting. Neuron‐specific genetic manipulation of TREK‐1 was performed through adeno‐associated virus. Behavioral tests were performed to evaluate depression‐related behaviors. Electrophysiological recordings were used to evaluate synaptic plasticity. Golgi staining was used to examine neuroplasticity.ResultsTREK‐1 expression was increased in the mouse hippocampus after CUMS. Knockdown of TREK‐1 in hippocampal neurons significantly attenuated depressive‐like behaviors and prevented the decrease of CUMS‐induced synaptic proteins in mice. Further examination indicated that neuron‐specific knockdown of TREK‐1 in the hippocampus prevented stress‐induced impairment of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the CA1 region. Moreover, chronic TREK‐1 inhibition protected against CUMS‐induced depressive‐like behaviors and impairment of synaptogenesis in the hippocampus.ConclusionOur results indicate a role for TREK‐1 in the modulation of synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of depression. These findings will provide insight into the pathological mechanism of depression and further evidence for a novel target for antidepressant treatment.     

Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on hippocampal and parietal cortical neuronal cAMP-response element-binding protein expression in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

BACKGROUND： cAMP-response element binding protein （CREB） is a key modulator of various signaling pathways. CREB activation initiates a series of intracellular signaling pathways that promote neuronal survival.
OBJECTIVE： To investigate the regulatory effects of basic fibroblast growth factor （bFGF） on cerebral neuronal CREB expression following ischemia/reperfusion injury.
DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： An immunohistochemical detection experiment was performed at the Department of Anatomy, Shenyang Medical College, between October 2006 and April 2008.
MATERIALS： A total of 60 healthy, adult, Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups： sham-operated （n =12）, ischemia/reperfusion （n = 24）, and bFGF-treated （n = 24）. Rabbit anti-rat CREB （1： 100） and biotin labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG were purchased from the Wuhan Boster Company, China. MetaMorph-evolution MP5.0-BX51 microscopy imaging system was provided by China Medical University, China. METHODS： Rat models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury were developed using the suture method for right middle cerebral artery occlusion. Two-hour ischemia was followed by reperfusion. Rats from the bFGF-treated and ischemia/reperfusion groups were intraperitoneally administered endogenous bFGF （500 IU/mL, 2 000 IU/kg） or an equal amount of physiological saline. Rats from the sham-operated group underwent a similar surgical procedure, without induction of ischemia/reperfusion injury and drug administration.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： After 48-hour reperfusion, hippocampal and parietal cortical neuronal CREB expression was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the absorbance of hippocampal CREB-positive products was determined using MetaMorph-evolutionMP5.0-BX51 microscopy imaging system.
RESULTS： The sham-operated group exhibited noticeable CREB expression in hippocampal and parietal cortical neurons. In the ischemia/reperfusion group, the CREB expression was discrete and neurons were poorly arranged. The bFGF-treated group exhibited increased CREB expression and better neuronal arrangement compared with the ischemia/reperfusion group. The mean absorbance of CREB-immunoreactive products in the hippocampus and parietal cortex was significantly higher in the ischemia/reperfusion group than in the sham-operated group （P 〈 0.05）, and significantly higher in the bFGF-treated group than in the ischemia/reperfusion group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： bFGF significantly upregulates CREB expression in hippocampal and parietal cortical neurons following ischemia/reperfusion injury.