Effects of low molecular weight heparin-superoxide dismutase conjugate on serum levels of nitric oxide, glutathione peroxidase, and myeloperoxidase in a gerbil model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND： Several studies have demonstrated that low molecular weight heparin-superoxide dismutase （LMWH-SOD） conjugate may exhibit good neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury though anticoagulation, decreasing blood viscosity, having anti-inflammatory activity, and scavenging oxygen free radicals. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the intervention effects of LMWH-SOD conjugate on serum levels of nitric oxide （NO）, glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）, and myeloperoxidase （MPO） following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, and neurobiochemical experiment was performed at the Institute of Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University between April and July 2004. MATERIALS： A total of 60 Mongolian gerbils of either gender were included in this study. Total cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced in 50 gerbils by occluding bilateral common carotid arteries. The remaining 10 gerbils received a sham-operation （sham-operated group）. Kits of SOD, NO, and MPO were sourced from Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute, China. LMWH, SOD, and LMWH-SOD conjugates were provided by Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnique, Shandong University, China. METHODS： Fifty successful gerbil models of total cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury were evenly randomized to five groups： physiological saline, LMWH-SOD, SOD, LMWH ＋ SOD, and LMWH. At 2 minutes prior to ischemia, 0.5 mL/65 g physiological saline, 20 000 U/kg LMWH-SOD conjugate, 20 000 U/kg SOD, a mixture of SOD （20 000 U/kg） and LMWH （LMWH dose calculated according to weight ratio, LMWH： SOD = 23.6：51）, and LMWH （dose as in the LMWH ＋ SOD group） were administered through the femoral artery in each above-mentioned group, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Serum levels of NO, MPO, and GSH-Px. RESULTS： Compared with 10 sham-operated gerbils, the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury gerbils exhibited decreased s     

电针对局灶性脑缺血大鼠缺血灶周围区星形胶质细胞的影响

BACKGROUND： Astrocytes react sensitively to cerebral ischemia, causing reactive proliferation and activation, which may contribute to their effect in protecting or injuring neuronal regeneration. Whether acupuncture, as a treatment for cerebral ischemia, regulates the activated state of astrocytes has become a focus of recent investigations. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of electroacupuncture （EA） on ultrastructure changes and reactive proliferation of astrocytes in the marginal zone of focal cerebral ischemia in rats. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled animal study. This study was performed at the Experimental Animal Center of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between December 2007 and July 2008. MATERIALS： A total of 90 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operated, model and EA groups. Each group was subdivided into 1 hour, 1, 3, 7, and 21 days post-cerebral ischemia groups, with six animals for each time point. Rabbit anti-rat glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） and goat anti-rabbit IgG/tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate were provided by Beijing Biosynthesis Biotechnology. The G-6805 electric acupuncture apparatus was provided by Shanghai Huayi. METHODS： Heat-coagulation-induced occlusion of the middle cerebral artery was performed to establish a model of focal cerebral ischemia, in the model and EA groups. Middle cerebral arteries were exposed without occlusion in sham operated group. EA was applied immediately after surgery in the EA group, 4/20 Hz, 2.0-3.0 V, 1-3 mA, to Baihui（GV 20） and Dazhui（GV 14）, for 30 minutes. The treatment was performed once a day. The sham operated and model groups did not receive acupuncture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： In the marginal zone of focal cerebral ischemia in rats at different time points after intervention, the ultrastructure changes of astrocytes were observed by using transmission electronic microscopy. GFAP expression in astrocytes was also measured by laser confocal scanning microscopy. RESULTS： Cell swelling and rapid proliferation of astrocytes were observed following cerebral ischemia. In comparison to the model group, the degree of swelling of astrocytes was significantly decreased in the EA group. Compared with the sham operated group at hour 1 post-surgery, there was no significant difference in the expression of average fluorescence intensity of GFAP between the EA and model groups （P 〉 0.05）, while the expression of GFAP in both the EA and model groups increased significantly at days 1, 3, 7 and 21 post-surgery （P 〈 0.01）. The expression of GFAP in EA group was also significantly lower than in the model group （P 〈 0.01, P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Ultrastructural changes and reactive proliferation of astrocytes appear in the marginal zone of focal cerebral ischemia in rats. EA can relieve the degree of swelling of astrocytes and inhibit GFAP overexpression by activated astrocytes. These effects may be related to its ability to regulate the activated state of astrocytes.     

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.     

Effects of Rubus parvifolius L. on neuronal apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-related proteins in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemic-reperfusion injury*★

BACKGROUND： Studies have shown that the Rubus parvifolius L. （RP） plant extract exhibits protective effects on cerebral ischemia. This effect is reflected in altered ischemic neuronal apoptosis and associated protein expression.
OBJECTIVE： To explore the neuroprotective mechanism of RP after cerebral ischemia injury.
DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized control experiment of cellular, molecular, and protein levels. The experiment was completed at Chongqing Medical University at the School of Pharmacy Laboratories and Basic Medical Institute from October 2005 to January 2006.
MATERIALS： Twenty-four adult, male, Wistar rats, weighing （28 ± 20） g. RP extract, which was a product of ethanol extraction, was provided by the Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Chongqing Medical University. RP was dissolved in distilled water to a concentration of 10 mg/mL. All rats were randomly assigned into four groups： 5 g/kg RP, 10 g/kg RP, model, and sham-surgery, with 6 rats in each group.
METHODS： In the 5 and 10 g/kg RP groups, as well as the model group, the middle cerebral artery was occluded （MCAO） for 60 minutes, resulting in focal cerebral ischemia, followed by reperfusion for 24 hours. Rats in the 5 and 10 g/kg RP groups received 5 and 10 g/kg RP, respectively. The RP treatment group received RP intragastrically （once a day） for 3 days. One hour after the last dose, rats were subjected to MCAO. The same surgical procedure was performed in the sham-surgery group, except the suture was introduced into the external carotid artery, but not advanced. Rats in the model group were subjected to MCAO. The sham-surgery and model groups received intragastrically administered normal saline once per day for 3 days. One hour after the last dose, the rats were subjected to surgery.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： TUNEL labeling and immunohistochemical methods were used to investigate changes in neuronal apoptosis and expression of the apoptosis-related proteins, Bax and Bcl-2, on the ischemic hemisphere     

大鼠脑缺血再灌注后星形胶质细胞反应性变化差异与海马CA1区的迟发性神经元死亡

BACKGROUND： Blood supply to the hippocampus is not provided by the middle cerebral artery. However, previous studies have shown that delayed neuronal death in the hippocampus may occur following focal cerebral ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion.
OBJECTIVE： To observe the relationship between reactive changes in hippocampal astrocytes and delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region following middle cerebral artery occlusion.
DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The immunohistochemical, randomized, controlled animal study was performed at the Laboratory of Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, from July to November 2007.
MATERIALS： Rabbit anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） （Neomarkers, USA）, goat anti-rabbit IgG （Sigma, USA） and ApoAlert apoptosis detection kit （Biosciences Clontech, USA） were used in this study. METHODS： A total of 42 healthy adult male Wistar rats, aged 3–5 months, were randomly divided into a sham operation group （n = 6） and a cerebral ischemia/reperfusion group （n = 36）. In the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion group, cerebral ischemia/reperfusion models were created by middle cerebral artery occlusion. In the sham operation group, the thread was only inserted into the initial region of the internal carotid artery, and middle cerebral artery occlusion was not induced. Rats in the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion group were assigned to a delayed neuronal death （＋） subgroup and a delayed neuronal death （–） subgroup, according to the occurrence of delayed neuronal death in the ischemic side of the hippocampal CA1 region following cerebral ischemia.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region was measured by Nissl staining. GFAP expression and delayed neuronal death changes were measured in the rat hippocampal CA1 region at the ischemic hemisphere by double staining for GFAP and TUNEL.
RESULTS： After 3 days of ischemia/reperfusion, astrocytes with abnormal morphology were detected in the rat hippocampal CA1 region in the delayed neuronal death （＋） subgroup. No significant difference in GFAP expression was found in the rat hippocampal CA1 region at the ischemic hemisphere in the sham operation group, delayed neuronal death （＋） subgroup and delayed neuronal death （–） subgroup （P 〉 0.05）. After 7 days of ischemia/reperfusion, many GFAP-positive cells, which possessed a large cell body and an increased number of processes, were activated in the rat hippocampal CA1 region at the ischemic hemisphere. GFAP expression in the hippocampal CA1 region was greater in the delayed neuronal death （＋） subgroup and delayed neuronal death （–） subgroup compared with the sham operation group （P 〈 0.01）. Moreover, GFAP expression was significantly greater in the delayed neuronal death （–） subgroup than in the delayed neuronal death （＋） subgroup （P 〈 0.01）. After 30 days of ischemia/reperfusion, GFAP-positive cells were present in scar-like structures in the rat hippocampal CA1 region at the ischemic hemisphere. GFAP expression was significantly greater in the delayed neuronal death （＋） subgroup and delayed neuronal death （–） subgroup compared with the sham operation group （P 〈 0.05）. GFAP expression was significantly lower in the delayed neuronal death （–） subgroup than in the delayed neuronal death （＋） subgroup （P 〈 0.05）. The delayed neuronal death rates were 42% （5/12）, 33% （4/12） and 33% （4/12） at 3, 7 and 30 days, respectively, followingischemia/reperfusion. No significant differences were detected at various time points （χ2 = 0.341, P 〉 0.05）.
CONCLUSION： The activation of astrocytes was poor in the hippocampal CA1 region during the early stages of ischemia, which is an important reason for delayed neuronal death. Glial scar formation aggravated delayed neuronal death during the advanced ischemic stage.     

碱性成纤维细胞因子在局灶性脑缺血后内源性神经干细胞增殖过程中对β-catenin的影响

BACKGROUND： The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in neural development. ,β-catenin is an important component of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The Wnt signaling pathway has been shown to regulate the interaction of neural stem cells with the extracellular matrix.
OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor （bFGF） on β-catenin protein and mRNA expression, and on hippocampal neural stem cell proliferation in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, neurobiology experiment was performed in Shenyang Medical College between August 2006 and August 2008. MATERIALS： A total of 72 healthy male Wistar rats, aged 3 months, were used in this study. bFGF was provided by Beijing SL Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd., China. METHODS： Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups： sham-operated, ischemia/reperfusion, and bFGF-treated （n = 24 per group）. Focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was induced in rats from the ischemia/reperfusion group and the bFGF-treated group by 2 hour right middle cerebral artery occlusion and 2 hour restoration of blood flow using the suture method. The ischemia/reperfusion and bFGF-treated groups were intraperitoneally administered 500 IU/mL of bFGF, or the same volume of physiological saline, once a day at postoperative days 1 3, and once every 3 days thereafter. Simultaneously, the sham-operated group underwent experimental procedures identical to the ischemia/reperfusion and bFGF-treated groups, with the exception of ischemia/reperfusion induction and drug administration. At 2 hours, 2, 6, 13, and 20 days after ischemiaJreperfusion induction, 50 mg/kg bromodeoxyuridine （BrdU） was administered to each group, twice daily, to label proliferating neural stem cells. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The effects of bFGF on BrdU labeling, and ,8 -catenin mRNA and protein expression, in neural stem cells were examined by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization techniques. RESULTS： In the sham-operated group, only a few BrdU-immunoreactive neural stem cells were found. In the ischemia/reperfusion group, BrdU-immunoreactive cells began to increase from 3 days after ischemia/reperfusion induction, reached a peak level at 7 days, and gradually reduced from 21 days. At 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after ischemia/reperfusion induction, the numbers of BrdU-immunoreactive cells were significantly greater in the bFGF-treated group than in the ischemia/reperfusion group. The sham-operated group exhibited slight expression of β-catenin and β-catenin mRNA. In the ischemia/reperfusion group, the expression of β-catenin and β-catenin mRNA gradually increased with reperfusion time, peaked at 14 days after reperfusion, and gradually decreased thereafter; by 21 days, the expression was markedly lower. Following bFGF injection, the expression of hippocampal BrdU, β-catenin, and β-catenin mRNA had apparently increased in each group. CONCLUSION： bFGF promotes neural stem cell proliferation, and the expression of β-catenin and β-catenin mRNA in the ischemic brain tissue. These findings indicate that bFGF promotion of neural stem cell proliferation may be mediated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.     

丹参酮对大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤NMDAR1蛋白表达的影响

BACKGROUND： Tanshinone has been previously shown to be involved in the prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, excitatory amino acid-mediated neu- rotoxicity may induce neuronal damage following spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury.
OBJECTIVE： To explore the interventional effect of tanshinone on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 （NMDAR1） protein expression in a rat model of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury.
DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized molecular biology experiment was conducted at the Traumatology ＆ Orthopedics Laboratory of Fujian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine （Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine） between September 2007 and May 2008. MATERIALS： A total of 88 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation （n = 8）, model （n = 40）, and tanshinone （n = 40） groups. Thirty minutes after ischemia, rats in the model and tanshinone groups were observed at hour 0.5, 1, 4, 8, and 12 following perfusion, with eight rats for each time point. METHODS： Abdominal aorta occlusion was performed along the right renal arterial root using a Scoville-Lewis clamp to induce spinal cord ischemia. Blood flow was recovered 30 minutes following occlusion to establish models of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury. Abdominal aorta occlusion was not performed in the sham operation group. An intraperitoneal injection of tanshinone ⅡA sulfonic sodium solution （0.2 L/g） was administered to rats in the tanshinone group, preoperatively. In addition, rats in the sham operation and model groups were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of the same concentration of saline, preoperatively.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： NMDAR1 protein expression in the anterior horn of the spinal cord, accumulative absorbance, average absorbance, and area of positive cells were detected in the three groups through immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS： All 88 rats were included in the final analysis. （1） NMDAR1 protein expression increased following 30-minute ischemia/1-hour reperfusion injury to the spinal cord, and reached a peak 4 hours after reperfusion. （2） Accumulative absorbance and average absorbance of NMDAR1, as well as area of positive cells in the model group, were significantly greater than the sham operation group at each time point （P 〈 0.05）. However, values in the tanshinone group were significantly less than the model group （P 〈 0.05）.
CONCLUSION： NMDAR1 protein expression was rapidly increased following spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury and reached a peak 4 hours following reperfusion. In addition, tanshinone downregulated NMDAR1 protein expression in the anterior horn of the spinal cord.     

Effects of strain, body mass, and thread tip preparation on the establishment of focal cerebral ischemia mouse models*★

BACKGROUND: What are the successful factors of the establishment of the thread-blocking method for focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion mouse models? OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of strain, body mass, and thread tip preparation for the establishment of focal cerebral ischemia mouse models by using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). DESIGN: Observational contrast animal study. SETTING: Gulou Hospital, Medical College of Nanjing University. MATERIALS: ①　The following experiment was performed at the Animal Experimental Center, Gulou Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Nanjing University from December 2006 to April 2007. Sixty male white Kunming mice, whose body masses were 18–22 g (n =40), 25–29 g (n =10) and 30–33 g (n =10), as well as 10 male C57BL/6J mice, whose body mass was 18–22 g, were provided by the Animal Experimental Center, Gulou Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Nanjing University. All mice were 10–12 weeks old. The project received confirmed consent from the local ethics committee. ②Experimental materials: tripheryltetrazolium hydrochloride (TTC) and 0.1% poly-L-lysine were provided by Sigma Company, USA; citromint was provided by Shanghai Lingfeng Chemical Company Limited. METHODS: ① Strain comparison: Ten white Kunming mice (weighing 18–22 g) and ten C57BL/6J mice (weighing 18–22 g) were selected. ② Comparison of body mass: Thirty white Kunming mice, whose body masses were 18–22 g (n =10), 25–30 g (n =10), and 30–35 g (n =10), were divided into groups. ③ Comparison of thread tip preparation: White Kunming mice weighing 18–22 g were divided into a poly-L-lysine line group and general line group, with 10 mice in each group. Mice in these two groups, which were respectively treated with poly-L-lysine or nothing, underwent MCAO. ④ All experimental mice received MCAO. Three hours after ischemia, and 24 hours after reperfusion, neurological deficit scores were measured and a success rate of model establishment was calculated. In addition, after sacrifice, sample tissues were cut into coronal sections to calculate the cerebral infarction area. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Success rate of model establishment and cerebral infarction area. ② Neurological deficit scores. RESULTS: Sixty white Kunming mice and 10 C57BL/6J mice were included in the final analysis. ① Strain comparison: The cerebral infarction area of white Kunming mice was larger than the C57BL/6J mice, and the neurological deficit scores of white Kunming mice were greater than those of the C57BL/6J mice (P < 0.05). ② Comparison of body mass: A success rate of model establishment in white Kunming mice weighing 18–22 g was higher than in white Kunming mice weighing 25–30 g or 30–35 g (P < 0.05). ③ Comparison of thread tip preparation: The cerebral infarction area of mice in the poly-L-lysine line group was larger than in mice in the general line group. The neurological deficit scores of mice in the poly-L-lysine line group were greater than in mice in the general line group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Strain, body mass, and thread tip preparation can affect the establishment success rate of a focal cerebral ischemia mouse model using MCAO. Key Words: mice; ischemia/reperfusion; animal model; thread-blocking method     

Cervical sympathetic trunk transection affects inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in rat hippocampus following focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND： The stellate ganglion block （SGB） plays a protective role in focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. The human SGB can be simulated by transection of the cervical sympathetic trunk （TCST） in rats. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of TCST on inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） levels and cerebral infarct volume in the hippocampus of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, and to analyze the mechanism of action. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A completely randomized, controlled, neuropathological experiment was performed at the Institute of Neurological Disease, Taihe Hospital, Yunyang Medical College between March and September 2006. MATERIALS： A total of 93 Wistar rats, aged 1718 weeks, of either gender, were used for this study. 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride was purchased from Changsha Hongyuan Biological Reagent Company China. Rabbit iNOS antibody and goat anti-rabbit IgG antibody were the products of Wuhan Boster Biological Reagent Co., Ltd., China. METHODS： Ten rats were randomly selected for the sham-operated group. Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） using the suture method in the remaining rats. Forty successful rat models were randomly and equally divided into the following two groups： （1） TCST group： subsequent to TCST, MCAO was performed for 2 hours, followed by 24 hours reperfusion; （2） model group： rats underwent experimental procedures similar to the TCST group, with the exception of TCST. Rats in the sham-operated group were subjected to experimental procedures similar to the model group; however, the thread was only introduced to a depth of 10 mm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Following 24 hours of reperfusion, functional neurological deficits were scored. Brain tissue sections from ten rats of each group were used to measure cerebral infarct volume by TTC staining. Hippocampal tissue sections of an additional ten rats from each group were used to detect iNOS levels using the s     

缺血后海马高迁移率族蛋白与星形胶质纤维酸蛋白表达及相关性

目的研究大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注星形胶质纤维酸蛋白(GFAP)与高迁移率族蛋白(HMGB1)在海马CA1区表达变化,探讨二者之间的关系。方法采用大脑中动脉栓塞2h制备SD大鼠脑缺血模型,60只雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、缺血再灌注组,按1d、3d、7d、14d、28d时间点再分5个亚组,各时间点处死取脑,用免疫组化和荧光双标结合共聚焦扫描的方法来检测高迁移率族蛋白和星形胶质纤维酸蛋白在脑内海马CA1区表达变化。结果不同时间点缺血再灌注组GFAP、HMGB1表达均高于同时期的假手术组(P<0.05)。缺血再灌注组星形胶质细胞1d、3d、7d逐渐激活增生,7d达到高峰,14d开始下降;HMGB1在1d、3d、7d、14d是表达增加,14d达高峰,28d下降(与前一时间点比较P<0.05)。缺血再灌注组GFAP和HMGB1表达具有相关性(P<0.05),存在HMGB1和GFAP共定位细胞。结论脑缺血再灌注后,海马CA1区HMGB1增加与星形胶质细胞激活成正相关,过度表达的HMGB1和增殖的星形胶质细胞可能与缺血再灌注后神经元的迟发性损伤有关。     

Effects of chronic overexpression of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in a model of permanent focal cerebral ischemia in mouse

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) has been shown previously to have neuroprotective effects in animal models of stroke. The effects of chronic overexpression of human soluble IL-1ra (hsIL-1ra) were studied in a mouse model of permanent focal cerebral ischemia. A transgenic mouse strain (Tg hsIL-1ra^+/–) has been developed using the promoter for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) to limit the overexpression to the CNS. Analysis of the neurological scores, infarct volume and edema formation revealed no differences between Tg hsIL-1ra^+/– and wild-type (WT) mice. The cerebral ischemia resulted in pronounced astrocyte proliferation and microglial activation, as well as induction of inflammatory markers in both Tg hsIL-1ra^+/– and WT mice, with no major differences between the two genotypes. Interestingly, hsIL-1ra expression in astrocytes was reduced in infarcted areas as compared to non-ischemic regions and sham-operated controls. In conclusion, transgenic overexpression of hsIL1-ra was not neuroprotective in this cerebral ischemia model, possibly due to insufficient levels for protection against the extensive lesion, or an up-regulation of compensatory inflammatory signals due to the lifetime blockade of IL-1 receptors.     

Temporal profile and cellular localization of interleukin-6 protein after focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Although interleukin-6 (IL-6) has various neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia, the topographic distribution and cellular source of IL-6 after cerebral ischemia remain unclear. In the current study, the localization of IL-6 protein was immunohistochemically examined in rats after 3.5, 12, 24, and 48 hours of reperfusion after 1.5 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion. Middle cerebral artery occlusion was induced by the intraluminal suture method. The specificity of the anti-IL-6 antibody used in the current study was confirmed by Western blot analysis and an immunoabsorption test. To identify the cellular source, lectin histochemical study and immunohistochemical study with microtubule-associated protein-2, ED1, and glial fibrillary acidic protein also were carried out. The sham group did not show any clear IL-6 immunoreactivity. After 3.5 hours of reperfusion, IL-6 immunoreactivity was first detected on the reperfused side, and it was upregulated, especially in the periinfarct region, after 24 hours of reperfusion. Also, IL-6 was expressed after 3.5 hours of reperfusion in the contralateral cerebral cortex and bilateral hippocampi. Double staining showed that the cells containing IL-6 were neurons and round-type microglia, not astrocytes. The current findings suggest that IL-6 expression in ischemically threatened neurons and reactive microglia is closely associated with brain tissue neuroprotective mechanisms against cerebral ischemia.     

1,25(OH)_2D_3减轻小鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后炎性反应

目的探讨1,25(OH)_2D_3对小鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后炎性反应的作用及其机制。方法造模前,通过一个月低维生素D饮食喂养,小鼠随机分为假手术组、局部缺血再灌注组(模型组)和1,25(OH)_2D_3组(治疗组)。造模前3 d始,假手术组和模型组每天腹腔注射2.4%乙醇,治疗组腹腔注射1,25(OH)_2D_3,共持续6 d。再灌注72 h后,Zea Longa法对鼠进行神经功能评分,干湿重法测量缺血侧脑组织含水量,RT-PCR法检测缺血侧半球IL-1βmRNA和TNF-αmRNA表达,采用Western blot法检测缺血侧半球NF-κB p65和Claudin-5的表达。结果与模型组比较,缺血再灌注后72 h,治疗组小鼠神经功能评分较低,缺血侧半球脑含水量、IL-1βmRNA、TNF-αmRNA和NF-κB p65表达显著减少,Claudin-5表达显著增加,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 1,25(OH)_2D_3减轻小鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤后炎性反应,其机制通过抑制NF-κB的活化有关。     

Role of astrocytes in pathogenesis of ischemic brain injury

Astrocytes play an important role in the homeostasis of the CNS both in normal conditions and after ischemic injury. The swelling of astrocytes is observed during and several seconds after brain ischemia. Then ischemia stimulates sequential morphological and biochemical changes in glia and induces its proliferation. Reactive astrocytes demonstrate stellate morphology, increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity, increased number of mitochondria as well as elevated enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities. Astrocytes can re-uptake and metabolize glutamate and in this way they control its extracellular concentration. The ability of astrocytes to protect neurons against the toxic action of free radicals depends on their specific energy metabolism, high glutathione level, increased antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) and overexpression of antiapoptoticbcl-2 gene. Astrocytes produce cytokines (TNF-±, IL-1, IL-6) involved in the initiation and maintaining of immunological response in the CNS. In astrocytes, like in neurones, ischemia induces the expression of immediate early genes:c-fos, c-jun, fos B, jun B, jun D, Krox-24, NGFI-B and others. The protein products of these genes modulate the expression of different proteins, both destructive ones and those involved in the neuroprotective processes.     

Folic acid deficiency exacerbates the inflammatory response of astrocytes after ischemia-reperfusion by enhancing the interaction between IL-6 and JAK-1/pSTAT3

Aim

To demonstrate the role of IL-6 and pSTAT3 in the inflammatory response to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion following folic acid deficiency (FD).

Methods

The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model was established in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo, and cultured primary astrocytes were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) to emulate ischemia/reperfusion injury in vitro.

Results

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression significantly increased in astrocytes of the brain cortex in the MCAO group compared to the SHAM group. Nevertheless, FD did not further promote GFAP expression in astrocytes of rat brain tissue after MCAO. This result was further confirmed in the OGD/R cellular model. In addition, FD did not promote the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β but raised IL-6 (Peak at 12 h after MCAO) and pSTAT3 (Peak at 24 h after MCAO) levels in the affected cortices of MCAO rats. In the in vitro model, the levels of IL-6 and pSTAT3 in astrocytes were significantly reduced by treatment with Filgotinib (JAK-1 inhibitor) but not AG490 (JAK-2 inhibitor). Moreover, the suppression of IL-6 expression reduced FD-induced increases in pSTAT3 and pJAK-1. In turn, inhibited pSTAT3 expression also depressed the FD-mediated increase in IL-6 expression.

Conclusions

FD led to the overproduction of IL-6 and subsequently increased pSTAT3 levels via JAK-1 but not JAK-2, which further promoted increased IL-6 expression, thereby exacerbating the inflammatory response of primary astrocytes.     

亚低温对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤后热休克蛋白70及胶质纤维酸性蛋白表达的影响

目的观察亚低温对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤后热休克蛋白70(HSP70)及胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)表达的影响。方法将雄性Wistar大鼠30只分为假手术组、常温组和亚低温组。制作右侧大脑中动脉阻塞(MCAO)模型,观察缺血2h再灌注48h后各组大鼠脑组织学改变和HSP70及GFAP的表达。结果常温组大鼠脑皮质下神经元严重坏死,亚低温组皮质下神经元坏死严重程度明显较常温组轻,假手术组未见神经元坏死。常温组大鼠脑组织GFAP和HSP70阳性细胞较多,假手术组、亚低温组GFAP和HSP70阳性细胞少于常温组,假手术组偶见HSP70阳性细胞;图像分析显示,常温组大鼠脑组织GFAP、HSP70表达的平均光密度较假手术组和亚低温组明显增高(均P<0.01)。结论亚低温能减轻大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤,降低脑组织HSP70及GFAP蛋白的表达。     

Cell cycle protein expression in proliferating microglia and astrocytes following transient global cerebral ischemia in the rat

Cerebral ischemia induces microglial and astroglial activation, which may play a crucial role in the development of ischemic neuronal damage. In this study, we examined the role of cell cycle proteins in glial proliferation in the hippocampus following 10min of global cerebral ischemia in the rat. Proliferating cells were identified with immunostaining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and glial cells were visualized with immunostaining for microglial response factor-1 (microglia/macrophages) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (astrocytes). Expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase-4 was also examined with double label immunohistochemistry. Proliferating cells in the CA1 region after ischemia consisted of microglia and much fewer astrocytes. Microglial activation and proliferation (7.6-fold increase in number after 7 days) were preceded by an increase in PCNA-positive microglia; 83% of microglia were PCNA-positive after 2 days. Astrocytes increased by 1.8-fold after 7 days, and only 6% of astrocytes became PCNA-positive by day 7. Cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase-4 immunoreactivity appeared in these glial cells in parallel with the expression of PCNA. The findings suggest that the accumulation of brain macrophages elicited by transient cerebral ischemia is caused predominantly by activation and proliferation of resident microglia through the upregulation of cell cycle proteins.