大鼠脑缺血后海马CA1区胶质纤维酸性蛋白表达与迟发性神经元死亡的关系

目的观察大鼠大脑缺血再灌注后海马CA1区胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)的表达与迟发性神经元死亡的关系。方法采用大鼠大脑中动脉阻塞再灌注模型(MCAO),将大鼠随机分为MCAO后3d、7d、30d组及假手术组,应用免疫荧光与TUNEL染色法分别观察脑缺血再灌注后不同时间点缺血侧海马CA1区GFAP表达情况和迟发性神经元死亡(DND)的变化。结果(1)3d组海马DND阳性(DND 组)的MCAO大鼠、海马DND阴性(DND-组)的MCAO大鼠与假手术组大鼠比较,缺血侧海马CA1区GFAP染色的平均光密度无显著性差异(P>0.05),但GFAP阳性细胞的形态发生变化;(2)7d组大鼠缺血侧海马CA1区GFAP阳性细胞大量活化增殖,表现为胞体变大,突起增多;DND( )、DND(-)组海马CA1区GFAP染色的平均光密度较假手术组增高(P<0.01),且DND(-)组的GFAP平均光密度较DND( )组明显增高(P<0.01);(3)30d组大鼠缺血侧海马CA1区GFAP表达呈瘢痕样改变,DND( )、DND(-)组与假手术组比较其GFAP染色的平均光密度明显增高(P<0.05),且DND( )组的GFAP平均光密度较DND(-)组明显增高(P<0.05)。结论大鼠MCAO后星形胶质细胞反应性变化的差异可能与海马CA1区迟发性神经元死亡的发生有关。     

Rescue of ischemic brain injury by adenoviral gene transfer of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor after transient global ischemia in gerbils

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily, is one of the most potent neurotrophic factors and promotes survival of many populations of cells. We examined neuroprotective effect of an adenoviral vector encoding glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (AxCAhGDNF) on the transient global ischemia. Gerbils received administration of AxCAhGDNF or an adenoviral vector encoding bacterial beta-galactosidase gene (AxCALacZ) through the lateral ventricle. Two days later, occluding bilateral common carotid arteries for 5 min using aneurysm clips produced the transient global forebrain ischemia. Animals showed intense immunolabeling for GDNF in ependymal cells on 2, 4 and 7 days after the operation. The exogenous gene transducted by adenovirus in the same cells was detected by in situ hybridization. The treatment with AxCAhGDNF significantly prevented the loss of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons 2 to 7 days after the operation, as compared to AxCALacZ treatment. Also terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin in situ nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was markedly reduced in the case with AxCAhGDNF treatment at 7 days after the operation. These results indicated that the adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of GDNF might prevent the delayed neuronal death of stroke and other disorders of the cerebral vasculature.     

Morphological investigation of the neuroprotective effects of graded hypothermia after diverse periods of global cerebral ischemia in gerbils

Hypothermia is known to be the most effective method to protect the neuronal damage induced by ischemia. In the present study, we investigated the histopathological consequences of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons as well as the glial reactions in the hippocampus, after diverse periods of ischemic insult at graded intra-ischemic hypothermia ranging from 32 to 20°C. Gerbils were exposed to forebrain ischemia by clamping the bilateral common carotid arteries for 5–120 min depending upon the temperatures. The morphological study was performed 7 days after ischemia or sham-operation. Histopathological evaluation of delayed neuronal death (DND) was performed by Cresyl violet (CV) staining and MAP2 immunoreactivity. Glial reactions were examined by GFAP immunostaining and isolectin B4 histochemistry, corresponding to astrocytes and microglia, respectively. The forebrain ischemia at 32°C for 10 min and at 28°C for 20 min did not induce DND in the CA1 region. However, the ischemia at 32°C for 20 min and at 28°C for 30 min caused extensive degeneration of CA1 pyramidal neurons as observed in normothermic ischemic animals. Under the condition of deep hypothermia, the ischemia for 60 min at 24°C and for 120 min at 20°C which were the longest durations of each temperature within the limitation of the animal survival following 7 days, induced no DND in CA1 pyramidal neurons. The reactive changes of astrocytes were observed not only in ischemic animals with DND, but also in ischemic animals without DND. Computer image analysis showed that the area fraction of GFAP-positive structures in the CA1 region was significantly increased in both ischemic cases with and without DND compared with each sham group. In contrast, the distribution of activated microglia was much more restricted to the CA1 region and they were always accompanied by DND at 7 days postischemia. The present results demonstrate the remarkable neuroprotective effect of deep hypothermia that has been widely used in cardiovascular surgeries as the cerebroprotective strategy during total circulatory cessation. The findings also suggest that even under the condition of hypothermia, glial reactions may play an important role in neuronal survival and death after ischemia.     

Age‐related changes of cornu ammonis 1 pyramidal neurons in gerbil transient ischemia

This study reports that postischemic apoptotic cell death of the hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA) 1 neurons is delayed in aged gerbils. Age‐related changes in the process of CA1 neuronal death following transient ischemia was studied. Two groups of Mongolian gerbils were used in this study, which compared adult (4‐month‐old) and aged (24‐month‐old) animals by hematoxylin–eosin stain, in situ nick‐end labeling (TUNEL method) and electron microscopy. In the process of neuronal death, neuronal loss of the aged group was histologically less severe than that of the adult group. TUNEL‐positive cells were found on days 3–5 after ischemia in the adult group, while they were still found on day 7 in the aged group. The apoptotic process of the aged group was delayed compared to the adult group. Furthermore, lipofuscin was ultrastructurally observed inside the apoptotic body 5 days after ischemia in CA1 pyramidal neurons of the aged group. It is likely that colocalization of lysosomal enzyme cathepsin D with lipofuscin might be associated with the age‐related alteration of lysosomal system in the neurons. Altogether these data suggest that age‐related lysosomal changes might affect the apoptotic cascade process in postischernic CA1 neurons.     

Expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor induced by transient forebrain ischemia in rats.

This study examined the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) mRNA and the cellular localization of GDNF production in rats subjected to transient forebrain ischemia induced by four-vessel occlusion. Transient forebrain ischemia induced GDNF mRNA expression in the hippocampus from 3 h to 3 days after the ischemic episode, with peak expression at 6 h. The GDNF mRNA increase in the cerebral cortex was similar to that in the hippocampus, whereas no increase in GDNF mRNA was observed in the striatum and brainstem. Western blot analysis showed that GDNF in the hippocampal CA1 region was increased slightly from 3 to 24 h after the ischemia, and then subsequently declined to below the baseline level. In the hippocampus, GDNF was evenly produced in pyramidal neurons of both sham-operated rats and normal rats, as determined by immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, we found that ischemia-induced reactive astrocytes, as well as surviving neurons, produced GDNF in 3-7 days after the ischemia. On the other hand, in other regions, such as the cerebral cortex, striatum, and brainstem, there was no change in GDNF-positive cells secondary to ischemia. These findings suggest that expression of GDNF mRNA is regulated in part via ischemia-induced neuronal degeneration. They also suggest that ischemia-induced reactive astrocytes may produce GDNF to protect against neuronal death. Therefore, GDNF may play an important role in ischemia-induced neuronal death in the brain.     

Brain lactate uptake increases at the site of impact after traumatic brain injury

Neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 subregion has been shown to occur in a delayed manner after transient global ischemia. The 2-vessel occlusion model is one of the most frequently used global ischemia paradigms in rodents. Although researchers often fail to induce bilateral delayed CA1 neuronal death, the importance of hypotension severity has not been fully discussed. We induced 10 min of global ischemia with 2-vessel occlusion and various severities of hypotension in rats, and the subsequent neuronal damage and neurogenesis in the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell layer were immunohistochemically studied. Neuronal apoptosis after global ischemia was also characterized by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated uridine 5′-triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). The mean arterial blood pressure of 31-35 mmHg was the most appropriate range of hypotension in this model because of low mortality and consistent bilateral CA1 injury. Most of the neurons in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer lost neuron specific nuclear protein and became TUNEL-positive 3 days after ischemia. There was no evidence of apoptosis or neurogenesis at 7-28 days. There were ischemia-tolerant neurons in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer that survived delayed neurodegeneration, however, further studies are necessary to characterize the property of these neurons.     

Global cerebral ischemia due to cardiocirculatory arrest in mice causes neuronal degeneration and early induction of transcription factor genes in the hippocampus

To analyze the role of specific genes and proteins in neuronal signaling cascades following global cerebral ischemia, it would be useful to have a reproducible model of global cerebral ischemia in mice that potentially allows the investigation of mice with specific genomic mutations. We first report on the development of a model of reversible cardiocirculatory arrest in mice and the consequences of such an insult to neuronal degeneration and expression of immediate early genes (IEG) in the hippocampus. Cardiocirculatory arrest of 5 min duration was induced via ventricular fibrillation in mechanically ventilated NMRI mice. After successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), animals were allowed to reperfuse spontaneously for 3 h (n=7) and 7 days (n=7). TUNEL staining revealed a selective degeneration of a subset of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 sector at 7 days. About 30% of all TUNEL-positive nuclei showed condensed chromatin and apoptotic bodies. Immunohistochemical studies of IEG expression performed at 3 h exhibited a marked induction of c-Fos, c-Jun, and Krox-24 protein in all sectors of the hippocampus, peaking in vulnerable CA1 pyramidal neurons and in dentate gyrus. In contrast, sham-operated animals (n=3) did not reveal neuronal degeneration or increased IEG expression in the hippocampus when compared with untreated control animals (n=3). In conclusion, we present a new model of global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in mice with the use of complete cardiocirculatory arrest and subsequent CPR. Following 5 min of ischemia, a subset of CA1 pyramidal neurons was TUNEL-positive at 7 days. The expression of IEG was observed in all sectors of the hippocampus, including selectively vulnerable CA1 pyramidal neurons. This appears to be a good model which should be useful in evaluating the role of various genes in transgenic and knockout mice following global ischemia.     

Immunocytochemical investigation of L-glutamic acid decarboxylase in the rat hippocampal formation: the influence of transient cerebral ischemia

The hippocampus is especially vulnerable to ischemic damage. Neurons in the CA3c region and dentate hilus demonstrate fast progressive damage while CA1 pyramidal cells demonstrate delayed neuronal damage. The delayed CA1 pyramidal cell loss could be caused by postischemic neuronal hyperactivity if hippocampal interneurons are lost after ischemia. Therefore we have counted the L-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)-immunoreactive neurons in the hippocampus from control rats and rats surviving 4 or 11 days after 20 minutes of cerebral ischemia. All rats were injected intraventricularly with colchicine before they were killed. The hippocampal cell counts showed an increase in GAD-immunoreactive somata visualized on the fourth postischemic day. Eleven days after ischemia, the number of GAD-immunoreactive neurons visualized in the hippocampus CA1 and CA3c region decreased. GAD-immunoreactive baskets were visualized in the pyramidal cell layer and the granule cell layer in controls and 4 days after ischemia, but not in the CA1 and CA3c pyramidal cell layer 11 days after ischemia. We suggest the number of GAD-immunoreactive neurons visualized on the fourth postischemic day increases because somatal GAD accumulation increases and, therefore, ischemia may enhance GAD production. Our previous counts of CA1 interneurons 21 days after ischemia in toluidine-stained semithin sections demonstrated no interneuron loss. Therefore we suggest that the decreased number of CA1 and CA3c GAD-immunoreactive neurons visualized 11 days after ischemia is related to a decreased GAD production. It is possible at this stage after ischemia that the interneurons have decreased their GAD production because they have lost their input and/or target cells. We conclude that our counts of GAD-immunoreactive neurons visualized after ischemia express changes in the content of somatal GAD rather than the actual number of GAD-immunoreactive somata. Finally, we conclude that the delayed loss of CA1 pyramidal cells seen 4 days after ischemia is not preceded by loss of hippocampal GAD-immunoreactive neurons.     

异丙酚对全脑缺血大鼠海马CA_1区锥体神经元的保护作用

目的 观察不同剂量、给药时间点及给药方式的异丙酚对全脑缺血大鼠海马CA_1区锥体细胞的保护作用.方法 80只雄性Wistar大鼠按照不同的给药剂量、给药时间点及方式随机分组.采用4血管闭塞法制造大鼠全脑缺血模型,硫堇染色下对锥体细胞的死亡进行评估.结果 异丙酚可剂量依赖性地保护锥体细胞,给药时间点越接近脑缺血,异丙酚的神经保护作用越明显.持续静脉输注异丙酚的神经保护作用较好.结论 在脑缺血前后的"有效时间窗"内,静脉持续输注麻醉剂量的异丙酚可有效地保护神经元.     

Pergolide protects CA1 neurons from apoptosis in a gerbil model of global cerebral ischemia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of dopamine (DA) receptor agonists and antagonists on neuronal apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 region after forebrain ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in gerbils. METHODS: Gerbil forebrain ischemia was induced by occluding bilateral carotid arteries for 5 minutes. The open field test, hematoxylin-eosin staining and in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) methods were used 1, 3 and 7 days after reperfusion. Western blot was used to examine the phosphorylation of c-Jun. RESULTS: Pergolide could significantly reduce the habituation impairments of ischemic gerbils, increase the number of normal neurons and reduce the number of apoptotic neurons in hippocampal CA1 region after reperfusion. SKF38393, SCH23390 and spiperone had no effects on these changes in this transient I/R injury model. Furthermore, pergolide can significantly reduce the phosphorylation of c-Jun induced by transient forebrain ischemia.     

Preservation of mitochondrial integrity and energy metabolism during experimental status epilepticus leads to neuronal apoptotic cell death in the hippocampus of the rat

Status epilepticus results in mitochondrial damage or dysfunction and preferential neuronal cell loss in the hippocampus. Since a critical determinant of the eventual cell death fate resides in intracellular ATP concentration, we investigated whether mitochondrial integrity and level of energy metabolism are related with apoptotic cell death in specific hippocampal neuronal populations. A kainic acid (KA)-induced experimental temporal lobe status epilepticus model was used. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of DNA fragmentation, TUNEL immunohistochemistry, double immunofluorescence staining for activated caspase-3, electron microscopy or measurement of ATP level in the bilateral hippocampus was carried out 1, 3 or 7 days after microinjection unilaterally of a low dose of KA (0.5 nmol) into the CA3 hippocampal subfield. Characteristic biochemical (DNA fragmentation), histochemical (TUNEL or activated caspase-3 staining) or ultrastructural (electron microscopy) features of apoptotic cell death were presented bilaterally in the hippocampus 7 days after the elicitation of sustained hippocampal seizure activity by microinjection of KA into the unilateral CA3 subfield. At the same time, CA3 or CA1 subfield on either side manifested a maintained ATP level; alongside relatively intact mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus or cytoplasmic membrane in hippocampal neurons that exhibited ultrastructural features of apoptotic cell death. Our results demonstrated that preserved mitochondrial ultrastructural integrity and maintained energy metabolism during experimental temporal lobe status epilepticus is associated specifically with apoptotic, not necrotic, cell death in hippocampal CA3 or CA1 neurons.     

针刺预处理对短暂性脑缺血再灌注损伤海马神经元的保护

The present study established a model of brain ischemia in aged rats using four-vessel occlusion.We observed hippocampal CA1 neuronal apoptosis and apoptosis-mediated protease caspase-3 expression following preconditioning of electroacupuncture at Baihui(GV 20).Our results showed that the number of hippocampal CA1 normal neurons was decreased,and degenerated neurons were increased 12 hours to 3 days following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.The number of hippocampal CA1 apoptotic neurons and caspase-3-positive neurons in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was significantly decreased following acupuncture preconditioning.Acupuncture preconditioning protects aged rats against ischemia/reperfusion injury by regulating caspase-3 protein expression.     

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

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

Delayed hippocampal neuronal death in young gerbil following transient global cerebral ischemia is related to higher and longer-term expression of p63 in the ischemic hippocampus

The tumor suppressor p63 is one of p53 family members and plays a vital role as a regulator of neuronal apoptosis in the development of the nervous system. However, the role of p63 in mature neuronal death has not been addressed yet. In this study, we first compared ischemia-induced effects on p63 expression in the hippocampal regions (CA1–3) between the young and adult gerbils subjected to 5 minutes of transient global cerebral ischemia. Neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region of young gerbils was significantly slow compared with that in the adult gerbils after transient global cerebral ischemia. p63 immunoreactivity in the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in the sham-operated young group was significantly low compared with that in the sham-operated adult group. p63 immunoreactivity was apparently changed in ischemic hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in both ischemia-operated young and adult groups. In the ischemia-operated adult groups, p63 immunoreactivity in the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons was significantly decreased at 4 days post-ischemia; however, p63 immunoreactivity in the ischemia-operated young group was significantly higher than that in the ischemia-operated adult group. At 7 days post-ischemia, p63 immunoreactivity was decreased in the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in both ischemia-operated young and adult groups. Change patterns of p63 level in the hippocampal CA1 region of adult and young gerbils after ischemic damage were similar to those observed in the immunohistochemical results. These findings indicate that higher and longer-term expression of p63 in the hippocampal CA1 region of the young gerbils after ischemia/reperfusion may be related to more delayed neuronal death compared to that in the adults.     

Reappearance of hippocampal CA1 neurons after ischemia is associated with recovery of learning and memory.

The pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region are essential for cognitive functions such as spatial learning and memory, and are selectively destroyed after cerebral ischemia. To analyze whether degenerated CA1 neurons are replaced by new neurons and whether such regeneration is associated with amelioration in learning and memory deficits, we have used a rat global ischemia model that provides an almost complete disappearance (to approximately 3% of control) of CA1 neurons associated with a robust impairment in spatial learning and memory at two weeks after ischemia. We found that transient cerebral ischemia can evoke a massive formation of new neurons in the CA1 region, reaching approximately 40% of the original number of neurons at 90 days after ischemia (DAI). Co-localization of the mature neuronal marker neuronal nuclei with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine in CA1 confirmed that neurogenesis indeed had occurred after the ischemic insult. Furthermore, we found increased numbers of cells expressing the immature neuron marker polysialic acid neuronal cell adhesion molecule in the adjacent lateral periventricular region, suggesting that the newly formed neurons derive from this region. The reappearance of CA1 neurons was associated with a recovery of ischemia-induced impairments in spatial learning and memory at 90 DAI, suggesting that the newly formed CA1 neurons restore hippocampal CA1 function. In conclusion, these results show that the brain has an endogenous capacity to form new nerve cells after injury, which correlates with a restoration of cognitive functions of the brain.     

Functional validation of adult hippocampal organotypic cultures as an in vitro model of brain injury

To determine whether hippocampal pyramidal neurons retain authentic functional properties in mature organotypic culture, hippocampal slice cultures were established from young adult rats (P20-21). Cultures maintained 7 days in vitro retained tight organization of neuronal layers, as opposed to the widening restructure of pyramidal neurons often observed in perinatal slices. CA3 and CA1 pyramidal neurons fired action potentials in response to current injection and exhibited spontaneous and evoked synaptic currents, indicating intact neuronal function and normal hippocampal neural circuitry. We also tested neuronal sensitivity of slice cultures to ischemic injury. Acute ischemic paradigm resulted in selective death of pyramidal neurons in the CA1 region, which was prevented by treatment with an NMDA-antagonist, MK-801. Robust efflux of excitatory and inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitters was detected during ischemia, consistent with changes shown in acute slices. In summary, hippocampal organotypic cultures prepared from young adult rats maintained neuronal architecture and synaptic activity in vitro and can be used in parallel with an acute slice system to model mature brain tissue to examine ischemic pathophysiology and neuroprotective treatment.     

亚低温对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注损伤后海马CA1区c-Jun蛋白表达的影响

目的研究亚低温对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注损伤后海马CA1区神经元的保护作用,并探讨其可能的机制。方法采用四血管阻断法建立大鼠全脑缺血模型。SD大鼠,随机分为假手术组(SH组)、常温组(IR组)和亚低温组(HIR组)。各组在全脑缺血15min后分别再灌注6h、12h、1d、3d,采用苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察各时间点海马CA1区细胞形态学变化和TUNEL法检测海马CA1区神经元凋亡,免疫印迹检测c-Jun蛋白表达。结果(1)HE染色结果 IR组和HIR组于全脑缺血再灌注后6h,HE染色未见明显改变,IR组缺血再灌注1d时CA1区出现严重改变,3d时损伤最严重,出现细胞数目减少,细胞胞体缩小、胞核固缩深染,损伤严重,排列紊乱,核膜不清,核仁消失。而HIR组海马存活的锥体细胞数较之IR组12h、1d、3d时间点均明显增加(P<0.05)。(2)TUNEL标记IR组于缺血再灌注后6h在海马CA1区阳性细胞开始增多,缺血再灌注1 d时阳性细胞数最多。而HIR组各时间点阳性细胞数均较IR组明显减少(P<0.01)。(3)免疫印迹结果全脑缺血再灌注后6h c-Jun蛋白在IR组海马CA1区表达开始增加,12h达高峰,持续到3d;HIR组在各时间点的表达均弱于IR组(P<0.01)。结论亚低温通过减少海马CA1区c-Jun的表达,抑制海马CA1区神经元的凋亡,可能是亚低温脑保护作用的机制之一。     

Metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes are differentially expressed after transient cerebral ischemia without, during and after tolerance induction in the gerbil hippocampus

Postischemic delayed neuronal death (DND) of hippocampal CA1 neurons can be prevented by a preconditioning sublethal ischemic stimulus. To check for possible participation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in neuronal death or survival, we analyzed postischemic protein expression of subtypes 1b and 5 of group I mGluRs, which are thought to exert neurotoxic effects after pathological activation due to ischemia, and subtypes 2 and 3 of group II mGluRs, which in contrast are thought to be neuroprotective in this state, respectively. Therefore, three groups of gerbils with reperfusion intervals between 8 h and 4 days (n=5 each) were investigated: one group was subjected to 5 min ischemia, resulting in DND of CA1 neurons, a second group to a tolerance inducing 2.5 min period of ischemia and a third group to 5 min ischemia after prior tolerance induction. The major finding was a transient postischemic reduction of mGluR1b and 5 expression in the ischemic tolerant CA1 subfield at 8 h. This downregulation of neurotoxic mGluRs may indicate a contribution to the survival of highly vulnerable CA1 neurons in the ischemic tolerant state.     

Postischemic neuroprotection in the ischemia-tolerant state gerbil hippocampus is associated with increased ligand binding to inhibitory GABA<Subscript>A</Subscript> receptors

Excitotoxic activation of glutamate receptors is thought to play a key role in delayed neuronal death (DND) of highly vulnerable hippocampal CA1 neurons after transient global ischemia. DND can be prevented by a short sublethal preconditioning (PC) stimulus. Recently, we demonstrated that ischemic PC, but not a single period of 5-min ischemia elicits a transient up-regulation of hippocampal [(3)H]muscimol binding to GABA(A) receptors. This indicates that activation of the GABAergic system may participate in the acquisition of neuroprotection. The present study was designed to test whether postischemic modulation of receptor binding also occurs in the ischemia-tolerant state, i.e., after a PC stimulus of 2.5-min ischemia and a subsequent normally lethal period of 5-min ischemia 4 days apart. Using receptor autoradiography, [(3)H]AMPA and [(3)H]muscimol binding to excitatory AMPA and inhibitory GABA(A) receptors was analyzed in hippocampal subfields CA1, CA3 and dentate gyrus at recirculation intervals of 30 min, 8, 24, 48, 96 h and 3 weeks. Postischemic hippocampal ligand binding to AMPA receptors remained unchanged at any time point investigated, but [(3)H]muscimol binding to GABA(A) receptors in CA1 neurons rendered tolerant to ischemia was up-regulated between 30 min and 48 h of recirculation. Our data suggest that a relative shift between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission may promote postischemic survival of CA1 neurons.     

脑缺血再灌流大鼠脑胶质源性神经营养因子基因表达的变化

探讨脑缺血再灌流不同时程及不同程度缺血对海马及皮层胶质源性神经营养因子（ｇｌｉａｌｃｅｌｌｌｉｎｅ ｄｅｒｉｖｅｄ ｎｅｕｒｏｔｒｏｐｈｉｃ ｆａｃｔｏｒ, ＧＤＮＦ）基因表达的影响,以及Ｎ甲基Ｄ天冬氨酸（Ｎｍ ｅｔｈｙｌＤｓａｐａｒｔａｔｅ, ＮＭＤＡ）受体拮抗剂,钙离子通道阻断剂是否能调节缺血病态下ＧＤＮＦｍ ＲＮＡ的表达。参照Ｓｍ ｉｔｈ 等方法建立大鼠前脑缺血再灌流动物模型。用ＤＩＧＯｌｉｇｏｎｕｃｌｅｏｔｉｄｅ ３′ｅｎｄ ｌａｂｅｌｉｎｇ Ｋｉｔ,标记５１ ｍ ｅｒ的ＧＤＮＦ寡核苷酸探针在含有海马结构的冰冻组织切片上进行原位杂交检测ＧＤＮＦｍ ＲＮＡ的表达。１０ ｍ ｉｎ 缺血再灌流２ ｈ,齿状回ＧＤＮＦｍ ＲＮＡ表达上调。再灌流６ ｈ,ＣＡ１,ＣＡ３ 和皮层ＰＡＲ区ＧＤＮＦｍ ＲＮＡ表达亦见增多,２４ ｈ 达高峰。Ｋｅｔａｍ ｉｎｅ 可使ＧＤＮＦ的基因表达在海马结构及皮层ＰＡＲ区明显低于相应的缺血再灌流组,统计学差异显著（Ｐ＜ ００５）。脑缺血再灌流时ＧＤＮＦ基因表达增加,对缺血神经元可能起保护作用。Ｋｅｔａｍ ｉｎｅ可阻断缺血后ＧＤＮＦｍ ＲＮＡ 的表达增加,提示ＮＭＤＡ谷氨酸受体很可能参与介导了缺