Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate fails to ameliorate delayed neuronal death in the CA1 area after transient forebrain ischaemia in gerbils

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate has been shown to reduce ischaemic-induced brain damage in rabbits and gerbils. In view of these findings, we investigated the effects of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate on delayed neuronal death, following bilateral forebrain ischaemia, in the gerbil hippocampus at the fourth day of reperfusion. We subjected gerbils to bilateral forebrain ischaemia for 20 min. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate was administered: intraperitoneally at a dose of 1 g/kg in saline 1 hr before the occlusion or at a dose of 1 g/kg 1 hr before the occlusion and every 24 hr for 3 days; or intraventricularly at a dose of 0.1 g/kg just after the carotid occlusion. No significant differences in the number of dying cells in the CA1 area were found between each group of treated animals when compared with controls. This study suggests that fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, administered according to these three different schedules, fails to ameliorate delayed neuronal death after 20 min of bilateral forebrain ischaemia in the CA1 area of the gerbil hippocampus.     

The orally combined neuroprotective effects of sodium ferulate and borneol against transient global ischaemia in C57 BL/6J mice

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the possible modification of the neuroprotective effect of sodium ferulate, when orally co‐administered with borneol, in transient global cerebral ischaemia‐induced functional, histological and cellular alterations in mice. Methods The bilateral common carotid artery occlusion was conducted in C57 BL/6J mice for 25 min. The mice were then subjected to a water maze test over an extended recovery period, followed by an assessment of neuronal loss in the CA1 region of the hippocampus (haematoxylin and eosin staining). The blood–brain barrier permeability (Evans blue tracing), brain oedema and oxidative stress were assayed and histological sections were also immunostained for gliofibrillar acid protein (GFAP) expression. Key findings The ischaemia reperfused mice were associated with long‐lasting spatial learning deficits in the absence of other behavioural impairments and with neurodegeneration in the hippocampal CA1 region. However, the histological injuries were significantly attenuated by oral co‐administration of sodium ferulate and borneol. Furthermore, combined treatment with sodium ferulate and borneol resulted in a significant reduction in brain oedema, GFAP‐positive cells, malonaldialdehyde levels and blood–brain barrier permeability, but an increase in superoxide dismutase activity. Conclusions Borneol may have benefits for the neuroprotective effect of sodium ferulate against injury induced in the brain by ischaemia/reperfusion.     

Blockade of intracellular actions of calcium may protect against ischaemic damage to the gerbil brain

1. The brain cytoprotective effects of a putative calcium-associated protein kinase inhibitor, HA1077, as well as a calcium entry blocker nicardipine were evaluated in models of cerebral ischaemia in Mongolian gerbils. Morphological changes characterizing delayed neuronal death of selectively vulnerable CA1 pyramidal neurones in the hippocampus of the Mongolian gerbil brain occurred 7 days after transient bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries. 2. A single injection of HA1077 (1 and 3 mg kg-1, i.p.) 5 min after the occlusion led to a dose-dependent protection of the CA1 neurones. Repeated administrations of HA1077 (1 and 3 mg kg-1, i.p., twice daily for 7 days post-ischaemia) revealed an increase in the number of normal cells, compared to findings with a single administration. 3. In contrast to HA1077, nicardipine (0.3 and 1 mg kg-1, i.p.) did not reduce neuronal degeneration. 4. HA1077 did not interact with the ion channel within which MK-801 binds, as determined by receptor binding. 5. The calcium ionophore, A23187, caused a tonic contraction in canine cerebral arterial strips. HA1077, but not nicardipine, relaxed the A23187-induced contraction, concentration-dependently. 6. These results suggest that blockade of the intracellular actions of calcium may provide protection against ischaemic damage in the brain.     

Systemic administration of Zn2+ during the reperfusion phase of transient cerebral ischaemia protects rat hippocampus against iron-catalysed postischaemic injury

1. The aim of the present study was to test the protective role of intravenous Zn(2+) against iron-catalysed reperfusion injury in the hippocampus of ischaemic rats. 2. One hundred adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups. Rats in the first group were subjected to surgery (sham operation) without induction of cerebral ischaemia and injected with normal saline (i.v.). The second group of sham-operated rats were injected with 6 mg/kg, i.v., ZnCl(2). In the third group, rats were subjected to cerebral ischaemia for 60 min. Animals in the fourth group were subjected to cerebral ischaemia for 60 min followed by 8 h reperfusion. In the fifth group, rats were subjected to cerebral ischaemia for 60 min, followed by 8 h reperfusion with injection of a single dose of ZnCl(2) (6 mg/kg, i.v.) during the first 5 min of the reperfusion period. After reperfusion, animals were killed, their brains were dissected out on ice and the two hippocampi from each animal were isolated and analysed. 3. Cerebral ischaemia induced an increase in the iron content, lipidic peroxidation, apoptosis and metallothionein (MT) in the hippocampus. These effects were significantly increased in the hippocampus of ischaemic rats subjected to 8 h reperfusion compared with ischaemic non-reperfused rats. Intravenous administration of ZnCl(2)decreased the accumulation of iron, lipidic peroxidation and apoptosis produced by reperfusion, but increased the level of MT. 4. Data from the present study suggest that, after 1 h ischaemia, there is an increase in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and this allows penetration of i.v. injected ZnCl(2), which can induce expression of brain MT, increase the anti-oxidant capacity and diminish iron-catalysed lipid peroxidation and apoptosis. This may give new insights as to how to improve the outcome for stroke patients.     

Neuroprotective effects of breviscapine against apoptosis induced by transient focal cerebral ischaemia in rats

Breviscapine, a flavonoid isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Erigerin breviscapus, has been proved to be effective in protecting the brain against ischaemic damage, but the mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we have demonstrated the effects of breviscapine on neuronal apoptosis in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischaemia. Rats were administered with breviscapine (50 or 100 mg kg(-1)/day) intragastrically for seven successive days, then subjected to 2-h brain ischaemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion, followed by 24-h reperfusion. After reperfusion, the rats were killed and the brain samples were collected. Haematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate the histopathological changes. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotiny-lated UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and flow cytometry (FCM) analysis were used to detect the level of apoptosis. The expressions of bcl-2 and caspase-3 in the cortex were determined by Western blot. Significant increases in the number of haematoxylin-eosin- and TUNEL-positive staining cells and DNA fragmentation were observed at 24 h after reperfusion, and the increases were inhibited by breviscapine (50 and 100 mg kg(-1)). Breviscapine at both doses markedly inhibited the expression and activation of caspase-3 and up-regulated the expression of bcl-2. These findings suggested that breviscapine attenuated neuroapoptosis and regulated the protein expression related to apoptosis after transient focal cerebral ischaemia, which may have contributed, in part, to the protective effects of breviscapine on cerebral ischaemic damage.     

Glutamine contributes to ameliorate inflammation after renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of glutamine in an in vivo rat model of renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Male Wistar rats underwent bilateral renal pedicle clamping for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 6 h. Glutamine (1.5 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) 15 min prior to reperfusion. Plasma concentrations of urea, creatinine, γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured for the assessment of renal function and reperfusion injury. Markers of oxidative stress, expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), AT-1 expression, and changes in the oxidative stress-sensitive nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway were measured to investigate whether glutamine can reduce the renal dysfunction. Kidney myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured for assessment of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell infiltration and lipid peroxidation, respectively. Renal sections were used for histologic grading of renal injury and for immunohistochemical localization of nitrotyrosine and poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS). In vivo, glutamine significantly reduced the increase in urea, creatinine, γ-GT, AST, produced by renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), suggesting an improvement in both renal function and injury. Glutamine significantly reduced iNOS and NF-κB, kidney MPO activity and MDA levels, indicating a reduction in PMN infiltration and lipid peroxidation, respectively. Glutamine reduced the histological evidence of renal damage associated with I/R and caused a substantial reduction in the staining for nitrotyrosine and PARS, suggesting reduced nitrosative and oxidative stress. Moreover, glutamine attenuated the reduction of COX-2 expression and prevented the increased AT-1 expression after I/R. Our results suggest that glutamine reduces the renal dysfunction and injury associated with I/R of the kidney.     

Prevention of ischemic brain injury by adenosine receptor activation

The abilities of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor, oxypurinol, and the adenosine deaminase inhibitor, deoxycoformycin, to alleviate cerebral ischemic damage were evaluated in gerbil and rat models. Cerebral ischaemia of 5 min duration was induced in unanesthetized Mongolian gerbils by bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries. Cerebral damage was assessed behaviorally by the elevation of motor activity and by histological assesment of neuronal degeneration in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. Oxypurinol (40 mg/kg) administered either prior to or 30 min after and ischaemic episode significantly reduced both the hypermotility and hippocampal damage observed in saline-treated control ischemic gerbils. Deoxycoformycin (500 μg/kg) was effective only when administered prior to ischemia. Rats with a focal ischaemic lesion (unilateral occlusion of a middle cerebral artery combined with tandem occlusion of the ipsilateral common carotid artery) were used to model strokes. The degree of ischaemic damage was evaluated by measuring the contralateral neurological deficits at 24 and 48 h post infarction and by calculating the volume of infarcted tissue after brain slices had been stained with 2,3,5-triphenyl, 2H-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) solution. Oxypurinol (40 mg/kg) administered 30 min prior to or 1h after the onset of focal ischaemia significantly reduced the infarct size, brain swelling, and neurological deficits. Deoxycoformycin (500 μg/kg) was effective only when administered preischemia. These findings suggest that oxypurinol and deoxycoformycin may be useful for the prevention and treatment of ischaemic brain injuries. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effects of tempol, a membrane-permeable radical scavenger, in a rodent model of carrageenan-induced pleurisy

Carrageenan causes enhanced formation of reactive oxygen species, which contribute to the pathophysiology of inflammation. We have investigated the effects of tempol, a membrane-permeable radical scavenger, in rats subjected to carrageenan-induced pleurisy. Treatment of rats with tempol (10, 30, or 100 mg/kg 15 min prior to carrageenan) attenuated the pleural exudation and the migration of polymorphonuclear cells caused by carrageenan dose dependently. Tempol also attenuated the lung injury (histology) as well as the increase in the tissue levels of myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde caused by carrageenan in the lung. However, tempol did not inhibit the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the lungs. Immunohistochemical analysis for nitrotyrosine revealed positive staining in lungs from carrageenan-treated rats. Lung tissue sections from carrageenan-treated rats also showed positive staining for poly-(ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS). The degree of staining for nitrotyrosine and PARS was markedly reduced in tissue sections obtained from carrageenan-treated rats, which had received tempol (100 mg/kg). Furthermore, treatment of rats with tempol significantly reduced (i) the formation of peroxynitrite, (ii) the DNA damage, (iii) the impairment in mitochondrial respiration, and (iv) the fall in the cellular level of NAD(+) observed in macrophages harvested from the pleural cavity of rats treated with carrageenan. Tempol also attenuated the cell injury caused by hydrogen peroxide (1 mM) in cultured human endothelial cells. This study provides the first evidence that tempol, a small molecule which permeates biological membranes and scavenges ROS, attenuates the degree of inflammation and tissue damage associated with carageenan-induced pleurisy in the rat. The mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effect of tempol are discussed.     

An inhibitor of poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase activity reduces contractile dysfunction and preserves high energy phosphate levels during reperfusion of the ischaemic rat heart.

The cardioprotective properties of inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS) were investigated in the isolated perfused heart of the rat. Hearts were perfused in the Langendorff mode and subjected to 23 min total global ischaemia and reperfused for 60 min. Left ventricular function was assessed by means of an intra-ventricular balloon. High energy phosphates were measured by 31P-NMR spectroscopy. Intracellular levels of NAD were measured by capillary electrophoresis of perchloric acid extracts of hearts at the end of reperfusion. Reperfusion in the presence of the PARS inhibitor 1,5 didroxyisoquinoline (ISO, 100 microM) attenuated the mechanical dysfunction observed following 1 h of reperfusion; 27+/-13 and 65+/-8% recovery of preischaemic rate pressure product for control and 100 microM ISO, respectively. This cardioprotection was accompanied by a preservation of intracellular high-energy phosphates during reperfusion; 38+/-2 vs 58+/-4% (P<0.05) of preischaemic levels of phosphocreatine (PCr) for control and 100 microM ISO respectively and 23+/-1 vs 31+/-3% (P < 0.05) of preischaemic levels of ATP for control and 100 microM ISO respectively. Cellular levels of NAD were higher in ISO treated hearts at the end of reperfusion; 2.56+/-0.45 vs 4.76+/-1.12 micromoles g(-1) dry weight (P<0.05) for control and ISO treated. These results demonstrate that the cardioprotection afforded by inhibition of PARS activity with ISO is accompanied by a preservation of high-energy phosphates and cellular NAD levels and suggest that the mechanism responsible for this cardioprotection may involve prevention of intracellular ATP depletion.     

褪黑素对沙土鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的研究褪黑素(melatonin,MT)对沙土鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的神经保护作用。方法用沙土鼠双侧颈总动脉结扎法建立全脑缺血再灌注损伤模型。用开场迷宫测试沙土鼠的定向运动活性的变化。用T迷宫测试沙土鼠的学习及工作记忆能力。光镜下观察缺血后d 7海马CA1区神经元组织形态学变化。结果缺血模型组沙土鼠定向运动活性较假手术组显著增高,学习及工作记忆能力降低。MT可降低沙土鼠的定向运动活性,提高沙土鼠的工作记忆能力;还可显著减轻海马CA1区锥体神经元的病理改变,且作用呈剂量依赖性。结论MT对沙土鼠全脑缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用。     

Neuroprotective properties of a protein kinase inhibitor against ischaemia-induced neuronal damage in rats and gerbils.

1. The neuroprotective properties of fasudil (HA1077), a novel protein kinase inhibitor, were evaluated in two animal models of cerebral ischaemia: transient bilateral carotid artery occlusion in Mongolian gerbils and cerebral microembolization in rats. 2. The cytoprotective effect of fasudil on delayed neuronal death in gerbils was compared with the effects of nimodipine, a calcium channel antagonist and ozagrel, a thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor. The average of the neuronal cell density in the ischaemic control group was 17.8 +/- 2.1 cells mm-1, whereas fasudil (30 mg kg-1) significantly diminished the loss of CA1 neurones with the average of the neuronal cell density of 101.0 +/- 22.0 cells mm-1; nimodipine (10 mg kg-1) and ozagrel (30 mg kg-1) did not significantly protect against the ischaemia-induced neuronal loss. 3. In the rat model, the effects of fasudil on the histological and neurological consequences of cerebral microembolization produced via the injection of microspheres were examined. Twenty-four hours after the injection of microspheres into the internal carotid artery, all animals in the control group showed typical symptoms of stroke. Neurological function was significantly improved in the fasudil-treated animals. In the controls, the infarcted area in a cortical slice selected to include the hippocampal area was 0.25 +/- 0.01 cm2 (mean +/- s.e.mean) (43.9 +/- 2.4% of cortical section of the half hemisphere); the difference was significant compared to the mean area of 32.7 +/- 2.8 and 21.5 +/- 4.8% observed in rats treated with fasudil (3, 10 mg kg-1), respectively. Fasudil (10 mg kg-1) significantly suppressed the increased water content in ischaemic brain tissues (saline-treated rats, 82.4 +/- 0.2% vs fasudil-treated rats, 81.0 +/- 0.4%). 4. These results suggest that: (i) various protein kinases are involved in the pathogenesis of ischaemic injury; and (ii) the inhibition of protein kinases may be efficacious in preventing neuronal death, thus improving neurological function in the brain damage associated with ischaemic stroke.     

Cloricromene, a coumarine derivative, protects against collagen-induced arthritis in Lewis rats

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of cloricromene, a coumarine derivative, in rats subjected to collagen-induced arthritis. 2. Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was induced in Lewis rats by an intradermal injection of 100 microl of the emulsion (containing 100 microg of bovine type II collagen) (CII) and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) at the base of the tail. On day 21, a second injection of CII in CFA was administered. 3. Lewis rats developed an erosive hind paw arthritis when immunized with CII in CFA. Macroscopic clinical evidence of CIA first appeared as peri-articular erythema and oedema in the hind paws. The incidence of CIA was 100% by day 27 in the CII challenged rats and the severity of CIA progressed over a 35-day period with radiographic evaluation revealing focal resorption of bone together with osteophyte formation in the tibiotarsal joint and soft tissue swelling. 4. The histopathology of CIA included erosion of the cartilage at the joint margins. Treatment of rats with cloricromene (10 mg kg(-1) i.p. daily) starting at the onset of arthritis (day 23), delayed the development of the clinical signs at days 24 - 35 and improved histological status in the knee and paw. 5. Immunohistochemical analysis for iNOS, COX-2, nitrotyrosine and for poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS) revealed a positive staining in inflamed joints from collagen-treated rats. The degree of staining for iNOS, COX-2, nitrotyrosine and PARS were markedly reduced in tissue sections obtained from collagen-treated rats, which had received cloricromene. 6. Radiographic signs of protection against bone resorption and osteophyte formation were present in the joints of cloricromene-treated rat. 7. This study provides the first evidence that cloricromene, a coumarine derivative, attenuates the degree of chronic inflammation and tissue damage associated with collagen-induced arthritis in the rat.     

NVP-AAM077和Ro25-6981对全脑缺血小鼠海马神经元损伤及BDNF表达的影响

目的探讨N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体(NMDA)亚基NR2A和NR2B特异性拮抗剂对脑缺血/再灌注后海马CA1区神经元损伤的不同影响及其可能机制。方法制作三动脉阻断(3-VO)小鼠全脑缺血模型,小鼠随机分为假手术组、脑缺血/再灌注(I/R)对照组、NVP-AAM077(NVP)干预组和Ro25-6981(Ro)干预组;应用Fluoro-JadeB(F-JB)和Nissl染色检测海马神经元变性死亡和存活情况,Western blot对脑源性神经生长因子(BDNF)蛋白表达水平进行定量分析。结果①小鼠全脑缺血12min/再灌注3d后,海马CA1区出现选择性迟发性神经元死亡,NVP干预组增加了缺血所致的海马神经元死亡(P<0.05),而Ro干预组CA1区神经元存活数量明显多于缺血/再灌注组(P<0.01);②NVP干预能明显下调缺血/再灌注所致的海马组织BDNF蛋白表达升高(P<0.01),而Ro干预能明显上调BDNF蛋白的表达(P<0.05)。结论 NMDA受体亚基NR2A和NR2B在小鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤中具有不同的作用,其机制可能与调节BDNF表达改变有关。     

丙戊酸钠对沙土鼠单侧脑缺血再灌注的保护作用

目的 :观察丙戊酸钠对沙土鼠单侧脑缺血再灌注的保护作用。方法 :4 0只雄性蒙古沙土鼠随机分为 2组。左颈内动脉钳夹 30min后使血流再通 ,缺血开始后即以微量灌注泵自颈外静脉分别注入丙戊酸钠 60mg·kg- 1(治疗组 )和 0 .9%氯化钠注射液 (对照组 ) ,流速 0 .5mL·h- 1,历时 2h。术后15h ,每组随机取 10只测血浆神经元特异性烯醇化酶 (NSE) ,术后 7d ,2组脑组织冠状切片以免疫组织化学染色观察海马神经元形态。结果 :治疗组神经缺损记分 1.5分± 0 .6分 ,对照组 3.2分± 0 .8分 ;治疗组血浆NSE含量 64μg± 12 μg ,对照组 12 8μg± 2 0 μg ;海马神经元损害程度治疗组 1.4分±0 .8分 ,对照组 2 .9分± 0 .8分。t检验均有显著差异 (P <0 .0 5)。结论 :静注丙戊酸钠对沙土鼠脑缺血再灌注有保护作用。     

NR2A反义寡核苷酸对短暂性脑缺血/再灌注大鼠海马神经元损伤的保护作用

目的探讨NMDA受体亚单位2A(NR2A)反义寡核苷酸在短暂性脑缺血/再灌注大鼠海马神经元损伤中的保护作用,为研制和开发针对NR2A的特异性新药提供理论基础和形态学依据。方法健康♂SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、假手术对照组和缺血/再灌注组。经生理盐水、错义寡核苷酸和反义寡核苷酸预处理后,以四血管阻断法建立短暂性全脑缺血(15min)/再灌注(1、2、3和5d)动物模型。在确定的时间点进行灌注固定、取材、石蜡包埋和组织切片(片厚8μm),然后行TUNEL反应、焦油紫染色、原位杂交染色以及免疫组织化学染色。结果短暂性脑缺血/再灌注(I/R)3d,大鼠海马CA1区出现大量的凋亡阳性细胞;I/R5d大鼠海马CA1区细胞严重受损,与对照组相比二组差异具有显著性(P<0.05)。经NR2A反义寡核苷酸预处理后,I/R3d和I/R5d海马CA1区的细胞凋亡和细胞损伤明显减轻,与对照组相比二组差异具有显著性(P<0.05)。NR2A反义寡核苷酸能抑制I/R1d NR2A mRNA表达和I/R2d蛋白质表达,与对照组相比差异具有显著性(P<0.05)。结论短暂性全脑缺血后,NR2A反义寡核苷酸能明显地减轻缺血诱导的大鼠海马CA1区细胞凋亡和细胞损伤,且这种作用与NR2A反义寡核苷酸特异性抑制NR2A及其mRNA的表达密切相关。     

Neuroprotective effects of FeTMPyP: a peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst in global cerebral ischemia model in gerbils.

Peroxynitrite involvement has been implicated in the neuronal damage. In the present study, we have investigated the neuroprotective effects of peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst (FeTMPyP) on global cerebral ischemia. Global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury was produced by 5 min occlusion of both common carotid arteries followed by reperfusion of 96 h in the adult male Mongolian gerbils. The extent of injury was assessed behaviorally by measuring neurological functions, locomotor activity, passive avoidance test and by histopathological evaluation of extent of damage to CA1 hippocampal pyramidal region. FeTMPyP (1 and 3 mgkg(-1), i.p., administered 30 min prior to ischemia) treatment improved the neurological functions, reduced the hyperlocomotion and memory impairment in IR challenged gerbils. The loss of neurons from the pyramidal layer of the CA1 region caused by global IR injury was attenuated with FeTMPyP. FeTMPyP also inhibited lipid peroxidation as evident from reduction in brain malondialdehyde levels. These results suggest that peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst may be effective neuroprotective agent for global cerebral ischemia.     

Erythropoietin protects against brain ischemic injury by inhibition of nitric oxide formation

Erythropoietin prevents in vitro glutamate-induced neuronal death and could play a role in the central nervous system. We investigated the in vivo effects of recombinant human erythropoietin after intraperitoneal (i.p.; 25-100 U) or intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.; 0.25-25 U) administration on survival, brain malonildialdehyde (MDA) levels, brain edema, hippocampal neuronal death and brain nitric oxide (NO) synthesis after bilateral carotid occlusion (5 min), followed by reperfusion in the Mongolian gerbil. Peripheral posttreatment with recombinant human erythropoietin reduced postischemic MDA levels, brain edema and increased survival. Either peripheral or i.c.v. posttreatment with recombinant human erythropoietin significantly reduced hippocampal CA1 neuronal loss, observed 7 days after the ischemic event. Increase of nitrite and nitrate (as an index of NO formation) in the hippocampus, as observed after ischemia, was reduced in animals treated with recombinant human erythropoietin. These data suggest that in vivo recombinant human erythropoietin effects on brain ischemic injury could be due to inhibition of NO overproduction.     

Protective effects of Celecoxib on lung injury and red blood cells modification induced by carrageenan in the rat

In the present study, we evaluated the effect of Celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, in an acute model of lung injury induced by carrageenan administration in the rats. Injection of carrageenan into the pleural cavity of rats elicited an acute inflammatory response characterized by: fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity which contained a large number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) as well as an infiltration of PMNs in lung tissues and subsequent lipid peroxidation, and increased production of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and interleukin-1beta. All parameters of inflammation were attenuated by Celecoxib. Furthermore, carrageenan induced an upregulation of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and P-selectin, as well as nitrotyrosine and poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS) as determined by immunohistochemical analysis of lung tissues. The degree of staining for the ICAM-1, P-selectin, nitrotyrosine and PARS was reduced by Celecoxib. These results clearly confirmed that COX-2 plays a critical role in the development of the inflammatory response by altering key components of the inflammatory cascade. Therefore, selective inhibitor of COX-2 such as Celecoxib, offers a therapeutic approach for the management of various inflammatory diseases.     

ZJM‐289, a novel nitric oxide donor,alleviates the cerebral ischaemic–reperfusion injury in rats

1. Current studies indicate that nitric oxide (NO) plays a dual role as both a protective and pathogenic factor in focal cerebral ischaemia depending on the level, location, source and environment. The present study hypothesized that the NO donor ZJM‐289 could inhibit cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury and investigated the mechanism of the beneficial events. 2. Adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups: (i) sham operated; (ii) I/R (ischaemia for 90 min and reperfusion for 24 h) treated with vehicle; (iii) I/R treated with 0.1 mmol/kg body weight ZJM‐289; and (iv) I/R treated with 0.2 mmol/kg body weight ZJM‐289. We evaluated the changes in brain infarction, brain‐water content, neurological deficits and histopathology. Western blot analysis was used to study the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the brain after I/R. The levels of NO and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were also determined. 3. ZJM‐289 reduced infarct volume and brain‐water content in ischemic brains and promoted functional recovery. Western blotting showed significant inhibition of nNOS in ZJM‐289 treated rats compared with untreated rats. However, eNOS expression in the ischemic brain was enhanced in the ZJM‐289 groups. The cGMP and NO levels increased in the ZJM‐289 groups after I/R. The study showed that ZJM‐289 could alleviate cerebral injury after I/R through inhibition of nNOS and stimulation of the NO/soluble guanylate cyclase/cGMP pathway. Therefore, a suitable NO donor might be an effective candidate for the treatment of acute stroke by neuroprotection.