Oxidative damage and breakage of DNA in rat brain after transient MCA occlusion.

As thrombolytic therapy for treatment of ischemic stroke was propagated, much attention has been paid to reperfusion brain injury. Oxidative stress is one of the most important factors that exacerbate tissue damage by reperfusion. Thus, we investigated the extent of oxidative damage in rat brain after transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion by immunohistochemical analysis for 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), which is one of the best markers of oxidative damage. Furthermore, in order to investigate its role in neuronal cell death, we performed terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin in situ nick end labeling (TUNEL) study, and compared the results with that of 8-OHdG immunohistochemistry. There was no immunoreactive 8-OHdG in sham-operated brain, but it became present in neurons of MCA territory at 3 h of reperfusion after 90-min ischemia. At 48 h after reperfusion, cerebral tissue of MCA territory was severely destroyed, and many cells in that area revealed TUNEL positivity. Some neurons in MCA territory showed mild immunoreactivity for 8-OHdG at that time, but it was strongest in neurons in the outer area of MCA territory. Those cells did not show TUNEL positivity, suggesting that 8-OHdG production is not necessarily followed by early cell death. Here, it was demonstrated that oxidative DNA damage occurs in more extended area than that where cell death is recognized. Although this damage does not cause early cell death, this might result in more prolonged cell dysfunction and eventual neuronal loss. Anti-oxidant therapy might be required for treatment of stroke in the future.     

Attenuation of oxidative DNA damage with a novel antioxidant EPC-K1 in rat brain neuronal cells after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion

EPC-K1, L-ascorbic acid 2-[3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-yl-hydrogen phosphate] potassium salt, is a novel antioxidant. In this study, we investigated a reduction of oxidative neuronal cell damage with EPC-K1 by immunohistochemical analysis for 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in rat brain with 60 min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, in association with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin in situ nick end labeling (TUNEL) and staining for total and active caspase-3. Treatment with EPC-K1 (20 mg kg(-1) i.v.) significantly reduced infarct size (p < 0.05) at 24 h of reperfusion. There were no positive cells for 8-OHdG and TUNEL in sham-operated brain, but numerous cells became positive for 8-OHdG, TUNEL and caspase-3 in the brains with ischemia. The number was markedly reduced in the EPC-K1 treated group. These reductions were particularly evident in the border zone of the infarct area, but the degree of reduction was less in caspase-3 staining than in 8-OHdG and TUNEL stainings. These results indicate EPC-K1 attenuates oxidative neuronal cell damage and prevents neuronal cell death.     

Attenuation of oxidative DNA damage with a novel antioxidant EPC-K1 in rat brain neuronal cells after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion

Abstract

EPC-K1, L-ascorbic acid 2-[3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-yl-hydrogen phosphate] potassium salt, is a novel antioxidant. In this study, we investigated a reduction of oxidative neuronal cell damage with EPC-K1 by immunohistochemical analysis for 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in rat brain with 60 min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, in association with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin in situ nick end labeling (TUNEL) and staining for total and active caspase-3. Treatment with EPC-K1 (20mg kg^-1 i.v.) significantly reduced infarct size (p < 0.05) at 24 h of reperfusion. There were no positive cells for 8-OHdG and TUNEL in sham-operated brain, but numerous cells became positive for 8-OHdG, TUNEL and caspase-3 in the brains with ischemia. The number was markedly reduced in the EPC-K1 treated group. These reductions were particularly evident in the border zone of the infarct area, but the degree of reduction was less in caspase-3 staining than in 8-OHdG and TUNEL stainings. These results indicate EPC-K1 attenuates oxidative neuronal cell damage and prevents neuronal cell death. [Neurol Res 2001; 23: 676-680]     

Orchestration of the inflammatory response in ischemia-reperfusion injury

Ischemia to nerve can cause fiber degeneration and reperfusion following ischemia [ischemia-reperfusion (IR)] adds the additional insult of an inflammatory response and oxidative injury. Limited information is available on the molecular mediators and their endoneurial targets. In this study, using a highly reproducible animal model of IR injury to nerve and selective immunolabeling methods [for nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), cytokines, and inflammatory cells] over an expanded time frame, we evaluated the temporal pattern and localization of mediators of the inflammatory response. Sixty rats were used. Nine groups (N=6 each) underwent complete hind limb ischemia for 4 h, followed by reperfusion durations of 0, 3, 12, 24, and 48 h, and 7, 14, 28, and 42 days. One group underwent sham operation (N=6). The earliest change was ICAM-1 expression in the microvessel (endothelial cell) followed almost immediately by NF-kappaB activation with axonal expression (24 and 48 h), followed by endoneurial edema and ischemic fiber degeneration (7 and 14 days). Granulocytic infiltration was followed by endoneurial infiltration of mononuclear phagocytes (14 days), expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) (microvessels), and subsequent Schwann cell NF-kappaB expression. Granulocytes, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-6-positive cells were observed primarily within the epineurium. IR results in changes in a number of interacting networks of targets and inflammatory mediators. NF-kappaB activation has a central orchestrating role involving both the axon and the Schwann cell in effecting the inflammatory response.     

Peripheral nerve ischemia: reperfusion injury and fiber regeneration

We continued our studies of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, extending the reperfusion duration to 42 days to capture the fiber regeneration process. We used a rat model for IR injury produced by ligation and release of nooses around supplying vessels to the sciatic nerve. Fifty-six rats were used. One group (control N = 8) underwent sham ischemia; the other six groups (N = 8 each) underwent complete hind limb ischemia for 4 h followed by reperfusion durations of 0 h (ischemia alone), 3 h, 7 days, 14 days, 28 days, and 42 days. Behavioral and electrophysiological data were obtained immediately before euthanasia. Pathologically, three phases were identifiable: Phase 1 (0-3 h)-minimal pathological changes, minimal edema; phase 2 (7 days, 14 days)-prominent fiber degeneration, endoneurial edema; phase 3 (28 days, 42 days)-abundant small regenerating fiber clusters, minimal edema. Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) was the most sensitive index of neural deficits and recovery, showing progressive recovery beyond 14 days. Severe functional deficits developed immediately and persisted with a trend to recovery at the 42-day time-point. It was concluded that reperfusion, by oxidative injury, worsened nerve function and aggravated fiber degeneration, but in the longer time frame, permitted fiber regeneration to occur.     

Immunohistochemical detection of oxidative DNA damage induced by ischemia–reperfusion insults in gerbil hippocampus in vivo

There is much evidence to suggest that ischemic injury occurs during the reperfusion phase of ischemia–reperfusion insults, and that the injury may be due to reactive-oxygen-species (ROS)-mediated oxidative events, including lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. However, oxidative DNA damage has until now not been examined in situ. In the present study, we report for the first time observation of cell type- and region-specific oxidative DNA damages in 5 min transient ischemic model by immunohistochemical methods, using monoclonal antibody against 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), an oxidative DNA product. The cell types containing 8-OHdG immunoreactivity were neurons, glia and endothelial cells in the hippocampus. The 8-OHdG immunoreactivity was present in the nucleus but not the cytoplasm of these cells. The level of 8-OHdG in CA1 increased significantly (P<0.05) at the end of 30 min after ischemia, but there was no increase within CA2 and CA3 areas. The 8-OHdG levels in the hippocampus increased significantly (about fourfold) after 3 h of reperfusion and remained significantly (P<0.01) elevated for at least 12 h. At 4 days after ischemia, 8-OHdG levels in the CA2 and CA3 areas decreased to levels of the sham without neuronal loss, while disappearance of 8-OHdG immunoreactivity in the CA1 coincided with neuronal death in this area. These findings strongly suggest that ischemia-induced DNA damage evolves temporally and spatially, and that oxidative DNA damage may be involved in delayed neuronal death in the CA1 region.     

胰岛素对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后Caspase-3表达及细胞凋亡的影响

目的探讨胰岛素对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后Caspase-3表达及细胞凋亡的影响。方法将动物随机分为假手术组、缺血组及干预组,参照zea longa线栓法建立大鼠左侧大脑中动脉闭塞（mid-dle cerebral artery occlusion,MCAO）再灌注模型,干预组大鼠在脑缺血即刻给予胰岛素及葡萄糖腹腔注射,分别在左侧MCAO2h再灌注不同时间点断头取脑,脑皮质神经元Caspase-3的表达通过免疫组化法来测定,并采用TUNEL法原位标记DNA片段,检测TUNEL阳性细胞的变化。结果缺血组大鼠脑皮质Caspase-3的表达较假手术组显著增强（P〈0.01）,TUNEL阳性细胞数较假手术组显著增多（P〈0.01）;给予胰岛素处理后,Caspase-3的表达较缺血组明显减弱（P〈0.01）,TUNEL阳性细胞数较缺血组明显减少（P〈0.01）,但两者均显著高于假手术组（P〈0.01）。结论短暂的脑缺血再灌注可导致脑皮质神经元Caspase-3的表达增加,促进细胞凋亡,胰岛素可下调脑皮质神经元Caspase-3的表达,发挥神经保护作用。     

Inhibition of apoptosis by hyperbaric oxygen in a rat focal cerebral ischemic model.

The hypothesis was tested that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) reduced brain infarction by preventing apoptotic death in ischemic cortex in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) and subsequently were exposed to HBO (2.5 atmospheres absolute) for 2 h, at 6 h after reperfusion. Rats were killed and brain samples were collected at 24, 48, 72 h, and 7 days after reperfusion. Neurologic deficits, infarction area, and apoptotic changes were evaluated by clinical scores, 2,3,7-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, caspase-3 expression, DNA fragmentation assay, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL)-hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) costaining. In MCAO/R without HBO treatment animals, DNA fragmentation was observed in injured cortex at 24, 48, and 72 h but not in samples at 7 days after reperfusion. Double labeling of brain slides with NeuN and caspase-3 demonstrated neurons in the injured cortex labeled with caspase-3. TUNEL+H&E costaining revealed morphologic apoptotic changes at 24, 48, and 72 h after reperfusion. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy abolished DNA fragmentation and reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduced infarct area and improved neurologic scores at 7 days after reperfusion. One of the molecular mechanisms of HBO-induced brain protection is to prevent apoptosis, and this effect of HBO might preserve more brain tissues and promote neurologic functional recovery.     

脑缺血再灌注后热休克蛋白70、c-fos的表达及柘树制剂的神经保护作用

目的 观察局灶脑缺血再灌注后热休克蛋白（HSP）70、c-fos的表达及其与细胞调亡的关系,探讨柘树制剂对脑缺血后神经细胞损伤的保护作用。方法 采用改良Longa法制作大鼠局灶脑缺血冉灌注模型。柘树制剂预处理组（柘树组）大鼠在实验前灌服柘树制剂2ml每日3次,连用5d。在缺血再灌注不同时点（1h、6h、12h、24h、3d、7d）将大鼠处死取腑,进行HSP70及c-fos免疫组化染色、c-fos mRNA原位杂交、原位末端标记（TUNEL）及HE染色,许对其阳性结果进行半定量分析。结果脑缺血再灌注能诱导HSP70及c-fos的表达。缺血冉灌注6h绀HSP70存缺血侧皮质及基底节开始表达,24h达高峰。缺血再灌注1h组c-fos即有表达,6h达高峰,后逐渐下降。细胞凋亡于缺血再灌注6h最显著。柘树组HSP70及c-fos表达的阳性细胞数均较缺血再灌注组明监增加,两组比较差异均有显著性（均P〈0．01）,而TUNEL阳性细胞数明显减少。结论 HSP70及c=-ros均参与了脑缺血的病理生理过程,柘树制剂对脑缺吡冉灌注损伤有保护作用。     

Cerebral blood flow, glucose metabolism and tunel-positive cells in the development of ischemia

Few in vivo studies were available about the relation between cerebral blood flow, glucose metabolism and the appearance of apoptotic cells in the development of cerebral infarct. To investigate this, we measured local cerebral blood flow (lCBF), local cerebral metabolic rate in glucose (lCMRglc), and histopathology in transient focal cerebral ischemia in the rat. A unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced for 2 h in Wistar-ST rats (n = 42). A histopathological study with hematoxylin-eosin staining and the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method was performed. lCBF was measured by means of the (14)C-iodoantipyrine autoradiography technique during MCAO (n = 6), and 1, 22 and 70 h after reperfusion. lCMRglc was also measured by autoradiography with (14)C-2-deoxyglucose in the animals 22 h after reperfusion. These parameters were assessed in each region of interest: the ischemic core, boundary zones (BZ-I and BZ-II) and remote area. The boundary zones were defined as the area based on TUNEL positivity (more than 5/field) at 22 h after reperfusion (BZ-I) and at 70 h after reperfusion (BZ-II). In the BZ-I, lCBF was decreased to 18% of the control during MCAO, and lCBF and lCMRglc showed 44 and 62% of the control, respectively, 22 h after reperfusion. In this area, TUNEL-positive cells increased at 22 h, then markedly decreased 70 h after reperfusion. In the BZ-II, lCBF decreased to 39% of the control during MCAO, then returned to about 90% of the control 22 h after reperfusion. lCMRglc was maintained near its normal range (82% of the control) 22 h after reperfusion. Histopathology of BZ-II was normal 22 h after reperfusion. The TUNEL positivity of neurons in our study was assumed to be a marker of apoptotic cells. Our data suggested that the apoptotic process plays an important role in the maturation of a cerebral infarct. Both lCBF and lCMRglc were maintained with only a mild reduction in the predisposing phase of apoptosis, suggesting that sufficient blood supply and glucose metabolism are required to promote the process of apoptosis.     

Oxidative DNA injury after experimental intracerebral hemorrhage

Our previous studies have demonstrated that DNA injury occurs in the brain after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). DNA damage can result from at least two pathways, either endonuclease-mediated DNA fragmentation or oxidative injury. The present study investigated the occurrence of the latter after ICH and the role of iron in such injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received an infusion of autologous whole blood or ferrous iron into the right basal ganglia. Control rats just had a needle insertion (sham). The rats were sacrificed 1, 3, or 7 days later. 8-Hydroxyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry while the number of apurnic/apyrimidinic abasic sites (AP sites) was also quantified. 8-OHdG and AP sites are two hallmarks of DNA oxidation. Dinitrophenyl (DNP) was measured by Western blotting to compare the time course of protein oxidative damage to that of DNA. DNA repair Ku proteins were measured by Western blot analysis. DNA damage was also examined using DNA polymerase I-mediated biotin-dATP nick translation (PANT) labeling. An increase of 8-OHdG, AP sites and DNP levels and a decrease of Ku levels were observed. Abundant PANT-positive cells were also observed in the perihematomal area 3 days after ICH. In addition, intracerebral infusion of iron increased brain DNP levels and resulted in DNA injury. These results suggest that oxidative stress contributes to DNA damage and brain injury after ICH. Reducing DNA oxidative damage (for example, through iron chelation) may be a therapeutic target for ICH.     

依达拉奉对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤后细胞凋亡及caspase-3蛋白表达的影响

目的 探讨依达拉奉对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤后神经功能损伤、细胞凋亡及caspasc-3蛋白表达的影响.方法 雄性SD大鼠24只采用随机数字表法分为假手术组、脑缺血再灌注组、生理盐水治疗组、依达拉奉治疗组,每组6只.除假手术组外,其余3组均采用大脑中动脉线栓法制作大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤模型.依达拉奉治疗组于脑缺血开始时及再灌注后12 h分别腹腔注射依达拉奉3 mg/kg,生理盐水治疗组同时间注射等量生理盐水;假手术组同样过程造模,但不插入尼龙线造成缺血.造模后24 h后进行大鼠神经行为学评分;应用免疫组织化学及Western blot检测caspase-3蛋白表达水平的变化;利用原位缺口末端标记法(TUNEL法)研究神经细胞凋亡的变化.结果 与脑缺血再灌注组及生理盐水治疗组相比,依达拉奉治疗组大鼠神经行为学评分明显减少,caspase-3免疫阳性细胞及蛋白表达明显减少,凋亡细胞也减少,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 依达拉奉能有效减轻脑缺血灌注损伤后神经细胞凋亡.改善神经功能缺损症状,推测其机制与抑制caspase-3蛋白表达有关.     

Topical application of neurotrophin-3 attenuates ischemic brain injury after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats

In order to examine the effect of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) on ischemic brain injury, NT-3 was topically applied to brain surface just after 90 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. NT-3 significantly reduced the infarct size at 24 h of reperfusion. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin in situ nick labeling (TUNEL) staining and immunohistochemical study for caspase-3 and heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) showed that NT-3 treatment decreased the number of cells with DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 and HSP72 expressions. These data suggest that NT-3 protects neuronal cells from ischemic injury, and it is possibly associated with inhibition of DNA fragmentation.     

Endoplasmic reticulum in the penumbra following middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rabbit

Caspase-12 has been localized to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and showed to involve ER stress-induced apoptosis. In the present work we investigated the temporospatial alterations of caspase-12 immunoreactivity in the penumbra following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rabbit. Transient cerebral ischemia was produced by intraluminal occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 2 h followed by 1 h, 6 h, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days and 14 days of reperfusion. Caspase-12 immunohistochemistry was first increased in the penumbra 1 h after reperfusion, with a peak at day 1 to day 3, and then gradually decreased to basal level at day 14. The number of TUNEL-positive cells and ultrastructural observation of brain sections in the penumbra showed a similar change at the same time points. ER mediated by caspase-12 participated in apoptosis induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, which may provide a new area for therapeutic intervention to ameliorate outcomes following cerebral ischemia.     

Induction of apoptosis signal regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) after spinal cord injury in rats: possible involvement of ASK1-JNK and -p38 pathways in neuronal apoptosis.

The aims of this study were to clarify the mechanism of cell death by apoptosis in the spinal cord after traumatic injury, and to examine the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in the transmission of apoptosis signals. The rat spinal cord, experimentally injured by extradural static weight-compression, was studied by hematoxylin and eosin staining, Nissl-staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and immunostaining using polyclonal antibodies against Apoptosis Signal-regulating Kinase 1 (ASK1), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK. TUNEL-positive cells were present at all stages studied until 7 days after injury, and percentage positivity for these cells was maximal at 3 days after injury. Electron microscopic analysis revealed the occurrence of apoptosis in both neuronal cells and glial cells. TUNEL-positive glial cells were stained by oligodendrocyte-specific maker. Expression of ASK1 was maximal at 24 h after injury in the gray matter and at 3 days after injury in the white matter. Following the expression of ASK1, activated forms of JNK and p38 were observed in apoptotic cells detected by the TUNEL method. Colocalization of ASK1 and activated JNK or activated p38 was observed in the same cell. These findings suggest the involvement of the stress-activated MAPK pathways including ASK1 in the transmission of apoptosis signals after spinal cord injury.     

Neuroprotective effect of diazoxide on brain injury induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion during deep hypothermia

OBJECT: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of diazoxide on apoptosis and the relative mechanisms in a model of brain injury induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) during deep hypothermia. METHODS: Three-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly and equitably divided into sham-operated group, placebo-treated group and diazoxide-treated group respectively. Specific examination of the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured in the three groups continuously during the operation by laser Doppler flowmetry. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was showed DNA fragmentation. The mRNA expressions of cytochrome c and full-length caspase-3 were determined by RT-PCR, while the protein expressions of cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3 were determined by immunohistochemistry at 1 h, 6 h, 24 h, 72 h and 7 days after I/R, respectively. Cytosolic release of cytochrome c at 24 h after I/R was also confirmed by Western blot. RESULTS: rCBF was significantly decreased in both of placebo-treated and diazoxide-treated group just after ischemia in the time interval 0-5 min, and had no obvious changes in all the time intervals during the operation. Diazoxide preconditioning significantly decreased the percentage of TUNEL-positive staining cells. The mRNA expressions of cytochrome c and full-length caspase-3 in diazoxide-treated group were significantly decreased. In addition, diazoxide provided a significant reduction in the protein expressions of cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the neuroprotective effects of diazoxide against cerebral I/R injury during deep hypothermia correlated with the reduction of DNA fragmentation, prevention of mitochondrial cytochrome c release and inhibition of caspase-3 activation.     

补阳还五汤和依达拉奉联用对小鼠急性脑缺血损伤后脑保护机制的研究

目的探讨补阳还五汤和依达拉奉联用对急性脑缺血损伤后神经细胞凋亡及凋亡相关蛋白表达的影响,探讨其可能的脑保护机制。方法将60只小鼠随机分假手术组、模型组、补阳还五汤组、依达拉奉组以及补阳还五汤+依达拉奉组,每组12只。采用改良线栓法制作小鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注模型,给予补阳还五汤及依达拉奉药物干预。分别于再灌注后1d和7d,采用TUNEL法观察小鼠脑皮质缺血区神经细胞凋亡率,采用免疫组化方法观察小鼠脑皮质缺血区B淋巴细胞瘤2基因(bcl-2)、bcl-2相关X蛋白(bax)和半胱氨酸蛋白酶3(caspase-3)表达的阳性细胞数。结果与假手术组比较,模型组小鼠脑皮质缺血区凋亡指数升高(P0.01),且bcl-2、bax和caspase-3表达的阳性细胞亦均升高(P0.01);经补阳还五汤和(或)依达拉奉干预后,各药物组小鼠脑组织的凋亡指数及bax和caspase-3阳性细胞均较模型组下降(P0.01),而脑组织bcl-2阳性细胞均较模型组增加(P0.01),且补阳还五汤+依达拉奉联合用药组较单一用药组改变明显(P0.05)。结论补阳还五汤与依达拉奉联用能抑制脑缺血再灌注损伤后脑细胞中促凋亡蛋白bax、caspase-3的表达;促进具有神经元保护作用的bcl-2蛋白的表达,从而抑制神经细胞凋亡,协同发挥脑保护作用。     

Inhibition of caspase-3 activation and apoptosis is involved in 3-nitropropionic acid-induced ischemic tolerance to transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Our aim was to investigate the involvement of caspase-3 activation and apoptotic cell death in mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA)-induced ischemic tolerance to transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Rats were administrated either vehicle control or 3-NPA ip doses of 20 mg/kg. Three days later, rats were exposed to 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion, followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Infarct volumes were assessed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining 24 h after reperfusion. We measured neural cell apoptosis in the cerebral ischemic penumbra by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin in situ nick end labeling (TUNEL) and flow cytometry (FCM). Cleavage of the fluorogenic substrate zDEVD-afc was used to assay caspase-3 activity. Compared with the vehicle-injected group, pretreatment with 3-NPA reduced the infarct volume by 22.3% and decreased the number of TUNEL-positive neural cells and apoptotic percentages by 47% (p < 0.05) and 43.9% (p < 0.01), respectively. In terms of caspase-3 activity in ischemic penumbral tissues, the 3-NPA-pretreated group showed 13.9% (p < 0.05) less caspase-3 activity than the control group. The development of 3-NPA-induced ischemic tolerance in brain may be related to decreases in caspase-3 activation, which leads to decreased neural cell apoptosis.     

Systemic inflammation following hind-limb ischemia-reperfusion affects brain in neonatal mice

Antenatal and postnatal infection and inflammation are associated with neurological injury in neonates. However, no direct role for systemic inflammation in mediating neurodamage has been shown. The study was aimed to determine whether systemic inflammation following ischemia-reperfusion (IR) of an organ remotely located from the brain results in cerebral injury. Neonatal mice were subjected to 2 h of hind-limb IR. At 48 h of reperfusion, brains were examined for activation of microglia and caspase-3. Lungs were assessed for pulmonary edema and granulocyte infiltration. The levels of circulating inflammatory mediators were measured at 24 h of reperfusion. In a separate cohort of mice, changes in the cerebral and hind-limb blood flow were measured. All data were compared to that in sham mice. Compared to shams the degree of pulmonary edema in IR mice was 33% (p = 0.04) greater. This was associated with significantly (p = 0.0006) greater granulocytic infiltration and a markedly increased level of circulating cytokines. The brains of these same mice exhibited significantly (p = 0.02) greater numbers of caspase-3-immunopositive cells and activation of microglia compared to sham mice. These data indicate that systemic inflammation following IR in the organ remote from the brain can induce neuroinflammation and cerebral proapoptotic changes.