The role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and effects of its agonist, rosiglitazone, on transient cerebral ischemic damage

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is expressed in neurons and glia, and its synthetic agonist, rosiglitazone (RSG), regulates inflammatory process and has neuroprotective effects against neurological disorders. In the present study, we examined the role of PPARγ in the hippocampal CA1 region (CA1) after transient cerebral ischemia and the neuroprotective effects of RSG on ischemic damage. RSG attenuated neuronal damage in the ischemic CA1, not showing perfect neuroprotection: the RSG appeared to delay neuronal death after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). PPARγ immunoreactivity and protein levels were increased after I/R, and most of PPARγ-immunoreactive cells colocalized with microglia, not astrocytes. In addition, RSG attenuated glial activation and increased IL-4 and IL-13 levels in the ischemic CA1. These results indicate that PPARγ increases and expresses in microglia after I/R, and that RSG delays neuronal damage by interfering with glial activations and increases anti-inflammatory cytokines in response to ischemic damage.     

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。     

Neuroprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons through maintaining calbindin D28k immunoreactivity following subsequent transient cerebral ischemia

Ischemic preconditioning elicited by a non-fatal brief occlusion of blood flow has been applied for an experimental therapeutic strategy against a subsequent fatal ischemic insult. In this study, we investi-gated the neuroprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning (2-minute transient cerebral ischemia) on calbindin D28k immunoreactivity in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 area following a subsequent fatal tran-sient ischemic insult (5-minute transient cerebral ischemia). A large number of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area died 4 days after 5-minute transient cerebral ischemia. Ischemic preconditioning reduced the death of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area. Calbindin D28k immunoreactivity was greatly attenuated at 2 days after 5-minute transient cerebral ischemia and it was hardly detected at 5 days post-ischemia. Ischemic preconditioning maintained calbindin D28k immunoreactivity after transient cerebral ischemia. These findings suggest that ischemic preconditioning can attenuate transient cerebral ischemia-caused damage to the pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area through maintaining cal-bindin D28k immunoreactivity.     

Progressive expression of immunomolecules on microglial cells in rat dorsal hippocampus following transient forebrain ischemia

Summary We show a differential up-regulation of immunomolecules in the rat dorsal hippocampus accompanying neuronal cell death as a consequence of transient forebrain ischemia (four-vessel occlusion model). Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), we have examined the time course of expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens class I (OX-18) and class II (OX-6), leukocyte common antigen (OX-1), CD4 (W3/25) and CD8 (OX-8) antigens, CR3 complement receptor (OX-42), as well as brain macrophage antigen (ED2). The study was performed at time intervals ranging from 1 to 28 days after reperfusion. Throughout all post-ischemic time periods, strongly enhanced immunoreactivity on microglial cells in the CA1 region and dentate hilus and, to a lesser extent, in CA3 was demonstrated with mAb OX-42. MHC class I-positive cells (OX-18) appeared on day 2, whereas cells immunoreactive with OX-1 and W3/25 became evident in the CA1 and hilar regions on post-ischemic day 6. In contrast, MHC class II (Ia) antigen was first detected on indigenous microglia by day 13. In some animals, the OX-8 antibody resulted in the labelling of scattered CD8-positive lymphocytes, but perivascular inflammatory infiltrates were absent. No changes in the expression of ED2 immunoreactivity on perivascular cells could be observed. The results show that following ischemic injury, microglial cells demonstrate a timedependent up-regulation and de novo expression of certain immunomolecules, indicative of their immunocompetence. The findings are compared with those obtained in other models of brain injury.Supported in part by NIH/NINCDS PO 1 NS27511     

Late expression of Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1) and neuroprotective effects of NHE inhibitor in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region induced by transient ischemia

Although acidosis may be involved in neuronal death, the participation of Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger (NHE) in delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region induced by transient forebrain ischemia has not been well established. In the present study, we investigated the chronological alterations of NHE1 in the hippocampal CA1 region using a gerbil model after ischemia/reperfusion. In the sham-operated group, NHE1 immunoreactivity was weakly detected in the CA1 region. Two and 3 days after ischemia/reperfusion, NHE1 immunoreactivity was observed in glial components, not in neurons, in the CA1 region. Four days after ischemia/reperfusion, NHE1 immunoreactivity was markedly increased in CA1 pyramidal neurons as well as glial cells. These glial cells were identified as astrocytes based on double immunofluorescence staining. Western blot analysis also showed that NHE protein level in the CA1 region began to increase 2 days after ischemia/reperfusion. The treatment of 10 mg/kg 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride, a NHE inhibitor, significantly reduced the ischemia-induced hyperactivity 1day after ischemia/reperfusion. In addition, NHE inhibitor potently protected CA1 pyramidal neurons from ischemic damage, and NHE inhibitor attenuated the activation of astrocytes and microglia in the ischemic CA1 region. In addition, NHE inhibitor treatment blocked Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger 1 immunoreactivity in the CA1 region after transient forebrain ischemia. These results suggest that NHE1 may play a role in the delayed death, and the treatment with NHE inhibitor protects neurons from ischemic damage.     

缺血预处理后海马CA1区反应性星形胶质细胞增生与迟发性神经元缺血耐受性的关系

目的 探讨缺血预处理后海马CA1区反应性星形胶质细胞增生与迟发性神经元缺血耐受性的关系。方法 实验动物被随机分为手术组、缺血组、预缺血组、预缺血后再缺血组。阴断沙土鼠双侧颈总动脉造成前脑缺血模型。采用细胞特异性抗原胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）免疫组化法标记星形胶质细胞。结果 预缺血后1－7天,海马CA1区GFAP阳性的星形胶质细胞数轻度增加,至28天时增生非常显著（P＜0．01）。预缺血后1－7天再缺血,海马CA1区存活正常神经元数逐渐下降,预缺血后28天再缺血又显著增加（P＜0．01）。结论 缺血预处理后,神经元可出现迟发性缺血耐受,反应性星形胶质细胞增生可能起了重要作用。     

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.     

大鼠脑缺血再灌流后海马氨基酸水平变化与神经元损害的关系探讨

目的探讨脑缺血再灌流后海马氨基酸递质变化与神经元损害的关系。方法建立大鼠前脑缺血再灌流模型,测定海马ＣＡ１区和ＣＡ３／齿状回区游离氨基酸含量,观察阻断隔－海马通路对海马神经元损害和氨基酸水平的影响。结果（１）海马结构中仅ＣＡ１区神经元明显损害,但ＣＡ１区和ＣＡ３／齿状回区的Ｇｌｕ、Ａｓｐ和ＧＡＢＡ含量无差异。（２）阻断隔－海马通路可明显减轻海马神经元损害,但对海马氨基酸水平变化无影响。结论脑缺血再灌流后,氨基酸递质水平的异常变化不是海马ＣＡ１区神经元选择性易损的唯一决定因素,隔－海马通路末梢释放的神经递质也参与海马神经元损害过程。     

Melatonin's protective action against ischemic neuronal damage is associated with up‐regulation of the MT2 melatonin receptor

Melatonin is a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant and has protective effects against ischemic damage. In the present study, we examined the relationship between the neuroprotective effects of melatonin and the activation of MT2 melatonin receptor in the hippocampal CA1 region (CA1) after transient cerebral ischemia. MT2 immunoreactivity and protein levels were increased in the CA1 after ischemic damage. Most of MT2‐immunoreactive cells were colocalized with astrocytes, not microglia, in the ischemic CA1. In the melatonin‐sham group, MT2 immunoreaction and protein levels were increased compared with the sham group, and MT2 immunoreactivity and its protein levels in the melatonin‐ischemia group were similar to those in the melatonin‐sham group. In addition, melatonin treatment attenuated the activation of astrocytes and microglia. These results indicate that MT2 are increased and expressed in astrocytes in the ischemic region after an ischemic insult. The activation of MT2 melatonin receptor in the CA1 after melatonin treatment may be involved in the neuroprotective effect associated with melatonin after ischemic injury. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Pre- and post-treatments with escitalopram protect against experimental ischemic neuronal damage via regulation of BDNF expression and oxidative stress

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI) have been widely used in treatment of major depression because of their efficacy, safety, and tolerability. Escitalopram, an SSRI, is known to decrease oxidative stress in chronic stress animal models. In the present study, we examined the neuroprotective effects of pre- and post-treatments with 20 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg escitalopram in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region (CA1) after transient cerebral ischemia. Pre-treatment with escitalopram protected against ischemia-induced neuronal death in the CA1 after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Post-treatment with 30 mg/kg, not 20 mg/kg, escitalopram had a neuroprotective effect against ischemic damage. In addition, 20 mg/kg pre- and 30 mg/kg post-treatments with escitalopram increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein levels in the ischemic CA1 compared to vehicle-treated ischemia animals. In addition, 20 mg/kg pre- and 30 mg/kg post-treatments with escitalopram reduced microglia activation and decreased 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase immunoreactivity and their levels in the ischemic CA1 compared to vehicle-treated ischemia animals after transient cerebral ischemia. In conclusion, these results indicated that pre- and post-treatments with escitalopram can protect against ischemia-induced neuronal death in the CA1 induced by transient cerebral ischemic damage by increase of BDNF as well as decrease of microglia activation and oxidative stress.     

Changes in immunoreactivity of HSP60 and its neuroprotective effects in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region induced by transient ischemia

Heat shock proteins act as molecular chaperones and are involved in protein folding, refolding, transport, and translocation. In the present study, we observed changes in heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) immunoreactivity and protein level in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region after 5 min of transient forebrain ischemia and its neuroprotective effect against ischemic damage. HSP60 immunoreactivity in the CA1 region began to increase in the stratum pyramidale at 30 min after ischemia/reperfusion, and peaked 24 h after ischemia/reperfusion. Thereafter, HSP60 immunoreactivity was decreased in the CA1 region with time. Seven days after ischemia/reperfusion, HSP60 immunoreactivity was increased again in the CA1 region: at this time point after ischemia/reperfusion, HSP60 immunoreactivity was expressed in glial cells in the ischemic CA1 region. HSP60 immunoreactive glial cells were astrocytes containing glial fibrillar acidic protein. In contrast, change in HSP60 immunoreactivity in the ischemic CA2/3 region was not significant compared with that in the ischemic CA1 region. In Western blot study, HSP60 protein level in the CA1 region was increased after ischemia/reperfusion and highest 24 h after ischemia/reperfusion. Animals treated with recombinant adenoviruses expressing Hsp60 (Ad-Hsp60) showed the neuroprotection of CA1 pyramidal neurons from ischemic damage. These results suggest that HSP60 may be associated with delayed neuronal death of CA1 pyramidal neurons after transient ischemia, and the induction of HSP60 protects the neurons from ischemic damage.     

Neuroprotective effects of Alpinia katsumadai against neuronal damage in the gerbil hippocampus induced by transient cerebral ischemia

Alpinia katsumadai, one of the family Zingiberaceae, contains chalcone, flavonoids, diarylheptanoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenoids, stilbenes, and labdanes. It has been reported that the extract of Alpinia katsumadai seed (EAKS) has antiinflammatory effects, and enhances antioxidant activities. We observed the neuroprotective effects of EAKS against ischemic damage in gerbils received oral administrations of EAKS (50 mg/kg) once a day for 7 days before transient cerebral ischemia. In the EAKS-treated ischemia group, neuronal nuclei (NeuN, a marker for neurons)-immunoreactive pyramidal neurons were abundant (68.3% of the sham group) in the hippocampal CA1 region (CA1) 4 days after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) compared to those in the vehicle-treated ischemia group (13.18%). We also observed that EAKS treatment significantly decreased the activation of astrocytes and microglia in the CA1 compared with the vehicle-treated ischemia group 4 days postischemia. In addition, protein levels of GFAP and Iba-1 in the EAKS-treated ischemia group were much lower than those in the vehicle-treated ischemia group 4 days after I/P. Our findings indicate that the repeated supplements of EAKS could protect neurons from an ischemic damage, showing that glial activation is markedly decreased in the ischemic area.     

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.     

Exercise preconditioning exhibits neuroprotective effects on hippocampal CA1 neuronal damage after cerebral ischemia

Recent evidence has suggested the neuroprotective effects of physical exercise on cerebral ischemic injury. However, the role of physical exercise in cerebral ischemia-induced hippocampal damage remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of pre-ischemia treadmill training on hippocampal CA1 neuronal damage after cerebral ischemia. Male adult rats were randomly divided into control, ischemia and exercise + ischemia groups. In the exercise + ischemia group, rats were subjected to running on a treadmill in a designated time schedule(5 days per week for 4 weeks). Then rats underwent cerebral ischemia induction th rough occlusion of common carotids followed by reperfusion. At 4 days after cerebral ischemia, rat learning and memory abilities were evaluated using passive avoidance memory test and rat hippocampal neuronal damage was detected using Nissl and TUNEL staining. Pre-ischemic exercise significantly reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells and necrotic cell death in the hippocampal CA1 region as compared to the ischemia group. Moreover, pre-ischemic exercise significantly prevented ischemia-induced memory dysfunction. Pre-ischemic exercise mighct prevent memory deficits after cerebral ischemia through rescuing hippocampal CA1 neurons from ischemia-induced degeneration.     

Leptin's neuroprotective action in experimental transient ischemic damage of the gerbil hippocampus is linked to altered leptin receptor immunoreactivity

Circulating leptin crosses blood-brain barrier to provide control of feeding behavior and energy balance. We investigated changes in leptin and leptin receptor (ObR) in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region (CA1) after transient cerebral ischemia, and examined effects of leptin on ischemic damage. In vehicle-treated ischemia (vehicle-ischemia) group, the number of survived neurons in the CA1 was 16.4% compared to vehicle-treated sham (vehicle-sham) group; however, in 1 mg/kg leptin-treated ischemia (leptin-ischemia) group, 77.5% of neurons of the CA1 has survived. In the vehicle-sham group, weak leptin immunoreactivity was detected in CA1 neurons. From 4 days post-ischemia, moderate leptin immunoreactivity was expressed in CA1 neurons. In the leptin-ischemia group, leptin immunoreactivity at 5 days post-ischemia was higher than the sham group. ObR immunoreaction in the sham group was hardly detected in any cells. From 2 days post-ischemia, ObR immunoreaction was expressed in microglia, showing the highest immunoreactivity at 5 days post-ischemia. Microglial activation in the leptin-ischemia group was hardly detected at 5 days post-ischemia; however, astrocytes in the group were slightly increased compared to the vehicle-ischemia group. These suggest that treatment of leptin has neuroprotective effects against ischemic damage, showing that ObR immunoreactivity is distinctly changed in the ischemic CA1.     

Temporal profile of microglial response following transient (2 h) middle cerebral artery occlusion

We measured the time-dependent morphological changes of microglial cells reacting to ischemic cell damage after transient (2 h) middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat by means of lectin histochemistry with the B₄-isolectin from Griffonia simplicifolia as well as immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies directed against monocyte/microphage (ED1) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II (OX-6) antigens. As early as 1 h after onset of reperfusion, microglia were absent in the severely neuronal damaged preoptic area. However, ameboid-like microglia were evident in an adjacent area containing scattered shrunken neurons. Rod, round and ameboid-like microglia were present in the ischemic lesion between 2 to 10 h of reperfusion. Round and ameboid cells became predominant in the ischemic core lesion and were mingled with highly ramified microglia to the boundary at 22 h of reperfusion. Highly ramified microglia were found in an adjacent area containing morphologically intact neurons. Round and ameboid cells were localized to the inner boundary of the ischemic lesion surrounding the infarct zone at 46 of reperfusion. Round and ameboid cells were present throughout the entire ischemic lesion in the infarct zone from 70–166 h of reperfusion. A marked increase in number and in intensity of highly ramified microglial cells were present in the outer boundary of the lesion during this period. In addition, a significant increase in both ED1- and OX-6-immunoreactive cells in the ischemic region was detected after 10 h of reperfusion and persisted up to 166 h of reperfusion. These data demonstrate that microglia exhibit a time dependent change in morphology after reperfusion and that the severity of injury may be reflected in the state of microglial activation.     

Chronic maintenance of presynaptic terminals in gliotic hippocampus following ischemia

Following brief cerebral ischemia, neurons are selectively damaged and die, whereas glial cells and blood vessels survive. This phenomenon of selective vulnerability is well illustrated in the hippocampal CA1 region. Five min of forebrain ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil produced selective neuronal necrosis in the hippocampal CA1 sector. After destruction and loss of CA1 neurons, a remarkable glial reaction (gliosis) was seen. The thickness of the CA1 subfield remained unchanged until 1 month after ischemia and then gradually shrank over several months. Ultrastructural observation of this region revealed persistent maintenance of presynaptic structures. Numerous presynaptic terminals containing synaptic vesicles were scattered throughout the gliotic scar tissue. These presynaptic terminals were apposed to degenerative structures which seemed most likely to be remnants of dendrites. In another group of animals, at one month following ischemic damage in the CA1 sector, the CA3 neurons were destroyed by kainic acid injection. In these animals, numerous degenerating presynaptic boutons were seen in the CA1 sector when fixed 4 days following kainate injection. These results indicate that even in gliotic tissue, presynaptic terminals can survive and maintain their structural characteristics although neuronal cell bodies are almost absent.     

Neuroprotection of posttreatment with risperidone,an atypical antipsychotic drug,in rat and gerbil models of ischemic stroke and the maintenance of antioxidants in a gerbil model of ischemic stroke

Risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic drug, has been discovered to have some beneficial effects beyond its original effectiveness. The present study examines the neuroprotective effects of risperidone against ischemic damage in the rat and gerbil induced by transient focal and global cerebral ischemia, respectively. The results showed that pre‐ and posttreatment with 4 mg/kg risperidone significantly protected against neuronal death from ischemic injury. Many NeuN‐immunoreactive neurons and a few F‐J B‐positive cells were found in the rat cerebral cortex and gerbil hippocampal CA1 region (CA1) in the risperidone‐treated ischemia groups compared with those in the vehicle‐treated ischemia group. In addition, treatment with risperidone markedly attenuated the activation of microglia in the gerbil CA1. On the other hand, we found that treatment with risperidone significantly maintained the antioxidants levels in the ischemic gerbil CA1. Immunoreactivities of superoxide dismutases 1 and 2, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were maintained in the stratum pyramidale of the CA1; the antioxidants were very different from those in the vehicle‐treated ischemia groups. In brief, our present findings indicate that posttreatment as well as pretreatment with risperidone can protect neurons in the rat cerebral cortex and gerbils CA1 from transient cerebral ischemic injury and that the neuroprotective effect of risperidone may be related to attenuation of microglial activation as well as maintenance of antioxidants. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Differential immunochemical markers reveal the normal distribution of brain macrophages and microglia in the developing rat brain.

Brain macrophages and microglia play important roles in central nervous system (CNS) development, especially during regressive events in which particular neuronal and glial constituents are eliminated. The purpose of this study is to provide a complete map of brain macrophage and microglia distribution in all regions of the neuraxis from birth to sexual maturity. We have utilized morphology and immunostaining with the specific antibodies OX-42 and ED1 to distinguish between brain macrophages and microglia. Brain macrophages are large, round cells, 10-15 microns in diameter, with few or no cytoplasmic processes; these cells are ED1- and OX-42-immunopositive. Microglia have small cell bodies with numerous, ramified cytoplasmic processes. These cells are OX-42-positive, and ED1-negative. We found a specific pattern of distribution of brain macrophages, targeting specific cortical and subcortical areas transiently, including developing fiber tracts. These cells disappeared completely by the third postnatal week. In contrast, OX-42-positive microglia exhibited a gradual increase in number and were distributed uniformly throughout gray matter and within white matter tracts. These cells remain in the adult CNS, constituting the resident microglia population. We suggest that these two distinct phagocytic cell populations perform unique functions in the developing brain, including remodeling of restricted CNS areas by brain macrophages that is part of a normal morphological process.     

穴位电针对海马微循环血流量和微血管内皮细胞葡萄糖转运动功能的影响

研究目的 缺血性中风是严重危害人类健康的常见病,多发病,传统的中医中药疗法在漫长的医疗实践中积累了丰富的临床经验,其中针刺对于中风病的疗效显著,具有操作方便、无明显毒副作用,目前已成为治疗缺血性脑血管疾病的重要手段。 大量实验研究表明针刺对脑血流具有调整作用,可明显改善缺血区脑组织的急性缺氧状态,减少兴奋性氨基酸释放、缓解乳酸堆积造成的酸中毒,降低活性钙调素含量,减轻因胞外Na+-K+失衡引起的脑水肿的发展,从而阻止脑内不可逆损伤的发展,起到保护脑细胞、改善组织细胞功能的作用。