Angiotensin type 1 receptor blockage improves ischemic injury following transient focal cerebral ischemia

Following cerebral ischemia, i.v. infusion of angiotensin II increases cerebral edema and mortality. Angiotensin type 1 receptor blockage should therefore improve acute cerebral ischemia. Left middle cerebral artery occlusion (120 min) followed by reperfusion was performed with the thread method under halothane anesthesia in Sprague-Dawley rats. Olmesartan (angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker; 0.01 or 0.1mumol/kg/h) was infused i.p. for 7 days following middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by reperfusion. Stroke index score, infarct volume, specific gravity, and brain angiotensin II and matrix metalloproteinases were quantified in the ischemic and non-ischemic hemispheres. Olmesartan treatment improved stroke index score, infarct volume, and cerebral edema in our cerebral ischemia model. In particular, stroke index score, infarct volume, and cerebral edema were reduced even with a low dose of olmesartan that did not decrease blood pressure. Paralleling these effects on cerebral ischemia, olmesartan treatment also reduced the reactive upregulation in brain angiotensin II, matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase in the ischemic area. Angiotensin type 1 receptor stimulation may be one of the important factors that cause cerebral edema following cerebral ischemia, and that its inhibition may be of therapeutic advantage in cerebral ischemia.     

Combination effects of normobaric hyperoxia and edaravone on focal cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal damage in mice

We evaluated the potential neuroprotective effects of combination treatment with normobaric hyperoxia (NBO) and edaravone, a potent scavenger of hydroxyl radicals, on acute brain injuries after stroke. Mice subjected to 2-h filamental middle cerebral artery occlusion were treated with NBO (95% O2, during the ischemia) alone, with edaravone (1.5 mg/kg, intravenously after the ischemia) alone, with both of these treatments (combination), or with vehicle. The histological and neurological score were assessed at 22-h after reperfusion. Infarct volume was significantly reduced in the combination group [36.3+/-6.7 mm3 (n=10) vs. vehicle: 65.5+/-5.9 mm3 (n=14) P<0.05], but not in the two monotherapy-groups [NBO: 50.5+/-5.8 mm3 (n=14) and edaravone: 56.7+/-5.8 mm3 (n=10)]. The combination therapy reduced TUNEL-positive cells in the ischemic boundary zone both in cortex [6.0+/-1.4 x 10(2)/mm2 (n=5) vs. vehicle: 18.9+/-2.4 x 10(2)/mm2 (n=5), P<0.01] and subcortex [11.6+/-1.5 x 10(2)/mm2 (n=5) vs. vehicle: 22.5+/-2.1 x 10(2)/mm2 (n=5), P<0.01]. NBO and combination groups exhibited significantly reduced neurological deficit scores at 22-h after reperfusion (vs. vehicle, P<0.05). Combination therapy with NBO plus edaravone prevented the neuronal damage after focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in mice, compared with monotherapy of NBO or edaravone.     

辣椒素受体拮抗剂AMG517在小鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤中通过调节炎症因子释放发挥神经保护作用#br#

目的 观察辣椒素受体(TRPV1)拮抗剂AMG517在小鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤中的作用及相关机制。方法 40只雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为假手术组(sham,n=10)、赋形剂（vehicle）+缺血/再注灌注组(vehicle,n=10)、辣椒素+缺血/再注灌注组(capsaicin,n=10)和AMG517+缺血/再注灌组(AMG517,n=10)。采用大脑中动脉闭塞(MCAO)诱导缺血/再灌注损伤,再灌注72 h进行神经行为学评分;同时检测各组小鼠梗死体积、脑水肿、TRPV1 mRNA表达和血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)浓度及白细胞介素-10(IL-10)浓度。结果 与vehicle组相比,AMG517显著减小鼠脑梗死体积(P<0.01)。AMG517给药后也可显著降低小鼠神经行为学评分(P<0.01)。与sham组比较,vehicle组TRPV1 mRNA表达显著增加(P<0.01)。AMG517给药后可显著增加抗炎性细胞因子IL-10浓度,并降低炎性细胞因子TNF-α浓度(P<0.05)。结论 AMG517可改善小鼠缺血/再灌注损伤,可能是通过缓解炎症发挥神经保护作用。     

黄芪甲苷对脑缺血/再灌注损伤大鼠细胞自噬的影响

目的:探讨黄芪甲苷对脑缺血/再灌注损伤大鼠细胞自噬的影响。方法:选取清洁级雄性SD大鼠70只随机分为假手术组、脑缺血/再灌注组、溶剂对照组、黄芪甲苷组、黄芪甲苷+自噬抑制剂组、自噬抑制剂组和自噬激活剂组。采用线栓法建立大鼠局灶性脑缺血/再灌注损伤模型。观察大鼠神经缺损症状,根据Zea Longa评分标准挑选模型成功的大鼠;采用TTC染色法检测大鼠脑梗死体积;尼氏染色观察大鼠神经细胞形态学变化;透射电子显微镜观察细胞自噬现象;Western blot检测beclin-1和LC3-Ⅱ蛋白表达量的变化。结果:假手术组无神经缺损症状,未出现脑梗死灶,尼氏体丰富、染色均匀。与假手术组相比,脑缺血/再灌注组出现明显的脑梗死灶,神经细胞坏死增多,尼氏体数量减少、着色较浅,透射电镜下可见典型的自噬体,自噬标志蛋白beclin-1和LC3-Ⅱ表达增加(P 0. 05)。与脑缺血/再灌注组相比,黄芪甲苷组和自噬激活剂组可明显减小脑梗死体积,神经细胞有不同程度的恢复,尼氏体稍增多,自噬体数量、beclin-1和LC3-Ⅱ表达量均增加(P 0. 05);自噬抑制剂组脑梗死体积增大,神经细胞坏死严重,尼氏体减少,着色变浅,自噬体数量、beclin-1和LC3-Ⅱ表达量均减少(P 0. 05);溶剂对照组无明显变化。与黄芪甲苷组比较,黄芪甲苷+自噬抑制剂组和自噬抑制剂组脑梗死体积增加,神经细胞坏死增多,尼氏体数量减少,自噬体数量、beclin-1和LC3-Ⅱ表达量降低(P 0. 05)。结论:黄芪甲苷可通过激活自噬而减轻脑缺血/再灌注损伤,从而发挥神经保护作用。     

局部亚低温对大鼠局灶脑缺血再灌注后神经营养因子-3表达的影响

目的：观察病变侧缺血至再灌期亚低温(32～33 ℃)对局灶脑缺血再灌注后梗死体积和神经营养因子-3(neurotrophin-3,NT-3)表达的影响。方法：采用改良线栓法建立大鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注模型,随机分为假手术组、常温缺血组和亚低温缺血组,缺血30 min后应用负反馈控温半导体制冷块对大鼠病变侧给予亚低温治疗并持续至再灌期。处死大鼠前进行神经功能缺陷评分,氯化三苯四氮唑染色及计算机图像分析技术观察脑梗死体积,采用免疫组织化学方法检测NT-3表达,末端脱核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP缺口标记技术观察神经细胞凋亡情况。结果：同常温缺血组相比,亚低温缺血组梗死体积明显减少,NT-3阳性细胞数量增加,凋亡的神经细胞明显减少(均P<0.05)。神经功能缺陷评分亚低温缺血组明显低于相应时间点常温缺血组(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论：病变侧亚低温可通过增加脑缺血后NT-3的表达水平,抑制细胞凋亡而发挥脑保护作用。     

黄角颗粒对脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠JAK2/STAT3信号通路的影响

目的:研究黄角颗粒对脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠JAK2/STAT3信号通路的影响。方法:采用线栓法构建大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤模型,取30只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组和黄角颗粒组,并按分组给予相应处理。采用Zea Longa评分法对各组大鼠进行神经功能评分,TTC染色检测各组大鼠脑梗死体积百分比,HE染色观察各组大鼠脑组织病理形态,TUNEL染色法检测各组大鼠脑细胞凋亡率,Western blot检测各组大鼠脑组织中p-JAK2和p-STAT3的蛋白水平。结果:与假手术组相比,模型组大鼠的神经功能缺损程度和神经细胞损伤程度明显加重(P0.05);脑梗死体积百分比和脑细胞凋亡率显著上升(P0.05);脑组织中p-JAK2和p-STAT3的蛋白水平显著上调(P0.05)。与模型组相比,黄角颗粒组大鼠的神经功能缺损程度和神经细胞损伤程度明显减轻(P0.05);脑梗死体积百分比和脑细胞凋亡率显著下降(P0.05);脑组织中p-JAK2和p-STAT3的蛋白水平显著下调(P0.05)。结论:黄角颗粒对脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠的保护作用可能与抑制JAK2/STAT3信号通路的激活相关。     

Modulation of the balance between cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) receptor activation during cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury

Cannabinoid receptor activation has been shown to modulate both neurotransmission (CB(1)) and neuroinflammatory (CB(2)) responses. There are conflicting reports in the literature describing the influence of cannabinoid receptor activation on ischemic/reperfusion injury. The goal of this study was to evaluate how changing the balance between CB(1) and CB(2) activation following cerebral ischemia influences outcome. CB(1) and CB(2) expression were tested at different times after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in mice by real-time RT-PCR. Animals subjected to 1 h MCAO were randomly assigned to receive different treatments: a CB(1) antagonist, a CB(2) antagonist, a CB(2) agonist, a CB(1) antagonist plus CB(2) agonist, a CB(2) antagonist plus CB(2) agonist or an equal volume of vehicle as control. Cerebral blood flow was continuously monitored during ischemia; cerebral infarction and neurological deficit were tested 24 h after MCAO. Cerebral CB(1) and CB(2) mRNA expression undertook dynamic changes during cerebral ischemia. The selective CB(1) antagonist significantly decreased cerebral infarction by 47%; the selective CB(2) antagonist increased infarction by 26% after 1 h MCAO followed by 23 h reperfusion in mice. The most striking changes were obtained by combining a CB(1) antagonist with a CB(2) agonist. This combination elevated the cerebral blood flow during ischemia and reduced infarction by 75%. In conclusion, during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, inhibition of CB(1) receptor activation is protective while inhibition of CB(2) receptor activation is detrimental. The greatest degree of neuroprotection was obtained by combining an inhibitor of CB(1) activation with an exogenous CB(2) agonist.     

实验性脑缺血再灌流体感诱发电位变化的研究

目的：研究大鼠脑缺血再灌流体感诱发电位（ＳＥＰ）变化。方法：建立脑缺血再灌流动物模型,随机分成正常对照组９只,缺血和再灌流组２９只,在缺血１ｈ、２ｈ和再灌流１ｈ分别进行神经功能缺损评分,于缺血２ｈ再灌流１ｈ进行ＳＥＰ观察。结果：大鼠脑缺血时,神经功能缺损以轻、中度局灶性损害为主要表现,再灌流后变化不明显,只有１只体征加重。ＳＥＰ检测缺血、再灌流组与正常对照组比较,Ｐ１、Ｎ１峰值潜伏期延长,Ｐ１Ｎ１峰峰波幅降低（Ｐ＜００１）,缺血组与再灌流组比较,Ｐ１、Ｎ１峰值潜伏期、Ｐ１Ｎ１峰峰波幅没有显著差异（Ｐ＞００５）。结论：ＳＥＰ是研究大鼠脑缺血再灌流有效可靠的手段,它能较早反映脑缺血及大脑神经功能的改变,客观反映再灌流后神经功能有无恢复的情况     

The effect of heliox treatment in a rat model of focal transient cerebral ischemia

Manipulation of inhaled gases during ischemia/reperfusion is a potential novel therapy for acute stroke. We previously found that treatment with a mixture of 70%/30% helium/oxygen (heliox) or 100% oxygen protects the brain against acute focal ischemia–reperfusion injury. This study evaluates the potential neuro-protective effects of delayed heliox treatment and its dose response effects in a rat transient focal cerebral ischemia model. Adult male rats were subjected to 2-h middle cerebral artery occlusion and then assigned to 1 of 4 inhaled gas exposure groups: I: 70%/30% nitrogen/oxygen (control); II: 70%/30% helium/oxygen administered immediately after occlusion; III: 70%/30% helium/oxygen administered after a 30–60 min delay; or, IV: 40%/30%/30% nitrogen/helium/oxygen administered immediately after occlusion. Outcome measurements included infarct size and neurological deficit score. Mean infarct sizes from groups I to IV were 228, 35, 109, and 124 mm³ respectively (p = 0.012). Only group II had significantly smaller infarct size compared to the control group (p = 0.008). In addition, only Group II had a significantly lower neurological deficit score at 24 h post ischemia when compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Since heliox reduced infarct size and improved neurological deficit scores if initiated immediately after onset of ischemia, it may be a useful adjuvant to other stroke therapies.     

Activation of liver X receptor reduces global ischemic brain injury by reduction of nuclear factor-κB

Recent studies have found that liver X receptors (LXRs) agonists decrease brain inflammation and exert neuroprotective effect. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanisms of action of liver X receptor agonist GW3965 against brain injury following global cerebral ischemia in the rat. The 48 male SD (Sprague–Dawley) rats were randomly partitioned into three groups: sham, global ischemia (4-vessel occlusion for 15 min; 4VO) treated with vehicle and global ischemia treated with GW3965 (20 mg/kg, via i.p. injection at 10 min after reperfusion). The functional outcome was determined by neurological evaluation at 24 h post ischemia and by testing rats in T maze at 3 and 7 days after reperfusion. The rats' daily body weight, incidence of seizures and 72 h mortality were also determined. After Nissl staining and TUNEL in coronal brain sections, the numbers of intact and damaged cells were counted in the CA1 sector of the hippocampus. The expression of phosphorylated inhibitor of κB (p-IκBα), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) subunit p65, and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) were analyzed with Western blot at 12 h after reperfusion. GW3965 tended to reduce 72 h mortality and the incidence of post-ischemic seizures. GW3965-treated rats showed an improved neuronal survivability in CA1 and a significant increase in the percentage of spontaneous alternations detected in T-maze on day 7 after ischemia. GW3965-induced neuroprotection was associated with a significant reduction in nuclear translocation of NF-kB p65 subunit and a decrease in the hippocampal expression of NF-kB target gene, COX-2. LXR receptor agonist protects against neuronal damage following global cerebral ischemia. The mechanism of neuroprotection may include blockade of NF-κB activation and the subsequent suppression of COX-2 in the post ischemic brain.     

牛磺酸联合安定治疗脑缺血再灌注损伤的实验研究

目的:研究牛磺酸联合安定对实验性脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠的神经保护作用。方法:SD雄性大鼠随机分为假手术组、脑缺血再灌注损伤组、牛磺酸治疗组(200mg·kg-1)、安定治疗组(10mg·kg-1)、联合治疗组(牛磺酸100mg·kg-1+安定5mg·kg-1),每组12只。采用大脑中动脉栓塞法(MCAO)建立大鼠局灶性脑缺血模型,2h后拔出栓线形成再灌注,再灌注时各组分别给药,脑缺血再灌注损伤组注射等剂量的生理盐水,12h后各组重复注射1次。另分批实验同样5组动物,每组16只,分别于再灌注后10h给药,12h后重复治疗1次。各组中12只动物同先前5组于再灌注后48h观测神经行为学评分、脑梗死体积以及脑含水量测定。每组中余下4只大鼠,2周后行尼氏染色观察脑组织病理学改变。结果:与脑缺血再灌注损伤组相比,缺血后2h、12h联合治疗均能显著降低大鼠神经行为学评分、减少脑含水量、缩小脑梗死体积,同时能明显减轻海马神经元变性坏死(P0.01或P0.05),且其保护作用优于牛磺酸或安定单用组。结论:缺血性脑损害所致急、慢性损伤时牛磺酸联合安定具有明显的神经保护作用。     

MicroRNA-155对糖尿病大鼠脑缺血损伤血管再生的调控

目的:观察microRNA-155(miRNA-155)表达对糖尿病大鼠脑缺血损伤及CD31、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)表达的影响,探讨miRNA-155对糖尿病加重脑缺血血管再生的调控作用。方法:SD大鼠腹腔内注射链脲佐菌素建立糖尿病大鼠模型,继而应用栓线法建立永久性局灶性脑缺血模型。随机分为5组:(1)假手术组(sham组);(2)脑缺血组(CI组);(3)糖尿病脑缺血组(DCI组);(4)糖尿病脑缺血+miRNA-155抑制物组(inhibitor组);(5)糖尿病脑缺血+阴性对照组(scramble组)。于缺血后24 h采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应检测miRNA-155的表达水平;参照Zea-Longa 5分制行神经功能缺损评分;2,3,5-氯化三苯基四氮唑(TTC)染色测梗死体积;Western blotting检测血小板内皮细胞黏附分子-1(PECAM-1/CD31)、VEGF的表达水平。结果:糖尿病脑缺血+miRNA-155抑制物组大鼠脑缺血侧皮质区的miRNA-155表达水平显著低于糖尿病脑缺血组(P0.05)。miRNA-155表达下调可显著减少糖尿病脑缺血大鼠的神经功能缺损评分及脑梗死体积,但显著增加CD31表达水平与VEGF表达水平(均P0.05)。结论:miRNA-155对糖尿病加重脑缺血损伤血管再生有重要的调控作用,miRNA-155表达下调可显著减轻糖尿病大鼠脑缺血损伤。     

Rapid tolerance to focal cerebral ischemia in rats is induced by preconditioning with electroacupuncture: window of protection and the role of adenosine

The aim of the present study was to investigate the first protective window of preconditioning with electroacupuncture (EA) against focal cerebral ischemia, and to explore whether adenosine is involved in the rapid tolerance phenomenon. Sixty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to eight groups (n=8 in each). Animals in the control group received no treatment, and animals in EA1-EA4 groups received EA at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 h before induction of focal cerebral ischemia, respectively. Rats in DPCPX group were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mg kg-1 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), 3 h before induction of focal cerebral ischemia. Animals in vehicle group and EA+DPCPX group were pretreated with 1 ml kg-1 dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, the solvent of DPCPX) and 1 mg kg-1 DPCPX 30 min before preconditioning with EA, respectively. All rats were anesthetized with 40 mg kg-1 pentobarbital sodium intraperitoneally. Animals that required EA preconditioning, received EA with intensity of 1 mA and frequency of 15 Hz at the Baihui acupoint (GV 20) for 30 min. The focal cerebral ischemia was produced by the right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 120 min. The neurologic deficit scores (NDS) and brain infarct volumes were evaluated at 24 h after reperfusion. All rats survived until 24 h after reperfusion. Preconditioning with EA at 2 h before induction of focal cerebral ischemia improved neurologic outcome (P<0.05 versus control) and reduced the infarct volume (P<0.01 versus control) at 24 h after reperfusion. These beneficial effects were reversed by pretreatment with 1 mg kg-1 DPCPX, whereas this agent itself did not affect the NDS and volume in drug-ischemic controls after ischemia. The results show that preconditioning with single EA session induces rapid tolerance to focal cerebral ischemia. The rapid ischemic tolerance appears at 2 h (but not at 0.5, 1, or 3 h) after preconditioning, and is possibly mediated through an adenosine A1 receptor-related mechanism.     

Anandamide content is increased and CB1 cannabinoid receptor blockade is protective during transient, focal cerebral ischemia

The role of endocannabinoid signaling in the response of the brain to injury is tantalizing but not clear. In this study, transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) was used to produce ischemia/reperfusion injury. Brain content of N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol were determined during MCAo. Whole brain AEA content was significantly increased after 30, 60 and 120 min MCAo compared with sham-operated brain. The increase in AEA was localized to the ischemic hemisphere after 30 min MCAo, but at 60 and 120 min, was also increased in the contralateral hemisphere. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol content was unaffected by MCAo. In a second set of studies, injury was assessed 24 h after 2 h MCAo. Rats administered a single dose (3 mg/kg) of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) receptor antagonist SR141716 prior to MCAo exhibited a 50% reduction in infarct volume and a 40% improvement in neurological function compared with vehicle control. A second CB1 receptor antagonist, LY320135 (6 mg/kg), also significantly improved neurological function. The CB1 receptor agonist, WIN 55212-2 (0.1-1 mg/kg) did not affect either infarct volume or neurological score.     

Overexpression of the human angiotensin II type 1 receptor in the rat heart augments load induced cardiac hypertrophy

Angiotensin II is known to stimulate cardiac hypertrophy and contractility. Most angiotensin II effects are mediated via membrane bound AT1 receptors. However, the role of myocardial AT1 receptors in cardiac hypertrophy and contractility is still rarely defined. To address the hypothesis that increased myocardial AT1 receptor density causes cardiac hypertrophy apart from high blood pressure we developed a transgenic rat model which expresses the human AT1 receptor under the control of the alpha-myosin heavy-chain promoter specifically in the myocardium. Expression was identified and quantified by northern blot analysis and radioligand binding assays, demonstrating overexpression of angiotensin II receptors in the transgenic rats up to 46 times the amount seen in nontransgenic rats. Coupling of the human AT1 receptor to rat G proteins and signal transduction cascade was verified by sensitivity to GTP-gamma-S and increased sensitivity of intracellular Ca2+ [Ca2+]i to angiotensin II in fluo-3 loaded transgenic cardiomyocytes. Transgenic rats exhibited normal cardiac growth and function under baseline conditions. Pronounced hypertrophic growth and contractile responses to angiotensin II, however, were noted in transgenic rats challenged by volume and pressure overload. In summary, we generated a new transgenic rat model that exhibits an upregulated myocardial AT1 receptor density and demonstrates augmented cardiac hypertrophy and contractile response to angiotensin II after volume and pressure overload, but not under baseline conditions.