Electroacupuncture reduces apoptotic index and inhibits p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in the hippocampus of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Electroacupuncture attenuates cerebral hypoxia and neuronal apoptosis induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. To further iden-tify the involved mechanisms, we assumed that electroacupuncture used to treat cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was associated with the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. We established rat models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury using the modified Zea-Longa's method. At 30 minutes before model establishment, p38 MAPK blocker SB20358 was injected into the left lateral ventricles. At 1.5 hours after model establishment, electroacupuncture was administered at acupoints of Chize (LU5), Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) for 20 minutes in the affected side. Results showed that the combination of EA and SB20358 injec-tion significantly decreased neurologic impairment scores, but no significant differences were determined among different interventional groups. Hematoxylin-eosin staining also showed reduced brain tissue injuries. Compared with the SB20358 group, the cells were regularly arranged, the structures were complete, and the number of viable neurons was higher in the SB20358 + electroacupuncture group. Termi-nal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay showed a decreased apoptotic index in each group, with a significant decrease in the SB20358 + electroacupuncture group. Immunohistochemistry revealed reduced phosphorylated p38 expression at 3 days in the electroacupuncture group and SB20358 + electroacupuncture group compared with the ischemia/reperfusion group. There was no significant difference in phosphorylated p38 expression between the ischemia/reperfusion group and SB20358 group. These find-ings confirmed that the electroacupuncture effects on mitigating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury are possibly associated with the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. A time period of 3 days could promote the repair of ischemic cerebral nerves.     

针刺预处理对短暂性脑缺血再灌注损伤海马神经元的保护

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

N-methyI-D-aspartate receptor effects on p38 mitogen activated protein kinase and its role in a rat model of diabetic neuropathic pain

BACKGROUND： Activated N-methyl-D-aspartate （NMDA） receptor is involved in the formation of chronic neuropathic pain, and its antagonist, ketamine, exhibits effective amelioration of diabetic neuropathic pain （DNP）. However, the mechanisms of NMDA receptor participation in the formation and maintenance of DNP remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE： To evaluate the role NMDA receptor plays in DNP and effects on p38 mitogen activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK） in a rat model of DNP. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Institute of Yunyang Medical College Affiliated Taihe Hospital between July 2005 and September 2007. MATERIALS： Streptozotocin was provided by Sigma, USA; p38 MAPK inhibitor （SB203580） was provided by Shanghai KangChen Biotech, China; NMDA receptor antagonist （MK-801） was purchased from Shanghai Yope Biotech, China. METHODS： A total of 128 healthy, Wistar rats of clean grade, aged 3 months and weighing 180- 220 g, were randomly assigned to 4 groups： control, DNP model, p38 MAPK, and NMDA receptor. Each group contained 32 rats. DNP was established in all groups except for the control group by intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin （65 mg/kg）. Subsequently, 1 mg/kg SB203580 and 1 mg/kg MK-801 were injected once each week via intraperitoneal injection in the p38 MAPK and NMDA receptor groups, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At the end of 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks following streptozotocin injection, mechanical withdrawal threshold was measured in 8 animals from each group following von Frey filament stimulation. The rats were anesthetized and nerve conduction velocity of the left sciatic nerve was measured. Subsequently, the right sciatic nerve, the lumbar segment of the spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia were removed from the L3-6 segment for microscopic examination, p38 MAPK expression was determined using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Expression of NMDA receptor 1 mRNA in dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord neurons was detected using RT-PCR. RESULTS： Mechanical withdrawal threshold and nerve conduction velocity were significantly reduced, and p38 MAPK and NMDA receptor 1 mRNA expression in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia were significantly increased, in the model, p38 MAPK, and NMDA receptor groups compared with the control group at all time points （P 〈 0.05）. At 4-8 weeks following successful DNP model establishment, SB203580 and MK-801 increased mechanical withdrawal threshold, accelerated nerve conduction velocity, and attenuated p38 MAPK expression, compared with the model group. The NMDA receptor group exhibited downregulated mRNA expression of NMDA receptor 1 compared with the model and p38 MAPK groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： NMDA receptor was highly expressed in the brains of DNP rats and was involved in DNP development via activation of the p38 MAPK signal pathway.     

Effects of propofol on amino acid neurotransmitter levels and neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND： Excitatory amino acids including glutamic acid and aspartic acid play a neurotrophic role during early development of the central nervous system but go on to promote toxic effects. Inhibitory amino acids include γ-aminobutyric acid and glycine. Changes in their concentration can reflect the degree of injury to brain tissue after cerebral infarction. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of propofol on amino acid neurotransmitter levels and neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion injury. DESIGN： Randomized controlled animal study. MATERIALS： Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, model group and propofol （50, 100 and 150 mg/kg） groups （n = 12）. METHODS： Global brain models of ischemia/reperfusion injury were established in the model group and the propofol groups. The vertebral artery and common carotid artery were merely isolated in the sham operation group. Ten minutes before ischemia, rats in the propofol groups were induced with an intraperitoneal injection of propofol （50, 100 or 150 mg/kg）; rats in the model and sham operation groups were induced with an intraperitoneal injection of saline （5 mL）. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Content of amino acids, neuronal apoptotic index and density of apoptotic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region. RESULTS： After a 10-minute ischemia / 60-minute reperfusion, the content of glutamic acid and aspartic acid was significantly decreased in the propofol （50, 100 and 150 mg/kg） groups compared with the model group （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）; but the content of γ-aminobutyric acid was significantly increased in the propofol （100 and 150 mg/kg） groups （P 〈 0.05）. After a 72-hour reperfusion, the neuronal apoptotic index was significantly decreased in the propofol （50, 100 and 150 mg/kg） groups compared with the model group （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01 ）, and the decrease was remarkable in the propofol （100 and 150 mg/kg） groups. After a 72-hour     

Inhibiting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase attenuates cerebral ischemic injury in Swedish mutant amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice

Cerebral ischemia was induced using photothrombosis 1 hour after intraperitoneal injection of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB239063 into Swedish mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP/SWE) transgenic and non-transgenic mice. The number of surviving neurons in the penumbra was quantified using Nissl staining, and the activity of p38 MAPKs was measured by western blotting. The number of surviving neurons in the penumbra was significantly reduced in APP/SWE transgenic mice compared with non-transgenic controls 7 days after cerebral ischemia, but the activity of p38 MAPKs was significantly elevated compared with the non-ischemic hemisphere in the APP/SWE transgenic mice. SB239063 prevented these changes. The APP/SWE mutation exacerbated ischemic brain injury, and this could be alleviated by inhibiting p38 MAPK activity.     

Hypoxic preconditioning reduces NLRP3 inflammasome expression and protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Hypoxic preconditioning can protect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the underlying mechanisms that mediate this effect are not completely clear. In this study, mice were pretreated with continuous, intermittent hypoxic preconditioning;1 hour later, cerebral ischemia/reperfusion models were generated by middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion. Compared with control mice, mice with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury showed increased Bederson neurological function scores, significantly increased cerebral infarction volume, obvious pathological damage to the hippocampus, significantly increased apoptosis;upregulated interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 levels in brain tissue;and increased expression levels of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3), NLRP inflammasome-related protein caspase-1, and gasdermin D. However, hypoxic preconditioning significantly inhibited the above phenomena. Taken together, these data suggest that hypoxic preconditioning mitigates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice by reducing NLRP3 inflammasome expression. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Fourth Hospital of Baotou, China(approval No. DWLL2019001) in November 2019.     

Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on hippocampal and parietal cortical neuronal cAMP-response element-binding protein expression in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

BACKGROUND： cAMP-response element binding protein （CREB） is a key modulator of various signaling pathways. CREB activation initiates a series of intracellular signaling pathways that promote neuronal survival.
OBJECTIVE： To investigate the regulatory effects of basic fibroblast growth factor （bFGF） on cerebral neuronal CREB expression following ischemia/reperfusion injury.
DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： An immunohistochemical detection experiment was performed at the Department of Anatomy, Shenyang Medical College, between October 2006 and April 2008.
MATERIALS： A total of 60 healthy, adult, Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups： sham-operated （n =12）, ischemia/reperfusion （n = 24）, and bFGF-treated （n = 24）. Rabbit anti-rat CREB （1： 100） and biotin labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG were purchased from the Wuhan Boster Company, China. MetaMorph-evolution MP5.0-BX51 microscopy imaging system was provided by China Medical University, China. METHODS： Rat models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury were developed using the suture method for right middle cerebral artery occlusion. Two-hour ischemia was followed by reperfusion. Rats from the bFGF-treated and ischemia/reperfusion groups were intraperitoneally administered endogenous bFGF （500 IU/mL, 2 000 IU/kg） or an equal amount of physiological saline. Rats from the sham-operated group underwent a similar surgical procedure, without induction of ischemia/reperfusion injury and drug administration.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： After 48-hour reperfusion, hippocampal and parietal cortical neuronal CREB expression was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the absorbance of hippocampal CREB-positive products was determined using MetaMorph-evolutionMP5.0-BX51 microscopy imaging system.
RESULTS： The sham-operated group exhibited noticeable CREB expression in hippocampal and parietal cortical neurons. In the ischemia/reperfusion group, the CREB expression was discrete and neurons were poorly arranged. The bFGF-treated group exhibited increased CREB expression and better neuronal arrangement compared with the ischemia/reperfusion group. The mean absorbance of CREB-immunoreactive products in the hippocampus and parietal cortex was significantly higher in the ischemia/reperfusion group than in the sham-operated group （P 〈 0.05）, and significantly higher in the bFGF-treated group than in the ischemia/reperfusion group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： bFGF significantly upregulates CREB expression in hippocampal and parietal cortical neurons following ischemia/reperfusion injury.     

Neuronal effects of SP600125 pretreatment in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury Inhibited down-regulation of DNA repair protein

BACKGROUND： Recent studies have shown that the selective inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinases （JNKs） signaling pathway, SP600125, exhibits neuronal protective effects in a rat model of brain ischemia/reperfusion. OBJECTIVE： To determine the mechanisms of neuroprotective effects of SP600125 in a rat model of brain ischemia/reperfusion, and determine the role of the JNK signaling pathway in SP600125-induced effects. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Animal Experiment Center, Medical School of Xi＇an Jiaotong University from June 2007 to September 2008. MATERIALS： SP600125 was provided by Biosource, USA; rabbit anti-phospho-JNK （Thr183/Tyr185） polyclonal antibody from Cell Signaling Technology, USA; rabbit anti-X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 1 （XRCC1） and anti-Ku70 polyclonal antibodies from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA; and TUNEL kit from Beijing Huamei Biology, China. METHODS： A total of 108 male, 4-month-old, Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups, with 36 rats per group. The sham operation group and ischemia/reperfusion group （I/R group） were intracerebroventricularly injected with 10 μL 1% DMSO. The SP600125-treated group （pre-SP group） was given 10 μL SP600125 （3 μg/μL）. Thirty minutes later, brain ischemia was induced in the I/R and pre-SP groups using the four-vessel occlusion method. Specifically, whole brain ischemia was induced for 6 minutes, and the clips were released to restore carotid artery blood flow. Rats from each group were observed at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours, with 6 rats for each time point. The sham operation group was treated with the same surgical exposure procedures, with exception of occlusion of the carotid artery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe neuronal survival in the hippocampal CA1 region, TUNEL was used to detect apoptosis in the hippocampal CA1 region, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression of phospho-JNK, XRCC1, and Ku70. RESULTS： Following brain ischemia/reperfusion, neuronal survival significantly decreased, and the number of apoptotic cells significantly increased （P 〈 0.01）. Compared with the I/R group, neuronal survival significantly increased in the pre-SP group, and the number of apoptotic cells significantly decreased （P 〈 0.01）. Expression of phospho-JNK increased, and XRCC1 and Ku70 significantly decreased （P 〈 0.05） following ischemia/reperfusion. Compared with the I/R group, expression of phospho-JNK decreased, and XRCC1 and Ku70 significantly increased in the pre-SP group （P 〈 0.05）. Correlation analysis revealed an inverse correlation between phospho-JNK gray value and XRCC1 and Ku70 gray values in the hippocampal CA1 region （r = -0.983, -0.953, P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： SP600125 treatment decreased apoptosis induced by global brain ischemia/reperfusion in the rat hippocampal CA1 region. Results suggested that the neuroprotective effects were due to inhibited phosphorylation of JNK and reduced down-regulation of XRCC1 and Ku70.     

应用激光共聚焦显微镜研究脑缺血再灌注后缝隙连接重分布

目的 探讨脑缺血再灌注对脑神经细胞间缝隙连接分布的影响.方法 应用激光共聚焦显微镜技术观察脑缺血再灌注后不同缺血区缝隙连接分布变化,并探讨其可能机制及变化规律.结果 正常组Cx43分布于星形胶质细胞之间及脑毛细血管周围,分布均匀,光斑较小,在毛细血管周围排列紧密;与正常组比较,缺血2h再灌注24h半影区Cx43光斑较大,分散的小光斑相对较少;坏死区Cx43稀疏、散乱.结论 脑缺血再灌注后半暗带区缝隙连接发生重分布,形成了更大的缝隙连接斑,以加强细胞间物质及信号的传递.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the effect of the redistribution of gap junction after reperfusion subsequent to cerebral ischemia. Methods In the test laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) was used to investigate the change of Cx43 distribution, and to study its possible mechanism. Results Compared to the control group, the Cx43 expression formed into bigger plagues and remained linear disposition in the penumbra in 24h of reperfusion after cerebral ischemia and changed sparse and messy in the infarction core of ischemia. Conclusion Gap junctions were redistributed in the penumbra after reperfusion subsequent to cerebral ischemia.     

Key genes expressed in different stages of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury

The temporal expression of microRNA atfer spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury is not yet fully understood. In the present study, we established a model of spinal cord ischemia in Sprague-Dawley rats by clamping the abdominal aorta for 90 minutes, before allowing reperfusion for 24 or 48 hours. A sham-operated group underwent surgery but the aorta was not clamped. The damaged spinal cord was removed for hematoxylin-eosin staining and RNA extraction. Neuronal degeneration and tissue edema were the most severe in the 24-hour reperfusion group, and milder in the 48-hour reperfusion group. RNA ampliifcation, labeling, and hybridization were used to obtain the microRNA expression proifles of each group. Bioinformatics analysis conifrmed four differentially expressed microRNAs (miR-22-3p, miR-743b-3p, miR-201-5p and miR-144-5p) and their common target genes (Tmem69 and Cxcl10). Compared with the sham group, miR-22-3p was continuously upregulated in all three ischemia groups but was highest in the group with no reperfusion, whereas miR-743b-3p, miR-201-5p and miR-144-5p were downregulated in the three ischemia groups. We have successfully identiifed the key genes expressed at different stages of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury, which provide a reference for future investigations into the mechanism of spinal cord injury.     

microRNA-21 Confers Neuroprotection Against Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Alleviates Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in Rats via the MAPK Signaling Pathway

The mechanism contributing to blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, involved in poststroke edema and hemorrhagic transformation, is important but elusive. We investigated microRNA-21 (miR-21)-mediated mechanism in the disruption of BBB following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Rats with cerebral I/R injury were prepared after middle cerebral artery occlusion and subsequent reperfusion. The underlying regulatory mechanisms of miR-382 were investigated with treatment of miR-382 mimics, miR-382 inhibitors, or SB203580 (an inhibitor of the MAPK signaling pathway) prior to I/R modeling. Compared with sham-operated rats, rats following I/R showed increased Longa’s scores, ischemic hemisphere volume, cerebral infarct volume, EB content in brain tissues, enhanced levels of p38, iNOS, and MMP-9. The ectopic expression of miR-21 by mimics and MAPK signaling inhibition by SB203580 reduced Longa’s scores, ischemic hemisphere volume, cerebral infarct volume, EB content in brain tissues, decreased levels of p38, MAP2K3, iNOS, and MMP-9. The luciferase activity determination showed miR-21 bound to MAP2K3 in its 3′UTR. miR-21 downregulation mediated by inhibitors appeared to yield an opposed trend. We also found that MAPK signaling inhibition by SB203580 could rescue rats with treatment of miR-382 inhibitors. The study highlights the neuroprotective role of MiR-21 during cerebral I/R injury and its preventive effect against BBB disruption by blocking the MAPK signaling pathway via targeted inhibition of MAP2K3, potentially opening a novel therapeutic avenue for the treatment of cerebral ischemia.     

p38MAPK在体外培养星形胶质细胞缺氧/复氧损伤中的表达

目的 建立SD大鼠星形胶质细胞缺氧复氧损伤模型,探讨p38MAPK活性变化与星形胶质细胞损伤的关系.方法 体外培养新生SD大鼠星形胶质细胞,实验设正常对照组（N）、SB203580组（SB组,10 μmol/L）、缺氧/复氧组（H/R组）和缺氧/复氧组＋SB203580阻断p38MAPK组（H/R＋SB组）.应用MTT法、WB法、ELISA法检测缺氧4 h、8 h、复氧6 h、12 h、24 h、48 h时细胞存活率,p38MAPK、p-p38（磷酸化p38MAPK）及TNF-α的变化.结果 培养星形胶质细胞GFAP阳性表达率大于97%.缺氧/复氧使星形胶质细胞活力降低,SB203580阻断p38MAPK细胞活力高于H/R组,各组星形胶质细胞总p38MAPK水平无显著变化,缺氧复氧干预后p-p38表达上调,TNF-α水平显著增高.用SB203580阻断p38MAPK通路后,SB＋H/R组较H/R组p-p38、TNF-α水平降低.SB组总p38MAPK、p-p38、TNF-α水平与N组比较无显著变化.结论 p38MAPK信号通路参与了星形胶质细胞缺氧复氧损伤过程.     

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

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

δ阿片受体激动剂在全脑缺血再灌注损伤中的神经保护机制

目的观察δ阿片受体激动剂DADLE对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注后神经元凋亡细胞及磷酸化p38表达的影响,探讨DADLE在全脑缺血再灌注损伤细胞凋亡中的脑保护机制。方法采用二血管加低血压阻断法建立大鼠全脑缺血再灌注模型,随机分为假手术组(n=10),模型组(n=10),治疗组(再按DADLE静脉注射不同剂量分为3个亚组2 mg组、3 mg组、5 mg组,n=10),TUNEL法检测凋亡细胞,Western blot检测神经元磷酸化p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen activated protein kinase,MAPK)蛋白的表达。结果 DADLE可显著减少大鼠缺血神经元细胞凋亡,与假手术组比较,缺血后大鼠神经元磷酸化p38 MAPK表达水平增加(P0.05),与模型组比较,治疗组各组磷酸化p38 MAPK表达水平有所降低(LSD-t值依次为0.61、1.61、1.8,P0.05),且其作用呈剂量依赖性。结论δ阿片受体激动剂DADLE对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注损伤有神经保护作用,抑制磷酸化p38 MAPK的表达,减少细胞凋亡是其脑保护作用机制之一。     

基于p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶通路的胰高血糖素样肽-1对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的影响及机制

目的基于p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)通路探讨胰高血糖素样肽-1(GLP-1)对大鼠脑缺血再灌注(I/R)损伤的影响及机制。方法将雄性SD大鼠分为假手术组、模型组、GLP-1组和p38MAPK抑制剂组,每组12只。模型组、GLP-1组和p38MAPK抑制剂组通过大脑中动脉栓塞及再灌注建立脑I/R损伤模型,GLP-1组给予利拉鲁肽(70μg/kg)、p38MAPK抑制剂组给予p38MAPK抑制剂SB202190(10μmol/L、5μl)干预。比较四组大鼠的脑梗死体积、水迷宫行为参数及梗死脑组织细胞凋亡率、氧化应激指标、炎症细胞因子、p38MAPK通路分子的差异。结果与模型组比较,GLP-1组和p38MAPK抑制剂组大鼠的脑梗死体积明显降低,逃避潜伏期明显缩短、穿越平台次数明显增多,梗死脑组织中的细胞凋亡率及丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、p-p38水平显著减少,SOD、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)水平明显增加(均P<0.05),p-ERK1/2、p-JNK的表达水平无明显变化。与假手术组比较,模型组大鼠的逃避潜伏期明显延长、穿越平台次数明显减少,梗死脑组织的细胞凋亡率及MDA、ROS、TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、p-p38水平明显增高,SOD、GPx水平明显减少(均P<0.05),p-ERK1/2、p-JNK的表达水平无明显变化。结论GLP-1能够通过抑制p38介导的氧化应激及炎症反应减轻大鼠脑I/R损伤。     

Activation of p38 kinase in the gerbil hippocampus showing ischemic tolerance.

Ischemic tolerance is a phenomenon in which brief episodes of ischemia protect against the lethal effects of subsequent periods of prolonged ischemia. The authors investigated the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) in the gerbil hippocampus by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to clarify the role of p38 kinase in ischemic tolerance. After the 2-minute global ischemia, immunoreactivity indicating active p38 was enhanced at 6 hours of reperfusion and continuously demonstrated 72 hours after ischemia in CA1 and CA3 neurons. Pretreatment with SB203580, an inhibitor of active p38 (0-30 micromol/l), 30 minutes before the 2-minute ischemia reduced the ischemic tolerance effect in a dose-dependent manner. Immunoblot analysis indicated that alteration of the phosphorylation pattern of p38 kinase in the hippocampus after subsequent lethal ischemia was induced by the preconditioning. These findings suggest that lasting activation of p38 may contribute to ischemic tolerance in CA1 neurons of the hippocampus and that components of the p38 cascade can be target molecules to modify neuronal survival after ischemia.     

SH-SY5Y细胞α7尼古丁受体蛋白抑制对tau蛋白及p38 MAPK通路的影响及其与AD发病机制的关系

目的研究α7尼古丁受体(nAChR)蛋白抑制对SH-SY5Y细胞tau蛋白磷酸化水平的影响及其与p38 MAPK通路的关系,探讨α7 nAChR调节tau蛋白磷酸化的相关机制。方法用α7 nAChR阻断剂MLA阻断SH-SY5Y细胞α7 nAChR蛋白的活化及其表达,用p38 MAPK阻断剂SB203580阻断SH-SY5Y细胞p38 MAPK信号通路蛋白的活化及其表达,Western blotting方法测定tau蛋白、p-tau(S404)、p-tau(S214)、α7 nAChR、p38 MAPK及p-p38 MAPK(Thr180/Tyr182)蛋白表达水平。结果细胞经MLA处理后,p-tau(S404)和p-tau(S214)蛋白水平明显升高(P0.01),p-p38 MAPK和α7 nAChR蛋白水平明显降低(P0.01),tau蛋白和p38 MAPK蛋白水平保持不变;经SB203580处理后,SB203580及MLA共同处理后均引起p-tau(S404)、p-tau(S214)、p-p38 MAPK和α7nAChR蛋白水平显著降低(P0.01),tau蛋白和p38 MAPK蛋白水平无变化。结论α7 nAChR可通过阻断p38MAPK信号传导通路抑制tau蛋白过度磷酸化。     

Silencing Huwe1 reduces apoptosis of cortical neurons exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion

HECT, UBA and WWE domain-containing 1(Huwe1), an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome system, is widely expressed in brain tissue. Huwe1 is involved in the turnover of numerous substrates, including p53, Mcl-1, Cdc6 and N-myc, thereby playing a critical role in apoptosis and neurogenesis. However, the role of Huwe1 in brain ischemia and reperfusion injury remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the role of Huwe1 in an in vitro model of ischemia and reperfusion injury. At 3 days in vitro, primary cortical neurons were transduced with a control or shRNA-Huwe1 lentiviral vector to silence expression of Huwe1. At 7 days in vitro, the cells were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation for 3 hours and reperfusion for 24 hours. To examine the role of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)/p38 pathway, cortical neurons were pretreated with a JNK inhibitor(SP600125) or a p38 MAPK inhibitor(SB203508) for 30 minutes at 7 days in vitro, followed by ischemia and reperfusion. Neuronal apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay. Protein expression levels of JNK and p38 MAPK and of apoptosis-related proteins(p53, Gadd45 a, cleaved caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2) were measured by western blot assay. Immunofluorescence labeling for cleaved caspase-3 was performed. We observed a significant increase in neuronal apoptosis and Huwe1 expression after ischemia and reperfusion. Treatment with the shRNA-Huwe1 lentiviral vector markedly decreased Huwe1 levels, and significantly decreased the number of TUNEL-positive cells after ischemia and reperfusion. The silencing vector also downregulated the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and upregulated the anti-apoptotic proteins Gadd45 a and Bcl-2. Silencing Huwe1 also significantly reduced p-JNK levels and increased p-p38 levels. Our findings show that downregulating Huwe1 affects the JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways as well as the expression of apoptosis-related genes to provide neuroprotection during ischemia and reperfusion. All animal experiments and procedures were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Sichuan University, China in January 2018(approval No. 2018013).     

SB203580对液化石油气中毒大鼠神经元的保护作用

目的研究p38MAPK通路抑制剂SB203580在液化石油气中毒大鼠模型中对神经元的保护作用。方法采用大鼠液化石油气中毒模型,72只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、中毒组和SB203580干预组,干预组在中毒前1h腹腔注射SB203580(10mg/kg,溶于5mg/ml DMSO),动物分别于中毒后1d、3d、7d处死,观察脑组织神经元的形态变化,免疫组化方法检测脑组织p38MAPK的表达水平。结果中毒组大鼠脑组织神经元坏死,p-p38MAPK阳性细胞大量表达,干预组大鼠上述变化明显减轻(P<0.05)。结论在液化石油气中毒大鼠模型中,SB203580通过抑制p38MAPK通路减少神经元坏死,发挥神经保护作用。