Evidence that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid promotes lipid and protein oxidative damage and reduces the nonenzymatic antioxidant defenses in rat cerebral cortex

In the present work we investigated the in vitro effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarate (HMG) that accumulates in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase deficiency (HMGLD) on important parameters of oxidative stress in rat cerebral cortex. It was observed that HMG induced lipid peroxidation by significantly increasing chemiluminescence and levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS). This effect was prevented by the antioxidants alpha-tocopherol, melatonin, N-acetylcysteine, and superoxide dismutase plus catalase, suggesting that free radicals were involved in the lipid oxidative damage. On the other hand, HMG did not change TBA-RS levels in intact or disrupted mitochondrial preparations, indicating that generation of oxidants by this organic acid was dependent on cytosolic mechanisms. HMG also induced protein oxidative damage in cortical supernatants, which was reflected by increased carbonyl content and sulfhydryl oxidation. Furthermore, HMG significantly reduced the nonenzymatic antioxidant defenses total-radical trapping antioxidant potential, total antioxidant reactivity, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in rat cerebral cortex. HMG-induced GSH reduction was totally blocked by melatonin pretreatment. We also verified that the decrease of GSH levels provoked by HMG in cortical supernatants was not due to a direct oxidative effect of this organic acid, because exposition of commercial GSH and purified membrane protein-bound thiol groups to HMG in the absence of cortical supernatants did not decrease the reduced sulfhydryl groups. Finally, the activities of the main antioxidant enzymes were not altered by HMG exposure. Our data indicate that oxidative stress elicited in vitro by HMG may possibly contribute at least in part to the pathophysiology of the brain injury in HMGLD.     

TIMP-3、MMP-3与缺血性脑损伤

在脑缺血损伤机制中,基质金属蛋白酶(MMPs)及其内源性抑制剂(TIMPs)的作用日益受到重视。研究表明,TIMP-3、MMP-3及其复合体介导了多种细胞生理和病理发生、发展机制;它们参与了脑缺血再灌注损伤后炎性级联反应及细胞凋亡等机制;同时也参与动脉粥样硬化斑块形成与破裂等。通过研究TIMP-3、MMP-3与脑缺血再灌注损伤的相关性,将有利于脑缺血后神经保护治疗及预防脑缺血发生。     

Experimental hyperthyroidism fails to expedite reinnervation of muscles denervated by crushing sciatic nerves in rabbits.

The time for initial reinnervation of tibialis anterior muscle after sciatic nerve crushing was measured in rabbits treated with intraperitoneal injections of 3,3′,5-triiodothyronine, 1 μg/kg body weight/day. The sciatic nerve was crushed in the thigh, just above its division into lateral and medial popliteal nerves. The method used to determine the beginning of reinnervation consisted of EMG recordings of (a) muscular potentials evoked by electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve, below the crushed point, and (b) spontaneous action potentials during activity; the muscle tested was the tibialis anterior. The time for initial reinnervation averaged 43.6 ± 1.15 days in treated rabbits, and 43.2 ± 1.78 days in vehicle-injected animals. The distance from the site of crushing to the point where the anterior tibial nerve enters the tibialis anterior muscle was measured in each animal and the regeneration rate was calculated; this parameter averaged 1.48 ± 0.05 mm/day in treated rabbits, and 1.50 ± 0.04 mm/day in control animals. Therefore, no effect of 3,3′,5-triiodothyronine at the dosage used on the reinnervation process of muscles denervated by a crushed sciatic nerve could be demonstrated.     

Treatment with Anti-interferon-γ Monoclonal Antibodies Modifies Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Interferon-γ Receptor Knockout Mice

The role of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is still controversial. We have studied the function of IFN-γ and its receptor in the EAE model using two different IFN-γ receptor knockout (IFN-γ R^−/−) mouse types: C57Bl/6×129Sv, with a disruption of the IFN-γ receptor cytoplasmic domain, and 129Sv, homozygous for a disrupted IFN-γ receptor gene. Mice were immunized with peptide 40-55 from rat myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. A subgroup of mice was treated with anti-IFN-γ monoclonal antibodies (mAb) on day 8 postimmunization. Clinical scoring and both histological and immunohistochemical studies were undertaken for all groups. We hereby show that treatment with anti-IFN-γ mAb worsened the disease course of 129Sv wild-type mice. However, it decreased the mean daily score in IFN-γ R^−/− 129Sv and the incidence of the disease down to 50% in C57Bl/6×129Sv IFN-γ R^−/− mice. Moreover, after anti-IFN-γ mAb treatment, oxidative stress levels, metallothionein I and II antioxidant protein expression, and apoptoticneuronal death were increased in wild-type mice while decreased in IFN-γ R^−/− mice. These results suggest a putative alternative mechanism of action of this cytokine that works independent of its receptor.     

Ischemia preconditioning protects astrocytes from ischemic injury through 14‐3‐3γ

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, and new strategies are required to reduce neuronal injury and improve prognosis. Ischemia preconditioning (IPC) is an intrinsic phenomenon that protects cells from subsequent ischemic injury and might provide promising mechanisms for clinical treatment. In this study, primary astrocytes exhibited significantly less cell death than control when exposed to different durations of IPC (15, 30, 60, or 120 min). A 15‐min duration was the most effective IPC to protect astrocytes from 8‐hr‐ischemia injury. The protective mechanisms of IPC involve the upregulation of protective proteins, including 14‐3‐3γ, and attenuation of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and ATP depletion. 14‐3‐3γ is an antiapoptotic intracellular protein that was significantly upregulated for up to 84 hr after IPC. In addition, IPC promoted activation of the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal‐related kinase (ERK)?1/2, p38, and protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways. When JNK was specifically inhibited with SP600125, the upregulation of 14‐3‐3γ induced by IPC was almost completely abolished; however, there was no effect on ATP or MDA levels. This suggests that, even though both energy preservation and 14‐3‐3γ up‐regulation were turned on by IPC, they were controlled by different pathways. The ERK1/2, p38, and Akt signaling pathways were not involved in the 14‐3‐3γ upregulation and energy preservation. These results indicate that IPC could protect astrocytes from ischemia injury by inducing 14‐3‐3γ and by alleviating energy depletion through different pathways, suggesting multiple protection of IPC and providing new insights into potential stroke therapies. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Short-lived effect of (des-tyr)-gamma-endorphin in schizophrenia

Des-tyrosine-γ-endorphin (DTγE) has been reported to alleviate symptoms of schizophrenia. Attempting to replicate those reports, we administered 1 mg of DTγE, i.m., for 8 consecutive days to nine patients meeting the DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia. Patients in this double-blind, crossover, and placebo-controlled study showed a statistically significant, but clinically modest improvement. The improvement was detectable during the first several days of the DTγE treatment; the symptoms then returned to baseline level in spite of continued doses of DTγE. Testing the metabolism of DTγE in the patients' plasma, we found a high rate of formation and of degradation, but the metabolic rates were not related to clinical symptoms.     

Diversity of glycine receptors in the mouse retina: localization of the alpha3 subunit

Glycine receptors (GlyRs) and their role in retinal circuitry were analyzed immunocytochemically in wild-type and GlyR alpha3 subunit-deficient (Glra3(-/-)) mouse retinae. GlyRs are localized in the inner plexiform layer in brightly fluorescent puncta, which are likely to represent postsynaptically clustered GlyRs. Approximately one third of the clusters were found to contain the alpha1 subunit, and half possessed the alpha3 subunit. However, these two GlyR isoforms were localized at different glycinergic synapses. In the Glra3(-/-) mouse, alpha3 subunit clusters were completely eliminated, although the total number of GlyR clusters was only slightly reduced. This finding indicates that other GlyR subunits (such as alpha2 or alpha4) may have compensated for the loss of the alpha3 subunit. Characteristic expression patterns of the alpha1 and alpha3 subunits within the synaptic circuits of the retina were revealed by double labeling sections for GlyRs and markers that define specific retinal neurons. The alpha1 subunit mediates signal transfer in the rod pathway between AII amacrine cells and OFF-cone bipolar cells. In contrast, the alpha3 subunit appears to be predominantly involved with the cone pathways. Thus, expression of different GlyR alpha subunit genes correlates with anatomically defined connectivities.     

gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid-induced seizures bear no relation to core temperature

The hypothesis that the absencelike seizures induced by gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) are secondary to the effect of this drug on body temperature was tested using the prodrug of GHB, gamma-butyrolactone (GBL). Dosages of GBL less than 400 mg/kg produced a consistent profound hypothermia associated with bilaterally synchronous spike-wave discharges (SWD), whereas higher doses were associated with a more complex effect on core temperature associated with an EEG pattern of burst suppression. The threshold dose for the hypothermia and SWD was the same, but the temperature changes occurred later and lasted longer than the SWD induced by GHB. Rats aged less than 28 days were less sensitive to the hypothermia but more sensitive to the SWD produced by GHB than adult animals. The antiepileptic drug (AED) ethosuximide (ESM), known to attenuate GHB-induced SWD did so, but had no effect on the hypothermia, whereas GHB-induced hypothermia, but not SWD, was blocked by raising the ambient temperature from 26 degrees to 32 degrees C. These data do not support the hypothesis that GHB-induced absencelike seizure activity is a result of the hypothermia produced by this drug. Rather they suggest that the SWD and hypothermia are caused by separate, independent mechanisms.     

Polysaccharide mannan components of Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall produce fever by intracerebroventricular injection in rats

The cell wall mannan components of Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced hyperthermic responses when injected intracerebroventricularly at doses of 10 microg in rats. Indomethacin treatment (5 mg/kg subcutaneously) completely abolished these responses. Serum interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta levels showed an upward trend during the initial phase of the hyperthermic response induced by S. cerevisiae mannan. Meanwhile, serum levels of these proinflammatory cytokines did not increase at all at the initial phase of C. albicans mannan-induced hyperthermia. Histopathological examination of the brain tissue samples revealed no specific change throughout the parenchyma of rats given either mannan. These results indicate that the polysaccharide mannan components of yeasts, regardless of the pathogenicity, produce a pyrogenic response by a direct injection into the brain in rats. This response is not accompanied by proinflammatory cytokine induction in the periphery.     

Differences in the allosteric modulation by phenytoin of the binding properties of the sigma1 ligands [3H](+)-pentazocine and [3H]NE-100

The present study evaluated the effects of phenytoin (DPH) on the binding to synaptosomal fraction membranes from guinea pig brain of the prototypic sigma1 (sigma1) receptor agonist [3H](+)-pentazocine and the putative sigma1 antagonist [3H]NE-100. Equilibrium and binding kinetics studies were done. The order of affinity of 12 sigma1 ligands for binding sites labeled with [3H](+)-pentazocine correlated well with their order of affinity for sites labeled with [3H]NE-100, suggesting that both radioligands label the same receptor. Phenytoin increased the binding of [3H](+)-pentazocine, enhancing its affinity (K(D) value) for sigma1 receptors and decreasing its dissociation rate from these receptors. The maximal number of receptors (B(max) value) labeled with [3H](+)-pentazocine was not changed. In contrast, phenytoin decreased the specific binding and maximal number of receptors labeled with [3H]NE-100, and increased its dissociation rate from sigma1 receptors. The affinity of this radioligand for sigma1 receptors was not modified. In conclusion, phenytoin behaved as a positive allosteric modulator on the binding of [3H](+)-pentazocine, whereas it negatively modulated the binding of [3H]NE-100. These results add evidence in favor of the use of phenytoin in vitro to distinguish between agonists and antagonists of sigma1 receptors.     

Caspase-3反义寡核苷酸抗凋亡作用的研究

目的 研究caspase-3反义寡核苷酸对6-OHDA诱导大鼠中脑多巴胺神经元凋亡的保护作用.方法 向四组SD大鼠的中脑黑质部位注入反义、错义、正义寡核苷酸及NS,然后再注入6-OHDA,取中脑做连续切片,原位杂交及免疫组化检测黑质caspase-3的表达及TH的表达,原位末端标记法(Tunel)检测黑质细胞的凋亡.结果 反义组Tunel阳性细胞数为82±8.6,方差分析显示反义组阳性细胞数显著性低于其他各组(P＜0.05);反义组手术侧TH阳性细胞数为168.6±11.4,与对侧阳性细胞比值为63%±11.3%,显著性高于其余各组(P＜0.05).结论 有效阻断caspase-3的表达可减轻6-OHDA诱导的多巴胺神经元凋亡,caspase-3可作为保护性治疗帕金森病的靶点.     

肿瘤侵袭相关基因EMP3、PCDH-γ-A11在脑胶质瘤中的表达研究

目的探讨肿瘤侵袭相关基因EMP3和PCDH-γ-A11的mRNA在原发人脑胶质瘤组织中的表达情况，分析其表达变化与胶质瘤恶性程度的关系。方法分别应用传统的RT-PCR和SYBR Green实时定量PCR检测方法检测EMP3和PCDH-γ-A11基因mRNA在30例原发胶质瘤（WHO分级：Ⅱ级10例，Ⅲ级10例，Ⅳ级10例）和10例正常脑组织中的表达情况。统计学分析两个基因在胶质瘤和正常脑组织间的表达差异，并进一步结合临床资料分析不同分级、不同性别和不同年龄组间的表达差异。结果在各级别胶质瘤中EMP3和PCDH-γ—A11的mRNA与正常脑组织相比均表达下调，并具有显著意义（P〈0．01）；EMP3在Ⅱ级和Ⅳ级及Ⅲ级和Ⅳ级胶质瘤间的表达也存在统计学差异（P〈0．05）；PCDH-γ—A11在Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ级胶质瘤相互之间的表达无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。结论各级别胶质瘤中EMP3和PCDH-γ—A11的mRNA表达均显著低于正常脑组织，并随胶质瘤恶性程度的增加表达量逐渐降低。EMP3基因的表达下调与胶质瘤的恶性程度密切相关。     

STAT3在神经系统发育和神经细胞存活与再生中的功能

信号转导是当前分子生物学研究的热点领域.信号转导和转录激活蛋白STAT3被许多细胞因子和生长因子激活而介导多种生理过程.STAT3蛋白含有DNA结合域,SH2区和转录激活区等保守区域,通过705位酪氨酸的磷酸化而激活,形成二聚体,入核与特异DNA元件结合,启动靶基因的转录.STAT3在神经系统的发育过程中有表达,并与其他信号途径协同调节体内神经前体细胞的分化命运,STAT3结合元件的甲基化状态还决定了细胞的分化潜能.此外,STAT3蛋白还参与维持神经细胞的存活和促进神经损伤后的再生.     

丹参注射液对缺氧神经干细胞凋亡和Caspase-3活性的影响

目的 探讨丹参注射液对缺氧培养大鼠神经干细胞的凋亡及Caspase-3活性的影响,以进一步明确丹参注射液神经保护作用的分子机制.方法 体外培养新生大鼠海马神经干细胞,将其分为正常对照组,缺氧培养组及丹参注射液处理组.Hoechst染色后荧光显微镜下观察并计算细胞凋亡率:比色法检测各组细胞Caspase-3的相对活性.结果 缺氧培养大鼠神经干细胞的细胞凋亡率(30.12%±2.09%)及Caspase-3活性(3.85±0.41)均较正常对照组(2.75%±0.28%,1.16±0.07)明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);施加丹参注射液后,大鼠神经干细胞的细胞凋亡率(9.16%±1.34%)和Caspase-3活性(1.50±0.09)均较缺氧培养组明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论丹参注射液可对抗缺氧损伤所致的神经干细胞凋亡,从而起到神经保护作用.     

依达拉奉对大鼠急性脊髓损伤后神经细胞凋亡的影响

目的:观察依达拉奉对大鼠急性脊髓损伤后细胞凋亡的影响,探讨脊髓保护的作用机制。方法:120只SD雄性大鼠,Allen法建立脊髓损伤模型,随机分为依达拉奉组、假手术组和对照组（均n=40）。依达拉奉组给予依达拉奉10mg·kg^-1,每日2次腹腔注射,连续6d;对照组给予等量同次数的生理盐水腹腔灌注;假手术组仅行椎板切除,不损伤脊髓,不给药。在伤后第1、7、14、28天观察各组大鼠活动情况行BBB评分,取受伤脊髓节段检测抑制羟自由基能力、caspase-3蛋白表达、原位脱氧糖核苷酸末端转移酶介导的原位末端标记法（TUNEL法）标记凋亡细胞。结果:依达拉奉组抑制羟自由基能力明显高于假手术组和对照组（P<0.05）;依达拉奉组caspase-3与对照组比各时间点的表达明显降低（P<0.05）;依达拉奉组与对照组比各时间点凋亡细胞显著减少（P<0.05）。结论:依达拉奉能减少急性脊髓损伤部位的羟自由基,下调caspase-3表达,抑制脊髓神经细胞凋亡,对继发性脊髓损伤有保护作用。     

Caspase-3在H2O2诱导神经细胞凋亡中的作用

目的研究caspase-3在H2O2诱发神经细胞凋亡中的作用,以探讨氧化应激损伤诱导神经细胞凋亡的机制。方法用海马神经细胞原代培养技术,采用1mmol/L H2O2诱导建立细胞氧化损伤模型,并观察细胞形态学变化,采用TUNEL法检测H2O2诱导大鼠海马神经元凋亡率;采用RT-PCR法检测caspase-3 mRNA的表达。结果形态学观察结果显示模型组比海马组细胞损伤程度较严重;与对照组比较,模型组细胞凋亡率及caspase-3 mRNA的表达显著增高（P〈0.01）。结论本结果提示,caspase-3可能参与了氧化应激损伤诱导的神经细胞凋亡过程。     

亚低温对大鼠局灶性脑缺血后细胞凋亡及Caspase-3的影响

目的 探讨亚低温对脑缺血损伤的保护作用。方法 用原位末端标记（TUNEL）和原位杂交技术分别观察亚低温组、常温组脑缺血不同时间点神经细胞凋亡的变化及Caspase-3的表达。结果 （1）常温组脑缺血后凋亡神经细胞主要分布于缺血周围区，随着时间的延长凋亡细胞数逐渐增加，至12h达高峰，24h后开始下降，7d时仍高于假手术组；（2）亚低温组脑缺血后，凋亡神经细胞也主要位于缺血周围区，数量相对较少，其变化规律与常温组相似，同一时间点相比较，亚低温组均显著低于常温组；（3）常温组脑缺血2h后，神经细胞Caspase-3开始表达，并随着时间的延长而增强，24h达高峰，其后逐渐下降，至7d略高于假手术组；（4）亚低温组脑缺血后，神经细胞Caspase-3的表达也主要位于缺血周围区，其变化规律与常温组相似，同一时间点相比较，亚低温组均显著低于常温组。结论 脑缺血后，缺血周围区神经细胞的凋亡是一个动态的渐进过程，Caspase-3基因在介导脑缺血损伤神经元凋亡过程中起关键作用。亚低温对短暂性脑缺血后的神经元凋亡有明显的抑制作用，亚低温可能通过Caspase-3途径抵抗脑缺血损伤。     

AG490阻断STAT3信号通路对人胶质瘤细胞增殖和周期的抑制作用

目的 探讨AG490阻断STAT3信号通路对人胶质瘤细胞增殖和细胞周期的影响.方法 用不同浓度的AG490作用于体外培养的人胶质瘤细胞株U87、U251;用免疫荧光细胞化学染色观察肿瘤细胞STAT3和激活态p-STAT3的表达;Western blot验证AG490对STAT3信号通路的阻断情况;Sulforhodamine B染色观察肿瘤细胞增殖的改变;流式细胞技术分析细胞周期的变化. 结果 STAT3蛋白在胶质瘤细胞胞浆中表达,而P-STAT3则在细胞核中表达.AG490作用胶质瘤细胞后可使p-STAT3表达下降,而STAT3表达不受影响.AG490阻断STAT3信号通路后,胶质瘤细胞的增殖受到显著抑制,该抑制作用与剂量及时间存在一定关系.AG490作用后胶质瘤的细胞周期出现阻滞.结论 应用AG490阻断STAT3通路能够导致胶质瘤细胞增殖的抑制和细胞周期的阻滞.针对STAT3信号通路的研究可能为胶质瘤的治疗提供更加有效的方法.