亚低温对大鼠脑创伤后海马区凋亡相关蛋白表达的影响

目的观察亚低温对大鼠创伤性脑损伤(TBI)后海马CA3区细胞凋亡及相关蛋白Bcl-2、Bax及Caspase-3表达的影响,探讨亚低温脑保护的分子生物学机制.方法将大鼠随机分成假手术、单纯脑损伤和脑损伤后亚低温治疗3组,应用改良Marmarou方法制作大鼠TBI模型,分别用流式细胞仪(FCM)和免疫组化法检测各组动物脑海马CA3区细胞凋亡率和Bcl-2、Bax及Caspase-3蛋白的表达.结果与假手术组相比,大鼠TBI后海马CA3区细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3表达增高(P<0.05),Bcl-2/Bax表达比下降(P<0.05).亚低温治疗后,大鼠脑海马CA3区细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3表达较单纯脑损伤组降低(P<0.05),而Bcl-2/Bax表达比升高(P<0.05).结论亚低温对TBI的脑保护作用机制可能与干预伤后凋亡相关基因表达并减少神经细胞凋亡有关.     

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯保护阿米卡星诱导耳蜗螺旋神经节神经元的凋亡

透射电镜观察SD大鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节神经元形态变化,发现阿米卡星可以诱导耳蜗螺旋神经节神经元凋亡。免疫组化染色和RT-PCR检测发现,阿米卡星诱导耳蜗螺旋神经元Bcl-2 蛋白表达下调,Bax、Caspase-3蛋白及Caspase-6 mRNA表达增强。表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯可以抑制耳蜗螺旋神经元Bax、Caspase-3蛋白及Caspase-6 mRNA的表达,同时增强Bcl-2蛋白表达,从而降低耳蜗螺旋神经元凋亡率。证实表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯对阿米卡星损伤的耳蜗螺旋神经节具有保护作用。     

刺五加多糖对H2O2诱导的大鼠海马神经元凋亡的保护作用

目的研究刺五加多糖（ASPS）对H2O2诱导的海马神经元凋亡的影响及其机制。方法采用H2O2诱导大鼠海马神经元凋亡。采用末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP原位切口末端标记法检测细胞凋亡率、免疫组化法检测caspase-3蛋白的表达、逆转录PCR法检测caspase-3 mRNA的表达。结果H2O2作用后,海马神经元凋亡率、caspase-3蛋白和mRNA表达水平均显著增高（P〈0.05）;给予ASPS干预后,均显著下降（P〈0.05）;而且,随ASPS剂量增加,作用效果显著增强（P〈0.05）。结论ASPS具有抑制氧化应激损伤诱导神经细胞凋亡作用,其机制与下调caspase-3 mRNA的表达有关。     

新生大鼠缺氧缺血性脑损伤后CIRP表达与意义

目的观察新生大鼠缺氧缺血性脑损伤(HIBD)后冷诱导RNA结合蛋白(CIRP)表达的变化情况。方法将40只7日龄新生SD大鼠随机分为假手术组和HIBD组,分别采用real-time PCR及免疫组织化学方法检测假手术组和HIBD后不同时间点(6、12、24和48h)CIRP在大鼠脑皮质与海马表达的变化。结果利用免疫组化和real-time PCR检测发现,大鼠脑皮质的CIRP蛋白和CIRP mRNA表达呈持续降低趋势,HIBD后6、12 h开始减少;24~48h下降更为明显。海马CIRP蛋白和CIRP mRNA表达则表现为6 h先升48h后降。结论CIRP参与了新生大鼠脑缺氧缺血的应激过程,可能与缺氧缺血性脑损伤后的脑水肿及神经元凋亡相关。     

亚低温对局灶性脑缺血-再灌注大鼠脑皮质脑源性神经营养因子表达及神经元凋亡的影响

目的 观察局灶性脑缺血-再灌注后亚低温干预对大鼠脑源性神经营养因子表达及神经元凋亡的影响，并探讨脑源性神经营养因子在亚低温脑保护机制中的作用。方法 采用线栓法制备成年雄性SD大鼠左侧大脑中动脉闭塞局灶性脑缺血-再灌注改良模型，缺血时间2h。随机分为常温缺血组和亚低温缺血组。常温时大鼠脑温控制于36．5℃～37．5℃，肛温为35．9℃～36．9℃；亚低温时脑温维持于32．5℃～33．5℃，肛温为32．2℃～33．1℃。两组大鼠分别于脑缺血一再灌注及亚低温干预后2、6、24和72h进行神经功能缺损评分，并同时行三苯基氯化四唑（1TC）染色、HE染色、TUNEL染色、免疫组化染色及免疫组化与TUNEL双重染色，从而评估大鼠神经功能缺损状况；检测脑梗死体积及脑源性神经营养因子表达水平；观察组织病理学变化和神经元凋亡数量。结果 与常温缺血组相比，亚低温缺血组大鼠神经功能缺损评分低（P〈0．01），脑梗死体积小（P〈0．01），缺血灶周围脑皮质中的脑源性神经营养因子表达水平增高（P〈0．01），而且神经元凋亡数量少（P〈0．01）。在脑源性神经营养因子免疫组化染色呈阳性反应的神经元细胞核中，未发现TUNEL染色阳性者。结论 亚低温干预治疗可促进缺血灶周围的脑皮质对脑源性神经营养因子的表达，从而抑制神经元凋亡，减少大鼠脑梗死体积，改善神经功能缺损体征。     

冷诱导RNA结合蛋白mRNA在低体温大鼠脑内的表达

目的 观察大鼠脑内不同脑区，不同低温条件下冷诱导RNA结合蛋白（CIRP）mRNA的表达情况。方法 利用麻醉配合体表降温，制作亚低温大鼠模型。将大鼠分为对照组、低温30min、低温1h、低温2h、低温4h组，每组5只。保持低温状态恒定后，在相应时间点处死大鼠．取下丘脑、海马、皮层脑组织。以PT—PCR半定量检测各脑区在不同低温时间点时CIRP mRNA的表达。结果 正常体温下，海马CIRP mRNA的表达相对最强，皮层居中，下丘脑最弱。低体温1h后，CIRP mRNA的表达在下丘脑首先增高；低体温2h后．海马和皮层的CIRP mRNA的表达才开始增高，此时下丘脑CIRP mRNA的表达未见变化：低体温4h后，海马CIRP mRNA的表达较2h时仍有所增高，而下丘脑和皮层则保持不变。结论 不同脑区CIRP mRNA的表达在低温下均明显增高，各脑区表达不一，提示这种CIRP的高表达可能参与了低温下机体对脑损伤的保护作用。     

亚低温对大鼠短暂性全脑缺血后皮质NOS亚型表达及神经元凋亡的影响

目的观察亚低温对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注后皮质3种一氧化氮合酶亚型表达、一氧化氮产生以及神经元凋亡的影响,探讨亚低温的神经保护机制。方法成年雄性SD大鼠,采用双侧颈总动脉阻断闭塞+低血压法制备短暂性全脑缺血动物模型,随机分为常温缺血组、亚低温缺血组和常温假手术对照组;常温时的脑温为36.5℃～37.5℃,肛温为35.9℃～36.9℃;亚低温时控制在32.5℃～33.5℃,相对应肛温为32.2℃～33.1℃;分别于缺血后及亚低温治疗后30min、2h、24h和72h观察短暂缺血对脑组织一氧化氮合酶亚型表达及神经元凋亡的影响,以及亚低温对缺血性脑损伤的保护作用。行神经元尼氏体亚甲蓝染色观察神经元数目及形态学的变化;免疫组化染色检测神经元型、诱导型和内皮型一氧化氮合酶的表达水平;应用硝酸还原酶法检测硝酸盐/亚硝酸盐水平的变化;采用TUNEL染色法并结合电子显微镜观察神经元凋亡的变化。结果常温缺血组大鼠额叶皮质3种一氧化氮合酶亚型表达水平及硝酸盐/亚硝酸盐含量均明显高于常温假手术对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01),出现凋亡神经元;低温缺血组大鼠3种一氧化氮合酶亚型表达水平和硝酸盐/亚硝酸盐含量明显低于常温缺血组(P<0.05或P<0.01),未检测到凋亡神经元。结论脑缺血后一氧化氮参与了神经元的凋亡过程,而亚低温治疗可以     

亚低温脑内冷诱导RNA结合蛋白的表达特征

目的初步检测RNA结合蛋白(CIRP)在低温大鼠模型中,尤其是脑组织中的表达特征。方法大鼠被分为两组:对照组和低温组。低温组大鼠先置于低温下2 h,复温后2 h断头处死。提取总RNA,反转录后得到c DNA,实时多聚酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法检测CIRP在大鼠脑内的表达情况。利用实时PCR定量检测大鼠脑、心脏、肝脏中CIRP mRNA表达。结果常温下CIRP mRNA均能在脑、心、肝组织中检测出。低温情况下,脑组织中下丘脑、皮层和海马均可见CIRP mRNA表达增高,且海马中CIRP mRNA表达增高最显著。定量PCR检测显示低温情况下CIRP mRNA在脑皮层中的表达比对照组高1.5倍。心脏和肝脏中CIRP mRNA的表达在低温时与对照组差别不大。结论低温情况下CIRP mRNA在脑皮层和海马中会明显增高,而肝脏、心脏中CIRP mRNA的表达不受低温影响。提示低温可以使CIRP在神经组织中的表达特异性增高。     

不同时期亚低温对短暂性脑缺血后海马神经元凋亡及Bcl-2/BaX的影响

目的观察不同时期亚低温(33℃)对短暂性全脑缺血的神经保护作用及对Bcl-2/Bax表达的影响.方法40只SD大鼠随机分成常温组、即刻亚低温组、延迟亚低温组和对照组,采用大鼠短暂性脑缺血模型,尼氏体染色观察存活神经元,TUNEL法检测凋亡神经元,免疫组化检测Bcl-2、Bax蛋白的表达.结果即刻亚低温可上调海马CA1、CA3区Bcl-2/Bax比值,减少细胞凋亡,延迟亚低温仅对CA3区有此作用.结论亚低温对缺血后神经元有保护作用,该作用与低温开始时间有关.     

不同时期亚低温对短暂性脑缺血后海马神经元调亡及Bcl—2／Bax的影响

目的 观察不同时期亚低温（33℃）对短暂性全脑缺血的神经保护作用及对Bcl-2/Bax表达的影响。方法 40只SD大鼠随机分成常温组、即刻亚低温组、延迟亚低温组和对照组,采用大鼠短暂性脑缺血模型,尼氏体染色观察存活神经元,TUNEL法检测凋亡神经元,免疫组化检测Bcl-2、Bax蛋白的表达。结果 即刻亚低温可上调海马CA1、CA3区Bcl-2/Bax比值,减少细胞凋亡,延迟亚低温仅对CA3区有此作用。结论 亚低温对缺血后神经元有保护作用,该作用与低温开始时间有关。     

2-DPMP (desoxypipradrol, 2-benzhydrylpiperidine, 2-phenylmethylpiperidine) and D2PM (diphenyl-2-pyrrolidin-2-yl-methanol,diphenylprolinol): A preliminary review

2-DPMP (desoxypipradrol, 2-benzhydrylpiperidine, 2-phenylmethylpiperidine) and D2PM (diphenyl-2-pyrrolidin-2-yl-methanol, diphenylprolinol) are psychoactive substances, sold primarily over the Internet and in ‘head’ shops as ‘legal highs’, ‘research chemicals’ or ‘plant food’. Originally developed in the 1950s for the treatment of narcolepsy and ADHD, 2-DPMP's use soon became very limited. Recreational use of 2-DPMP and D2PM appears to have started in March 2007, but only developed slowly. However, in the UK their popularity grew in 2009, increasing rapidly during summer 2010. At this time, there were many presentations to UK Emergency Departments by patients complaining of undesirable physical and psychiatric effects after taking 2-DPMP. In spring 2011 there were similar presentations for D2PM. Recreational use of these drugs has been reported only occasionally in on-line user fora. There is little scientifically-based literature on the pharmacological, physiological, psychopharmacological, toxicological and epidemiological characteristics of these drugs. Here we describe what is known about them, especially on their toxicity, including what we believe to be the first three deaths involving the use of 2-DPMP in August 2010. There are no international controls imposed on 2-DPMP or D2PM. However, a ban on their UK importation was imposed in November 2011 and they became Class C drugs on 13 June 2012. It is critical that any other cases, including non-fatal overdoses, are documented so that a scientific evidence-base can be established for them.     

Spinocerebellar ataxia 2 (SCA2)

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is an autosomal dominantly inherited, neurodegenerative disease. It can manifest either with a cerebellar syndrome or as Parkinson’s syndrome, while later stages involve mainly brainstem, spinal cord and thalamus. This particular atrophy pattern resembles sporadic multi-system-atrophy (MSA) and results in some clinical features indicative of SCA2, such as early saccade slowing, early hyporeflexia, severe tremor of postural or action type, and early myoclonus. For treatment, levodopa is temporarily useful for rigidity/bradykinesia and for tremor, magnesium for muscle cramps, but neuroprotective therapy will depend on the elucidation of pathogenesis. The disease cause lies in the polyglutamine domain of the protein ataxin-2, which can expand in families over successive generations resulting in earlier onset age and faster progression. Genetic testing in SCA2 and other polyglutamine disorders like the well-studied Huntington’s disease is now readily available for family planning. Although these disorders differ clinically and in the affected neuron populations, it is not understood how the different polyglutamine proteins mediate such tissue specificity. The neuronal intranuclear inclusion bodies described in other polyglutamine disorders are not frequent in SCA2. For the quite ubiquitously expressed ataxin-2, a subcellular localization at the Golgi, the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane, in interaction with proteins of mRNA translation and of endocytosis have been observed. As a first victim of SCA2 degeneration, cerebellar Purkinje neurons may be preferentially susceptible to alterations of these subcellular pathways, and therefore our review aims to portray the particular profile of the SCA2 disease process and correlate it to the specific features of ataxin-2.     

Neurofibromatosis 2

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recent clinical and molecular research on neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is reviewed, and the implications for clinical practice and research are discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: NF2 patients who are treated in specialty centers have a significantly lower risk of mortality than those who are treated in non-specialty centers. Vestibular schwannoma growth rates in NF2 are generally higher in younger people but are highly variable, even among multiple NF2 patients of similar ages in the same family. Radiation therapy is best reserved for NF2 patients who have particularly aggressive tumors, those who are poor surgical risks, those who refuse surgery, or those who are elderly. In-vivo studies have demonstrated that leptomeningeal cell activation of in mice results in leptomeningeal hyperplasia and meningioma formation. In-vitro studies have identified molecules that interact with the product (merlin or schwannomin), some of which (e.g., CD44 and paxillin) may play critical roles in merlin growth regulation. SUMMARY: NF2 patients should be referred to specialty treatment centers for optimal care. Clinical management of multiple patients in NF2 families cannot be based on the expectation of similar vestibular schwannoma growth rates, even when other clinical aspects of disease severity are similar. The availability of accurate mouse models of human NF2-associated tumors and the identification of molecules involved in merlin growth regulation now provide an opportunity to design targeted treatments for schwannomas and meningiomas.