Chloride channel blocker 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2’-disulfonic acid inhibits nitric oxide-induced apoptosis in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

Apoptosis in cultured rat hippocampal neurons was induced using the nitric oxide donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine, and cells were treated with the chloride channel blocker, 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2’-disulfonic acid. Results showed that the survival rate of neurons was significantly increased after treatment with 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2’-disulfonic acid, and the rate of apoptosis decreased. In addition, the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose)polymerase-1 and apoptosis-inducing factor were significantly reduced. Our experimental findings indicate that the chloride channel blocker 4,4- diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2’-disulfonic acid can antagonize apoptotic cell death of hippocampal neurons by inhibiting the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose)polymerase-1 and apoptosis-inducing factor.     

Pretreatment with scutellaria baicalensis stem-leaf total flavonoid prevents cerebral ischemia- reperfusion injury

Pretreatment with scutellaria baicalensis stem-leaf total flavonoid has protective effects against ischemia and attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this study, rats were given scutellaria baicalensis stem-leaf total flavonoid intragastrically at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg per day for 7 days before focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury models were established using the suture method. We then determined the protective effects of scutellaria baicalensis stem-leaf total flavon- oid pretreatment on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Results showed that neurological deficit scores increased, infarct volumes enlarged, apoptosis increased and Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression were upregulated at 24 hours after reperfusion. Pretreatment with scutellaria baicalensis stem-leaf total flavonoid at any dose lowered the neurological deficit scores, reduced the infarct volume, prevented apoptosis in hippocampal cells, attenuated neuronal and blood-brain barrier damage and upregulated Bcl-2 protein expression but inhibited Bax protein expression. Doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg were the most efficacious. Our findings indicate that pretreatment with scutel- laria baicalensis stem-leaf total flavonoid at 100 and 200 mg/kg can improve the neurological func- tions and have preventive and protective roles after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Transcription factor changes following long term cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

The present study established a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury using four-vessel occlusion and found that hippocampal CA1 neuronal morphology was damaged, and that there were reductions in hippocampal neuron number and DNA-binding activity of cAMP response element binding protein and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein, accompanied by decreased learning and memory ability. These findings indicate that decline of hippocampal cAMP response element binding protein and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein DNA-binding activities may contribute to neuronal injury and learning and memory ability reduction induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.     

An optimal dose of tea polyphenols protects against global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Previous studies addressing the protection of tea polyphenols against cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury often use focal cerebral ischemia models, and the optimal dose is not unified. In this experiment, a cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury rat model was established using a modified four-vessel occlusion method. Rats were treated with different doses of tea polyphenols (25, 50, 100, 150, 200 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection. Results showed that after 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours of reperfusion, peroxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant capacity in brain tissue gradually increased, while malondialdehyde content gradually decreased after tea polyphenol intervention. Tea polyphenols at 200 mg/kg resulted in the most apparent changes. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling and flow cytometry showed that 200 mg/kg tea polyphenols significantly reduced the number and percentage of apoptotic cells in the hippocampal CA1 region of rats after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. The open field test and elevated plus maze experiments showed that tea polyphenols at 200 mg/kg strengthened exploratory behavior and reduced anxiety of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injured rats. Experimental findings indicate that tea polyphenols protected rats against cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury and 200 mg/kg is regarded as the optimal dose.     

Normobaric oxygen for cerebral ischemic injury

Oxygen inhalation has been shown to increase oxygen supply to tissues after cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury, protecting injured neural cells. However, hyperbaric oxygen may aggravate oxi- dative stress. By contrast, normobaric oxygen has the rapid and non-invasive characteristics and may have therapeutic effects on ischemic/hypoxic disease. Rats inhaled normobaric oxygen （95% 02） for 6 consecutive days, and then a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia was established. Nisst and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining revealed that normobaric oxygen pretreat- ment improved neurological deficits and reduced infarct volume. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot assay revealed that the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-la, Notch-l, vascular endothelial growth factor and erythropoietin were increased. Behavioral studies also verified that neurological deficit scores increased. The hypoxia-inducible factor inhibitor 2-methoxyestradiol treatment at 1 hour before administration of normobaric oxygen could suppress the protective effect of normobaric oxygen. Given these observations, normobaric oxygen pretreatment may alleviate cerebral ischemic injury via the hypoxia-inducible factor signal pathway.     

Protective effect of oxysophoridine on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice

Oxysophoridine, a new alkaloid extracted from Sophora alopecuroides L., has been shown to have a protective effect against ischemic brain damage. In this study, a focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury model was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice. Both 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg oxysophoridine, via intraperitoneal injection, and 6 mg/kg nimodipine, via intragastric administration, were administered daily for 7 days before modeling. After 24 hours of reperfusion, mice were tested for neurological deficit, cerebral infarct size was assessed and brain tissue was collected. Results showed that oxysophoridine at 125, 250 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg nimodipine could reduce neurological deficit scores, cerebral infarct size and brain water content in mice. These results provided evidence that oxysophoridine plays a protective role in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, oxysophoridine at 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg nimodipine increased adenosine-triphosphate content, and decreased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide content. These compounds enhanced the activities of glutathione-peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased the activity of nitric oxide synthase. Protein and mRNA expression levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR1 were markedly inhibited in the presence of 250 mg/kg oxysophoridine and 6 mg/kg nimodipine. Our experimental findings indicated that oxysophoridine has a neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice, and that the effect may be due to its ability to inhibit oxidative stress and expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR1.     

Ischemic preconditioning reduces ischemic brain injury by suppressing nuclear factor kappa B expression and neuronal apoptosis

Ischemic stroke induces a series of complex pathophysiological events including blood-brain barrier disruption, inflammatory response and neuronal apoptosis. Previous studies demonstrate that ischemic preconditioning attenuates ischemic brain damage via inhibiting blood-brain barrier disruption and the inflammatory response. Rats underwent transient (15 minutes) occlusion of the bilateral common carotid artery with 48 hours of reperfusion, and were subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. This study explored whether ischemic preconditioning could reduce ischemic brain injury and relevant molecular mechanisms by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis. Results found that at 72 hours following cerebral ischemia, myeloperoxidase activity was enhanced, malondialdehyde levels increased, and neurological function was obviously damaged. Simultaneously, neuronal apoptosis increased, and nuclear factor-κB and cleaved caspase-3 expression was significantly increased in ischemic brain tissues. Ischemic preconditioning reduced the cerebral ischemia-induced inflammatory response, lipid peroxidation, and neurological function injury. In addition, ischemic preconditioning decreased nuclear factor-κB p65 and cleaved caspase-3 expression. These results suggested that ischemic preconditioning plays a protective effect against ischemic brain injury by suppressing the inflammatory response, reducing lipid peroxidation, and neuronal apoptosis via inhibition of nuclear factor-κB and cleaved caspase-3 expression.     

A new target for treatment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil hydrochloride has been shown to reduce cerebral vasospasm, to inhibit inflammation and apoptosis and to promote the recovery of neurological function. However, the effect of fasudil hydrochloride on claudin-5 protein expression has not been reported after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Therefore, this study sought to explore the effects of fasudil hydrochloride on blood-brain barrier permeability, growth-associated protein-43 and claudin-5 protein expression, and to further understand the neuroprotective effect of fasudil hydrochloride. A focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model was established using the intraluminal suture technique. Fasudil hydrochloride (15 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected once a day. Neurological deficit was evaluated using Longa’s method. Changes in permeability of blood-brain barrier were measured using Evans blue. Changes in RhoA, growth-associated protein-43 and claudin-5 protein expression were detected using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Results revealed that fasudil hydrochloride noticeably contributed to the recovery of neurological function, improved the function of blood-brain barrier, inhibited RhoA protein expression, and upregulated growth-associated protein-43 and claudin-5 protein expression following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Results indicated that Rho kinase exhibits a certain effect on neurovascular damage following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Intervention targeted Rho kinase might be a new therapeutic target in the treatment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.     

Expression profiles of microRNAs after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Rat models of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury were established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.Microarray analysis showed that 24 hours after cerebral ischemia,there were nine up-regulated and 27 down-regulated microRNA genes in cortical tissue.Bioinformatic analysis showed that bcl-2 was the target gene of microRNA-384-5p and microRNA-494,and caspase-3 was the target gene of microRNA-129,microRNA-320 and microRNA-326.Real-time PCR and western blot analyses showed that 24 hours after cerebral ischemia,bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels in brain tissue were significantly decreased,while caspase-3 mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased.This suggests that following cerebral ischemia,differentially expressed microRNA-384-5p,microRNA-494,microRNA-320,microRNA-129 and microRNA-326 can regulate bcl-2 and caspase-3 expression in brain tissue.     

Neuroprotective effects of rutaecarpine on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury**

Rutaecarpine,an active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Tetradium ruticarpum,has been shown to improve myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.Because both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are forms of ischemic vascular disease,they are closely related.We hypothesized that rutaecarpine also has neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury.A cerebral ischemia reperfusion model was established after 84,252 and 504 μg/kg rutaecarpine were given to mice via intraperitoneal injection,daily for 7 days.Results of the step through test,2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride dyeing and oxidative stress indicators showed that rutaecarpine could improve learning and memory ability,neurological symptoms and reduce infarction volume and cerebral water content in mice with cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury.Rutaecarpine could significantly decrease the malondialdehyde content and increase the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in mouse brain.Therefore,rutaecarpine could improve neurological function following injury induced by cerebral ischemia reperfusion,and the mechanism of this improvement may be associated with oxidative stress.These results verify that rutaecarpine has neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia reperfusion in mice.     

Neuroprotective effect of penehyclidine hydrochloride on focal cerebral ischemiareperfusion injury

Penehyclidine hydrochloride can promote microcirculation and reduce vascular permeability. However, the role of penehyclidine hydrochloride in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury remains unclear. In this study, in vivo middle cerebral artery occlusion models were established in experimental rats, and penehyclidine hydrochloride pretreatment was given via intravenous injection prior to model establishment. Tetrazolium chloride, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling and immunohistochemical staining showed that, penehyclidine hydrochloride pretreatment markedly attenuated neuronal histopathological changes in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum, reduced infarction size, increased the expression level of Bcl-2, decreased the expression level of caspase-3, and inhibited neuronal apoptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Xanthine oxidase and thiobarbituric acid chromogenic results showed that penehyclidine hydrochloride upregulated the activity of superoxide dismutase and downregulated the concentration of malondialdehyde in the ischemic cerebral cortex and hippocampus, as well as reduced the concentration of extracellular excitatory amino acids in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, penehyclidine hydrochloride inhibited the expression level of the NR1 subunit in hippocampal nerve cells in vitro following oxygen-glucose deprivation, as detected by PCR. Experimental findings indicate that penehyclidine hydrochloride attenuates neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress injury after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, thus exerting a neuroprotective effect.     

Danhong injection: A modulator for Golgi structural stability after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

The cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was established using the suture occlusion method, and rats were intraperitoneally given 8 mL/kg Danhong injection once a day prior to model establishment. Rat brain tissues were harvested at 6, 24, 48, 72 hours after reperfusion. Immunohistochemical staining showed that transforming growth factor-β1 expression increased, while Golgi matrix protein GM130 expression decreased after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Danhong injection was shown to significantly up-regulate the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and GM130, and expression levels peaked at 7 days after reperfusion. At 7 days after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, Golgi morphology was damaged in untreated rats, while Golgi morphology breakage was not observed after intervention with Danhong injection. These experimental findings indicate that Danhong injection can up-regulate the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and GM130, and maintain Golgi stability, thus playing a neuroprotective role in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.     

Involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway and cell apoptosis in the rat hippocampus following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

We investigated the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by examining β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3β protein expression in the rat hippocampal CA1 region following acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Our results demonstrate that cell apoptosis increases in the CA1 region following ischemia/reperfusion. In addition, β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3β protein expression gradually increases, peaking at 48 hours following reperfusion. Dickkopf-1 administration, after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, results in decreased cell apoptosis, and β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3β expression, in the CA1 region. This suggests that β-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3β, both components of the Wnt signaling pathway, participate in cell apoptosis following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.     

Buyang Huanwu Decoction fraction protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by attenuating the inflammatory response and cellular apoptosis

Buyang Huanwu Decoction fraction extracted from Buyang Huanwu Decoction contains saponins of Astragalus, total paeony glycoside and safflower flavones. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction fraction on ischemic injury both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo experiments showed that 50-200 mg/kg Buyang Huanwu Decoction fraction reduced infarct volume and pathological injury in ischemia/reperfusion rats, markedly inhibited expression of nuclear factor-κB and tumor necrosis factor-α and promoted nestin protein expression in brain tissue. Buyang Huanwu Decoction fraction (200 mg/kg) exhibited significant effects, which were similar to those of 100 mg/kg Ginkgo biloba extract. In vitro experimental results demonstrated that 10-100 mg/L Buyang Huanwu Decoction fraction significantly improved cell viability, decreased the release of lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde levels, and inhibited the rate of apoptosis in HT22 cells following oxygen-glucose deprivation. Buyang Huanwu Decoction fraction (100 mg/L) exhibited significant effects, which were similar to those of 100 mg/L Ginkgo biloba extract. These findings suggest that Buyang Huanwu Decoction fraction may represent a novel, protective strategy against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats and oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced damage in HT22 cells in vitro by attenuating the inflammatory response and cellular apoptosis.     

The calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor KN-93 protects rat cerebral cortical neurons from N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-induced injury

In this study, primary cultured cerebral cortical neurons of Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats were treated with 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 μM calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor KN-93 after 50 μM N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-induced injury. Results showed that, compared with N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-induced injury neurons, the activity of cells markedly increased, apoptosis was significantly reduced, leakage of lactate dehydrogenase decreased, and intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations in neurons reduced after KN-93 treatment. The expression of caspase-3, phosphorylated calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and total calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II protein decreased after KN-93 treatment. And the effect was apparent at a dose of 1.0 μM KN-93. Experimental findings suggest that KN-93 can induce a dose-dependent neuroprotective effect, and that the underlying mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of caspase-3 and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II expression.     

Stress protein expression in early phase spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury*

Spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury is a stress injury to the spinal cord. Our previous studies using differential proteomics identified 21 differentially expressed proteins (n > 2) in rabbits with spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury. Of these proteins, stress-related proteins included protein disulfide isomerase A3, stress-induced-phosphoprotein 1 and heat shock cognate protein 70. In this study, we established New Zealand rabbit models of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury by abdominal aorta occlusion. Results demonstrated that hind limb function initially improved after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury, but then deteriorated. The pathological morphology of the spinal cord became aggravated, but lessened 24 hours after reperfusion. However, the numbers of motor neurons and interneurons in the spinal cord gradually decreased. The expression of protein disulfide isomerase A3, stress-induced-phosphoprotein 1 and heat shock cognate protein 70 was induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury. The expression of these proteins increased within 12 hours after reperfusion, and then decreased, reached a minimum at 24 hours, but subsequently increased again to similar levels seen at 6-12 hours, showing a characterization of induction-inhibition-induction. These three proteins were expressed only in cytoplasm but not in the nuclei. Moreover, the expression was higher in interneurons than in motor neurons, and the survival rate of interneurons was greater than that of motor neurons. It is assumed that the expression of stress-related proteins exhibited a protective effect on neurons.     

Emodin prevents hypoxic-ischemic neuronal injury Involvement of the activin A pathway

Emodin, an extract of dried rhizomes and the root of the Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati, can protect neurons from hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. This study aimed to verify the underlying mechanism. After PC12 cells had differentiated into neuron-like cells under the induction of mouse nerve growth factor, cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and treated with emodin. Results showed that the viability of neuron-like cells cultured under an ischemia-hypoxia environment decreased, while the expression of activin A and caspase-3 in cells increased. Emodin raised the survival rate of oxygen-glucose deprived neuron-like cells, increased activin A expression, and decreased caspase-3 expression. Experimental findings indicate that emodin can inhibit neuronal apoptosis and alleviate the injury of nerve cells after oxygen-glucose deprivation through the activin A pathway.     

Expression of netrin-1 and its receptors, deleted in colorectal cancer and uncoordinated locomotion-5 homolog B, in rat brain following focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury

Netrin-1 is currently one of the most highly studied axon guidance factors. Netrin-1 is widely expressed in the embryonic central nervous system, and together with the deleted in colorectal cancer and uncoordinated locomotion-5 homolog B receptors, netrin-1 plays a guiding role in the construction of neural conduction pathways and the directional migration of neuronal cells. In this study, we established a rat middle cerebral artery ischemia reperfusion model using the intraluminal thread technique. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that the expression of netrin-1 and deleted in colorectal cancer in the ischemic penumbra was upregulated at 1 day after reperfusion, reached a peak at 14 days, and decreased at 21 days. There was no obvious change in the expression of uncoordinated locomotion-5 homolog B during this time period. Double immunofluorescence labeling revealed that netrin-1 was expressed in neuronal cells and around small vessels, but not in astrocytes and microglia, while deleted in colorectal cancer was localized in the cell membranes and protrusions of neurons and astrocytes. Our experimental findings indicate that netrin-1 may be involved in post-ischemic repair and neuronal protection via deleted in colorectal cancer receptors.     

Changes of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signaling and the effect of cilostazol in chronic cerebral ischemia

Hypoxiainducible factor1 and its specific target gene heme oxygenase1, are involved in acute cerebral ischemia. However, very few studies have examined in detail the changes in the hy poxiainducible factor1/heme oxygenase1 signaling pathway in chronic cerebral ischemia. In this study, a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia was established by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, and these rats were treated with intragastric cilostazol （30 mg/kg） for 9 weeks. Morris water maze results showed that cognitive impairment gradually worsened as the cerebral ischemia proceeded. Immunohistochemistry, semiquantitative PCR and western blot analysis showed that hypoxiainducible factorla and heme oxygenase1 expression levels in creased after chronic cerebral ischemia, with hypoxiainducible factorla expression peaking at 3 weeks and heme oxygenase1 expression peaking at 6 weeks. These results suggest that the elevated levels of hypoxiainducible factorla may upregulate heine oxygenase1 expression fol lowing chronic cerebral ischemia and that the hypoxiainducible factor1/heme oxygenase1 sig naling pathway is involved in the development of cognitive impairment induced by chronic cerebral ischemia. Cilostazol treatment alleviated the cognitive impairment in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia, decreased hypoxiainducible factorla and heme oxygenase1 expression levels, and reduced apoptosis in the frontal cortex. These findings demonstrate that cilostazol can protect against cognitive impairment induced by chronic cerebral ischemic injury through an antiapoptotic mechanism.     

The role of autophagic and lysosomal pathways in ischemic brain injury******

Autophagy is involved in neural cell death after cerebral ischemia. Our previous studies showed that rapamycin-induced autophagy decreased the rate of apoptosis, but the rate of apoptosis was in-creased after the autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine, was used. In this study, a suture-occluded method was performed to generate a rat model of brain ischemia. Under a transmission electron microscope, autophagic bodies and autophagy lysosomes were markedly accumulated in neurons at 4 hours post brain ischemic injury, with their numbers gradually reducing over time. Western blotting demonstrated that protein levels of light chain 3-II and cathepsin B were significantly in-creased within 4 hours of ischemic injury, but these levels were not persistently upregulated over time. Confocal microscopy showed that autophagy was mainly found in neurons with positive light chain 3 signal. Injection of rapamycin via tail vein promoted the occurrence of autophagy in rat brain tissue after cerebral ischemia and elevated light chain 3 and cathepsin B expression. However, in-jection of 3-methyladenine significantly diminished light chain 3-II and cathepsin B expression. Results verified that autophagic and lysosomal activity is increased in ischemic neurons. Abnormal components in cells can be eliminated through upregulating cell autophagy or inhibiting autophagy after ischemic brain injury, resulting in a dynamic balance of substances in cells. Moreover, drugs that interfere with autophagy may be potential therapies for the treatment of brain injury.