Temporal profile of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and inhibitor expression after transient focal cerebral ischemia

Altered tPA expression may influence the fate of neurons after cerebral ischemia. We determined the changes in tPA and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) expression in adult rat brain after transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Immunohistology revealed tPA staining in ipsilateral but not contralateral cortex and striatum 6 h after occlusion. This pattern was maintained at 24 h. Staining data was supported by Western blot data which showed no tPA protein in contralateral cortex at 3 h but abundant protein in ipsilateral cortex which increased further at 6 h and 24 h. In contrast there was prominent PAI-1 immunostaining and protein expression in control tissue after MCA occlusion but it diminished progressively at 3, 6 and 24 h in the lesioned cortex.     

Correlation between HSP70 and c-F0S expression and apoptosis in rats undergolng transient focal cerebral ischemla and reperfusion

OBJECTIVE To compare the induction of c-Fos and HSP70 and the presence of apoptosis and the influence of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) in transient focal cerebral ischemic reperfusion rats.BACKGROUND Proto ancogene activation and induction of heat shock protein (HSP) occur in response to cerebral ischemia, but the correlation between these proteins and apoptosis remains uncertain. METHODS Healthy wistar rats were randomized to the normal control group(Group A, n=4), the Sham-operated control group(Group B, n=4), the ischemia and reperfusion group(Group C, n=24), the EGb761 pre-treated ischemia and reperfusion group(Group D, n=24). The rats of Group C and Group D were subjected to transient left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) as described by Zea longa for 1 hour. RESULTS Immunohistochemical analysis revealed no c-Fos or HSP70-immunoreactivity in Group A and Group B rats. However, in Group C rats, c-Fos was expressed in ipsilateral superficial cortical layers at 1 hour after reperfusion. At 6 hours, c-Fos immunoreactivities were increased in the ipsilateral cortex and were present in the contralateral cortex, while HSP70 were induced beginning in the ipsilateral neurons of MCA distribution. At 12 hours, the expression of c-Fos reached top in superficial cortical layers. At 24 hours HSP70 immunoreactivities reached top both in ipsilateral cortex and in ipsilateral striatum. At 3 days after recirculation, HSP70 expression decreased. c-Fos expression disappeared at day 7 and HSP70 expression only occured in endothelial cells. TUNEL staining showed that there was no cell apoptosis in Gronp A or in Group B. However, in Group C, TUNEL-positive neurons were observed in the border of the penumbra-like area that surrounds the ischemic core at 6 hours following reperfusion and then the number of TUNEL-positive cells reduced gradually. The changes in expression of HSP70 and c-Fos at different time points in Group D was in accord with in Group C, but the number of positive cells and the immunoreactivities in Group D were more intense than in Group C. We found only several TUNEL-positive cells at 6 hours following reperfusion in Group D and no TUNE;L-positive cells were present at other time points.CONCLUSION The present results indicate that c-Fos was expressed from an earlier stage of reperfusion and the expression occured in bilateral cerebral cortex. In contrast, HSP70 induction began later and only occured in ipsilateral neurons of MCA distribution. Our results indicated that EGb761 could increase the expression of c Fos and HSP70 and reduce the apoptosis of neurons.     

Upregulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and mRNA, and selective sparing of nitric oxide synthase-containing neurons after local cerebral ischemia in rat

Nitric oxide synthase-containing neurons are presumed to be resistant to neurodegeneration and neurotoxicity, however this resistance has not been demonstrated after focal cerebral ischemia. We therefore measured the temporal profile of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS-I) mRNA and immunoreactivity and NADPH-diaphorase reactivity over a one week period after permanent middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in 48 male Wistar rats and compared these data to ischemic cell damage as evaluated on hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) stained sections by light microscopy. NOS-I mRNA increased as early as 15 min after MCA occlusion in the ipsilateral striatum and maximal expression of NOS-I was found in the ipsilateral cortex and striatum 1 h after MCA occlusion. The numbers of NOS-I-containing neurons in the ipsilateral cortex and striatum were significantly greater (P < 0.05) than NOS-I-containing neurons in the contralateral hemisphere at 2–48 h after the onset of ischemia. The number of NOS-I-containing neurons peaked at 4 h after MCA occlusion. Neurons exhibited shrinkage or were swollen at 1 to 4 h after MCA occlusion. At 24–48 h after ischemia, neurons in the ischemia lesion appeared to be eosinophilic or ghost like on H & E stained sections. However, some of these neurons retained morphological integrity on the NOS-I immunohistochemical sections. At 168 h after ischemia, all neurons within the lesion appeared necrotic on H & E stained sections; however, scatterred neurons expressed NOS-I and NADPH-diaphorase. The rapid upregulation of NOS-I and mRNA in the ischemic lesion suggests that NOS-I is involved in focal cerebral ischemic injury; the expression of NOS-I by neurons that retain their morphological structure in the area of the infarct suggests that NOS-I-containing neurons are more resistant to the ischemic insult. Our data also indicate a close association of NOS-I immunoreactivity and NADPH-diaphorase reactivity in ischemic brain.     

Discrepancy between cell injury and benzodiazepine receptor binding after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats

We investigated postischemic alterations in benzodiazepine receptor, D1 dopamine receptor, and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor binding after transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in rats using [3H]-flumazenil, [3H]-SCH23390, and [3H]-N-methyl-4-piperidyl benzilate ([3H]-NMPB), respectively, as radioligand. These ligand bindings were determined at 3 and 24 h and at 3 and 7 days after ischemia/reperfusion of MCA by using autoradiographic methods. Ischemic cell injury was clearly detected from 3 h after ischemia/reperfusion and progressively increased from 3-24 h after ischemia/reperfusion of MCA. The area of cell injury reached maximum at 24 h after ischemia/reperfusion of MCA. [3H]-SCH23390 binding was reduced to 47% of the contralateral side at 3 days after ischemia/reperfusion of MCA. After 7 days, [3H]-SCH23390 binding was further reduced by 20% in the striatum. [3H]-NMPB binding was slightly decreased in both the striatum and cerebral cortex at 3 days after ischemia/reperfusion of MCA, and [3H]-NMPB binding in the striatum and cerebral cortex were reduced to 42 and 62% of the contralateral side at 7 days after ischemia/reperfusion of MCA. [3H]-NMPB was also decreased at 24 h. In contrast, [3H]-flumazenil binding was not decreased in the striatum and cerebral cortex within 7 days after ischemia/reperfusion of MCA. These results suggest that [3H]-SCH23390 and [3H]-NMPB binding do not correlate with cell injury by ischemia/reperfusion, although vulnerability to ischemia/reperfusion was observed with these receptors. In addition, central benzodiazepine receptor imaging might be essentially stable to neuronal cell injury induced by transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats, in contrast to the results of PET studies.     

The effect of ECr on HSP70 expression and morphologic changes following transient cerebral lschemia in rats

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of Cudrania tricuspidata root extract (ECr) on ischemic cerebral damage and the expression of the 70KDa heat shock protein (HSP70) following transient focal ischemia. BACKGROUND The role that ECr plays in cerebral ischemia has not been studied. METHODS Healthy wistar rats were randomized to the normal control group(Group A,n=4),the sham-operated control group(Group B,n=4),the ischemia and reperfusion group (Group C,n=24),the ischemia and reperfiusion after ECr pre- administration group(Group D,n=24).The rats of Group C and Group D were subjected to transient left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)as described by Zea Longa for 1 hour. Brain sections at the level of striatum were performed for HSP70 immunohistochemistry and morphology.HSP70 positive reactions and morphologic changes were semiquantiratively analyzedl. RESLULTS In the rats of Group A and Group B, there were scarcely HSP70 immunoreactivities either in cortex or in striatal neurons. In the ischemic brain regions for Group C rats,the HSP70 was induced in morphologically intact neurons and endothelial cells at hour 6 after recirculation, increased at hour12,peaked at day I, decreased at day 3,and HSP70 expression only occured in endothelial cells at day7. In Group D rats, the HSP70 was induced in the neurons of left MCA distribution at hour 1 after reperfusion, The changes in expression of HSP70 at different time points in Group D rats was in accord whth in Group C, but the number of HSP70 positive cells in Group D increased more, and HSP70 irnmunoreactivity in the HSP70-postive cells were more intense than in Group C. Histopathological study with HE staining showed no neuron pyknosis in Group A or in Group B. While pykrotic cells were present in the ipsilateral cortex and striatal neurons of MCA territory of Group C rats beginning at 6 hours after roper fusion. The change of histopathology in Group D was lighter at every time point. The number of pyknotic neurons in left MCA distribution was less than in Group C and there was no evident cell damage at 3 days and 7 days of reperfusion in Group D rats. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that transient focal cerebral ischenia could induce the HSP70 expression and induce neurons pyknosis.While ECr pre-treatment before transient focal ischemia in rats could increase the expression of HSP70 and reduce neuronal injury. These data suggests that might be able to enhance neuronal ischemic tolerance of the rats and might have prophylactic neuroprotective effect on ischemic cerebral damage in rats.     

Experimental acute thrombotic stroke in baboons

To study the effects of antithrombotic therapy in experimental stroke, we have characterized a baboon model of acute cerebrovascular thrombosis. In this model an inflatable silastic balloon cuff has been implanted by transorbital approach around the right middle cerebral artery (MCA), proximal to the take-off of the lenticulostriate arteries (LSA). Inflation of the balloon for 3 hours in six animals produced a stereotypic sustained stroke syndrome characterized by contralateral hemiparesis. An infarction volume of 3.2 +/- 1.5 cm3 in the ipsilateral corpus striatum was documented by computerized tomographic (CT) scanning at 10 days following stroke induction and 3.9 +/- 1.9 cm3 (n = 4) at 14 days by morphometric neuropathologic determinations of brain specimens fixed in situ by pressure-perfusion with 10% buffered formalin. Immediate pressure-perfusion fixation following deflation of the balloon was performed in 16 additional animals given Evans blue dye intravenously prior to the 3 hour MCA balloon occlusion. Light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy consistently confirmed the presence of thrombotic material occluding microcirculatory branches of the right LSA in the region of Evans blue stain, but not those of the contralateral corpus striatum. When autologous 111In-platelets were infused intravenously in four animals from the above group prior to the transient 3 hour occlusion of the right MCA, gamma scintillation camera imaging of each perfused-fixed whole brain demonstrated the presence of a single residual focus of 111In-platelet activity involving only the Evans blue-stained right corpus striatum. Focal right hemispheric activity was equivalent to 0.55 +/- 0.49 ml of whole blood, and the occlusion score derived from histologic examination of the microcirculation of the Evans blue-stained corpus striatum averaged 34.8 +/- 2.8. Similar 111In-platelet imaging and histologic scoring experiments carried out in four animals pretreated with the antithrombotic combination heparin and ticlopidine showed marked reduction of both 111In-platelet activity (0.01 +/- 0.03 ml vs. 0.55 +/- 0.49 ml; p less than 0.01) and thrombotic occlusion of the microcirculation (10.8 +/- 7.4 units vs. 34.8 +/- 2.8 units; p less than 0.01) in the right corpus striatum following 3 hours of MCA occlusion. In separate control experiments 111In-labeled autologous platelets were infused after the 3 hour period of right MCA occlusion and subsequent balloon deflation in two animals; no focus of 111In-platelet activity was demonstrated in fixed whole brain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

大鼠急性脑缺血后Hephaestin的表达变化

目的 研究大鼠急性局灶性脑缺血后皮质和纹状体Hephaestin表达的变化。方法 线栓法制备大鼠急性大脑中动脉阻塞(MCAO)再灌注模型,在再灌注后的不同时间点应用免疫组化、图像分析以及SDS-PAGE Werstern blot方法检测缺血侧皮质和纹状体的表达变化。结果 MCAO再灌注后大鼠出现大脑中动脉梗死的神经系统损害体征,TTC染色有白色梗死区。Hephaestin在正常大鼠的皮质、纹状体有表达,在急性脑缺血再灌注后12h缺血侧皮质、纹状体表达明显增加并持续到再灌注后48h,在24h时到达高峰(P<0.01),至1周时表达较正常明显减少(P<0.01)。结论 大鼠急性脑缺血再灌注后Hephaestin的表达出现明显的变化,在急性脑缺血的病理生理变化中可能起着重要的作用。     

大鼠脑缺血时凋亡相关基因bc1-2和bax的分布特点

目的 研究大鼠脑缺血时ｂｃｌ－２和ｂａｘ在神经元凋亡中的作用。方法 阻塞大脑中动脉２ｈ再灌流０．５～４８ｈ制成脑缺血模型,免疫组化法观察ｂｃｌ－２和ｂａｘ的分布。结果 正常组、皮质神经元的胞膜和突起ｂｃｌ－２阳性,纤维束外强了性。０．５～３ｈ,ｂｃｌ－２强表达于缺血区皮质和纹状体的纤维,呈丝网状;６～１２ｈ,丝网状的阳性纤维呈树枝状;２４～４８ｈ,纹状体丝网状纤维和皮质树枝状的突起尤为突出。正常组,ｂａｘ强表达于一些核团如视交叉上核、背内侧核等;０．５～３ｈ,缺血中心区皮质和纹状体ｂａｘ阴性,周边区有少量中等阳性的细胞;２４～４８ｈ,缺血区皮质、尾壳核有少量散在的中等阳性神经元。结论 ｂｃｌ－２和ｂａｘ分别强表达于缺血区和缺血周边区的神经元,在神经元的存活或死亡中起作用。     

Up-regulation of c-myc gene expression following focal ischemia in the rat brain

Abstract

Changes in gene expression including that ofc-fos occur following cerebral ischemia. Proto-oncogenes c- myc and s-myc and oncosuppressor gene p53 are known to induce apoptosis in some types of cells, whereas proto-oncogene bcl-2 inhibits apoptosis. Possible induction of mRNAs for c-myc, N-myc, s-myc, c-fos, p53 and bcl-2 was examined following focal ischemia in the rat anterior cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and cerebellum by Northern blot analysis. Animals were decapitated 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours following the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. In sham-operated control rats, the mRNAs for c- myc, N-myc, c-fos and p53 were present in the anterior cortex, hippocampus; thalamus on both sides, and in the cerebellum, whereas those for s-myc and bcl-2 were not The c-myc gene expression was rapidly and markedly induced by the MCA occlusion in the ipsilateral anterior cortex, hippocampus and thalamus in a time-dependent manner. In these regions, the c-fos gene expression was also induced as early as 1 hour after the MCA occlusion. The p-53 mRNA was induced in the ipsilateral hippocampus at 24 hours after MCA occlusion. In contrast, mRNAs for N-myc, s-myc and bcl-2 were not induced following MCA occlusion. These results indicate a possibility that high-level expression of the c-myc gene may be involved in the ischemic cellular events including apoptosis. [Neurol Res 1996; 18: 559-563]     

Regional cerebral blood flow and glucose metabolism following transient forebrain ischemia

Progressive brain damage after transient cerebral ischemia may be related to changes in postischemic cerebral blood flow and metabolism. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and cerebral glucose utilization (rCGU) were measured in adult rats prior to, during (only rCBF), and serially after transient forebrain ischemia. Animals were subjected to 30 minutes of forebrain ischemia by occluding both common carotid arteries 24 hours after cauterizing the vertebral arteries. Regional CBF was measured by the indicator-fractionation technique using 4-iodo-[¹⁴C]-antipyrine. Regional CGU was measured by the 2-[¹⁴C]deoxyglucose method. The results were correlated with the distribution and progression of ischemic neuronal damage in animals subjected to an identical ischemic insult. Cerebral blood flow to forebrain after 30 minutes of moderate to severe ischemia ( < 10% control CBF) was characterized by 5 to 15 minutes of hyperemia; rCBF then fell below normal and remained low for as long as 24 hours. Postischemic glucose utilization in the forebrain, except in the hippocampus, was depressed below control values at 1 hour and either remained low (neocortex, striatum) or gradually rose to normal (white matter) by 48 hours. In the hippocampus, glucose utilization equaled the control value at 1 hour and fell below control between 24 and 48 hours. The appearance of moderate to severe morphological damage in striatum and hippocampus coincided with a late rise of rCBF above normal and with a fall of rCGU; the late depression of rCGU was usually preceded by a period during which metabolism was increased relative to adjacent tissue. Further refinement of these studies may help identify salvageable brain after ischemia and define ways to manipulate CBF and metabolism in the treatment of stroke.     

Increased lipid peroxidation in vulnerable brain regions after transient forebrain ischemia in rats

We examined cerebral lipid peroxidation, estimated by a thiobarbituric acid test, in rat brain regions after 30 minutes of severe forebrain ischemia and at recirculation periods of up to 72 hours. The lipid peroxide levels remained unaltered in all brain regions during ischemia and during the first hour of recirculation but were selectively increased between 8 and 72 hours of recirculation in the ischemia-sensitive regions of the hippocampus, striatum, and cortex. The most pronounced increases (30-37%) were seen at 48 hours of recirculation. In contrast, lipid peroxide levels were unchanged in infarcted brain regions 24 hours after intracarotid injection of microspheres, indicating that reoxygenation of the ischemic brain is a prerequisite for lipid peroxidation. We assessed the lipid peroxidation capacity of cerebral homogenates obtained from rats subjected to ischemia and recirculation by measuring the production of lipid peroxides after aerobic incubation. The homogenates from rats exposed to 30 minutes of ischemia or to 1 hour of recirculation were not more susceptible to peroxidation. However, the production of lipid peroxides was selectively increased in the hippocampus, striatum, and cortex at 8-48 hours of recirculation, suggesting a loss of efficacy of the antioxidant systems. These results, showing a delayed and long-lasting increase in lipid peroxidation that occurs in ischemia-sensitive brain regions and parallels the development of neuronal necrosis, support the hypothesis that free radical processes participate in postischemic neuronal damage.     

Late changes in cerebral monoamine metabolism following focal ventrolateral cerebrocortical lesions in rats

Twelve weeks after focal ventrolateral cerebrocortical suction lesions (ca. 12 X 4 mm) were made in rats, concentrations of the monoamines norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites were measured in several cortical and subcortical brain regions using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Widespread changes in the concentrations of monoamines, their metabolites, and metabolite:monoamine ratios were found in the hemisphere ipsilateral to unilateral (right) lesions, and bilaterally in animals with bilateral lesions. NE was decreased in undamaged dorsolateral cortex and hippocampus, and tended to be increased in striatum and midbrain ipsilateral to lesions. DA was increased in the hypothalamus of bilaterally lesioned animals, and also tended to be increased in striatum and midbrain. The changes of greatest magnitude and anatomical extent were found in the serotonin system: 5-HT was generally increased, and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and the 5-HIAA:5-HT ratio were decreased throughout the cerebral hemispheres ipsilateral to lesions. These widespread changes in cerebral 5-HT metabolism were qualitatively different and smaller than those previously found at 6 days after cortical lesions, and suggest a biphasic response of the ipsilateral 5-HT system to ventrolateral cortical injury.     

Patency of cerebral microvessels after focal embolic stroke in the rat.

In patients with thrombotic stroke, the occluded artery often reopens over time. This results through a natural dissolution of the occluding material, and fragments of the material may move downstream to obstruct distal arteries. The current study was undertaken to investigate the patency of brain microvessels at varying time intervals after injection of a preformed clot into the right internal carotid artery of rats. Cerebral microvessels in brain sections were visualized using immunohistochemistry for fibronectin (detecting existing microvessels) and Evans blue (visualizing perfused microvessels). The percentage of patent microvessels was calculated as the number of Evans blue-positive microvessels divided by the number of fibronectin-positive microvessels. In normal control animals, results showed that 98% +/- 3% (mean +/- SD) of microvessels in the cortex and 94% +/- 14% in the striatum were patent. In the ischemic animals, immediately after clot injection, microvessels in the cortex and striatum were occluded, mainly in the territory irrigated by the middle cerebral artery. One hour after clot injection, microvessels had reopened in most of the cortex but remained occluded in some portions of the striatum, possibly as a result of downstream movement of fragments formed from the original clot. By 3 hours after clot injection, microvessels in the cortex were patent in all animals, whereas in the striatum microvessels were patent in 50% of the animals. In the other 50%, small striatal perfusion deficits persisted. At 24 hours after clot injection, microvessels were patent in both the cortex and striatum of all animals except one. These findings suggest that intracerebral clots dissolve spontaneously in a relatively short period of time, but that fragments formed from the clot may obstruct more distal blood vessels. It is likely that clot fragments lodge in arteries with lower blood flow and poor collateral perfusion, where they continue to cause ischemia for a longer duration. These results may in part explain the resistance of the striatum to neuroprotective strategies used for the treatment of focal cerebral ischemia.     

Regional expression of heat shock protein-70 mRNA and c-fos mRNA following focal ischemia in rat brain.

In situ hybridization was used to estimate regional levels of heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) mRNA and c-fos mRNA in two related models of focal cerebral ischemia. In the first model, permanent occlusion of the distal middle cerebral artery (MCA) alone caused a patchy increase in HSP-70 mRNA by 1 h in the central zone of the MCA territory of the ipsilateral neocortex. Tissue levels of HSP-70 mRNA continued to increase for several hours and remained elevated at 24 h. In contrast to the focal expression of HSP-70, c-fos mRNA was increased throughout the ipsilateral cerebral cortex by 15 min and remained elevated for least 3 h. The wide distribution of c-fos expression suggests it may have been caused by spreading depression. In the second model, severe focal ischemia was produced with a combination of transient (1-h) bilateral carotid artery occlusion and permanent MCA occlusion. Combined occlusion for 1 h without reperfusion caused expression of HSP-70 mRNA only in regions adjacent to the central zone of the MCA territory of the neocortex. However, reperfusion of the carotids for 2 h generated intense expression of HSP-70 mRNA throughout most of the ipsilateral cerebral cortex, white matter, striatum, and hippocampus. The wide-spread increase in HSP-70 mRNA suggests that reperfusion triggered expression in all previously ischemic regions. However, at 24 h of reperfusion, increased levels of HSP-70 mRNA were restricted primarily to the ischemic core of the neocortex. These results suggest that expression of HSP-70 mRNA is prolonged in regions undergoing injury, but is transient in surrounding regions that recover.     

Experimental studies on the therapeutic effects of alkalizing agents on acute focal cerebral ischemia]

Metabolic acidosis in cerebral ischemia is considered deleterious to cell function and neurological outcome. Amelioration of systemic and focal cerebral acidosis by an alkalizing agent may reduce ischemic brain damage. The effects of 0.3 mol tris (hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (THAM) and 7% NaHCO3 on focal cerebral ischemia produced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in cats were examined. In thirty six adult cats, adjustment was made so that PaO2 and PaCO2 would be maintained within the normal range with mechanical ventilation and oxygen inhalation. Focal cerebral ischemia was produced by coagulation of the left MCA using the transorbital approach. The animals were divided into 3 groups as follows. 1) The control group received continuous intravenous administration of physiological saline (2 ml/kg/hour). 2) The THAM group received continuous intravenous administration of 0.3 mol THAM (2 ml/kg/hour). 3) The NaHCO3 group received continuous intravenous administration of 7% NaHCO3 (0.7 ml/kg/hour)+physiological saline (1.3 ml/kg/hour). PaO2, PaCO2 and mean arterial blood pressure were maintained within the normal range in each group. In the THAM and NaHCO3 groups, arterial pH was maintained within the normal range, whereas in the control group, arterial pH gradually decreased from 7.42 +/- 0.04 to 7.30 +/- 0.09 at 6 hours after MCA occlusion. Intracellular pH, measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy over the ischemic brain, decreased from 7.23 +/- 0.06 to 6.13 +/- 0.61 by MCA occlusion. In the THAM group, intracellular pH increased compared with that in the control and 7% NaHCO3 group. These values, however, were not statistically significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Distribution of brain oedema in the contralateral hemisphere after cerebral infarction: repeated MRI measurement in the rat.

The appearance of local cerebral dysfunction at remote regions from the focus in the acute stage of stroke (diaschisis) is well known, but its mechanism has not been established. We have analysed serial MR images of the infarcted brain of rats to evaluate the distribution of oedema. Forty-seven Sprague-Dawley rats were anaesthetized with halothane, and the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) was permanently occluded via the intraluminal approach using a nylon 2-0 suture. At 3, 6, 9 and 24 hours after the occlusion, coronal T(2)-weighted MR images were taken and the signal intensity (SI) was computed at each region of the brain. After occlusion of the right MCA, SI increased diachronically up to 24 hours on the occluded side of the cortex (52.9+/-3.2 to 104.8+/-22.4) and striatum, which are within the perfusion territory of the MCA. SI increment was also observed at the hippocampus, alveus hippocampi and pyriform lobe, which are not within the territory of the MCA, and at some regions of the contralateral side (52.5+/-4.8 to 69.4+/-14.8 at the cortex). These changes were prominent in ischaemia-vulnerable portions, mild in the cortex, and minimal in the striatum. This contralateral side SI increment indicates remote oedema, which corresponds to diaschisis. We suggest that the mechanism of this remote contralateral oedema is the movement of extravasated protein from the lesion.     

Enhanced protein synthesis in the ipsilateral substantia nigra following middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat

Following focal cerebral ischemia, neuronal cell death is detected in remote areas of the brain, including the ipsilateral thalamus and substantia nigra (SN), as well as in the ischemic core. We have investigated protein synthesis in the remote areas of rats exposed to focal ischemia using autoradiography. The proximal portion of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) was permanently occluded, and at various periods (6 h, 2, 4 and 7 days and 2 and 4 weeks following ischemia) animals received a single dose of l-[2,3-³H]valine (6.7 mCi/kg). Brain sections containing the thalamus and SN were processed for autoradiography. In the ipsilateral cerebral cortex and striatum, marked impairment of protein synthesis was observed and was never completely recovered during the experiment. No changes in protein synthesis in the ipsilateral thalamus were detected during the experiment. However, a change in protein synthesis was demonstrated in the ipsilateral SN. At 2 days after MCA occlusion, incorporation of [³H]valine into the whole zona reticulata of the ipsilateral SN was slightly enhanced and the increase became evident at 4 days after ischemia. Increased incorporation of [³H]valine began to be localized in the lateral portion of the zona reticulata after 7 days and continued up to 4 weeks following ischemia. Enhanced protein synthesis during the early stage (2 and 4 days after ischemia) may be due to the activated function of the neurons in the zona reticulata and that during the late stage (7 days and 2 and 4 weeks) after ischemia to astroglial proliferation Received: 22 July 1997 / Revised, accepted: 13 November 1997     

大鼠局灶脑缺血再灌注模型的研究

对尼龙线栓塞大鼠大脑中动脉的局部脑缺血再灌注模型进行研究。观察了大鼠脑缺血不同时间再灌注的成功率、脑水肿、神经病学评分及血流量（ｒＣＢＦ）的动态变化。结果如下：（１）改进实验方法后，使大鼠脑缺血不同时间再灌注的成功率明显提高；（２）脑缺血后早期再灌注，可显著降低脑水肿，改善神经损伤症状；（３）大鼠脑缺血期ｒＣＢＦ降至正常值的１５．７％～１９．１％。再灌后，ｒＣＢＦ恢复至正常值的５９．４％～８４．９％。