大鼠颅脑损伤后亚低温治疗对Calpain及作用底物MAP-2表达的影响

目的探讨亚低温治疗对颅脑损伤后Calpain、MAP-2基因和蛋白表达的影响。方法将54只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组（n=6）、常温脑损伤组（n=24）和亚低温脑损伤组（n=24）。亚低温脑损伤组在液压打击伤后即接受持续4h的亚低温治疗。伤后6h、12h、24h和72h4个时间点分别处死3只常温脑损伤组和亚低温脑损伤组大鼠。荧光PCR、Western blot半定量检测皮质Calpain及MAP-2基因转录和蛋白的表达。结果颅脑损伤后12h及24h亚低温使Calpain mRNA表达增加（P〈0．05）,伤后6h、12h、24h和72h亚低温均可减少Calpain蛋白的升高,伤后12h及72h尤其显著（P〈0．05）。与假手术组比较,常温脑损伤组和亚低温脑损伤组MAP-2基因转录均减少（P〈0．05）;与常温脑损伤组比较,伤后6h、12h和24h亚低温可抑制MAP-2基因转录的下调,但亚低温脑损伤组MAP-2蛋白的表达均比同时间点常温组低（P〈0.05）。结论颅脑损伤后亚低温治疗的脑保护机制可能与调节Calpain蛋白的表达有关,而亚低温与MAP-2的关系还有待进一步研究。     

亚低温对局灶性脑缺血大鼠模型C3表达的影响

目的观察亚低温（32～35℃）对局灶性脑缺血后大鼠脑组织C3表达的影响。方法 100只大鼠随机分成假手术组、常温组和亚低温组,各组根据观察时间点分为术后6h、1d、2d、3d、7d五个亚组。建立大鼠左侧大脑中动脉闭塞（MCAO）模型,应用冰袋降温的方法使亚低温组大鼠肛温10min内降至（33℃±1℃）,维持低温6h后复温。假手术组和常温组大鼠保持肛温（37℃±0.5℃）。在各时间点采用神经缺陷评分对各大鼠进行神经功能评分后断头取脑,行苏木素伊红染色观察脑缺血病理学改变,免疫组织化学染色观察不同时间点C3表达情况。结果假手术组大鼠清醒后无神经功能障碍,常温组及亚低温组大鼠清醒后均出现左侧Horner征及不同程度右侧前肢为重的偏瘫,两组大鼠神经功能缺损3d时最明显,7d时均有所减轻。除6h外各时间点亚低温组大鼠神经功能缺损评分均较常温组低（P〈0.05）,各时间点亚低温组大鼠脑组织病理学损伤较常温组轻。在各时间点假手术组大鼠脑组织中C3可见少许表达,各组间比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。常温组和亚低温组大鼠缺血侧脑组织于缺血后6h补体C3阳性细胞数均开始增加,至3d均达到高峰,到7d时C3阳性细胞数明显减少,与常温组相比,亚低温组各时间点缺血侧脑组织C3表达明显减少（P〈0.05）。结论脑缺血时,缺血侧脑组织C3有表达,亚低温可使C3表达减少。亚低温可能通过降低C3的表达减轻补体级联反应起脑保护作用。     

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。     

亚低温对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护研究

目的观察亚低温对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注后海马CAI区神经元凋亡的影响,探讨亚低温对缺血再灌注脑损伤的保护作用。方法SD大鼠30只随机分为对照组（n=10）,常温缺血组（n=10）,亚低温组（n=10）,采用改良的Pulsinelli-Brierley4血管法建立全脑缺血再灌注动物模型,缺血30min后再灌注72h,尼氏体染色观察海马区存活锥体细胞数,TUNEL法检测缺血后海马CAI区神经元凋亡情况,电镜下观察神经细胞形态学改变。结果与对照组比较,常温缺血组的海马CAI区存活的锥体细胞数目减少（P〈0.01）;与常温缺血组比较,亚低温组海马CAI存活的锥体细胞数目明显增多（P〈0.01）。对照组、亚低温组的海马CAI区神经元凋亡数目和凋亡指数明显低于常温缺血组。在电镜下观察亚低温能明显减轻缺血后脑组织病理形态学的损害程度。结论亚低温可以抑制脑缺血再灌注后的神经细胞凋亡,对神经细胞有保护作用。     

亚低温对创伤性脑损伤后线粒体α-酮戊二酸脱氢酶活性的影响

目的研究亚低温对脑损伤后病理学，α-酮戊二酸脱氢酶（α—ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex，α-KGDHC）活性以及Caspase-3活性的影响。方法雄性SD大鼠50只随机分七组：假手术组（n=5），液压脑损伤常温组（1．8～2．2atm）（n=25），液压脑损伤亚低温组（n=20）。常温组伤后6h，24h，72h，7d检测创伤侧皮层、海马及丘脑线粒体α—KGDHC活性及Caspase-3的活性。伤后15min应用亚低温，30min内脑温降至33℃并维持4h，检测24h及72h酶活性以及Caspase-3的活性。以及亚低温对损伤后24h皮层丘脑及海马CA3区神经病理的影响。结果Fluoro—jade染色显示亚低温显著减少损伤后24h坏死神经元数目（P〈0．05），伤后24h及72hKGDHC酶的活性显著增加（P〈0．05）。伤后24hCaspase-3的活性显著降低（45％）。结论创伤性脑损伤后早期亚低温能够恢复能量代谢酶的活性，抑制神经元凋亡，减轻损伤后神经元的变性。     

亚低温对局灶性脑缺血再灌注后不同时间点Akt、NF-κB变化规律的影响

目的 通过检测Akt及NF-κB蛋白的表达，探讨亚低温对局脑缺血再灌注后神经元存活的影响。方法 用线拴法制作大鼠大脑中动脉闭塞（MCA0）局脑缺血再灌注模型，将44只SD大鼠随机分成假手术组、常温缺血组和亚低温缺血组，缺血组分别缺血2h、6h，再灌注4h、24h、72h、1周、2周后处死，亚低温组于缺血后13～14min实施病灶倒亚低温持续4h。免疫组织化学法检测Akt、NF—κB蛋白的表达。结果 相同缺血再灌注时闾点，亚低温组比常温组缺血侧Akt表达水平显著增高（P〈0．05），NF—κBP65核内移明显降低（P〈0．01）。结论 病灶侧亚低温通过促进缺血半暗带脑组织Akt表达，抑制NF—κB的核内移，从而抑制神经元凋亡，促进脑缺血后神经功能恢复。     

亚低温治疗对大鼠脑梗死后Bax和Bcl-2表达的影响

目的探讨亚低温对大鼠急性脑梗死Bax、Bcl-2表达的影响。方法清洁级（SPF）雄性健康SD大鼠,采用线栓法建立局灶性脑梗死模型,分别于缺血3、6、12 h给予亚低温治疗,缺血24 h取材观察。实验分常温组（大鼠10只）、亚低温3、6、12 h组（每组大鼠各10只）,假手术组（大鼠6只）,用TTC染色测定脑梗死体积,用免疫组化的方法检测Bax、Bcl-2的表达水平。结果与常温组比较,亚低温组脑梗死体积明显减少（P〈0.01）、Bcl-2表达上调、Bax表达下调（P〈0.05）。亚低温组脑梗死体积3 h〈6 h〈12 h组,Bcl-2表达3 h〉6 h〉12 h、Bax表达3 h〈6 h〈12 h（P〈0.05）。结论亚低温治疗可能通过抑制Bax和Bcl-2表达,从而抑制神经元凋亡、降低脑梗死体积,脑缺血后越早期给予亚低温治疗效果越好。     

亚低温对缺氧/复氧条件下星型胶质细胞AQP4表达的影响

目的:探讨亚低温对缺氧/复氧条件下星形胶质细胞（astrocytes,AS）AQP4表达变化的影响。方法:分离新生24h内的SD大鼠皮质,进行星形胶质细胞培养,分为正常对照组(C)、常温缺氧/复氧组(H)、亚低温干预缺氧/复氧组(M)。用台盼蓝染色法测定37℃及32℃时缺氧/复氧不同时间点AS的存活率,对细胞进行形态学观察,应用细胞免疫化学技术检测缺氧/复氧各个时间点AQP4的表达水平。结果:(1)与对照组比较,常温组缺氧后4h及8h有少量细胞死亡(P＜0.05),随着复氧时间延长死亡细胞数亦逐渐增多（P＜0.01）;缺氧4h及8h时,亚低温组细胞死亡数与常温组比较无明显差异,从复氧4h开始,亚低温组细胞死亡数明显少于常温组(P＜0.05)。(2)常温组缺氧4h及8h后,AQP4阳性表达细胞数减少(P＜0.01),而复氧后AQP4阳性表达细胞数逐渐升高并随时间延长呈增高趋势(P＜0.01)。至复氧后8h,亚低温组缺氧/复氧时AQP4阳性表达细胞数均较常温组减少(P＜0.05)。结论:亚低温干预条件下,星形胶质细胞AQP4表达水平降低,可能是亚低温神经保护作用机制之一。     

亚低温对糖尿病合并脑梗死大鼠缺血半暗带凋亡的作用及机制

目的探讨亚低温对糖尿病合并脑梗死(CI)大鼠缺血半暗带凋亡的作用及机制。方法健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为糖尿病组(n=42)和非糖尿病组(n=14),通过高脂饲料喂食联合链脲霉素(STZ)诱导2型糖尿病。制备大鼠永久性大脑中动脉栓塞模型,造模成功2周后随机分为糖尿病CI常温组(n=14)、糖尿病CI亚低温组(n=14)、糖尿病假手术组(n=14)、非糖尿病CI常温组(n=14)。建立永久性大脑中动脉栓塞CI模型后2 h开始对亚低温组进行亚低温干预6 h。于术后不同时间点进行神经行为学评估,术后3 d检测各组大鼠缺血半暗带的细胞凋亡程度以及基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP-9)表达量。结果①与非糖尿病CI常温组比较,糖尿病CI常温组神经功能评分降低(P 0. 05),缺血半暗带凋亡水平升高(P 0. 05),cleaved caspase-3和MMP-9蛋白表达量增加(P 0. 05),Bcl-2基因表达量降低(P 0. 05),Bim基因表达量增加(P 0. 05)。②与糖尿病CI常温组比较,糖尿病CI亚低温组神经功能评分增加(P 0. 05),缺血半暗带凋亡水平降低(P 0. 05),cleaved caspase-3和MMP-9蛋白表达量降低(P 0. 05),Bcl-2基因表达量增加(P 0. 05),Bim基因表达量降低(P 0. 05)。结论糖尿病加重CI大鼠的神经功能损伤,亚低温干预可以减轻糖尿病CI大鼠的神经功能损伤,减轻血脑屏障受损从而抑制缺血半暗带神经细胞凋亡可能是其保护机制。     

亚低温对局灶性脑缺血大鼠血清白细胞介素和缺血局部细胞间黏附分子-1表达的影响

目的观察亚低温对局灶性脑缺血大鼠缺血局部细胞间黏附分子-1（ICAM-1）表达和血清白细胞介素-6（IL-6）含量的影响，探讨亚低温对脑缺血性损害的神经保护作用机制。方法将30只体质量在250-300g的雌性Sprague—Dawley大鼠随机分为亚低温组（n=151和对照组（n=15），采用线栓法阻断大鼠一侧大脑中动脉制作局灶性脑缺血模型，制模成功后，将亚低温组和对照组大鼠分别置于冰毯机和常温操作台上，使其肛温保持在（33±1）℃和（37±0．5）℃。12h后，自左心室取血，断头取脑，采用免疫组化方法检测缺血区ICAM-1阳性血管数目和应用免疫放射测定法（IRMA）检测血清IL-6含量。结果免疫组化分析示缺血局部ICAM-1的表达较对照组下降，IRMA检测的血清IL-6含量亚低温组较对照组降低。结论亚低温可降低局灶性脑缺血大鼠血清IL-6含量和减少缺血局部ICAM—1的表达，推测亚低温降低IL-6和ICAM—1的表达为亚低温减轻脑缺血性损害的神经保护作用之一。     

Neuroimaging in epilepsy in tropics

Epilepsy is a major public health problem in many tropical countries. Also, some of the tropical diseases are major contributors to the higher prevalence of epilepsy in these countries. The etiologic factors responsible for epilepsy in these countries are quite different from those in the developed world. This article discusses the etiologic factors and neuroimaging of epilepsy in light of the conditions in these tropical countries.     

癫痫与抑郁关系的研究进展

抑郁是癫痫患者中常见的精神障碍,严重地影响了患者的生活质量。传统的观点认为癫痫患者因为存在着诸多社会学问题易出现抑郁倾向,癫痫和抑郁是单向的联系,但大量的研究已经证明癫痫和抑郁之间存在双向的联系,一种异常状态的存在可能易转化为另一种异常状态的发展。癫痫和抑郁存在着共同的发病机制。本文主要就癫痫和抑郁的双向联系以及抗抑郁药物在癫痫患者中的应用进行阐述。     

Sudanophilic lipid accumulation in astrocytes in periventricular leukomalacia in monkeys

Summary Sudanophilic lipid accumulation is a characteristic feature of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) of infants. At least two types of lipid-containing cells have been identified, one being the macrophage, the other the pre-myelin glial cell. A third type of lipid-containing cell has been seen in two monkeys with spontaneous PVL. Electron microscopically this cell appears to be an astrocyte. This probably represents a reaction of the astrocyte to hypoxia and may be the equivalent of the hypertrophic astrocytes found in human infants.Supported in part by NIH grant HDO 8633 and the Regional Primate Research Center Grant RR-00166     

Increase in cathepsin D activity in rat brain in aging

Cathepsin D-like activity in homogenates of five brain areas of 3-month-old and 24-month-old Fischer 344 rats was measured. With hemoglobin as substrate at pH 3.2, more than 90% of the activity was inhibited by pepstatin. In each area studied, activity was more than twice as high in the old rat brain: 140-160% higher in the cortex, cerebellum, pons-medulla, and striatum and 90-100% higher in the hippocampus and spinal cord. The greatly increased metabolic capacity in the absence of an increase in protein turnover may have a role in age-related pathological degeneration in the brain.     

Characteristics of nociceptors in the periodontium--an in vitro study in rats

Recent studies have indicated that nociceptors can be classified into various types according to their physiological properties. These studies have clarified that the frequency distribution of various nociceptor types is different among body sites and animal species. In the present study, we investigated the physiological properties of rat's periodontal nociceptors in an in vitro jaw-nerve preparation. Responses were recorded from functional single filaments in the inferior alveolar nerve. To determine the nociceptor type, calibrated von Frey filaments, heat, and bradykinin (BK) stimuli were used. We found five subtypes of nociceptors in the periodontal ligaments of the lower incisor: Adelta-high threshold mechanonociceptors (Adelta-HTM, n=28), Adelta-mechanoheat nociceptors (Adelta-MH, n=6), Adelta-polymodal nociceptors (Adelta-POLY, n=26), C-high threshold mechanonociceptors (C-HTM, n=3) and C-polymodal nociceptors (C-POLY, n=4). Most nociceptors were Adelta-innervated, while only a small number of C-innervated nociceptors were found. The present results suggest that periodontal nociceptors transmit mainly fast pain, and may thus play a role in rapid detection of injure-related stimuli during mastication.     

Gender in Voice Perception in Autism

Deficits in the perception of social stimuli may contribute to the characteristic impairments in social interaction in high functioning autism (HFA). Although the cortical processing of voice is abnormal in HFA, it is unclear whether this gives rise to impairments in the perception of voice gender. About 20 children with HFA and 20 matched controls were presented with voice fragments that were parametrically morphed in gender. No differences were found in the perception of gender between the two groups of participants, but response times differed significantly. The results suggest that the perception of voice gender is not impaired in HFA, which is consistent with behavioral findings of an unimpaired voice-based identification of age and identity by individuals with autism. The differences in response times suggest that individuals with HFA use different perceptual approaches from those used by typically developing individuals.     

Defects in Bioenergetic Coupling in Schizophrenia

Synaptic neurotransmission relies on maintenance of the synapse and meeting the energy demands of neurons. Defects in excitatory and inhibitory synapses have been implicated in schizophrenia, likely contributing to positive and negative symptoms as well as impaired cognition. Recently, accumulating evidence has suggested that bioenergetic systems, important in both synaptic function and cognition, are abnormal in psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia. Animal models of synaptic dysfunction demonstrated endophenotypes of schizophrenia as well as bioenergetic abnormalities. We report findings on the bioenergetic interplay of astrocytes and neurons and discuss how dysregulation of these pathways may contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, highlighting metabolic systems as important therapeutic targets.     

Ethnic disparities in problem behaviour in adolescence contribute to ethnic disparities in social class in adulthood

BACKGROUND: It is important for prevention of social class disparities to know how ethnic disparities in social class arise among migrant children. We contribute to this understanding by examining the role of problem behaviour in adolescence. METHODS: Prospective observational study with 753 Dutch native and 217 Turkish migrant adolescents (11-18 year) followed for 10 years. Internalising and externalising problems were assessed in adolescence and employment status and occupational level were assessed in adulthood. The difference in odds ratios (OR) before and after adjustment for internalising and externalising problems was an indication of the predictive value of disparities in internalising and externalising problems for the development of social class disparities. RESULTS: A total of 135 (62%) of the Turkish and 602 (80%) of the Dutch adults were employed. Internalising and externalising problems were not associated with employment status. Of the employed, 65 (48%) Turkish and 179 (30%) Dutch adults worked in low-level occupations (p < 0.0001). Internalising and externalising problems were associated with both ethnicity and occupation. The OR for low-level occupation for Turkish adults was 1.78 (1.19-2.65), indicating ethnic disparities. Adjustment for internalising problems lowered the OR with 36% to 1.50 (0.97-2.31), and adjustment for externalising problems lowered it with 8% to 1.72 (1.15-2.57). Findings were similar for men and women and did not vary by age. CONCLUSIONS: Ethnic disparities in occupational level in adulthood could partly be attributed to disparities in mental health between Turkish migrants and Dutch natives in adolescence. Prevention of ethnic disparities in mental health at young age may therefore also contribute to the prevention of occupational differences in adulthood.     

Progress in neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease

Slowing or aborting the progress of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains the most important unmet need of this disorder. There are several recent developments in trial design and also in drugs under investigation for possible neuroprotective effect. Emphasis has been placed on clinical as opposed to imaging end-points and these include change in a clinical rating scale, e.g. United Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), or time to additional therapy. The introduction of the delayed-start, or wash-in, trial design adds an additional dimension to drug evaluation for neuroprotection. Compounds that have been recently tested in clinical trial include the monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor rasagiline, the anti-apoptotic agents TCH346 and CEP1347, and the promitochondrial agent creatine. The dopamine agonists have been evaluated for a neuroprotective effect using imaging end-points. Perhaps the most important and simplest concept for neuroprotection has been the theory that early dopaminergic support for the degenerating dopaminergic system per se provides significant long-term clinical benefit for PD patients.     

Changes in parasympathetic system in medulla oblongata in male pigs in the course of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy

Background

Autonomic imbalance constituting a fundamental feature of heart failure (HF) has been assessed mainly at the periphery. Changes in the functioning of autonomic centers in the brain remain unclear. We investigated the molecular elements of parasympathetic system, i.e. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) and enzymes metabolizing acetylcholine (acetylcholinesterase, AChE, choline acetyltransferase, ChAT) in medulla oblongata (MO) of male pigs with chronic tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.

Methods

The mRNA levels of AChE, ChAT, α7nAChR and X-box binding protein 1 (spliced form, XBP1s) in MO were analyzed using qPCR, AChE and ChAT activities using spectrophotometry, proteasome activity using fluorometry, and the protein level of α7nAChR using Western blotting.

Results

The development of systolic HF was accompanied by an increase in circulating catecholamines, a decrease in the AChE and α7nAChR mRNA in MO, an increase in AChE activity (all p < 0.05), and no change in either the mRNA or activity of ChAT. Both circulating catecholamine levels and AChE activity were inversely related to systolic function of left myocardial ventricle (p < 0.05). The level of α7nAChR protein in MO and its cytoplasmatic fraction were higher in pigs with moderate and severe HF as compared to the other animals (p < 0.01). There was no difference in proteasome activity in MO between diseased and healthy animals, whereas the XBP1s mRNA decreased during HF progression (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Molecular elements of parasympathetic system are changed within the medulla oblongata during the progression of systolic non-ischemic heart failure in male pigs, indicating a functional link between MO and heart in HF.