亚低温对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后MMP-9表达和细胞凋亡的影响

目的 通过研究亚低温对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)表达和细胞凋亡的影响,探讨亚低温脑保护的可能机制.方法 将雄性SD大鼠39只分为假手术组、常温缺血组和缺血期亚低温组.制作大脑中动脉阻塞(MCAO)模型,缺血2h再灌注48h,HE染色观察各组大鼠脑组织形态学改变;采用TTC染色法观察梗死体积;TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡;免疫组化法检测MMP-9表达.结果 亚低温减轻脑缺血组织病理学损伤,明显缩小脑梗死体积(P<0.05).常温下缺血侧脑组织可见大量TUNEL阳性细胞和MMP-9免疫阳性细胞,主要位于皮质缺血半暗带区.亚低温减少脑缺血后TUNEL阳性细胞数目(P<0.05),明显下调MMP-9蛋白表达(P<0.05).结论 亚低温可能通过下调脑缺血再灌注后MMP-9表达,抑制细胞凋亡,从而发挥确实的脑保护作用.     

亚低温对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后不同脑区iNOS表达的影响

目的 探讨亚低温对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后不同脑区诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)表达的影响.方法 雄性SD大鼠,随机分为假手术组、常温缺血组和亚低温组.采用线栓法制作大脑中动脉闭塞再灌注模型,于缺血后48h,观察不同组间组织形态学变化,检测不同脑区iNOS蛋白表达、iNOS活性和产物NO含量.结果 常温缺血后48h,纹状体和皮质均检测到iNOS活性升高和免疫阳性反应,且皮质缺血半暗带区iNOS免疫反应明显强于纹状体和皮质缺血核心区.亚低温明显缩小梗死面积,抑制皮质和纹状体iNOS活性,明显下调半暗带区iNOS蛋白表达,减少NO产生.结论亚低温可能通过减少半暗带区iNOS蛋白表达,抑制iNOS活性,减少NO产生而起到脑保护作用.     

亚低温对局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑皮质神经元凋亡及存活素、脑源性神经营养因子表达的影响

目的观察亚低温干预对局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑皮质神经元凋亡及存活累(Survivin)、脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)表达的影响,探讨Survivin、BDNF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大鼠大脑中动脉闭塞(MCAO)局灶性脑缺血再灌注改良模型,将90只大鼠随机分为假手术组、常温缺血组和亚低温缺血组,缺血组分别于缺血3h再灌注3h、6h、12h、24h、48h、72h、7d处死,亚低温缺血组于缺血后10min实施全身亚低温持续3h。进行TUNEL染色及免疫组化染色,检测梗死灶周围皮质神经元凋亡数量和Sur-vivin、BDNF的表达水平。结果 (1)亚低温缺血组和常温缺血组于再灌注6h皮质区均出现TUNEL染色阳性细胞,72h达高峰,随后逐渐减少,两组内相邻时间点比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);在相同时间点亚低温缺血组凋亡细胞数明显少于常温缺血组,两组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(2)亚低温缺血组于再灌注3hSurvivin、BDNF表达有所增加,BDNF于24h达高峰,Survivin于48h达高峰,随后表达逐渐降低,但7d时仍高于假手术组,常温缺血组表达趋势与之相似,两组各时间点Survivin、BDNF表达均高于假手术组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);除再灌注3h Survivin表达在亚低温缺血组与常温缺血组间无明显差异外,其余各时间点亚低温缺血组Sur-vivin、BDNF表达均高于常温缺血组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论亚低温干预可抑制梗死灶周围脑皮质神经细胞凋亡,促进存活素及脑源性神经营养因子的表达,发挥脑保护作用。     

脑室内低温对家兔急性大脑中动脉缺血模型HSP70表达的影响

目的 观察脑室内低温对家兔急性大脑中动脉缺血模型热休克蛋白70（（Heat shock protein70,HSP70）表达的影响。方法 家兔16只,随机分为2组：对照组（常温生理盐水）、低温组（22℃低温生理盐水）各8只,应用线栓法建立大脑中动脉闭塞（MCAO）模型,进行脑室内穿刺低温液体灌注亚低温干预,24h后采用SABC方法检测各组脑组织HSP70表达,TUNEL方法检测凋亡细胞。结果 低温组的TUNEL染色阳性细胞数和HSP70染色阳性细胞数明显低于及多于常温组,有显著性差异（P〈0.05）。结论 通过脑室内低温治疗,可以减少缺血区域凋亡细胞,并增加HSP70细胞的表达。同时改善了动物的神经系统症状。     

亚低温对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注损伤后海马CA1区c-Jun蛋白表达的影响

目的研究亚低温对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注损伤后海马CA1区神经元的保护作用,并探讨其可能的机制。方法采用四血管阻断法建立大鼠全脑缺血模型。SD大鼠,随机分为假手术组(SH组)、常温组(IR组)和亚低温组(HIR组)。各组在全脑缺血15min后分别再灌注6h、12h、1d、3d,采用苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察各时间点海马CA1区细胞形态学变化和TUNEL法检测海马CA1区神经元凋亡,免疫印迹检测c-Jun蛋白表达。结果(1)HE染色结果 IR组和HIR组于全脑缺血再灌注后6h,HE染色未见明显改变,IR组缺血再灌注1d时CA1区出现严重改变,3d时损伤最严重,出现细胞数目减少,细胞胞体缩小、胞核固缩深染,损伤严重,排列紊乱,核膜不清,核仁消失。而HIR组海马存活的锥体细胞数较之IR组12h、1d、3d时间点均明显增加(P<0.05)。(2)TUNEL标记IR组于缺血再灌注后6h在海马CA1区阳性细胞开始增多,缺血再灌注1 d时阳性细胞数最多。而HIR组各时间点阳性细胞数均较IR组明显减少(P<0.01)。(3)免疫印迹结果全脑缺血再灌注后6h c-Jun蛋白在IR组海马CA1区表达开始增加,12h达高峰,持续到3d;HIR组在各时间点的表达均弱于IR组(P<0.01)。结论亚低温通过减少海马CA1区c-Jun的表达,抑制海马CA1区神经元的凋亡,可能是亚低温脑保护作用的机制之一。     

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。     

亚低温对缺血性神经元凋亡、细胞色素C释放的影响

通过大鼠短暂全脑缺血模型来探讨亚低温对大鼠脑缺血后细胞色素c(Cytoehrome c,CytC)释放及缺血性神经元凋亡的影响,揭示亚低温的部分神经保护机制.用原位细胞凋亡检测法(TUNEL染色)检测及电镜观察脑缺血后大鼠脑海马CAi区神经元凋亡发生情况;免疫组织化学法测定脑缺血后大鼠脑海马区神经元中细胞色素C释放情况.结果显示:①低温缺血组海马CAi区凋亡神经元数明显少于常温缺血组(P<0.01);②低温缺血3 h组海马CA1区神经元CytC阳性表达低于常温缺血3 h组(P<0.01).据此认为,全脑缺血后的迟发性神经元死亡很可能经由凋亡途径,而CytC激活、释放是缺血性神经元凋亡的一个关键事件.亚低温可抑制CytC的释放.推测经此途径减少缺血性神经元凋亡而发挥一定的神经保护作用.     

亚低温对缺血性神经元凋亡、细胞色素C释放的影响

通过大鼠短暂全脑缺血模型来探讨亚低温对大鼠脑缺血后细胞色素C(CytochromeC ,CytC)释放及缺血性神经元凋亡的影响 ,揭示亚低温的部分神经保护机制。用原位细胞凋亡检测法 (TUNEL染色 )检测及电镜观察脑缺血后大鼠脑海马CA1区神经元凋亡发生情况 ;免疫组织化学法测定脑缺血后大鼠脑海马区神经元中细胞色素C释放情况。结果显示 :①低温缺血组海马CA1区凋亡神经元数明显少于常温缺血组 (P <0 .0 1) ;②低温缺血3h组海马CA1区神经元CytC阳性表达低于常温缺血 3h组 (P <0 .0 1)。据此认为 ,全脑缺血后的迟发性神经元死亡很可能经由凋亡途径 ,而CytC激活、释放是缺血性神经元凋亡的一个关键事件。亚低温可抑制CytC的释放 ,推测经此途径减少缺血性神经元凋亡而发挥一定的神经保护作用。     

吸氧预处理对大鼠局灶脑缺血神经细胞凋亡及Bcl-2、Bax的影响

目的 观察吸氧预处理对大鼠局灶脑缺血再灌注后细胞凋亡及凋亡相关基因Bax、Bcl-2的关系,探讨吸氧预处理的脑保护作用.方法 采用线栓法阻塞大鼠大脑中动脉造成局灶脑缺血再灌注模型,用TUNEL染色标记神经细胞凋亡,免疫组化染色观察Bax,Bcl-2蛋白含量.结果 与模型组相比,吸氧预处理组半暗区的TUNEL阳性细胞数和Bax蛋白表达阳性细胞数明显下降,(P<0.05),Bcl-2蛋白表达细胞数明显上升(P<0.05).结论 吸氧预处理可通过抑制缺血再灌注后神经细胞凋亡和减少Bax的表达,增加Bcl-2蛋白的表达发挥脑保护作用.     

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     

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.