Angiopoietin-2 is vasoprotective in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia

Most forms of cerebral ischemia are characterized by damage to the entire neurovascular unit, which leads to an increase in the permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). In response to permanent focal cerebral ischemia in mice, we detected an early concomitant increase in the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key inducer of vascular leakage and pathological blood vessel growth, and of angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), which is closely associated with VEGF in vascular remodeling. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Ang2 alone, or in combination with VEGF, in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia. The effect of these angiogenic factors on the ischemic lesion volume was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. We observed that timely administration of VEGF exacerbates ischemic damage. In contrast, Ang2 decreases the ischemic volume and this beneficial effect is maintained in the presence of VEGF. This investigation reports, for the first time, a protective role of Ang2 following cerebral ischemia, an action associated with a reduced BBB permeability. We propose that Ang2 represents a pertinent molecular target for the treatment of cerebral ischemia since acute brain damage may be limited by a pharmacological protection of the vascular compartment.     

13-Methyltetradecanoic acid mitigates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

13-Methyltetradecanoic acid can stabilize cell membrane and have anti-inlfammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. Previous studies mainly focused on peripheral nerve injury, but seldom on the central nervous system. We investigated whether these properties of 13-methyltetradecanoic acid have a neuroprotective effect on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, and detected the expression of basic ifbroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor. This study established rat models of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury by ischemia for 2 hours and reperfusion for 24 hours. At the beginning of reperfusion, 13-methyltetradecanoic acid 10, 40 or 80 mg/kg was injected into the tail vein. Results found that various doses of 13-methyltetradecanoic acid effectively reduced infarct volume, mitigate cerebral edema, and increased the mRNA and protein expression of basic ifbroblast growth factor and vascular endothe-lial growth factor at 24 hours of reperfusion. The effect was most signiifcant in the 13-methyltetradecanoic acid 40 and 80 mg/kg groups. The ifndings suggest that 13-methyltetradecanoic acid can relieve focal ischemia/reperfusion injury immediately after reperfusion, stimu-late the upregulation of basic ifbroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor to exert neuroprotective effects.     

Pinealectomy aggravates and melatonin administration attenuates brain damage in focal ischemia.

Large infarcts develop in pinealectomized rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion, which was attributed to loss of antioxidant action of melatonin. However, melatonin also has vascular actions, and pinealectomy may induce hypertension. The authors investigated (1) whether hemodynamic factors contribute to infarct development in pinealectomized rats, (2) whether melatonin administration can reverse the unfavorable effect of pinealectomy on infarct formation, and (3) whether melatonin can reduce the infarct volume in nonpinealectomized rats subjected to focal transient ischemia (2 hours middle cerebral artery occlusion, 22 hours reperfusion). Rats were pinealectomized 3 months before ischemia to eliminate any possible action of pinealectomy-induced hypertension on stroke. Blood pressure and regional CBF values during ischemia and reperfusion were not significantly different between pinealectomized and sham-operated rats, suggesting that pinealectomy-induced increase in infarct was not related to hemodynamic factors. The infarct volume resumed to the level of sham-operated rats on melatonin administration. Injection of melatonin (4 mg/kg) before both ischemia and reperfusion reduced infarct volume by 40% and significantly improved neurologic deficit scores in pinealectomized as well as sham-operated rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion. These data suggest that physiologic melatonin release as well as exogenously given melatonin has a neuroprotective action in focal cerebral ischemia.     

Specific Role of Tight Junction Proteins Claudin-5, Occludin,and ZO-1 of the Blood–Brain Barrier in a Focal Cerebral Ischemic Insult

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) leakage plays a key role in cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury. It is quite necessary to further explore the characteristic and mechanism of BBB leakage during stroke. We induced a focal cerebral ischemia model by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in male rats for defining the time course of BBB permeability within 120 h following reperfusion and evaluate the specific role of tight junction (TJ) associated proteins claudin-5, occludin, and ZO-1 as well as protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) pathway in BBB leakage induced by reperfusion injury. We verified a bimodal increase in the permeability of the BBB following focal ischemia by Evans blue assay. Two peaks of BBB permeability appeared at 3 h and 72 h of reperfusion after 2 h focal ischemia, respectively. The leak at the endothelial cell was represented at the level of transmission electron microscopy. TTC staining results showed increased infarct size with time after cerebral ischemia reperfusion. The mRNA and protein expression levels of these three TJ associated proteins were significantly decreased compared with the sham-operated group within 120 h of reperfusion, corresponding to the time-dependent change of the biphasic pattern in BBB leakage. The redistribution of claudin-5, occludin, and ZO-1 in ischemia brain microvascular endothelial cells was observed at the same time points. In addition, Western blot assay revealed PKCδ level was also significantly increased in a similar biphasic pattern to above results within 120 h after cerebral ischemia–reperfusion. This study demonstrates the timing of TJ associated proteins claudin-5, occludin, and ZO-1 in light of BBB permeability associated with cerebral ischemia reperfusion, and suggests PKCδ pathway may participate in TJ barrier open and BBB leakage during reperfusion injury in a time-dependent manner.     

钙拮抗剂对大鼠脑缺血后血脑屏障通透性的影响

目的 研究钙离子拮抗剂对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后血脑屏障(BBB)通透性和脑梗死灶体积的影响. 方法 插线法制作大鼠脑缺血再灌注模型.缺血2 h后再灌注.将150只大鼠按随机数字表法分尼莫地平组和对照组,每组分再灌注6h、12h、24 h、48h、72 h五个时间段,再灌注后尼莫地平组和对照组立即分别腹腔注射尼莫地平和生理盐水2 mg/kg.每12小时注射一次,用甲酰胺荧光法及透射电镜观察不同时段BBB通透性破坏的情况,TTC染色后计算梗死灶体积百分比.结果 大鼠脑缺血再灌注后BBB通透性和梗死灶体积百分比随时间延长逐渐增加.且BBB通透性的增加呈现两个高峰,第一个高峰在再灌注后12 h,第二个高峰在再灌注后48 h.尼莫地平组BBB通透性及脑梗死灶体积百分比的增加均较对照组明显,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05). 结论 脑缺血再灌注增加BBB的通透性和脑梗死灶体积百分比.再灌注后给予尼莫地平可加重这些病理变化.     

Peripheral and central administration of neuropeptide Y in a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion stroke model reduces cerebral blood flow and increases infarct volume

Recent studies have shown increased immunoreactivity for neuropeptide Y (NPY) within the perilesional cortex following experimental middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) or focal excitotoxic damage. Downregulation of the NPY Y1 receptor gene using an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide produced a doubling of the infarct volume, implying that NPY may mediate neuroprotection against focal ischemia. The effects of treatment with NPY on infarct volume and hemodynamic parameters were investigated in the present study. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital to undergo right-sided endovascular MCAO for 2 h. A single dose of NPY was given via intracarotid injection (10 microg/kg) at the beginning of reperfusion, intracisternal injection (10 or 30 microg/kg) at 30 min of ischemia, or intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection (10 or 70 microg/kg) at 30 min of ischemia. Control groups received the vehicle only via the same route. Body temperature was maintained constant, and hemodynamic parameters were monitored during anesthesia. Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to monitor the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during ischemia and reperfusion in some rats. The rats were decapitated on day 3, and their brains were cut into 2-mm thick coronal slices before reaction with a 2% solution of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride to reveal the infarct. Compared to the respective control groups, NPY treatment via any method of administration increased the relative infarct volume. Suppression of rCBF was observed during reperfusion. These results indicate that peripheral or central administration of NPY impairs reperfusion following experimental MCAO and worsens the outcome of focal cerebral ischemia.     

Dynorphin A (1–8) inhibits oxidative stress and apoptosis in MCAO rats,affording neuroprotection through NMDA receptor and κ-opioid receptor channels

The contents of Dynorphin A(1–8) decreased gradually in ischemic cortices in rats and an intracerebroventricular administration of synthetic Dynorphin A(1–8) reduced the volume of cerebral infarction in our previous research. However, the specific protective mechanism is unclear and Dynorphin A(1–8) is unlikely to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by noninvasive oral or intravenous administration as a macromolecule neuropeptide. In this study, intranasal administration was used to middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) rats to assessed the therapeutic effects of Dynorphin A(1–8) by evaluating behavior, volume of cerebral infarct, cerebral edema ratio, histological observation. Then apoptosis neuron rate was detected by TUNEL staining. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out to explore the alteration of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3. Finally, κ-opioid receptor antagonist and N-methyl-d-aspartate(NMDA) receptor antagonist were used to explore its possible mechanism. We found that MCAO rats under intranasal administration of Dynorphin A(1–8) showed better behavioral improvement, higher extent of Bcl-2, activity of SOD along with much lower level of infarction volume, brain water content, number of cell apoptosis, extent of Bax and Caspase-3, and concentration of MDA compared with those in MCAO model group and intravenous Dynorphin A(1–8) group. Administration of nor-BNI or MK-801 reversed these neuroprotective effects of intranasal Dynorphin A(1–8). In summary, Dynorphin A(1–8), with advantages of intranasal administration, could be effectively delivered to central nervous system(CNS). Dynorphin A(1–8) inhibited oxidative stress and apoptosis against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, affording neuroprotection through NMDA receptor and κ-opioid receptor channels.     

Neuroprotective effects of total saponins from Rubus parvifolius L. on cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury in rats

This study examines the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of action of total saponins from Rubus parvifolius L. (TSRP) on focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats. Focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury was performed in rats using the suture method. The results indicate that intragastric injection of TSRP, at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, could decrease neurological impairment, reduce cerebral infarct volume, diminish pathological changes, and significantly inhibit the apoptosis of neurons surrounding the ischemic area. In addition, TSRP upregulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2, at the protein and mRNA levels, and it downregulated the expression of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax, at the protein and mRNA levels. These findings indicate that TSRP protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, and that it may do so by regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax.     

VEGF-overexpressing transgenic mice show enhanced post-ischemic neurogenesis and neuromigration

New neurons are generated continuously in the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus of the adult brain. Neuropathologic processes, including cerebral ischemia, can enhance neurogenesis, as can growth factors and other physiologic stimuli. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic and neuroprotective growth factor that can promote neurogenesis, but it is unknown whether VEGF can enhance migration of newborn neurons toward sites of ischemic injury, where they might be able to replace neurons that undergo ischemic death. In the present study we produced permanent focal cerebral ischemia in transgenic (Tg) mice that overexpress VEGF. Cell proliferation and neurogenesis were assessed with bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) labeling and immunostaining for cell type-specific markers. In VEGF-Tg mice, brains examined 7-28 days after cerebral ischemia showed markedly increased subventricular zone (SVZ) neurogenesis, chains of neuroblasts extending from the SVZ to the peri-infarct cortex, and an increase in the number of newly generated cortical neurons at 14-28 days after ischemia. In concert with these effects, VEGF overexpression reduced infarct volume and improved postischemic motor function. These findings provide evidence that VEGF increases SVZ neurogenesis and neuromigration, consistent with a possible role in repair. Our data suggest that in addition to its neuroprotective effects, which are associated with improved outcome in the acute phase after cerebral ischemia, VEGF enhances postischemic neurogenesis, which could provide a therapeutic target for more chronic brain repair.     

VEGF-induced BBB permeability is associated with an MMP-9 activity increase in cerebral ischemia: both effects decreased by Ang-1.

After cerebral ischemia, angiogenesis, by supplying for the deficient perfusion, may be a beneficial process for limiting neuronal death and promoting tissue repair. In this study, we showed that the combination of Ang-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) provides a more adapted therapeutic strategy than the use of VEGF alone. Indeed, we showed on a focal ischemia model that an early administration of VEGF exacerbates ischemic damage, because of its effects on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. In contrast, a coapplication of Ang-1 and VEGF leads to a significant reduction of the ischemic and edema volumes by 50% and 42%, respectively, in comparison with VEGF-treated mice. We proposed that Ang-1 blocks the BBB permeability effect of VEGF in association with a modulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. Indeed, we showed on both ischemic in vivo and BBB in vitro models that VEGF enhances BBB damage and MMP-9 activity and that Ang-1 counteracts both effects. However, we also showed a synergic angiogenic effect of Ang-1 and VEGF in the brain. Taken together, these results allow to propose that, in cerebral ischemia, the combination of Ang-1 and VEGF could be used early to promote the formation of mature neovessels without inducing side effects on BBB permeability.     

血管内皮生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子在缺血预处理大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注区域的表达

背景：脑缺血预处理可增加碱性成纤维细胞生长因子的表达,可能导致脑缺血耐受的产生。大鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注给予血管内皮生长因子能够起到神经保护作用。 目的：观察缺血预处理对缺血再灌注大鼠血管内皮生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子表达的影响。 方法：将SD大鼠随机分为缺血预处理组、模型组和假手术组。缺血预处理及模型组线栓法阻塞大脑中动脉制备脑缺血模型。预处理组在脑缺血-再灌注前3 d用插入尼龙线阻塞大脑中动脉,缺血2 h后再灌注22 h。模型组第一次手术将线栓前推5 mm,不阻断血流,其他同预处理组。假手术组仅插入尼龙线不阻塞大脑中动脉。用苏木精-伊红染色法观察3组间神经细胞变化。用抗生物素-生物素-过氧化物酶复合物法检测各组血管内皮生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子蛋白的表达。分别比较3组神经功能评分、光镜下脑缺血再灌注区神经细胞形态、血管内皮生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子的表达。 结果与结论：与模型组比较,预处理组神经功能评分明显低于模型组(P < 0.01)。光镜下观察结果显示,与模型组比较,预处理组缺血面积及缺血程度均减轻,血管内皮生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子表达均明显升高(P < 0.05)。结果提示缺血预处理可能通过增强血管内皮生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子而对缺血再灌注大鼠神经细胞起保护作用。     

Kallikrein基因转导对脑缺血再灌注后局部血流灌注恢复的作用

目的 探讨Kallikrein基因对脑缺血再灌注后梗死灶周围血管增生与局部脑血流灌注恢复的作用.方法 建立大鼠脑缺血再灌注模型,术后将90只大鼠按照随机数字表法分为3组.每组30只,分别是空白对照组、注射生理盐水、注射pAdCMV-人组织激肽释放酶(HTK)组.各组大鼠又分为治疗后12 h、24 h及72 h组,每组各10只.治疗前后行大鼠神经功能缺损评分.TTC染色方法测定脑梗死面积的变化,用免疫组化检测外源性HTK的表达以及局部血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的表达,并通过14C-iodoantipyrine微示踪技术检测局部脑血流灌注(rCBF)情况.结果 与其他两组相比,pAdCMV-HTK组大鼠脑梗死面积在治疗后24h已有明显减小,72h后这种变化更明显,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);在治疗后24 h,pAdCMV-HTK组大鼠神经功能缺损评分明显低于生理盐水组及空白对照组,治疗后72h差异更明显,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).vEGF阳性细胞主要分布于脑梗死灶周边皮质与部分白质;pAdCMV-HTK组VEGF表达在治疗后12h、24h、72h均明显高于生理盐水组及空白对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).各组缺血再灌注后脑梗死灶周围白质与皮质rCBF均较对侧稍减少:pAdCMV-HTK组治疗后12h,梗死灶周围白质与皮质rCBF较空白对照组与生理盐水组有增高.但不明显,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),而在治疗24h、72 h后rCBF则明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 在脑缺血再灌注后,Kallikrein基因转导可增加梗死灶周围脑组织的血管增生,改善rCBF,减小梗死面积,从而达到保护缺血神经细胞功能的作用.     

Neuroprotective effect of baicalin on focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Baicalin, a flavonoid compound from the root of the herb Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been widely used to treat patients with inflammatory disease. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of baicalin in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rat models of cerebral artery occlusion were established and then randomly and equally divided into three groups: ischemia(cerebral ischemia and reperfusion), valproic acid(cerebral ischemia and reperfusion + three intraperitoneal injections of valproic acid; positive control), and baicalin(cerebral ischemia and reperfusion + intraperitoneal injection of baicalin for 21 days). Neurological deficits were assessed using the postural reflex test and forelimb placing test at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after ischemia. Rat cerebral infarct volume was measured using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining method. Pathological change of ischemic brain tissue was assessed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. In the baicalin group, rat neurological function was obviously improved, cerebral infarct volume was obviously reduced, and the pathological impairment of ischemic brain tissue was obviously alleviated compared to the ischemia group. Cerebral infarct volume was similar in the valproic acid and baicalin groups. These findings suggest that baicalin has a neuroprotective effect on cerebral ischemia.     

神经节苷脂对活体实验性缺血再灌注鼠脑损伤的磁共振成像与波谱研究

目的研究神经节苷脂对活体实验性脑梗死大鼠脑组织氮-乙酰天门冬氨酸(NAA)及乳酸(Lac)等代谢产物的影响。方法采用磁共振成像与波谱技术原位动态观察神经节苷脂对活体鼠脑组织损害程度、神经递质方面的影响。分别对缺血再灌注组及神经节苷脂治疗组鼠脑组织缺血、水肿及氮-乙酰天门冬氨酸(NAA)与乳酸(Lac)等代谢产物变化进行观察和比较。结果在缺血60min再灌注1h、3h、6h神经节苷脂均能减小高信号区的体积,有效减少脑缺血后Lac/(PCr Cr)比值的上升和NAA/(PCr Cr)比值的下降,与缺血再灌组相比较有显著差异(P<0.01)。结论神经节苷脂具有显著的缺血后脑保护作用,磁共振成像与波谱技术可为缺血再灌注后神经脑保护剂作用机制的研究提供精确的神经影像学信息。     

Effects of VEGF and nitric oxide synthase inhibition on blood-brain barrier disruption in the ischemic and non-ischemic cerebral cortex

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to compare the effects of exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition on blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in the ischemic cortex (IC) and non-ischemic contralateral cortex (CC) during the early stage of focal cerebral ischemia in rats. METHODS: A middle cerebral artery (MCA) was occluded after a craniotomy in each rat under isoflurane anesthesia. Two more craniotomies were performed over the contralateral non-ischemic hemisphere to expose cerebral cortex. For the control rats, the normal saline patches were applied to all three craniotomy holes (control group). To inhibit NOS, NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) (10 mg/kg) was administered i.v. 20 minutes after MCA occlusion (L-NAME group). In another group, VEGF (10(-10) M) was topically applied 30 minutes after MCA occlusion on the IC as well as one of the holes of the contralateral cortex (VEGF group). To investigate the effects of the combination of VEGF and L-NAME, both L-NAME and VEGF were administered as described above (L-NAME+ VEGF group). The transfer coefficient (Ki) of 14C-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and the volume of 3H-dextran (70 000 Da) distribution were determined to measure the degree of BBB disruption at 1 hour after MCA occlusion. RESULTS: In the control group, Ki of the IC was significantly higher than the contralateral cortex (CC) (p<0.005). VEGF application increased the Ki of the IC further when compared with the control group (+51%, p<0.05%). L-NAME administration produced no significant decrease in the Ki of the IC when compared with the control group. With L-NAME+ VEGF administration, the Ki of the IC became significantly lower than that of the VEGF alone (-38%, p<0.005). Thus, L-NAME produced a much greater decrease in the Ki of the IC in the VEGF treated than the control animals (p<0.05). In the non-IC, VEGF, L-NAME, or their combination did not affect BBB disruption. The volume of dextran distribution followed a similar pattern to Ki. DISCUSSION: Our data suggest that even in the early stage of focal cerebral ischemia, the degree of BBB disruption in response to the exogenous VEGF is much greater in the ischemic than in the non-IC and that the mechanism of the increase of BBB disruption by VEGF in the IC involves the NOS pathway.     

经鼻给予VEGF治疗脑缺血/再灌注大鼠的量效关系

目的探讨经鼻给予血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)治疗脑缺血/再灌注损伤大鼠的量效关系。方法48只SD大鼠随机分为四组:低剂量组(100μg/mL)、中剂量组(200μg/mL)、高剂量组(500μg/mL)及盐水对照组(n=12)。通过阻塞大脑中动脉制作大鼠局灶性脑缺血90 m in再灌注损伤模型。缺血后1d、7d和14 d行神经功能评价,14 d动物被麻醉,行组织学检查,应用图像分析系统计算梗死体积、评价血管形成。结果与对照组相比,经鼻给予中剂量VEGF,可明显降低梗死体积,改善神经功能(P<0.01);而低和高剂量组对比于对照组,不能降低脑缺血后大鼠脑梗死体积和改善神经功能(P>0.05)。与对照组相比,经鼻给予中和高剂量VEGF,可增加缺血后脑表面血管形成(P<0.01);而低剂量组对比于对照组,不能促进脑缺血后血管生成(P>0.05)。结论经鼻给予中剂量VEGF可有效降低脑缺血/再灌注损伤大鼠梗死体积,改善神经功能,增加血管密度。因此经鼻给予中等剂量(200μg/mL)VEGF是治疗脑缺血/再灌注损伤的最佳剂量,其可用于进一步评价VEGF作用的有效实验剂量。     

Early inhibition of MMP activity in ischemic rat brain promotes expression of tight junction proteins and angiogenesis during recovery

In cerebral ischemia, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have a dual role by acutely disrupting tight junction proteins (TJPs) in the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and chronically promoting angiogenesis. Since TJP remodeling of the neurovascular unit (NVU) is important in recovery and early inhibition of MMPs is neuroprotective, we hypothesized that short-term MMP inhibition would reduce infarct size and promote angiogenesis after ischemia. Adult spontaneously hypertensive rats had a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion with reperfusion. At the onset of ischemia, they received a single dose of the MMP inhibitor, GM6001. They were studied at multiple times up to 4 weeks with immunohistochemistry, biochemistry, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We observed newly formed vessels in peri-infarct regions at 3 weeks after reperfusion. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI showed BBB opening in new vessels. Along with the new vessels, pericytes expressed zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and MMP-3, astrocytes expressed ZO-1, occludin, and MMP-2, while endothelial cells expressed claudin-5. The GM6001, which reduced tissue loss at 3 to 4 weeks, significantly increased new vessel formation with expression of TJPs and MMPs. Our results show that pericytes and astrocytes act spatiotemporally, contributing to extraendothelial TJP formation, and that MMPs are involved in BBB restoration during recovery. Early MMP inhibition benefits neurovascular remodeling after stroke.     

Doxycycline-Mediated Protective Effect Against Focal Cerebral Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury Through the Modulation of Tight Junctions and PKCδ Signaling in Rats

The strategy for the development of effective and safe neuroprotective agents has great potential to reduce cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury and improve the functional outcome in stroke patients. Recently, doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, has been shown to have neuroprotective efficiency in reduction of a variety of ischemia–reperfusion injuries as well as ischemic brain damage. We used the rat models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion to investigate the effects of treatments with doxycycline against the blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage at 3, 12, 72, and 120 h of reperfusion. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to MCAO for 2 h followed by reperfusion for 3, 12, 72, and 120 h and received either doxycycline (45 mg/kg) or saline. The results showed that the treatment of doxycycline significantly reduced the BBB leakage and cerebral infarct volume, which were proved by Evans blue assay and TTC staining. Real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blot assay verified that the administration of doxycycline significantly up-regulated the expression of tight junction claudin-5, occludin, and ZO-1 from 3 to 120 h after reperfusion. The results of real-time PCR, western blot, and gelatin zymography analyses revealed that the gene and protein expression and activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly elevated in a different time-dependent manner after ischemia–reperfusion but significantly inhibited by doxycycline treatment. Moreover, doxycycline could also significantly down-regulate the expression of PKCδ mRNA and protein after ischemia–reperfusion. These results suggested that the protective effects of doxycycline against BBB damage induced by reperfusion might be related to the up-regulation of tight junction proteins and inhibition of MMP-2, MMP-9, and PKCδ.     

Angiopoietin 1 counteracts vascular endothelial growth factor-induced blood–brain barrier permeability and alleviates ischemic injury in the early stages of transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effects of intraventricular pre-treatment with a combination of recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors encoding VEGF (rAAV-VEGF) and Ang1 (rAAV-Ang1) on early stroke in a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO).

Methods: rAAV-VEGF/rAAV-Ang1 or rAAV-VEGF/rAAV-null vector was delivered into the lateral ventricles of 48 rats. Eight weeks later, the rats were subjected to tMCAO for 2 hours. During the early stages of ischemic reperfusion, VEGF and Ang1 expression levels, blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and cerebral microvessel density were determined and compared statistically between groups. Cerebral infarct volume and modified neurological severity scores (NSS) were also determined to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of rAAV-VEGF/rAAV-Ang1.

Results: Intraventricular application of rAAV-VEGF/rAAV-Ang1, 8 weeks before tMCAO, resulted in VEGF and Ang1 overexpression, and significantly decreased Evans blue permeability following ischemia (p<0.05). The microvessel density in the peri-infarct zone was significantly increased in the rAAV-VEGF/rAAV-Ang1 group compared with the rAAV-VEGF/rAAV-null group (p<0.05). Cerebral infarct volume and NSS in the rAAV-VEGF/rAAV-Ang1 group were significantly decreased compared with the rAAV-VEGF/rAAV-null group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: In cerebral ischemia, the combination of Ang1 and VEGF could be used early to promote the formation of mature neovessels and protect the injured cells, without inducing the side effects on BBB permeability. Early intraventricular injection of mixed rAAV-VEGF and rAAV-Ang1 may be a favorable therapeutic strategy in gene therapy for experimental stroke.     

Neuroprotective effect of Cerebralcare Granule after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Cerebralcare Granule(CG) improves cerebral microcirculation and relieves vasospasm,but studies investigating its therapeutic effect on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury are lacking.In the present study,we administered CG(0.3,0.1 and 0.03 g/m L intragastrically) to rats for 7 consecutive days.We then performed transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery,followed by reperfusion,and administered CG daily for a further 3 or 7 days.Compared with no treatment,high-dose CG markedly improved neurological function assessed using the Bederson and Garcia scales.At 3 days,animals in the high-dose CG group had smaller infarct volumes,greater interleukin-10 expression,and fewer interleukin-1β-immunoreactive cells than those in the untreated model group.Furthermore,at 7 days,high-dose CG-treated rats had more vascular endothelial growth factor-immunoreactive cells,elevated angiopoietin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression,and improved blood coagulation and flow indices compared with untreated model animals.These results suggest that CG exerts specific neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.