阿司匹林对沙土鼠全脑缺血-再灌注后脑内一氧化氮合酶及一氧化氮的影响

目的观察阿司匹林对沙土鼠全脑缺血-再灌注后的脑保护作用及其与脑内一氧化氮合酶及一氧化氮水平变化的关系。方法采用夹闭双侧颈总动脉的方法,制备沙土鼠短暂性全脑缺血-再灌注模型。27只健康雄性蒙古沙土鼠随机分为假手术组、脑缺血-再灌注组和阿司匹林治疗组,观察缺血7min再灌注24h后沙土鼠脑组织的病理学改变,以及一氧化氮合酶与一氧化氮水平的变化。结果病理学检查结果显示,沙土鼠脑缺血7min再灌注24h后海马CA1区缺血性损害明显,脑组织内一氧化氮合酶及一氧化氮水平显著升高(P<0.01);与脑缺血-再灌注组相比,阿司匹林治疗组沙土鼠的病理损害较轻,一氧化氮合酶与一氧化氮水平明显下降(P<0.01)。结论阿司匹林可显著减轻脑缺血-再灌注后的脑损伤,其作用机制可能与抑制一氧化氮合酶与一氧化氮水平上升有关。     

沙土鼠全脑梯度再灌注的脑保护实验研究

目的 动态研究不同灌注时间和灌注量全脑组织缺血损害的恢复程度和即早基因的表达，以探明梯度再灌注的脑保护作用机制。方法 将沙土鼠随机分为4组：实验组夹闭两侧颈总动脉，造成沙土鼠全脑缺血模型，夹闭10 min后开放10 min，开放不同脑血流量(1／4开放组，1／2开放组，一次性全开放组)，分别检测3组及单纯血液稀释组缺血海马CA区C-fos蛋白的表达，以及缺血区大脑半球的改善状况。结果 开放10 min、1／2脑血流量时C—fos蛋白表达最高(P＜0．05)，海马CA区缺血损害改善最明显；开放10 min、全脑血流量一次性开放时海马CA区损害最严重。结论 ①在梯度再灌注流量中，脑缺血海马区C-fos的表达和神经元凋亡呈反相作用关系；②低流量灌注有明显改善脑缺血的作用；⑧夹闭10 min后，开放1／2脑血流量，持续10 min的效果比一次性再灌注开放效果要好。     

短暂性前脑缺血沙土鼠脑内促红细胞生成素的表达变化

促红细胞生成素 (erythropoietin ,Epo)具有神经保护和促进血管形成双重作用[1 ] ,在局灶性持续性脑缺血小鼠脑内存在Epo的表达[2 ] 。本研究观察短暂性前脑缺血沙土鼠脑内Epo的表达情况 ,探讨脑缺血时神经系统发生的内源性保护的机制。1　资料1 1　动物模型 :雄性沙土鼠 4 2只 ,6 0～ 80g( 9～ 12周龄 )由浙江省实验动物中心提供。随机分为假手术对照组和短暂性前脑缺血再灌注组。用无损伤血管夹夹闭双侧颈总动脉 3 5min,松夹后恢复血流 1h、6h、12h、1d、3d、7d。手术过程中及术后 ,用加热垫和灯泡保持肛温在 37～ 37 5℃。假手术组除不…     

阿司匹林对沙土鼠脑缺血-再灌注损伤后细胞间黏附分子及降钙素基因相关肽表达的影响

目的 探讨阿司匹林对沙土鼠全前脑缺血-再灌注损伤后的脑保护作用及其对细胞间黏附分子及降钙素基因相关肽表达的影响。方法 采用夹闭双侧颈总动脉的方法，制备沙土鼠短暂性全前脑缺血-再灌注模型。63只沙土鼠随机分为假手术组、脑缺血-再灌注组（脑缺血组）和阿司匹林干预组（阿司匹林组）。应用免疫组化SABC法检测脑缺血-再灌注后细胞间黏附分子及降钙素基因相关肽表达水平的变化，以及阿司匹林干预对二者表达的影响。结果 （1）细胞间黏附分子表达的变化：脑缺血-再灌注24h，脑缺血组动物脑组织细胞间黏附分子的表达水平开始增加，3d后明显增强，至7d后仍维持在较高水平，与假手术组相比差异有显著性意义（P〈0．05）。而阿司匹林组动物细胞间黏附分子的表达水平在所有观察时限均明显低于脑缺血组，差异有显著性意义（P〈0．05）。（2）降钙素基因相关肽表达的变化：在脑缺血-再灌注后各时限，脑缺血组动物降钙素基因相关肽的表达均呈弱阳性；而阿司匹林组表达则呈强阳性。结论 脑缺血-再灌注可诱导细胞间黏附分子的表达上调，并抑制降钙素基因相关肽的表达。阿司匹林通过抑制细胞间黏附分子的表达水平和增强降钙素基因相关肽表达而获得较好的脑保护作用。     

硒对沙土鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤后MDA、GSH-PX及细胞凋亡的影响

目的 研究亚硒酸钠对沙土鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法 将50只沙土鼠随机分为5组，Ⅰ组：假手术组；Ⅱ组：缺血再灌注1天处死组；Ⅲ组：缺血再灌注4天处死组；Ⅳ组：硒处理、缺血再灌注1天处死组；Ⅴ组：硒处理、缺血再灌注4天处死组。采用夹闭双侧颈动脉法制备沙土鼠脑缺血再灌注模型，焦油紫染色，光镜下观察各组海马CAl区神经细胞的形态变化，TUNEL染色观察神经细胞凋亡情况，计算凋亡密度。同时测定脑组织中丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶(GSH-PX)的含量。结果硒处理组沙土鼠缺血再灌注后，光镜下病理形态损伤较轻，凋亡密度较小，GSH-PX含量较高。结论 硒对沙土鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用，其机制可能与增强脑缺血再灌注早期脑组织中GSH-PX的活性，抑制氧自由基损伤，减轻脂质过氧化反应，而减轻缺血再灌注后细胞的坏死和凋亡有关。     

沙土鼠脑缺血后海马CA1区神经细胞凋亡、相关基因表达及亚低温的干预作用

目的 研究沙土鼠脑缺血后海马CA1区神经细胞凋亡、相关基因表达及亚低温的干预作用. 方法 72只沙土鼠采用随机数字表法分为假手术组(SH)、低温假手术组(HSH)、常温再灌注组(IR)和低温再灌注组(HIR).采用双侧颈总动脉阻断5 min制作脑缺血再灌注损伤模型,各组依术后处死动物时间的不同再分为1、3、7d亚组(n=6),在预定时间点行开阔法迷宫检查、TUNEL法检测海马CA1区神经细胞的凋亡、免疫组化检测肿瘤抑制基因p53、核因子-kB的表达情况.结果 常温状态下脑缺血5 min可诱导沙土鼠1、3、7d的探索活动增加(P<0.051.亚低温状态下仅缺血再灌注后1 d探索活动增加(P<0.05);TUNEL与免疫组化染色显示海马CA1区神经细胞凋亡数量及p53蛋白和NF-KB表达增加,亚低温对以上过程有明显抑制作用(P均<0.05). 结论 海马CA1区p53蛋白和NF-KB表达增加可能是沙土鼠脑缺血5 min神经元凋亡的机制之一,亚低温脑保护机制可能与其对此过程的抑制作用有关.     

钙拮抗剂对沙土鼠脑缺血后血栓烷B_2、脑水份含量等的影响

利用夹闭沙土鼠双侧颈总动脉30分钟形成脑缺血后再灌注120分钟的动物实验模型,分别于缺血前、缺血时或再灌注后静脉注射钙拮抗剂尼卡的平(1.0mg/kg或0.1mg/kg)。结果提示尼卡的平明显抑制脑缺血后TXA_2生成,减轻脑水肿,对脑缺血有治疗作用。     

沙土鼠全脑适应性再灌注的脑保护机制研究

目的动态研究不同灌注时间和灌注量对全脑组织缺血损害的恢复程度和即早基因c- fos的表达,以探明适应性再灌注的脑保护作用机制.方法沙土鼠随机分7组,实验组夹闭两侧颈总动脉,造成沙土鼠全脑缺血模型,夹闭10 min后,不同开放时间段(4 min,8 min,10 min,15 min,30 min)开放不同脑血流量(1/4,1/2,一次性全开放)和单纯血液稀释后分别观察缺血海马CA区c-fos蛋白的表达,及缺血区大脑半球的改善状况.结果开放15 min,1/2脑血流量时c-fos蛋白表达最高(P<0.05),海马CA区缺血损害改善最明显,开放15 min,全脑血流量一次性开放时海马CA区损害最严重.结论①在适应性灌注流量中,脑缺血海马区c-fos的表达和神经元凋亡呈反相作用关系;②低流量灌注有明显改善脑缺血的作用;③夹闭10 min后,开放1/2脑血流量,持续15 min的效果比一次性再灌注开放效果要好.     

巴曲酶对沙土鼠前脑缺血后组织病理学的影响

目的:研究巴曲酶对沙土鼠前脑缺血后行为学和组织病理学的影响。方法:采用沙土鼠前脑缺血模型,缺血时间10min。动物随机分为3组:假手术组、常温再灌注组、巴曲酶再灌注组,(n=7)。巴曲酶8B~U·kg~(-1)在再灌注30min经腹腔注入。动物存活第5天时行开阔法行为学检查,第7天时行海马CA1区组织病理学检查。结果:开阔法行为学检查显示,常温再灌注组沙土鼠的探索活动较假手术组活跃(P＜0.01)。巴曲酶组沙土鼠的探索活动较常温再灌注组弱(P＜0.05),但较假手术组活跃(P＜0.05)。组织病理学检查显示,巴曲酶组海马CA1区内侧、中间和外则存活神经元计数较常温再灌注组多620%、470%和200%(P均＜0.01),较假手术组少64%(P＜0.01)、43%(P＜0.05)和30%。结论:沙土鼠前脑缺血后应用巴曲酶治疗,能够减轻动物神经功能障碍,减少海马CA1神经坏死。     

神经生长因子对大鼠前脑缺血再灌注后细胞凋亡及FaS蛋白表达的影响

目的：研究神经生长因子（NGF）对大鼠前脑缺血再灌注后海马CA1区Fas蛋白表达和细胞凋亡的影响。方法：夹闭大鼠双侧颈总动脉造成前脑缺血，30min后松夹再灌注，NGF组和生理盐水组于再灌注开始时分别肌肉注射NGF30μg·mL^-1和生理盐水0．1mL，应用免疫组化法和TUNEL法检测各组大鼠海马CA1区Fas蛋白表达和细胞凋亡。结果：再灌注后6和24h，NGF组Fas蛋白平均吸光度值小于生理盐水组（P〈0．001和P〈0．05）。再灌注后48h两组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．5）。再灌注后6、24和48h，NGF组TUNEL阳性细胞率均低于生理盐水组，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．005）。结论：NGF可以减少大鼠脑缺血再灌注后海马CA1区Fas蛋白表达，抑制细胞凋亡，从而发挥其神经保护作用。     

美满霉素抑制血管性认知功能损伤大鼠海马星型胶质细胞激活和神经炎症(英文)

目的观察美满霉素(minocycline)对血管性认知功能损伤大鼠海马组织GFAP、COX-2、NF-κB、IL-1β和TNF-α表达的影响,探讨美满霉素对血管性认知功能损伤脑保护作用的机制。方法Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组(S组)、血管性认知功能损伤模型组(M组)和美满霉素治疗组(MT组)。免疫组织化学法检测大鼠海马组织COX-2和NF-κB的表达,蛋白质印迹和免疫组织化学法检测大鼠海马组织GFAP的表达,ELISA法检测大鼠海马组织IL-1β和TNF-α的表达。结果MT 组 GFAP、COX-2、NF-κB、IL-1β和 TNF-α表达较 M 组均降低(P<0.01) ;MT 和 M 组GFAP、COX-2、NF-κB、IL-1β和 TNF-α表达均显著高于 S 组(P<0.01)。结论美满霉素能降低血管性认知功能损伤大鼠海马组织中GFAP、COX-2、NF-κB、IL-1β和TNF-α的表达,抑制血管性认知功能损伤大鼠海马星型胶质细胞活化和神经炎症,发挥脑保护作用。     

Delayed neuronal death in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons after forebrain ischemia in hyperglycemic gerbils: amelioration by indomethacin

Hyperglycemia worsens ischemic-induced neuronal damage. Many reports argue the delayed neuronal cell death (DND) after forebrain ischemia in gerbils is due to apoptosis. We examined the effects of hyperglycemia and indomethacin on DND after forebrain ischemia in gerbils. Complete occlusion of both common carotid arteries was performed for 3.5 min followed by declamping and reperfusion. Blood glucose levels were maintained at 25-30 mmol/1 for 24 h after reperfusion in the hyperglycemic groups. We examined morphological changes consistent with DND using Nissel-stained sections and DNA fragmentation using TUNEL staining, at 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120 h, and 7 days after reperfusion. DND was noted 96-120 h after ischemia in normoglycemic group. Hyperglycemia enhanced the development of DND at an earlier stage (48-84 h after ischemia). TUNEL positive neurons were detected 72-108 h after reperfusion in normoglycemic group, but very few TUNEL positive neurons were detected in hyperglycemic group at 36-48 h. Indomethacin reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells in normoglycemia and completely inhibited the appearance of TUNEL-positive cells under hyperglycemia. The number of viable neurons at 7 days after ischemia was markedly higher in indomethacin-treated groups than vehicle-treated group. Our results indicate that hyperglycemia worsens DND after forebrain ischemia in gerbils but such process is not associated with DNA fragmentation. Our results also showed that indomethacin provides a neuroprotective effect in normo- and hyperglycemic conditions.     

Short-term ischemia usually used for ischemic preconditioning down-regulates central cannabinoid receptors in the gerbil hippocampus

Transient forebrain ischemia of 5-min duration causes delayed neuronal death (DND) of vulnerable CA1 neurons in the gerbil hippocampus, which can be prevented by preconditioning with a short ischemic stimulus of 2.5-min duration. While a key role of excitatory glutamate receptors for both phenomena has been widely accepted, little is known about the postischemic regulation of central cannabinoid (CB1) receptors. The present study was designed to test whether ischemic preconditioning is associated with specific alterations of protein expression and/or ligand binding of these receptors compared to ischemia severe enough to induce DND. Gerbils were subjected to either a 5-min ischemic period resulting in DND of CA1 neurons, or a 2.5-min period of ischemia usually used for preconditioning. Postischemic hippocampal CB1 receptor protein expression was investigated immunohistochemically, while postischemic ligand binding of [³H]CP 55940 to CB1 receptors was analyzed by quantitative receptor autoradiography in both experimental groups after 24, 48, and 96 h (n=4–5 per time point), respectively, and compared to sham-treated gerbils (n=10). Short-term ischemia of 2.5-min duration caused a transient reduction of hippocampal CB1 receptor protein expression, while receptor binding density was permanently decreased. In contrast, 5-min ischemia did not alter protein expression or ligand binding up to 48 h. Based on these data, postischemic down-regulation of hippocampal CB1 receptors, specifically seen after short-term ischemia usually used for preconditioning, may participate in the mechanisms of endogenous postischemic neuroprotection.The first two authors contributed equally     

Metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes are differentially expressed after transient cerebral ischemia without, during and after tolerance induction in the gerbil hippocampus

Postischemic delayed neuronal death (DND) of hippocampal CA1 neurons can be prevented by a preconditioning sublethal ischemic stimulus. To check for possible participation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in neuronal death or survival, we analyzed postischemic protein expression of subtypes 1b and 5 of group I mGluRs, which are thought to exert neurotoxic effects after pathological activation due to ischemia, and subtypes 2 and 3 of group II mGluRs, which in contrast are thought to be neuroprotective in this state, respectively. Therefore, three groups of gerbils with reperfusion intervals between 8 h and 4 days (n=5 each) were investigated: one group was subjected to 5 min ischemia, resulting in DND of CA1 neurons, a second group to a tolerance inducing 2.5 min period of ischemia and a third group to 5 min ischemia after prior tolerance induction. The major finding was a transient postischemic reduction of mGluR1b and 5 expression in the ischemic tolerant CA1 subfield at 8 h. This downregulation of neurotoxic mGluRs may indicate a contribution to the survival of highly vulnerable CA1 neurons in the ischemic tolerant state.     

FK506 abrogates delayed neuronal death via suppression of nitric oxide production in rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The mechanism of the neuroprotective effect of FK506 in relation to nitric oxide (NO) production has not been clarified in vivo. We have investigated the effect of FK506 on ischemia-induced NO production in association with the pathogenesis of delayed neuronal death (DND) in rats. METHODS: In vivo microdialysis was performed in the hippocampus of male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-350 g). Dialysate samples were collected every 3 min. In the ischemia group (n=16), global ischemia was induced for 21 min and reperfusion was achieved. In the FK506 treatment group (n=25), FK506 (1 mg/kg, i.v.) was administered 21 min prior to the onset of global ischemia. Sham operations were done (n=15). The levels of NO(2)(-) in the dialysate samples were determined by the Griess reaction. The animals were decapitated 7 days after ischemia. Coronal brain sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. RESULTS: In the ischemia group, the NO(2)(-) level significantly increased during ischemia. In the FK506 treatment group, there was no significant change in the NO(2)(-) level during ischemia. In histological examinations, FK506 treatment showed a neuroprotective effect against DND. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of FK506 inhibiting NO production contributes to the neuro-protective effect of FK506 on DND in the hippocampus.     

JNK inhibition and inflammation after cerebral ischemia

The c-Jun-N-terminal kinase signaling pathway (JNK) is highly activated during ischemia and plays an important role in apoptosis and inflammation. We have previously demonstrated that D-JNKI1, a specific JNK inhibitor, is strongly neuroprotective in animal models of stroke. We presently evaluated if D-JNKI1 modulates post-ischemic inflammation such as the activation and accumulation of microglial cells.Outbred CD1 mice were subjected to 45 min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). D-JNKI1 (0.1 mg/kg) or vehicle (saline) was administered intravenously 3 h after MCAo onset. Lesion size at 48 h was significantly reduced, from 28.2 ± 8.5 mm³ (n = 7) to 13.9 ± 6.2 mm³ in the treated group (n = 6). Activation of the JNK pathway (phosphorylation of c-Jun) was observed in neurons as well as in Isolectin B4 positive microglia. We quantified activated microglia (CD11b) by measuring the average intensity of CD11b labelling (infra-red emission) within the ischemic tissue. No significant difference was found between groups. Cerebral ischemia was modelled in vitro by subjecting rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures to oxygen (5%) and glucose deprivation for 30 min. In vitro, D-JNKI1 was found predominantly in NeuN positive neurons of the CA1 region and in few Isolectin B4 positive microglia. Furthermore, 48 h after OGD, microglia were activated whereas resting microglia were found in controls and in D-JNKI1-treated slices.Our study shows that D-JNKI1 reduces the infarct volume 48 h after transient MCAo and does not act on the activation and accumulation of microglia at this time point. In contrast, in vitro data show an indirect effect of D-JNKI1 on the modulation of microglial activation.     

In vivo influence of ceramide accumulation induced by treatment with a glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor on ischemic neuronal cell death

It has been shown that exogenous ceramide induces delayed neuronal death (DND) of cultured hippocampal neurons. To evaluate the role of endogenous ceramide in ischemic DND, the glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor, D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (D-PDMP), was used to generate ceramide in gerbil hippocampi in vivo. The trimethylsilylated derivatives of ceramide were analyzed directly by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, after separation with high-performance thin-layer chromatography. The ceramide compositions in vehicle hippocampus consisted mainly of C18:0 fatty acyl sphingosine (87.9%), with C16:0 and C20:0 ceramides being minor components (7.1% and 5.1%, respectively). Ceramide level in the hippocampi from gerbils subjected to D-PDMP treatment was 1.5-fold higher than those from vehicle-treated gerbils. In spite of the accumulation of ceramide observed in the D-PDMP group, the histological studies did not reveal any ischemic neuronal death in hippocampal CA1 neurons with the gerbils that had been subjected to a sham operation (2-min sublethal ischemia). These results suggest that the ceramide accumulation induced by blocking the de novo synthesis of glucosylceramide with D-PDMP may be independent of the metabolic pathway underlying ischemic DND.     

Specific inhibition of the JNK pathway promotes locomotor recovery and neuroprotection after mouse spinal cord injury

Limiting the development of secondary damage represents one of the major goals of neuroprotective therapies after spinal cord injury. Here, we demonstrate that specific JNK inhibition via a single intraperitoneal injection of the cell permeable peptide D-JNKI1 6h after lesion improves locomotor recovery assessed by both the footprint and the BMS tests up to 4 months post-injury in mice. JNK inhibition prevents c-jun phosphorylation and caspase-3 cleavage, has neuroprotective effects and results in an increased sparing of white matter at the lesion site. Lastly, D-JNKI1 treated animals show a lower increase of erythrocyte extravasation and blood brain barrier permeability, thus indicating protection of the vascular system. In total, these results clearly point out JNK inhibition as a promising neuroprotective strategy for preventing the evolution of secondary damage after spinal cord injury.     

Effect of nerve growth factor on delayed neuronal death and microtubule-associated protein 2 after transient cerebral ischaemia in the rat

The protective action of nerve growth factor (NGF) on delayed neuronal death (DND) after transient cerebral ischaemia and on the associated decrease in microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) has been investigated. Transient forebrain ischaemia was induced for different periods (2 min, 5 min, and 8 min) in male Wistar rats by transient bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries and by lowering the systemic blood pressure to 50 mmHg. Histological evaluation of neuronal cell death and immunoblot analysis of MAP2 were made on the first and the seventh days after ischaemia. The mean cell death on the seventh day after ischaemia was 2.0%+/-1.8% in the 2-min group (n=6), 41%+/-19% in the 5-min group (n=6), and 75%+/-20% in the 8-min group (n=6). The concentration of MAP2 in the hippocampal homogenate 24 hours after ischaemia decreased to 82%+/-9% of the control value in the 2-min group (n=6), to 65%+/-8% in the 5-min group (n=6), and to 58%+/-4% in the 8-min group (n=6), and it remained constant at these levels through the seventh day after ischaemia. The protective action of NGF against DND was studied by administering 2 mug of 2.5S NGF (NGF-treated group, n=6) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF-treated group, n=6) through an osmotic pump implanted in the lateral ventricles 48 hours before the onset of ischaemia. The mean cell death on the seventh day after ischaemia was 42%+/-31% in the CSF-treated group, and 11%+/-15% in the NGF-treated group. The concentration of MAP2 in the hippocampal homogenate on the first day after ischaemia was 75%+/-9% in the CSF-treated group, and 82%+/-6% in the NGF-treated group, and it remained at about the same levels up to the 7th day after ischaemia. These results suggest that, 1: degradation of MAP2 precedes DND, 2: the severity of the preceding decrease of MAP2 correlated well with the severity of the DND, 3: intraventricular NGF has a protective effect against DND, and 4: the effect of NGF brain injury may be mediated by the modulation of MAP2 metabolism.     

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases after transient forebrain ischemia in gerbil hippocampus.

We investigated the expression, activation, and distribution of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38s) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry in gerbil hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia to clarify the role of these kinases in delayed neuronal death (DND) in the CA1 subfield. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that activities of JNK, p38, and ERK in whole hippocampus were increased after 5 min of global ischemia. We used an immunohistochemical study to elucidate the temporal and spatial expression of these kinases after transient global ischemia. The immunohistochemical study showed that active JNK and p38 immunoreactivities were enhanced at 15 min of reperfusion and then gradually reduced and disappeared in the hippocampal CA1 region. On the other hand, in CA3 neurons, active JNK and p38 immunoreactivities were enhanced at 15 min of reperfusion and peaked at 6 hr of reperfusion and then gradually reduced but was continuously detected 72 hr after ischemia. Active ERK immunoreactivity was observed transiently in CA3 fibers and dentate gyrus. Pretreatment with SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, but not with PD98059, an ERK kinase 1/2 inhibitor, reduced ischemic cell death in the CA1 region after transient global ischemia by inhibiting the activity of p38. These findings indicate that the p38 pathway may play an important role in DND during brain ischemia in gerbil. Components of the pathway are important target molecules for clarifying the mechanism of neuronal death.