Enhanced cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus following myocardial infarction

Basic and clinical studies have revealed that depression is frequently observed following myocardial infarction (MI). We observed changes in neurons in the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) 14 days after chronic cardiac ischemia. Cresyl violet staining was conducted to examine neurodegeneration. Cresyl violet-positive neurons in the hippocampus in the MI-operated group were similar to those in the sham-operated group, and Fluoro-Jade B-positive cells were not observed in either group. Next, we observed changes in cell proliferation using Ki67 and in the differentiation of neuroblasts using doublecortin (DCX) in the DG. The number of Ki67- and DCX-positive cells in the subgranular zone of the DG in the MI-operated group was significantly increased compared to that in the sham-operated group. In addition, DCX-positive processes were prominent in the MI group. These results suggest that MI may influence cell proliferation and affect neuroblast differentiation in the subgranular zone of the DG.     

BMSCs移植后通过分泌神经营养因子对大鼠脑缺血神经功能改善的实验研究

目的研究骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)移植改善大鼠脑缺血后神经功能及探讨其可能机制。方法采用线栓法构建大鼠永久性脑缺血动物模型,实验动物分缺血对照组和移植治疗组(n=24/组),缺血24h后移植治疗组经尾静脉移植体外培养的同种异体骨髓间充质干细胞(2×106cells/mLPBS)。移植后14d用Nissl染色观察移植前后缺血脑组织神经元缺损变化。于移植后1、7和14d用mNSS评分检测大鼠神经功能综合评价,于移植后1、3、7和14d用ELISA方法检测缺血中心区脑组织和缺血半暗带中的海马和皮质中VEGF的表达。移植后14d用免疫荧光观察移植后缺血侧海马新生神经元的迁移。结果BMSCs移植14d后大鼠脑缺血损伤的神经功能明显改善。Nissl染色发现BMSCs移植组缺血脑组织中尼1氏体的缺损比对照组少。BMSCs移植组缺血半暗带区的海马在1和3d[(63.324±0.625)pg/mL,(60.125±1.127)pg/mL]与对照组[(31.097±0.677)pg/mL,(35.05±0.681)pg/mL]相比VEGF表达显著增加,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),缺血半暗带区的皮质中VEGF的表达在BMSCs移植后7和14d[(36.945±0.625)pg/mL,(32.177±1.127)pg/mL],与对照组比[(31.219±0.677)pg/mL,(25.636±0.681)pg/mL]明显增加,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照组相比,第14天,BMSCs移植组能观察到缺血侧海马新生神经元的迁移。结论BMSCs移植后可使大鼠脑缺血损伤的神经功能显著改善,其作用机制可能为移植的BMSCs通过分泌VEGF等营养因子,促进内源性神经干细胞向脑缺血损伤区迁移,参与损伤修复从而改善脑缺血神经功能。     

The effect of methamphetamine exposure during pregnancy and lactation on hippocampal doublecortin expression,learning and memory of rat offspring

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methamphetamine (MA) exposure during pregnancy and lactation on doublecortin (DCX) expression in the hippocampus of rat offspring and also on learning/memory. Thirty-five pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups of 5 rats each: three experimental groups, each receiving 5 mg/kg body weight (BW) intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of MA during pregnancy or/and lactation; three sham groups, each receiving saline injections; one control group, receiving no injection. After the interventions, two male pups (1 and 22 days old) were randomly selected from each mother, sacrificed and their brains subjected to DCX immunohistochemistry. One additional male pup from each mother was randomly selected and maintained for 60 days for testing in the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. MA administration during pregnancy was found to have significantly decreased the number of DCX-positive cells in the CA1, CA3 and DG regions of the hippocampus in the 1-day pups (P ≤ 0.05) and to have significantly decreased the number of DCX-positive cells in only two regions of the hippocampus, the CA1 and DG regions, in 22-day old pups. In comparison, exposure to MA during lactation was only associated with a significant decrease in the number of DCX-positive cells in the DG. Exposure to MA during pregnancy had significant impact on the intensity of DCX expression in the hippocampus of 1- and 22-day pups (P ≤ 0.05). There was no significant difference in memory/learning among the study groups. Our results indicate the administration of MA during pregnancy had a greater effect that during the lactation period on DCX expression in the hippocampus of rat offspring.     

mGluR7在氯化锂-匹罗卡品反复致癎大鼠海马的表达及作用

目的:通过氯化锂-匹罗卡品反复致癎大鼠模型,探讨代谢型谷氨酸受体7(mGluR7)在癫癎发作过程中的作用。方法:大鼠分为正常对照组和模型组,用氯化锂-匹罗卡品制作癫癎模型,将模型组中致癎成功鼠分为反复刺激组和静止期组,致癎不成功作为不成功组。制作冰冻切片用免疫组化法检测4组大鼠海马CA1、CA3区及齿状回mGluR7光密度值。结果:与正常对照组相比,静止期组大鼠海马各区表达均减弱,以齿状回差别最明显,反复刺激组各区表达均明显增强,不成功组无明显改变。结论:mGluR7表达上调提示癫癎多次发作可能增强了其对谷氨酸释放的负反馈调节和摄取作用; mGluR7在静止期表达下调提示其可能有助于慢性期癫癎环路的形成。     

姜黄素对癫痫小鼠海马脑损伤的保护作用

目的研究姜黄素对匹罗卡品诱导的癫痫小鼠海马新生神经元和细胞凋亡的影响。方法姜黄素预处理后,小鼠腹腔注射匹罗卡品建立小鼠癫痫模型,应用新生神经元标记物双皮层蛋白(doublecortin,DCX)免疫组织化学染色及TUNEL染色对造模后72h的模型小鼠海马进行检测。结果 DCX免疫组织化学染色结果表明,与对照组相比,模型组及姜黄素处理模型组小鼠海马齿状回DCX阳性细胞明显减少;与模型组相比,姜黄素处理模型组小鼠海马齿状回DCX阳性细胞明显增多。TUNEL染色结果表明,与对照组相比,模型组及姜黄素处理模型组小鼠海马齿状回TUNEL阳性细胞明显增多;与模型组相比,姜黄素处理模型组小鼠海马齿状回TUNEL阳性细胞明显减少。结论姜黄素可能对匹罗卡品诱导的癫痫小鼠海马神经元有保护作用。     

Acute and delayed restraint stress-induced changes in nitric oxide producing neurons in limbic regions

RATIONALE: Microinjection into the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus of N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, induces antinociceptive effect 5 days after a single restraint episode. The mechanisms of this stress-antinociceptive modulatory effect have not been investigated but may involve plastic changes in the hippocampal formation (HF). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to investigate possible mechanisms of the stress-modulating effect on antinociception induced by NOS inhibition in the hippocampus. We analyzed the effects of restraint stress on neuronal NOS (nNOS) expression and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase histochemical activity (NADPH-d) in the HF and related brain regions. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (n=6-11/group) were submitted to a single (acute stress) or repeated (5 days) episodes of 2-h restraint. Control animals remained in their home cages being all animals daily handled during this period. In the fifth day, animals received unilateral microinjection of l-NAME (150 nmol/0.2 microl) or saline (control) into the dentate gyrus of the dorsal hippocampus (DG). Immediately before and after drug microinjection tail-flick reflex latency or hotplate licking reaction was measured. Animals were killed i. immediately; ii. 5 days after acute stress; or iii. after repeated stress. NADPH-d and nNOS expression were quantified in the HF, caudate-putamen, secondary somatosensorial, entorhinal and piriform cortices and amygdaloid complex. RESULTS: Five days after one or five restraint episodes l-NAME microinjection into the DG elicited antinociceptive effect (analysis of variance [ANOVA], P<0.05). Acute restraint stress induced a significant increase in the density of neurons expressing NADPH-d and nNOS in the amygdaloid nuclei. nNOS expression increased also in the DG and piriform cortex. Five days after a single or repeated restraint stress there was an additional increase in NADPH-d- and nNOS-positive neurons in CA1, CA3, and entorhinal cortex. No changes were seen in non-limbic regions such as the caudate-putamen and secondary somatosensorial cortex. CONCLUSION: The results confirm that the dorsal hippocampus participates in the modulation of stress consequences. They also show that a single stress episode causes acute changes in nitric oxide system in the amygdala complex and delayed modifications in the HF. The delayed (5 days) antinociceptive effect of NOS inhibition in the HF after a single restraint episode suggests that those latter modifications may have functional consequences. It remains to be tested if the acute amygdala and delayed hippocampal changes are causally related.     

Histopathological study on neuroapoptotic alterations induced by etomidate in rat hippocampus

In human, there is substantial neurogenesis in the hippocampus that is implicated in memory formation and learning. These new-born neurons can be affected by neuropathological conditions. Anesthesia and surgical procedures are associated with postoperative cognitive changes particularly, impaired memory and learning. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible neurodegenerative effects of etomidate in rat hippocampus. Thirty male Wistar rats weighing 250 ± 30 g were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1) Etomidate group; four times 20 mg intraperitoneal injection with 1-h intervals, 2) Control group; the equal volume of normal saline, and 3) Normal group; without any intervention. 6 h after the last injection, the brains were removed and processed according to routine histological methods. TUNEL assay and toluidine blue staining were performed to evaluate neuro-histopathological changes in different regions of hippocampus. Our results showed that the number of TUNEL positive cells and dark neurons (DNs) in etomidate group were significantly higher in the CA1, CA2, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) of hippocampus compared with the control and normal groups (p < 0.05). While, there was no significant difference between the various regions of hippocampus in control and normal groups. Our findings showed that etomidate can increase apoptotic cells and dark neurons induction in different regions of hippocampus mainly in DG.     

局灶性脑缺血大鼠海马CA_3区突触体素动态表达

目的　研究局灶性脑缺血后海马CA3 区突触体素的动态表达以及神经修复的可塑性。方法　选取健康成年SD大鼠 4 0只 ,随机分为脑缺血组和对照组 ,每组又分为术后 7、14、2 1、30天 4个时间点 (n =5 )。采用线栓法建立大脑中动脉脑缺血大鼠模型 ,应用免疫组化技术观察海马CA3 区突触体素的表达。结果　脑缺血后各时间段突触体素阳性反应物表达的光密度较对照组明显降低 (P <0 .0 1) ;缺血后 7天至 2 1天突触体素表达逐渐回升 (P <0 .0 1) ,缺血后 30天又下降 ,但仍低于对照组。结论　突触体素可作为海马CA3 区神经元功能和损伤修复的标示物。     

Caspase-3在出生后大鼠海马中的表达

目的 探讨Wistar大鼠海马生后发育过程中,活化的Caspase-3与凋亡之间的关系. 方法 应用免疫荧光方法观测活化的Caspase-3和赫斯特荧光染料33342(Hoechst 33342)在生后不同时期大鼠海马CA1、CA3区和齿状回(DG)中的表达情况. 结果 在CA1区,活化的Caspase-3的表达在生后7d(P7)达到高峰;在CA3区,P2达到高峰,然后逐渐减弱.在DG,P7后又有所增强,到P14达到高峰,并在所观测的其余时段维持此水平.观测的3个区的凋亡细胞数目都在P7达到高峰,然后逐渐减少. 结论 在大鼠海马生后发育过程中,活化的Caspase-3的表达存在特定的时空格局.活化的Caspase-3在CA1区与CA3区有丝分裂后期细胞和DG神经前体细胞中的作用和机制不同.     

Jobelyn suppresses hippocampal neuronal apoptosis and necrosis in experimental alcohol-induced brain stress

Neurodegeneration in the hippocampus is a consequence of alcohol abuse which compromises the survival of the CNS tissue and its self-renewal capacity. So far, conventional drugs have not been clinically satisfactory in ameliorating neurodegeneration, therefore there has been a surge towards exploring the potentials of nutraceuticals since they mediate their action in a multi-mechanism fashion and may have high therapeutic potentials in CNS diseases. This study, therefore, evaluated the effect of Jobelyn® supplementation in ethanol-induced neurodegeneration of the hippocampus. Adult male rats received a regimen of ethanol or ethanol plus Jobelyn®, three times daily over four days. Histological results show that Jobelyn® supplementation significantly lowered neurodegeneration in the dentate gyrus, CA1 and CA3 areas. Furthermore, IHC studies show that Jobelyn® triggered an increased expression of p53 proteins in neurons of areas CA1 and CA3, with a reduction of p53 expression in the DG and also caused reduced expression of ?-enolase protein in these regions. These findings suggest that Jobelyn® may be able to help to maintain neuronal survival via control of tumor antigen p53 and ?-enolase regulated apoptotic and necrotic processes.     

Inhibition of adult hippocampal neurogenesis disrupts contextual learning but spares spatial working memory,long-term conditional rule retention and spatial reversal

Neurogenesis in the adult dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus has been implicated in neural plasticity and cognition but the specific functions contributed by adult-born neurons remain controversial. Here, we have explored the relationship between adult hippocampal neurogenesis and memory function using tasks which specifically require the participation of the DG. In two separate experiments several groups of rats were exposed to fractionated ionizing radiation (two sessions of 7 Gy each on consecutive days) applied either to the whole brain or focally, aiming at a region overlying the hippocampus. The immunocytochemical assays showed that the radiation significantly reduced the expression of doublecortin (DCX), a marker for immature neurons, in the dorsal DG. Ultrastructural examination of the DG region revealed disruption of progenitor cell niches several weeks after the radiation. In the first experiment, whole-brain and focal irradiation reduced DCX expression by 68% and 43%, respectively. Whole-brain and focally-irradiated rats were unimpaired compared with control rats in a matching-to-place (MTP) working memory task performed in the T-maze and in the long-term retention of the no-alternation rule. In the second experiment, focal irradiation reduced DCX expression by 36% but did not impair performance on (1) a standard non-matching-to-place (NMTP) task, (2) a more demanding NMTP task with increasingly longer within-trial delays, (3) a long-term retention test of the alternation rule and (4) a spatial reversal task. However, rats irradiated focally showed clear deficits in a “purely” contextual fear-conditioning task at short and long retention intervals. These data demonstrate that reduced adult hippocampal neurogenesis produces marked deficits in the rapid acquisition of emotionally relevant contextual information but spares spatial working memory function, the long-term retention of acquired spatial rules and the ability to flexibly modify learned spatial strategies.     

Sub-chronic administration of rimonabant causes loss of antidepressive activity and decreases doublecortin immunoreactivity in the mouse hippocampus

Rimonabant is a cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist, and is used to treat anorexia and obesity. However, it has been suggested that rimonabant may act as a depressant. In the present study, we investigated the depressive effects of rimonabant using behavioral and biochemical methods. A single treatment with rimonabant (10 mg/kg, p.o.) reduced immobility duration in the forced swimming test (FST) to a level similar to that observed for the tricyclic antidepressant, imipramine (15 mg/kg, i.p.). However, mice treated with rimonabant for 2 weeks did not show any significant reductions in immobility duration versus vehicle-treated controls. To investigate why the antidepressant effect of rimonabant disappeared after extended treatment, we carried out 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and doublecortin (DCX) immunohistochemistry assay. Numbers of BrdU-immunoreactive cells were not significantly changed after administering rimonabant (10 mg/kg, p.o.) for 2 weeks in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), but interestingly, numbers of DCX-immunopositive cells in the DG were significantly reduced after 2 weeks of rimonabant treatment at doses of 1 or 10 mg/(kg day) compared with vehicle-treated controls (P < 0.05). These results suggest that sub-chronic treatments with rimonabant inhibit cell proliferation in DG, and that a lack of antidepressive activity may be related to a reduction in cell proliferation in this region.     

Ischemia induces cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the gerbil hippocampus in response to neuronal death

We studied hippocampal cellular proliferation and neurogenesis processes in a model of transient global cerebral ischemia in gerbils by labelling dividing cells with 5'-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). Surrounding the region of selective neuronal death (CA1 pyramidal layer of the hippocampus), an important increase in reactive astrocytes and BrdU-labelled cells was detected 5 days after ischemia. A similar result was found in the dentate gyrus (DG) 12 days after ischemia. The differentiation of the BrdU+ cells was investigated 28 days after BrdU administration by analyzing the morphology, anatomic localization and cell phenotype by triple fluorescent labelling (BrdU, adult neural marker NeuN and DNA marker TOPRO-3) using confocal laser-scanning microscopy. This analysis showed increased neurogenesis in the DG in case of ischemia and triple positive labelling in some newborn cells in CA1. Seven brain hemispheres from gerbils subjected to ischemia did not develop CA1 neuronal death; hippocampus from these hemispheres did not show any of the above mentioned findings. Our results indicate that ischemia triggers proliferation in CA1 and neurogenesis in the DG in response to CA1 pyramidal neuronal death, independently of the reduced cerebral blood flow or the cell migration from subventricular zone (SVZ).     

Analysis of long-term gene expression in neurons of the hippocampal subfields following traumatic brain injury in rats

After experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI), widespread neuronal loss is progressive and continues in selectively vulnerable brain regions, such as the hippocampus, for months to years after the initial insult. To clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying secondary or delayed cell death in hippocampal neurons after TBI, we compared long-term changes in gene expression in the CA1, CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG) subfields of the rat hippocampus at 24 h and 3, 6, and 12 months after TBI with changes in gene expression in sham-operated rats. We used laser capture microdissection to collect several hundred hippocampal neurons from the CA1, CA3, and DG subfields and linearly amplified the nanogram samples of neuronal RNA with T7 RNA polymerase. Subsequent quantitative analysis of gene expression using ribonuclease protection assay revealed that mRNA expression of the anti-apoptotic gene, Bcl-2, and the chaperone heat shock protein 70 was significantly downregulated at 3, 6 (Bcl-2 only), and 12 months after TBI. Interestingly, the expression of the pro-apoptotic genes caspase-3 and caspase-9 was also significantly decreased at 3, 6 (caspase-9 only), and 12 months after TBI, suggesting that long-term neuronal loss after TBI is not mediated by increased expression of pro-apoptotic genes. The expression of two aging-related genes, p21 and integrin beta3 (ITbeta3), transiently increased 24 h after TBI, returned to baseline levels at 3 months and significantly decreased below sham levels at 12 months (ITbeta3 only). Expression of the gene for the antioxidant glutathione peroxidase-1 also significantly increased 6 months after TBI. These results suggest that decreased levels of neuroprotective genes may contribute to long-term neurodegeneration in animals and human patients after TBI. Conversely, long-term increases in antioxidant gene expression after TBI may be an endogenous neuroprotective response that compensates for the decrease in expression of other neuroprotective genes.     

Methamphetamine treatment causes delayed decrease in novelty-induced locomotor activity in mice

Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant that causes damage to dopamine (DA) axons and to non-monoaminergic neurons in the brain. The aim of the present study was to investigate short- and long-term effects of neurotoxic METH treatment on novelty-induced locomotor activity in mice. Male BALB/c mice, 12–14 weeks old, were injected with saline or METH (i.p., 7.5 mg/kg × 4 times, every 2 h). Behavior and neurotoxic effects were assessed at 10 days, 3 and 5 months following drug treatment. METH administration caused marked decreases in DA levels in the mouse striatum and cortex at 10 days post-drug. However, METH did not induce any changes in novelty-induced locomotor activity. At 3 and 5 months after treatment METH-exposed mice showed significant recovery of DA levels in the striatum and cortex. In contrast, these animals demonstrated significant decreases in locomotor activity at 5 months in comparison to aged-matched control mice. Further assessment of METH toxicity using TUNEL staining showed that the drug induced increased cell death in the striatum and cortex at 3 days after administration. Taken together, these data suggest that delayed deficits in novelty-induced locomotor activity observed in METH-exposed animals are not due to neurodegeneration of DA terminals but to combined effects of METH and age-dependent dysfunction of non-DA intrinsic striatal and/or corticostriatal neurons.     

不同成熟期大鼠戊四氮反复惊厥模型与癫痫发病机制研究

目的：观察新生大鼠、成熟大鼠反复惊厥后海马结构的变化及NF-κB 表达，探索未成熟脑癫痫发病机制。 方法： 对生后10 d、60 d（P10、P60）两实验组大鼠用戊四氮(PTZ)反复腹腔注射5 d，设P10、P60生理盐水对照组；硫堇染色对CA1、CA3、DG及门区神经元进行细胞计数, 观察海马神经元坏死及凋亡；免疫组化技术检测NF-κB的表达；Timm组织化学染色观察苔藓纤维发芽并评分。 结果： (1) P10实验组与对照组比较，海马齿状回、CA1、CA3区无明显神经元丢失，DG区颗粒细胞数在实验组(23.25±3.06) 多于对照组（16.25±1.58）；P60实验组CA1、CA3区神经元计数（8.22±1.88、5.62±1.68）明显少于对照组（6.31±1.50、3.62±1.40），DG区无明显差异；（2）两实验组CA3区锥体层苔藓纤维发芽均多于对照组，但P60(3.25±1.03)较P10（1.50±0.92）更明显；（3）P10、P60实验组NF-κB 表达高于对照组，且P10组较P60组更为明显（P<0.05）。 结论： 新生大鼠致痫后海马神经元无明显丢失，脑内NF-κB 表达增加，可能是未成熟脑对惊厥性脑损伤具有耐受性的重要神经生物学基础。     

Early-activated microglia play a role in transient forebrain ischemia-induced neural precursor proliferation in the dentate gyrus of mice

Although it has been well established that ischemic insults promote cell proliferation in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), the mechanisms by which this occurs remain unclear. The present study demonstrates that early-activated microglia in the hilus of the DG play an important role in ischemia-induced cell proliferation. Transient forebrain ischemia induced by 20 min of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) significantly increased cell proliferation in the SGZ of the DG beginning 4 days post-reperfusion. Moreover, BCCAO increased microglial activation in the hilus of the DG from 1 day post-reperfusion and in the CA1 layer from 4 days post-reperfusion. An injection of minocycline (10 or 100 nmol in 0.5 μl) into the DG immediately after reperfusion decreased microglial activation in the hilus of the DG 1 day post-reperfusion, but only a high dose of minocycline (100 nmol) significantly decreased microglial activation in the CA1 layer. Both high and low doses of minocycline significantly decreased the number of BrdU-positive cells at 7 days post-reperfusion. These results suggest that early-activated microglia in the hilus of the DG take part in the cell proliferation induced by transient forebrain ischemia.     

产前应激对发育海马神经元及其超微结构的影响

目的:观察产前应激(PS)对子鼠海马神经元和神经元超微结构是否有损伤作用, 以及这种损伤是否与氧化物的过度生成有关。方法:采用束缚应激模型, 观察出生后1个月雄性子鼠的海马神经元数量、神经元超微结构及神经型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)表达的变化。结果:晚期应激(LS)引起子鼠海马CA1和CA4区的细胞数量明显减少;电镜可见PS使子鼠海马CA1区神经元超微结构发生改变, 表现为线粒体肿大、边界不清、电子密度不均, 脂褐素增多, 偶见核变形;中期应激(MS)使子鼠海马CA1、CA2、CA3区和DG内nNOS阳性表达量显著升高, LS使子鼠海马CA1、CA2、CA3、CA4区和DG内nNOS阳性表达量也显著升高。结论:结果提示, PS对子鼠海马神经元及神经元超微结构有损伤作用, 这种损伤可能由氧化物过度生成引起。     

The vanadium (IV) compound rescues septo-hippocampal cholinergic neurons from neurodegeneration in olfactory bulbectomized mice

The bilateral olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) mouse exhibits neurodegeneration of cholinergic neurons in the medial septum with concomitant cognitive deficits. Consistent with our previous observations, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) protein levels in the medial septum decreased by 43.5% 2 weeks after OBX without changes in glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 (GAD65) levels. Interestingly, levels of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), which is localized at cholinergic neuron terminals, decreased both in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions following OBX. Confocal microscopy showed that VAChT expression was more severely reduced in CA3 14 days after OBX compared with CA1. Intriguingly, chronic treatment with a vanadium (IV) compound, VO(OPT) [bis(1-N-oxide-pyridine-2-thiolato)oxovanadium(IV)] (0.5-1 mg as vanadium (V)/kg/day, i.p.), significantly rescued cholinergic neurons in the medial septum in a dose-dependent manner. VO(OPT) treatment also prevented decreased VAChT immunoreactivity both in CA1 and CA3 regions in the hippocampus. Consistent with these findings, an impaired hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory deficits seen in OBX mice were significantly prevented by VO(OPT) treatment. Taken together, OBX induces neurodegeneration of septo-hippocampal cholinergic neurons and impairment of memory-related behaviors. The neuroprotective effect of VO(OPT) could lead to novel therapeutic strategies to ameliorate cognitive deficits associated with cholinergic neuron degeneration in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.     

Structural organization of astrocytes in the rat hippocampus in the post-ischemic period

The aim of the present work was to study the location and structural organization of astrocytes in the rat hippocampus, which contain immunoreactive glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) after ischemic damage to the brain after intracerebroventricular administration of the neuroprotective agent creatine and without treatment. Light microscopy and immunocytochemical methods were used to study the brains of 26 adult male Sprague-Dawley (Koltushi) rats, some of which were subjected to total cerebral ischemia (12 min) under anesthesia with subsequent reperfusion (seven days). Creatine was given to 11 animals intracerebroventricularly using an osmotic pump (Alzet Osmotic Mini-Pump). The results showed that GFAP-immunoreactive hippocampal astrocytes were concentrated in two main zones (the stratum lacunosummoleculare of field CA1 and the stratum polymorphae of the dentate fascia). The neuroprotective effect of creatine had the result that moderate ischemic damage to the hippocampus did not lead to changes in the zones containing activated astrocytes. The redistribution of GFAP-positive astrocytes in the post-ischemic period was associated with loss of pyramidal neurons in cytoarchitectonic field CA1. Complete loss of pyramidal neurons in this area of the hippocampus leads to a qualitatively new level of astrocyte activation - proliferation.Translated from Morfologiya, Vol. 125, No. 2, pp. 19–21, March–April, 2004.