Hypoxic preconditioning stimulates angiogenesis in ischemic penumbra after acute cerebral infarction

Previous studies have demonstrated the protective effect of hypoxic preconditioning on acute cerebral infarction, but the mechanisms underlying this protection remain unclear. To investigate the protective mechanisms of hypoxic preconditioning in relation to its effects on angiogenesis, we in- duced a photochemical model of cerebral infarction in an inbred line of mice （BALB/c）. Mice were then exposed to hypoxic preconditioning 30 minutes prior to model establishment. Results showed significantly increased vascular endothelial growth factor and CD31 expression in the ischemic penumbra at 24 and 72 hours post infarction, mainly in neurons and vascular endothelial cells. Hypoxic preconditioning increased vascular endothelial growth factor and CD31 expression in the ischemic penumbra and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was positively related to that of CD31. Moreover, hypoxic preconditioning reduced the infarct volume and improved neu- rological function in mice. These findings indicate that the protective role of hypoxic preconditioning in acute cerebral infarction may possibly be due to an increase in expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and CD31 in the ischemic penumbra, which promoted angiogenesis.

Gabapentin inhibits central sensitization during migraine

Peripheral and central sensitizations are phenomena that occur during migraine. The role of gabapentin, a migraine preventive drug, on central sensitization remains unclear. In this study, a rat model of migraine was established by electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion, and the animals were given intragastric gabapentin. Changes in amino acid content in the cerebrospinal fluid and protein kinase C membrane translocation in the spinal trigeminal nucleus were examined to clarify the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of gabapentin in the treatment of central sensiti- zation during migraine. Electrophysiology, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and western blot analysis results revealed that gabapentin reduces neuronal excitability in the spinal nucleus in the trigeminal nerve, decreases excitatory amino acid content and inhibits the activation of protein kinase C. This provides evidence that excitatory amino acids and protein kinase C are involved in the formation and maintenance of central sensitization during migraine. Gabapentin inhibits mi- graine by reducing excitatory amino acid content in the cerebrospinal fluid and inhibiting protein kinase C activation.