Adiponectin Supports Human Glioma Cells Survival against Temozolomide through Enhancement of Autophagic Response in Glioma Cells

Objective: To investigate the role of adiponectin in human glioma cell lines against the temozolomide and the molecular regulation mechanism. Methods: Human glioma cell lines U251 and U-87MG were cultured in Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium (DMEM) containing 4500 mg/L glucose. MTT was used to measure cell growth ratio. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of autophagy-related protein (Beclin 1, LC3 I/II, p62) and phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK) in human glioma cell lines. After AICAR and Compound C were administered, the change of p-AMPK and the autophagy level were examined by western blot. Results: While adiponectin stimulates AMPK in phosphatase and up-regulates the level of autophagy, human glioma cell lines obtain more resistance against the temozolomide, which is facilitated by AICAR and weakened by Compound C. Conclusion: As an important adipokine, adiponectin can up-regulate the glioma cell autophagy by activating the AMPK signaling pathway which increases the resistance of glioma cells to temozolomide.

Dynamic changes in cerebral microcirculation and hypoxia in the early stages of diffuse axonal injury

This study demonstrated that damage to the cerebral microvasculature, the formation of microthrombi and swelling of vascular endothelial cells occur early and peak 12 hours after injury in a rat model of diffuse axonal injury. Moreover, these pathological changes were most evident in the cerebral cortex. Cerebral microcirculatory dysfunction peaked later and had a shorter duration than axonal injury. In addition, the radioactive imaging agent, 99Tcm-4, 9-diaza-2, 3, 10, 10- tetramethyldodecan-2, 11 -dione dioxime, was used to visualize the dynamic changes that occur in tissue with cerebral hypoxia. The results demonstrated that cerebral hypoxia occurs at an early stage in diffuse axonal injury. Cerebral hypoxia was evident 12 hours after injury and declined slightly 24 hours after injury, but was significantly higher than in the control group. The pathological changes that underpin microcirculatory dysfunction did not occur at the same time as axonal injury, but did occur simultaneously with neuronal injury. Cerebral hypoxia plays a key role in promoting the secondary brain injury that occurs after diffuse axonal injury.

Role of the nerve growth factor precursor-neurotrophin receptor p75 and sortilin pathway on apoptosis in the brain of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage

This study demonstrated that brain areas surrounding the site of hematoma following intracerebral hemorrhage are characterized by significantly increased apoptosis and expression of neurotrophin receptor p75 and sortilin. However, as detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling and immunohistochemical staining, there was no significant change in nerve growth factor precursor expression levels. The appearance of neurotrophin receptor p75 expressing cells was positively correlated with cells that were detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling. These findings confirm that the nerve growth factor precursor-neurotrophin receptor p75-sortilin heterotrimeric complex-mediated apoptosis pathway may play an important role in cellular apoptosis following intracerebral hemorrhage.

Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response in Early Stage of Diffuse Axonal Injury in Rats

Objective: To investigate the role of oxidative stress and immunoinflammatory reaction in early stage of diffuse axonal injury (DAI). Methods: 96 adult male SD rats were divided into 2 groups (n = 48 in each): sham group and DAI group. Rat diffuse axonal injury was induced by a rat instant lateral head rotation device, which was developed to let the rat head spin 90 degree at the moment to cause shearing injury. The modified neurological severity score (mNSS), histomorphology, PI staining, GFAP immunofluorescent staining, SOD activity, CAT activity, MDA content and western blotting (IL-6,IL-1, JNK and p-JNK) in parietal cortex were investigated at 6 h, 1 d and 3 d after DAI. Results: The neurological severity scores, GFAP positive cell, PI positive cells, MDA, IL-6, IL-1, JNK and p-JNK were significantly increased and the SOD and CAT activities were decreased after DAI. Conclusion: Oxidative stress and immunoinflammatory reaction played important roles in DAI pathophysiological process in acute phase.