Effects of genetic and environmental factors and gene-environment interaction on expression variations of genes related to stroke in rat brain

To determine if genetic and environmental (dietary) factors and gene-environment interaction impact on the expression variation of genes related to stroke, we conducted microarray experiments using two homozygous rat strains SHRSR and SHRSP fed with high and low dietary salt levels. We obtained expression data of 8,779 genes and performed the ranking analysis of microarray data. The results show that the genetic difference for stroke in rat brain has a strong effect on expression variations of genes. At false discovery rate (FDR) ≤ 5%, 534 genes were found to be differentially expressed between the genotypes resistant and prone to stroke, among which 304 genes were up-regulated in the resistant genotype and down-regulated in the prone genotype and 230 were down-regulated in the former and up-regulated in the latter. In addition, 365 were functional genes for transcription and translation, receptors (in particular, neurotransmitter receptor), channels of ions, transportation, metabolism and enzymes, and functional and structural proteins. Some of these genes are pivotal genes that cause stroke. However, dietary salt levels and GE interaction do not strongly impact on the expression variations of these genes detected on arrays.

卒中一级预防指南美国心脏协会／美国卒中协会对医疗专业人员的声明

这份更新版指南旨在为既往无卒中或短暂性脑缺血发作史的人群提供适时的综合性卒中预防循证建议，包括危险因素控制、头颈部动脉粥样硬化性疾病的干预方法以及预防血栓形成和血栓栓塞性卒中的抗栓治疗。此外，本指南还提供了针对遗传和药理学检测以及在其他特殊情况下（包括镰状细胞疾病和卵圆孔未闭）进行卒中预防的建议。

脑白质疏松的遗传学

老年人脑CT和MRI经常显示脑室周围和皮质下白质区域的信号强度改变，这被称为脑白质疏松。尽管轻度受累的患者没有任何症状，但严重的脑白质疏松会引起认知障碍和步态异常。在组织病理学上，脑白质疏松区域总是表现为小动脉和微动脉硬化，管腔狭窄以及迁曲，同时伴有因缺血引起的不同程度的神经胶质增生，脱髓鞘和轴变缺失。遗传变异在脑白质疏松的体积及其相关临床表现的个体差异中起相当大的作用。阐明与脑白质疏松个体差异有关的遗传因素特征有助于增强我们对缺血性脑损伤分子机制的理解，并为这种常见类型血管性痴呆的诊断、评估、治疗和预防开辟新途径。