Therapeutic effects of different durations of acupuncture on rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion

Acupuncture is regarded as an effective therapy for cerebral ischemia. Different acupuncture ma- nipulations and durations may result in different therapeutic effects. In the present study, the Neig uan （PC6） acupoint of rats with occluded middle cerebral arteries was needled at a fixed frequency （3 Hz） with different durations, i.e., 5, 60 and 180 seconds under a twisting-rotating acupuncture method. Results showed that different durations of acupuncture had different therapeutic effects, with 60 seconds yielding a better therapeutic effect than the other two groups. This duration of treatment demonstrated rapid cerebral blood flow, encouraging recovery of neurological function, and small cerebral infarct volume. Experimental findings indicated that under 3 Hz frequency, the treatment of needling Neiguan for 60 seconds is effective for ischemic stroke.

Predictors of short-term outcome in patients with acute middle cerebral artery occlusion: unsuitability of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery vascular hyperintensity scores

Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery （FLAIR） vascular hyperintensity （FVH） is used to assess leptomeningeal collateral circulation, but clinical outcomes of patients with FVH can be very different. The aim of the present study was to assess a FVH score and explore its relationship with clinical outcomes. Patients with acute ischemic stroke due to middle cerebral artery M1 occlusion underwent magnetic resonance imaging and were followed up at 10 days （National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale） and 90 days （modified Rankin Scale） to determine short-term clinical outcomes. Effective collateral circulation indirectly improved recovery of neurological function and short-term clinical outcome by extending the size of the pial penumbra and reducing infarct lesions. FVH score showed no correlation with 90-day functional clinical outcome and was not sufficient as an independent predictor of short-term clinical outcome.

In vivo tracking of human adipose-derived stem cells labeled with ferumoxytol in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion by magnetic resonance imaging

Ferumoxytol, an iron replacement product, is a new type of superparamagnetic iron oxide ap- proved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Herein, we assessed the feasibility of tracking transplanted human adipose-derived stem cells labeled with ferumoxytol in middle cerebral artery occlusion-injured rats by 3.0 T MRI in vivo. 1 × 104 human adipose-derived stem cells labeled with ferumoxytol-heparin-protamine were transplanted into the brains of rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion. Neurologic impairment was scored at 1, 7, 14, and 28 days after transplantation. T2-weighted imaging and enhanced susceptibility-weighted angiography were used to observe transplanted cells. Results of imaging tests were compared with results of Prussian blue staining. The modified neurologic impairment scores were significantly lower in rats transplanted with cells at all time points except I day post-transplantation compared with rats without transplantation. Regions with hypointense signals on T2-weighted and enhanced susceptibility-weighted angiography images corresponded with areas stained by Prussian blue, suggesting the presence of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles within the engrafted cells. Enhanced susceptibility-weighted angiography image exhibited better sensitivity and contrast in tracing ferumoxytol-heparin-protamine-labeled human adipose-derived stem ceils compared with T2-weighted imaging in routine MRI.

Screen-imaging guidance using a modified portable video macroscope for middle cerebral artery occlusion

The use of operating microscopes is limited by the focal length.Surgeons using these instruments cannot simultaneously view and access the surgical field and must choose one or the other.The longer focal length （more than 1 000 mm） of an operating telescope permits a position away from the operating field,above the surgeon and out of the field of view.This gives the telescope an advantage over an operating microscope.We developed a telescopic system using screen-imaging guidance and a modified portable video macroscope constructed from a Computar MLH-10 × macro lens,a DFK-21AU04 USB CCD Camera and a Dell laptop computer as monitor screen.This system was used to establish a middle cerebral artery occlusion model in rats.Results showed that magnification of the modified portable video macroscope was appropriate （5-20 ×） even though the Computar MLH-10 × macro lens was placed 800 mm away from the operating field rather than at the specified working distance of 152.4 mm with a zoom of 1-40 ×.The screen-imaging telescopic technique was clear,life-like,stereoscopic and matched the actual operation.Screen-imaging guidance led to an accurate,smooth,minimally invasive and comparatively easy surgical procedure.Success rate of the model establishment evaluated by neurological function using the modified neurological score system was 74.07%.There was no significant difference in model establishment time,sensorimotor deficit and infarct volume percentage.Our findings indicate that the telescopic lens is effective in the screen surgical operation mode referred to as ＂long distance observation and short distance operation＂ and that screen-imaging guidance using an modified portable video macroscope can be utilized for the establishment of a middle cerebral artery occlusion model and micro-neurosurgery.

Effect of Fujian tablet on the expression of Nogo-A mRNA in the cervical spinal cord of middle cerebral artery occlusion model rats

Inhibiting the expression of Nogo-A in cervical spinal cord by use of interaction of antigen and antibody can help the remodeling of corticospinal projection of focal cerebral ischemia model rats to facilitate neurological recovery, which provides a new possible mechanism for drugs to promote neurological recovery. However, the effects of drugs on the expression of Nogo-A in cervical spinal cord are still unclear. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of Fujian tablet on the expression of Nogo-A mRNA in cervical spinal cords of middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） rats, and to investigate the possible regulatory effect of Fujian tablet on the regenerated microenvironment of spinal conduction bundle. DESIGN： A randomized and controlled trial taking Wistar rats as experimental animals. SETTING： Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. MATERIALS： This experiment was carried out in the laboratory of Shandong Academy of Medical Science between June 2005 and July 2006. A total of 40 healthy male Wistar rats, aged 12 weeks, weighing 250 - 300 g, were provided by the Experimental Animal Center of Shandong University. Fujian tablets （main components： Heshouwu, Yinyanghuo, etc） were provided by office of Pharmaceutics of Shandong University of traditional Chinese medicine. Nogo-A detection kit was provided by Wuhan Boster Biotechnology Co.,Ltd., and batch number was 040309009. This experiment was approved by Local Animal Ethics Committee. METHODS： Forty male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 10 in each： normal group, sham-operation group, model group and administration group. Rats in the administration group and model group were subjected to MCAO. Rats in the sham-operation group underwent the same craniotomy, and their middle cerebral arteries （MCA） were not occluded. Rats in the normal group were untouched. Rats in administration group were intragastrically administrated with the solution of Fujian tablet at a dose of 9 g/kg and others were given equal dosage of normal saline two days later. The treatments were done once a day and the course totaled 2 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The expression of Nogo-A mRNA in slices of cervical spinal cords. RESULTS： Forty rats were involved in the final analysis. The expression of Nogo-A mRNA in the cervical spinal cord of rats in the administration group and model group was significantly decreased as compared with that in the normal group （P 〈 0.01 and P 〈 0.05, respectively）. The expression of Nogo-A mRNA in the administration group was also significantly weaker than that in the model group （P 〈 0.05 ） . CONCLUSION： Fujian tablet can inhibit the expression of Nogo-A mRNA in cervical spinal cords of MCAO rats, which facilitates regeneration and remodeling of cervical spinal cords.

Apparent diffusion coefficient evaluation for secondary changes in the cerebellum of rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion

Supratentorial cerebral infarction can cause functional inhibition of remote regions such as the cerebellum, which may be relevant to diaschisis. This phenomenon is often analyzed using positron emission tomography and single photon emission CT. However, these methods are expensive and radioactive. Thus, the present study quantified the changes of infarction core and remote regions after unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion using apparent diffusion coefficient values. Diffu- sion-weighted imaging showed that the area of infarction core gradually increased to involve the cerebral cortex with increasing infarction time. Diffusion weighted imaging signals were initially in- creased and then stabilized by 24 hours. With increasing infarction time, the apparent diffusion co- efficient value in the infarction core and remote bilateral cerebellum both gradually decreased, and then slightly increased 3-24 hours after infarction. Apparent diffusion coefficient values at remote regions （cerebellum） varied along with the change of supratentorial infarction core, suggesting that the phenomenon of diaschisis existed at the remote regions. Thus, apparent diffusion coefficient values and diffusion weighted imaging can be used to detect early diaschisis.

Effects of Echinacoside on Histio-central Levels of Active Mass in Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Rats

Objective To investigate the effects of echinacoside on the extracellular striatal levels of norepinephrine（NE）,dopamine（DA）,homovanillic acid（HVA）,3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanoid acid（DOPAC）,5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid（HIAA）,and 5-hydroxytryptamine（5-HT） in middle cerebral artery occlusion（MCAO rats.Methods The middle cerebral artery was occluded in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Three days later microdialysis probes were placed into the right striatum of MCAO rat brains and the brains were perfused with Ringer＇s solution at a rate of 1.5 μL/min.Cerebral microdialysates were collected every 30 minutes from awake and freely moving rats before assaying for NE,DA,HVA,DOPAC,HIAA,and 5-HT levels by reverse phase HPLC with electrochemistry.Results Three days after MCAO,the extracellular striatal levels of NE,DA,DOPAC,HIAA,HVA,and 5-HT of the MCAO rats increased significantly（at least P0.05 vs.control）.However,simultaneous treatment with echinacoside（30.0 or 15.0 mg/kg） attenuated these increases（at least P0.05 vs.non-treated model rats）.Conclusion These results imply that echinacoside may protect striatal dopa minergic neurons from the injury induced by MCAO and may help prevent and treat cerebral ischemic diseases.

Neuroprotective effect of Longshengzhi capsule following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats

Objective:Longshengzhi capsule(LSZC)is an optimized preparation based on the traditional Chinese Medicine formula Buyanghuanwu Decoction(BYHWD),and is approved by the China Food and Drug Administration for treating stroke-induced disability and vascular diseases.Herein,we examined the pharmacodynamics,anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant actions,and potential mechanisms of action of LSZC following stroke in rats.Methods:Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)was used as an ischemic stroke model.LSZC was administered intragastrically.We examined the survival rate,bodyweight,and neurological deficits in stroke rats.Brain infarct size was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining.Brain pathology was examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining,Nissl staining,and TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling staining.Malondialdehyde,catalase,superoxide dismutase,and glutathione levels were examined by commercial kits.Expression of Nrf2,heme oxygenase-1,Bax,Bcl-2,cleaved caspase-3,and caspase-3 proteins in brain tissue was measured by Western blot.Results:LSZC markedly improved the survival rate and bodyweight,and reduced infarct volume and neurological deficit scores,in MCAO stroke rats.LSZC also significantly attenuated oxidative stress,as indicated by decreased expression of malondialdehyde,and upregulation of Nrf2,heme oxygenase-1,catalase,superoxide dismutase,and glutathione.Moreover,LSZC significantly decreased apoptosis,including a decrease in Bax and cleaved caspase-3 expression,and an increase in Bcl-2,as well as a reduction in numbers of apoptotic neurons.Conclusion:LSZC treatment is neuroprotective against ischemic stroke,potentially via reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.The Nrf2 and apoptotic signaling pathways may play important roles in the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic actions of LSZC.

Middle cerebral artery occlusion methods in rat versus mouse model of transient focal cerebral ischemic stroke

Experimental stroke research commonly employs focal cerebral ischemic rat models （Bederson et al., 1986a; Longa et al., 1989）. In human patients, ischemic stroke typically results from thrombotic or embolic occlusion of a major cerebral artery, usually the mid- dle cerebral artery （MCA）. Experimental focal cerebral ischemia models have been employed to mimic human stroke （Durukan and Tatlisumak, 2007）. Rodent models of focal cerebral ischemia that do not require craniotomy have been developed using intraluminal suture occlusion of the MCA （MCA occlusion, MCAO） （Rosamond et al., 2008）. Furthermore, mouse MCAO models have been wide- ly used and extended to genetic studies of cell death or recovery mechanisms （Liu and McCullough, 2011）. Genetically engineered mouse stroke models are particularly useful for evaluation of isch- emic pathophysiology and the design of new prophylactic, neuro- protective, and therapeutic agents and interventions （Armstead et al., 2010）. During the past two decades, MCAO surgical techniques have been developed that do not reveal surgical techniques for mouse MCAO model engineering. Therefore, we compared MCAO surgical methods in rats and mice.

Occlusion of the middle cerebral artery Guidance by screen imaging using an EDA-H portable medium-soft electronic endoscope

The present study aimed to verify the practicability of performing screen-based surgical operations under the guidance of a real-time viewing and recording system （RTVRS） using a portable medium-soft electronic endoscope （pmsEE）. The middle cerebral artery in rats was occluded under screen-imaging guidance using a pmsEE RTVRS to reproduce an animal model of human cerebral infarction. The screen imaging of the pmsEE RTVRS was clear, life-like, stereoscopic and synchronous with the actual operation. Screen-imaging guidance led to an accurate, smooth, minimally invasive and comparatively easy surgical procedure. The surgical success rate, time of model establishment, neurological function scores, and infarct volume were similar to those using an operating microscope. These results indicate that the self-designed pmsEE RTVRS could be utilized for portable endoscopic screen-based surgical operations.

Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging of Rat Brain Microstructural Changes due to Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion at a 3T MRI

The purpose of this work was to demonstrate the feasibility of neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging(NODDI)in characterizing the brain tissue microstructural changes of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)in rats at 3T MRI,and to validate NODDI metrics with histology.A multi-shell diffusion MRI protocol was performed on 11 MCAO rats and 10 control rats at different post-operation time points of 0.5,2,6,12,24 and 72 h.NODDI orientation dispersion index(ODI)and intracellular volume fraction(V_(ic))metrics were compared between MCAO group and control group.The evolution of NODDI metrics was characterized and validated by histology.Infarction was consistent with significantly increased ODI and V_(ic)in comparison to control tissues at all time points(P<0.001).Lesion ODI increased gradually from 0.5 to 72 h,while its V_(ic)showed a more complicated and fluctuated evolution.ODI and V_(ic)were significantly different between hyperacute and acute stroke periods(P<0.001).The NODDI metrics were found to be consistent with the histological findings.In conclusion,NODDI can reflect microstructural changes of brain tissues in MCAO rats at 3T MRI and the metrics are consistent with histology.This study helps to prepare NODDI for the diagnosis and management of ischemic stroke in translational research and clinical practice.

Ginkgo biloba extract-761 improves the motor functions in permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion rats

OBJECTIVE To study the role of Ginkgo biloba extract-761(EGb-761)in the recovery of gait abnormality and its neuroprotective effect against the brain injury induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlu-sion in rats.METHODS Male Sprague Dawley rats(n=200,240-305 g)were anesthetized with 0.2%pentobarbital sodium diluted in physiological saline(2.0 m L·kg-1,ip).Then a monofilament coated with poly-L-lysine,was used to occlude the origin of the middle cerebral artery.It was inserted into the internal carotid artery lumen until it met mild resistance,approximately 20mm beyond the common carotid artery bifurcation.The suture was secured with a ligature and maintained in place until sacrifice.The same surgical procedure was conducted in sham-operated rats in which the middle cerebral artery was not occluded.Motor and behavioral changes were assessed after surgery using a five point scale.The rats securing the point scale above 2 were included in the study.The rats were randomly divided into control,and treated groups:EGb-761(20,50,and 100 mg·kg-1).The treated groups were oral y administered(10 mL·kg-1)for 28 d.On 7th,14th,21st,and 28th day the neurological scores,rotar rod test and gait assessment(the automated computer-assisted method)were performed.The brains were collected for TTC staining and histopathological analysis.RESULTS 1)Weight:On 28th day,EGb-761(20 mg·kg-1,)significantly increased the weight of the rat by^8%as compared to control(~300 g).However,at 50 mg·kg-1,and 100 mg·kg-1,a significant increase of^7-7.6%(control:~232 g),and^7.3-7%,respectively from 14 to 28 days was noted.2)Neurological scores:On 28thday,EGb-761(20,50,and 100 mg·kg-1)significantly decreased the neurological scores by^18%,~22%,~21%,respectively as compared to control(~2.07).3)Rotar rod test:On 28thday,EGb-761(50,and100 mg·kg-1)significantly increased by^69.1%,~74.1%,respectively as compared to control(~28.2).4)Gait assessment:On 7th,14th,21st,and 28thday,EGb-761(20,50,and 100 m·kg-1)significantly reduced the average body angle,on 7th,14th,21st,and 28thday,EGb-761(100 mg·kg-1)significantly increased the walk speed and reduced the average walking cycle,EGb-761(50,and 100 mg·kg-1)significantly the area of the left brain/right brain area percentage and reduced tissue pathologic neuron injury.CONCLUSION Ginkgo biloba extract EGb-761 has obvious improve behavior disorders,and has a protective neuroprotective effect against the brain injury induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Clinical Study of Endovascular Treatment of Severe Middle Cerebral Artery Stenosis or Occlusion and Vascular Cognitive Impairment

It is very important to study the factors affecting the incidence,progress and prognosis of patients with vascular dementia.50 cases of severe middle cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion underwent endovascular treatment(25 cases of mild cognitive dysfunction,25 cases of moderate cognitive dysfunction)were divided into two groups,where a medical drug treatment group and a control group established with 25 cases in each group.The cognitive function of each group of patients was evaluated before operation,7 days after operation,30 days after operation,and 180 days after operation.CTP was used to compare the hemodynamic changes in patients before and after operation.The severe stenosis or occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in patients can be improved,and the intracranial blood supply of patients with poorly compensated medial cranial circulation and hypoperfusion can be restored to a certain extent.Meanwhile,improvement of cognitive function was definitive in some patients with cognitive dysfunction.To guide the formulation of treatment plans for patients with severe middle cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion.

Combined surgical and interventional treatment of tandem carotid artery and middle cerebral artery embolus: A case report

BACKGROUND The 2018 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines for early management of acute ischemic stroke recommend the use of retrievable stents for mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery M1 occlusion that can be treated within 6 h from onset.For cases of carotid artery with ipsilateral middle cerebral artery tandem embolization, the operation is more complicated and challenging. We here report a case of a tandem embolism, and the anatomy of the aortic arch was complex.Direct carotid artery incision and thrombectomy can not only prevent the escape of the carotid embolus but also save time during establishment of the thrombectomy access.CASE SUMMARY The patient was a 70-year-old man. He was admitted to hospital due to sudden inability to speak and inability to move his right limb for 3 h. Imaging confirmed a diagnosis of a tandem embolism in the left carotid artery with left M1 occlusion.Carotid artery incision thrombectomy combined with stent thrombectomy was performed. The operation was successful, and 24 h later the patient was conscious and mentally competent but had motor aphasia. His bilateral limb muscle strength level was 5, and his neurologic severity scores score was 2.CONCLUSION Carotid artery incision thrombectomy combined with stenting for carotid artery plus cerebral artery tandem embolization is clinically feasible. For patients with a complicated aortic arch and an extremely tortuous carotid artery, carotid artery incision can be chosen to establish the interventional path.

Vav1 promotes inflammation and neuronal apoptosis in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by upregulating microglial and NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Microglia,which are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system,are an important part of the inflammatory response that occurs after cerebral ischemia.Vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1(Vav1) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that is related to microglial activation.However,how Vav1 participates in the inflammato ry response after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion inj ury remains unclea r.In this study,we subjected rats to occlusion and repe rfusion of the middle cerebral artery and subjected the BV-2 mic roglia cell line to oxygen-glucose deprivatio n/reoxygenation to mimic cerebral ischemia/repe rfusion in vivo and in vitro,respectively.We found that Vav1 levels were increased in the brain tissue of rats subjected to occlusion and reperfusion of the middle cerebral arte ry and in BV-2 cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation.Silencing Vav1 reduced the cerebral infarct volume and brain water content,inhibited neuronal loss and apoptosis in the ischemic penumbra,and im p roved neurological function in rats subjected to occlusion and repe rfusion of the middle cerebral artery.Further analysis showed that Vav1 was almost exclusively localized to microglia and that Vav1 downregulation inhibited microglial activation and the NOD-like receptor pyrin 3(NLRP3) inflammasome in the ischemic penumbra,as well as the expression of inflammato ry facto rs.In addition,Vov1 knoc kdown decreased the inflammatory response exhibited by BV-2 cells after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxyge nation.Taken together,these findings show that silencing Vav1 attenuates inflammation and neuronal apoptosis in rats subjected to cerebral ischemia/repe rfusion through inhibiting the activation of mic roglia and NLRP3 inflammasome.

DNA hypomethylation promotes learning and memory recovery in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury impairs learning and memory in patients.Studies have shown that synaptic function is involved in the formation and development of memory,and that DNA methylation plays a key role in the regulation of learning and memory.To investigate the role of DNA hypomethylation in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury,in this study,we established a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and then treated the rats with intraperitoneal 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine,an inhibitor of DNA methylation.Our results showed that 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine markedly improved the neurological function,and cognitive,social and spatial memory abilities,and dose-dependently increased the synaptic density and the expression of SYP and SHANK2 proteins in the hippocampus in a dose-dependent manner in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.The effects of 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine were closely related to its reduction of genomic DNA methylation and DNA methylation at specific sites of the Syp and Shank2 genes in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.These findings suggest that inhibition of DNA methylation by 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine promotes the recovery of learning and memory impairment in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.These results provide theoretical evidence for stroke treatment using epigenetic methods.

A molecular probe carrying anti-tropomyosin 4 for early diagnosis of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

In vivo imaging of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury remains an important challenge.We injected porous Ag/Au@SiO_(2) bimetallic hollow nanoshells carrying anti-tropomyosin 4 as a molecular probe into mice with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and observed microvascular changes in the brain using photoacoustic imaging with ultrasonography.At each measured time point,the total photoacoustic signal was significantly higher on the affected side than on the healthy side.Twelve hours after reperfusion,cerebral perfusion on the affected side increased,cerebrovascular injury worsened,and anti-tropomyosin 4 expression increased.Twenty-four hours after reperfusion and later,perfusion on the affected side declined slowly and stabilized after 1 week;brain injury was also alleviated.Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations confirmed the brain injury tissue changes.The nanoshell molecular probe carrying anti-tropomyosin 4 has potential for use in early diagnosis of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and evaluating its progression.

Exercise preconditioning alleviates ischemia-induced memory deficits by increasing circulating adiponectin

Cerebral ischemia is a major health risk that requires preventive approaches in addition to drug therapy.Physical exercise enhances neurogenesis and synaptogenesis,and has been widely used for functional rehabilitation after stroke.In this study,we determined whether exercise training before disease onset can alleviate the severity of cerebral ischemia.We also examined the role of exercise-induced circulating factors in these effects.Adult mice were subjected to 14 days of treadmill exercise training before surgery for middle cerebral artery occlusion.We found that this exercise pre-conditioning strategy effectively attenuated brain infarct area,inhibited gliogenesis,protected synaptic proteins,and improved novel object and spatial memory function.Further analysis showed that circulating adiponectin plays a critical role in these preventive effects of exercise.Agonist activation of adiponectin receptors by Adipo Ron mimicked the effects of exercise,while inhibiting receptor activation abolished the exercise effects.In summary,our results suggest a crucial role of circulating adiponectin in the effects of exercise pre-conditioning in protecting against cerebral ischemia and supporting the health benefits of exercise.

High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation promotes neural stem cell proliferation after ischemic stroke

Prolife ration of neural stem cells is crucial for promoting neuronal regeneration and repairing cerebral infarction damage.Transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS)has recently emerged as a tool for inducing endogenous neural stem cell regeneration,but its underlying mechanisms remain unclea r In this study,we found that repetitive TMS effectively promotes the proliferation of oxygen-glucose deprived neural stem cells.Additionally,repetitive TMS reduced the volume of cerebral infa rction in a rat model of ischemic stro ke caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion,im p roved rat cognitive function,and promoted the proliferation of neural stem cells in the ischemic penumbra.RNA-sequencing found that repetitive TMS activated the Wnt signaling pathway in the ischemic penumbra of rats with cerebral ischemia.Furthermore,PCR analysis revealed that repetitive TMS promoted AKT phosphorylation,leading to an increase in mRNA levels of cell cycle-related proteins such as Cdk2 and Cdk4.This effect was also associated with activation of the glycogen synthase kinase 3β/β-catenin signaling pathway,which ultimately promotes the prolife ration of neural stem cells.Subsequently,we validated the effect of repetitive TMS on AKT phosphorylation.We found that repetitive TMS promoted Ca2+influx into neural stem cells by activating the P2 calcium channel/calmodulin pathway,thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation and activating the glycogen synthase kinase 3β/β-catenin pathway.These findings indicate that repetitive TMS can promote the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells through a Ca2+influx-dependent phosphorylated AKT/glycogen synthase kinase 3β/β-catenin signaling pathway.This study has produced pioneering res ults on the intrinsic mechanism of repetitive TMS to promote neural function recove ry after ischemic stro ke.These results provide a stro ng scientific foundation for the clinical application of repetitive TMS.Moreover,repetitive TMS treatment may not only be an efficient and potential approach to support neurogenesis for further therapeutic applications,but also provide an effective platform for the expansion of neural stem cells.

Puerarin protects brain tissue against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting the inflammatory response

Puerarin, a traditional Chinese medicine, exerts a powerful neuroprotective effect in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, but its mechanism is unknown. Here, we established rat models of middle cerebral artery ischemia/reperfusion injury using the suture method. Puerarin （100 mg/kg） was administered intraperitoneally 30 minutes before middle cerebral artery occlusion and 8 hours after reperfusion. Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, we found that puerarin significantly improved neurological deficit, reduced infarct size and brain water content, and notably diminished the expression of Toll-like receptor-4, myeloid differentiation factor 88, nuclear factor kappa B and tumor necrosis factor-α in the ischemic region. These data indicate that puerarin exerts an anti-inflammatory protective effect on brain tissue with ischemia/reperfusion damage by downregulating the expression of multiple inflammatory factors.