Oxidative Stress and Apoptotic Changes of Rat Cerebral Cortical Neurons Exposed to Cadmium in Vitro

Objective To investigate the cytotoxic mechanism of cadmium（Cd） on cerebral cortical neurons.Methods The primary cultures of rat cerebral cortical neurons were treated with different concentrations of cadmium acetate（0,5,10,and 20 μmol/L）,and then the cell viability,apoptosis,ultrastructure,intracellular [Ca2＋]i and reactive oxygen species（ROS） levels,mitochondrial membrane potential（ΔΨ）,activities of catalase（CAT） and superoxide dismutase（SOD） were measured.Results A progressive loss in cell viability and an increased number of apoptotic cells were observed.In addition,Cd-induced apoptotic morphological changes in cerebral cortical neurons were also demonstrated by Hoechst 33258 staining.Meanwhile,ultrastructural changes were distortion of mitochondrial cristae and an unusual arrangement.Simultaneously,elevation of intracellular [Ca2＋]i and ROS levels,depletion of ΔΨ were revealed in a dose-dependent manner during the exposure.Moreover,CAT and SOD activities in the living cells increased significantly.Conclusion Exposure of cortical neurons to different doses of Cd led to cellular death,mediated by an apoptotic mechanism,and the apoptotic death induced by oxidative stress may be a potential reason.And the disorder of intracellular homeostasis caused by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction may be a trigger for apoptosis in cortical neurons.

Activin A maintains cerebral cortex neuronal survival and increases voltage-gated Na^+ neuronal current

Activin A, which was first described in 1986, has been shown to maintain hippocampal neuronal survival. Activin A increases intracellular free Ca2＋ via L-type Ca2＋ channels. Our previous study showed that activin A promotes neurite growth of dorsal root ganglia in embryonic chickens and inhibits nitric oxide secretion. The present study demonstrated for the first time that activin A could maintain cerebral cortex neuronal survival in vitro for a long period, and that activin A was shown to increase voltage-gated Na＋ current （/Na） in Neuro-2a cells, which was recorded by patch clamp technique. The present study revealed a novel mechanism for activin A, as well as the influence of activin A on neurons by regulating expressions of vasoactive intestine peptide and inducible nitric oxide synthase.

Effect of Muscone on Neuronal Glutamate Transporter EAAC1 Expression in Rats with Acute Cerebral Ischemia

Objective: To investigate muscone's neuroprotective action and it s mechanism in rats with acute cerebral ischemic injury. Methods: Rat focal ischemic model of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) was establi shed by thread inserting method. TTC staining, RT PCR and Western blot analys is were used to study the effects of muscone on infracted volume, EAAC1mRNA and protein levels.Results: Infarcted volume in the muscone treated gr oup was significantly lower than that in the model control group. Compared with normal group, EAAC1 mRNA level increased in the model control group at 6 and 24 hrs, and protein level increased at 24 hrs after modelling, muscone could reduc e the increased expression in model rats. Conclusion: Muscone po ssesses the action of neuroprotection, its mechanism may be related to reduction of EAAC1 and protein expressions.

Expression of c-Fos protein and nitricoxide synthase in neurons of cerebral cortex from fetal rats in hypoxia and protective role of Angelica sinensis

BACKGROUND： Both c-Fos protein and nitricoxide synthase （NOS） have been used as general indexes in relative research about neurons, but it is lack of reports that c-Fos protein and NOS are applied synchronously to study the neurons of hypoxic fetal rats in uterus. OBJECTIVE： To study the effect of hypoxia in uterus on the expression of c-Fos protein and NOS in neurons of cerebral cortex from fetal rats and whether Angelica sinensis has the protective effect on these neurons in hypoxia. DESIGN： Randomized control experiment.SETTING ： Department of Histology and Embryology, Luzhou Medical College.MATERIALS ： Twelve adult female Wistar rats in oestrum and 1 male Wistar rat with bodymass from 220 to 250 g were chosen. Parenteral solution of Angelica sinensis mainly contained angelica sinensis, 10 mL/ampoule, was provided by Department of Agent of the Second Hospital Affiliated to Hubei Medical University （batch number： 01062310）. METHODS ： This experiment was completed in the Department of Histology and Embryology of Luzhou Medical College from September 2003 to June 2004. ①Twelve adult female Wistar rats in oestrum and 1 male Wistar rat were housed in one rearing cage. Vaginal embolus was performed on conceive female rat at 8： 00 am next day. On the 15^th conceiving day, all conceiving rats were divided randomly into three groups： control group, hypoxia group and Angelica group with 4 in each group. Rats in hypoxia group and Angelica group were modeled with hypotonic hypoxia in uterus. Angelica group： Rats were injected with 8 mL/kg Angelica sinensis injection through caudal veins before hypoxia. Hypoxia group： Rats were injected with the same volume of saline. Control group： Rats were not modeled and fed with normal way. ② Twenty embryos of rats were chosen randomly from each group and then routinely embedded in paraffin. Paraffin sections were cut from the brain of embryos to anterior fontanelle. Double-label staining was used to detect the expression of nNOS and c-Fos in neurons of cerebral cortex from embryos of rats. OLYMPUS Bx-50 microscope was used to observe sections and DP12 digit camera was also used under 400 times to detect types of cells. Under microscope, the number of c-Fos, NOS, c-Fos/NOS positive neurons in cerebral cortex from embryos of rats were counted in 2 fields with magnification of 400 in one section per animal. ③ The data in experiments were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance （ANOVA） followed by q test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ① Results of immunohistochemical double-label staining of c-Fos/NOS from cerebral cortex; ② Comparison of amount immunohistochemical double-label staining of c-Fos/NOS positive cells from cerebral cortex. RESULTS：① The positive NOS cells and c-Fos/NOS cells in the three groups were mainly distributed in cerebral cortex, but positive c-Fos neurons were not observed. ② Positive NOS cells and c-Fos/NOS cells in hypoxia group were more than those in control group （76.55±12.02, 50.45±10.39; 33.35±7.42, 26.35±6.67, P 〈 0.05）, but those in Angelica group were less than those in hypoxia group （51.70±9.82, 35.65±8.37, P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Hypoxia can stimulate the increase of expression of c-Fos protein and NOS in neurons of cerebral cortex. However, Angelica sinensis can decrease this expression so as to play a protective role in cerebral neurons of hypoxic fetal rats.

Pro-urokinase promotes angiogenesis but does not reduce neuronal apoptosis in infarcted cerebral tissue

Ischemic stroke is most commonly caused by vascular occlusion due to thrombosis or arterial embolism. Recently, thrombolysis has been used with increasing frequency for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Among the drugs used for thrombolysis, only recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is widely accepted internationally （Albers et al., 2008）. In China, urokinase has been widely used for thrombolysis after acute ischemic stroke. Pro-uro- kinase is the precursor of urokinase. Compared with urokinase, pro-uroki- nase has greater ability to dissolve thrombus and is safer to use.

Inosine inhibits apoptosis and cytochrome C mRNA expression in rat neurons after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that adenosine can induce glial cell to release cytochrome C, enhance expression of apoptotic gene bax, inhibit anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2, and activate caspase-3 to apoptosis; Whereas inosine can inhibit neuronal apoptosis which is similar to bcl-2. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of inosine on neuronal apoptosis and expression of cytochrome C mRNA in rats after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, and analyze the pathway of its neuroprotective effect. DESIGN: A randomised controlled animal trial. SETTINGS: Department of Neurology, Rongcheng Second People's Hospital; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. MATERIALS: Sixty-eight rats, weighing 230-280 g and clean grade, were used. TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and cytochrome C mRNA in situ hybridization kits and DAB staining kit were purchased from Wuhan Boster Biological Co., Ltd.; Inosine injection [200 mg (2 mL) each] from Qingdao First Pharmaceutical Factory. METHODS: The experiment was accomplished in the animal experimental center in Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from December 2003 to June 2005. ① Sixty-four rats were made into focal ischemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with a nylon monofilament suture. The successfully induced rats were assigned to inosine group (n =32) and model group (n =32) at random. Rats in the inosine group were intraperitoneally administrated with inosine in dose of 100 mg/kg preoperatively, twice a day, 7 days in all. The rats in the control group were injected with the same dose of saline solution by the similar way preoperatively. Each group was randomized into ischemia /reperfusion 2, 6, 12, 24 hours, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days subgroups consisted of 4 rats. The other 4 rats were taken as the sham-operated group, the rats were given the same treatment except for not introduced the filament into the external carotid artery stump, and brain tissue was removed at 2 hours of reperfusion. ② In situ hybridization was performed to examine the expression of cytochrome C mRNA while TUNEL staining was made to characterize apoptosis. ③ The t test was used to compare the difference of measurement data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Neuronal apoptosis in the different regions of the ischemic brain tissue; ② Expression of cytochrome C mRNA in the different regions at different time points after MCAO. RESULTS: All the 68 rats were involved in the analysis of results. ① Neuronal apoptosis: A small number of TUNEL-positive cells were detected in the sham-operated brain and non-ischemic brain. The number of apoptotic cells in the ischemic cortex peaked at 24 hours of reperfusion [(72.00±1.98) cells] and that in the striatum peaked at 2 days [(94.75±3.57) cells], then decreased to the level of sham-operated group at 14 days. Inosine could reduce apoptotic cells from 12 hours to 7 days of reperfusion as compared with the model group (t =6.19-26.67, P < 0.01). ② Cytochrome C mRNA expression: There was weak expression of cytochrome C mRNA in both sham-operated brain and contralateral brain. Cytochrome C was detected at 2 hours of reperfusion in ischemic brain [(25.75±3.50), (39.75±2.49) cells], and strongly increased to a peak at 12 hours and 24 hours of reperfusion in cortex and striatum [(122.50±6.69), (119.25±5.12) cells], respectively. Furthermore, inosine could significantly decrease cytochrome C expression in cortex at 12 hours to 14 days of reperfusion after ischemic reperfusion and that in striatum at 12 hours to 3 days (t =8.67-43.26, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Inosine can exert a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting apoptosis and cytochrome C mRNA expression.

Effect of polygonatum polysaccharide on the hypoxia-induced apoptosis and necrosis in in vitro cultured cerebral cortical neurons from neonatal rats

BACKGROUND： Cardiocerebrovascular diseases induced cerebral circulation insufficiency and senile vascular dementia can result in ischemic/hypoxic apoptosis of central neurons, which we should pay more attention to and prevent and treat as early as possible. Traditional Chinese medicine possesses the unique advantage in this field. Polygonatum, a Chinese herb for invigorating qi, may play a role against the hypoxic apoptosis of brain neurons. OBJECTIVE ： To observe the protective effect of polygonatum polysaccharide on hypoxia-induced apoptosis and necrosis in cerebral cortical neurons cultured in vitro. DESIGN： A comparative experiment.SETTING： Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Provincial Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. MATERIALS： The experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Provincial Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2003 to April 2005. Totally 218 Wistar rats （male or female） of clean degree within 24 hours after birth were purchased from the animal center of Jiangxi Medical College （certification number was 021-97-03）. METHODS：① Preparation of cerebral cortical neurons of rats： The cerebral cortical tissues were isolated from the Wistar rats within 24 hours after birth, and prepared to single cell suspension, and the cerebral cortical neurons of neonatal rats were in vitro cultured in serum free medium with Neurobasal plus B27 Supplement. ② Observation on the non-toxic dosage of polygonatum polysaccharide on neurons： After the neurons were cultured for 4 days, polygonatum polysaccharide of different dosages （1-20 g/L） was added for continuous culture for 48 hours, the toxicity and non-toxic dosage of polygonatum polysaccharide on neurons were observed and detected with trypan blue staining. ③Grouping： After hypoxia/reoxygenation, the cultured neurons were divided into normal control group, positive apoptotic group and polygonatum polysaccharide group. In the normal control group, the neurons were cultured at 37℃ in CO2 with the volume fraction of 0.05 under saturated humidity for 6 days. In the apoptotic positive group, the neurons were cultured with hypoxia for 12 hours after 4-day culture, and followed by reoxygenation for 48 hours. In the polygonatum polysaccharide group, polygonatum polysaccharide with the terminal concentration of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/L was added to some neurons at 10 hours before the hypoxia culture, and then the neurons were cultured with hypoxia for 12 hours, followed by reoxygenation for 48 hours; polygonatum polysaccharide with the terminal concentration of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/L was added to the other neurons at 12 hours after hypoxia followed by reoxygenation for 48 hours.④ The Hoechst33342 fluorescence staining, Annexin V/PI flow cytometer, appearance of DNA agarose gel electrophoresis gradient strap and immunohistochemical staining were used to observe the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, and observe the effect of polygonatum polysaccharide against the hypoxic apoptosis of cerebral cortical neurons of neonatal rats. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ① Toxicity and non-toxic dosage of polygonatum polysaccharide on neurons;② Apoptotic rate of neurons detected with Hoechst33342 fluorescence staining;③ Early apoptotic rate and necrotic rate of neurons detected with Annexin V/PI flow cytometer; ④DNA agarose gel electrophoresis ladder-like strap appeared or not;⑤ Expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. RESULTS：① Polygonatum polysaccharide within 6 g/L had no cytotoxicity on the normal cultured cerebral cortical neurons （P 〉 0.05）. ②The apoptotic rates of neurons detected with Hoechst33342 fluorescence staining had significant differences between the polygonatum polysaccharide groups and positive apoptosis group added to neurons at 10 hours before the hypoxia culture [（13.00±4.52）%,（12.72±2.15）%, （11.80±1.18）%,（38.03±1.05）%, P 〈 0.01], and had no significant differences between the polygonatum polysaccharide groups and positive apoptosis group added to neurons at 12 hours after the hypoxia culture （36.77±1.45）%, （36.60±1.61）%, （36.37±2.02）%, （38.03±1.05）%, P 〉 0.05].③ Annexin V/PI flow cytometer detected that the anti-necrotic effect was enhanced with the increased concentration of polygonatum polysaccharide within 0.5-1.5 g/L （P 〈 0.01）. Polygonatum polysaccharide of 0.5-1.5 g/L added before hypoxia could significantly decrease the apoptotic rate of neurons induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation （P 〈 0.01）. ④ No DNA agarose gel electrophoresis ladder-like strap appeared in the groups with polygonatum polysaccharide of 0.5-1.5 g/L added at 10 hours before hypoxia;⑤ After Polygonatum polysaccharide of 0.5-1.5 g/L was added before hypoxia, the expression of Bcl-2 protein of hypoxic neurons was increased （P 〈 0.01）, and those of Bax protein and Caspase-3 protein were reduced （P 〈 0.01）, and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was increased （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Polygonatum polysaccharide within 6 g/L has no cytotoxicity on the normal cultured cerebral cortical neurons. Polygonatum polysaccharide of 0.5-1.5 g/L added before hypoxia plays a role agains necrosis of neurons induced by hypoxia. Polygonatum polysaccharide of 0.5-1.5 g/L can significantly reduce the apoptosis of neurons induced by hypoxia through up-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 protein, down-regulating the expressions of Bax protein and Caspase-3 protein, and increasing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax.

Cadmium Activates Reactive Oxygen Species-dependent AKT/mT OR and Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathways in Neuronal Cells

Objective To examine the role of Cd-induced reactive oxygen species（ROS） generation in the apoptosis of neuronal cells. Methods Neuronal cells（primary rat cerebral cortical neurons and PC12 cells） were incubated with or without Cd post-pretreatment with rapamycin（Rap） or N-acetyl-L-cysteine（NAC）. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, apoptosis was examined using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, and the activation of phosphoinositide 3’-kinase/protein kinase B（Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin（m TOR） and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways were measured by western blotting or immunofluorescence assays. Results Cd-induced activation of Akt/m TOR signaling, including Akt, m TOR, p70 S6 kinase（p70 S6K）, and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1（4E-BP1）. Rap, an m TOR inhibitor and NAC, a ROS scavenger, blocked Cd-induced activation of Akt/m TOR signaling and apoptosis of neuronal cells. Furthermore, NAC blocked the decrease of B-cell lymphoma 2/Bcl-2 associated X protein（Bcl-2/Bax） ratio, release of cytochrome c, cleavage of caspase-3 and poly（ADP-ribose） polymerase（PARP）, and nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor（AIF） and endonuclease G（Endo G）. Conclusion Cd-induced ROS generation activates Akt/m TOR and mitochondrial pathways, leading to apoptosis of neuronal cells. Our findings suggest that m TOR inhibitors or antioxidants have potential for preventing Cd-induced neurodegenerative diseases.

A protease-activated receptor 1 antagonist protects against global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury after asphyxial cardiac arrest in rabbits

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury is partially mediated by thrombin, which causes brain damage through protease-activated receptor 1（PAR1）. However, the role and mechanisms underlying the effects of PAR1 activation require further elucidation. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of the PAR1 antagonist SCH79797 in a rabbit model of global cerebral ischemia induced by cardiac arrest. SCH79797 was intravenously administered 10 minutes after the model was established. Forty-eight hours later, compared with those administered saline, rabbits receiving SCH79797 showed markedly decreased neuronal damage as assessed by serum neuron specific enolase levels and less neurological dysfunction as determined using cerebral performance category scores. Additionally, in the hippocampus, cell apoptosis, polymorphonuclear cell infiltration, and c-Jun levels were decreased, whereas extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation levels were increased. All of these changes were inhibited by the intravenous administration of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway inhibitor LY29004（3 mg/kg） 10 minutes before the SCH79797 intervention. These findings suggest that SCH79797 mitigates brain injury via anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, possibly by modulating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase/c-Jun and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathways.

Electroacupuncture preconditioning attenuates ischemic brain injury by activation of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling pathway

Electroacupuncture has therapeutic effects on ischemic brain injury, but its mechanism is still poorly understood. In this study, mice were stimulated by electroacupuncture at the Baihui（GV20） acupoint for 30 minutes at 1 m A and 2/15 Hz for 5 consecutive days. A cerebral ischemia model was established by ligating the bilateral common carotid artery for 15 minutes. At 72 hours after injury, neuronal injury in the mouse hippocampus had lessened, and the number of terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated d UTP nick-end labeling-positive cells reduced after electroacupuncture treatment. Moreover, expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase α（AMPKα） and phosphorylated AMPKα was up-regulated. Intraperitoneal injection of the AMPK antagonist, compound C, suppressed this phenomenon. Our findings suggest that electroacupuncture preconditioning alleviates ischemic brain injury via AMPK activation.

Magnetic resonance imaging and cell-based neurorestorative therapy after brain injury

Restorative cell-based therapies for experimental brain injury, such as stroke and traumatic brain injury,substantially improve functional outcome. We discuss and review state of the art magnetic resonance imaging methodologies and their applications related to cell-based treatment after brain injury. We focus on the potential of magnetic resonance imaging technique and its associated challenges to obtain useful new information related to cell migration, distribution, and quantitation, as well as vascular and neuronal remodeling in response to cell-based therapy after brain injury. The noninvasive nature of imaging might more readily help with translation of cell-based therapy from the laboratory to the clinic.

MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF FETAL NEOCORTICAL TRANSPLANT GRAFTED TO THE CEREBRAL CORRESPONDING AREA IN YOUNG RATS DIFFERENTIATION OF IMMATURE NEURONS AND RECIPROCAL CONNECTIONS OF FIBERS BETWEEN GRAFT-HOST BRAIN

The fetal neocortical transplant (E15-17 days gestation) of Wistar rat was grafted to the corresponding neocortical region (frontal-parietal lobe) of the same strain in young rats (4-5 weeks old). On the 7th, 15th, 30th, 60th, 150th day after transplantation, the sections cut through the middle area of graft-ost brain were examined by HE, Nissl, Glees stain, immunohistochemical technique for GFAP and NF, Nissl, Glees stain, immunohistochemical technique for GFAP and NF, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry as well as horseradish peroxidase (HRP) retrograde tracing with light microscope. Some of the sections were also examined with TEM. The result showed that most immature neurons within the graft can survive, grow, differentiate and mature, and are similar to the structure of the neocortical neurons of host brain. This study also provides patterns of integration of the interface between graft-host brain varying with the proliferation of reactive astrocyte as well as graft-host reciprocal connection of fibers.

Correlation between neuronal injury and Caspase-3 after focal ischemia in human hippocampus

Background Cerebral ischemia is a significant clinical problem, and cerebral ischemia usually causes neuron injury such as apoptosis in various brain areas, including hippocampus. Cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease (Caspases) are fundamental factors of apoptotic mechanism. Caspase-3 inhibitors show effect in attenuating brain injury after ischemia. But all the results were from animal models in research laboratories. This study aimed at investigating the correlation between the change of ischemic neuronal injury and Caspase-3 post-ischemia in human hippocampus. Methods We selected and systematized 48 post-mortem specimens from 48 patients, who died of cerebral infarction. Morphological change was firstly analyzed by observing hematoxyline/eosin-staining hippocampal sections. The expression of Caspase-3 was investigated using the methods of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated 2’-deoxyuridine 5’-triphosphate-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method was used to clarify the involvement of Caspase-3 in neuron death. The loss of MAP 2 (MAP-2) was applied to judging the damaged area and degree of neuronal injury caused by ischemia.Results In the CA1 sector of hippocampus, Caspase-3 immunostaining modestly increased at 8 hours [8.05/high-power field (hpf)], dramatically increased at 24 hours (24.85/hpf), decreased somewhat after 72 hours. Caspase-3 mRNA was detectable at 4 hours (6.75/hpf), reached a maximum at 16 hours (17.60/hpf), faded at 72 hours. TUNEL-positive cells were detectable at 24 hours (10.76/hpf), markedly increased at 48-72 hours. The loss of MAP-2 was obviously detected at 4 hours, progressed significantly between 24 and 72 hours; MAP-2 immunoreactivity was barely detectable at 72 hours. Before 72 hours, the Caspase-3 evolution was related with the upregulation of TUNEL and the loss of MAP-2. The positive correlation between Caspase-3 mRNA and TUNEL was significant at the 0.05 level (correlation coefficient was 0.721); the negative correlation between Caspase-3 mRNA and MAP-2 was significant at the 0.05 level (correlation coefficient is 0.857). In the early stage (before 72 hours), the staining of Caspase-3 mRNA and immunohistochemistry was predominantly present in cytoplasm; the staining of TUNEL was predominantly localized in nucleus. At 4-16 hours, most neurons in hippocampal CA1 areas had relatively normal morphology; at 24-48 hours, neurons showed apoptotic morphology; at 72 hours, most cells showed significantly pathological morphology. Conclusions There exist a time-dependent evolution of neuronal damage after hippocampal ischemia in human brain, which was characterized by its close correspondence to Caspase-3.