With an increase in global aging,the number of people affected by cerebrovascular diseases is also increasing,and the incidence of vascular dementia-closely related to cerebrovascular risk-is increasing at an epidemic...With an increase in global aging,the number of people affected by cerebrovascular diseases is also increasing,and the incidence of vascular dementia-closely related to cerebrovascular risk-is increasing at an epidemic rate.However,few therapeutic options exist that can markedly improve the cognitive impairment and prognosis of vascular dementia patients.Similarly in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders,synaptic dysfunction is recognized as the main reason for cognitive decline.Nitric oxide is one of the ubiquitous gaseous cellular messengers involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes of the central nervous system.Recently,nitric oxide has been implicated in regulating synaptic plasticity and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia.This review introduces in detail the emerging role of nitric oxide in physiological and pathological states of vascular dementia and summarizes the diverse effects of nitric oxide on different aspects of synaptic dysfunction,neuroinflammation,oxidative stress,and blood-brain barrier dysfunction that underlie the progress of vascular dementia.Additionally,we propose that targeting the nitric oxide-sGC-cGMP pathway using certain specific approaches may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for vascular dementia.展开更多
Given the global trends in population aging,the prevalence of vascular dementia(VD)is increasing year by year.VD has become the second most common type of dementia and can seriously threaten the quality of life of pat...Given the global trends in population aging,the prevalence of vascular dementia(VD)is increasing year by year.VD has become the second most common type of dementia and can seriously threaten the quality of life of patients.Since VD is preventable,it is important to study VD clinically in order to improve the prognosis of patients.In recent years,a large number of studies have been carried out at home and abroad,focusing on the pathogenesis,rehabilitation assessment,and treatment of VD.This article is a concise overview of these studies.展开更多
BACKGROUND Existing evidence suggests that gut microbiota represent a significant environmental risk factor for various forms of dementia,including Alzheimer's dementia,vascular dementia,and dementia in other dise...BACKGROUND Existing evidence suggests that gut microbiota represent a significant environmental risk factor for various forms of dementia,including Alzheimer's dementia,vascular dementia,and dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere.However,the exact causal relationships between gut microbiota and the different forms of dementia or their subtypes remain unclear.AIM To investigate putative causal relationships between gut microbiota and dementia or its subtypes using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.METHODS A bidirectional,two-sample,MR analysis was conducted utilizing publicly available gut microbiota-related genome-wide association study(GWAS)summary data from the MiBioGen consortium alongside GWAS summary statistics for dementia and its subtypes from the FinnGen consortium.Instrumental variables were selected according to the fundamental tenets of MR and their strengths were evaluated using the F-statistic.Five MR methods were employed,and the robustness of our findings was validated.To account for multiple comparisons,we applied the Bonferroni method for P-value adjustment.RESULTS We identified several gut microbiota taxa exhibiting putative causal relationships with dementia or its subtypes,potentially serving as risk or protective factors for the disease.In addition,reverse MR analysis indicated that the relative abundance of several gut microbiota taxa might be influenced by dementia or its subtypes.An exhaustive sensitivity analysis confirmed the absence of heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy.After applying correction for multiple testing,we observed that the order Bacillales(odds ratio:0.830,95%confidence interval:0.740-0.932,P=0.00155,Padjust=0.0311)exhibited a strong association with Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia.CONCLUSION The results suggest that gut microbiota is causally associated with dementia.Our findings provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of dementia and have important implications for its treatment and prevention.展开更多
It remains unclear whether autophagy affects hippocampal neuronal injury in vascular dementia. In the present study, we investigated the effects of autophagy blockade on hippocampal neuro- nal injury in a rat model of...It remains unclear whether autophagy affects hippocampal neuronal injury in vascular dementia. In the present study, we investigated the effects of autophagy blockade on hippocampal neuro- nal injury in a rat model of vascular dementia. In model rats, hippocampal CA1 neurons were severely damaged, and expression of the autophagy-related proteins beclin-1, cathepsin B and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 was elevated compared with that in sham-operated animals. These responses were suppressed in animals that received a single intraperitoneal injection of wortmannin, an autophagy inhibitor, prior to model establishment. The present results confirm that autophagy and autophagy-related proteins are involved in the pathological changes of vascular dementia, and that inhibition of autophagy has neuroprotective effects.展开更多
Panax ginseng is a slow-growing perennial plant.Panax ginseng extract has numerous biological activities,including antitumor,anti-inflammatory and antistress activities.Panax ginseng extract also has a cognition-enhan...Panax ginseng is a slow-growing perennial plant.Panax ginseng extract has numerous biological activities,including antitumor,anti-inflammatory and antistress activities.Panax ginseng extract also has a cognition-enhancing effect in rats with alcohol-induced memory impairment.In this study,we partially occluded the bilateral carotid arteries in the rat to induce chronic cerebral hypoperfusion,a wellknown model of vascular dementia.The rats were then intragastrically administered 50 or 100 mg/kg Panax ginseng extract.Morris water maze and balance beam tests were used to evaluate memory deficits and motor function,respectively.Protein quantity was used to evaluate cholinergic neurons.Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells.Western blot assay was used to evaluate protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor,basic fibroblast growth factor,Bcl-2 and Bax.Treatment with Panax ginseng extract for 8 weeks significantly improved behavioral function and increased neuronal density and VEGF and b FGF protein expression in the hippocampal CA3 area.Furthermore,Panax ginseng extract reduced the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactive cells,and it decreased apoptosis by upregulating Bcl-2 and downregulating Bax protein expression.The effect of Panax ginseng extract was dose-dependent and similar to that of nimodipine,a commonly used drug for the treatment of vascular dementia.These findings suggest that Panax ginseng extract is neuroprotective against vascular dementia induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion,and therefore might have therapeutic potential for preventing and treating the disease.展开更多
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive treatment that can enhance the recovery of neurological function after stroke. Whether it can similarly promote the recovery of cognitive functio...Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive treatment that can enhance the recovery of neurological function after stroke. Whether it can similarly promote the recovery of cognitive function after vascular dementia remains unknown, In this study, a rat model for vascular dementia was established by the two-vessel occlusion method. Two days after injury, 30 pulses of rTMS were ad- ministered to each cerebral hemisphere at a frequency of 0.5 Hz and a magnetic field intensity of 1,33 T. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate learning and memory function. The Karnovsky-Roots method was performed to determine the density of cholinergic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region. Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the number of brain-derived neurotroph- ic factor (BDNF)-immunoreactive cells in the hippocampal CA1 region, rTMS treatment for 30 days significantly improved learning and memory function, increased acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase activity, increased the density of cholinergic neurons, and increased the number of BDNF-immunoreactive cells. These results indicate that rTMS can ameliorate learning and memory deficiencies in rats with vascular dementia, The mechanism through which this occurs might be related to the promotion of BDNF expression and subsequent restoration of cholinergic system activity in hippocampal CA 1 region.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicines in the treatment of patients with vascular dementia. DATA RETRIEVAL: We retrieved publications from Cochrane Library (2004 to July 2011...OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicines in the treatment of patients with vascular dementia. DATA RETRIEVAL: We retrieved publications from Cochrane Library (2004 to July 2011), PubMed (1966 to July 2011), the Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database (1977 to July 2011), the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1979 to July 2011), Google Scholar (July 2011), and the Chinese Biomedical Database (1977 to July 2011) using the key words "Chinese medicine OR Chinese herbal medicine" and "vascular dementia OR mild cognition impair OR multi-infarct dementia OR small-vessel dementia OR strategic infarct dementia OR hypoperfusion dementia OR hemorrhagic dementia OR hereditary vascular dementia". SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials comparing Chinese herbal medicines with placebo/western medicine in the treatment of patients with vascular dementia were included. Diagnostic standards included Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV, and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Association Internationale pour la Recherche et I'Enseignement en Neurosciences. Two participants independently conducted literature screening, quality evaluation and data extraction. The quality of each trial was assessed according to the Cochrane Reviewers' Handbook 5.0. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effective rate, Mini-Mental State Examination scores, Hasegawa Dementia Scale scores, and incidence of adverse reactions. RESULTS: We identified 1 143 articles discussing the effects of Chinese medicine on vascular dementia. Thirty-one of these were included in the analysis. These studies involved a total of 2 868 participants (1 605 patients took Chinese medicine decoctions (treatment group); 1 263 patients took western medicine or placebo). The results of our meta-analysis revealed that Chinese herbal remedies in the treatment group were more efficacious than the control intervention (relative risk (RR) = 1.27; 95% confidence interval (C/): 1.18-1.38, P 〈 0.01). Mini-Mental State Examination scores were higher in patients taking Chinese herbal medicines than in those in the control group (weighted mean difference (WMD) = 2.83; 95%CI: 2.55-3.12, P 〈 0.01). Patients in the treatment group showed better disease amelioration than those in the control group (Hasegawa Dementia Scale scores; WMD = 2.41, 95%CI: 1.48-3.34, P 〈 0.01). There were also considerably fewer adverse reactions among those in the treatment group compared with those in the control group (RR = 0.20, 95%CI: 0.08-0.47, P 〈 0.01). CONCLUSION: Chinese herbal medicine appears to be safer and more effective than control measures in the treatment of vascular dementia. However, the included trials were generally low in quality. More well-designed, high-quality trials are needed to provide better evidence for the assessment of the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicines for vascular dementia.展开更多
Resveratrol possesses beneficial biological effects, which include anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. Recently, resveratrol has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects in models of...Resveratrol possesses beneficial biological effects, which include anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. Recently, resveratrol has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects in models of Parkinson's disease, cerebral ischemia and Alzheimer's disease. However, its effects on vascular dementia remain unclear. The present study established a rat model of vascular dementia using permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. At 8-12 weeks after model induction, rats were intragastrically administered 25 mg/kg resveratrol daily. Our results found that resveratrol shortened the escape latency and escape distances in the Morris water maze, and pro- longed the time spent percentage and swimming distance percentage in the target quadrant during the probe test, indicating that resveratrol improved learning and memory ability in vascular dementia rats. Further experiments found that resveratrol decreased malonyldialdehyde levels, and increased superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione levels in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of vascular dementia rats. These results confirmed that the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol on vascular dementia were associated with its anti-oxidant properties.展开更多
Glycosides of Cistanche(GC)is a preparation used extensively for its neuroprotective effect against neurological diseases,but its mechanisms of action remains incompletely understood.Here,we established a bilateral ...Glycosides of Cistanche(GC)is a preparation used extensively for its neuroprotective effect against neurological diseases,but its mechanisms of action remains incompletely understood.Here,we established a bilateral common carotid artery occlusion model of vascular dementia in rats and injected the model rats with a suspension of GC(10 mg/kg/day,intraperitoneally)for 14 consecutive days.Immunohistochemistry showed that GC significantly reduced p-tau and amyloid beta(Aβ)immunoreactivity in the hippocampus of the model rats.Proteomic analysis demonstrated upregulation of mitochondrial precursor protein and downregulation of keratin type II cytoskeletal6A after GC treatment compared with model rats that had received saline.Western blot assay confirmed these findings.Our results suggest that the neuroprotective effect of GC in vascular dementia occurs via the promotion of neuronal cytoskeleton regeneration.展开更多
The present study established a rat model of vascular dementia induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion through permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries.At 60 days after modeling,escape latency and swi...The present study established a rat model of vascular dementia induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion through permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries.At 60 days after modeling,escape latency and swimming path length during hidden-platform acquisition training in Morris water maze significantly increased in the model group.In addition,the number of accurate crossings over the original platform significantly decreased,hippocampal CA1 synaptophysin and growth-associated protein 43 expression significantly decreased,cAMP response element-binding protein expression remained unchanged,and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein expression significantly decreased.Results suggested that abnormal expression of hippocampal synaptic structural protein and cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation played a role in cognitive impairment following chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.展开更多
In this study, a rat vascular dementia model was established by permanent bilateral common carotid arterial occlusion. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with puerarin 3 days before modeling, for 45 successive days....In this study, a rat vascular dementia model was established by permanent bilateral common carotid arterial occlusion. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with puerarin 3 days before modeling, for 45 successive days. Results demonstrated that in treated animals hippocampal structures were clear, nerve cells arranged neatly, and cytoplasm was rich in Nissl bodies. The number of cells positive for hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha, erythropoietin and endothelial nitric oxide synthase was reduced; and the learning and memory abilities of rats were significantly improved. Our experimental findings indicate that puerarin can significantly improve learning and memory in a vascular dementia model, and that the underlying mechanism may be associated with the regulation of the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Tongxinluo has been clinically proven to be effective in improving memory and cognitive function in patients with post-stroke vascular dementia. Is the mechanism related to the deposition of beta-amyloid ...BACKGROUND: Tongxinluo has been clinically proven to be effective in improving memory and cognitive function in patients with post-stroke vascular dementia. Is the mechanism related to the deposition of beta-amyloid peptide (A β ) in hippocampus? OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Tongxinluo on cognitive impairment in a mouse model with vascular dementia and the changes of A β deposition and β -secretase 1 (BACE1) expression. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. SETTING: State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology of Nanjing University and Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School. MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology of Nanjing University and Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from March 2006 to January 2007. A total of 36 healthy Kunming mice, 18 of each gender, were chosen. The study was conducted in accordance with the National Regulations of Experimental Animal Administration, and all animal experiments were approved by the Committee of Experimental Animal Administration of Nanjing University. Tongxinluo was provided by Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. METHODS: All mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, including naive control (n=6), sham-operated control (n=6) and experimental groups treated with different doses of Tongxinluo (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 g/kg/d; n=6 for each group) or vehicle (n=6). Five groups were subjected to bilateral common carotid arteries (2-VO) occlusion to produce a vascular dementia model (no occlusion was performed in sham-operated group). The mice in the Tongxinluo treatment groups were intragastricly administered daily with a Tongxinluo suspension (40 g/L in distilled water) at doses of 0.2, 0.4 or 0.6 g/kg/d from day 1 to day 30 post-surgery. The animals in vehicle, sham-operated and naive groups were administered an equal volume of distilled water. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Escape latency time determined in all groups of mice before and after 2-VO occlusion by Morris water maze. ②Changes in BACEI mRNA expression in the hippocampi of mice among the six groups by RT-PCR assay, and BACEI and A β protein expression in the hippocampi of mice by Western blot. RESULTS: All 36 mice were involved in the final analysis.① No difference was detected in escape latency time to a hidden platform among all groups in water maze test before surgery (P 〉 0.05) At 30 days after 2-VO occlusion, the vehicle animals exhibited a significantly longer latency in finding the hidden platform compared to that of sham-operated and naive animals (P 〈 0.01). The prolonged escape latency was significantly reduced by oral administration of 0.4 g or 0.6 kg/day (P 〈 0.01, P 〈 0.05). BACEI mRNA and protein expression in vehicle animals were much higher than in sham-operated and naive animals (P 〈 0.01). The ischemia-induced increases in BACE1 mRNA and protein level were attenuated by all three doses of Tongxinluo treatment (P 〈 0.01), and the 0.4 g/kg/d treatment was the most effective. A β protein expression in vehicle animals after 2-VO occlusion were much higher than in sham-operated and naive animals (P 〈 0.01). 2-VO occlusion-induced A β generation was significantly attenuated by all doses of Tongxinluo treatment, with the most effective dose being 0.4 g/kg/d (P 〈 0.01). CONCLUSION: BACE1 mRNA levels and protein levels of BACEI and A β are reduced in the hippocampi of vascular dementia model mice by all three doses of Tongxinluo treatment, with the most effective dose being 0.4 g/kg/d. The results suggest that inhibition of post-ischemia BACEI expression and A β generation in brain might underlie Tongxinluo's effects in improving cognitive impairment.展开更多
Clinical reports have demonstrated that the Kongsheng Zhenzhong pill (KSZZP), a classical prescription deriving from Valuable Prescription for Emergencies, has good therapeutic effects on vascular dementia. However,...Clinical reports have demonstrated that the Kongsheng Zhenzhong pill (KSZZP), a classical prescription deriving from Valuable Prescription for Emergencies, has good therapeutic effects on vascular dementia. However, the mechanisms that mediate its effects remain unclear. In this study, the expression of N-methyI-D-aspartate receptor 1 mRNA, the content of nitric oxide, and the concentration of calcium in neurons was determined with in situ hybridization, spectrophotometry and flow cytometry, respectively. In addition, the expressions of N-methyI-D-aspartate receptor 1, nerve growth factor protein, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor protein were detected with immunohistochemistry. We found that KSZZP could significantly decrease the expression of N-methyI-D-aspartate receptor 1 mRNA and protein, the content of nitric oxide, and the concentration of calcium in neurons. KSZZP also increased the expression of nerve growth factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor protein in the hippocampus CA1 region and in the cerebral cortex. Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests verified that KSZZP ameliorated the cognitive impairments of vascular dementia rats. Moreover, the KSZZP-induced improvements in the cognitive functions of vascular dementia rats were correlated with both inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced excitable neurotoxicity and elevation of neurotrophic factor expression.展开更多
Acupuncture can be used to treat various nervous system diseases.Here,168 vascular dementia patients were orally administered donepezil hydrochloride alone(5 mg/day,once a day for 56 days),or combined with acupunctu...Acupuncture can be used to treat various nervous system diseases.Here,168 vascular dementia patients were orally administered donepezil hydrochloride alone(5 mg/day,once a day for 56 days),or combined with acupuncture at Shenting(DU24),Tianzhu(BL10),Sishencong(Extra),Yintang(Extra),Renzhong(DU26),Neiguan(PC6),Shenmen(HT7),Fengchi(GB20),Wangu(GB12) and Baihui(DU20)(once a day for 56 days).Compared with donepezil hydrochloride alone,P300 event related potential latency was shorter with an increased amplitude in patients treated with donepezil hydrochloride and acupuncture.Mini-Mental State Examination score was also higher.Moreover,these differences in P300 latency were identified within different infarcted regions in patients treated with donepezil hydrochloride and acupuncture.These findings indicate that acupuncture combined with donepezil hydrochloride noticeably improves cognitive function in patients with vascular dementia,and exerts neuroprotective effects against vascular dementia.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical acupuncture treatment studies for vascular dementia, as well as to collect high-quality evidence related to clinical acupuncture treatment for clinical diagnosis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed...OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical acupuncture treatment studies for vascular dementia, as well as to collect high-quality evidence related to clinical acupuncture treatment for clinical diagnosis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed database (1966-2010), Embase database (1986-2010), Cochrane Library (Issue 1,2010), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (1979-2010), China HowNet database (1979-2010), VlP Journals Database (1989-2010), and Wanfang database (1998-2010) were analyzed by computer.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Glossy privet fruit inhibits neural cell apoptosis following the onset of vascular dementia. OBJECTIVE: To confirm glossy privet fruit effects on neural cell apoptosis in the cortical parietal lobe and h...BACKGROUND: Glossy privet fruit inhibits neural cell apoptosis following the onset of vascular dementia. OBJECTIVE: To confirm glossy privet fruit effects on neural cell apoptosis in the cortical parietal lobe and hippocampal CAI region of rat models of vascular dementia using molecular biology techniques. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The neural cell morphology experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Flow Cells and Biochemistry, Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Basic Room of Pathology, Academy of Chinese Medicine from December 2006 to May 2008. MATERIALS: A total of 60 Wistar rats were used to establish vascular dementia models using a photochemical reaction method. Glossy privet fruit was purchased from Fujian, China. Hydergine was co-produced by Sandoz, Switzerland and Huajin, China. METHODS: The 60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 equal sized groups (n = 10), i.e. model, blank, high, moderate and low doses of Chinese medicine, and hydergine control groups. Rats in the model group were treated with distilled water (1 mL/100 g) by gavage following model establishment. Rats in the blank group underwent experimental procedures as for the model group, except that rat models were created without illumination. Rats in the high, moderate and low doses of Chinese medicine groups, and the hydergine control group respectively received high, moderate and low doses of glossy privet fruit, and hydergine suspension (1 mL/100 g) by gavage, once a day, for 30 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphology of neural cells from the rat cortical parietal lobe and hippocampal CA1 region of all groups was observed with an electron microscope. Positive neural cells in the injury site of the rat cortical parietal lobe and hippocampal CA1 region were investigated using the Fas immunohistochemieal method. Absorbance of Fas-positive neurons was detected by the MPIAS-500 multimedia color imaging analysis system. RESULTS: Neural cells were normal, and nuclei were regular in the right cortical parietal lobe and hippoeampal CA1 region in the blank group. Karyopyknosis, an integral nuclear membrane, vacuole and apoptotic bodies were presented in the model group. The quantity and morphology of neural cells were normal in all doses of Chinese medicine groups, and the hydergine control group. Compared with the model group, absorbance was reduced at the injury site of rat cortical parietal lobe and hippocampal CA1 region in the blank, high, moderate and low doses of Chinese medicine, and hydergine control groups (P 〈 0.05). The decrease was particularly significant in the blank group (P 〈 0.01 ), followed by the high dose of Chinese medicine group (P 〈 0.01). Compared with the model group, the percentage of apoptosis was decreased at the injury site of the rat cortical parietal lobe and hippocampal CAI region in the blank, high, moderate and low doses of Chinese medicine, and hydergine control groups (P 〈 0.01) and this decrease was significant in the high dose of Chinese medicine group (P 〈 0.01). CONCLUSION: Glossy privet fruit, a kidney-tonifying Chinese herbal medicine, can inhibit cell apoptosis by reducing apoptotic signals induced by cerebral ischemia/hypoxia.展开更多
This study investigated the mechanism underlying electroacupuncture therapy for vascular dementia through electroacupuncture at the acupoints of Baihui (DU20), Dazhui (DU14), and bilateral Shenshu (BL23) in a ra...This study investigated the mechanism underlying electroacupuncture therapy for vascular dementia through electroacupuncture at the acupoints of Baihui (DU20), Dazhui (DU14), and bilateral Shenshu (BL23) in a rat model of vascular dementia produced by bilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion. Morris water maze test showed that electroacupuncture improved the learning ability of vascular dementia rats. Western blot assay revealed that the expression of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and ribosomal protein S6 in vascular dementia rats was significantly increased after electroacupuncture, compared with the model group that was not treated with acupuncture. The average escape latency was also shortened after electroacupuncture, and escape strategies in the spatial probe test improved from edge and random searches, to linear and trending swim pathways. The experimental findings indicate that electroacupuncture improves learning and memory ability by up-regulating expression of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and ribosomal protein S6 in the hippocampus of vascular dementia rats.展开更多
Dental pulp stem cells are a type of adult stem cells with strong proliferative ability and multi-differentiation potential. There are no studies on treatment of vascular dementia with dental pulp stem cells. In the p...Dental pulp stem cells are a type of adult stem cells with strong proliferative ability and multi-differentiation potential. There are no studies on treatment of vascular dementia with dental pulp stem cells. In the present study, rat models of vascular dementia were established by two-vessel occlusion, and 30 days later, rats were injected with 2 × 10^(7) dental pulp stem cells via the tail vein. At 70 days after vascular dementia induction, dental pulp stem cells had migrated to the brain tissue of rat vascular dementia models and differentiated into neuronlike cells. At the same time, doublecortin, neurofilament 200, and Neu N m RNA and protein expression levels in the brain tissue were increased, and glial fibrillary acidic protein m RNA and protein expression levels were decreased. Behavioral testing also revealed that dental pulp stem cell transplantation improved the cognitive function of rat vascular dementia models. These findings suggest that dental pulp stem cell transplantation is effective in treating vascular dementia possibly through a paracrine mechanism. The study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Harbin Medical University(approval No. KY2017-132) in 2017.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China,No.2019YFE0121200(to LQZ)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82325017(to LQZ),82030032(to LQZ),82261138555(to DL)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province,No.2022CFA004(to LQZ)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province,No.20224BAB206040(to XZ)Research Project of Cognitive Science and Transdisciplinary Studies Center of Jiangxi Province,No.RZYB202201(to XZ).
文摘With an increase in global aging,the number of people affected by cerebrovascular diseases is also increasing,and the incidence of vascular dementia-closely related to cerebrovascular risk-is increasing at an epidemic rate.However,few therapeutic options exist that can markedly improve the cognitive impairment and prognosis of vascular dementia patients.Similarly in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders,synaptic dysfunction is recognized as the main reason for cognitive decline.Nitric oxide is one of the ubiquitous gaseous cellular messengers involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes of the central nervous system.Recently,nitric oxide has been implicated in regulating synaptic plasticity and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia.This review introduces in detail the emerging role of nitric oxide in physiological and pathological states of vascular dementia and summarizes the diverse effects of nitric oxide on different aspects of synaptic dysfunction,neuroinflammation,oxidative stress,and blood-brain barrier dysfunction that underlie the progress of vascular dementia.Additionally,we propose that targeting the nitric oxide-sGC-cGMP pathway using certain specific approaches may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for vascular dementia.
文摘Given the global trends in population aging,the prevalence of vascular dementia(VD)is increasing year by year.VD has become the second most common type of dementia and can seriously threaten the quality of life of patients.Since VD is preventable,it is important to study VD clinically in order to improve the prognosis of patients.In recent years,a large number of studies have been carried out at home and abroad,focusing on the pathogenesis,rehabilitation assessment,and treatment of VD.This article is a concise overview of these studies.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Planning Project of Zhanjiang,No.2021A05071Clinic and Basic Research Project of Guangdong Medical University,No.4SG23284GThe Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University,No.LCYJ2018A003.
文摘BACKGROUND Existing evidence suggests that gut microbiota represent a significant environmental risk factor for various forms of dementia,including Alzheimer's dementia,vascular dementia,and dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere.However,the exact causal relationships between gut microbiota and the different forms of dementia or their subtypes remain unclear.AIM To investigate putative causal relationships between gut microbiota and dementia or its subtypes using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.METHODS A bidirectional,two-sample,MR analysis was conducted utilizing publicly available gut microbiota-related genome-wide association study(GWAS)summary data from the MiBioGen consortium alongside GWAS summary statistics for dementia and its subtypes from the FinnGen consortium.Instrumental variables were selected according to the fundamental tenets of MR and their strengths were evaluated using the F-statistic.Five MR methods were employed,and the robustness of our findings was validated.To account for multiple comparisons,we applied the Bonferroni method for P-value adjustment.RESULTS We identified several gut microbiota taxa exhibiting putative causal relationships with dementia or its subtypes,potentially serving as risk or protective factors for the disease.In addition,reverse MR analysis indicated that the relative abundance of several gut microbiota taxa might be influenced by dementia or its subtypes.An exhaustive sensitivity analysis confirmed the absence of heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy.After applying correction for multiple testing,we observed that the order Bacillales(odds ratio:0.830,95%confidence interval:0.740-0.932,P=0.00155,Padjust=0.0311)exhibited a strong association with Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia.CONCLUSION The results suggest that gut microbiota is causally associated with dementia.Our findings provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of dementia and have important implications for its treatment and prevention.
基金supported by the Scientific Technology Research Project of Hebei Provincial Higher Learning Schools in China,No.ZH2012046the Major Medical Research Program of Hebei Province in China,No.ZD2013087
文摘It remains unclear whether autophagy affects hippocampal neuronal injury in vascular dementia. In the present study, we investigated the effects of autophagy blockade on hippocampal neuro- nal injury in a rat model of vascular dementia. In model rats, hippocampal CA1 neurons were severely damaged, and expression of the autophagy-related proteins beclin-1, cathepsin B and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 was elevated compared with that in sham-operated animals. These responses were suppressed in animals that received a single intraperitoneal injection of wortmannin, an autophagy inhibitor, prior to model establishment. The present results confirm that autophagy and autophagy-related proteins are involved in the pathological changes of vascular dementia, and that inhibition of autophagy has neuroprotective effects.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81660243the Joint Foundation of Department of Science and Technology of Guizhou Province of China,No.LG[2012]028the Science and Technology Department of Guizhou Province of China,No.qian SY[2015]3041
文摘Panax ginseng is a slow-growing perennial plant.Panax ginseng extract has numerous biological activities,including antitumor,anti-inflammatory and antistress activities.Panax ginseng extract also has a cognition-enhancing effect in rats with alcohol-induced memory impairment.In this study,we partially occluded the bilateral carotid arteries in the rat to induce chronic cerebral hypoperfusion,a wellknown model of vascular dementia.The rats were then intragastrically administered 50 or 100 mg/kg Panax ginseng extract.Morris water maze and balance beam tests were used to evaluate memory deficits and motor function,respectively.Protein quantity was used to evaluate cholinergic neurons.Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells.Western blot assay was used to evaluate protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor,basic fibroblast growth factor,Bcl-2 and Bax.Treatment with Panax ginseng extract for 8 weeks significantly improved behavioral function and increased neuronal density and VEGF and b FGF protein expression in the hippocampal CA3 area.Furthermore,Panax ginseng extract reduced the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactive cells,and it decreased apoptosis by upregulating Bcl-2 and downregulating Bax protein expression.The effect of Panax ginseng extract was dose-dependent and similar to that of nimodipine,a commonly used drug for the treatment of vascular dementia.These findings suggest that Panax ginseng extract is neuroprotective against vascular dementia induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion,and therefore might have therapeutic potential for preventing and treating the disease.
基金supported by a grant from the Major Project of Educational Commission of Hubei Province of China,No.D20152101
文摘Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive treatment that can enhance the recovery of neurological function after stroke. Whether it can similarly promote the recovery of cognitive function after vascular dementia remains unknown, In this study, a rat model for vascular dementia was established by the two-vessel occlusion method. Two days after injury, 30 pulses of rTMS were ad- ministered to each cerebral hemisphere at a frequency of 0.5 Hz and a magnetic field intensity of 1,33 T. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate learning and memory function. The Karnovsky-Roots method was performed to determine the density of cholinergic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region. Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the number of brain-derived neurotroph- ic factor (BDNF)-immunoreactive cells in the hippocampal CA1 region, rTMS treatment for 30 days significantly improved learning and memory function, increased acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase activity, increased the density of cholinergic neurons, and increased the number of BDNF-immunoreactive cells. These results indicate that rTMS can ameliorate learning and memory deficiencies in rats with vascular dementia, The mechanism through which this occurs might be related to the promotion of BDNF expression and subsequent restoration of cholinergic system activity in hippocampal CA 1 region.
基金supported by a Special Funding Project for the Chinese National Outstanding Ph.D.Thesis Author,No.201082the First Grade of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation,No.20110490080the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81202653
文摘OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicines in the treatment of patients with vascular dementia. DATA RETRIEVAL: We retrieved publications from Cochrane Library (2004 to July 2011), PubMed (1966 to July 2011), the Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database (1977 to July 2011), the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1979 to July 2011), Google Scholar (July 2011), and the Chinese Biomedical Database (1977 to July 2011) using the key words "Chinese medicine OR Chinese herbal medicine" and "vascular dementia OR mild cognition impair OR multi-infarct dementia OR small-vessel dementia OR strategic infarct dementia OR hypoperfusion dementia OR hemorrhagic dementia OR hereditary vascular dementia". SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials comparing Chinese herbal medicines with placebo/western medicine in the treatment of patients with vascular dementia were included. Diagnostic standards included Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV, and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Association Internationale pour la Recherche et I'Enseignement en Neurosciences. Two participants independently conducted literature screening, quality evaluation and data extraction. The quality of each trial was assessed according to the Cochrane Reviewers' Handbook 5.0. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effective rate, Mini-Mental State Examination scores, Hasegawa Dementia Scale scores, and incidence of adverse reactions. RESULTS: We identified 1 143 articles discussing the effects of Chinese medicine on vascular dementia. Thirty-one of these were included in the analysis. These studies involved a total of 2 868 participants (1 605 patients took Chinese medicine decoctions (treatment group); 1 263 patients took western medicine or placebo). The results of our meta-analysis revealed that Chinese herbal remedies in the treatment group were more efficacious than the control intervention (relative risk (RR) = 1.27; 95% confidence interval (C/): 1.18-1.38, P 〈 0.01). Mini-Mental State Examination scores were higher in patients taking Chinese herbal medicines than in those in the control group (weighted mean difference (WMD) = 2.83; 95%CI: 2.55-3.12, P 〈 0.01). Patients in the treatment group showed better disease amelioration than those in the control group (Hasegawa Dementia Scale scores; WMD = 2.41, 95%CI: 1.48-3.34, P 〈 0.01). There were also considerably fewer adverse reactions among those in the treatment group compared with those in the control group (RR = 0.20, 95%CI: 0.08-0.47, P 〈 0.01). CONCLUSION: Chinese herbal medicine appears to be safer and more effective than control measures in the treatment of vascular dementia. However, the included trials were generally low in quality. More well-designed, high-quality trials are needed to provide better evidence for the assessment of the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicines for vascular dementia.
文摘Resveratrol possesses beneficial biological effects, which include anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. Recently, resveratrol has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects in models of Parkinson's disease, cerebral ischemia and Alzheimer's disease. However, its effects on vascular dementia remain unclear. The present study established a rat model of vascular dementia using permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. At 8-12 weeks after model induction, rats were intragastrically administered 25 mg/kg resveratrol daily. Our results found that resveratrol shortened the escape latency and escape distances in the Morris water maze, and pro- longed the time spent percentage and swimming distance percentage in the target quadrant during the probe test, indicating that resveratrol improved learning and memory ability in vascular dementia rats. Further experiments found that resveratrol decreased malonyldialdehyde levels, and increased superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione levels in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of vascular dementia rats. These results confirmed that the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol on vascular dementia were associated with its anti-oxidant properties.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30960520the Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China,No.2016MS0837
文摘Glycosides of Cistanche(GC)is a preparation used extensively for its neuroprotective effect against neurological diseases,but its mechanisms of action remains incompletely understood.Here,we established a bilateral common carotid artery occlusion model of vascular dementia in rats and injected the model rats with a suspension of GC(10 mg/kg/day,intraperitoneally)for 14 consecutive days.Immunohistochemistry showed that GC significantly reduced p-tau and amyloid beta(Aβ)immunoreactivity in the hippocampus of the model rats.Proteomic analysis demonstrated upregulation of mitochondrial precursor protein and downregulation of keratin type II cytoskeletal6A after GC treatment compared with model rats that had received saline.Western blot assay confirmed these findings.Our results suggest that the neuroprotective effect of GC in vascular dementia occurs via the promotion of neuronal cytoskeleton regeneration.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30973782the National Natural Science Foundation for the Youth,No.81001693+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing,No.7102014,7122018the Science and Technology Foundation for Chinese Medicine in Beijing,No.JJ2008-042
文摘The present study established a rat model of vascular dementia induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion through permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries.At 60 days after modeling,escape latency and swimming path length during hidden-platform acquisition training in Morris water maze significantly increased in the model group.In addition,the number of accurate crossings over the original platform significantly decreased,hippocampal CA1 synaptophysin and growth-associated protein 43 expression significantly decreased,cAMP response element-binding protein expression remained unchanged,and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein expression significantly decreased.Results suggested that abnormal expression of hippocampal synaptic structural protein and cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation played a role in cognitive impairment following chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.
文摘In this study, a rat vascular dementia model was established by permanent bilateral common carotid arterial occlusion. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with puerarin 3 days before modeling, for 45 successive days. Results demonstrated that in treated animals hippocampal structures were clear, nerve cells arranged neatly, and cytoplasm was rich in Nissl bodies. The number of cells positive for hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha, erythropoietin and endothelial nitric oxide synthase was reduced; and the learning and memory abilities of rats were significantly improved. Our experimental findings indicate that puerarin can significantly improve learning and memory in a vascular dementia model, and that the underlying mechanism may be associated with the regulation of the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha.
基金the NatureScience Foundation of Jiangsu Province, No.BK2005002the International Cooperation Program and talented manprogram of Jiangsu Provinceof China, No. BZ2006045,06-B-002
文摘BACKGROUND: Tongxinluo has been clinically proven to be effective in improving memory and cognitive function in patients with post-stroke vascular dementia. Is the mechanism related to the deposition of beta-amyloid peptide (A β ) in hippocampus? OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Tongxinluo on cognitive impairment in a mouse model with vascular dementia and the changes of A β deposition and β -secretase 1 (BACE1) expression. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. SETTING: State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology of Nanjing University and Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School. MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology of Nanjing University and Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from March 2006 to January 2007. A total of 36 healthy Kunming mice, 18 of each gender, were chosen. The study was conducted in accordance with the National Regulations of Experimental Animal Administration, and all animal experiments were approved by the Committee of Experimental Animal Administration of Nanjing University. Tongxinluo was provided by Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. METHODS: All mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, including naive control (n=6), sham-operated control (n=6) and experimental groups treated with different doses of Tongxinluo (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 g/kg/d; n=6 for each group) or vehicle (n=6). Five groups were subjected to bilateral common carotid arteries (2-VO) occlusion to produce a vascular dementia model (no occlusion was performed in sham-operated group). The mice in the Tongxinluo treatment groups were intragastricly administered daily with a Tongxinluo suspension (40 g/L in distilled water) at doses of 0.2, 0.4 or 0.6 g/kg/d from day 1 to day 30 post-surgery. The animals in vehicle, sham-operated and naive groups were administered an equal volume of distilled water. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Escape latency time determined in all groups of mice before and after 2-VO occlusion by Morris water maze. ②Changes in BACEI mRNA expression in the hippocampi of mice among the six groups by RT-PCR assay, and BACEI and A β protein expression in the hippocampi of mice by Western blot. RESULTS: All 36 mice were involved in the final analysis.① No difference was detected in escape latency time to a hidden platform among all groups in water maze test before surgery (P 〉 0.05) At 30 days after 2-VO occlusion, the vehicle animals exhibited a significantly longer latency in finding the hidden platform compared to that of sham-operated and naive animals (P 〈 0.01). The prolonged escape latency was significantly reduced by oral administration of 0.4 g or 0.6 kg/day (P 〈 0.01, P 〈 0.05). BACEI mRNA and protein expression in vehicle animals were much higher than in sham-operated and naive animals (P 〈 0.01). The ischemia-induced increases in BACE1 mRNA and protein level were attenuated by all three doses of Tongxinluo treatment (P 〈 0.01), and the 0.4 g/kg/d treatment was the most effective. A β protein expression in vehicle animals after 2-VO occlusion were much higher than in sham-operated and naive animals (P 〈 0.01). 2-VO occlusion-induced A β generation was significantly attenuated by all doses of Tongxinluo treatment, with the most effective dose being 0.4 g/kg/d (P 〈 0.01). CONCLUSION: BACE1 mRNA levels and protein levels of BACEI and A β are reduced in the hippocampi of vascular dementia model mice by all three doses of Tongxinluo treatment, with the most effective dose being 0.4 g/kg/d. The results suggest that inhibition of post-ischemia BACEI expression and A β generation in brain might underlie Tongxinluo's effects in improving cognitive impairment.
基金the National Basic Research Program of China(973Program),No.2007CB512601Science and Technology Development Plan of TCM in Shandong Province,No.2009-006Science and Technology Plan in Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province,No.J11LF60,J11LF08
文摘Clinical reports have demonstrated that the Kongsheng Zhenzhong pill (KSZZP), a classical prescription deriving from Valuable Prescription for Emergencies, has good therapeutic effects on vascular dementia. However, the mechanisms that mediate its effects remain unclear. In this study, the expression of N-methyI-D-aspartate receptor 1 mRNA, the content of nitric oxide, and the concentration of calcium in neurons was determined with in situ hybridization, spectrophotometry and flow cytometry, respectively. In addition, the expressions of N-methyI-D-aspartate receptor 1, nerve growth factor protein, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor protein were detected with immunohistochemistry. We found that KSZZP could significantly decrease the expression of N-methyI-D-aspartate receptor 1 mRNA and protein, the content of nitric oxide, and the concentration of calcium in neurons. KSZZP also increased the expression of nerve growth factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor protein in the hippocampus CA1 region and in the cerebral cortex. Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests verified that KSZZP ameliorated the cognitive impairments of vascular dementia rats. Moreover, the KSZZP-induced improvements in the cognitive functions of vascular dementia rats were correlated with both inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced excitable neurotoxicity and elevation of neurotrophic factor expression.
文摘Acupuncture can be used to treat various nervous system diseases.Here,168 vascular dementia patients were orally administered donepezil hydrochloride alone(5 mg/day,once a day for 56 days),or combined with acupuncture at Shenting(DU24),Tianzhu(BL10),Sishencong(Extra),Yintang(Extra),Renzhong(DU26),Neiguan(PC6),Shenmen(HT7),Fengchi(GB20),Wangu(GB12) and Baihui(DU20)(once a day for 56 days).Compared with donepezil hydrochloride alone,P300 event related potential latency was shorter with an increased amplitude in patients treated with donepezil hydrochloride and acupuncture.Mini-Mental State Examination score was also higher.Moreover,these differences in P300 latency were identified within different infarcted regions in patients treated with donepezil hydrochloride and acupuncture.These findings indicate that acupuncture combined with donepezil hydrochloride noticeably improves cognitive function in patients with vascular dementia,and exerts neuroprotective effects against vascular dementia.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No. 30772838the Education Funded Projects of High-Tech Japanese Ministry,No. 343 50537030the Scientific and Technological Support Issue of National "Eleventh Five-Year" Plan Period,No. 2006BAI12B01
文摘OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical acupuncture treatment studies for vascular dementia, as well as to collect high-quality evidence related to clinical acupuncture treatment for clinical diagnosis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed database (1966-2010), Embase database (1986-2010), Cochrane Library (Issue 1,2010), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (1979-2010), China HowNet database (1979-2010), VlP Journals Database (1989-2010), and Wanfang database (1998-2010) were analyzed by computer.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30672729the Project Sponsored by Open Fund of Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics (Fujian University of TCM),No.2008J1004-18
文摘BACKGROUND: Glossy privet fruit inhibits neural cell apoptosis following the onset of vascular dementia. OBJECTIVE: To confirm glossy privet fruit effects on neural cell apoptosis in the cortical parietal lobe and hippocampal CAI region of rat models of vascular dementia using molecular biology techniques. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The neural cell morphology experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Flow Cells and Biochemistry, Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Basic Room of Pathology, Academy of Chinese Medicine from December 2006 to May 2008. MATERIALS: A total of 60 Wistar rats were used to establish vascular dementia models using a photochemical reaction method. Glossy privet fruit was purchased from Fujian, China. Hydergine was co-produced by Sandoz, Switzerland and Huajin, China. METHODS: The 60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 equal sized groups (n = 10), i.e. model, blank, high, moderate and low doses of Chinese medicine, and hydergine control groups. Rats in the model group were treated with distilled water (1 mL/100 g) by gavage following model establishment. Rats in the blank group underwent experimental procedures as for the model group, except that rat models were created without illumination. Rats in the high, moderate and low doses of Chinese medicine groups, and the hydergine control group respectively received high, moderate and low doses of glossy privet fruit, and hydergine suspension (1 mL/100 g) by gavage, once a day, for 30 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphology of neural cells from the rat cortical parietal lobe and hippocampal CA1 region of all groups was observed with an electron microscope. Positive neural cells in the injury site of the rat cortical parietal lobe and hippocampal CA1 region were investigated using the Fas immunohistochemieal method. Absorbance of Fas-positive neurons was detected by the MPIAS-500 multimedia color imaging analysis system. RESULTS: Neural cells were normal, and nuclei were regular in the right cortical parietal lobe and hippoeampal CA1 region in the blank group. Karyopyknosis, an integral nuclear membrane, vacuole and apoptotic bodies were presented in the model group. The quantity and morphology of neural cells were normal in all doses of Chinese medicine groups, and the hydergine control group. Compared with the model group, absorbance was reduced at the injury site of rat cortical parietal lobe and hippocampal CA1 region in the blank, high, moderate and low doses of Chinese medicine, and hydergine control groups (P 〈 0.05). The decrease was particularly significant in the blank group (P 〈 0.01 ), followed by the high dose of Chinese medicine group (P 〈 0.01). Compared with the model group, the percentage of apoptosis was decreased at the injury site of the rat cortical parietal lobe and hippocampal CAI region in the blank, high, moderate and low doses of Chinese medicine, and hydergine control groups (P 〈 0.01) and this decrease was significant in the high dose of Chinese medicine group (P 〈 0.01). CONCLUSION: Glossy privet fruit, a kidney-tonifying Chinese herbal medicine, can inhibit cell apoptosis by reducing apoptotic signals induced by cerebral ischemia/hypoxia.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81001541
文摘This study investigated the mechanism underlying electroacupuncture therapy for vascular dementia through electroacupuncture at the acupoints of Baihui (DU20), Dazhui (DU14), and bilateral Shenshu (BL23) in a rat model of vascular dementia produced by bilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion. Morris water maze test showed that electroacupuncture improved the learning ability of vascular dementia rats. Western blot assay revealed that the expression of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and ribosomal protein S6 in vascular dementia rats was significantly increased after electroacupuncture, compared with the model group that was not treated with acupuncture. The average escape latency was also shortened after electroacupuncture, and escape strategies in the spatial probe test improved from edge and random searches, to linear and trending swim pathways. The experimental findings indicate that electroacupuncture improves learning and memory ability by up-regulating expression of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and ribosomal protein S6 in the hippocampus of vascular dementia rats.
基金supported by Yu Weihan Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of Harbin Medical University of China,No. 002000013 (to XMZ)。
文摘Dental pulp stem cells are a type of adult stem cells with strong proliferative ability and multi-differentiation potential. There are no studies on treatment of vascular dementia with dental pulp stem cells. In the present study, rat models of vascular dementia were established by two-vessel occlusion, and 30 days later, rats were injected with 2 × 10^(7) dental pulp stem cells via the tail vein. At 70 days after vascular dementia induction, dental pulp stem cells had migrated to the brain tissue of rat vascular dementia models and differentiated into neuronlike cells. At the same time, doublecortin, neurofilament 200, and Neu N m RNA and protein expression levels in the brain tissue were increased, and glial fibrillary acidic protein m RNA and protein expression levels were decreased. Behavioral testing also revealed that dental pulp stem cell transplantation improved the cognitive function of rat vascular dementia models. These findings suggest that dental pulp stem cell transplantation is effective in treating vascular dementia possibly through a paracrine mechanism. The study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Harbin Medical University(approval No. KY2017-132) in 2017.