Application and mechanisms of Sanhua Decoction in the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion is a process in which the blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted and subsequently restored.However,it is highly likely to lead to further aggravation of pathological damage to ischemic tissues or the nervous system.,and has accordingly been a focus of extensive clinical research.As a traditional Chinese medicinal formulation,Sanhua Decoction has gradually gained importance in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.Its main constituents include Citrus aurantium,Magnolia officinalis,rhubarb,and Qiangwu,which are primarily used to regulate qi.In the treatment of neurological diseases,the therapeutic effects of the Sanhua Decoction are mediated via different pathways,including antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,and neurotransmitter regu-latory pathways,as well as through the protection of nerve cells and a reduction in cerebral edema.Among the studies conducted to date,many have found that the application of Sanhua Decoction in the treatment of neurological diseases has clear therapeutic effects.In addition,as a natural treatment,the Sanhua Decoction has received widespread attention,given that it is safer and more effective than traditional Western medicines.Consequently,research on the mechanisms of action and efficacy of the Sanhua Decoctions in the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury is of considerable significance.In this paper,we describe the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and review the current status of its treatment to examine the therapeutic mechanisms of action of the Sanhua Decoction.We hope that the findings of the research presented herein will contribute to a better understanding of the efficacy of this formulation in the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion,and provide a scientific basis for its application in clinical practice.

Inhibition of the cGAS–STING pathway:contributing to the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

The cGAS–STING pathway plays an important role in ischemia-reperfusion injury in the heart,liver,brain,and kidney,but its role and mechanisms in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury have not been systematically reviewed.Here,we outline the components of the cGAS–STING pathway and then analyze its role in autophagy,ferroptosis,cellular pyroptosis,disequilibrium of calcium homeostasis,inflammatory responses,disruption of the blood–brain barrier,microglia transformation,and complement system activation following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.We further analyze the value of cGAS–STING pathway inhibitors in the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and conclude that the pathway can regulate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through multiple mechanisms.Inhibition of the cGAS–STING pathway may be helpful in the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The mechanisms that regulate neuronal pyroptosis in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury:current theories and recent advances

Early or ultra-early pharmacological thrombolysis together with mechanical thrombectomy are key treatments for ischemic stroke,and both are aimed at vascular recanalization and improved collateral circulation.While these methods enhance tissue perfusion in the ischemic penumbra,they also trigger complex neurotoxic reactions,including apoptosis,acidosis,ion imbalance,oxidative stress,and pyroptosis,exacerbating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI).Pyroptosis,a recently discovered form of programmed cell death driven by inflammation,plays a significant role in neuronal death during CIRI.This study reviews the regulatory mechanisms of pyroptosis in CIRI.

Protective effects of combined treatment with ciprofol and mild therapeutic hypothermia during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Despite improvement in cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)performance,cardiac arrest(CA)is still associated with poor prognosis.The high mortality rate is due to multi-organ dysfunction caused by cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury(I/R).The guidelines for CPR suggest the use of therapeutic hypothermia(TH)as an effective treatment to decrease mortality and the only approach confirmed to reduce I/R injury.During TH,sedative agents(propofol)and analgesia agents(fentanyl)are commonly used to prevent shiver and pain.However,propofol has been associated with a number of serious adverse effects such as metabolic acidosis,cardiac asystole,myocardial failure,and death.In addition,mild TH alters the pharmacokinetics of agents(propofol and fentanyl)and reduces their systemic clearance.For CA patients undergoing TH,propofol can be overdosed,leading to delayed awakening,prolonged mechanical ventilation,and other subsequent complications.Ciprofol(HSK3486)is a novel anesthetic agent that is convenient and easy to administer intravenously outside the operating room.Ciprofol is rapidly metabolized and accumulates at low concentrations after continuous infusion in a stable circulatory system compared to propofol.Therefore,we hypothesized that treatment with HSK3486 and mild TH after CA could protect the brain and other organs.

Exploring the attenuation mechanisms of Dalbergia odorifera leaves extract on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis

The attenuation function of Dalbergia odorifera leaves on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)is little known.The candidate targets for the Chinese herb were extracted from brain tissues through the high-affinity chromatography.The molecular mechanism of D.odorifera leaves on cerebral I/R was investigated.Methods:Serial affinity chromatography based on D.odorifera leaves extract(DLE)affinity matrices were applied to find specific binding proteins in the brain tissues implemented on C57BL/6 mice by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion for 1 h and reperfusion for 24 h.Specific binding proteins were subjected to mass-spectrometry to search for the differentially expressed proteins between control and DLE-affinity matrices.The hub genes were screened based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA).Then,predictive biology and potential experimental verification were performed for the candidate genes.The protective role of DLE in blood-brain barrier damage in cerebral I/R mice was evaluated by the leakage of Evans blue,western blotting,immunohistochemistry,and immunofluorescent staining.Results:952 differentially expressed proteins were classified into seven modules based on WGCNA under soft threshold 6.Based on WGCNA,AKT1,PIK3CA,NOS3,SMAD3,SMAD1,IL6,MAPK1,TGFBR2,TGFBR1,MAPK3,IGF1R,LRG1,mTOR,ROCK1,TGFB1,IL1B,SMAD2,and SMAD518 candidate hub proteins were involved in turquoise module.TGF-β,MAPK,focal adhesion,and adherens junction signaling pathway were associated with candidate hub proteins.Gene ontology analysis demonstrated that candidate hub proteins were related to the TGF-βreceptor signaling pathway,common-partner SMAD protein phosphorylation,etc.DLE could significantly reduce the leakage of Evans blue in mice with cerebral I/R,while attenuating the expression of occludin,claudin-5,and zonula occludens-1.Western blotting demonstrated that regulation of TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway played an essential role in the protective effect of DLE.Conclusion:Thus,a number of candidate hub proteins were identified based on DLE affinity chromatography through WGCNA.DLE could attenuate the dysfunction of bloodbrain barrier in the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway induced by cerebral I/R.

MELLT3 protects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury through up-regulation of m6A modification

Ischemic cerebrovascular disease is a leading cause of death globally and is often exacerbated by cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury(CIRI).The exact mechanisms underlying I/R injury are unclear.In this study,we aimed to determine the role of m6A-modified methylase complex methyltransferase-like 3(METTL3)in cerebral ischemiareperfusion(I/R)injury.We found that m6A and METTL3 levels increased in OGD/RX-induced mouse astrocytescerebellar(MA-C)and the brain of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)model mice.METTL3 siRNA treatment reduced OGD-RX-induced MAC cell viability and proliferation,which increased with METTL3 over-expression.Flow cytometry analysis showed that silencing METTL3 significantly enhanced OGD/RX-induced MAC apoptosis,which was significantly reduced with METTL3 up-regulation.In an MCAO model,METTL3 overexpression significantly reduced cerebral infarction area and decreased brain cell apoptosis,indicating that METTL3 OE treatment could ameliorate brain edema and injury.Thus,METTL3 could be used as a target to treat I/R injury.

Activated Drp1 regulates p62-mediated autophagic flux and aggravates inflammation in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion via the ROS-RIP1/RIP3-exosome axis

Background: Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI) refers to a secondary brain injury that can occur when the blood supply to the ischemic brain tissue is restored. However, the mechanism underlying such injury remains elusive.Methods: The 150 male C57 mice underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) for 1 h and reperfusion for 24 h,Among them, 50 MCAO mice were further treated with Mitochondrial division inhibitor 1(Mdivi-1) and 50 MCAO mice were further treated with N-acetylcysteine(NAC). SH-SY5Y cells were cultured in a low-glucose culture medium for 4 h under hypoxic conditions and then transferred to normal conditions for 12 h. Then, cerebral blood flow, mitochondrial structure, mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) copy number, intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species(ROS),autophagic flux, aggresome and exosome expression profiles, cardiac tissue structure, mitochondrial length and cristae density, mtDNA and ROS content, as well as the expression of Drp1-Ser616/Drp1, RIP1/RIP3, LC3 II/I, TNF-α,IL-1β, etc., were detected under normal or Drp1 interference conditions.Results: The mtDNA content, ROS levels, and Drp1-Ser616/Drp1 were elevated by 2.2, 1.7 and 2.7 times after CIRI(P<0.05). However, the high cytoplasmic LC3 II/I ratio and increased aggregation of p62 could be reversed by 44%and 88% by Drp1 short hairpin RNA(shRNA)(P<0.05). The low fluorescence intensity of autophagic flux and the increased phosphorylation of RIP3 induced by CIRI could be attenuated by ROS scavenger, NAC(P<0.05). RIP1/RIP3inhibitor Necrostatin-1(Nec-1) restored 75% to a low LC3 II/I ratio and enhanced 2 times to a high RFP-LC3 after Drp1 activation(P<0.05). In addition, although CIRI-induced ROS production caused no considerable accumulation of autophagosomes(P>0.05), it increased the packaging and extracellular secretion of exosomes containing p62 by 4–5 times, which could be decreased by Mdivi-1, Drp1 shRNA, and Nec-1(P<0.05). Furthermore, TNF-α and IL-1βincreased in CIRI-derived exosomes could increase RIP3 phosphorylation in normal or oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R) conditions(P<0.05).Conclusions: CIRI activated Drp1 and accelerated the p62-mediated formation of autophagosomes while inhibiting the transition of autophagosomes to autolysosomes via the RIP1/RIP3 pathway activation. Undegraded autophagosomes were secreted extracellularly in the form of exosomes, leading to inflammatory cascades that further damaged mitochondria, resulting in excessive ROS generation and the blockage of autophagosome degradation,triggering a vicious cycle.

EFFECTS OF TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION ON MOTOR CORTICAL EXCITABILITY AND NEUROFUNCTION AFTER CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION INJURY IN RATS

Objective To clarify the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on rat motor cortical excitabi- lity and neurofunction after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods After determined awake resting motor threshold (MT) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) of right hindlimbs, 20 Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) reperfusion injury, then rTMS were applied to rTMS group (n = 10) at different time, while control group (n = 10) received no stimulation. A week later, MT and MEPs were evaluated again, as well as neurological deficits and infarct volume. The effects of rTMS and MCAO reperfusion injury on these parameters were analyzed. Results After MCAO reperfusion, both MT level and neurological deficit scores increased, distinct focal infarction formed, and latency of MEP elongated. Compared with the control group, the increased extent of MT and neurological scores of rats receiving rTMS were significantly lower (P < 0.05), as well as the infarct volumes reduced significantly(P < 0.05). But MEP was not affected by rTMS obviously. There was a positive linear correlation between postinjury MT and infarct volume (r = 0.64, P < 0.05). Conclusion rTMS may facilitate neurofunction recovery after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Postinjury MT could provide prognostic information after MCAO reperfusion injury.

Acacetin protects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury via the NLRP3 signaling pathway

Acacetin(5,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavone), a potential neuroprotective agent, has an inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammatory reactions. However, whether acacetin has an effect on inflammatory corpuscle 3(NLRP3) after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury has not been fully determined. This study used an improved suture method to establish a cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model in C57BL/6 mice. After ischemia with middle cerebral artery occlusion for 1 hour, reperfusion with intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg/kg of acacetin(acacetin group) or an equal volume of saline(0.1 mL/10 g, middle cerebral artery occlusion group) was used to investigate the effect of acacetin on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Infarct volume and neurological function scores were determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and the Zea-Longa scoring method. Compared with the middle cerebral artery occlusion group, neurological function scores and cerebral infarction volumes were significantly reduced in the acacetin group. To understand the effect of acacetin on microglia-mediated inflammatory response after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, immunohistochemistry for the microglia marker calcium adapter protein ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1(Iba1) was examined in the hippocampus of ischemic brain tissue. In addition, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 expression in ischemic brain tissue of mice was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of Iba1, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 was significantly lower in the acacetin group compared with the middle cerebral artery occlusion group. Western blot assay results showed that expression of Toll-like receptor 4, nuclear factor kappa B, NLRP3, procaspase-1, caspase-1, pro-interleukin-1β, and interleukin-1β were significantly lower in the acacetin group compared with the middle cerebral artery occlusion group. Our findings indicate that acacetin has a protective effect on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and its mechanism of action is associated with inhibition of microglia-mediated inflammation and the NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Effects of L-Tetrahydropalmatine on Energy Metabolism,Endothelin-1 and NO during Acute Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion of Rats

To investigate the effects of L-tetrahydropalmatine (L-THP) on ener-gy metabolism, endothelin-1 (ET-1 ) and NO during acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion of rats, 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, with 6rats in each group: sham-operation group, simple ischemia group, ischemia-reperfusion group and treatment group (L-THP group). Cerebral ATP, lactate,ET-1 and NO levels were measured in all groups. Our results showed that treat-ment with L-THP could increase cerebral ATP levels, but decrease cerebral lac-tate, ET-1 and NO concentrations during ischemia-reperfusion in the treatmentgroup. It is concluded that L-THP could improve cerebral energy metabolism and protect the injured brain tissue, the mechanism of which might be related to suppression of overproduction of ET-1 and NO.

Neuroprotective effect of penehyclidine hydrochloride on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Penehyclidine hydrochloride can promote microcirculation and reduce vascular permeability. However, the role of penehyclidine hydrochlodde in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury remains unclear. In this study, in vivo middle cerebral artery occlusion models were established in experimental rats, and penehyclidine hydrochloride pretreatment was given via intravenous injection prior to model establishment. Tetrazolium chloride, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling and immunohistochemical staining showed that, penehyclidine hydrochloride pretreatment markedly attenuated neuronal histopathological changes in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum, reduced infarction size, increased the expression level of BcI-2, decreased the expression level of caspase-3, and inhibited neuronal apoptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Xanthine oxidase and thiobarbituric acid chromogenic results showed that penehyclidine hydrochloride upregulated the activity of superoxide dismutase and downregulated the concentration of malondialdehyde in the ischemic cerebral cortex and hippocampus, as well as reduced the concentration of extracellular excitatory amino acids in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, penehyclidine hydrochloride inhibited the expression level of the NR1 subunit in hippocampal nerve cells in vitro following oxygen-glucose deprivation, as detected by PCR. Experimental findings indicate that penehyclidine hydrochloride attenuates neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress injury after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, thus exerting a neuroprotective effect.

Salvianolate increases heat shock protein expression in a cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model

Stroke remains a worldwide health problem. Salvianolate exerts a protective effect in various mi- crocirculatory disturbance-related diseases, but studies of the mechanisms underlying its protective action have mainly focused on the myocardium, whereas little research has been carried out in brain tissue following ischemia-reperfusion. We assessed the neuroprotective effects of salvianolate in a rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury induced using the suture method. At onset and 24 and 48 hours after reperfusion, rats were intraperitoneally injected with salvianolate （18 mg/kg） or saline. Neurological deficit scores at 72 hours showed that the neurological functions of rats that had received salvianolate were significantly better than those of the rats that had received saline. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride was used to stain cerebral tissue to determine the extent of the infarct area. A significantly smaller infarct area and a significantly lower number of apoptotic cells were observed after treatment with salvianolate compared with the saline treatment. Expression of heat shock protein 22 and phosphorylated protein kinase B in ischemic brain tissue was significantly greater in rats treated with salvianolate compared with rats treated with saline. Our findings suggest that salvianolate provides neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by upregulating heat shock protein 22 and phosphorylated protein kinase B expression.

Anti-apoptotic effects of aspirin following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND： The pharmacological effects of aspirin on apoptosis are complex. The underlying mechanisms have not been properly defined. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of different doses of aspirin on brain cell apoptosis following focal cerebral iscbemia-reperfusion injury （CIRI） in rats. DESING, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment, performed at the School of Medicine and Pharmaceutics, Jiangnan University between June and October 2006. MATERIALS： Twenty-six male, adult, Sprague Dawley rats （grade Ⅱ）, weighing 240-290 g, were obtained from Shanghai Experimental Animal Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Aspirin was provided by Sigma （USA）. METHODS： The rats were randomly divided into four groups： sham-operation （SO）, CIRI ＋ vehicle, CIRI ＋ aspirin （6 mg/kg）, and CIRI ＋ aspirin （60 mg/kg）. Rats in the lesion groups were intragastrically administrated saline, aspirin （6 mg/kg）, or aspirin （60 mg/kg）, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The number of pyramidal neurons with normal appearance in the cerebral cortex at 24 mm from the midline; apoptotic cell death as measured by TUNEL; Bcl-2 and Bax protein localization was determined by immunohistochemistry; malondialdehyde （MDA） and super oxidation （SOD） content were determined by biochemistry method; adenosine triphosphate （ATP） content measured by capillary electrophoresis. RESULTS： Following CIRI, the following parameters were altered compared with sham-operated animals： the number of neurons with normal appearance was significantly reduced in the cerebral cortex; the number of apoptotic cells increased; Bax protein expression was enhanced; and the ratio between Bcl-2 and Bax decreased. In addition, MDA content increased significantly, whereas ATP content decreased （P 〈 0.01）. Aspirin ameliorated the loss of healthy pyramidal neurons. Both 6 and 60 mg/kg aspirin increased the ratio between Bcl-2 and Bax, with no significant difference between the treatment groups. In addition, 60 mg/kg aspirin decreased MDA content and increased ATP levels. However, 6 mg/kg aspirin did not have the same effect. CONCLUSION： Aspirin reduced the number of apoptotic cells following CIRI. These results suggest that the neuroprotective mechanism of aspirin could be related to elevated Bcl-2 protein levels or decreased Bax protein expression. The increase in the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax appears to be a common anti-apoptotic mechanism of aspirin.

Effect of minocycline on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Minocylcine, a tetracycline derivate, has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the central nervous system. In this study, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury models were established using the suture method, and minocycline was immediately injected intraperitoneally after cerebral ischemia-repeffusion （22.5 mg/kg, initially 45 mg/kg） at a 12-hour interval. Results showed that after minocycline treatment, the volume of cerebral infarction was significantly reduced, the number of surviving cell in the hippocampal CA1 region increased, the number of apoptotic cells decreased, the expression of caspase-3 and poly（adenosine diphosphate-ribose） polymerase-1 protein was down-regulated, and the escape latency in the water maze test was significantly shortened compared with the ischemia-reperfusion group. Our experimental findings indicate that minocycline can protect against neuronal injury induced by focal ischemia-reperfusion, which may be mediated by the inhibition of caspase-3 and poly（adenosine diphosphate-ribose） polymerase-1 protein expression.

Experimental Study on the Protection of Agrimony Extracts from Different Extracting Methods against Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Objective To study the protective effect of agrimony extracts from different extracting methods on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, in order to optimize the extraction scheme of agrimony.Methods Male rats were randomly assigned into seven groups: 1. Sham-operated group, 2. Untreated MCAO group (MCAO), 3. Petroleum ether extract of Agrimonia pilosa treated MCAO group (PEA), 4. Ethyl acetate extract of Agrimonia pilosa treated MCAO group (EAEA), 5. Ethanol extract of Agrimonia pilosa treated MCAO group (EEA), 6. Water extract of Agrimonia pilosa treated MCAO group (WEA), 7. Nimodipine treated MCAO group (NP). Intragastrical drug administration (i.g) was performed at 0 and 6 hours after MCAO.Neurological function tests were performed after reperfusion for 24 hours, then the brain was removed for the evaluations of the cerebral infarction volume (percentage of total brain volume) by immunohistochemistry,histological changes (hematoxylin-eosin staining), Na+/K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase (modified method of Svoboda and Mosinger), mRNA expression of Tumor suppressor gene (P53) and hot shock protein (HSP70)(quantitative real-time PCR).Results The neurological function of MCAO group had significantly higher scores than the sham group (P<0.01). The WEA group showed a significantly lower neurological score than the MCAO group (P<0.05),indicating the protective effect of WEA on neurological deficits. The mean infarction volumes of WEA (13.5±6.6%, F=4.75, P<0.01), EEA (19.90±6.90%, F=5.23, P<0.01), PEA (20.40±5.30%, F=4.68,P<0.01) and EAEA (22.50±10.50%, F=6.25, P<0.05) group were all significantly smaller than that of MCAO group (29.40±6.50%). HE staining demonstrated that, compared to the treated groups, the infarcted cerebral tissue of MCAO group had more swelling neural cells, lighter stained nucleus, fewer and irregularly distributed neurons. The activity of Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase reduced in the MCAO group (3.67±0.48 U/mg,1.28±0.26 U/mg, respectively), and were significantly higher in WEA group (7.56±0.85 U/mg, F=12.65,P=0.010; 3.59±0.22 U/mg, F=8.32, P=0.041, respectively). The MCAO group showed significantly elevated P53 and HSP70 mRNA expressions compared to the sham group (P<0.01, P<0.05). P53 mRNA expressions in Agrimony extracts treated groups were significantly lower than that of the MCAO group (all P<0.01), with the WEA group showing the greatest difference from MCAO group. The HSP70 mRNA level of the treated groups were not significantly different from that of the MCAO group.Conclusions Treatment using water extracts of agrimony can promote the best functional and metabolic recovery for rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, which maybe relate with the upregulation of energy metabolism in nerve cells after MCAO.

Amyloid beta-peptide worsens cognitive impairment following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Amyloid 13-peptide, a major component of senile plaques in Alzheimer＇s disease, has been implicated in neuronal cell death and cognitive impairment. Recently, studies have shown that the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia is closely linked with Alzheimer＇s disease. In this study, a rat model of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was established via occlusion of four arteries; meanwhile, fibrillar amyloid [3-peptide was injected into the rat lateral ventricle. The Morris water maze test and histological staining revealed that administration of amyloid 13-peptide could further aggravate impairments to learning and memory and neuronal cell death in the hippocampus of rats subjected to cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Western blot showed that phosphorylation of tau protein and the activity of glycogen synthase kinase 313 were significantly stronger in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury rats subjected to amyloid [3-peptide administration than those undergo- ing cerebral ischemia-repetfusion or amyloid 13-peptide administration alone. Conversely, the activ- ity of protein phosphatase 2A was remarkably reduced in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury following amyloid 13-peptide administration. These findings suggest that amyloid 13-peptide can potentiate tau phosphorylation induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion and thereby aggravate cognitive impairment.

Neuroprotective effects of cromakalim on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats Correlation with hippocampal metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 alpha and glutamate transporter 1

BACKGROUND：Studies have reported that potassium channel openers exhibit a protective effect on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and inhibit glutamate excitotoxicity in rats.However,the effects of the glutamate receptor 1α and glutamate transporter 1 remain poorly understood.OBJECTIVE：To investigate the prophylactic use of the adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener cromakalim on neurological function and cerebral infarct size,as well as glutamate receptor 1α and glutamate transporter 1 expression,in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,and to explore action mechanisms underlying reduced glutamate excitotoxicity and neuroprotection in rats.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING：Randomized,controlled,animal experiment was performed at the Brain Institute,Qingdao University Medical College,Between July 2008 and April 2009.MATERIALS：Cromakalim was purchased from Sigma,USA; rabbit anti-glutamate receptor 1α polyclonal antibody was offered by Wuhan Boster,China; rabbit anti-glutamate transporter 1 polyclonal antibody was offered by Santa Cruz Biotechnology,USA.METHODS：Sixty male,Wistar rats,aged 6 months,were randomly assigned to three groups （n =20）：sham-surgery,model,and cromakalim.Intraluminal thread methods were used to establish middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats from the model and cromakalim groups.Rats from the sham-surgery group were subjected to exposed common carotid artery,external carotid artery,and internal carotid artery,without occlusion.Cromakalim （10 mg/kg） was administered 30 minutes prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion,but there was no intervention in the model and sham-surgery groups.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：At 24 hours post-surgery,neurological behavioral functions were evaluated using Bederson＇s test,cerebral infarction volume was determined following tetrazolium chloride staining,and glutamate receptor 1a and glutamate transporter 1 expressions were detected using immunohistochemistry.RESULTS：Following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,neurological behavioral malfunctions were obvious in all mice.Focal cerebral infarction was detected in ischemic hemispheres,glutamate receptor 1α expression increased,and glutamate transporter 1 expression decreased in the ischemic hemisphere （P〈 0.05）.Compared with the model group,neurological behavioral functions significantly improved,cerebral infarction volume was significantly reduced （P〈 0.05）,glutamate receptor 1α expression was significantly decreased,and glutamate transporter 1 expression was increased in the cromakalim group （P 〈 0.05）.CONCLUSION：Improved neurological function and reduced cerebral infarction volume in rats through the preventive use of cromakalim could be related to decreased glutamate receptor 1α expression and enhanced glutamate transporter 1 expression.

Expression of nerve growth factor precursor, mature nerve growth factor and their receptors during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

We investigated nerve growth factor precursor （proNGF） and mature NGF expression in ischemic and non-ischemic cortices after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. In both ischemic and non-ischemic cortices, proNGF was found to be present in the extracellular space and cytoplasm. In addition, mature NGF was expressed in extracellular space, but with a very low signal. In ischemic cortex only, proNGF was significantly decreased, reaching a minimal level at 1 day. Mature NGF was increased at 4 hours, then reached a minimal level at 3 days. The p75 neurotrophin receptor （p75NTR） was significantly decreased after ischemia, and increased at 3 days after ischemia. These results confirmed that proNGF was the predominant form of NGF during the pathological process of cerebral ischemia-repeffusion injury. In addition, our findings suggest that ischemic injury may influence the conversion of proNGF to mature NGF, and that proNGF/p75NTR may be involved in reperfusion injury.

Acupuncture effects on serum myelin basic protein and remyelination following 30 minutes and 2 hours of ischemia in a rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND： Acupuncture treatment on injured cerebral axons has shown to provide efficacy in clinical practice. It is unknown whether acupuncture produces therapeutic effects by protecting injured cerebral myelin in ischemic stroke. OBJECTIVE： To test whether acupuncture provides protection for injured cerebral myelin, based on quantitative data from cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats, and to compare the effects of early and late acupuncture on serum myelin basic protein （MBP） content and remyelination of the ischemic internal capsule.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled experiment was performed at the Neurobiological Laboratory, Sichuan University from March 2005 to March 2006. MATERIALS： ＂Hua Tuo＂ Brand filiform needles were produced by the Medical Instrument Factory of Suzhou, China.METHODS： A total of 52 adult, healthy, male, Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups： control （n = 4）, model （n = 16）, early acupuncture （n = 16）, and late acupuncture （n = 16）. The focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion in the right hemisphere using the modified thread embolism method in the latter three groups. Early and late acupuncture groups underwent acupuncture after ischemia for 30 minutes and 2 hours using the Xingnaokaiqiao needling method, respectively. Acupoints were ＂Neiguarf＇ （PC 6） and ＂Sanyinjiao＂ （SP 6） on the bilateral sides, as well as ＂Shuigou＇ （DU 26） and ＂Baihui＂ （DU 20） with stimulation for 1 minute at each acupoint. Acupuncture at all acupoints was performed two or three times while the needle was retained, once per day. No special handling was administered to the control clroup.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： For each group, remyelination of the internal capsule was observed by Pal-Weigert＇s myelin staining and serum MBP content was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method on days 1,3, 5, and 7 following ischemia-reperfusion injury.RESULTS： Compared with the control group, massive demyelination of the internal capsule occurred, and serum MBP content increased in the model group （P 〈 0.05）. Compared with the model group, the extent of demyelination in the internal capsule was less distinct and serum MBP content was significantly less in the early and late acupuncture group （P 〈 0.01 ）. Compared with the late acupuncture group, serum MBP content reached a peak later and the peak value was less in the early acupuncture group. CONCLUSION： Results suggest that acupuncture exerts a protective effect on injured cerebral myelin in ischemia-reperfusion rats by reducing serum MBP content and promoting remyelination. The study also suggests that the effect of early acupuncture is superior to late acupuncture.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment induces dynamic ATPase activity changes in the rat brain following transient global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

BACKGROUND： Energy depletion, induced by ischemia or hypoxia, is one of the first events in neuronal injury. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the dynamic changes of Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase and Ca^2＋-ATPase activity in the rat brain following transient global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion （IR）, as well as the effects of hyperbaric oxygen （HBO） treatment. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized and controlled animal study was performed in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Capital Medical University between February and December 2006. MATERIALS： Clean-grade, female, Sprague Dawley rats were provided by the Animal Research Department of Capital Medical University （License number： SYXK11-00-0047）. Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase and Ca^2＋-ATPase kits were provided by Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute （Nanjing, China）. A hyperbaric oxygen chamber （DWC150-300） was supplied by Shanghai 701 Medical Oxygen Chamber Factory （Shanghai, China）. METHODS： Sixty-three rats were randomly divided into nine groups： sham operated group （sham-O） as control, groups of IR, and groups treated with hyperbaric oxygen （HBO） after IR. Animal from the IR and HBO groups were sacrificed after four different survival intervals of 6, 24, 48 and 96 hours, respectively. Each group consisted of seven rats. The rats of HBO groups were placed into the hyperbaric chamber. The HBO chamber was flushed with pure oxygen for 5 minutes, followed by a gradual rise in pressure over 5 minutes and stabilization at 0.2 MPa. Then, pure oxygen was supplied for 45 minutes in stabilized pressure, followed by gradually reduced pressure over 15 minutes. The rats of the 6-h HBO group were placed into the HBO chamber following reperfusion for 3 hours on the first day, which was repeated on three consecutive days, always at the same time. Rats in the sham-O group and IR group remained under normal atmospheric pressure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase and Ca^2＋-ATPase activity in rat brain homogenate was detected by the ammonium molybdate assay method. RESULTS： All 63 rats were included in the final analysis. Alter 6 hours, Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase activity was significantly greater in HBO animals, compared with IR animals （P 〈 0.05） and sham-O controls （P〈 0.01）. In both, the HBO group and IR group, Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase activity returned to normal levels after 24 hours （P 〉 0.05）. At 48 and 96 hours, Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase activity was significantly greater in HBO and IR animals, compared with sham-O animals （P 〈 0.05）. Ca^2＋-ATPase activity was significantly greater in the HBO group after 6 hours, compared with the sham-O group （P 〈 0.01 ）, and returned to normal levels at 24 and 96 hours （P 〉 0.05）. In the IR group, Ca^2＋-ATPase activity was significantly higher after 6 hours than in the sharn-O group （P〈 0.01）, and returned to normal levels after 24 hours （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： The Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase and Ca^2＋-ATPase activity in IR groups increased during the acute and the delayed phase following transient global cerebral IR. HBO treatment not only increased Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase activity at the acute stage, but also induced a faster recovery of Ca^2＋-ATPase activity.