Effects Of ATP Sensitive potassium channel opener on the mRNA and pro- tein expressions of caspase-12 after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Objective To investigate effects of K_ATP opener on the expressions of caspase-12 mRNA and protein, and to explore the role of endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress pathway in the mechanism of K_ATP opener protecting against neuronal apoptosis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Methods Two hundred rats were randomly divided into four groups： sham operation group, ischemia-reperfusion group, K_ATP opener group, and K_ATP blocker group. The middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） model was established by intraluminal suture occlusion method; neuronal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining. The mRNA and protein expressions of caspase-12 were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohisto-chemical staining, respectively. Results In ischemia-reperfusion group, K_ATP opener group and K_ATP blocker group, the number of apoptotic cells and the mRNA and protein expressions of caspase-12 gradually increased following cerebral reperfusion, and reached the peak at 24 h. In K_ATP opener group, The number of apoptotic cells was significantly less than that in ischemia-reperfusion group and K_ATP blocker group at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）; while the mRNA and protein levels of caspase-12 were significantly less than those in ischemia-reperfusion group and K_ATP blocker group at all times （P 〈 0.05 or P〈0.01）. There were no differences between the ischemia-reperfusion group and K_ATP blocker group at each time （P〉 0.05）. Conclusion K_ATP opener may protect neurons from apoptosis following the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by inhibiting ER stress pathway.

Effects of nuclear factor κB expression on retinal neovascularization and apoptosis in a diabetic retinopathy rat model

AIM: To investigate the expression and role of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) in diabetic retinopathy(DR) and its relationship with neovascularization and retinal cell apoptosis. METHODS: A total of 80 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control(4, 8, 12 and 16 wk, n =10 in each group) and diabetes mellitus(DM) groups(4, 8, 12 and 16wk, n =10 in each group). A diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(60 mg/kg). After 4, 8, 12 and 16 wk, rats were sacrificed.Retinal layers and retinal neovascularization growth were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and examined under light microscopy. Cell apoptosis in the retina was detected by Td T-mediated d UTP nick end labeling, and NF-κB distribution and expression in the retina was determined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: DM model success rate up to 100%.Diabetes model at each time point after the experimental groupcompared with the control group, the blood glucose was significantly increased, decreased body weight, each time point showed significant differences compared with the control group(P 【0.01). After 12 wk other pathological changes in the retina of diabetic rats were observed; after 16 wk, neovascularization were observed. After 1mo, retinal cell apoptosis was observed.Compared with the control group, NF-κB expression in the DM group significantly increased with disease duration.CONCLUSION: With the prolonging of DM progression,the expression NF-κB increases. NF-κB may be related to retinal cell apoptosis and neovascularization.

Effects of ketamine on mouse hippocampal inflammatory cytokines IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α levels in acute and chronic administration models

OBJECTIVE Ketamine is an injectable anesthetic and recreational drug of abuse commonly used worldwide. Many experimental studies have shown that ketamine can impair cognitive function and induce psychotic states. Neuroinflammation has been suggested to play an important role in neurodegeneration. Meanwhile,ketamine has been showed to modulate the levels of inflammatory cytokines.Therefore,we sought to investigate whether the effects of ketamine on the central nervous system is associated with the inflammatory cytokines. METHODS We established acute(single or multiple intraperitoneal injection) and chronic(six months daily intraperitoneal injection) ketamine administration models in C57BL/6 mice,evaluated the spatial recognition memory and emotional response by applying the Y maze test and open field test. We analyzed the changes of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels in mouse hippocampus,employing Western blot,quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(qR T-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Ketamine induced spatial recognition memory deficit,reduced anxiety-like behaviors in mice after chronic administration,and it was dose-dependent. Moreover,we found that ketamine could increase the levels of mouse hippocampal inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β after single,multiple and long-term administration in a dose-dependent manner. However,the level of TNF-α expressed differently in mouse hippocampus under different conditions. Single administration of ketamine increased the level of TNF-α,whereas multiple and long-term administration decreased it significantly. We considered that TNF-α might exist bi-directional regulatory pathway,which was associated with the dose and duration of ketamine administration. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the alterations of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α levels may be involved in the neurotoxicity of ketamine.

A case of polymyositis with ophthalmoplegia Laboratory examinations

OBJECTIVE： Polymyositis （PM） mainly involves proximal limb and trunk muscles. Ocular muscles are not affected, except in rare cases with both PM and myasthenia gravis （MG）. Thus, the results of laboratory examinations in such a patient deserve to be reported. METHODS： To analyze the clinical, imaging and pathology datas on a 65-year-old woman patient with PM with complex symptoms, who presented mainly ophthalmoplegia. The patient consented to all examinations and the hospital Ethics Committee approved the study. The laboratory examinations included creatine kinase （CK）, ENA, tumor marker, function of thyroid, cranial MRI, and electromyogram （EMG）. Biopsy of the left quadriceps femoris was performed, frozen specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, ATPase, NADH tetrazolium reductase, periodic acid Schiff, oil red O, modified Gomory trichrome and MHC-I, to investigate the pathology of muscle fibers RESULTS： Laboratory results showed： CK, 108.32μ kat/L; antinuclear antibody： （＋）; ENA, （-）; tumor marker, （-）; normal thyroid function, MRI showed no abnormal signals in brain and extraocular muscles. Electromyography of the bilateral deltoid, biceps brachii, musculus quadriceps fexoris, anterior tibialis showed fibrillation potentials, positive potentials and short-duration, small-amplitude polyphasic potentials on voluntary movements with a full interference pattern on mild exertion. Repetitive stimulation did not result in any increment or decrement in these potentials. A muscle biopsy of the left quadriceps femoris showed many small round muscle fibers without peripheral bundle distribution and apparent myofiber degeneration, necrosis and phagocytosis. There were several focal lymphocyte infiltrations. MHC-I immunohistochemical staining was positive in most fibers revealing inflammatory infiltration of normal fibers with MHC-I expression. CONCLUSION： This patient showed increased CK, typical triad of myopathy in EMG, and apparent degeneration and necrosis in biopsy of quadriceps femoris. Therefore, the diagnosis of PM and involvement of extraocular muscles were definite.

Influence of Air Flow Rate on Functional Evaluation of Semicircular Canals

Objective To study the influence of unilateral air flow rate change on the result of caloric test.Materials and Methods The unilateral weakness(UW) index was calculated when the air flow rate was set at 6 L /min in both ears(called symmetric stimulation) and again when it was set at 6 L /min in left ear and 3 L /min in the right ear(called asymmetric stimulation).Each individual subject was tested with both symmetrical and asymmetrical stimulations.Paired t test was used to examine the differences between results from symmetrical and asymmetrical stimulations.Result UW index decreased in response to asymmetrical stimulation.Conclusion Unilaterally decreased air flow rate can produce indices suggesting ipsilateral UW,which can be misleading.

Iron Aggravates the Depressive Phenotype of Stressed Mice by Compromising the Glymphatic System

Dear Editor,The pathophysiologic al mechanisms underlying mood disorders including major depressive disorder(MDD)remain to be fully characterized.Iron is a key component in the development of the central nervous system and iron deficiency has been linked to impairments of mood and cognition[1].

Adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener protects PC12 cells against hypoxia-induced apoptosis through PI3K/Akt and Bcl-2 signaling pathways

Although previous studies have shown the neuroprotective effects of the adenosine triphosphate （ATP）-sensitive potassium （KATP） channel opener against ischemic neuronal damage, little is known about the mechanisms involved. Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase （PI3K）/v-akt murine thy-moma viral oncogene homolog （Akt） and Bcl-2 are thought to be important factors that mediate neuroprotection. The present study investigated the effects of KATP openers on hypoxia-induced PC12 cell apoptosis, as well as mRNA and protein expression of Akt and Bcl-2. Results demon-strated that pretreatment of PC12 cells with pinacidil, a KATP opener, resulted in decreased PC12 cell apoptosis following hypoxia, as detected by Annexin-V fluorescein isothiocyanate/ propidium iodide double staining flow cytometry. In addition, mRNA and protein expression of phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt） and Bcl-2 increased, as detected by immunofluorescence, Western blot analysis, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The protective effect of this preconditioning was attenuated by glipizide, a selective KATP blocker. These results demonstrate for the first time that the protective mechanisms of KATP openers on PC12 cell apoptosis following hypoxia could result from activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which further activates expression of the downstream Bcl-2 gene.

CTGFsiRNA ameliorates retinal cells apoptosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

AIMTo detect the effect of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on the apoptosis in the diabetic retina with small interfering RNAs (siRNA) targeting CTGF.