重组人红细胞生成素经PI3K/Akt途径对大鼠癫痫持续状态诱导的神经元凋亡的保护作用

目的观察重组人红细胞生成素(recombinant human epo,rHuEPO)对戊四氮(pentylenetetrazol,PTZ)点燃的癫痫持续状态(status epilepticus,SE)的SD大鼠海马神经元凋亡的影响,应用PI3K(phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase磷脂酰肌醇3激酶)抑制剂LY294002进一步探讨rHuEPO作用的可能机制。方法采用PTZ点燃大鼠SE模型,将大鼠随机分为A组:正常对照组(生理盐水normal saline NS)、B组:PTZ组(PTZ+NS)、C组:rHuEPO组(PTZ+rHuE-PO)、D组:LY294002组(PTZ+LY294002+rHuEPO)、E组:LY294002溶剂DMSO(二甲基亚砜)对照组(PTZ+DMSO+rHuEPO),检测大鼠行为学和脑电图的改变及HE染色观察海马病理学的改变;用TUNEL方法检测海马神经细胞的凋亡情况;免疫组织化学法观察磷酸化蛋白激酶B、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶9(Caspase-9)、X-连锁凋亡抑制蛋白(XIAP)的表达。结果在PTZ点燃大鼠SE后rHuPO活化了磷脂酰肌醇3激酶/蛋...     

七叶皂苷钠对一氧化碳中毒迟发性脑病大鼠模型细胞凋亡 及调控凋亡基因表达的影响

目的:探讨七叶皂苷钠对一氧化碳中毒迟发性脑病大鼠模型细胞凋亡及Caspase-3表达的影响。方法:将30只大鼠随机分为正常对照组、一氧化碳中毒迟发性脑病大鼠模型对照组和七叶皂苷钠治疗组,原位末端标记法(TUNEL)检测细胞凋亡,免疫组化法检测Caspase-3的表达。结果:治疗组大鼠脑细胞凋亡率及Caspase-3表达较迟发性脑病对照组显著降低(P<0.01)。结论:七叶皂苷钠对一氧化碳中毒迟发性脑病的脑保护作用机制可能与干预脑细胞凋亡相关基因表达并减少神经细胞凋亡有关。     

盐酸氨溴索对烟所致慢性阻塞性肺疾病大鼠肺组织细胞凋亡和血管重塑的作用机制研究

目的:盐酸氨溴索对烟所致慢性阻塞性肺疾病(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD)大鼠肺组织细胞凋亡和血管重塑的作用机制研究。方法:将SD大鼠随机分为4组,每组20只,依次为正常组、模型组、实验组、对照组。模型组、实验组、对照组大鼠采延安香烟烟熏64天构建慢性阻塞性肺大鼠模型,正常组大鼠室温下正常饲养。烟熏结束后,实验组、对照组大鼠每日分别皮下注射5ml盐酸氨溴索(20 mg/kg)和5 m L的盐酸班布特罗(20 mg/kg),正常组、模型组分别腹腔注射等剂量的生理盐水。在药物干预28天后,苏木精-伊红染色(hematoxylin-eosinstaining,HE)、弹力纤维(elastic van gieson,EVG)染色、TUNNEL染色、免疫组化染色、Western blot检测各组大鼠肺组织病理、血管重塑、肺组织的细胞凋亡、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-smoothmus-cleactin,α-SMA)和血管内皮生长因子(Vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)的表达、以及Caspase-3、Bax和Bcl-2的表达水平。结果:与正常组相比,模型组肺组织损伤明显,肺小动脉中膜厚度明显增加,血管肌化程度、细胞的凋亡率、α-SMA和VEGF、Caspase-3、Bax的表达明显升高,Bcl-2的表达明显降低,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);与模型组相比,实验组和对照组大鼠肺组织损伤明显改善,肺小动脉中膜厚度明显减小,血管肌化程度、细胞的凋亡率、α-SMA和VEGF、Caspase-3、Bax的表达明显降低,Bcl-2的表达明显升高,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:盐酸氨溴索能抑制肺组织的细胞凋亡以及改善其血管重塑,保护COPD大鼠的肺组织。     

低氧预适应小鼠皮层Bcl-2和Caspase-3的表达变化

本文旨在探讨小鼠皮层Bcl-2和Caspase-3在低氧预适应脑保护中的作用.将Bib/c近交系小鼠随机分为对照组、低氧组和低氧预适应组,用免疫荧光和激光共聚焦显微镜等技术测定皮层顶叶Bcl-2和Caspase-3表达荧光强度和阳性细胞计数.结果显示,低氧组和低氧预适应组Bcl-2表达均显著高于对照组,低氧预适应组又显著高于低氧组.低氧组和低氧预适应组Caspase-3表达均显著高于对照组,但低氧预适应组显著低于低氧组.结果表明,低氧预适应过程中,小鼠皮层脑区通过Bcl-2高表达和Caspase-3低表达抵御皮层细胞凋亡,从而参与脑保护机制.     

大鼠脑创伤后caspase-3的过度表达与细胞凋亡的关系

目的:探讨大鼠脑创伤后海马神经组织中casepase-3表达及其在细胞凋亡中的机制。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠72只随机分成对照组和创伤组,用Marmarou方法造成大鼠重型弥漫性颅脑创伤,采用免疫组织化学检测海马CA1区神经细胞casepase-3蛋白表达情况,原位细胞DNA断裂检测末端标记(TUNEL)法观察大鼠海马CA1区神经细胞凋亡动态变化。同时行TUNEL与caspase-3双标染色。结果:对照组海马区神经细胞casepase-3未见明显表达,创伤组海马CA1区神经细胞casepase-3表达在伤后3小时开始升高,伤后3天达高峰(P0.01),伤后7天下降明显。对照组海马区未见TUNEL阳性细胞,创伤组海马区TUNEL阳性细胞伤后3小时开始增多,伤后3天达高峰(P0.01),伤后7天下降。可见创伤组TUNEL染色与caspase-3免疫染色双标阳性的细胞伤后6小时细胞数量逐渐增多,于伤后3天达高峰(P0.01),伤后7天双标阳性细胞数量下降。Casepase-3表达与TUNEL阳性细胞明显相关(P0.01)。结论:大鼠脑创伤后casepase-3的过度表达是影响大鼠脑创伤后神经细胞凋亡原因之一,抑制casepase-3活性表达对神经组织起保护作用。     

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯对蛛网膜下腔出血大鼠脑损伤的保护作用研究

目的:探讨表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)对蛛网膜下腔出血(SAH)脑损伤的影响及其可能机制。方法:选取健康雄性Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠80只,按照随机数字表法分为假手术组(Sham组)、SAH组、SAH+EGCG组、蛛网膜下出血+生理盐水组(SAH+NS组),每组各20只。SAH造模成功后1d、3d,检测大鼠神经功能评分及脑组织含水量;造模成功3d后,脑组织石蜡切片HE染色观察脑细胞形态,并采用超敏C-反应蛋白(hs CRP)试剂盒检测血清hs CRP水平,通过Western blotting检测脑组织脑源性神经生长因子(brain derived neurotrophic factor,BDNF)及与其高度亲和的酪氨酸激酶受体B(tropomyosin-related kinase B,TrkB)的表达。结果:(1)SAH+EGCG组神经功能评分较Sham组明显降低,但较同期SAH组增高明显(P0.05);(2)与Sham组比较,SAH+EGCG组脑组织含水量明显增加,但与同期SAH组比较,SAH+EGCG组脑组织含水量明显降低(P0.05);(3)与SAH组比较,SAH+EGCG组血清hs CRP水平明显降低(P0.05);(4)与SAH组比较,SAH+EGCG组脑组织石蜡切片HE染色神经细胞水肿明显减轻,且坏死神经元减少,细胞核固缩明显减轻;(5)与SAH组比较,SAH+EGCG组脑组织BDNF、TrkB的表达量明显升高(P0.05)。结论:EGCG能够有效的保护大鼠SAH后的脑损伤,促进神经功能修复,减轻预后神经功能障碍,可能与其促进脑组织BDNF、TrkB的表达有关。     

miR-124与MAPK/ERK通路对调节脑梗死大鼠神经细胞凋亡的影响

摘要 目的：研究miR-124和MAPK/ERK途径对脑梗死大鼠神经细胞凋亡的影响及其可能的机制。方法：本研究将SD大鼠随机分为假手术组（Sham组）、模型组（CI组）、miR-124组（miR组）、脑梗死+miR-124组（CI+miR组）和脑梗死+MEK/ERK阻滞剂组（CI+U0126组）,采用mNSS评分法评估大鼠神经功能损伤程度,采用TTC染色检测脑梗死体积,采用尼式染色检查脑组织的病理情况,采用TUNEL染色法检测大鼠脑神经细胞凋亡,TRIzol法提取总RNA,RT-PCR检测miR-124、ERK1和ERK2基因表达,蛋白质免疫印迹法检测Caspase-3、Bax、Bcl-2、MEK2和ERK1蛋白表达水平。结果：与Sham组和miR组相比,CI组、CI+miR组和CI+U0126组大鼠的脑梗死体积、mNSS评分和脑含水量均显著增加（P<0.01）。Sham组、miR组、CI+miR组和CI+U0126组大鼠的脑组织中尼式体的数量显著高于CI组,模型组大鼠的脑神经元结构被破坏且出现核移位和细胞坏死等病理变化;与Sham组和miR组相比,CI组大鼠中miR-124的表达水平显著降低（P<0.01）,CI+miR组和CI+U0126组大鼠中miR-124的表达水平显著上调（P<0.01）。TUNEL染色结果显示,与模型组相比,CI+miR组和CI+U0126组大鼠中凋亡数量显著减少（P<0.01）,ERK1和ERK2的mRNA相对表达水平均显著下调（P<0.01）。与模型组相比,CI+miR组和CI+U0126组大鼠脑组织中Caspase-3和Bax蛋白表达水平显著下调,Bcl-2蛋白的表达水平显著上调（P<0.01）。与模型组相比,CI+miR组和CI+U0126组大鼠脑组织中磷酸化的p-MEK-2和p-ERK1/2蛋白表达水平均显著下调（P<0.01）。结论：miR-124可能通过抑制MAPK/ERK信号通路的激活,减少脑梗死大鼠的神经细胞的凋亡,最终发挥保护作用。     

钙敏感受体在大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤时细胞凋亡中的作用

目的:评价钙敏感受体在大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤时细胞凋亡中的作用。方法:健康成年雄性Wistar大鼠60只,体重250～300 g,采用随机数字表法分为3组(n=20):假手术组(S组)、脑缺血再灌注组(I/R组)和钙敏感受体拮抗剂组(N组)。I/R组和N组采用线栓法经左侧颈外-颈内动脉插线制备大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤模型,于脑缺血前10 min尾静脉注射等容量二甲基亚砜和钙敏感受体拮抗剂NPS-89636 1 mg/kg。于再灌注24 h时行神经功能评分,随后处死大鼠取脑组织,测定MDA含量和SOD活性,采用TUNEL法观察神经细胞凋亡情况,计算神经细胞凋亡指数,免疫组化法检测Caspase-3阳性细胞的表达,Western blot法检测Caspase-3蛋白的表达。结果:I/R组和N组MDA含量、神经细胞凋亡指数、Caspase-3阳性细胞和Caspase-3蛋白表达水平高于S组,神经功能评分和SOD活性低于S组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);N组MDA含量、神经细胞凋亡指数、Caspase-3阳性细胞和Caspase-3蛋白表达水平低于I/R组,神经功能评分和SOD活性高于I/R组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:钙敏感受体参与大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤和细胞凋亡的发生。     

褪黑素对蛛网膜下腔出血后继发性脑损伤及认知功能的影响及其机制研究

目的:探讨褪黑素对蛛网膜下腔出血(subarachnoid hemorrhage,SAH)后神经元细胞凋亡、坏死及继发性认知功能障碍的影响。方法:选择80只成年健康雄性SD大鼠,随机分为四组:正常组(n=20)、单纯SAH组(n=20)、SAH+安慰剂治疗组(n=20)和SAH+褪黑素治疗组(n=20),经大鼠自体尾动脉(股动脉)非肝素化动脉血在20 s内注入视交叉池建立蛛网膜下腔出血模型,褪黑素注射剂量为150 mg/kg,1次/12 h,在蛛网膜下腔出血建模后48h处死各组部分大鼠,取血凝块周围的皮层脑组织(额颞底)做标本,通过TUNEL荧光染色及Fluoro-Jade B荧光染色测定神经元凋亡及坏死的情况,各组剩余大鼠在SAH后48小时开始通过Morris水迷宫试验测试其认知功能。结果:SAH组大鼠的活动功能评分、Morris水迷宫试验的逃避潜伏期及总路程、神经元细胞凋亡和坏死的百分比均较正常对照组大鼠显著升高(P0.01),而褪黑素治疗组以上指标均显著低于安慰剂治疗组(P0.05),但SAH组和安慰剂组之间以上指标比较均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:褪黑素可能通过减少神经元细胞的凋亡和坏死改善蛛网膜下腔出血后大鼠的认知功能障碍。     

高压氧预处理对急性减压所致的大鼠肺组织细胞凋亡及Bcl-2/Bax表达的影响

目的:探讨高压氧预处理对减压病大鼠肺组织细胞凋亡的影响相关蛋白表达的影响。方法:雄性SD大鼠24只,随机分为3组,正常对照组(NC group)、HBO预处理组(HBOP group)、减压组(DCS group),每组8只。连续进行HBO预处理5天后进行减压病模型制备,取左侧肺组织进行湿干重比值测定,右侧肺组织用于病理实验;HE染色观察肺组织病理学改变,免疫组织化学法标记Bcl-2、Bax、Caspase-3与MMP-9阳性细胞表达,并对bcl-2/bax值进行分析。结果:减压组肺组织Bax、Caspase-3与MMP-9阳性细胞数明显增加(P0.05),而Bcl-2阳性细胞表达减少(P0.05);高压氧预处理组与减压组相比,Bax、Caspase-3与MMP-9阳性细胞数明显减少(P0.05),而Bcl-2阳性细胞表达增加(P0.05);大鼠肺组织减压组与高压氧预处理组Bcl-2/Bax值较对照组明显降低(P0.05);与减压组相比,高压氧预处理组明显升高(P0.05)。结论:HBO预处理可以减轻减压对肺组织的病理损伤,减轻肺泡和支气管上皮细胞的变性坏死,抑制细胞凋亡,从而起到对减压病的保护作用。     

Tert-Butylhydroquinone Alleviates Early Brain Injury and Cognitive Dysfunction after Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Role of Keap1/Nrf2/ARE Pathway

Tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), an Nrf2 activator, has demonstrated neuroprotection against brain trauma and ischemic stroke in vivo. However, little work has been done with respect to its effect on early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). At the same time, as an oral medication, it may have extensive clinical applications for the treatment of SAH-induced cognitive dysfunction. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of tBHQ on EBI, secondary deficits of learning and memory, and the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway in a rat SAH model. SD rats were divided into four groups: (1) Control group (n = 40); (2) SAH group (n = 40); (3) SAH+vehicle group (n = 40); and (4) SAH+tBHQ group (n = 40). All SAH animals were subjected to injection of autologous blood into the prechiasmatic cistern once in 20 s. In SAH+tBHQ group, tBHQ was administered via oral gavage at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg at 2 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h after SAH. In the first set of experiments, brain samples were extracted and evaluated 48 h after SAH. In the second set of experiments, changes in cognition and memory were investigated in a Morris water maze. Results shows that administration of tBHQ after SAH significantly ameliorated EBI-related problems, such as brain edema, blood-brain barrier (BBB) impairment, clinical behavior deficits, cortical apoptosis, and neurodegeneration. Learning deficits induced by SAH was markedly alleviated after tBHQ therapy. Treatment with tBHQ markedly up-regulated the expression of Keap1, Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and GSTα1 after SAH. In conclusion, the administration of tBHQ abated the development of EBI and cognitive dysfunction in this SAH model. Its action was probably mediated by activation of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway.     

A Low Mortality Rat Model to Assess Delayed Cerebral Vasospasm After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Objective: To characterize and establish a reproducible model that demonstrates delayed cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats, in order to identify the initiating events, pathophysiological changes and potential targets for treatment.Methods: Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats (250 - 300 g) were arbitrarily assigned to one of two groups - SAH or saline control. Rat subarachnoid hemorrhage in the SAH group (n=15) was induced by double injection of autologous blood, 48 hr apart, into the cisterna magna. Similarly, normal saline (n=13) was injected into the cisterna magna of the saline control group. Rats were sacrificed on day five after the second blood injection and the brains were preserved for histological analysis. The degree of vasospasm was measured using sections of the basilar artery, by measuring the internal luminal cross sectional area using NIH Image-J software. The significance was tested using Tukey/Kramer''s statistical analysis.Results: After analysis of histological sections, basilar artery luminal cross sectional area were smaller in the SAH than in the saline group, consistent with cerebral vasospasm in the former group. In the SAH group, basilar artery internal area (.056 μm ± 3) were significantly smaller from vasospasm five days after the second blood injection (seven days after the initial blood injection), compared to the saline control group with internal area (.069 ± 3; p=0.004). There were no mortalities from cerebral vasospasm.Conclusion: The rat double SAH model induces a mild, survivable, basilar artery vasospasm that can be used to study the pathophysiological mechanisms of cerebral vasospasm in a small animal model. A low and acceptable mortality rate is a significant criterion to be satisfied for an ideal SAH animal model so that the mechanisms of vasospasm can be elucidated ^{7, 8}. Further modifications of the model can be made to adjust for increased severity of vasospasm and neurological exams.     

甲状腺素对动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血大鼠脑缺氧诱导因子-1α表达的影响及其机制*

目的:探讨甲状腺素(T4)对动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血后大鼠脑缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)表达的调节及其机制。方法:72只雄性成年SD大鼠随机分为以下4组:蛛网膜下腔出血模型组(SAH)(n=18)、蛛网膜下腔出血+甲状腺素组(SAH+T4)(n=18)、蛛网膜下腔出血+溶剂组(SAH+溶剂组)(n=18)、假手术组(n=18)。颈内动脉穿刺法建立蛛网膜下腔出血的模型,术后行颅脑CT平扫,建模后立即开始给药,按3 μg/100 g腹腔注射,每隔24 h一次,连续3 d,SAH+T4组予甲状腺素干预,SAH+溶剂组予等体积溶剂干预,均在建模后72 h处死;各组6只大鼠经多聚甲醛灌注处死后石蜡包埋切片行免疫组化染色检测HIF-1α及p-Akt蛋白、6只用TUNEL法检测凋亡,6只用干湿重法做脑水肿含量检测。结果:建模成功后SAH组及SAH+T4组、SAH+溶剂组大鼠的脑组织肿胀明显,蛛网膜下腔可见暗红色血凝块。SAH组神经行为学评分、脑含水量、凋亡率、HIF-1α蛋白、p-Akt蛋白均较假手术组明显增高(P＜0.05);SAH+T4组神经行为学评分、HIF-1α蛋白、p-Akt蛋白均较SAH组明显增高,其脑含水量、凋亡均较SAH组明显减少(P＜0.05)。结论:使用T4替代治疗可以上调动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血后大鼠脑HIF-1α蛋白表达水平,可能是通过激活三磷酸肌醇激酶／蛋白激酶B(PI3K/Akt)信号通路,使凋亡率减小,最终大鼠行为学得以改善,对大鼠脑产生保护作用。     

Phospholipid Methylase Activity, [3H]S-Adenosyl-l-Homocysteine Binding, and S-Adenosyl-l-Methionine and S-Adenosyl-l-Homocysteine Levels in Rat Brain During Maturation

The changes in activity of phospholipid methyltransferase I and [3H]S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine ([3H]SAH) binding were determined in cortical membrane preparations from newborn rats and rats 1, 2, and 8 months old. The activity of phospholipid methyltransferase I and the [3H]SAH binding were significantly greater (respectively, +30 and +40%) in newborn rats than in 1-, 2-, and 8-month-old rats. The methylated products at days 1 and 30 were identical. These changes in methyltransferase activity may be correlated with variations in concentration of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) and SAH. The endogenous SAM level was higher and the SAH level was lower in newborn compared with adult rats. These data suggested that the processes of methylation were favored in newborn rats. The modifications observed after treatment with L-homocysteine reinforced this hypothesis.     

The expression of Cav3.1 on T-type calcium channels of rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage

To study delayed cerebral vasospasm (DCVS) induced by subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), 60 healthy Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (12 rats in each group), namely sham operation group, blood injection model group, nimodipine group, flunarizine hydrochloride group, and normal group. Then, the physiological parameters were detected, and after the rats were killed under anesthesia, the degree of nerve injury, vasospasm as well as the therapeutic effect of drugs were evaluated by Western Blot (WB). Neurological impairment (NI), endothelial contraction and spasm were obvious in rats following blood injection. The expression of Cav3.1 on T-type calcium channels was significantly higher in the blood injection model group than in the sham operation group along with the normal group. Moreover, Cav3.1 mRNA was expressed in all groups. The Cav3.1 expression in blood injection model group and two drug groups were significantly higher than that in sham operation group and lower than that in blood injection model group. Vasospasm was improved in two drug groups, which indicated that calcium channel antagonists nimodipine and flunarizine hydrochloride had a certain therapeutic effect on DCVS in rats. The decrease in body weight and food intake of the two groups of rats treated with drugs decreased, and the delayed vasospasm was improved, but the expression of Cav3.1 was not changed significantly, indicating nimodipine and flunarizine hydrochloride had a therapeutic effect on delayed vasospasm in rats, but Cav3.1 expression on calcium channels was not affected.     

Expression of Nemo-Like Kinase (NLK) in the Brain in a Rat Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Model

This study aimed to investigate the expression of the Nemo-like kinase (NLK) in the brain after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats. A total of 90 rats were randomly divided into six groups: control group, day 1, day 3, day 5, day 7, and day 14. Day 1, day 3, day 5, day 7, and day 14 groups were all SAH groups in which the rats were killed on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14, respectively. In SAH groups, autologous arterial blood was injected into cisterna magna once on day 0. Cross-sectional area of basilar artery was measured by H&E staining. Immunostaining and immunoblotting experiments were performed to detect the expression of NLK protein. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the presence and quantity of NLK mRNA. The level of oxidative stress in the artery was also measured. The basilar arteries exhibited vasospasm after SAH and became the most severe on day 3. The expressions of NLK protein and mRNA were decreased remarkably in SAH groups compared with the control group. The down-regulated expression of NLK was detected after SAH and the low ebb was on day 3, which was oppositely the peak time of oxidative stress. The expression of NLK was present mainly in the neurons in the brain and smooth muscle cells in the basilar artery. NLK is decreasingly expressed in an opposite time-course to the development of cerebral vasospasm (CVS) and SAH-induced brain injury in this rat experimental model of SAH and these findings might have important implications during the administration of specific NLK agonist to prevent or reduce CVS or neuronal apoptosis caused by SAH.     

Cerebral angiogenesis after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and endothelin receptor blockage with BQ-123 antagonist in rats.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of chronic vasospasm after SAH on angiogenesis and the effect of endothelin-1, the main causative factor in vasospasm, on this process. Male Wistar rats, 220-250 g, were examined. Seven days after cannulation of the cisterna magna (CM), a 100 microl dose of non-heparinized blood was administered to induce SAH. Sham SAH (aSAH) was induced by intracisternal injection of 100 microl of artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Endothelin receptor antagonist BQ-123 in a dose of 40 nmol in 50 microl of cerebrospinal fluid was given three times: 20 min. before SAH and aSAH, 60 min and 24 hours after SAH and aSAH. The same pattern of BQ-123 administration was used in the nonSAH group. The brains were removed 48 hours later for histological evaluation. Vascular surface density was measured in cerebral hemisphere sections (at the level of the dorsal part of the hippocampus) and brain stem sections (1/2 of the pons). An increase in angiogenesis was observed after SAH, compared to control values. The administration of BQ-123, a specific endothelin receptor blocker inhibits angiogenesis in cerebral hemispheres after SAH.     

Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) increases beta-endorphin (beta-end like) concentration in cerebrospinal fluid of rats with vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The chronic stage of vasospasm occurring several days after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is characterized by the development of histopathologic changes in cerebral arteries causing cerebral ischemia. Numerous experimental data indicate the involvement of immune mechanisms in the angiopathy caused by SAH. Endogenous opioids play also an important role in the ischemic lesions of the brain. Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) induces the release of beta-endorphin (beta-END) from hypothalamic neurons and also from mononuclear white blood cells. The function of CRH and beta-END in vasospasm following SAH and the interrelationship between neuroendocrine and immune changes requires further elucidation. In the present study we investigated the influence of CRH injected into cerebral cisterna magna (CM) of rats on beta-END-like level in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in acute and chronic phase of cerebral vasospasm following artificial SAH. Acutely CRH induced a significant rise of beta-END-like in CSF both in SAH and sham SAH rats. However, in rats subjected to SAH, a single injection of CRH caused a prolonged rise of 5-END in CSF, which was also seen 2 days after SAH, during the chronic phase of vasospasm. The obtained results indicate that CRH increases neuroendocrine changes induced by SAH, probably by an activation of immune cells involved in the patomechanism of chronic vasospasm.     

Dynamic Alterations of Cerebral Pial Microcirculation During Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

The study aimed to investigate the involvement of cerebral microcirculation turbulence after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Wistar rats were divided into non-SAH and SAH groups. Autologous arterial hemolysate was injected into rat’s cisterna magna to induce SAH. Changes of pial microcirculation within 2 h were observed. It was found that there were no obvious changes of the diameters, flow velocity, and fluid state of microvessels in non-SAH group. With the exception of rare linear-granular flow in A4 arteriole, linear flow was observed in most of the arterioles. There was no blood agglutination in any of the arterioles. After SAH, abnormal cerebral pial microcirculation was found. Spasm of microvessels, decreased blood flow, and agglutination of red blood cells occurred. Five minutes following the induction of SAH, the diameters of the arterioles and venules significantly decreased. The decreased diameters persisted for 2 h after cisternal injection. Decreased flow velocity of venules was found from 5 to 90 min after induction of SAH. Spasm of the basilar artery and increased brain malondialdehyde were also found after SAH. We concluded that cerebral microcirculation turbulence plays an important role in the development of secondary cerebral ischemia following SAH.