Glutathione and Ascorbate During Ischemia and Postischemic Reperfusion in Rat Brain

Thirty minutes of total cerebral ischemia (decapitation) decreased total glutathione (GSH + GSSG) by 7% but had no detectable effect on the concentration of oxidized glutathione (GSSG), reduced ascorbate, or total ascorbate. In a model of reversible, bilateral hemispheric ischemia (four-vessel occlusion) no changes in glutathione or ascorbate were detected after 30 min of ischemia. During 24 h of reperfusion following such an insult no detectable change in total ascorbate, reduced ascorbate, or oxidized glutathione was noted; however, total brain glutathione declined by 25%. The findings are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that the deleterious effects of ischemia are due to an increase in free radical production which in turn leads to increased lipid peroxidation.     

Pigment architecture of the human telencephalic cortex

Summary Cortical lamination and parcellation of the retrosplenial region in the human brain is evaluated with the aid of frontal serial sections stained for nerve cells (15 m), myelin sheaths (100 m), and lipofuscin granules (800 m).For the most part, the retrosplenial region is buried in the depth of the sulcus corporis callosi covering the posterior parts of the cingulate gyrus. It lies between the supracallosal derivatives of the allocortex (fascia dentata, cornu ammonis, subiculum) and the mature parietal isocortex.The region can be subdivided into five areas. The transitory periallocortical Area ectosplenialis is followed by a richly differentiated proisocortical core displaying extremely externopyramidal, externoteniate, and astriate to unitostriate characteristics. The parvocellular core is averagely poor in pigment (Typus clarus) and rich in myelinated fibres (Typus dives). Minor structural differences allow for its subdivision into a lateral, an intermediate, and a medial retrosplenial field. The accompanying Area parasplenialis is adjacent to the equoteniate parietal isocortex. It is only weakly externopyramidal, externoteniate, and propebistriate. The already homotypical field shows an average pigmentation and myelin content. These structural features permit its classification as a belt area of the retrosplenial core.Supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

Anticoagulation for the Acute Management of Ischemic Stroke

Few prospective studies support the use of anticoagulation during the acute phase of ischemic stroke, though observational data suggest a role in certain populations. Depending on the mechanism of stroke, systemic anticoagulation may prevent recurrent cerebral infarction, but concomitantly carries a risk of hemorrhagic transformation. In this article, we describe a case where anticoagulation shows promise for ischemic stroke and review the evidence that has discredited its use in some circumstances while showing its potential in others.     

Melatonin against acute ischaemic stroke dependently via suppressing both inflammatory and oxidative stress downstream signallings

This study tested the hypothesis that melatonin (Mel) therapy preserved the brain architectural and functional integrity against ischaemic stroke (IS) dependently through suppressing the inflammatory/oxidative stress downstream signalling pathways. Adult male B6 (n = 6 per each B6 group) and TLR4 knockout (ie TLR4^?/?) (n = 6 per each TLR4^?/? group) mice were categorized into sham control (SC^B6), SC^TLR4?/?, IS^B6, IS^TLR4?/?, IS^B6 + Mel (i.p. daily administration) and IS^TLR4?/? + Mel (i.p. daily administration). By day 28 after IS, the protein expressions of inflammatory (HMBG1/TLR2/TLR4/MAL/MyD88/RAM TRIF/TRAF6/IKK‐α/p‐NF‐κB/nuclear‐NF‐κB/nuclear‐IRF‐3&7/IL‐1β/IL‐6/TNF‐α/IFN‐γ) and oxidative stress (NOX‐1/NOX‐2/ASK1/p‐MKK4&7/p‐JNK/p‐c‐JUN) downstream pathways as well as mitochondrial‐damaged markers (cytosolic cytochrome C/cyclophilin D/SRP1/autophagy) were highest in group IS^B6, lowest in groups SC^B6 and SC^TLR4?/?, lower in group IS^TLR4?/? + Mel than in groups IS^TLR4?/? and IS^B6 + Mel and lower in group IS^B6 + Mel than in group IS^TLR4?/? (all P < .0001). The brain infarct volume, brain infarct area and the number of inflammatory cells in brain (CD14/F4‐88) and in circulation (MPO+//Ly6C+/CD11b+//Ly6G+/CD11b+) exhibited an identical pattern, whereas the neurological function displayed an opposite pattern of inflammatory protein expression among the six groups (all P < .0001). In conclusion, TLR inflammatory and oxidative stress signallings played crucial roles for brain damage and impaired neurological function after IS that were significantly reversed by Mel therapy.     

VEGF signalling enhances lesion burden in KRIT1 deficient mice

The exact molecular mechanisms underlying CCM pathogenesis remain a complicated and controversial topic. Our previous work illustrated an important VEGF signalling loop in KRIT1 depleted endothelial cells. As VEGF is a major mediator of many vascular pathologies, we asked whether the increased VEGF signalling downstream of KRIT1 depletion was involved in CCM formation. Using an inducible KRIT1 endothelial‐specific knockout mouse that models CCM, we show that VEGFR2 activation plays a role in CCM pathogenesis in mice. Inhibition of VEGFR2 using a specific inhibitor, SU5416, significantly decreased the number of lesions formed and slightly lowered the average lesion size. Notably, VEGFR2 inhibition also decreased the appearance of lesion haemorrhage as denoted by the presence of free iron in adjacent tissues. The presence of free iron correlated with increased microvessel permeability in both skeletal muscle and brain, which was completely reversed by SU5416 treatment. Finally, we show that VEGFR2 activation is a common downstream consequence of KRIT1, CCM2 and CCM3 loss of function, though the mechanism by which VEGFR2 activation occurs likely varies. Thus, our study clearly shows that VEGFR2 activation downstream of KRIT1 depletion enhances the severity of CCM formation in mice, and suggests that targeting VEGF signalling may be a potential future therapy for CCM.     

Synthesis of Novel Aryloxyethylamine Derivatives and Evaluation of Their in Vitro and in Vivo Neuroprotective Activities

A series of aryloxyethylamine derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their biological activity. Their structures were confirmed by ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, FT‐IR and HR‐ESI‐MS. The preliminary screening of neuroprotection of compounds in vitro was detected by MTT, and the anti‐ischemic activity in vivo was tested using bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in mice. Most of these compounds showed potential neuroprotective effects against the glutamate‐induced cell death in differentiated rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells), especially for (4‐fluorophenyl){1‐[2‐(4‐methoxyphenoxy)ethyl]piperidin‐4‐yl}methanone, {1‐[2‐(4‐methoxyphenoxy)ethyl]piperidin‐4‐yl}(4‐methoxyphenyl)methanone, (4‐bromophenyl){1‐[2‐(4‐methoxyphenoxy)ethyl]piperidin‐4‐yl}methanone, {1‐[2‐(4‐chlorophenoxy)ethyl]piperidin‐4‐yl}(4‐chlorophenyl)methanone, (4‐chlorophenyl)(1‐{2‐[(naphthalen‐2‐yl)oxy]ethyl}piperidin‐4‐yl)methanone, (4‐chlorophenyl){1‐[2‐(4‐methoxyphenoxy)ethyl]piperidin‐4‐yl}methanone and {1‐[2‐(4‐bromophenoxy)ethyl]piperidin‐4‐yl}(4‐chlorophenyl)methanone, which exhibited potent protection of PC12 cells at three doses (0.1, 1.0, 10 μM). Compounds (4‐fluorophenyl){1‐[2‐(4‐methoxyphenoxy)ethyl]piperidin‐4‐yl}methanone, (4‐fluorophenyl){1‐[2‐(naphthalen‐2‐yloxy)ethyl]piperidin‐4‐yl}methanone, {1‐[2‐(4‐methoxyphenoxy)ethyl]piperidin‐4‐yl}(4‐methoxyphenyl)methanone and {1‐[2‐(4‐chlorophenoxy)ethyl]piperidin‐4‐yl}(4‐chlorophenyl)methanone possessed the significant prolongation of the survival time of mice subjected to acute cerebral ischemia and decreased the mortality rate at all five doses tested (200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5 mg/kg) and had significant neuroprotective activity. In addition, (4‐fluorophenyl){1‐[2‐(4‐methoxyphenoxy)ethyl]piperidin‐4‐yl}methanone, {1‐[2‐(4‐methoxyphenoxy)ethyl]piperidin‐4‐yl}(4‐methoxyphenyl)methanone and {1‐[2‐(4‐chlorophenoxy)ethyl]piperidin‐4‐yl}(4‐chlorophenyl)methanone possessed outstanding neuroprotection in vitro and in vivo. These compounds can be used as a promising neuroprotective agents for future development of new anti‐ischemic stroke agents. Basic structure–activity relationships are also presented.     

加味星蒌承气汤对急性缺血性脑卒中患者神经功能及血脂、血液流变学的影响

目的:探讨加味星蒌承气汤对急性缺血性脑卒中患者神经功能及血脂、血液流变学的影响。方法:选取2017年8月～2019年6月期间我院收治的急性缺血性脑卒中患者96例,将入选患者根据随机数字表法分为对照组(n=48)和研究组(n=48),对照组患者予以常规西医治疗,研究组患者在对照组基础上联合加味星蒌承气汤治疗,对比两组患者疗效、神经功能及血脂、血液流变学情况,记录两组患者治疗期间不良反应情况。结果:研究组治疗8 d后的临床总有效率为91.67%(44/48),显著高于对照组患者的72.92%(35/48)(P0.05)。两组治疗8 d后加拿大神经功能评分量表(CNS)、美国国立卫生研究所卒中量表(NIHSS)评分均下降(P0.05),且研究组低于对照组(P0.05)。两组治疗8 d后总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、甘油三酯(TG)、全血黏度高切、全血黏度低切、血浆黏度、纤维蛋白原均下降(P0.05),且研究组低于对照组(P0.05);高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)升高(P0.05),且研究组高于对照组(P0.05)。两组不良反应发生率比较无明显差异(P0.05)。结论:急性缺血性脑卒中患者采用加味星蒌承气汤治疗,疗效显著,可有效改善患者神经功能及血脂、血液流变学,且安全性较好。     

阿替普酶联合依达拉奉治疗急性缺血性卒中的疗效及神经功能缺损与时间窗的关系研究

目的:探讨阿替普酶联合依达拉奉治疗急性缺血性卒中的疗效及神经功能缺损与时间窗的关系。方法:选取大连医科大学附属大连市中心医院于2016年3月~2018年10月间收治的急性缺血性卒中患者117例,根据随机数字表法将患者分为对照组(n=58,阿替普酶治疗)和研究组(n=59,阿替普酶联合依达拉奉治疗),比较两组患者临床疗效、神经功能缺损情况、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)、白介素-6(IL-6)水平、头颅CT梗死面积,观察两组治疗期间不良反应发生情况。结果:研究组的总有效率为84.75%(50/59),高于对照组的63.79%(37/58)(P<0.05)。两组患者治疗2周后MMP-9、IL-6、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分均较治疗前降低,且研究组低于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组治疗24h、48h、72h的头颅CT梗死面积小于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后研究组发病72h内、发病48h内患者NIHSS评分、头颅CT梗死面积高于发病24h内,且发病72h内高于发病48h内(P<0.05)。两组患者不良反应发生率比较无差异(P>0.05)。结论:阿替普酶联合依达拉奉治疗急性缺血性卒中,疗效确切,可有效改善患者过氧化损伤,降低细胞因子水平,且越早的时间窗内接受治疗的患者,其神经功能缺损、脑梗死面积改善效果越好。     

心力衰竭致认知功能紊乱机制的研究进展

心力衰竭(Heart Failure, HF)的主要特征在于异常的心脏收缩和(或)舒张功能,能够导致全身多脏器、多组织功能紊乱。其中HF常见的中枢系统并发症--认知功能紊乱(Cognitive Disorders, CDs)主要表现为学习能力和记忆力减退、定向力障碍以及执行力受损等;其主要病理生理机制包括:血流动力学改变及脑血流自身调节功能受损导致的脑灌注不足、自身免疫系统激活导致的神经炎症反应和神经-内分泌轴紊乱导致的内分泌紊乱等。流行病学调查发现,HF患者罹患CDs的风险明显高于非HF患者;CDs严重影响HF患者的生活质量,并显著增加不良预后的风险。本文对目前HF导致CDs的发病机制进行了详细地阐述和总结,以期有助于疾病的治疗和后续科学研究。     

脑缺血大鼠肺组织NGF/TrkA表达变化及其意义

目的:探讨大鼠脑缺血后肺组织神经生长因子(nerve growth factor,NGF)/酪氨酸蛋白激酶A(tropomyosin-related kinase A,TrkA)表达的变化。方法:成年雄性大鼠随机分为假手术组和脑缺血后6 h、24 h及48 h组,每组8只。建立大脑中动脉永久性局灶性缺血模型,术后于各时间点麻醉处死大鼠后,测定肺组织湿重/干重(W/D),光镜下观察HE染色肺组织病理学改变;Western blot法检测肺组织NGF、TrkA蛋白表达。结果:与假手术组相比,脑缺血后6 h肺组织W/D有增加,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),而脑缺血后24 h及48 h肺组织W/D均有显著增高(P<0.05),其中以24 h组最明显(P<0.01);脑缺血后6 h肺组织出现轻度充血、水肿及炎性改变,24 h及48 h组肺泡结构破坏明显。病理学评分结果显示,脑缺血后24 h及48 h组大鼠肺组织病理评分较假手术组显著升高(P<0.05);Western blot法显示,脑缺血6 h肺组织中NGF表达增加(P<0.05),48 h时表达有下降趋势,但仍高于假手术组(P<0.05)。而肺组织中TrkA表达在脑缺血6h有下降(P>0.05),24 h下降明显(P<0.05),48 h时TrkA蛋白表达虽有上升,仍显著低于假手术组(P<0.05)。结论:大鼠肺组织NGF/TrkA的动态变化可能参与了脑缺血后肺损伤的病理生理过程。