Treadmill Pre-Training Ameliorates Brain Edema in Ischemic Stroke via Down-Regulation of Aquaporin-4: An MRI Study in Rats

Objective

Treadmill pre-training can ameliorate blood brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction in ischemia-reperfusion injury, however, its role in ischemic brain edema remains unclear. This study assessed the neuroprotective effects induced by treadmill pre-training, particularly on brain edema in transient middle cerebral artery occluded model.

Methods

Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion to induce stroke was performed on rats after 2 weeks of treadmill pre-training. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate the dynamic impairment of cerebral edema after ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, measurements of wet and dry brain weight, Evans Blue assay and Garcia scores were performed to investigate the cerebral water content, BBB permeability and neurologic deficit, respectively. Moreover, during ischemia-reperfusion injury, the expression of Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) was detected using immunofluorescence and Western bloting analyses.

Results

Treadmill pre-training improved the relative apparent diffusion coefficient (rADC) loss in the ipsilateral cortex and striatum at 1 hour and 2.5 hours after cerebral ischemia. In the treadmill pre-training group, T2W1 values of the ipsilateral cortex and striatum increased less at 7.5 hours, 1 day, and 2 days after stroke while the brain water content decreased at 2 days after ischemia. Regarding the BBB permeability, the semi-quantitative amount of contrast agent leakage of treadmill pre-training group significantly decreased. Less Evans Blue exudation was also observed in treadmill pre-training group at 2 days after stroke. In addition, treadmill pre-training mitigated the Garcia score deficits at 2 days after stroke. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting results showed a significant decrease in the expression of AQP4 after treadmill ischemia following pre-training.

Conclusions

Treadmill pre-training may reduce cerebral edema and BBB dysfunction during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury via the down-regulation of AQP4.     

Morning attenuation in cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity in healthy humans is associated with a lowered cerebral oxygenation and an augmented ventilatory response to CO2.

We hypothesized that, in healthy subjects without pharmacological intervention, an overnight reduction in cerebrovascular CO(2) reactivity would be associated with an elevated hypercapnic ventilatory [ventilation (VE)] responsiveness and a reduction in cerebral oxygenation. In 20 healthy male individuals with no sleep-related disorders, continuous recordings of blood velocity in the middle cerebral artery, arterial blood pressure, VE, end-tidal gases, and frontal cortical oxygenation using near infrared spectroscopy were monitored during hypercapnia (inspired CO(2), 5%), hypoxia [arterial O(2) saturation (Sa(O(2))) approximately 84%], and during a 20-s breath hold to investigate the related responses to hypercapnia, hypoxia, and apnea, respectively. Measurements were conducted in the evening (6-8 PM) and in the early morning (6-8 AM). From evening to morning, the cerebrovascular reactivity to hypercapnia was reduced (5.3 +/- 0.6 vs. 4.6 +/- 1.1%/Torr; P < 0.05) and was associated with a reduced increase in cerebral oxygenation (r = 0.39; P < 0.05) and an elevated morning hypercapnic VE response (r = 0.54; P < 0.05). While there were no overnight changes in cerebrovascular reactivity or VE response to hypoxia, there was greater cerebral desaturation for a given Sa(O(2)) in the morning (AM, -0.45 +/- 0.14 vs. PM, -0.35 +/- 0.14%/Sa(O(2)); P < 0.05). Following the 20-s breath hold, in the morning, there was a smaller surge middle cerebral artery velocity and cerebral oxygenation (P < 0.05 vs. PM). These data indicate that normal diurnal changes in the cerebrovascular response to CO(2) influence the hypercapnic ventilatory response as well as the level of cerebral oxygenation during changes in arterial Pco(2); this may be a contributing factor for diurnal changes in breathing stability and the high incidence of stroke in the morning.     

Effect of carbon dioxide on neonatal mouse lung: a genomic approach.

Despite the deleterious effects associated with elevated carbon dioxide (CO(2)) or hypercapnia, it has been hypothesized that CO(2) can protect the lung from injury. However, the effects of chronic hypercapnia on the neonatal lung are unknown. Hence, we investigated the effect of chronic hypercapnia on neonatal mouse lung to identify genes that could potentially contribute to hypercapnia-mediated lung protection. Newborn mouse litters were exposed to 8% CO(2), 12% CO(2), or room air for 2 wk. Lungs were excised and analyzed for morphometric alterations. The alveolar walls of CO(2)-exposed mice appeared thinner than those of controls. Analyses of gene expression differences by microarrays revealed that genes from a variety of functional categories were differentially expressed following hypercapnia treatment, including those encoding growth factors, chemokines, cytokines, and endopeptidases. In particular and of major interest, the expression level of genes encoding surfactant proteins A and D, as well as chloride channel calcium-activated 3, were significantly increased, but the expression of WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 2 was significantly decreased. The significant changes in gene expression occurred mostly at 8% CO(2), but only a few at 12% CO(2). Our results lead us to conclude that 1) there are a number of gene families that may contribute to hypercapnia-mediated lung protection; 2) the upregulation of surfactant proteins A and D may play a role as anti-inflammatory or antioxidant agents; and 3) the effects of CO(2) seem to depend on the level to which the lung is exposed.     

Effect of hypercapnia on cerebral blood flow and blood volume in pigs studied by positron emission tomography

Pigs are increasingly used as in vivo models in neuroscience, including studies using positron emission tomography. During anesthesia, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) are mainly regulated by the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) in arterial blood. We sought to determine the effects of increased arterial pCO2 (hypercapnia) on CBF and CBV in anesthetized domestic pigs. We anesthetized 4 pigs and manipulated the tidal volume of the ventilator to different pCO2 levels. Baseline pCO2 was on average 6.5 kPa (n = 9 periods) and hypercapnia pCO2 ranged from 11 to 20 kPa, mean 18.5 kPa (n = 9 periods). Series of dynamic PET scans with H(2)15O (CBF measurements) and C15O (CBV measurements) were performed. CBF increased on average 54%, from mean 0.48 ml blood/min/ml brain tissue during normoxia to 0.74 ml blood/min/ml brain tissue during hypercapnia. CBV increased 41% from mean 0.061 ml blood/ml brain tissue (n = 6) during normoxia to 0.086 ml blood/ml brain tissue (n = 6) during hypercapnia. Our observations indicate that pCO2 levels have a major influence on porcine CBF and CBV and should be controlled in studies where a constant level is crucial.     

Blood to brain transport after newborn cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

These experiments examine the transfer of urea, sodium, and sucrose from blood to brain in an animal model of newborn cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Cerebral ischemia (20 min) was produced in anesthetized, ventilated piglets by increasing intracranial pressure above mean arterial blood pressure, thereby reducing cerebral perfusion pressure to zero. The blood to brain transfer of urea, sodium, and sucrose was then measured in sham control piglets and at 30 min and 2 hr of reperfusion following ischemia. At 30 min of reperfusion, urea and sodium transfer were increased while sucrose transfer was unchanged. However, at 2 hr of reperfusion, transfer of all three tracers was elevated. The difference in the time course of increased transport of these substances into the brain following ischemia cannot be explained by size differences, indicating that changes in the blood-brain barrier following ischemia are more complex than merely opening junctions between cells and creating leaky sites. Alterations in blood-brain barrier transport could participate in altered neuronal function after ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Increased cerebral uptake and oxidation of exogenous betaHB improves ATP following traumatic brain injury in adult rats

There is growing evidence of the brain's ability to increase its reliance on alternative metabolic substrates under conditions of energy stress such as starvation, hypoxia and ischemia. We hypothesized that following traumatic brain injury (TBI), which results in immediate changes in energy metabolism, the adult brain increases uptake and oxidation of the alternative substrate beta-hydroxybutyrate (betaHB). Arterio-venous differences were used to determine global cerebral uptake of betaHB and production of 14CO2 from [14C]3-betaHB 3 h after controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury. Quantitative bioluminescence was used to assess regional changes in ATP concentration. As expected, adult sham and CCI animals with only endogenously available betaHB showed no significant increase in cerebral uptake of betaHB or 14CO2 production. Increasing arterial betaHB concentrations 2.9-fold with 3 h of betaHB infusion failed to increase cerebral uptake of betaHB or 14CO2 production in adult sham animals. Only CCI animals that received a 3-h betaHB infusion showed an 8.5-fold increase in cerebral uptake of betaHB and greater than 10.7-fold increase in 14CO2 production relative to sham betaHB-infused animals. The TBI-induced 20% decrease in ipsilateral cortical ATP concentration was alleviated by 3 h of betaHB infusion beginning immediately after CCI injury.     

Sympathetic regulation of the human cerebrovascular response to carbon dioxide

Although the cerebrovasculature is known to be exquisitely sensitive to CO(2), there is no consensus on whether the sympathetic nervous system plays a role in regulating cerebrovascular responses to changes in arterial CO(2). To address this question, we investigated human cerebrovascular CO(2) reactivity in healthy participants randomly assigned to the α(1)-adrenoreceptor blockade group (9 participants; oral prazosin, 0.05 mg/kg) or the placebo control (9 participants) group. We recorded mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), mean middle cerebral artery flow velocity (MCA(V mean)), and partial pressure of end-tidal CO(2) (Pet(CO(2))) during 5% CO(2) inhalation and voluntary hyperventilation. CO(2) reactivity was quantified as the slope of the linear relationship between breath-to-breath Pet(CO(2)) and the average MCAv(mean) within successive breathes after accounting for MAP as a covariate. Prazosin did not alter resting HR, Pet(CO(2)), MAP, or MCA(V mean). The reduction in hypocapnic CO(2) reactivity following prazosin (-0.48 ± 0.093 cm·s(-1)·mmHg(-1)) was greater compared with placebo (-0.19 ± 0.087 cm·s(-1)·mmHg(-1); P < 0.05 for interaction). In contrast, the change in hypercapnic CO(2) reactivity following prazosin (-0.23 cm·s(-1)·mmHg(-1)) was similar to placebo (-0.31 cm·s(-1)·mmHg(-1); P = 0.50 for interaction). These data indicate that the sympathetic nervous system contributes to CO(2) reactivity via α(1)-adrenoreceptors; blocking this pathway with prazosin reduces CO(2) reactivity to hypocapnia but not hypercapnia.     

Prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal programming: effects on neuroendocrine and immune function

Alcohol abuse is known to result in clinical abnormalities of endocrine function and neuroendocrine regulation. However, most studies have been conducted on males. Only recently have studies begun to investigate the influence of alcohol on endocrine function in females and, more specifically, endocrine function during pregnancy. Alcohol-induced endocrine imbalances may contribute to the etiology of fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol crosses the placenta and can directly affect developing fetal cells and tissues. Alcohol-induced changes in maternal endocrine function can disrupt maternal-fetal hormonal interactions and affect the female's ability to maintain a successful pregnancy, thus indirectly affecting the fetus. In this review, we focus on the adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on neuroendocrine and immune function, with particular emphasis on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the concept of fetal programming. The HPA axis is highly susceptible to programming during fetal development. Early environmental experiences, including exposure to alcohol, can reprogram the HPA axis such that HPA tone is increased throughout life. We present data that demonstrate that maternal alcohol consumption increases HPA activity in both the maternal female and the offspring. Increased exposure to endogenous glucocorticoids throughout the lifespan can alter behavioral and physiologic responsiveness and increase vulnerability to illnesses or disorders later in life. Alterations in immune function may be one of the long-term consequences of fetal HPA programming. We discuss studies that demonstrate the adverse effects of alcohol on immune competence and the increased vulnerability of ethanol-exposed offspring to the immunosuppressive effects of stress. Fetal programming of HPA activity may underlie some of the long-term behavioral, cognitive, and immune deficits that are observed following prenatal alcohol exposure.     

CD38 exacerbates focal cytokine production, postischemic inflammation and brain injury after focal cerebral ischemia

Background

Converging evidence suggests that inflammatory processes significantly influence brain injury and clinical impairment in ischemic stroke. Although early studies suggested a key role of lymphocytes, recent data has emphasized the orchestrating function of innate immunity, i.e., macrophages and microglia. The bifunctional receptor and ectoenzyme CD38 synthesizes calcium-mobilizing second messengers (e.g., cyclic ADP-ribose), which have been shown to be necessary for activation and migration of myeloid immune cells. Therefore, we investigated the dynamics of CD38 in stroke and the impact of CD38-deficiency on cytokine production, inflammation and cerebral damage in a mouse model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We show that the local expression of the chemokine MCP-1 was attenuated in CD38-deficient mice compared with wildtype mice after focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. In contrast, no significant induction of MCP-1 expression was observed in peripheral blood after 6 hours. Flow cytometry analysis revealed less infiltrating macrophages and lymphocytes in the ischemic hemisphere of CD38-deficient mice, whereas the amount of resident microglia was unaltered. An up-regulation of CD38 expression was observed in macrophages and CD8⁺ cells after focal cerebral ischemia in wildtype mice, whereas CD38 expression was unchanged in microglia. Finally, we demonstrate that CD38-deficiency decreases the cerebral ischemic injury and the persistent neurological deficit after three days of reperfusion in this murine temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model.

Conclusion/Significance

CD38 is differentially regulated following stroke and its deficiency attenuates the postischemic chemokine production, the immune cell infiltration and the cerebral injury after temporary ischemia and reperfusion. Therefore CD38 might prove a therapeutic target in ischemic stroke.     

内源性硫化氢在中枢神经系统中的作用研究进展

硫化氢是继NO和CO之后发现的又一种新的气体信号分子,其被认为是一种神经递质,在中枢神经系统中起着重要的作用。内源性H2S主要由胱硫醚-β合酶(CBS)和胱硫醚γ-裂解酶(CSE)合成,其不仅可以直接作用于中枢神经系统发挥作用,还能通过抗氧化、调节神经内分泌及脑血管功能,进而间接影响中枢神经系统功能,具有广泛的生理作用。近年来,越来越多的研究发现内源性H2S在AD、热惊厥、PD、脑卒中、缺血再灌注脑损伤及遗传性疾病脑损害等神经系统疾病的发病过程中也起着重要作用。本文简要介绍H2S的生化和生理特点,并总结其在中枢神经系统中作用的进展。     

Enhanced expression of P2X4 purinoceptors in pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampal CA1 region may be involved ischemia-reperfusion injury

Ischemic stroke is the most serious disease that harms human beings. In principle, its treatment is to restore blood flow supply as soon as possible. However, after the blood flow is restored, it will lead to secondary brain injury, that is, ischemia-reperfusion injury. The mechanism of ischemia-reperfusion injury is very complicated. This study showed that P2X4 receptors in the pyramidal neurons of rat hippocampus were significantly upregulated in the early stage of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Neurons with high expression of P2X4 receptors are neurons that are undergoing apoptosis. Intraventricular injection of the P2X4 receptor antagonist 5-(3-bromophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzofuro[3,2-e]-1,4-diazepin-2-one (5-BDBD) and PSB-12062 can partially block neuronal apoptosis, to promote the survival of neurons, indicating that ATP through P2X4 receptors is involved in the process of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Therefore, identifying the mechanism of neuronal degeneration induced by extracellular ATP via P2X4 receptors after ischemia-reperfusion will likely find new targets for the treatment of ischemia-reperfusion injury, and will provide a useful theoretical basis for the treatment of ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Variations in prostaglandin E content in the arterial blood and cerebrospinal fluid under conditions of hypo- and hypercapnia

A marked increase in the prostaglandin E (PGE) content in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the arterial blood of cats was observed under conditions of 3-minute hypocapnia. During 30-minute hypocapnia a restoration of the initial PGE level was seen. The PGE content in CSF increased while in the arterial blood it decreased comparatively to the control under conditions of 3-minute hypercapnia. In 30-minute hypercapnia the PGE amount in the CSF and the blood dropped in comparison with 3-minute hypercapnia being below the basal level in the blood. It is suggested that in hypocapnia PGE should limit its constrictive effect on the cerebral vessels while under conditions of hypercapnia they are to promote the realization of the cerebral vessel reaction to CO2.     

Effects of ischemia/reperfusion on brain tissue prostanoids and leukotrienes in newborn pigs.

We investigated the hypothesis that cerebral prostanoid and peptidoleukotriene (LTs) (LTC4/D4/E4/F4) synthesis are increased during postischemic reperfusion of newborn pig brains. Prostanoids and LTs extracted from brain tissue were determined by RIA in sham-control piglets and at 1h, 3h, or 12h after a 20-min period of total cerebral ischemia. During reperfusion following ischemia, all regional brain tissue (cerebrum, brain stem and cerebellum) prostanoids (6-keto-PGF1 alpha, TXB2, PGE2 and PGF2 alpha) were increased at 1h compared with those in sham-control piglets. Only cerebral and brain stem 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and cerebral TXB2 remained elevated at 3h postischemia and all prostanoids returned to control levels by 12h postischemia. Brain tissue LTs were lower than prostanoids and were not altered 1, 3, or 12h following ischemia. These data indicate that 1) newborn pig brain tissue prostanoids are increased initially, and then returned to control levels at later stages of reperfusion following ischemia; 2) LTs are present in newborn pig brain tissue, but are not increased by ischemia/reperfusion injury and therefore probably do not play a significant role in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Brain oxytocin inhibits the (re)activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in male rats: involvement of hypothalamic and limbic brain regions

In response to various stressors, oxytocin is released not only into blood, but also within hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic limbic brain regions. Here, we describe the involvement of intracerebrally released oxytocin in the regulation of the activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by infusion of the oxytocin receptor antagonist (des Gly-NH(2) d(CH(2))(5) [Tyr(Me)(2), Thr(4)] OVT; pH 7.4; Dr. M. Manning, Toledo, OH, USA) either into the lateral cerebral ventricle (icv[0.75 microg/5 microl,]) or via retrodialysis (10 microg/ml, 3.3 microl/min, 15 min) into the hypothalamic paraventricular nuclei (PVN), the medio-lateral septum or the amygdala. Male Wistar rats fitted with a chronic jugular vein catheter and an icv guide cannula or a microdialysis probe targeting the respective brain region 4 days prior to the experiment were blood sampled under basal as well as stressful conditions. Rats were exposed to the elevated platform (emotional stressor) and/or to forced swimming (combined physical and emotional stressor). Blockade of the receptor-mediated action of endogenous oxytocin within the PVN resulted in an enhanced basal secretion of ACTH whereas, in response to forced swimming, ACTH secretion was rather reduced, indicating a tonic inhibitory effect of OXT on basal HPA axis activity, but a potentiating action under conditions of stress. Within the medio-lateral septum, antagonist treatment did not alter basal ACTH secretion, but significantly disinhibited ACTH secretion in response to the elevated platform, but not to forced swimming. Within the amygdala, no significant effects either on basal or stress-induced HPA axis activity could be found. The results indicate a differential involvement of brain oxytocin in the regulation of the HPA axis activity which depends both on the site of intracerebral oxytocin release and the stressor the animals are exposed to.     

Alterations in cerebral dynamics at high altitude following partial acclimatization in humans: wakefulness and sleep.

We tested the hypothesis that, following exposure to high altitude, cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 and cerebral autoregulation would be attenuated. Such alterations may predispose to central sleep apnea at high altitude by promoting changes in brain PCO2 and thus breathing stability. We measured middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (MCAv; transcranial Doppler ultrasound) and arterial blood pressure during wakefulness in conditions of eucapnia (room air), hypocapnia (voluntary hyperventilation), and hypercapnia (isooxic rebeathing), and also during non-rapid eye movement (stage 2) sleep at low altitude (1,400 m) and at high altitude (3,840 m) in five individuals. At each altitude, sleep was studied using full polysomnography, and resting arterial blood gases were obtained. During wakefulness and polysomnographic-monitored sleep, dynamic cerebral autoregulation and steady-state changes in MCAv in relation to changes in blood pressure were evaluated using transfer function analysis. High altitude was associated with an increase in central sleep apnea index (0.2 +/- 0.4 to 20.7 +/- 23.2 per hour) and an increase in mean blood pressure and cerebrovascular resistance during wakefulness and sleep. MCAv was unchanged during wakefulness, whereas there was a greater decrease during sleep at high altitude compared with low altitude (-9.1 +/- 1.7 vs. -4.8 +/- 0.7 cm/s; P < 0.05). At high altitude, compared with low altitude, the cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 in the hypercapnic range was unchanged (5.5 +/- 0.7 vs. 5.3 +/- 0.7%/mmHg; P = 0.06), while it was lowered in the hypocapnic range (3.1 +/- 0.7 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.6%/mmHg; P < 0.05). Dynamic cerebral autoregulation was further reduced during sleep (P < 0.05 vs. low altitude). Lowered cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 and reduction in both dynamic cerebral autoregulation and MCAv during sleep at high altitude may be factors in the pathogenesis of breathing instability.     

Prevention and repair of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by Chinese herbal medicine, Shengmai San, in rats

The protective activity of Shengmai San, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, was studied in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Shengmai San consists of three herbal components, Panax Ginseng, Ophiopogon Japonicus and Schisandra Chinensis and is routinely being used for treating coronary heart disease.

When Shengmai San was injected directly into rat duodenum 2 h before cerebral ischemia by bilateral carotid artery occlusion, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) formation during reperfusion following ischemia was almost completely suppressed in the brain. The loss of glutathione perioxidase activity after the ischemia-reperfusion was also effectively prevented by the Shengmai San pre-administration whereas the activity was considerably decreased in the damaged brain.

It was found that Shengmai San also effectively suppressed the TBARS formation even when it was administered after 45 min reperfusion following ischemia, indicating that Shengmai San improves the oxidative damage already established in the brain. Likewise, the decrease of glutathione peroxidase activity was minimized in the damaged brain by the post-administration of Shengmai San.

On the other hand, none of the Shengmai San components were active in protecting the ischemia-reperfusion brain damage when they were independently administered.

These experiments suggest the potential of Shengmai San in both preventive and therapeutic usages for cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

The binding of zinc and copper ions to nerve growth factor is differentially affected by pH: implications for cerebral acidosis

It has recently been shown that transition metal cations Zn2+ and Cu2+ bind to histidine residues of nerve growth factor (NGF) and other neurotrophins (a family of proteins important for neuronal survival) leading to their inactivation. Experimental data and theoretical considerations indicate that transition metal cations may destabilize the ionic form of histidine residues within proteins, thereby decreasing their pK(a) values. Because the release of transition metal cations and acidification of the local environment represent important events associated with brain injury, the ability of Zn2+ and Cu2+ to bind to neurotrophins in acidic conditions may alter neuronal death following stroke or as a result of traumatic injury. To test the hypothesis that metal ion binding to neurotrophins is influenced by pH, the effects of Zn2+ and Cu2+ on NGF conformation, receptor binding and NGF tyrosine kinase (trkA) receptor signal transduction were examined under conditions mimicking cerebral acidosis (pH range 5.5-7.4). The inhibitory effect of Zn2+ on biological activities of NGF is lost under acidic conditions. Conversely, the binding of Cu2+ to NGF is relatively independent of pH changes within the studied range. These data demonstrate that Cu2+ has greater binding affinity to NGF than Zn2+ at reduced pH, consistent with the higher affinity of Cu2+ for histidine residues. These findings suggest that cerebral acidosis associated with stroke or traumatic brain injury could neutralize the Zn2+-mediated inactivation of NGF, whereas corresponding pH changes would have little or no influence on the inhibitory effects of Cu2+. The importance of His84 of NGF for transition metal cation binding is demonstrated, confirming the involvement of this residue in metal ion coordination.     

Hypercapnia induces injury to alveolar epithelial cells via a nitric oxide-dependent pathway

Ventilator strategies allowing for increases in carbon dioxide (CO(2)) tensions (hypercapnia) are being emphasized to ameliorate the consequences of inflammatory-mediated lung injury. Inflammatory responses lead to the generation of reactive species including superoxide (O(2)(-)), nitric oxide (.NO), and their product peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)). The reaction of CO(2) and ONOO(-) can yield the nitrosoperoxocarbonate adduct ONOOCO(2)(-), a more potent nitrating species than ONOO(-). Based on these premises, monolayers of fetal rat alveolar epithelial cells were utilized to investigate whether hypercapnia would modify pathways of.NO production and reactivity that impact pulmonary metabolism and function. Stimulated cells exposed to 15% CO(2) (hypercapnia) revealed a significant increase in.NO production and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. Cell 3-nitrotyrosine content as measured by both HPLC and immunofluorescence staining also increased when exposed to these same conditions. Hypercapnia significantly enhanced cell injury as evidenced by impairment of monolayer barrier function and increased induction of apoptosis. These results were attenuated by the NOS inhibitor N-monomethyl-L-arginine. Our studies reveal that hypercapnia modifies.NO-dependent pathways to amplify cell injury. These results affirm the underlying role of.NO in tissue inflammatory reactions and reveal the impact of hypercapnia on inflammatory reactions and its potential detrimental influences.     

PEP-1超氧化物歧化酶对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后Bcl-2的影响

目的：观察细胞穿透肽-铜,锌超氧化物歧化酶（PEP-1-SOD1）预处理对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤的改善作用及其脑保护机制。方法：线栓法建立大鼠局灶性脑缺血6h后再灌注损伤模型,进行神经行为评分,并通过HE染色在光镜下观察神经细胞损伤变化,免疫组化法检测B细胞淋巴瘤基因-2（B—celllymphoma-2,Bcl-2）蛋白的阳性表达。结果：盐水对照组（缺血再灌注组或模型组）神经障碍显著高于假手术组（P〈0．05）,与模型组相比,PEP-1-SOD1预处理组可降低神经障碍评分（P〈0．05）;光镜下,假手术组神经细胞结构正常,PEP-1-SDO1预处理组和缺血再灌注组均有不同程度的缺血再灌注损伤,PEP-1-SOD1预处理组较缺血再灌注组损伤轻;假手术组Bcl-2蛋白表达极弱,缺血再灌注组和PEP-1-SOD1预处理组在脑缺血再灌注后6h在缺血半暗带周围出现Bcl-2蛋白阳性表达,24h达到高峰,48h表达开始减少。与假手术组相比,PEP-1-SOD1预处理组和缺血再灌注组Bcl-2蛋白阳性细胞数显著增多（P〈0．05）;与缺血再灌注组相比,PEP-1-SOD1预处理组Bcl-2蛋白阳性细胞数显著增多（P〈0．05）。结论：PEP-1-SOD1对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用,PEP-1-SOD1可通过上调Bcl-2蛋白的表达发挥脑保护作用。