Changes in Brain Tissue and Behavior Patterns Induced by Single Short-Term Fasting in Mice

In humans, emaciation from long-term dietary deficiencies, such as anorexia, reportedly increases physical activity and brain atrophy. However, the effects of single short-term fasting on brain tissue or behavioral activity patterns remain unclear. To clarify the impact of malnutrition on brain function, we conducted a single short-term fasting study as an anorexia model using male adult mice and determined if changes occurred in migratory behavior as an expression of brain function and in brain tissue structure. Sixteen-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were divided into either the fasted group or the control group. Experiments were conducted in a fixed indoor environment. We examined the effects of fasting on the number of nerve cells, structural changes in the myelin and axon density, and brain atrophy. For behavior observation, the amount of food and water consumed, ingestion time, and the pattern of movement were measured using a time-recording system. The fasted mice showed a significant increase in physical activity and their rhythm of movement was disturbed. Since the brain was in an abnormal state after fasting, mice that were normally active during the night became active regardless of day or night and performed strenuous exercise at a high frequency. The brain weight did not change by a fast, and brain atrophy was not observed. Although no textural change was apparent by fasting, the neuronal neogenesis in the subventricular zone and hippocampus was inhibited, causing disorder of the brain function. A clear association between the suppression of encephalic neuropoiesis and overactivity was not established. However, it is interesting that the results of this study suggest that single short-term fasting has an effect on encephalic neuropoiesis.     

Reduction of Brain Infarction Induced by a Transient Brain Ischemia in mdr1a Knockout Mice

In order to evaluate the functional role of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in cerebral ischemia, both multidrug resistance 1a knockout (KO) mice and wild-type mice were subjected to transient focal ischemia under a constant body and brain temperature about 37°C. The results showed that the volume of brain infarction induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in KO mice was significantly smaller than that seen in wild-type mice, although there were no significant differences in cerebral blood flow, physiological data and on anatomical analysis of cerebrovasculature between both groups. We suggest that multidrug resistance 1a P-gp plays a role for adjusting the expressions of endogenous neuronal cell modulating substances, such as cytokines, neuronal peptides, and others, in the brain, which is consistent with a previous paper (Bobrov et al. Neurosci Lett 24: 6–11, 2008).     

Activation of Brain Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase Contributes to Depressive-Like Behavior Induced by an Intracerebroventricular Injection of Streptozotocin in Mice

Neurochemical Research - There is a lack of information concerning the molecular events underlying the depressive-like effect of an intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (ICV-STZ) in...     

二氧化硫吸入对小鼠脑组织的氧化损伤

对昆明小鼠进行不同浓度SO2 吸入试验 ,然后测定脑组织中还原型谷胱甘肽 (GSH)含量、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶 (GSH Px)活性、超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)活性及脂质过氧化产物丙二醛 (MDA)含量 ,研究SO2 对小鼠中枢神经系统的氧化损伤作用 .雄鼠脑组织匀浆上清液GSH含量在SO2 浓度为 14mg m3 时明显上升 (P <0 0 5 ) ,浓度为 2 8、5 6和 84mg m3 时极显著降低 (P <0 0 1) ,而雌鼠在14和 2 8mg m3 时无明显变化 (P >0 0 5 ) ,在 5 6和 84mg m3 时极显著降低 (P <0 0 1) .雌雄小鼠的GSH Px活性在 14和 2 8mg m3 时无明显变化 (P >0 0 5 ) ,在 5 6、84mg m3 时均极显著降低 (P <0 0 1,P <0 0 0 1) .在SO2 上述 4种吸入浓度下 ,雌雄小鼠的SOD活性均显著降低 (P <0 0 5 )或极显著降低 (P <0 0 1,P <0 0 0 1) ;雄鼠和雌鼠的脂质过氧化产物丙二醛 (MDA)含量均极显著增高 (P <0 0 1,P <0 0 0 1) .结果表明 ,小鼠脑组织对SO2 的氧化损伤作用非常敏感 ,是SO2 的靶器官之一 ,SO2 的污染可能与某些脑疾患有关     

梓醇对鱼藤酮所致小鼠脑线粒体损伤的保护作用

目的:研究梓醇对鱼藤酮所致小鼠脑线粒体损伤的保护作用.方法:小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组和治疗组.模型组腹腔注射鱼藤酮21d;治疗组先注射鱼藤酮21d,后用梓醇治疗10d.测定小鼠中脑、纹状体和皮层中线粒体复合酶Ⅰ、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性、膜电位、活性氧(ROS)的含量.结果:梓醇能够提高小鼠复合酶Ⅰ活性,增加GSH的含量,减少膜电位的丢失和活性氧的生成,抑制LDH的释放.结论:梓醇对鱼藤酮损伤小鼠脑线粒体具有保护作用.     

Erythropoietin Prevents Blood Brain Barrier Damage Induced by Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Mice

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), a neurovascular protective agent, therapeutically supports angiogenesis after stroke by enhancing endogenous up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Increased VEGF expression has been characterized to negatively impact the integrity of the blood brain barrier (BBB), causing brain edema and secondary injury. The present study investigated the rhEPO-induced BBB protection after stroke and how it might be achieved by affecting VEGF pathway. rhEPO treatment (5,000 U/kg, i.p., 30 min before stroke and once a day for three days after stroke) reduced Evans blue leakage and brain edema after ischemia. The expression of the BBB integrity markers, occludin, α-catenin and β-catenin, in the brain was preserved in animals received rhEPO. rhEPO up-regulated VEGF expression; however, the expression of VEGF receptor-2 (fetal liver kinase receptor, Flk-1) was significantly reduced in rhEPO-treated animals three days after stroke. We propose that, disregarding increased VEGF levels, rhEPO protects against ischemia-induced BBB damage at least partly by down-regulating Flk-1 expression and the response to VEGF signaling in the acute phase after stroke.     

PDAPP转基因小鼠脑组织内反应性星形胶质细胞的活化程度明显升高

目的　研究PDAPP转基因小鼠脑组织内反应性星形胶质细胞的活化程度。方法　通过免疫组织化学染色方法检测小鼠脑组织内反应性星形胶质细胞表达胶质纤维酸性蛋白 (GFAP)的情况 ,比较PDAPP转基因小鼠和C5 7 BL非转基因小鼠脑组织反应性星形胶质细胞的活化程度。结果　PDAPP转基因小鼠脑组织内反应性星形胶质细胞表达GFAP的水平明显高于C5 7 BL非转基因小鼠。结论　PDAPP转基因小鼠脑组织内存在明显的神经炎症反应     

Calcium Modulation of Activation and Desensitization of Nicotinic Receptors from Mouse Brain

Abstract: The effects of extracellular calcium on functional properties of nicotinic receptors from mouse thalamus were investigated. Previous studies have reported that calcium modulates the function of several neuronal nicotinic receptors. A ⁸⁶Rb⁺ ion efflux assay was developed to measure nicotinic receptor function from brain tissue, and data indicate that α₄β₂ receptors may mediate this response. Using the ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux assay, calcium effects on receptor activation, desensitization induced by high, activating and low, subactivating concentrations of agonist, and recovery from desensitization were examined. Effects of calcium on the kinetics of ligand binding were also investigated. Calcium modulated receptor activation by increasing the maximal response to nicotine in a concentration-dependent manner, without affecting the EC₅₀ of nicotine. Barium, but not magnesium, mimicked the effects of calcium on receptor activation. The increase in receptor activation could not be explained by changes in the ratio of activatable to desensitized receptors as assessed by the kinetics of ligand binding. Desensitization following activation was unaffected by calcium. Calcium, barium, and magnesium, however, increased the potency of nicotine for desensitization induced by exposure to low, subactivating concentrations of nicotine. Recovery from desensitization was not modulated by calcium. These data suggest that calcium modulates various functional aspects of nicotinic receptors from mouse brain and may do so via different mechanisms.     

Differential Modulation of TREM2 Protein during Postnatal Brain Development in Mice

During postnatal development, microglia, the resident innate immune cells of the central nervous system are constantly monitoring the brain parenchyma, cleaning the cell debris, the synaptic contacts overproduced and also maintaining the brain homeostasis. In this context, the postnatal microglia need some control over the innate immune response. One such molecule recently described to be involved in modulation of immune response is TREM2 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2). Although some studies have observed TREM2 mRNA in postnatal brain, the regional pattern of the TREM2 protein has not been described. We therefore characterized the distribution of TREM2 protein in mice brain from Postnatal day (P) 1 to 14 by immunostaining. In our study, TREM2 protein was expressed only in microglia/macrophages and is developmentally downregulated in a region-dependent manner. Its expression persisted in white matter, mainly in caudal corpus callosum, and the neurogenic subventricular zone for a longer time than in grey matter. Additionally, the phenotypes of the TREM2+ microglia also differ; expressing CD16/32, MHCII and CD86 (antigen presentation markers) and CD68 (phagocytic marker) in different regions as well as with different intensity till P7. The mannose receptor (CD206) colocalized with TREM2 only at P1–P3 in the subventricular zone and cingulum, while others persisted at low intensities till P7. Furthermore, the spatiotemporal expression pattern and characterization of TREM2 indicate towards its other plausible roles in phagocytosis, progenitor’s fate determination or microglia phenotype modulation during postnatal development. Hence, the increase of TREM2 observed in pathologies may recapitulate their function during postnatal development, as a better understanding of this period may open new pathway for future therapies.     

Modulation of GEF‐H1 Induced Signaling by Heparanase in Brain Metastatic Melanoma Cells

Mechanisms of brain metastatic melanoma (BMM) remain largely unknown. Understanding the modulation of signaling pathways that alter BMM cell invasion and metastasis is critical to develop new therapies for BMM. Heparanase has been widely implicated in cancer and is the dominant mammalian endoglycosidase which degrades heparan sulfate chains of proteoglycans (HSPG) including syndecans (SDCs). Recent findings also indicate that heparanase possesses non‐enzymatic functions in its latent form. We hypothesized that extracellular heparanase modulates BMM cell signaling by involving SDC1/4 carboxy terminal—associated proteins and downstream targets. We digested BMM cell surface HS with human recombinant active or latent heparanase to delineate their effects on cytoskeletal dynamics and cell invasiveness. We identified the small GTPase guanine nucleotide exchange factor‐H1 (GEF‐H1) as a new component of a SDC signaling complex that is differentially expressed in BMM cells compared to corresponding non‐metastatic counterparts. Second, knockdown of GEF‐H1, SDC1, or SDC4 decreased BMM cell invasiveness and GEF‐H1 modulated small GTPase activity of Rac1 and RhoA in conjunction with heparanase treatment. Third, both active and latent forms of heparanase affected Rac1 and RhoA activity; notably increasing RhoA activity. Both forms of heparanase were found to mediate the expression and subcellular localization of GEF‐H1, and treatment of BMM with latent heparanase modulated SDC1/4 gene expression. Finally, treatment with exogenous heparanase downregulated BMM cell invasion. These studies indicate the relevance of heparanase signaling pathways in BMM progression, and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating HSPG signaling in response to exogenous heparanase. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 1299–1309, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Immune Modulation Mediated by Cryptococcal Laccase Promotes Pulmonary Growth and Brain Dissemination of Virulent Cryptococcus neoformans in Mice

C. neoformans is a leading cause of fatal mycosis linked to CNS dissemination. Laccase, encoded by the LAC1 gene, is an important virulence factor implicated in brain dissemination yet little is known about the mechanism(s) accounting for this observation. Here, we investigated whether the presence or absence of laccase altered the local immune response in the lungs by comparing infections with the highly virulent strain, H99 (which expresses laccase) and mutant strain of H99 deficient in laccase (lac1Δ) in a mouse model of pulmonary infection. We found that LAC1 gene deletion decreased the pulmonary fungal burden and abolished CNS dissemination at weeks 2 and 3. Furthermore, LAC1 deletion lead to: 1) diminished pulmonary eosinophilia; 2) increased accumulation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells; 3) increased Th1 and Th17 cytokines yet decreased Th2 cytokines; and 4) lung macrophage shifting of the lung macrophage phenotype from M2- towards M1-type activation. Next, we used adoptively transferred CD4+ T cells isolated from pulmonary lymph nodes of mice infected with either lac1Δ or H99 to evaluate the role of laccase-induced immunomodulation on CNS dissemination. We found that in comparison to PBS treated mice, adoptively transferred CD4+ T cells isolated from lac1Δ-infected mice decreased CNS dissemination, while those isolated from H99-infected mice increased CNS dissemination. Collectively, our findings reveal that immune modulation away from Th1/Th17 responses and towards Th2 responses represents a novel mechanism through which laccase can contribute to cryptococcal virulence. Furthermore, our data support the hypothesis that laccase-induced changes in polarization of CD4+ T cells contribute to CNS dissemination.     

Mice Brain Tissue Injury Induced by Diisononyl Phthalate Exposure and the Protective Application of Vitamin E

As a widely used plasticizer in plastic industry, the data of diisononyl phthalate (DINP) toxicity due to exposure are insufficient. This work investigated the brain tissue injury induced by DINP exposure. Through oral exposure to DINP, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, apoptosis, and hippocampus pathological alterations were found in the mice brain. And through the Morris water maze test, cognitive deficits were tested. Our data also showed that these exacerbations were counteracted by vitamin E. These results above indicated that oral exposure of mice to DINP induced brain damage, and oxidative stress, inflammation, and the consequential apoptosis jointly constituted the potential mechanisms of such induced toxicity.     

氯胺酮对瑞芬太尼诱发痛觉敏化防治作用临床观察

目的:研究持续输注瑞芬太尼与术后痛觉敏化的关系,分析芬太尼或氯胺酮防治痛觉敏化的效果.方法:48例开腹患者随机分四组,生理盐水组(RC组)、芬太尼组(RF组)和氯胺酮组(RK组),术中均输注瑞芬太尼0.15～0.20 μg/(kg·min)其中RF组术毕静注芬太尼1 μg/kg,RK组术中联合输注氯胺酮10 μg/(kg· min),以及术中静注芬太尼组(FC组)分次静注芬太尼5～6 μg/kg,四组均复合七氟烷吸入维持BIS45～55,记录病人自控静脉镇痛泵(PCIA)情况,评估术后Ramsay评分和VAS评分.结果:RC组术后早期24 h VAS评分明显高于FC组(P＜0.05);RF组虽可使术后最初60 min VAS评分较RC组明显降低(P＜0.05),但6h和12hVRS评分与RC组无明显差异;RK组术后VRS评分较RC组明显降低(P＜0.05),与FC组相仿;RC组与其它三组相比,首次应用PCA时间提前、按压次数增多、芬太尼用量增大.结论:持续输注瑞芬太尼可诱发术后痛觉敏化,联合输注小剂量氯胺酮可较好防治瑞芬太尼所致的痛觉敏化.     

Brain Activation Patterns at Exhaustion in Rats That Differ in Inherent Exercise Capacity

In order to further understand the genetic basis for variation in inherent (untrained) exercise capacity, we examined the brains of 32 male rats selectively bred for high or low running capacity (HCR and LCR, respectively). The aim was to characterize the activation patterns of brain regions potentially involved in differences in inherent running capacity between HCR and LCR. Using quantitative in situ hybridization techniques, we measured messenger ribonuclease (mRNA) levels of c-Fos, a marker of neuronal activation, in the brains of HCR and LCR rats after a single bout of acute treadmill running (7.5–15 minutes, 15° slope, 10 m/min) or after treadmill running to exhaustion (15–51 minutes, 15° slope, initial velocity 10 m/min). During verification of trait differences, HCR rats ran six times farther and three times longer prior to exhaustion than LCR rats. Running to exhaustion significantly increased c-Fos mRNA activation of several brain areas in HCR, but LCR failed to show significant elevations of c-Fos mRNA at exhaustion in the majority of areas examined compared to acutely run controls. Results from these studies suggest that there are differences in central c-Fos mRNA expression, and potential brain activation patterns, between HCR and LCR rats during treadmill running to exhaustion and these differences could be involved in the variation in inherent running capacity between lines.     

Modulation of Acid Phosphatase and Lactic Dehydrogenase in Hexachlorocyclohexane‐Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Mice

The present study was designed to elucidate the involvement of acid phosphatase (ACP) in metastasis and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as an immediate compensatory alleviation mechanism for energy stress in liver lesions induced by hexachlorocyclohexane in Swiss mice. Animals were continuously exposed to hexachlorocyclohexane (500 ppm) for 2, 4, and 6 months. Neoplastic nodules and tumors developed after continuous exposure for 4 and 6 months, respectively. The distribution pattern of both enzymes markedly varied in neoplastic nodules and tumors. Intense ACP activity was more observed only in sinusoids and blood vessels of neoplastic nodule, whereas an overall increase in ACP activity was observed in the tumor. Noticeably, a significant decline in LDH activity was noted after 2 and 4 months of exposure, whereas LDH in a tumor region showed intense enzymatic activity. The role of acid phosphate in metastasis and LDH in oxidative stress during hepatocarcinogenesis induced by hexachlorocyclohexane has been discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:439‐444, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10:1002/jbt.21441     

Protease Activation in Apoptosis Induced by MAL

The proteolytic caspase cascade plays a central role in the signaling and execution steps of apoptosis. This study investigated the activation of different caspases in apoptosis induced by MAL (a folding variant of human alpha-lactalbumin) isolated from human milk. Our results show that the caspase-3-like enzymes, and to a lesser extent the caspase-6-like enzymes, were activated in Jurkat and A549 cells exposed to MAL. Activated caspases subsequently cleaved several protein substrates, including PARP, lamin B, and alpha-fodrin. A broad-range caspase inhibitor, zVAD-fmk, blocked the caspase activation, the cleavage of proteins, and DNA fragmentation, indicating an important role for caspase activation in MAL-induced apoptosis. Since an antagonistic anti-CD95 receptor antibody, ZB4, did not influence the MAL-induced killing, we conclude that this process does not involve the CD95-mediated pathway. While MAL did not directly activate caspases in the cytosol, it colocalized with mitochondria and induced the release of cytochrome c. Thus, these results demonstrate that caspases are activated and involved in apoptosis induced by MAL and that direct interaction of MAL with mitochondria leads to the release of cytochrome c, suggesting that this release is an important step in the initiation and/or amplification of the caspase cascade in these cells.     

Berberine Protects Secondary Injury in Mice with Traumatic Brain Injury Through Anti-oxidative and Anti-inflammatory Modulation

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major causes of death and disability worldwide. Novel and effective therapy is needed to prevent the secondary spread of damage beyond the initial injury. The aim of this study was to investigate whether berberine has a neuroprotective effect on secondary injury post-TBI, and to explore its potential mechanism in this protection. The mice were randomly divided into Sham-saline, TBI-saline and TBI-Berberine (50 mg/kg). TBI was induced by Feeney’s weight-drop technique. Saline or berberine was administered via oral gavage starting 1 h post-TBI and continuously for 21 days. Motor coordination, spatial learning and memory were assessed using beam-walking test and Morris water maze test, respectively. Brain sections were processed for lesion volume assessment, and expression of neuronal nuclei (NeuN), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected via immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. There were statistically significant improvement in motor coordination, spatial learning and memory in the TBI-Berberine group, compared to the TBI-saline group. Treatment with berberine significantly reduced cortical lesion volume, neuronal loss, COX-2, iNOS and 8-OHdG expression in both the cortical lesion border zone (LBZ) and ipsilateral hippocampal CA1 region (CA1), compared to TBI-saline. Berberine treatment also significantly decreased Iba1- and GFAP-positive cell number in both the cortical LBZ and ipsilateral CA1, relative to saline controls. These results indicated that berberine exerted neuroprotective effects on secondary injury in mice with TBI probably through anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.     

ConA引起小鼠肝损伤实验研究

目的探讨conA引起免疫性肝损伤机实验条件。方法测定两个浓度,不同时间点ConA尾静脉注射后小鼠转氨酶水平及肝、脾病理变化。结果15mg／kgConA尾静脉注射后8h,血清转氨酶升高,但病检无明显改变;20mg／kgConA尾静脉注射,脾指数6h达峰值,10h肝脏病理变化显著,转氨酶水平达峰值。结论20mg／kgConA小鼠尾静脉注射6h后脾病变达高峰,10h可引起显著性肝损害。     

Epigallocatechin 3-Gallate Ameliorates Bile Duct Ligation Induced Liver Injury in Mice by Modulation of Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Cholestatic liver fibrosis was achieved by bile duct ligation (BDL) in mice. Liver injury associated with BDL for 15 days included significant reactive oxygen/nitrogen species generation, liver inflammation, cell death and fibrosis. Administration of Epigallocatechin 3-Gallate (EGCG) in animals reduced liver fibrosis involving parenchymal cells in BDL model. EGCG attenuated BDL-induced gene expression of pro-fibrotic markers (Collagen, Fibronectin, alpha 2 smooth muscle actin or SMA and connective tissue growth factor or CTGF), mitochondrial oxidative stress, cell death marker (DNA fragmentation and PARP activity), NFκB activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, MIP1α, IL1β, and MIP2). EGCG also improved BDL induced damages of mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes and antioxidant defense enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and manganese superoxide dismutase. EGCG also attenuated hydrogen peroxide induced cell death in hepatocytes in vitro and alleviate stellate cells mediated fibrosis through TIMP1, SMA, Collagen 1 and Fibronectin in vitro. In conclusion, the reactive oxygen/nitrogen species generated from mitochondria plays critical pathogenetic role in the progression of liver inflammation and fibrosis and this study indicate that EGCG might be beneficial for reducing liver inflammation and fibrosis.     

Activation of Brain Succinate Dehydrogenase by Lithium

IN spite of the widespread use of lithium salts as therapeutic and prophylactic agents against manic-depressive psychosis^{1, 2}, little is known about the mechanism of lithium effects^{3, 4}. Li⁺ stimulates noradrenergic neurones³, increases the uptake of this amine by isolated rat brain synaptosomes^{5, 6}, increases serotonin uptake into platelets obtained from manic-depressive patients⁷ and increases the levels of serotonin and tryptophan in rat brain⁸. On the other hand, Lallier observed inhibitory action of LiCl on dehydrogenase activity in homogenates of Rana fusca⁹. We have investigated whether long term treatment with Li⁺ affects brain succinate dehydrogenase activity.