Alterations of lymphocyte count and platelet volume precede cerebrovascular lesions in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

Background: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is associated with future stroke. Although pathological alteration in small vessels of patients with CSVD can be detected by neuroimaging, diagnosis of CSVD is delayed because it is an asymptomatic disease. The stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP) show similar pathological features to human CSVD and develop stroke-related symptoms with advancing age.

Objective: We investigated the time course of haematological parameters in Wistar rats and SHRSP.

Material and Methods: Blood cells were analysed using an automated haematological analyser.

Results: SHRSP develop stroke-related symptoms including onset of neurological symptoms, decreased body weight and blood brain barrier leakage between 12 and 14?weeks of age. Lymphocyte counts were gradually decreased at 3?weeks before development of stoke-related symptoms and then were further decreased after the development of stroke-related symptoms. The both mean platelet volume and large platelet ratio gradually increased at 3?weeks before the development of stoke-related symptoms. However, although SHRSP showed more microcytic red cells than Wistar rats, the trajectories of change in erythrocyte-related parameters were similar between Wistar rats and SHRSP.

Conclusion: Our pilot study suggests that alterations of lymphocyte count and platelet volume predictive indicators for asymptomatic CSVD and symptomatic stroke in SHRSP.     

Increased density of fluorescent adrenergic fibers around the middle cerebral arteries of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

The distribution of fluorescent adrenergic nerve fibers in the proximal portion (horizontal segment, Hs) and the three distal portions (major branches) of the middle cerebral arteries (MCA) was examined in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) aged 10, 30, 60, 90, and 180 days, by the glyoxylic acid method. The results were compared with those in agematched normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. While the distribution pattern of fluorescent nerve fibers in the proximal portion of WKY rats changed from a straight linear arrangement at 10 and 30 days of age to a network-like arrangement after 60 days, those from SHRSP showed a constant meshwork pattern throughout the entire examination period. In the distal portions of the MCA of both SHRSP and WKY rats at all ages examined, fluorescent nerve fibers formed a coarse network. The distribution densities of adrenergic nerve fibers in the proximal and distal portions of the MCA of SHRSP were significantly higher (P<0.01 and 0.05) than those of WKY rats at all ages examined, except in the proximal portion at 90 and 180 days of age. The difference in nerve fiber density between SHRSP and WKY rats reached a peak at 30 days of age in both proximal and distal portions, and then gradually decreased with age. The present study suggests that sympathetic hyperinnervation is an important factor in the development of hypertension, and is involved in its maintenance in SHRSP.     

自发性高血压大鼠多组织炎症状态

高血压是一种慢性血管性疾病,易累及肾、肝、心、脑等组织,引起脑卒中和心、肾损害等并发症.本研究对高血压时肾、肝、心、脑等组织的炎症状态进行了观察.实验采用自发性高血压大鼠(spontaneously hypertensive rat,SHR)和正常血压的Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)大鼠,用RT-PCR和Western blot法观察肾、肝、心、脑等组织炎症相关因子IL-1p、TNFα、ICAM-1、iNOS、C/EBPδ和PPARγ的基因表达;紫外分光光度法观察蛋白质羰基化水平和FRAP法检测组织总抗氧化能力.结果显示(1)SHR组织炎症相关因子表达较对照WKY增强,除IL-1βmRNA在肝和脑的增加不明显外,其余均有显著性差异(P＜0.05);(2)SHR和WKY大鼠肾、心、脑蛋白质羰基化水平(nmol/mg蛋白)分别为8.93±1.08和2.27±0.43、2.23±0.23和0.17±0.02、13.42±1.10和5.72±1.01,SHR明显增加(P＜0.05);而肝脏蛋白质羰基化水平无明显变化;(3)SHR肾、肝、心、脑总抗氧化能力水平显著低于WKY大鼠(P＜0.05).以上结果表明,SHR多个组织(肾、肝、心和脑)均存在炎症因子被诱导和氧化应激反应等明显的炎症状态,提示炎症可能在高血压及其并发症的病理改变中起重要作用.     

大鼠脑缺血再灌注时水通道蛋白4表达与血脑屏障通透性变化

目的:研究大鼠脑缺血/再灌注时脑组织中水通道蛋4(AQP4)表达与脑水肿、血脑屏障通透性间关系。方法:采用大鼠大脑中动脉线栓缺血模型,免疫组化法、蛋白印迹法测定AQP4表达,干湿重法测定脑水含量以评价脑水肿,伊文氏蓝(EB)法测定血脑屏障通透性。结果:脑缺血后再灌注4～6h,AQP4表达上调,至12h上调显著,48～72h达高峰。脑水含量、EB含量均与此趋势相一致,且AQP4表达与脑水含量、EB含量呈显著正相关(P0.05)。结论:AQP4表达参与了缺血性脑水肿的产生,且与BBB通透性改变呈正相关。     

心钠素表达细胞移植降低高血压大鼠的血压和增加其尿量

为探讨心钠素基因转移治疗高血压和慢性心肾功能衰竭等慢性疾病的潜力,首先利用逆转录病毒载体获得可表达和分泌人心钠素的遗传工程细胞,然后将这种细胞植于自发性高血压大鼠SHR的皮下。结果发现,人心钠素遗传工程细胞的移植可使动物血浆中的心钠素浓度在移植后第7天时明显升高。在整个实验期间,虽然实验组动物的血压会随个体发育而逐渐升高,但在实验开始后的42 d内却始终明显低于空载体组,其中第14天血压的差异高达33 mm Hg。在实验开始后的第14天和第21天,实验组动物的尿量也明显增加。以上结果说明,人心钠素遗传工程细胞的皮下移植可明显抑制SHR大鼠血压的上升趋势和改善其泌尿功能,提示该方法具有治疗高血压和慢性心肾功能衰竭等慢性疾病的潜力。     

自发性高血压大鼠心肌和血管组织牛磺酸的转运障碍

在自发性高血压大鼠（SHR）的心肌和主动脉血管组织上观察牛磺酸（taurine)转运和牛磺酸转运体（taurine transporter,TAUT) mRNA 的改变,结果显示,与对照组WKY大鼠相比,SHR组血浆牛磺酸水平和牛磺酸释放量增加,而心肌和血管组织牛磺酸水平和TAUT mRNA含量均降低,牛磺酸最大转运速率（Vmax)分别低24％和35％（P＜0．05）,米氏常数（Km)值分别高16％和39％（P＜0．05）,这些结果提示,SHR的心肌和血管组织牛磺酸转运障碍可能与TAUT活性和亲和力降低及TAUT基因水平的下调有关。     

A 3-Mbp fragment on rat chromosome 1 affects susceptibility both to stroke and kidney injury under salt loading in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat: a genetic approach using multiple congenic strains

We have previously reported that a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) responsible for susceptibility to salt-induced stroke in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP) is located in a 3-Mbp region on chromosome 1 covered by SHRSP.SHR-(D1Rat23-D1Rat213)/Izm (termed Pr1.31), a congenic strain with segments from SHRSP/Izm introduced into the stroke-resistant SHR/Izm. Here, we attempted to narrow down the candidate region on chromosome 1 further through analyses of subcongenic strains constructed for the target region. Simultaneously, salt-induced kidney injury was evaluated through the measurement of urinary albumin and the gene expression of renal tubular injury markers (Kim-1 and Clu) to explore a possible mechanism leading to the onset of stroke. All subcongenic strains examined in this study showed lower susceptibility to salt-induced stroke than SHRSP. Interestingly, Pr1.31 had the lowest stroke susceptibility when compared with newly constructed subcongenic strains harboring fragments of the congenic sequence in Pr1.31. Although Kim-1 and Clu expression after 1 week of salt loading in Pr1.31 did not differ significantly from those in SHRSP, the urinary albumin level of Pr1.31 was significantly lower than those of the other subcongenic strains and that of SHRSP. The present results indicated that, although the congenic fragment in Pr1.31 harbored the gene(s) related to salt-induced organ damages, further genetic dissection of the candidate region was difficult due to multiple QTLs suggested in this region. Further analysis using Pr1.31 will unveil genetic and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying salt-induced end organ damages in SHRSP.     

Effects of Choto-san on hemorheological factors and vascular function in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Choto-san is a formula used for the treatment of headache and vertigo. Recently it has often also been used for hypertension and dementia. One of the mechanisms involved is thought to be the improvement of blood circulation, but the details are still unclear. In this study, the effect of Chotosan was studied on nitric oxide (NO) function, hemorheological factors and endothelial function in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP). Rats were given Choto-san in drinking water for eight weeks. Body weight, blood pressure, serum NO2-/NO3-, lipid peroxides, blood viscosity, erythrocyte deformability and endothelium-dependent/-independent relaxation were measured. The results indicated that Choto-san caused a decrease in blood pressure and an increase in erythrocyte deformability and NO function. Blood viscosity was not changed. Furthermore, endothelium-dependent relaxation by acetylcholine was significantly increased as compared to control. In this study, it was supposed that Choto-san had a protective effect on the endothelium. SHR-SP is a useful model for human brain stroke, and Choto-san showed a protective effect against cerebral vascular injury in the susceptible rat.     

替米沙坦及吡哆胺对自发性高血压大鼠脑组织氧化应激的影响

目的:探讨替米沙坦及吡哆胺对自发性高血压大鼠脑组织氧化应激的影响。方法:自发性高血压大鼠24只随机分为4组(n=6):高血压对照组(HC组);替米沙坦组(T组);吡哆胺组(P组);联合治疗组(TP组)。同龄WKY大鼠作为正常对照组(NC组)。药物干预16周,测定各组脑组织中丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性及烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸(NADPH)氧化酶p47phox mRNA表达。结果:与NC组比较,HC组脑组织中MDA含量明显升高、SOD活性明显减低(P<0.05);与HC组比较T组、P组、TP组MDA含量明显减低,SOD活性明显升高(P<0.05);与NC组比较HC组(NADPH)氧化酶p47phox mRNA表达显著上调(P<0.01);与HC组比较T组、TP组NADPH氧化酶p47phox mRNA表达明显下调(P<0.01);HC组与P组比较NADPH氧化酶p47phox mRNA表达无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:自发性高血压大鼠脑组织处于氧化应激状态,替米沙坦及吡哆胺可抑制自发性高血压大鼠脑组织的氧化应激水平,联合治疗并不优于替米沙坦单药治疗。     

Val-Glu-Pro对原发性高血压大鼠的体内降压作用

Val-Glu-Pro(VEP)是从钝顶螺旋藻(Spirulina platensis)中发现的一种血管紧张素转化酶(ACE)抑制肽.以原发性高血压大鼠(SHR)为模型,检测单次口服和一周间口服VEP的降压效果,并通过Real-timePCR和酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)探索其对肾素-血管紧张素系统(RAS)主要成分在SHR大鼠肾脏和血清中的表达调控作用.结果表明:口服VEP的最低有效降压剂量为5mg/kg,加大剂量后表现出剂量效应,最低加权收缩压(WSBP)出现在口服后6h,最低加权舒张压(WDBP)出现在口服后4 h.在一周间口服试验中,10 mg/kg VEP处理组的WSBP在第5日显著低于负对照组.此外,口服VEP显著下调了SHR大鼠肾脏中肾素(renin)、ACE、血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)类型1受体(AT1)的mRNA表达,并上调AngⅡ类型2受体(AT2)的mRNA表达,说明VEP的降压效果可能与对RAS系统的抑制作用相关,在高血压的预防和治疗中具有潜在的应用前景.     

Pathological alterations of astrocytes in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats under ischemic conditions

Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP/Izm) develop severe hypertension, and more than 95% of them die of cerebral stroke. We showed the vulnerability of neuronal cells of SHRSP/Izm rats. Furthermore, we analyzed the characteristics of SHRSP/Izm astrocytes during a stroke. It is known that the proliferating ability of SHRSP/Izm astrocytes is significantly enhanced compared with those in the normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY/Izm) strain. Conversely, the ability of SHRSP/Izm astrocytes to form tight junctions (TJ) was attenuated compared with astrocytes from WKY/Izm rats. During the stress of hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R), lactate production, an energy source for neuronal cells, decreased in SHRSP/Izm astrocytes in comparison with the WKY/Izm strain. Moreover, during H/R, SHRSP/Izm astrocytes decreased their production of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in comparison with WKY/Izm astrocytes. Furthermore, SHRSP/Izm rats decreased production of l-serine, compared with WKY/Izm rats following nitric oxide (NO) stimulation. Additionally, in H/R, astrocytes of SHRSP/Izm rats expressed adhesion molecules such as VCAM-1 at higher levels.It is possible that all of these differences between SHRSP/Izm and WKY/Izm astrocytes are not associated with the neurological disorders in SHRSP/Izm. However, attenuated production of lactate and reduced GDNF production in astrocytes may reduce required energy levels and weaken the nutritional status of SHRSP/Ism neuronal cells. We suggest that the attenuation of astrocytes’ functions accelerates neuronal cell death during stroke, and may contribute to the development of strokes in SHRSP/Izm. In this review, we summarize the altered properties of SHRSP/Izm astrocytes during a stroke.     

Expression of MCP-1 in the Hippocampus of SHRSP with Ischemia-Related Delayed Neuronal Death

1. The expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was examined in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats with transient global ischemia in order to study the involvement of the infiltration of blood monocytes in the mechanism of ischemia-related neuronal death.2. The brains of the animals with occlusion of the bilateral carotid arteries for 10 min were removed at 8 h, 1, 2, 4 and 7 days after reperfusion. Frozen sections were used for in situ hybridization and tissue specimens from the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex were used to measure the concentration of MCP-1 by ELISA.3. No MCP-1 mRNA was detected in the hippocampus of the sham group animals. One day after ischemia-reperfusion, MCP-1 mRNA was clearly expressed in the CA4 subfield and the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, while it was slightly expressed in the lacnosum moleculare of the CA1 subfield. A dramatic expression was demonstrated in the entire CA1 subfield at 2 days after the operation. Most of the cells expressing MCP-1 were astrocytes. At 4 and 7 days after reperfusion, no MCP-1 mRNA was detected in the hippocampus. The concentration of MCP-1 protein dramatically increased in the hippocampus at 2 days after reperfusion.4. Taken together with the findings of our previous study showing an increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier in the hippocampus from 12 h after ischemia-reperfusion, the astrocytes expressing MCP-1 might therefore induce the migration of monocytes into the brain parenchyma. As a result, such astrocytes expressing MCP-1 may therefore be related to the pathological events of delayed neuronal death in the pyramidal neurons.     

Morphological changes in cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP)

The ultrastructure of the vascular smooth muscle cells of the middle cerebral artery in 6-month-old male stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) was studied by scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and compared with that of age-matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Although the smooth muscle cells of WKY rats by SEM had a typical spindle shape and smooth surface texture, those of SHRSP were structurally modified by numerous surface invaginations and projections, bearing some structural resemblance to the myotendinous junction of skeletal muscle. Structural modifications affected more than half the surface of medial smooth muscle cells in SHRSP, but less than 0.6% of the surface of these cells in WKY rats. About 10% of medial smooth muscle cells were necrotic in SHRSP, but no necrotic cells were identified in WKY rats. By TEM, smooth muscle cells in SHRSP were shown to be irregular in profile with deep indentations of the plasma membrane and were surrounded by many layers of basal laminalike material. The present study suggests that most smooth muscle cells in the middle cerebral artery of SHRSP may be modified to adapt to chronic hypertension by increasing the junctional area between muscle cells and connective tissue and that some cells may undergo necrosis.     

Effects of losartan on the blood-brain barrier permeability in long-term nitric oxide blockade-induced hypertensive rats

Hypertension is closely associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor antagonist losartan on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in L-NAME-induced hypertension and/or in ANG II-induced acute hypertension in normotensive and hypertensive rats. Systolic blood pressure was measured by tail cuff method before, during and following L-NAME treatment (1 g/L). Losartan (3 mg/kg) was given to the animal for five days. Acute hypertension was induced by ANG II (60 microg/kg). Arterial blood pressure was directly measured on the day of the experiment. BBB disruption was quantified according to the extravasation of the albumin-bound Evans blue dye. Losartan significantly reduced the mean arterial blood pressure from 169 +/- 3.9 mmHg to 82 +/- 2.9 mmHg in L-NAME and from 171 +/- 2.9 mmHg to 84 +/- 2.9 in L-NAME plus losartan plus ANG II groups (p < 0.05). The content of Evans blue dye in the cerebral cortex significantly increased in L-NAME (p < 0.01). Moreover, the content of Evans blue dye markedly increased in the cerebellum (p < 0.001) and slightly increased in diencephalon region (p < 0.05) in L-NAME plus ANG II. Losartan reduced the increased BBB permeability to Evans blue dye in L-NAME (p < 0.01) and L-NAME plus ANG II (p < 0.001). These results indicate that L-NAME and L-NAME plus ANG II both lead to an increase in microvascular Evans blue dye efflux to brain, and losartan treatment attenuates this protein-bound dye transport into brain tissue presumably due to its protective effect on endothelial cells of brain vessels.     

自发性高血压大鼠和Wistar-Kyoto大鼠心血管组织肾上腺髓质素和肾上腺髓质素原N-末端20肽的水平

本工作观察了自发性高血压大鼠 (SHRs)和Wistar kyoto (WKY)大鼠心肌和主动脉肾上腺髓质素 (a drenomedullin ,ADM)和肾上腺髓质素原N 末端 2 0肽 (proadrenomedullinNterminal 2 0peptide ,PAMP)的水平。以放射免疫分析方法测定血浆、心肌和主动脉ADM含量。用竞争性定量逆转录多聚酶链式反应 (RT PCR)方法测定心肌和主动脉ProADMmRNA含量。结果发现 ,SHRs心肌和主动脉ProADMmRNA水平分别比WKY大鼠高 66 7%和 73 % (均P <0 0 1)。SHRs血浆、心肌和主动脉ADM ir含量分别较WKY大鼠高 2 9%、76 7%和 79% (均P <0 0 1)。SHRs血浆、心肌和主动脉PAMP ir水平分别较WKY大鼠高 42 5 % (P <0 0 1)、47 2 % (P <0 0 1)和 2 7 3 % (P <0 0 5 )。另外 ,SHRs的ADM和PAMP的比值较WKY大鼠明显增高 (心肌和主动脉分别为 2 0± 0 2 5vs 1 64± 0 3和 2 2± 0 18vs 1 5 6± 0 2 8)。结果提示 ,SHRs心肌和主动脉ProADM基因表达上调 ,ADM和PAMP水平升高 ,但二者升高的比例不一致。SHRs的ADM和PAMP升高不一致的病理生理意义有待进一步研究     

Cerebrovascular permeability to 86Rb in the rat after exposure to pulsed microwaves

Microwaves (pulsed, 2,450 MHz) at an average power density of 3 W/cm² were applied directly to the head for 5, 10, or 20 min, producing a peak specific absorption rate of 240 W/kg in the brain, which, after a 10-min exposure, resulted in brain temperatures in excess of 43°C. A bolus of ⁸⁶Rb in isotonic saline was injected intravenously and an arterial sample was collected for 20 s to determine cardiac output. Compared with unexposed controls, uptake of ⁸⁶Rb increased most in those regions directly in the path of the irradiation, namely, the occipital and parietal cortex, as well as the dorsal hippocampus, midbrain, and basal ganglia. In a separate group of animals, regional brain-vascular spaces were found to increase with brain temperature. These results support previous observations indicating that reliably demonstrable increases of blood-brain barrier permeability are associated with intense, microwave-induced hyperthermia, and that the observed changes are not due to field-specific interaction.     

Influence of surgical pain stress on the blood-brain barrier permeability in rats

Effect of surgical pain stress on the blood-brain barrier permeability was investigated in rats. The animals were divided into four groups: Group 1: control, Group 2: immobilization stress, Group 3: acute hypertension, Group 4: immobilization stress + surgical pain stress.Bilateral hid paw surgical wounds for cannulations were applied in animals' inguinal regions under diethyl-ether anesthesia, then the animals were awaken from anesthesia to produce surgical pain stress. Evans-blue was used as a blood-brain barrier tracer. There is no significantly blood-brain barrier breakdown after short-time immobilization stress, but after adrenalin hypertension blood-brain barrier permeability was increased especially on frontal and occipital cortices in 50% of the animals. Surgical pain stress increased blood-brain barrier permeabiliy in comparison to acute adrenalin-induced hypertension (p < 0.01). In surgical pain stress-induced animals distinct Evans-blue leakage was observed in the occipital, frontal and parieto-temporal cortices.