Calpain-induced Proteolysis After Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia and Ischemic Tolerance in a Rat Model

The activation of the [Ca²⁺]-dependent cysteine protease calpain plays an important role in ischemic injury. Here, the levels of two calpain-specific substrates, p35 protein and eukaryotic initiation factor 4G (eIF4G), as well as its physiological regulator calpastatin, were investigated in a rat model of transient global cerebral ischemia with or without ischemic tolerance (IT). Extracts of the cerebral cortex, whole hippocampus and hippocampal subregions after 30 min of ischemia and different reperfusion times (30 min and 4 h) were used. In rats without IT, the p35 levels slightly decreased after ischemia or reperfusion, whereas the levels of p25 (the truncated form of p35) were much higher than those in sham control rats after ischemia and remained elevated during reperfusion. The eIF4G levels deeply diminished after reperfusion and the decrease was significantly greater in CA1 and the rest of the hippocampus than in the cortex. By contrast, the calpastatin levels did not significantly decrease during ischemia or early reperfusion, but were upregulated after 4 h of reperfusion in the cortex. Although IT did not promote significant changes in p35 and p25 levels, it induced a slight increase in calpastatin and eIF4G levels in the hippocampal subregions after 4 h of reperfusion.     

Mitochondrial Respiratory Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress after Chronic Malathion Exposure

Malathion is a pesticide used on a large scale and with high potential risk for human exposure. However, it is reasonable to hypothesize that while the malathion is metabolizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be generated and subsequently there is onset of an oxidative stress in central nervous system (CNS) structures: hippocampus, cortex, striatum and cerebellum of intoxicated rats due to mitochondrial respiratory chain disfunctions. The present study was therefore undertaken to evaluate malathion-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide production from sub-mitochondrial particles and the activity of complexes II and IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Malathion was administered in doses of 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg malathion/kg. After malathion administration LPO increased in hippocampus and striatum. This was accompanied by an increase in the formation of superoxide in submitochondrial particles in the hippocampus. Complex IV suffered significant inhibition of its activity. We could demonstrate in this study that malathion induces oxidative stress and it could be due to inactivation of mitochondrial respiratory complexes.     

大鼠肢端缺血预处理对脑缺血后炎症反应的影响

目的通过观察肢端缺血预处理（1imbisehemicpreconditioning,LIP）对大鼠脑缺血性损伤后重要炎症因子表达的影响,探讨LIP诱导的脑缺血耐受与炎症反应之间的关系。方法选取72只SD大鼠,实验组（LIP组）30只、缺血组30只和对照组12只。实验组和缺血组设立5个时间点：6h、12h、24h、48h和72h,每点6只。通过线栓法建立大鼠大脑中动脉阻塞（middlecerebralarteryocclusion,MCAO）的局灶性脑缺血模型及LIP法建立脑缺血耐受模型,采用HE观察每组大鼠的脑组织形态学改变、QRT—PCR和ELISA方法检测脑组织中炎症因子IL-17及IL-6的表达变化。结果实验组脑组织学病理改变明显轻于缺血组。与缺血组相比：实验组的IL-17和IL-6的基因和蛋白表达在整体水平均呈下降趋势;mRNA水平提示实验组在缺血12h、24h和48h后脑组织中IL-17、IL-6的表达量显著减少（P〈0．01）;蛋白水平提示实验组在缺血24h和48h后脑组织中的IL-6以及在缺血12h、24h和48h后脑组织中IL-17的表达量均降低（P〈0．05）。结论LIP诱导脑缺血耐受,可以减轻脑缺血后的炎症反应,对缺血性脑损伤有一定的保护作用。     

在无创性肢体缺血预适应中P53基因对心肌梗死后心肌细胞凋亡影响的研究

目的：通过对无创性肢体缺血预适应的动物模型观察,探讨细胞凋亡在其中的作用,以及p53基因对其进行的调控。方法：采用TUNEL标记技术研究无创性肢体缺血预适应心肌细胞中细胞凋亡现象,并采用聚合酶连反应单链构象多态法（PCR-SSCP）研究p53基因的突变情况。结果：与缺血再灌注组（I/R）相比,无创性肢体缺血预适应组（NDLIP）凋亡率较低,差别有统计学意义。NDLIP和经典缺血预适应组（IP）间差别不显著。RIP组p53基因突变率比I/R组高,差别有统计学意义,NDLIP和经典缺血预适应组（IP）间差别不显著。结论：无创性肢体缺血预适应组野生型p53基因较少,突变型p53基因较多。无创性肢体缺血预适应对心肌的保护作用可能是通过增加突变型p53基因抑制细胞凋亡来实现。     

局灶性脑缺血大鼠皮层神经元超微结构及线粒体呼吸功能变化的研究

目的:研究局灶性脑缺血大鼠脑细胞超微结构及脑组织线粒体呼吸链功能的变化。方法:采用改良Zea Longa方法复制大鼠大脑中动脉缺血(MCAO)模型,透射电镜观察缺血后脑组织神经元超微结构的改变;检测呼吸链R3、R4、RCR、OPR等评价呼吸功能的指标。结果:局灶性脑缺血大鼠脑组织神经元细胞结构严重破坏;与对照组相比,脑缺血时大鼠脑线粒体ST3、RCR和OPR降低,ST4升高。结论:脑缺血急性期线粒体结构破坏,功能受损严重,随着时间延长均有所恢复;保护线粒体呼吸链可能对脑缺血损伤有保护作用。     

线粒体通透性转换孔在缺血预处理脑保护中的作用及机制

目的：线粒体通透性转换孔通透性改变是导致缺血再灌注损伤的原因,线粒体功能的致命性改变最终引起细胞凋亡,本研究旨在观察线粒体通透性转换孔（mitochondrial permeability transition pore,MPTP）在缺血再灌注及缺血预处理脑保护中的作用;方法：将体外培养8天的海马神经元细胞分为五组,正常对照组（A组）,缺血再灌注组（B组）,缺血预处理＋缺血再灌注组（C组）,苍术苷＋缺血再灌注组（D组）,缺血预处理＋苍术苷＋缺血再灌注组（E组）。使用流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡率,罗丹明123染色流式细胞术检测线粒体膜电位,Western-blot检测Bcl-2,Bax的表达。结果：与A组比较,其余四组线粒体膜电位均降低,神经元凋亡率升高（P〈0．05）;与B组比较,c组线粒体膜电位升高,神经元凋亡率升高,Bcl-2表达上调,Bax表达下调（P〈0．05）;与c组比较,E组粒体膜电位降低,神经元凋亡率升高,Bcl．2表达下调,Bax表达上调（P〈0．05）。结论：我们在细胞及分子生物学水平对MPTP及缺血预处理的研究后发现,缺血预处理能有效减轻海马神经元缺血再灌注损伤,抑制缺血再灌注后神经细胞凋亡,其机制与抑制MPTP的开放有关。     

Essential Roles of Neutral Ceramidase and Sphingosine in Mitochondrial Dysfunction Due to Traumatic Brain Injury

In addition to immediate brain damage, traumatic brain injury (TBI) initiates a cascade of pathophysiological events producing secondary injury. The biochemical and cellular mechanisms that comprise secondary injury are not entirely understood. Herein, we report a substantial deregulation of cerebral sphingolipid metabolism in a mouse model of TBI. Sphingolipid profile analysis demonstrated increases in sphingomyelin species and sphingosine concurrently with up-regulation of intermediates of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis in the brain. Investigation of intracellular sites of sphingosine accumulation revealed an elevation of sphingosine in mitochondria due to the activation of neutral ceramidase (NCDase) and the reduced activity of sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2). The lack of change in gene expression suggested that post-translational mechanisms are responsible for the shift in the activities of both enzymes. Immunoprecipitation studies revealed that SphK2 is complexed with NCDase and cytochrome oxidase (COX) subunit 1 in mitochondria and that brain injury hindered SphK2 association with the complex. Functional studies showed that sphingosine accumulation resulted in a decreased activity of COX, a rate-limiting enzyme of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Knocking down NCDase reduced sphingosine accumulation in mitochondria and preserved COX activity after the brain injury. Also, NCDase knockdown improved brain function recovery and lessened brain contusion volume after trauma. These studies highlight a novel mechanism of secondary TBI involving a disturbance of sphingolipid-metabolizing enzymes in mitochondria and suggest a critical role for mitochondrial sphingosine in promoting brain injury after trauma.     

Proteomic characterization of protein phosphatase 1 complexes in ischemia-reperfusion and ischemic tolerance

Serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) regulates multiple cellular processes. Protein phosphorylation-dephosphorylation is largely altered during ischemia and subsequent reperfusion. The brain is particularly vulnerable to stress resulting from ischemia-reperfusion (IR), however, the acquisition of ischemic tolerance (IT) protects against IR stress. We studied PP1 complexes in response to IR stress and IT in brain using proteomic characterization of PP1 complexes in animal models of IR and IT. PP1alpha and PP1gamma were immunoprecipitated and resolved by 2-D. DIGE analysis detected 14 different PP1-interacting proteins that exhibited significant changes in their association with PP1alpha or PP1gamma. These proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Seven had the PP1-binding RVxF motif. IR altered the interaction of heat shock cognate 71 kDa-protein, creatine kinase B, and dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein 32 kDa (DARPP32) with both PP1alpha and PP1gamma, and the interaction of phosphodiesterase-6B, transitional ER ATPase, lamin-A, glucose-regulated 78 kDa-protein, dihydropyrimidinase-related protein-2, gamma-enolase, neurofilament-L, and ubiquitin ligase SIAH2 with PP1gamma. IT prevented most of the IR-induced effects. This study identifies novel PP1alpha- and PP1gamma-interacting proteins and reveals an in vivo modularity of PP1 holoenzymes in response to physiological ischemic stress. It supports a potential role of PP1 in IR stress and as a target of the endogenous protective mechanisms induced by IT.     

Reduction of Mitochondrial Electron Transport Complex Activity Is Restricted to the Ischemic Focus After Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats: A Histochemical Volumetric Analysis

Using histochemical methods offering high topographical resolution for evaluation of changes in the ischemic focus and the penumbra, the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes I, II, and IV were examined in rats subjected to 2 h of proximal occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) followed by no reperfusion, 1 h reperfusion, 4 h reperfusion, or 4 h reperfusion plus treatment with the free radical scavenger -PBN. Serial brain cryosections were histochemically stained to visualize activity of complexes I, II, and IV, and the volumes of tissue with reduced activity in the ipsilateral cortex and caudate putamen were measured by densitometric image analysis. Reductions in complex I, II, and IV activity were restricted to areas in the ischemic foci in cortex and caudate putamen, which microscopically displayed signs of early morphological damage. In cortex, the tissue volume with reduced activity did not change significantly during reperfusion but progressively increased in the caudate putamen, possibly reflecting a faster maturation of morphological damage in this region. Treatment with -PBN did not affect the observed reductions in activities. We deduce that inhibition of mitochondrial ETC complex activity does not play a critical role for recruitment of the penumbra in the infarction process.     

IGF-1对不同年龄缺血性脑损伤大鼠神经发生的影响

目的:检测胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)对青年和老年大鼠局灶脑缺血后神经发生及其后细胞生存的影响.方法:健康雄性SD青年鼠(3-4个月)和老年鼠(1年)随机分组,侧脑室注入IGF-1,1天后进行大鼠大脑中动脉阻塞(MCAO),对照组由生理盐水取代.采用BrdU标记方法鉴定MCAO后7d和28d的增殖细胞.BrdU于MCAO后第6d由腹腔注入.免疫组化法检测7天后BrdU、PSA-NCAM标记细胞和28天后BrdU、BrdU/MAP2双标细胞.结果:老年组中BrdU阳性细胞的数目7d后较对照组增加5.1倍;青年纽中BrdU阳性细胞的数目7d后较对照组增加5.5倍.28d后,BrdU阳性细胞的残留率在青年IGF-1处理组和老年IGF-1处理组中分别是79.2%和75.1%,分别相对于对照组的77.1%和52.3%.老年组中PSA-NCAM阳性细胞的数目7d后较对照组增加3.2倍;青年组中PSA-NCAM阳性细胞的数目7d后较对照组增加3.7倍.28d后,BrdU/MAP2阳性细胞在青年IGF-1处理组较对照组增加7.0倍,在老年IGF-1处理组较对照组增加4.9倍.结论:此结果提示局部应用IGF-1进行缺血前预处理,在青年鼠和老年鼠中均能诱导神经发生,且在老年鼠中能明显提高神经发生后的增殖细胞的生存率和向神经元分化的能力.这一研究结果将有助于研究IGF-1在中老年脑损伤病人中的治疗性应用.     

p53、BCL-2、Caspase－3等凋亡相关蛋白在大鼠脑损伤中的表达及意义

目的：检测脑外伤大鼠中p53、bcl-2及caspase-3表达,并分析其与脑外伤之间的关系,为脑损伤患者预后提供部分参数依据。方法：建立脑外伤大鼠实验动物模型,用免疫组化方法检测p53、Bcl-2和Caspase-3的表达。结果：脑创伤后在创伤周围区的神经元会发生凋亡,凋亡的发生可能与p53、bcl-2、caspase-3等基因及蛋白的调节有关。结论：脑创伤后在创伤周围区的神经元会发生凋亡,凋亡的发生可能与p53、bcl-2、caspase-3等基因及蛋白的调节有关。     

p53、BCL-2、Caspase-3 等凋亡相关蛋白在大鼠脑损伤中的表达及意义

目的:检测脑外伤大鼠中p53、bcl-2及caspase-3表达,并分析其与脑外伤之间的关系,为脑损伤患者预后提供部分参数依据。方法:建立脑外伤大鼠实验动物模型,用免疫组化方法检测p53、Bcl-2和Caspase-3的表达。结果:脑创伤后在创伤周围区的神经元会发生凋亡,凋亡的发生可能与p53、bcl-2、caspase-3等基因及蛋白的调节有关。结论:脑创伤后在创伤周围区的神经元会发生凋亡,凋亡的发生可能与p53、bcl-2、caspase-3等基因及蛋白的调节有关。     

磷酸肌酸对新生鼠缺氧缺血性脑损伤线粒体功能的影响

目的:探讨外源性磷酸肌酸(PCr)在缺氧缺血性脑损伤中对线粒体功能的影响。方法:将96只七日龄Wistar新生鼠随机分为四组,分别为A假手术组、B生理盐水对照组、C磷酸肌酸小剂量干预组、D磷酸肌酸大剂量干预组,每组24只。除假手术组外其余三组动物制成HIBD模型,并在术前1h分别给予生理盐水、小剂量磷酸肌酸、大剂量磷酸肌酸腹腔注射,24h后取脑,观察脑组织线粒体内三磷酸腺苷(ATP)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)以及丙二醛(MDA)的含量变化。结果:外源性磷酸肌酸干预后脑组织中线粒体内ATP、GSH、MDA含量与盐水对照组相比具有差异性(P<0.05)。结论:外源性磷酸肌酸可以改善线粒体能量代谢,减轻脂质过氧化,保护脑组织。     

The effect of mutated mitochondrial ribosomal proteins S16 and S22 on the assembly of the small and large ribosomal subunits in human mitochondria

Mutations in mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal proteins MRPS16 or MRPS22 cause severe, fatal respiratory chain dysfunction due to impaired translation of mitochondrial mRNAs. The loss of either MRPS16 or MRPS22 was accompanied by the loss of most of another small subunit protein MRPS11. However, MRPS2 was reduced only about 2-fold in patient fibroblasts. This observation suggests that the small ribosomal subunit is only partially able to assemble in these patients. Two large subunit ribosomal proteins, MRPL13 and MRPL15, were present in substantial amounts suggesting that the large ribosomal subunit is still present despite a non-functional small subunit.     

Alterations Induced by Ischemic Preconditioning on Secretory Pathways Ca2+-ATPase (SPCA) Gene Expression and Oxidative Damage After Global Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion in Rats

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) represents the phenomenon of CNC adaptation, which results in increased tolerance of CNS to lethal ischemia. Brain ischemia/reperfusion (IRI) initiates a catastrophic cascade in which many subcellular organelles play an important role. The Golgi apparatus, which is a part of secretory pathways (SP), represents the Ca²⁺ store and regulates secretion of proteins for growth/reorganization of neuronal circuit by secretory Ca²⁺ATPases (SPCA1). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of IRI and preconditioning on SPCA1 gene expression and oxidative damage after 4-vessel occlusion for 15 min and after being exposed to different reperfusion periods. Rats were preconditioned by 5 min of sub-lethal ischemia and 2 days later, 15 min of lethal ischemia was induced. Our experiments conclusively showed IRI-induced depression of SPCA activity and lipo- and protein oxidation in rat hippocampal membranes. IRI also activates the induction of SPCA1 gene expression in later reperfusion periods. IPC partially suppresses lipo- and protein oxidation in hippocampal membranes and leads to partiall rovery of the ischemic-induced depression of SPCA activity. In addition, IPC initiates earlier cellular response to the injury by the significant elevation of mRNA expression to 142% comparing to 1 h of corresponding reperfusion and to 11% comparing to 24 h of corresponding reperfusion, respectively. Similar patterns were observed on the translational level by Western blot analysis. Our results indicate the specific SPCA1 expression pattern in ischemic hippocampus. It also shows that the SPCA expression and the post-translational changes induced by ischemia are modulated by the IPC. This might serve to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the structural integrity and function of the SP after ischemic challenge. It also suggests that there is a correlation of SPCA function with the role of SP in the response to pre-ischemic challenge.     

20-羟基蜕皮甾酮对大鼠全脑缺血再灌注后海马神经元损伤和炎症反应的影响

目的:观察20-羟基蜕皮甾酮对全脑缺血再灌注后SD大鼠海马神经元和认知功能的保护作用,并探讨其相关机制。方法:采用四血管闭塞法建立SD大鼠全脑缺血再灌注模型,脑电图和脑组织Nissl染色评估模型的可靠性。将实验动物分为假手术组,缺血再灌注组和缺血再灌注+20-羟基蜕皮甾酮组。TUNEL染色观察海马神经元凋亡,Morris水迷宫实验评价大鼠的认知功能,酶联免疫法测定缺血再灌注后3-24小时大鼠血清中白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的浓度。结果:全脑缺血再灌注后大鼠海马神经元凋亡率从4.50±1.90%上升至72.90±8.40%(p0.01),给予20和40 mg/kg 20-羟基蜕皮甾酮干预,大鼠海马神经元凋亡率分别下降至51.40±8.60%(p0.05)和42.70±6.80%(p0.01)。与假手术组相比,全脑缺血再灌注后大鼠在Morris水迷宫定位航行试验中逃避潜伏期明显延长(p0.01),在空间探索试验中目标象限停留时间和穿越目标象限次数明显减少(p0.01),而20-羟基蜕皮甾酮显著抑制上述变化,改善大鼠的认知功能。缺血再灌注后3-24小时,大鼠血清中IL-1β和TNFα浓度较假手术组显著升高,20-羟基蜕皮甾酮能抑制上述各时间点大鼠血清中IL-1β和TNFα浓度的升高。结论:20-羟基蜕皮甾酮对全脑缺血再灌注后大鼠海马神经元和认知功能有显著保护作用,抑制缺血再灌注后的炎症反应是其保护机制之一。     

Recovery from Edema and of Protein Synthesis Differs Between the Cortex and Caudate Following Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Postischemic recovery from brain edema and of protein synthesis was examined following 1 h of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in rats. Recovery from brain edema and of protein synthesis showed a good correlation until 7 days after reperfusion in each area (cerebral cortex or lateral caudate) in the occluded MCA side. However, regional differences in the above types of recovery in the cortex and in the lateral caudate were found for the first time in this experiment. A profound inhibition of protein synthesis and formation of brain edema began sooner in the lateral caudate than in the cortex and continued long after reperfusion. Grades of cerebral blood flow during ischemia and the early period of reperfusion were almost the same in the two regions. Therefore, the regional differences in the above recoveries may not be due to the difference in the blood flow during ischemia and reperfusion, but may be partly attributable to the imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory innervation in the above two areas of the brain, may be due to a distinctive response to ischemic stress, and may be caused also by the potentiative effect of free arachidonate on the excitotoxic mechanism.     

Piceatannol Enhances Cisplatin Sensitivity in Ovarian Cancer via Modulation of p53, X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP), and Mitochondrial Fission

Resistance to cisplatin (CDDP) in ovarian cancer (OVCA) arises from the dysregulation of tumor suppressors and survival signals. During genotoxic challenge, these factors can be influenced by secondary agents that facilitate the induction of apoptosis. Piceatannol is a natural metabolite of the stilbene resveratrol found in grapes and is converted from its parent compound by the enzyme CYP1BA1 p450. It has been hypothesized to exert specific effects against various cellular targets; however, its ability to influence CDDP resistance in cancer cells has not been investigated to date. Here, we show that piceatannol is a potent enhancer of CDDP sensitivity in OVCA, and this effect is achieved through the modulation of several major determinants of chemoresistance. Piceatannol enhances p53-mediated expression of the pro-apoptotic protein NOXA, increases XIAP degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, and enhances caspase-3 activation. This response is associated with an increase in Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fission, leading to more effective induction of apoptosis. In vivo studies using a mouse model of OVCA reveal that a number of these changes occur in association with a greater overall reduction in tumor weight when mice are treated with both piceatannol and CDDP, in comparison to treatment with either agent alone. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the potential application of piceatannol to enhance CDDP sensitivity in OVCA, and it acts on p53, XIAP, and mitochondrial fission.     

电针预处理对脑缺血再灌注后小胶质细胞活化状态的影响

目的:观察电针预处理对脑缺血再灌注后小胶质细胞活化状态的影响。方法:成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(sham)、缺血组(MCAO)、电针处理组(EA+MCAO)三组。采用大脑中动脉栓塞(MCAO)诱导大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型。缺血再灌注后6 h、24 h、3 d和7 d取材,运用Western blot及免疫荧光技术检测缺血半暗带小胶质细胞活化状态以及M1/M2型特异性标志分子的表达水平。结果:脑缺血再灌注后,小胶质细胞被激活,数量表达增加(P0.05,vs.sham组),形态从静息状态的分支状转变为圆形的阿米巴状。M1型标志分子i NOS主要表达于缺血再灌注后24小时(P0.05,vs.sham组),M2型标志分子Arginase主要表达于缺血再灌注后7天(P0.05,vs.sham组)。电针预处理上调Arginase的表达水平,下调i NOS的表达水平(P0.05,vs.MCAO组)。结论:缺血再灌注后小胶质细胞被激活,电针预处理促使活化的小胶质细胞由M1向M2转化。