Iloprost for the attenuation of ischaemia/reperfusion injury in a distant organ

The objective of this study was to investigate antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of iloprost in a distant organ after ischaemia reperfusion injury. Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. After application of anesthaesia both hindlimbs were occluded. A 2-h reperfusion procedure was carried out after 60 min of ischemia. Study group (STU) rats (n=10) received 10 microg kg(-1) iloprost in 1 ml of saline from the tail vein 10 min before reperfusion. Control (CON) group rats (n=10) received an equal amount of saline. The rats were sacrificed by injection of a high dose of thiopentone sodium. Blood and tissue samples (right kidneys) were taken for analysis. Differences in malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), Na+-K+ ATPase and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) between the groups were analysed. MPO, MDA and TAC levels in the sera of CON and STU groups were 1.60+/-0.26 U l(-1), 11.42+/-5.23 nmol ml(-1), 8.30 x 10(-2)+/- 3.93 x 10(-2) nmol ml(-1) h(-1) and 1.07+/-0.11 U l(-1), 7.60+/-1.81 nmol ml(-1) and 0.15+/-3.23 x 10(-2) nmol ml(-1) h(-1) (p=0.0001, p=0.043 and p=0.0001 respectively). MPO, ATPase and MDA levels in kidneys for CON and STU groups were 1.24+/-0.58 U g(-1), 85.70+/-52.05 nmol mg(-1), 17.90+/-7.40 nmol ml(-1) and 0.78+/-0.31 U g(-1), 195.90+/-56.13 nmol mg(-1) and 10.10+/-0.99 nmol ml(-1) (p=0.046, p=0.0001 and p=0.009 respectively). When given prior to reperfusion, the positive effect of iloprost in the attenuation of distant organ reperfusion injury has been demonstrated.     

The Protective Effect of Myo-inositol on Hippocamal Cell Loss and Structural Alterations in Neurons and Synapses Triggered by Kainic Acid-Induced Status Epilepticus

It is known that myo-inositol pretreatment attenuates the seizure severity and several biochemical changes provoked by experimentally induced status epilepticus. However, it remains unidentified whether such properties of myo-inositol influence the structure of epileptic brain. In the present light and electron microscopic research we elucidate if pretreatment with myo-inositol has positive effect on hippocampal cell loss, and cell and synapses damage provoked by kainic acid-induced status epilepticus. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with (i) saline, (ii) saline + kainic acid, (iii) myo-inositol + kainic acid. Assessment of cell loss at 2, 14, and 30 days after treatment demonstrate cytoprotective effect of myo-inositol in CA1 and CA3 areas. It was strongly expressed in pyramidal layer of CA1, radial and oriental layers of CA3 and in less degree—in other layers of both fields. Ultrastructural alterations were described in CA1, 14 days after treatment. The structure of neurons, synapses, and porosomes are well preserved in the rats pretreated with myo-inositol in comparing with rats treated with only kainic acid     

The effect of iloprost and NDGA in ischemia reperfusion injury in rat liver.

In this study, the effects of iloprost (ZK 36374) and NDGA on warm ischemia and reperfusion injury in rat liver were investigated. Rats were given isotonic saline (control group), iloprost 25 micrograms/kg i.v. (group II) just before warm ischemia or NDGA 10 micrograms/kg i.v. (group III) 5 min before reperfusion or the same drugs were given together (group IV). Serum SGOT, SGPT, and LDH values and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), prostaglandin (PG)E2, and leukotriene (LT)C4 levels were determined after ischemia-reperfusion injury. Histopathologic examination of the liver was carried out under the light microscope. The serum SGOT, SGPT and LDH levels improved significantly in groups II, III, and IV when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in tissue MDA levels and significant increase (p < 0.05) in tissue GSH levels in group I, when compared with group IV and the control groups. The values did not differ significantly in group IV when compared to controls. The LTC4/PGE2 ratio was low and histologic findings were worse in group III. In conclusion, iloprost was found to be beneficial in preventing the ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat livers. NDGA, either by direct toxic effect or by shifting the arachidonic acid metabolism to the cyclooxygenase route, was not found to be as effective. Iloprost and NDGA did not exert a synergist effect.     

Respiration and sodium transport in rabbit urinary bladder

Respiration of rabbit urinary bladder was measured in free-floating pieces and in short-circuited pieces mounted in an Ussing chamber. Ouabain, amiloride, and potassium-free saline inhibited respiration approx. 20%; sodium-free saline depressed respiration approx. 40–50%. The coupling ratio between respiration and transport in short-circuited tissues was about two sodium ions per molecule O₂. Chloride-free saline depressed mean oxygen consumption 21% in free-floating tissue pieces; 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (SITS) and furosemide had no effect. The effect of chloride-free saline in short-circuited tissues was variable; in tissues with low transport rates, respiration was stimulated about 21% while in tissue with high transport rates respiration was reduced about 24%. Nystatin and monensin, both of which markedly increase the conductance of cell membranes with a concomitant increase in sodium entry, stimulated respiration. These data indicate that 50–60% of the total oxygen consumption is not influenced by sodium, 20–25% is linked to (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase transport, while the remaining 25–30% is sodium-dependent but not ouabain-inhibitable.     

Tissue expansion in soft-tissue reconstruction

Tissue expansion in soft-tissue reconstruction is described. The main principle is to develop donor tissue by expansion adjacent to the defect. Such a donor flap is doubled in size by intermittent injections of normal saline into the expander. After sharing the expanded flap for reconstruction, the donor site is well preserved, while the defect is reconstructed with contiguous tissue of similar texture, color, thickness, and sensation. There is minimal scar formation. Over 130 patients were reconstructed with expanded flaps. The average time of flap development was 3 to 6 weeks.     

Fibrinolytic activity of prostacyclin and iloprost in patients with peripheral arterial disease

We studied the effect of prostacyclin /PGI₂/ and its stable analog, iloprost, on blood fibrinolytic activity in 33 patients with peripheral arterial disease. Ten subjects /group A/ received three 5-hour infusions of iloprost on three consecutive days. The remaining 23 patients received three different 5-hour infusions /placebo, iloprost 2 ng/kg/min, PGI₂ 5 ng/kg/min/. Tissue plasminogen activator /t-PA/, total plasma fibrinolytic activity and euglobulin clot lysis time /ECLT/ were determined in patients before and after each infusion, both in freely flowing blood samples and following 10 min venous occlusion. In patients of group A, ECLT at rest was significantly shortened after all three iloprost infusions /on average by about 5–11%/. First and third infusions produced also shortening of ECLT after venostasis /by 21 and 32%/. Statistically significant rise in t-PA activity /by about 68% on average/ accompanied only the first infusion. In patients of the group B iloprost provoked significant fall in ECLT at rest /by about 19% on average/ only. PGI₂ shortened ECLT both at rest and after venous occlusion /by about 17% and 20% on average, respectively/ and led to a rise in t-PA activity after venous occlusion by about 33% on average. Our results indicate that prostacyclin and its stable analog, iloprost, enhance fibrinolytic activity in man by releasing or facilitating the release of tissue plasminogen activator from the vessel wall.     

Activated protein C mutant with minimal anticoagulant activity, normal cytoprotective activity, and preservation of thrombin activable fibrinolysis inhibitor-dependent cytoprotective functions

Activated protein C (APC) reduces mortality in severe sepsis patients and exhibits beneficial effects in multiple animal injury models. APC anticoagulant activity involves inactivation of factors Va and VIIIa, whereas APC cytoprotective activities involve the endothelial protein C receptor and protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1). The relative importance of the anticoagulant activity of APC versus the direct cytoprotective effects of APC on cells for the in vivo benefits is unclear. To distinguish cytoprotective from the anticoagulant activities of APC, a protease domain mutant, 5A-APC (RR229/230AA and KKK191-193AAA), was made and compared with recombinant wild-type (rwt)-APC. This mutant had minimal anticoagulant activity but normal cytoprotective activities that were dependent on endothelial protein C receptor and protease-activated receptor-1. Whereas anticoagulantly active rwt-APC inhibited secondary-extended thrombin generation and concomitant thrombin-dependent activation of thrombin activable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) in plasma, secondary-extended thrombin generation and the activation of TAFI were essentially unopposed by 5A-APC due to its low anticoagulant activity. Compared with rwt-APC, 5A-APC had minimal profibrinolytic activity and preserved TAFI-mediated anti-inflammatory carboxypeptidase activities toward bradykinin and presumably toward the anaphlatoxins, C3a and C5a, which are well known pathological mediators in sepsis. Thus, genetic engineering can selectively alter the multiple activities of APC and provide APC mutants that retain the beneficial cytoprotective effects of APC while diminishing bleeding risk due to reduction in APC's anticoagulant and APC-dependent profibrinolytic activities.     

Influence of iloprost on eicosanoid generation and lipid levels in experimental myocardial ischemia in dogs

Anaesthetized mongrel dogs were subjected to occlusion of a coronary artery. The resulting myocardial infarction was observed for three hours. One hour after occlusion, infusion of the stable prostacyclin analogue iloprost or saline was started. In the control group myocardial infarction was associated with an increase of the ratio TXB2/6-keto-PGF1a which was abolished by iloprost treatment. After occlusion in the control group, the atherosclerosis index (TC-HDLC): HDLC was increased, but in the iloprost-treated group it was significantly decreased. The results of this study suggest that the administration of iloprost is able to prevent changes in eicosanoid metabolism and lipoprotein pattern after coronary artery occlusion in dogs.     

芸香苷对慢性脑低灌注大鼠认知功能障碍和脑损伤的神经保护作用

目的:研究芸香苷对慢性脑低灌注导致大鼠认知功能障碍和脑损伤的影响。方法:采用双侧颈总动脉结扎法(bilateral common carotid artery occlusion,BCCAO)建立慢性脑低灌注大鼠模型,随机分为4组(n=10):生理盐水治疗模型组、芸香苷治疗模型组、生理盐水治疗假手术组、芸香苷治疗假手术组;连续腹腔注射芸香苷和生理盐水共12周。采用Morris水迷宫评定大鼠学习和记忆能力。采用分光光度法检测脑组织中枢胆碱能相关指标和氧化应激指标。应用免疫组织化学和El ISA方法检测脑组织炎症反应。采用Nissl染色法检测脑组织神经元缺失。结果:芸香苷治疗模型组大鼠的逃脱潜伏期较生理盐水治疗模型组明显减少(P0.01)。与生理盐水治疗模型组相比,芸香苷治疗后显著提高了BCCAO大鼠脑组织中ACh水平(P0.01)和Ch AT活性(P0.01),并降低了ACh E活性(P0.01)。与生理盐水治疗模型组相比,芸香苷治疗模型组显著增加了大鼠脑组织中SOD活性(P0.01)和GPX活性(P0.01),降低了MDA水平(P0.01)和蛋白质羰基化合物水平(P0.01)。芸香苷治疗模型组大鼠海马区GFAP-免疫阳性星型胶质细胞(P0.01)和Iba1-免疫阳性小胶质细胞(P0.01)面积百分比较生理盐水治疗模型组显著减少。芸香苷治疗模型组大鼠海马区正常神经元的数量较生理盐水治疗模型组大鼠显著增加(P0.01)。结论:芸香苷可改善慢性脑低灌注引起的大鼠认知功能障碍和脑损伤。     

Analysis of axonal growth and cell migration in 3D hydrogel cultures of embryonic mouse CNS tissue

This protocol uses rat tail-derived type I collagen hydrogels to analyze key processes in developmental neurobiology, such as chemorepulsion and chemoattraction. The method is based on culturing small pieces of brain tissue from embryonic or early perinatal mice inside a 3D hydrogel formed by rat tail-derived type I collagen or, alternatively, by commercial Matrigel. The neural tissue is placed in the hydrogel with other brain tissue pieces or cell aggregates genetically modified to secrete a particular molecule that can generate a gradient inside the hydrogel. The present method is uncomplicated and generally reproducible, and only a few specific details need to be considered during its preparation. Moreover, the degree and behavior of axonal growth or neural migration can be observed directly using phase-contrast, fluorescence microscopy or immunocytochemical methods. This protocol can be carried out in 4 weeks.     

Fibrinolytic activity of prostacyclin and iloprost in patients with peripheral arterial disease

We studied the effects of prostacyclin (PGI2) and its stable analog, iloprost, on blood fibrinolytic activity in 33 patients with peripheral arterial disease. Ten subjects (group A) received three 5-hour infusions of iloprost on three consecutive days. The remaining 23 patients received three different 5-hour infusions (placebo, iloprost 2 ng/kg/min, PGI2 5 ng/kg/min). Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), total plasma fibrinolytic activity and euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT) were determined in patients before and after each infusion, both in freely flowing blood samples and following 10 min venous occlusion. In patients of group A, ECLT at rest was significantly shortened after all three iloprost infusions (on average by about 5-11%). First and third infusions produced also shortening of ECLT after venostasis (by 21 and 32%). Statistically significant rise in t-PA activity (by about 68% on average) accompanied only the first infusion. In patients of the group B iloprost provoked significant fall in ECLT at rest (by about 19% on average) only. PGI2 shortened ECLT both at rest and after venous occlusion (by about 17% and 20% on average, respectively) and led to a rise in t-PA activity after venous occlusion by about 33% on average. Our results indicate that prostacyclin and its stable analog, iloprost, enhance fibrinolytic activity in man by releasing or facilitating the release of tissue plasminogen activator from the vessel wall.     

Technique-dependent variations in cerebral microvessel blood volumes and hematocrits in the rat.

To quantitate small parenchymal microvessel blood volumes in the brain, the distribution spaces of radiolabeled red blood cells (RBC) and serum albumin (RISA) were assessed in rats by different methods of tissue sampling and radioassay. Three minutes after intravenous administration of 55Fe-RBCs and/or 125I-RISA, the rats were decapitated. The brain was either immediately frozen within the skull and later removed (head-frozen group) or rapidly removed from the skull and then frozen (brain-frozen group). Radioactivity was measured either by liquid scintillation counting of tissue pieces, which contained pial plus large and small parenchymal microvessels, or by quantitative autoradiography (QAR) of tissue sections, which indicated small parenchymal microvessel blood only. In 12 of 15 areas, the RISA, RBC, and blood volumes determined by liquid scintillation counting of head-frozen tissue pieces were equal to or greater than those of brain-frozen tissue; this indicated less than or equal to 25% greater blood retention in pial and parenchymal microvessels with head freezing. At the parenchymal microvessel level (QAR assay), the distribution volumes of RBCs, RISA, and blood were similar with the two freezing techniques; hence with QAR either freezing procedure can be used to assess small parenchymal microvessel blood volumes.     

Aluminium toxicity and iron homeostasis.

In an animal model of aluminum overload, (aluminium gluconate), the increases in tissue aluminium content were paralleled by elevations of tissue iron in the kidney, liver heart and spleen as well as in various brain regions, frontal, temporal and parietal cortex and hippocampus. Despite such increases in iron content there were no significant changes in the activities of a wide range of cytoprotective enzymes apart from an increase in superoxide dismutase in the frontal cortex of the aluminium loaded rats. Such increases in tissue iron content may be attributed to the stabilisation of IRP-2 by aluminium thereby promoting transferrin receptor synthesis while blocking ferritin synthesis. Using the radioactive tracer (26)Al less than 1% of the injected dose was recovered in isolated ferritin, supporting previous studies which also found little evidence for aluminium storage within ferritin. The increases in brain iron may well be contributory to neurodegeneration, although the pathogenesis by which iron exerts such an effect is unclear.     

Effects of lowered temperatures and media on short-term preservation of zebu (Bos indicus) preantral ovarian follicles

The maintenance of follicle quality during the transportation of ovaries is essential for the successful cryopreservation and in vitro development of preantral follicles. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cooling ovarian tissue on the conservation of zebu cow preantral follicles. Ovarian pieces were immersed in saline or coconut water (CW) solutions and maintained at 4 or 20 degrees C for 6, 12, or 18 h. Preantral follicles were evaluated by histology and transmission electron microscopy. Storage of ovarian pieces at 20 degrees C for 12 or 18 h significantly reduced the percentage of morphologically normal follicles compared to controls. In contrast, conservation at 4 degrees C for up to 18 h and at 20 degrees C for up to 6 h kept the percentage of normal follicles similar to controls. However, the type of solution that the ovaries were immersed in had little effect on the results. Decreased cellular metabolism probably accounted for better preservation of preantral follicles at 4 degrees C. In conclusion, zebu cow ovaries were successfully stored at 4 degrees C for up to 18 h with no morphological damage to preantral follicles. However, at 20 degrees C, ovaries could only be stored for 6 h.     

In vitro alanine utilization by rat interscapular brown adipose tissue

The in vitro oxidation to CO2 and tissue incorporation of alanine label by pieces of rat interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) has been investigated. Insulin increased both uptake and oxidation of alanine, as well as the incorporation of alanine label into tissue. This effect only was observed in the presence of glucose in the incubation medium. Noradrenaline hampered alanine incorporation, not affecting its rate of oxidation. IBAT from 4-h cold-exposed rats showed a higher alanine utilization than that of controls; however, IBAT pieces from both 36-h starved and 30-day cold-exposed rats presented lower rates of alanine utilization. The main fate of alanine taken up by the IBAT pieces was its oxidation to CO2. Part of the label was also incorporated into the fatty acid fraction of lipids. The results obtained in this study agree with a possible role of alanine as alternative energetic substrate for IBAT.     

Cytoprotective Effect of Short-Term Pretreatment with Proanthocyanidin on Human Gingival Fibroblasts Exposed to Harsh Environmental Conditions

Our previous study showed that exposing mouse fibroblasts to proanthocyanidin (PA) for only 1 min accelerated cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. In this study, exposing human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) to PA for 1 min similarly accelerated the proliferative response of the cells. Besides the accelerated proliferative response, PA showed a cytoprotective effect on HGFs exposed to harsh environmental conditions; short-term exposure of HGFs in the mitotic phase to pure water or physiological saline resulted in a lower recovery of viable cells. Pretreatment and concomitant treatment with PA improved the low recovery of cells exposed to pure water or physiological saline. In addition, HGFs exposed to PA for 1 min proliferated well even after being cultured in serum-free medium. In 100% confluent HGFs, being cultured in serum-free medium resulted in a high intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, but pretreatment with PA prevented the cells from increasing intracellular ROS. Thus, the results suggest that a short-term PA treatment exerts cytoprotective effects on HGFs exposed to harsh environmental conditions by improving the intracellular oxidative stress response.     

Whole Animal Perfusion Fixation for Rodents

The goal of fixation is to rapidly and uniformly preserve tissue in a life-like state. While placing tissue directly in fixative works well for small pieces of tissue, larger specimens like the intact brain pose a problem for immersion fixation because the fixative does not reach all regions of the tissue at the same rate ^5,7. Often, changes in response to hypoxia begin before the tissue can be preserved ¹². The advantage of directly perfusing fixative through the circulatory system is that the chemical can quickly reach every corner of the organism using the natural vascular network. In order to utilize the circulatory system most effectively, care must be taken to match physiological pressures ³. It is important to note that physiological pressures are dependent on the species used. Techniques for perfusion fixation vary depending on the tissue to be fixed and how the tissue will be processed following fixation. In this video, we describe a low-cost, rapid, controlled and uniform fixation procedure using 4% paraformaldehyde perfused via the vascular system: through the heart of the rat to obtain the best possible preservation of the brain for immunohistochemistry. The main advantage of this technique (vs. gravity-fed systems) is that the circulatory system is utilized most effectively.     

Metabolically Active Synaptosomes Can Be Prepared from Frozen Rat and Human Brain

Abstract: Nerve ending particles (synaptosomes) were prepared from pieces of rat and human brain and from brain homogenate that had been frozen and thawed under a variety of conditions. Their purity, as judged by electron microscopy, and performance in terms of a number of metabolic and functional parameters [accumulation of tissue potassium, respiration, release of transmitter amino acids, and the responses on these indices to depolarisation by veratrine (VX)] were compared with those of fresh tissue-derived synaptosomes. It was found that rapid freezing and/or slow thawing severely impaired the subsequent performance of incubated synaptosomes. In contrast, synaptosomes from tissue frozen slowly and thawed rapidly showed relatively good retention of morphology and metabolic performance. It was better to use whole (1-5 g) pieces of tissue than tissue homogenate: the synaptosome fraction from frozen tissue pieces contained 80% of the proportion of identified synaptosomes found in the fresh tissue synaptosome fraction, its respiratory rate was 65%, and its tissue potassium content 70% of that of fresh controls. Moreover, it responded to VX or potassium stimulation by showing increased respiratory rate, decreased tissue potassium, and increased release of neurotransmitter amino acids, to an extent that was comparable to that of fresh tissue fractions. Thus, preparations from frozen rat and human brain were shown to be metabolically and functionally active, and can be used for a variety of neurotransmitter-related studies.     

Calcium Antagonist Isradipine Reduces Metabolic Alterations in Acute Cerebral Ischemia in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

The present study was designed to examine the effect of a calcium antagonist isradipine (PN200-110: PN) on local cerebral blood flow and brain tissue metabolism after 1-hour supratentorial ischemia induced by bilateral carotid artery ligation (BCL) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). PN, dissolved in ethanol plus polyethylene glycol 400, diluted with saline to make the final concentration of 0.25mg/ml and 2.5mg/ml, was administered subcutaneously either 30 min prior to BCL or just after the induction of incomplete cerebral ischemia (n = 7 in each group). Vehicle injection was served as a control group (n = 7). Cerebral blood flow in the parietal cortex (CBF) and the cerebellar cortex (CeBF) was measured by hydrogen clearance technique, and the supra- and infratentorial metabolites of the brain frozen in situ were determined by the enzymatic method. Blood pressure was lowered, but CBF was increased by PN administration in pre-BCL treatment study. After 1 hour of BCL, CBF decreased to around 10% or less of the resting value, being insignificant among the groups. Brain adenosine triphosphate was better preserved in PN-administered groups. The increase in lactate level tended to reduce dose dependently by PN treatment. PN also reduced the metabolic alterations in brain tissue with significance, even when administered just after the induction of forebrain ischemia. It is considered that pre- as well as post-BCL administration of PN is beneficial to attenuate the metabolic alterations in incomplete forebrain ischemia in SHR.     

Circadian Reactivity Rhythm of Rat Gastric Mucosa to Restraint-Cold Stress and Indomethacin: Temporal Variation in the Protective Effect of Iloprost

In this study, the time-dependent ulcerogenic effects of restraint-cold stress and indomethacin on the gastric mucosa and the temporal variation in the protective effect of iloprost, a synthetic stable analog of prostacyclin, were investigated in rats synchronized to 12h light and 12h darkness, lights on at 08:00. The severity of gastric ulceration produced by either stress or indomethacin showed marked circadian variation; it was greatest at 11 HALO (hours after lights on) for restraint-cold stress and at 23 HALO for indomethacin. The severity of the induced ulcerogenesis was least at 7 HALO for both stimuli. The protective effect of iloprost against restraint-cold stress was most prominent at 15 HALO and 19 HALO with an approximately 80% protection score. On the other hand, pretreatment with iloprost reduced the indomethacin-induced mucosal injury only at 23 HALO. The circadian variation in the effect of iloprost and in the rhythmic modalities of these two experimental ulcer models are indicative of differences in their underlying mechanisms. In experimental models of ulceration, the circadian time of application of the ulcerogenic stimulus must be considered as an important experimental factor. Moreover, the protective effectiveness of antiulcer drugs can express time-dependent differences and must also be taken into account in investigative research. (Chronobiology International, 14(6), 575–583, 1997)