Exogenous Adipokine Peptide Resistin Protects Against Focal Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice

Neurochemical Research - Previous studies have demonstrated that plasma resistin levels were increased in patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, the role of resistin after ischemic brain...     

Oxysophoridine Protects Against Focal Cerebral Ischemic Injury by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Mice

Our previous studies have demonstrated that oxysophoridine (OSR) has protective effects on cerebral neurons damage in vitro induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation. In this study, we further investigated whether OSR could reduce ischemic cerebral injury in vivo and its possible mechanism. Male Institute of cancer research mice were intraperitoneally injected with OSR (62.5, 125 and 250 mg/kg) for seven successive days, then subjected to brain ischemia induced by the model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. After reperfusion, neurological scores and infarct volume were estimated. Morphological examination of tissues was performed. Apoptotic neurons were detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining. Oxidative stress levels were assessed by measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels. The expression of various apoptotic markers as Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 were investigated by immunohistochemistry and Western-blot analysis. OSR pretreatment groups significantly reduced infract volume and neurological deficit scores. OSR decreased the percentage of apoptotic neurons, relieved neuronal morphological damage. Moreover, OSR markedly decreased MDA content, and increased SOD, GSH-Px activities. Administration of OSR (250 mg/kg) significantly suppressed overexpression of Caspase-3 and Bax, and increased Bcl-2 expression. These findings indicate that OSR has a protective effect on focal cerebral ischemic injury through antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.     

Erratum to: Exogenous Adipokine Peptide Resistin Protects Against Focal Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice

Neurochemical Research -     

Lipopolysaccharide Preconditioning Protects Hepatocytes from Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury (IRI) through Inhibiting ATF4-CHOP Pathway in Mice

Background

Low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preconditioning-induced liver protection has been demonstrated during ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in several organs but has not been sufficiently elucidated underlying causal mechanism. This study investigated the role of low-dose LPS preconditioning on ATF4-CHOP pathway as well as the effects of the pathway on tissue injury and inflammation in a mouse model of liver partial-warm IRI.

Methods

LPS (100 µg/kg/d) was injected intraperitoneally two days before ischemia. Hepatic injury was evaluated based on serum alanine aminotransferase levels, histopathology, and caspase-3 activity. The ATF4-CHOP pathway and its related apoptotic molecules were investigated after reperfusion. The role of LPS preconditioning on apoptosis and ATF4-CHOP pathway was examined in vitro. Moreover, the effects of the ATF4-CHOP pathway on apoptosis, Caspase-12, and Caspase-3 were determined with ATF4 small interfering RNA (siRNA). Inflammatory cytokine expression was also checked after reperfusion. Inflammatory cytokines and related signaling pathways were analyzed in vitro in macrophages treated by LPS preconditioning or ATF4 siRNA.

Results

LPS preconditioning significantly attenuated liver injury after IRI. As demonstrated by in vitro experiments, LPS preconditioning significantly reduced the upregulation of the ATF4-CHOP pathway and inhibited Caspase-12 and Caspase-3 activation after IRI. Later experiments showed that ATF4 knockdown significantly suppressed CHOP, cleaved caspase-12 and caspase-3 expression, as well as inhibited hepatocellular apoptosis. In addition, in mice pretreated with LPS, TNF-α and IL-6 were inhibited after reperfusion, whereas IL-10 was upregulated. Similarly, low-dose LPS significantly inhibited TNF-α, IL-6, ATF4-CHOP pathway, NF-κB pathway, and ERK1/2 in high-dose LPS-stimulated macrophages, whereas IL-10 and cytokine signaling (SOCS)-3 suppressor were induced. Importantly, ATF4 siRNA is consistent with results of LPS preconditioning in macrophages.

Conclusions

This work is the first time to provide evidence for LPS preconditioning protects hepatocytes from IRI through inhibiting ATF4-CHOP pathway, which may be critical to reducing related apoptosis molecules and modulating innate inflammation.     

远程缺血预处理通过升高Treg cells的表达参与脑保护作用

目的:探讨远程缺血预处理后,急性脑卒中24 h,72 h时脾脏组织Treg cells水平的表达变化,阐述远程缺血预处理对Treg cells的调节及其在急性脑卒中缺血期的保护作用。方法:60只昆明小鼠随机分为3组,sham组、MCAO组、远程缺血预处理+MCAO组(n=20只/组),建立小鼠MCAO模型,缺血60分再灌注后在24 h,72 h时进行神经功能缺陷评分(NDS),随后处死小鼠行氯化三苯基四氮唑(TTC)脑片染色,观察脑梗死容积变化。运用流式细胞仪检测脾脏组织Treg cells的表达。ELISA检测脑组织中炎症因子IFN-γ的表达。结果:在72 h时远程缺血预处理组与对照组相比,脑梗死容积减少,神经障碍减轻,脾脏Treg cells的表达上升,脑组织炎症因子IFN-γ的表达下降,P0.05,而24 h Treg cells的表达水平并未发生明显变化,P0.05。结论:在脑卒中急性期,远程缺血预处理通过升高Treg cells的表达参与脑保护作用。     

血红素加氧酶-1在缺血/再灌注损伤中的保护作用

血红素加氧酶-1(Heme Oxygenase-1,HO-1)是催化血红素分解的关键酶。近年来,人们对血红素降解产物的抗氧化、抗炎症等功能的认识推动了对HO酶系的研究。缺血／再灌注损伤(IRI)是一个重要的临床问题,而临床上对IRI的防治尚缺乏有效的方法。目前发现HO-1过表达具有抗IRI的作用,其保护作用的可能机制有：抗氧化作用、调节微循环、调节细胞周期和抗炎症作用。     

Prion Protein Protects against Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

The cellular prion protein (PrP^C), a protein most noted for its link to prion diseases, has been found to play a protective role in ischemic brain injury. To investigate the role of PrP^C in the kidney, an organ highly prone to ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury, we examined wild-type (WT) and PrP^C knockout (KO) mice that were subjected to 30-min of renal ischemia followed by 1, 2, or 3 days of reperfusion. Renal dysfunction and structural damage was more severe in KO than in WT mice. While PrP was undetectable in KO kidneys, Western blotting revealed an increase in PrP in IR-injured WT kidneys compared to sham-treated kidneys. Compared to WT, KO kidneys exhibited increases in oxidative stress markers heme oxygenase-1, nitrotyrosine, and N^ε-(carboxymethyl)lysine, and decreases in mitochondrial complexes I and III. Notably, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) staining was predominantly observed in tubular cells from KO mice following 2 days of reperfusion, a time at which significant differences in renal dysfunction, histological changes, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial complexes between WT and KO mice were observed. Our study provides the first evidence that PrP^C may play a protective role in renal IR injury, likely through its effects on mitochondria and ERK signaling pathways.     

Selenium Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Regulating Oxidative Stress,Mitochondrial Fusion and Ferroptosis

To clarify the potential role of selenium (Se) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, we utilized mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion as an animal model and oxygen–glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) to treat N2a cells as a cell model, respectively. MCAO model was established in mice and then divided into different groups with or without Se treatment. TTC staining was used to observe whether the cerebral I/R modeling was successful, and the apoptosis level was determined by TUNEL staining. The expression of GPx-4 and p22phox was assessed by western blot. In vitro experiments, the OGD/R induced oxidative stress in N2a cells was assessed by levels of GSH/GSSG, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and iron content, respectively. QRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of Cox-2, Fth1, Mfn1 and mtDNA in N2a cells. JC-1 staining and flow cytometry was performed to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential. Se treatment alleviated cerebral I/R injury and improved the survival rate of mice. Additionally, Se treatment apparently attenuated oxidative stress and inhibited iron accumulation in MCAO model mice and OGD/R model of N2a cells. In terms of its mechanism, Se could up-regulate Mfn1 expression to alleviate oxidative stress and ferroptosis by promoting mitochondrial fusion in vivo and vitro. These findings suggest that Se may have great potential in alleviating cerebral I/R injury.

     

A Synergistic Role of Hyperthermic and Pharmacological Preconditioning to Protect Astrocytes Against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Recent studies provide solid evidence for the importance to delineate the co-relationship between preconditioning stimuli and therapeutic efficacy of drugs commonly used in clinic. However, very little is known about this important topic. In the present study, we investigated the effects of hyperthermia on the protective role of ginkgolides on astrocytes against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and also evaluated the effects of the timing of co-treatment of hyperthermia with ginkgolides on astrocytes against the I/R injury. We demonstrated that there is a synergistic action between hyperthermic and pharmacological preconditioning to protect astrocytes against the I/R injury. Our findings also showed that astrocytes have completely different responses to the treatment with hyperthermia or ginkgolides alone or co-treatment together at different stages of the I/R process. Hyperthermic preconditioning before the I/R can protect astrocytes against the I/R injury. However, if treated in the ischemia and reperfusion stage, hyperthermia exacerbates the cell injury and significantly attenuates the protective effectiveness of ginkgolides. These findings imply that the timing of treatment with hypothermia and/or ginkgolides is one of the key factors to determine their protective effects on the cells against the I/R injury.     

高压氧对肾脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其机制研究

目的:观察高压氧(hyperbaric oxygen,HBO)对肾脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用并探讨其作用机制.方法:56只SD大鼠被随机分为三组,假手术组(n=8);I/R组(n=24),夹闭双肾动脉45分钟后恢复血流灌注;I/R+HBO组(n=24),夹闭双肾动脉45分钟并在恢复血流后1h、24 h、48 h行HBO治疗,每次HBO后采血并取双肾,比色法测定血浆尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(Cr)值,原位末端标记(TUNEL)法检测肾小管上皮细胞凋亡情况,实时定量PCR法检测促凋亡基因Bax的mRNA含量.结果:与sham组(BUN值为9.563± 1.384 mmol/L;Cr值为45.912±2.685 mmo1/L,TUNEL值为2.088％)比较,I/R组大鼠再灌注1小时尿素氮(12.5±1.487 mmol/L)和血肌酐水平(51.388±3.092 mmol/L)升高,但差异无统计学意义,而TUNEL阳性细胞数(9.775％)和Bax的mR-NA(3.219± 0.427)表达水平均显著升高(P＜0.05),再灌注24小时及48小时后尿素氮(28.087± 2.012 mmol/L、41.225± 1.397mmol/L)和血肌酐(241.75± 11.853 mmol/L、278.75± 12.578 mmol/L)水平、TUNEL阳性细胞数(12.512％、14.413％)和Bax的mRNA(5.541±0.227、6.407± 0.291)表达水平均显著升高(P＜0.05);而HBO治疗可显著降低再灌注24小时及48小时的大鼠尿素氮(14.15±1.397 mmol/L、25.962± 2.497 mmol/L)和血肌酐(146.375± 8.782 mmolL、210.125± 11.519 mmol/L)水平(P＜0.05),但仍显著高于假手术组(P＜0.05).结论:HBO治疗可以改善I/R后肾功能,其作用机制可能与在早期明显降低Bax的mRNA表达,减轻肾小管上皮细胞凋亡有关.     

高压氧预处理对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的:研究高压氧预处理对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法:36只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组及高压氧预处理组,每组12只。高压氧预处理组大鼠在造模前5天给予高压氧预处理。采用线栓法建立大鼠脑缺血再灌注模型,观察高压氧预处理对脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠神经功能缺损评分、脑梗死面积的影响,检测大鼠缺血脑组织COX-2 mRNA和蛋白的表达以及IL-1β、TNF-α、MDA的含量。结果:高压氧预处理可明显改善脑缺血再灌注大鼠神经功能缺损评分,减少脑梗死面积,降低COX-2m RNA和蛋白表达量,抑制IL-1β、TNF-α的表达,降低MDA水平。结论:高压氧预处理对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤具有明显的保护作用,其机制可能与抑制IL-1β、TNF-α、COX-2的表达以及减弱脂质过氧化反应有关。     

毛蕊异黄酮通过抑制calpain-1的表达发挥抗脑缺血再灌注损伤的研究

目的:探讨毛蕊异黄酮抗脑缺血再灌注损伤的作用是否与抑制calpain-1的表达有关。方法:将SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组以及药物组,采用线栓法建立大鼠大脑中动脉阻断(MCAO)模型,于缺血再灌注前30 min腹腔注射给予20 mg/kg毛蕊异黄酮或等体积的溶剂。再灌注24 h后,行神经功能学评分、脑梗死面积以及神经元凋亡检测;再灌注12 h、24 h时,采用免疫组化和蛋白印迹技术检测大鼠脑皮层calpain-1的表达。结果:与假手术组大鼠比较,MCAO模型组大鼠再灌注24 h后神经功能学评分、梗死面积、神经元凋亡率及calpain-1的表达均明显升高(P0.05),而毛蕊异黄酮能够降低模型组大鼠再灌注24 h后神经功能学评分、梗死面积、神经元凋亡率以及calpain-1的表达(P0.05)。结论:毛蕊异黄酮可能通过抑制calpain-1的表达发挥抗脑缺血再灌注损伤作用。     

Methylophiopogonanone A Protects against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury and Attenuates Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption In Vitro

Methylophiopogonanone A (MO-A), an active homoisoflavonoid of the Chinese herb Ophiopogon japonicus which has been shown to have protective effects on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. However, little is known about its role in cerebral I/R injury. Therefore, in this study, by using a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion rat model, the effect of MO-A on cerebral I/R injury was examined. The results showed that MO-A treatment reduced infarct volume and brain edema, improved neurological deficit scores, reversed animal body weight decreases, and increased animal survival time in the stroke groups. Western blotting showed that MO-A suppressed MMP-9, but restored the expression of claudin-3 and claudin-5. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy were monitored to determine the blood–brain barrier (BBB) alterations in vitro. The results showed that MO-A markedly attenuated BBB damage in vitro. Additionally, MO-A inhibited ROS production in ECs and MMP-9 release in differentiated THP-1 cells in vitro, and suppressed ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in ECs and leukocyte/EC adhesion. In conclusion, our data indicate that MO-A has therapeutic potential against cerebral I/R injury through its ability to attenuate BBB disruption by regulating the expression of MMP-9 and tight junction proteins.     

黄芪皂苷IV对心肌缺血／再灌注损伤的保护及抗凋亡作用的研究

目的：探讨黄芪皂苷Ⅳ对大鼠心肌缺血／再灌注损伤的保护作用及抗凋亡作用。方法：研究黄芪皂苷Ⅳ对大鼠收缩压和舒张压的作用;建立大鼠心肌缺血／再灌注模型,在缺血前给予黄芪皂苷Ⅳ处理,观察心律失常的改变,测定血液中乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和丙二醛（MDA）的变化,检测计算凋亡心肌细胞百分比及对P-STAT1、P-STAT3蛋白表达的调控作用。结果：黄芪皂苷Ⅳ可降低大鼠收缩压和舒张压,心肌缺血／再灌注前,预先给予黄芪皂苷Ⅳ有抗心律失常作用,降低血液中LDH和MDA含量,提高SOD活性,降低凋亡心肌细胞百分比,显著增加P-STAT1蛋白表达而同时降低P-STAT3蛋白表达。结论：黄芪皂苷Ⅳ对心肌缺血／再灌注损伤具有一定的保护作用,减少心肌细胞凋亡,其机制可能与抑制P—STAT1,诱导P—STAT3表达有关。     

注射用内给氧对缺血再灌注损伤兔肝脏能量代谢的影响

为了探讨注射用内给氧对肝脏缺血再灌注(I/R)损伤肝脏能量代谢的影响,将48只健康新西兰长耳大白兔随机分为4组:假手术组(A组),缺血再灌注组(B组),缺血再灌注 周围静脉注射用内给氧组(C组),缺血再灌注 肝动脉注射内给氧组(D组),每组12只,采用Pringle氏法建立肝脏I/R模型,比较4组大白兔缺血再灌注后1、2、24h肝组织内三磷酸腺苷(ATP)、二磷酸腺苷(ADP)、一磷酸腺苷(AMP)含量、肝脏的细胞能荷(EC)及肝组织形态学的变化.结果表明,与A组比较,8、C、D三组肝功能损害重,肝组织ATP含量,能荷值(EC)降低(P<0.05);肝组织病理学改变明显(P<0.05),B组以上各项指标差异更为显著,与B组比较,C、D二组肝组织ATP含量,能荷值(EC)高(P<0.05);肝组织病理学改变较轻(P<0.05);C组与D组比较,各参数无显著性差异.以上研究表明.注射用内给氧可通过改善肝细胞的能量代谢而减轻肝缺血再灌注损伤.