HO-1在缺血后处理抗肺缺血再灌注损伤中的作用及其对STAT-3表达的影响

目的研究血红素加氧酶-1(hemeoxygenase-1,HO-1)在缺血后处理(ischemic postconditioning,IPO)抗肺缺血再灌注损伤中的作用机制及其对STAT-3蛋白表达的影响。方法 40只SD雄性大鼠(250-280 g)随机分为假手术组(S)、缺血再灌注组(IR)、缺血后处理组(IPO)及缺血后处理+HO-1抑制剂组(IPO+ZnPP)。称重法计算缺血肺组织干/湿比(W/D),试剂盒检测缺血肺组织MDA水平及MPO与HO-1活性,Western Blot检测HO-1,p-STAT-3蛋白表达水平。结果与S组比较,IR组大鼠W/D、MDA、MPO、HO-1活性及蛋白表达水平均显著增加,而p-STAT-3蛋白表达水平显著降低,IPO可以逆转上述变化,而HO-1特异性抑制剂可以消除IPO对上述指标的影响。结论 IPO可以通过促进HO-1活性及蛋白表达的增加从而激活STAT-3信号通路而发挥抗肺缺血再灌注损伤作用。     

缺血预处理对缺血再灌注后兔脊髓磷酸腺苷代谢的影响

目的：研究缺血参处理对缺血再灌注后兔脊髓磷酸腺苷代谢的影响。方法：往置入腹主动脉的Swan-Ganz导管气囊内注气造成兔腰髓缺血模型。将实验兔分为假手术组、缺血组和预处理组。应用反相高效液相色谱方法（reverse phase HPLC),对缺血再灌注后不同时间点腰髓组织中磷酸腺苷（ATP、ADP、AMP）的含量进行检测。结果：和假手术组相比,缺血组兔再灌后各时间点腰髓组织ATP含量有明显下降（P＜0．01）。与缺血组相应时间点相比,预处理组兔再灌注后腰髓组织ATP含量明显提高（P＜0．01）。结论：缺血预处理显著提高缺血再灌注后兔脊髓组织ATP含量,这可能是缺血预处理对脊髓缺血再灌注损伤产生保护作用的机制之一。     

血红素氧合酶-1在离体大鼠心肌缺血预适应中的作用

目的:分别观察给予HO-1诱导剂和抑制剂对心肌相对缺血再灌注损伤和缺血预适应的影响,探讨HO-1在缺血预适应中的作用.方法:实验动物随机分为对照组(CN)、缺血/再灌损伤组(I/R)、缺血预适应 缺血/再灌损伤组(PC)、HO-1诱导剂 缺血/再灌损伤组(HM)、HO-1抑制剂 缺血预适应组(ZP).心肌缺血/再灌损伤采用相对缺血/再灌损伤模型,缺血预适应则为相对缺血5min恢复5min,反复2次.测定心功能、MDA及HO-1活性变化.结果:HM组HO-1活性升高,心功能恢复率均显著高于IR组(P＜0.01),MDA含量显著低于IR组(P＜0.05).ZP组活性降低,心功能恢复率显著低于PC组(P＜0.05),MDA含量显著高于PC组(P＜0 05).结论:HO-1是缺血预适应释放的内源性活性物质之一.     

胆红素对大鼠肺脏缺血再灌注损伤保护作用的研究

目的探讨胆红素对实验性大鼠肺缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用并探讨其发生的机制。方法60只健康Wistar大鼠随机分为3组：手术对照（C）组,缺血再灌注（IR）组,胆红素干预（B）组。每组分别于缺血第45min、再灌注30min、60min、120min4个时点,经左房放血处死大鼠,观察肺组织病理形态变化,检测血浆丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的含量,测定肺组织干/湿重（D/W）比值,TUNEL法测定肺组织中细胞凋亡指数（AI）。结果①肺组织病理变化：缺血再灌注后IR组肺组织损伤进行性加重,毛细血管充血、肺泡间隔炎性细胞浸润、肺泡腔内炎性细胞及炎性液体渗出显著,B组肺组织充血、水肿、炎性细胞浸润较IR组减轻。②血浆MDA含量：IR组在缺血再灌注后血浆MDA含量明显增加,较C组和B组同时点均显著增高（P〈0.01）,而B组的MDA含量在缺血再灌注过程中的变化无显著性意义;③血浆SOD含量：经缺血再灌注后,IR和B组血浆SOD含量较C组同时点均显著下降（P〈0.05）,B组减少的程度明显小于IR组（P〈0.05）;④肺组织D/W比值：经缺血和再灌注后,IR组和B组的肺组织D/W比值都呈进行性下降（再灌注60、120minvs缺血45min,P〈0.01）;B组下降幅度明显小于IR组（再灌注60、120min时,B组vsIR组,P〈0.05）;⑤肺组织细胞AI的变化：IR组及B组缺血再灌注后均可见肺组织细胞凋亡现象,但与IR组相比,B组相同时点的肺组织细胞凋亡数显著减少（P〈0.05）;结论胆红素对于实验性大鼠肺脏缺血再灌注损伤具有一定的保护作用,其作用机制与清除氧自由基、抗氧化及抗细胞凋亡有关。     

川芎嗪对兔肺缺血/再灌注损伤时血红素氧合酶-1表达与活性的影响

目的:探讨川芎嗪注射液对兔肺缺血/再灌注损伤时血红素氧合酶-1(HO-1)表达与活性的影响.方法:采用在体兔单肺原位缺血/再灌注损伤模型.实验兔20只,随机均分为肺缺血-再灌注损伤组(模型组)和川芎嗪注射液治疗组(川芎嗪组).用免疫组化、原位杂交方法观察HO-1在兔肺组织中的表达变化;测定肺组织湿干重比(W/D)及肺泡损伤数(IAR);电镜观察肺组织超微结构的改变.结果:HO-1在模型组、川芎嗪组肺血管内皮、部分血管平滑肌、外膜层及部分气道上皮均有阳性表达,免疫组化(原位杂交)的平均吸光度值分别为0.168±0.016(0.148±0.013)、0.186±0.014(0.158±0.012).川芎嗪组HO-1的表达水平明显高于模型组(P＜0.01),W/D、IAR值显著低于模型组(P＜0.01),肺组织形态学异常改变轻于模型组.结论:川芎嗪注射液可通过提高肺组织HO-1的表达水平,对肺缺血/再灌注损伤发挥积极的保护作用.     

缺血后低压灌注处理对兔脊髓缺血/再灌注损伤的保护及ERK传导通路在其中的作用

目的 评价细胞外信号调节激酶 (ERK)传导通路对低压灌注缺血后处理兔缺血/再灌注损伤脊髓的保护作用及机制.方法 84只日本大耳白兔随机分为7组,分别为C组(对照组,不给予缺血后处理)、PB组(缺血后处理组)、D、PD1、PD3、PD9组分别于腹主动脉开放前1min鞘内注射DMSO 20μl、PD98059 1μg(20μl)、PD98059 3μg(20μl)、PD98059 9μg(20μl)之后进行缺血后处理及PD组(腹主动脉开放前1min鞘内注射PD98059 3μg(20μl),之后不行缺血后处理).分别于再灌注1、3、7、28d时采用Tarlov评分评价后肢运动功能.每组于再灌注1d时处死6只动物,取L3～5节段脊髓组织,采用Western blot技术测定p-ERK1/2 及Bcl-2,Bax蛋白表达.结果 1、3、7、28d,PB组Tarlov评分明显高于其它各组(P<0.05),缺血后处理可以明显上调p-ERK1/2及凋亡抑制基因Bcl-2的表达,下调凋亡促进基因Bax的表达(P<0.05),而这些调节作用可以被ERK1/2阻断剂PD98059抑制.结论 p-ERK1/2在低压灌注缺血后处理对缺血再灌注损伤脊髓的保护中起重要作用.     

血红素氧合酶-1对心肌相对缺血/再灌注损伤的延迟保护作用

目的：探讨血红素氧合酶-1（HO-1）在运动预适应（EP）中对大鼠心肌相对缺血/再灌注（rI/R）损伤的延迟保护作用。方法：40只Wistar大鼠随机分为5组：正常对照组（CN）、相对缺血/再灌注组（IR）、运动预适应＋相对缺血/再灌注组（EI）、Hemin（HO-1诱导剂）＋相对缺血/再灌注组（HE）和运动预适应＋ZnPP（HO-1抑制剂）＋相对缺血/再灌注组（EZ）。测定大鼠再灌注期心率脉压乘积（PRP）、冠脉流出液MDA含量、HO-1活性等。结果：心肌HO-1活性：EI组和HE组较IR组显著升高,EZ组则显著降低。EZ组较EI组显著降低,EI组和HE组间亦有显著性差异。再灌注后60 min时间点PRP恢复率：EI组较IR组显著增高;IR组与HE组未见显著性差异,但30min时间点HE组显著增高;EZ组较EI组显著降低。冠脉流出液MDA含量：EI组、EZ组和HE组MDA含量较IR组皆显著降低;EZ组较EI组显著升高。结论：EP可以诱导HO-1合成,进而通过HO-1对24 h后发生的rI/R损伤产生延迟保护作用。     

青藤碱抗大鼠肝脏缺血/再灌注损伤作用的机制探讨

目的:观察青藤碱时大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的影响,探讨其保护大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤作用的机制.方法:通过建立大鼠全肝缺血再灌注损伤模型,应用硝酸酶还原法测定肝脏缺血再灌注后60min血清NO水平变化;测定再灌注60 min后肝组织内MDA和SOD含量变化;再灌注60min取肝组织完成肝组织显微结构的观察.结果:肝脏缺血再灌注损伤后血清NO水平降低;青藤碱能提高再灌注后血清NO水平,且能改善肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的微循环,减轻肝细胞内超微结构的损害程度.结论:青藤碱对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用,其主要作用机制是清除氧自由基和改善微循环.     

胸段硬膜外阻滞对家猪肝缺血再灌注时微循环的影响

目的：探讨胸段硬膜外阻滞对家猪肝缺血再灌注时微循环的影响。方法：14只健康幼年家猪,随机分为两组：硬膜外组（E组）和对照组（C组）,每组7只。基础麻醉后,进行气管插管机械通气,侧卧位行胸段硬膜外穿刺（T8-9）置管。经腹正中切口暴露肝脏,分离肝十二肠韧带,游离肝左动脉及门静脉左支备用。E组给予0．5％布比卡因0．75mL／节段（阻滞T5-T12脊神经）,C组给予相同容积的生理盐水。硬膜外给药15min后,夹闭肝左动脉及门静脉左支45min,然后开放肝左动脉及门静脉左支进行再灌注4h。分别在缺血前（TO）,缺血末（T1）,再灌注1h（T2）,2h（T3）,4h（T4）采血样用于测定AST,ALT,NO,ET-1,TNF-α,IL-1β和ATP。实验结束后取肝脏组织样本测定MDA和观察肝脏病理变化。结果：E组各时点MAP水平低于C组,有统计学差异（P〈0．05）;pH值以及PaC02两组间无明显差异;E组各时点AST,ALT,ET-1,TNF-α,IL-1β浓度低于C组,有统计学差异（P〈0．05）,NO及ATP浓度高于C组,有统计学差异（P〈0．05）;MDA含量c组高于E组,有统计学差异（P〈O．05）。光镜下可见E组肝组织损伤程度轻于C组。结论：胸段硬膜外阻滞可以增加肝脏能量的生成,纠正NO／ET的失衡,减少促炎介质的生成,从而改善微循环障碍的程度减轻肝缺血再灌注损伤。     

舒芬太尼预处理对大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤中炎性因子MPO，IL-6，IL-15的影响

目的:探讨舒芬太尼预处理对大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤模型中炎性因子MPO,IL-6,IL-15的影响。方法:健康SD雄性大鼠30只,随机分为假手术组(Sham组,n=10);缺血再灌注组(IR组n=10);舒芬太尼预处理5μg/kg组(Suf5组,n=10)。采用动脉夹夹闭胸主动脉方法制备脊髓缺血再灌注模型。Tarlov法测大鼠运动评分,HE染色观察大鼠脊髓组织细胞形态,Western Blot法测脊髓组织中MPO的表达,ELISA法检测脊髓组织中IL-6,IL-15含量。结果:IR组Tarlov评分高于sham组,Suf5组Tarlov评分低于IR组。HE染色显微镜下见IR组脊髓组织内出现广泛的变性神经元,胞核固缩偏位碎裂,并有有空泡形成;Suf5组脊髓组织神经元损伤坏死数量减少,细胞核形态基本正常。Suf5组中MPO,IL-6,IL-15,含量均低于IR组,IR组中MPO,IL-6,IL-15含量均高于sham组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:舒芬太尼能降低大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤组织中MPO,IL-15,1L-6表达,减轻炎症损害,进而减轻脊髓缺血再灌注损伤。     

Co-application of ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning provides additive neuroprotection against spinal cord ischemia in rabbits

Postconditioning can induce cardioprotection against ischemia. However, the data on postconditioning of the spinal cord is very limited. We investigated here whether co-application of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and postconditioning can provide additive neuroprotection against prolonged spinal cord ischemia. Spinal cord ischemia was produced in rabbits by infrarenal aortic occlusion with a balloon catheter for 30 min. The four treatment groups were control (n=10): no intervention; IPC (n=10): a 5-minute aortic occlusion was performed 20 min before the prolonged ischemia; Postcon (n=10): postconditioning comprised of four cycles of 1-minute occlusion/1-minute reperfusion was applied one minute after the start of reperfusion. IPC+postcon (n=11): both IPC and postconditioning were applied. Functional evaluation with Tarlov score was performed during a 14-day observation period. Neurologic impairment was noticeably attenuated in the IPC+postcon group (compared with the control group, P<0.01, at day 1, day 2, day 7 and day 14, respectively), but not in either the IPC or Postcon group. Plasma malondialdehyde levels after reperfusion were significantly decreased to a similar extent in the IPC, Postcon and IPC+Postcon groups (compared with the control group (P<0.01). In the IPC+Postcon group, many more large motor neurons were preserved than in the control group (P<0.05) and white matter injury was also markedly attenuated as evidenced by reduction of the vacuolation area of the white matter (P<0.01) and decreased amyloid precursor protein immunoreactivity (P<0.01). From this, we conclude that the combination of IPC and postconditioning induces additive neuroprotective effects for spinal cord against ischemia and reperfusion injuries.     

Effect of repetitive ischemic preconditioning on spinal cord ischemia in a rabbit model

A completely randomized controlled study based on a rabbit model was designed to study the effect of repetitive ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on a spinal cord ischemic reperfusion injury. Twenty four white adult Japanese rabbits were randomly assigned to one of the 3 groups (n = 8 per group): Group I: sham-operation group, Group II: ischemic reperfusion group, and, Group III: IPC group. Spinal cord ischemia was induced by infra-renal aortic cross-clamp for 45 min in Group II. Before 45 min ischemia, the rabbits in Group III underwent four cycles of IPC (5 min of ischemia followed by 5 min of reperfusion). Post-operative neurological function, electromyography (EMG) of rear limbs, and spinal cord histopathological changes were measured. The concentrations of calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc in spinal cord were measured in the 7th day. The neurological function and histopathological changes in Group II were significantly different from those in Group I or Group III (P < 0.05 or 0.01). There was a more significant change of EMG in Group II than that in Group III (P < 0.05). The concentrations of calcium and copper in Group II were significantly higher (P < 0.05 or 0.01), but magnesium and zinc were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in Group I. Calcium and copper in Group II were significantly higher (P < 0.05), but zinc was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than those in Group III. In conclusion, repetitive IPC can protect rabbit spinal cord from ischemic reperfusion injury in a timely manner, which is associated with corrections of imbalance of calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc in the ischemic region.     

Involvement of CCR-2 chemokine receptor activation in ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning of brain in mice

The present study has been designed to investigate the potential role of CCR-2 chemokine receptor in ischemic preconditioning as well as postconditioning induced reversal of ischemia-reperfusion injury in mouse brain. Bilateral carotid artery occlusion of 17min followed by reperfusion for 24h was employed in present study to produce ischemia and reperfusion induced cerebral injury in mice. Cerebral infarct size was measured using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Memory was evaluated using elevated plus-maze test and Morris water maze test. Rota rod test was employed to assess motor incoordination. Bilateral carotid artery occlusion followed by reperfusion produced cerebral infarction and impaired memory and motor co-ordination. Three preceding episodes of bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 1min and reperfusion of 1min were employed to elicit ischemic preconditioning of brain, while three episodes of bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 10s and reperfusion of 10s immediately after the completion of were employed to elicit ischemic postconditioning of brain. Both prior ischemic preconditioning as well as ischemic postconditioning immediately after global cerebral ischemia prevented markedly ischemia-reperfusion-induced cerebral injury as measured in terms of infarct size, loss of memory and motor coordination. RS 102895, a selective CCR-2 chemokine receptor antagonist, attenuated the neuroprotective effect of both the ischemic preconditioning as well as postconditioning. It is concluded that the neuroprotective effect of both ischemic preconditioning as well as ischemic postconditioning may involve the activation of CCR-2 chemokine receptors.     

肢体远程预处理通过上调机体抗氧化酶活性诱导兔脊髓缺血耐受

目的:证实抗氧化酶活性上调是肢体远程预处理(remote preconditioning,RPC)诱导兔脊髓缺血耐受效应的主要机制之一。方法:60只雄性新西兰大白兔随机分成对照组、远程预处理组、缺血组及RPC 缺血组(对照组n=6,余组n=18)。RPC组行双下肢短暂缺血2次(每次10min,间隔10min);缺血组仅行脊髓缺血模型;RPC 缺血组在远程预处理后1h行脊髓缺血;对照组为假手术组。对照组于脊髓缺血再灌注后48h行神经功能评分后取脊髓,作为对照。余三组分别于再灌注后6h、24h及48h评分后取材,各时间点各取6只。所有动物于缺血前、缺血20min、再灌注20min及再灌注6h采动脉血测血清抗氧化酶活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量;于取材后测定脊髓匀浆抗氧化酶活性和MDA含量。结果:再灌注后6h、24h及48h时对照组、远程预处理组及远程预处理 缺血组神经功能评分均明显高于缺血组(P<0.05)。血浆超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性在每个时间点RPC组均高于对照组,RPC 缺血组高于缺血组(P<0.05);其中缺血20min时,缺血组血浆SOD、CAT活性低于对照组,RPC 缺血组低于RPC组(P<0.05);而与缺血前相比,缺血20min时缺血组及RPC 缺血组SOD和CAT活性显著下降(P<0.05)再灌注24h和48h时,脊髓匀浆SOD、CAT活性对照组低于RPC组,缺血组低于RPC 缺血组(P<0.01);而MDA含量再灌注24h时对照组高于RPC组,缺血组高于RPC 缺血组(P<0.05)。脊髓匀浆SOD、CAT活性与神经功能评分具有显著相关性。结论:RPC诱导脊髓缺血耐受的机制可能为上调抗氧化酶活性,增强机体在缺血再灌注过程中清除氧自由基的能力,从而减少氧自由基介导的损伤,发挥脊髓保护作用。     

不同强度及时间窗骨骼肌缺血后处理对兔心肌的保护作用

目的:通过比较不同强度及时间窗骨骼肌缺血后处理对兔缺血/再灌注心肌的保护效能,试图寻找最佳强度和时间窗的骨骼肌缺血后处理方案。方法:健康新西兰大白兔42只(雄性)随机分为7组(n=6):①假手术组(Sham)、②缺血对照组(CON)、③标准骨骼肌后处理组(SP)、④延迟6min骨骼肌后处理组(6M-DSP)、⑤延迟1 min骨骼肌后处理组(1M-DSP)、⑥骨骼肌后处理加强组(SSP)、⑦骨骼肌后处理减弱组(WSP)。以开胸结扎冠状动脉左室支固定部位方法制作缺血/再灌注模型,以游离并夹闭双侧腹股沟髂外动脉固定位置方法造成骨骼肌缺血,再灌注末以TTC法确定心肌梗死范围,并分别于心肌缺血前、后及再灌注1 h、2 h,以生化法测定血清肌酸激酶(CK)及乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)水平。结果:和CON组相比,1M-DSP组心肌梗死重量比及面积比分别下降了42.32%及42.68%、SP组分别下降了49.97%及43.78%、SSP组分别下降了48.36%及48.86%,(P均<0.05),但三组之间相比,心梗范围未见明显差异;而6M-DSP、WSP组与CON组相比未见心肌保护作用;肌酸激酶(CK)的水平和梗死范围变化趋势一致。结论:兔在心肌缺血/再灌注之前完成骨骼肌5 min缺血/1 min再灌注1次循环的缺血后处理,可以起到明显的心肌保护作用。     

Effect of Antioxidant Treatment in Global Ischemia and Ischemic Postconditioning in the Rat Hippocampus

Ischemic postconditioning is a very effective way how to prevent delayed neuronal death. Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761; 40 mg/kg) posttreatment was studied on the rat model of transient forebrain ischemia and ischemia/postconditioning. Global ischemia was produced by four-vessel occlusion in Wistar male rats. Two experimental protocols were used: (a) 10 min of ischemia/7 days of reperfusion with or without EGb 761 treatment or (b) 10 min of ischemia/2 days of reperfusion/5 min of ischemia (postconditioning), following 5 days of reperfusion. EGb 761 was applied as follows: 30 min before 10 min of ischemia then 5 h, 1 and 2 days after 10 min of ischemia. Fluoro Jade B, marker for neuronal degeneration, was used for quantitative analysis of the most vulnerable hippocampal CA1 neurons. Cognitive and memory functions were tested by Morris water maze, as well. Administration of EGb 761 30 min before 10 min of ischemia or 5 h after ischemia has rather no protective effect on neuronal survival in CA1 region. Ten minutes of ischemia following ischemic postconditioning after 2 days of reperfusion trigger a significant neuroprotection of CA1 neurons, but it is abolished by EGb 761 posttreatment. Ischemia/postconditioning group showed a significant improvement of learning and memory on the seventh day of reperfusion. Protection of the most vulnerable CA1 neurons after ischemia/postconditioning is abolished by exogenous antioxidant treatment used in different time intervals after initial ischemia. Moreover, combination of EGb 761 administration with repeated stress (5 min ischemia used as postconditioning) causes cumulative injury of CA1 neurons.     

Hypercholesterolemic Myocardium Is Vulnerable to Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Refractory to Sevoflurane-Induced Protection

Recent studies have demonstrated that volatile anesthetic postconditioning confers myocardial protection against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury through activation of the reperfusion injury salvage kinase (RISK) pathway. As RISK has been shown to be impaired in hypercholesterolemia. Therefore, we investigate whether anesthetic-induced cardiac protection was maintained in hypercholesterolemic rats. In the present study, normocholesteolemic or hypercholesterolemic rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion. Animals received 2.4% sevoflurane for 5 min or 3 cycles of 10-s ischemia/10-s reperfusion. The hemodynamic parameters, including left ventricular developed pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and heart rate, were continuously monitored. The infarct size, apoptosis, p-Akt, p-ERK1/2, p-GSK3β were determined. We found that both sevoflurane and ischemic postconditioning significantly improved heart pump function, reduced infarct size and increased the phosphorylation of Akt, ERK1/2 and their downstream target of GSK3β in the healthy rats. In the hypercholesterolemic rats, neither sevoflurane nor ischemic postconditioning improved left ventricular hemodynamics, reduced infarct size and increased the phosphorylated Akt, ERK1/2 and GSK3β. In contrast, GSK inhibitor SB216763 conferred cardioprotection against IR injury in healthy and hypercholesterolemic hearts. In conclusions, hyperchoesterolemia abrogated sevoflurane-induced cardioprotection against IR injury by alteration of upstream signaling of GSK3β and acute GSK inhibition may provide a novel therapeutic strategy to protect hypercholesterolemic hearts against IR injury.     

Neuroprotective Effects of PEP-1-Cu,Zn-SOD against Ischemic Neuronal Damage in the Rabbit Spinal Cord

A rabbit model of spinal cord ischemia has been introduced as a good model to investigate the pathophysiology of ischemia-reperfusion (I-R)-induced paraplegia. In the present study, we observed the effects of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) against ischemic damage in the ventral horn of L(5-6) levels in the rabbit spinal cord. For this study, the expression vector PEP-1 was constructed, and this vector was fused with SOD1 to create a PEP-1-SOD1 fusion protein that easily penetrated the blood-brain barrier. Spinal cord ischemia was induced by transient occlusion of the abdominal aorta for 15 min. PEP-1-SOD1 (0.5 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered to rabbits 30 min before ischemic surgery. The administration of PEP-1-SOD1 significantly improved neurological scores compared to those in the PEP-1 (vehicle)-treated ischemia group. Also, in this group, the number of cresyl violet-positive cells at 72 h after I-R was much higher than that in the vehicle-treated ischemia group. Malondialdehyde levels were significantly decreased in the ischemic spinal cord of the PEP-1-SOD1-treated ischemia group compared to those in the vehicle-treated ischemia group. In contrast, the administration of PEP-1-SOD1 significantly ameliorated the ischemia-induced reduction of SOD and catalase levels in the ischemic spinal cord. These results suggest that PEP-1-SOD1 protects neurons from spinal ischemic damage by decreasing lipid peroxidation and maintaining SOD and catalase levels in the ischemic rabbit spinal cord.