二氢杨梅素改善慢性社会挫败应激小鼠认知与情感障碍*

目的:探索二氢杨梅素(DHM)对慢性社会挫败应激小鼠认知与情感障碍的作用及其可能机制。方法:将C57BL/6J小鼠随机分成对照组(Control)、慢性社会挫败应激组(CSDS)和慢性社会挫败应激+DHM组(CSDS+DHM),每组14只,每天将两个应激组小鼠放入ICR攻击鼠的饲养笼中10 min,之后取出放于ICR攻击鼠饲养笼的旁边笼中,连续应激10 d,在应激5 d后,每天按10 ml/kg的量分别腹腔注射一次2%的DMSO或20 mg/kg的DHM(分散于2% DMSO中),连续注射5 d,之后每组取10只小鼠进行新颖物体识别测试、Y迷宫测试、社会交互和旷场测试、行为学测试,剩余4只小鼠于实验结束后24 h内断头取脑,采用Western blot法检测海马组织SIRT1水平。结果:与Control组比较,CSDS组小鼠的学习记忆显著降低,焦虑水平显著升高,在悬尾测试(TST)和强迫游泳测试(FST)中的不动时间显著升高,海马SIRT1蛋白水平显著降低(P均＜0.05或P＜0.01);与CSDS组比较,CSDS+DHM组小鼠学习记忆显著提高,小鼠焦虑水平显著降低,在TST和FST中不动时间显著降低,海马SIRT1蛋白水平显著升高(P均＜0.05或P＜0.01)。结论:DHM可改善CSDS诱导小鼠的认知障碍、焦虑样行为和抑郁样行为,并提高海马SIRT1蛋白的表达水平。     

Microglia Loss Contributes to the Development of Major Depression Induced by Different Types of Chronic Stresses

Recently, the loss and dystrophy of hippocampal microglia induced by chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) has been reported to mediate the development of major depression in mice whose microglial cells were labeled with enhanced green fluorescent protein-conjuncted-CX3C receptor type 1. However, whether this happens in endogenous microglia with no genetic intervention remains unclear. Here, we addressed this issue in mice treated with different types of chronic stresses, including the CUS, chronic restraint stress (CRS) and chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). Results showed that the cellular numbers, process lengths, soma areas and activation markers of endogenous hippocampal but not cortical microglia, were markedly reduced by CUS, CRS and CSDS treatment. Administration of mice with two classical stimulators of microglia, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), reversed the CUS-, CRS- and CSDS-induced reductions in endogenous hippocampal microglial numbers, and also improved the CUS-, CRS- or CSDS-induced behavioral abnormalities, including the increases in the immobile time in the forced swimming test and tail suspension test, the inhibition of sucrose preference, and the decrease in the time spent in the center of open field. Furthermore, inhibition of the initial activation of hippocampal microglia by minocycline pretreatment also reversed the reduction in hippocampal microglial numbers as well as the behavioral abnormalities induced by CUS, CRS and CSDS treatment. These results provide compelling evidences to show that different types of chronic stresses can trigger the loss of endogenous hippocampal microglia and restoration of microglial numbers may have therapeutic values in major depression.     

Administration of DHA Reduces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Associated Inflammation and Alters Microglial or Macrophage Activation in Traumatic Brain Injury

We investigated the effects of the administration of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) on reducing neuroinflammation. TBI was induced by cortical contusion injury in Sprague Dawley rats. Either DHA (16 mg/kg in dimethyl sulfoxide) or vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide (1 ml/kg) was administered intraperitonially at 5 min after TBI, followed by a daily dose for 3 to 21 days. TBI triggered activation of microglia or macrophages, detected by an increase of Iba1 positively stained microglia or macrophages in peri-lesion cortical tissues at 3, 7, and 21 days post-TBI. The inflammatory response was further characterized by expression of the proinflammatory marker CD16/32 and the anti-inflammatory marker CD206 in Iba1⁺ microglia or macrophages. DHA-treated brains showed significantly fewer CD16/32⁺ microglia or macrophages, but an increased CD206⁺ phagocytic microglial or macrophage population. Additionally, DHA treatment revealed a shift in microglial or macrophage morphology from the activated, amoeboid-like state into the more permissive, surveillant state. Furthermore, activated Iba1⁺ microglial or macrophages were associated with neurons expressing the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress marker CHOP at 3 days post-TBI, and the administration of DHA post-TBI concurrently reduced ER stress and the associated activation of Iba1⁺ microglial or macrophages. There was a decrease in nuclear translocation of activated nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells protein at 3 days in DHA-treated tissue and reduced neuronal degeneration in DHA-treated brains at 3, 7, and 21 days after TBI. In summary, our study demonstrated that TBI mediated inflammatory responses are associated with increased neuronal ER stress and subsequent activation of microglia or macrophages. DHA administration reduced neuronal ER stress and subsequent association with microglial or macrophage polarization after TBI, demonstrating its therapeutic potential to ameliorate TBI-induced cellular pathology.     

Increased microglial activation and astrogliosis after intranasal administration of kainic acid in C57BL/6 mice

Glutamate excitotoxicity plays a key role in inducing neuronal cell death in many neurological diseases. In mice, intranasal administration of kainic acid (KA), an analogue of the excitotoxin glutamate, results in hippocampal cell death and provides a well-characterized model for studies of human neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we describe neurodegeneration and gliosis following intranasal administration of KA in C57BL/6 mice. By using Nissl's staining, neurodegeneration was found in area CA3 of hippocampus, and neuronal apoptosis was demonstrated by enhanced FAS(CD95/APO-1) expression detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Astrogliosis was exhibited by increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in the hippocampus and cortex. We also studied the profile of molecular expression on microglia in C57BL/6 mice. One and 3 days after KA administration, CD45, F4/80, CD86, MHCII, iNOS but not CD40 expression was enhanced or induced on microglia. In summary, KA administration results in an early microglial activation and a prolonged astrogliosis in C57BL/6 mice.     

Effective inhibition of miR-330/SHIP1/NF-κB signaling pathway via miR-330 sponge repolarizes microglia differentiation

Neuroinflammation mediated by microglia has been identified as vital pathogenesis in Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to investigate the role and potential regulatory mechanism of microRNA-330 in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced chronic neuroinflammatory model. Primary microglia chronic inflammation model and PD animal model were established by LPS treatment. Bulged microRNA-330 sponges containing six microRNA binding sites were constructed and delivered by plasmid or recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV2)/5-green fluorescent protein (GFP) vector. The expression levels of microRNA-330 were assessed by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Primary microglia polarization was determined by flow cytometry; meanwhile, dopamine and pro-(anti-)inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression levels of GFAP, lba1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Arg1, SHIP1, cytoplasmic, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were analyzed by Western blot. The behavioral deficit was determined by the rotarod test. The expression of microRNA-330 increased in the first 4 days and reached a plateau subsequently after LPS treatment. The sponges-mediated repression effect on M1 polarization was gradually enhanced with time. Treatment of miR-330 sponges increased the SHIP1 and Arg1 expression, and decreased the translocation of NF-κB and iNOS expression, suggesting the repression of inflammation. In the LPS-induced PD mice, administration of rAAV-sponge-GFP suppressed activation of microglia, downregulated proinflammatory cytokines, resumed the secretion of dopamine, rescued the dopaminergic neurons, and alleviated motor dysfunction. Our results demonstrated that microRNA-330 sponges could sustainably suppress LPS-induced polarization of microglia both in vivo and in vitro probably by negatively regulating NF-κB activity via target SHIP1 in microglia, which might be a promising neuroprotective strategy in neurological diseases, such as PD.     

Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in the Amygdaloid Kindling Model of Rats

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle responsible for correct folding and sorting of proteins contributing to neurogenesis and neuronal cell death. We used rapid kindling to analyze specific ER stress marker expression underlying focal epileptogenesis. Seven-week-old rats were divided into three groups: sham (n = 6), partially kindled (n = 8), and over-kindled rats (n = 9). Over kindled rats received over100 stimuli. Partially kindled animals had stimuli halted at stage 2. Protein from ipsilateral hippocampus was electrophoresed on SDS–PAGE, followed by hybridization with primary antibodies, anti-KDEL (-Lys-Asp-Glu-coo-), Bcl-2, BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), CHOP (C/EBP-homolog protein), C/EBP (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein), NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate; -R1 &2A), GluR1 (glutamate receptor), and β-tubulin. Western blotting revealed that the ER stress marker BiP (immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein) was markedly increased in both partially- and over-kindled groups. BiP expression was ninefold greater than control in partially kindling while twofold greater than control in over-kindled animals. Although ER stress response was accelerated, CHOP expression, which upregulates when apoptosis signaling is accelerated by ER stress, was suppressed. Bcl-2, which acts as an anti-apoptotic molecule, was upregulated in the over-kindled group. Remarkable elevation of BiP was found in partially kindled animals, but not in over-kindled. Over-kindled rats had spontaneous generalized seizure, while partially kindled ones had only partial seizures. Elevation of markers of ER stress in partial seizures might reflect transfer of discharge to contralateral limbic structures. We observed indications of functional changes and neurogenesis in limbic structure during kindling. Widespread indications of functional changes in several membrane and secreted proteins, including NMDA-R1 & R2A and BDNF, for mossy fiber re-construction on the CA3 area, which are related to protein synthesis in the ER, may be important in epileptogenesis.     

The effect of Banxia-houpo decoction on CUMS-induced depression by promoting M2 microglia polarization via TrkA/Akt signalling

It has been reported that Banxia-houpo decoction (BXHPD) serves as the anti-depressant treatment for a mild and severe depressive disease with limited side effects. The present study was performed to evaluate the protective effect of BXHPD on chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression and explore its effect on TrkA/Akt-mediated microglia polarization. The CUMS procedure was carried out, and the mice were intragastrically treated with BXHPD once daily. The selective TrkA inhibitor GW441756 was applied to further investigate the role of TrkA in BXHPD-mediated microglia polarization. The behaviour test including open field test (OFT), sucrose preference test (SPT), novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT), tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) was performed. The concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12 and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-10 were determined using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The population of Iba1+ cells and the length of microglia processes were observed under the fluorescence microscope. The mRNA expressions of Arg1, Ym1 and Fizzl1 were measured by PCR. The protein expressions of TrkA, p-Tyr490-TrkA, p-Ser473-Akt, p-Ser473-Akt1, p-Ser474-Akt2, p-CREB and Jmjd3 were detected by western blot. Our results showed that BXHPD attenuated CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviour, promoted anti-inflammatory cytokines, inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines, suppressed microglia activation, promoted M2 phenotype-specific indices and upregulated the expressions of TrkA, p-Tyr490-TrkA, p-Ser473-Akt, p-Ser473-Akt1, p-Ser474-Akt2, p-CREB and Jmjd3. The above beneficial effect of BXHPD can be blocked by TrkA inhibitor GW441756. This work demonstrated that BXHPD exerted an anti-depressant effect by promoting M2 phenotype microglia polarization via TrkA/Akt pathway.     

A Meaningful Attempt: Applying Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma to Induce Polarization of Macrophages

Macrophage polarization plays an important role in many macrophage-related diseases. This study was designed to preliminarily explore the effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma on the polarization direction and cell activity of macrophages with different phenotypes (ie, M0, M1, and M2). The M1 macrophage marker inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and M2 macrophage marker cluster of differentiation 206 (CD206) were detected by western blot (WB). The effects of DBD plasma on macrophage viability were analyzed by using a cell counting kit-8 detection kit. M0, M1, and M2 macrophages exhibited a decrease in iNOS expression and an increase in CD206 expression after the DBD plasma intervention. Additionally, the decrease in macrophage viability remained non-significant after initiating the intervention. DBD plasma can promote the transformation of M0 and M1 macrophages to M2 macrophages, and can further enhance the expression of the M2 macrophage phenotype marker CD206. Our study not only demonstrates the potential therapeutic value of DBD plasma for macrophage-related diseases, but it also provides a new direction for research to improve the treatment of macrophage-related diseases. © 2023 Bioelectromagnetics Society.     

The protective effect of 5-O-methylvisammioside on LPS-induced depression in mice by inhibiting the over activation of BV-2 microglia through Nf-κB/IκB-α pathway

Background5-O-methylvisammioside (MeV), also known as 4′-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol, is a conventional marker compound for quality control of roots of Saposhnikovia diviaricata (Radix Saposhnikoviae), which exhibits anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities.PurposeAccording to the activity of MeV, we speculated that MeV may have antidepressant effect on LPS induced depression, and further explored its mechanism.Study DesignFirst, to explore the effect and mechanism of MeV on LPS-induced depression in mice, and then to further explore the effect and mechanism of MeV on LPS-activated BV-2 microglia.MethodsBy the OFT, EPM, TST and FST behavioral tests, to explore the effect of MeV pretreatment on the behavior of LPS-induced depression mice. ELISA and Griess method were used to detect the changes of the serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels, the hippocampus SOD and MDA levels, and the NO, SOD, MDA, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the culture medium of LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression in the Nf-κB/IκB-α and BDNF/TrkB pathway in the hippocampus of mice and BV-2 microglia.ResultsMeV (4 mg/kg, i.p.) pretreatment significantly improves the activity and exploration ability of LPS-induced depression mice, and reduces the immobility time. MeV inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum of mice induced by LPS, such as IL-6 and TNF-α. MeV also increased the levels of SOD and reduces the expression of MDA in the hippocampus, thus promoting the alleviation of depressive symptoms in mice. Western blotting analysis showed that the antidepressant activity of MeV was related to the decrease of Nf-κB nuclear transport, the inhibition of IκB-α phosphorylation, and the increase of BDNF and TrkB expression. MeV (40 μM) significantly reduced the contents of NO, MDA, TNF-α and IL-6 in the culture medium of LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia, and increased the content of SOD.ConclusionMeV can regulate the neurotrophic factors in the mouse brain, reduce the content of inflammatory factors by the Nf-κB/IκB-α pathway, improve oxidative stress, and inhibit the excessive activation of LPS-stimulated BV -2 microglia. It effectively reversed the depression-like behAavior induced by LPS in mice.     

Activation of α-7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Reduces Ischemic Stroke Injury through Reduction of Pro-Inflammatory Macrophages and Oxidative Stress

Activation of α-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α-7 nAchR) has a neuro-protective effect on ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. However, the underlying mechanism is not completely understood. We hypothesized that α-7 nAchR agonist protects brain injury after ischemic stroke through reduction of pro-inflammatory macrophages (M1) and oxidative stress. C57BL/6 mice were treated with PHA568487 (PHA, α-7 nAchR agonist), methyllycaconitine (MLA, nAchR antagonist), or saline immediately and 24 hours after permanent occlusion of the distal middle cerebral artery (pMCAO). Behavior test, lesion volume, CD68⁺, M1 (CD11b⁺/Iba1⁺) and M2 (CD206/Iba1⁺) microglia/macrophages, and phosphorylated p65 component of NF-kB in microglia/macrophages were quantified using histological stained sections. The expression of M1 and M2 marker genes, anti-oxidant genes and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase were quantified using real-time RT-PCR. Compared to the saline-treated mice, PHA mice had fewer behavior deficits 3 and 7 days after pMCAO, and smaller lesion volume, fewer CD68⁺ and M1 macrophages, and more M2 macrophages 3 and 14 days after pMCAO, whereas MLA''s effects were mostly the opposite in several analyses. PHA increased anti-oxidant genes and NADPH oxidase expression associated with decreased phosphorylation of NF-kB p65 in microglia/macrophages. Thus, reduction of inflammatory response and oxidative stress play roles in α-7 nAchR neuro-protective effect.     

Sodium Phenylbutyrate and Edaravone Abrogate Chronic Restraint Stress-Induced Behavioral Deficits: Implication of Oxido-Nitrosative,Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Cascade,and Neuroinflammation

Chronic stress exposure can produce deleterious effects on the hippocampus (HC) which eventually leads to cognitive impairment and depression. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been reported as one of the major culprits in the development of stress-induced cognitive impairment and depression. We investigated the neuroprotective efficacy of sodium phenylbutyrate (SPB), an ER stress inhibitor, and edaravone, a free radical scavenger, against chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced cognitive deficits and anxiety- and depressive-like behavior in mice. Adult male Swiss albino mice were restrained for 6 h/day for 28 days and injected (i.p.) with SPB (40 and 120 mg/kg) or edaravone (3 and 10 mg/kg) for the last seven days. After stress cessation, the anxiety- and depressive-like behavior along with spatial learning and memory were examined. Furthermore, oxido-nitrosative stress, proinflammatory cytokines, and gene expression level of ER stress-related genes were assessed in HC and prefrontal cortex (PFC). CRS-exposed mice showed anxiety- and depressive-like behavior, which was significantly improved by SPB and edaravone treatment. In addition, SPB and edaravone treatment significantly alleviated CRS-induced spatial learning and memory impairment. Furthermore, CRS-evoked oxido-nitrosative stress, neuroinflammation, and depletion of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor were significantly ameliorated by SPB and edaravone treatment. We found significant up-regulation of ER stress-related genes in both HC and PFC regions, which were suppressed by SPB and edaravone treatment in CRS mice. Our study provides evidence that SPB and edaravone exerted neuroprotective effects on CRS-induced cognitive deficits and anxiety- and depressive-like behavior, which is possibly coupled with inhibition of oxido-nitrosative stress, neuroinflammation, and ER stress cascade.     

RvD1对大鼠2型糖尿病神经病理性痛的作用及机制研究

目的：采用2型糖尿病神经病理性痛大鼠,探讨其脊髓背角小胶质细胞极化情况以及消退素D1（RvD1）缓解大鼠2型糖尿病神经病理性痛的机制。方法：雄性SD大鼠高糖高脂饲养,腹腔注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）,制备大鼠2型糖尿病神经病理性痛模型。将2型糖尿病神经病理性痛大鼠随机分为3组（n=36）：2型糖尿病神经病理性痛组（D组）、2型糖尿病神经病理性痛注射RvD1组（R组）和溶剂对照组（S组）。R、S组分别于注射STZ 14 d后蛛网膜下腔置管,3 d后R、S组分别给予RvD1 10μl（10 ng/μl）和100%乙醇10μl,每天1次,连续14 d,D组不做任何处理。另取36只正常大鼠为正常对照组（N组）,普通饲料喂养。鞘内给药后第1、3、7、14天时测定机械缩足阈值（MWT）和热缩足潜伏期（TWL）,各组随机取9只大鼠处死,取L4-6脊髓膨大,采用Western blot法检测小胶质细胞M1、M2型极化标记物,即诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）、精氨酸酶1（Arg1）的表达。结果：与N组比较,D、S组第1、3、7、14天时MWT降低、TWL缩短,脊髓背角Arg1表达减少,iNOS表达增多（P < 0.05）;与D组比较,R组第7、14天时MWT升高、TWL延长,脊髓背角Arg1表达增多,iNOS表达减少（P < 0.05）;D组与S组各指标比较差异无统计学意义。结论：RvD1促进小胶质细胞M2型极化并缓解大鼠2型糖尿病神经病理性痛。     

S-亚硝基-N-乙酰-DL-青霉胺对RAW264.7巨噬细胞亚型分化的影响

目的:探讨S-亚硝基-N-乙酰-DL-青霉胺(SNAP)对巨噬细胞亚型分化的影响及其机制。方法:以RAW264.7巨噬细胞为研究对象,分为空白对照组、SNAP组、SNAP+PBA(4-苯基丁酸)组,采用不同浓度(30、100、300、400、500μmol/L)的SNAP或300μmol/L SNAP+20 mmol/L PBA对巨噬细胞进行干预24 h,应用RT-PCR法检测RAW264.7巨噬细胞亚型分化标志物M1(iNOS,CD86)、M2(Arg-I,MR)及CHOP mRNA的表达,应用Western blot技术检测iNOS及ERS通路中相关蛋白CHOP、P-PERK的表达。结果:与空白对照组比较,SNAP组iNOS、CD86、CHOPmRNA的表达均明显降低(P0.05),Arg-ImRNA表达明显升高(P0.05),而MR mRNA表达升高,但差异无统计学意义(P0.05);与300μmol/L SNAP组比较,300μmol/L+PBA组iNOS、CHOP mRNA均无明显变化(P0.05),CD86 mRNA升高,Arg-I、MR mRNA均明显降低(P0.05)。SNAP组CHOP、iNOS、p-PERK蛋白表达均明显低于对照组(P0.05),300μmol/LSNAP+20 mmol/LPBA组与300μmol/LSNAP组比较iNOS蛋白、p-PERK、CHOP蛋白表达升高(P0.05)。结论:NO可能通过内质网应激机制抑制巨噬细胞向M1亚型分化。     

ER Stress and Unfolded Protein Response in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Several theories on the pathomechanism of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have been proposed: misfolded protein aggregates, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased glutamate toxicity, increased oxidative stress, disturbance of intracellular trafficking, and so on. In parallel, a number of drugs that have been developed to alleviate the putative key pathomechanism of ALS have been under clinical trials. Unfortunately, however, almost all studies have finished unsuccessfully. This fact indicates that the key ALS pathomechanism still remains a tough enigma. Recent studies with autopsied ALS patients and studies using mutant SOD1 (mSOD1) transgenic mice have suggested that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related toxicity may be a relevant ALS pathomechanism. Levels of ER stress-related proteins were upregulated in motor neurons in the spinal cords of ALS patients. It was also shown that mSOD1, translocated to the ER, caused ER stress in neurons in the spinal cord of mSOD1 transgenic mice. We recently reported that the newly identified ALS-causative gene, vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB), plays a pivotal role in unfolded protein response (UPR), a physiological reaction against ER stress. The ALS-linked P56S mutation in VAPB nullifies the function of VAPB, resulting in motoneuronal vulnerability to ER stress. In this review, we summarize recent advances in research on the ALS pathomechanism especially addressing the putative involvement of ER stress and UPR dysfunction.     

Cell type-specific activation of p38 MAPK in the brain regions of hypoxic preconditioned mice

Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) has been implicated as a mechanism of ischemia/hypoxia-induced cerebral injury. The current study was designed to explore the involvement of p38 MAPK in the development of cerebral hypoxic preconditioning (HPC) by observing the changes in dual phosphorylation (p-p38 MAPK) at threonine180 and tyrosine182 sites, protein expression, and cellular distribution of p-p38 MAPK in the brain of HPC mice. We found that the p-p38 MAPK levels, not protein expression, increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the regions of frontal cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus of mice in response to repetitive hypoxic exposure (H1–H6, n = 6 for each group) when compared to values of the control normoxic group (H0, n = 6) using Western blot analysis. Similar results were also confirmed by an immunostaining study of the p-p38 MAPK location in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus of mice from HPC groups. To further define the cell type of p-p38 MAPK positive cells, we used a double-labeled immunofluorescent staining method to co-localize p-p38 MAPK with neurofilaments heavy chain (NF-H, neuron-specific marker), S100 (astrocyte-specific marker), and CD11b (microglia-specific maker), respectively. We found that the increased p-p38 MAPK occurred in microglia of cortex and hippocampus, as well as in neurons of hypothalamus of HPC mice. These results suggest that the cell type-specific activation of p38 MAPK in the specific brain regions might contribute to the development of cerebral HPC mechanism in mice.