姜黄素对自发性高血压大鼠脑缺血/再灌注后海马神经元损伤及RANTES表达的影响

目的：探讨姜黄素对自发性高血压大鼠（SHR）脑缺血/再灌注后认知功能及海马神经元损伤和调解活化正常T细胞表达和分泌的趋化因子（RANTES）表达的影响。方法：雄性Wistar-Kyoto大鼠（WKY）和SHR,随机分为5组：假手术组（W-Sham、S-Sham）、缺血/再灌注组（W-I/R、S-I/R）和姜黄素组（S-Cur）,各组按再灌注时间分为3h、12 h、1 d、3 d、7 d 5个亚组（n=6）。采用四血管阻断法制备全脑缺血/再灌注模型,HE染色观察海马CA1区神经细胞形态,Nissl染色计数海马CA1区平均锥体细胞密度,ELISA法检测海马RANTES表达,于再灌注后7 d观察行为学。结果：与假手术组大鼠比较,缺血/再灌注组大鼠学习和记忆能力下降,海马CA1区神经元损伤加重,海马RANTES蛋白表达上调（P〈0.05）;与W-I/R大鼠比较,S-I/R大鼠学习和记忆能力下降,海马CA1区神经元损伤加重,海马RANTES蛋白表达上调（P〈0.05）;姜黄素组大鼠学习和记忆能力明显改善,海马CA1区神经元损伤减轻,海马RANTES蛋白表达下调（P〈0.05）。结论：缺血/再灌注更易导致SHR海马神经元损伤。姜黄素减轻SHR脑缺血/再灌注海马神经元损伤,其机制可能与抑制RANTES蛋白的表达有关。     

通脉益智方对VD大鼠学习记忆行为和海马CA1区突触结构的影响

目的:观察通脉益智方对血管性痴呆模型大鼠学习记忆行为和海马CA1区突触超微结构的影响.方法:应用高脂血症大鼠,采用脑缺血再灌注的方法建立血管性痴呆动物模型,利用跳台实验和Y型迷宫实验检验大鼠的学习记忆能力,应用透射电镜和光镜观察分析海马CA1区神经细胞和突触形态结构的变化.结果:跳台实验和Y型迷宫实验表明模型大鼠学习记忆能力明显下降,而给予通脉益智方组学习记忆能力改善,与模型组相比有显著性差异(p＜0.05).形态学观察显示模型组大鼠海马CA1区神经细胞排列紊乱,核固缩、退化、变性、坏死、消失.突触结构不完整,突触小泡减少;突触间隙模糊,线粒体肿胀、空泡样变.通脉益智方组的神经细胞、突触的形态与模型组相比有明显改善.结论:通脉益智方通过减轻突触的损伤及对神经细胞的保护作用,从而改善了学习记忆能力.     

芪丹通脉片对大鼠慢性脑缺血损伤大鼠学习记忆的影响

目的:研究芪丹通脉片对慢性脑缺血所致学习记忆障碍的治疗作用及其可能机制.方法:采用双侧颈动脉结扎方法复制慢性脑缺血模型.将健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组、假手术组、芪丹通脉片低剂量组、芪丹通脉片中剂量组、芪丹通脉片高剂量组、阳性对照尼莫地平组,应用Morris水迷宫检测大鼠学习记忆能力,HE染色观察海马神经元形态学改变.结果:与对照组比较,模型组大鼠可见显著学习记忆障碍,并可见海马神经元呈现出典型的神经病理性改变,海马区神经细胞数量减少、固缩等改变.芪丹通脉片可显著减轻慢性脑缺血所致学习记忆能力,并减其轻海马神经元损伤,且有显著剂量依赖性.结论:本实验证实芪丹通脉片可显著减轻慢性脑缺血所致学习记忆障碍,其可能机制是通过减轻海马损伤来改善学习记忆能力.     

芪丹通脉片对大鼠慢性脑缺血损伤大鼠学习记忆的影响

目的:研究芪丹通脉片对慢性脑缺血所致学习记忆障碍的治疗作用及其可能机制。方法:采用双侧颈动脉结扎方法复制慢性脑缺血模型。将健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组、假手术组、芪丹通脉片低剂量组、芪丹通脉片中剂量组、芪丹通脉片高剂量组、阳性对照尼莫地平组,应用Morris水迷宫检测大鼠学习记忆能力,HE染色观察海马神经元形态学改变。结果:与对照组比较,模型组大鼠可见显著学习记忆障碍,并可见海马神经元呈现出典型的神经病理性改变,海马区神经细胞数量减少、固缩等改变。芪丹通脉片可显著减轻慢性脑缺血所致学习记忆能力,并减其轻海马神经元损伤,且有显著剂量依赖性。结论:本实验证实芪丹通脉片可显著减轻慢性脑缺血所致学习记忆障碍,其可能机制是通过减轻海马损伤来改善学习记忆能力。     

肢体缺血预处理减轻大鼠海马缺血/再灌注损伤

目的:探讨肢体缺血预处理(LIP)对大鼠全脑缺血/再灌注损伤的影响.方法: 36只大鼠椎动脉凝闭后随机分为假手术(Control)组、脑缺血组、肢体缺血组、LIP 0 d组(LIP后即刻行脑缺血)、LIP 1 d组(LIP后1 d行脑缺血)和LIP 2 d组(LIP后2 d行脑缺血).重复夹闭大鼠双侧股动脉3次(每次10 min,间隔10 min)作为LIP,夹闭颈总动脉进行全脑缺血8 min后再灌注.硫堇染色观察海马CA1区组织学分级及锥体神经元密度以判断海马损伤程度.结果:脑缺血组海马CA1区锥体神经元损伤严重,与Control组比较,组织学分级明显升高,神经元密度明显降低(P<0.01).LIP 0 d组海马CA1区神经元损伤较脑缺血组明显减轻,组织学分级明显降低,神经元密度明显升高(P<0.01).而LIP 1 d组和LIP 2 d组大鼠海马CA1区锥体细胞缺失较多,仍有明显的组织损伤.结论:LIP可减轻随后立即发生的脑缺血/再灌注损伤,但对间隔1 d后的脑缺血/再灌注损伤无显著对抗作用.     

电针对大鼠心肺复苏后脑损伤的保护作用及对海马炎性因子表达的影响

目的:探讨电针对大鼠心肺复苏后脑损伤及海马炎性因子表达的影响。方法:雄性SD大鼠随机分三组:假手术组(Sham)、对照组(Control)、电针组(EA)。大鼠窒息8 min后进行心肺复苏,EA组于复苏同时在水沟、内关穴插入毫针并予以电针刺激,对照组仅在相同穴位插入毫针。计算大鼠复苏成功率,记录自主循环恢复时间,于复苏后24 h及72 h对大鼠进行神经功能缺损评分(NDS),水迷宫检测各组大鼠学习记忆能力,尼氏染色观察海马区神经元形态及存活数量,Western blot检测海马区炎性因子表达。结果:与Sham组相比,对照组与EA组大鼠复苏后24 h、72 h NDS降低,学习记忆能力明显减低,两组海马CA1区细胞排列紊乱、神经元存活数量减少,IL-10表达降低、IL-1与IL-6表达升高(P0.05)。而与对照组相比,EA组大鼠复苏成功率有所提高,但无统计学意义,自主循环恢复时间明显缩短(P0.05);复苏后24 h、72 h NDS评分提高(P0.05);水迷宫第六天逃避潜伏期缩短、空间探索能力显著增强(P0.05);海马CA1区细胞排列紊乱减轻,神经元存活数目增多;海马区炎性因子IL-1、IL-6表达降低,抗炎因子IL-10表达增多(P0.05)。结论:电针能够减轻大鼠心肺复苏后脑损伤,其保护作用可能与抑制炎性因子、促进抗炎因子表达有关。     

吗啡对脑缺血再灌注损伤后神经元凋亡及Bcl-2的影响

目的:探讨吗啡预处理对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤后神经元凋亡及Bcl-2蛋白表达的影响.方法:Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、吗啡组,各18只.四动脉阻断法建立脑缺血模型,吗啡组在脑缺血前60 min腹腔内注射吗啡1mg/kg.脑缺血8 min再灌注12h、72h及168h各取6只大鼠的脑组织,观察海马区病理学改变、神经元凋亡及Bcl-2表达.结果:吗啡预处理能使各灌注点海马神经元病理改变减轻、凋亡细胞数减少(P<0.01)、Bel-2表达增加(P<0.01).吗啡组细胞凋亡数减少趋势与Bcl-2表达上调趋势一致.结论:吗啡预处理可减轻缺血性脑损伤;吗啡抗凋亡作用机制与Bcl-2密切相关.     

PPARβ mRNA在全脑缺血/再灌注大鼠海马表达变化

目的探讨PPARβ mRNA在大鼠全脑缺血/再灌注损伤后的表达变化。方法采用双侧颈总动脉夹闭合并低血压的方法建立大鼠全脑缺血/再灌注模型。Morris水迷宫检测大鼠空间学习记忆能力,HE染色观察海马神经元形态变化,RT-PCR检测大鼠海马PPARβ mRNA的表达变化。结果全脑缺血/再灌注大鼠空间学习记忆能力明显下降,海马神经元核固缩;与假手术组相比,全脑缺血/再灌注后2h时PPARβ mRNA的表达明显增加,48h时达表达高峰,15d时表达下降但仍明显高于假手术组,而在30d时其表达略高于假手术组,但差异无统计学意义。结论全脑缺血/再灌注诱导大鼠海马PPARβ mRNA表达明显增加,此升高可能对全脑缺血/再灌注损伤具有保护作用。     

GW0742对全脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑损伤的作用观察

目的 初步观察PPARβ激动剂对大鼠全脑缺血/再灌注损伤的影响.方法 采用双侧颈总动脉夹闭合并低血压的方法建立大鼠全脑缺血/再灌注模型.GW0742(22μg、67μg和200 μg)于建模前30 min脑室注射给予,Morris水迷宫测定大鼠空间学习记忆能力,HE染色观察海马神经元形态变化,生化法检测大鼠海马SOD活性和MDA含量变化.结果 全脑缺血/再灌注大鼠空间学习记忆能力明显下降、海马神经元核固缩,海马SOD活性降低、MDA含量增加;GW0742给予能明显改善全脑缺血再灌注对大鼠空间学习记忆能力的损害和海马神经元损伤,并能明显阻遏全脑缺血再灌注大鼠海马的SOD活性降低、MDA含量增加.结论 PPARβ激动剂对全脑缺血/再灌注大鼠脑损伤有明显保护作用,其神经保护作用机制可能与通过PPARβ激动从而抑制氧化应激反应有关.     

电针对脑缺血再灌注大鼠海马神经元GluR-2表达的影响

目的探讨电针对短暂性局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤区神经元谷氨酸受体-2(GluR-2)表达的影响及其意义。方法手术制作中动脉栓塞(MCAO)大鼠模型;应用免疫组织化学方法检测海马CA1区GluR-2的定位表达,并应用免疫印迹(Western blot)方法对其进行定量分析。结果免疫组化结果:正常组、假手术组大鼠海马CA1区GluR-2的阳性反应强度无明显差别(P>0.05);MCAO模型组大鼠海马CA1区GluR-2的阳性反应比正常组和假手术组明显减弱(P<0.05);电针 MCAO模型组海马CA1区GluR-2的阳性反应比手术组明显增强,但比正常组和假手术组仍显偏弱(P<0.05)。Western blot结果与免疫组化结果一致。结论本试验的结果提示电针针刺可上调GluR-2的表达,从而对神经元起到一定保护作用。     

清脑方对缺血性眩晕大鼠脑损伤的保护作用

目的 初步研究清脑方（Qingnaofang,QNF）对缺血性眩晕大鼠脑损伤的保护作用及其作用机制.方法 采用手术结扎右侧颈总动脉和锁骨下动脉致大鼠右侧半脑不完全脑缺血建立缺血性眩晕大鼠模型.分为模型组,QNF 1.04、0.52、0.26 g/kg组,盐酸地芬尼多15 mg/kg组,银杏叶片5.76 mg/kg组以及假手术组,观察QNF对旋转刺激缺血性眩晕大鼠跳台逃避潜伏期的影响,取材并测定动物缺血侧组织Lac、LDH、SOD、MDA、NO及NOS的含量或活性.结果 （1）与模型组相比,QNF 1.04、0.52、0.26 g/kg组大鼠跳台逃避电击潜伏期分别缩短53.6%（P〈0.01）、33.8%（P〈0.05）、56.5%（P〈0.01）.（2）QNF 1.04、0.52、0.26 g/kg均可显著降低缺血侧脑组织中Lac的含量以及LDH的活力 （P〈0.05,P〈0.01）,降低其TNOS及iNOS活力 （P〈0.01）;QNF 0.52 g/kg剂量能够明显降低缺血侧脑组织中SOD活力;QNF 0.52、0.26 g/kg剂量可显著降低其MDA和NO的含量 （P〈0.05,P〈0.01）.结论 QNF对缺血性眩晕大鼠脑损伤有一定的保护作用,能够减轻模型动物的眩晕症状,其脑保护作用机制可能与改善缺血脑组织能量代谢,减少氧化应激和炎性损伤有关.     

孕酮对新生大鼠低氧缺血性脑损伤中MMP-3表达的影响

目的：研究孕酮（PROG）对新生大鼠低氧缺血后脑内基质金属蛋白酶3（MMP-3）表达的影响。方法：建立新生大鼠低氧缺血性脑损伤动物模型,伊文思兰（EB）染色和电镜观察新生鼠低氧缺血性脑损伤血一脑屏障的通透性改变;免疫印迹（Western blot）方法检测大脑皮层MMP-3表达。结果：电镜显示低氧缺血组血-脑屏障完整性明显破坏：EB染色结果表明低氧缺血组血-脑屏障通透性明显高于假手术组,差异极显著（P〈0．01）,孕酮组血-脑屏障通透性明显低于低氧缺血组,有显著性差异（P〈0．05）;Western blot结果显示低氧缺血组MMP-3蛋白表达显著高于假手术组（P〈0．01）;孕酮组MMP-3蛋白表达显著低于低氧缺血组（P〈0．05）。结论：孕酮通过减少MMP-3的表达,降低血一脑屏障的损伤,这可能是其发挥脑保护作用的机制之一。     

永久性局灶性中动脉阻断脑缺血（pMCAO）模型大鼠脑内突触相关蛋白表达的免疫组织化学观察

目的观察永久性局灶性中动脉阻断脑缺血（pMCAO）模型大鼠脑缺血发作后2 d、7 d脑内突触相关蛋白表达的变化。方法制作大鼠永久性局灶性中动脉阻断脑缺血（pMCAO）模型。缺血动物术后随机分为缺血2 d组、缺血7 d组,另设假手术组。在术后2 d、7 d 2个时间点采用HE染色观察动物神经病理学改变,同时采用免疫组织化学法观察动物的缺血侧脑组织突触素-I（synapsin-I）、突触后致密蛋白95（PSD-95）、α-突触核蛋白（α-synuclein）表达情况。结果与假手术组相比,缺血后,模型动物神经元大量变性坏死,数目减少,排列散乱。缺血后2 d,synapsin-I在CA1区、CA3区、皮层表达显著减少（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）,PSD-95在CA1区、皮层表达显著减少（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）,α-synuclein在CA1区神经元产生显著积聚（P〈0.01）;缺血后7 d,synapsin-I在CA1区、皮层表达仍显著降低（P〈0.01）,PSD-95在CA1区、皮层表达显著减少（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）,α-synuclein在CA1、CA3、皮层表达显著增加（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）。结论 pMCAO模型大鼠在脑缺血发生后,神经突触有关蛋白的表达显著改变,并随缺血后不同时间点表达情况不同,这可能与神经元突触重塑有关。突触相关蛋白的表达与缺血损伤程度密切相关。     

Effects of 17beta-estradiol on blood-brain barrier disruption during focal cerebral ischemia in younger and older rats.

This study was performed to compare the effects of 17beta-estradiol on blood-brain barrier disruption in focal cerebral ischemia between younger and older rats. Younger (three-month-old) and older (24-month-old) ovariectomized female Fischer 344 rats were studied. In one half of each age group, a 500 microg 17beta-estradiol 21-day release pellet and in another half, a vehicle pellet was implanted 21 days before the experiments. One hour after middle cerebral artery occlusion, the transfer coefficient (Ki) of 14C-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and the volume of 3H-dextran distribution were determined to examine the degree of blood-brain barrier disruption. In all four groups, the Ki in the ischemic cortex was higher than in the corresponding contralateral cortex. There was no significant difference in the Ki in both cortices among the groups. The volume of dextran distribution of the ischemic cortex was only greater than in the corresponding contralateral cortex in the older 17beta-estradiol-treated group, and the volume of that group was greater than the younger 17beta-estradiol-treated group (4.00 +/- 1.29 VS. 2.13 +/- 0.88 ml/100 g). After analyzing the difference in Ki between the ischemic cortex and the contralateral cortex in each animal, the difference was significantly greater in the older 17beta-estradiol-treated rats than the older vehicle-treated rats (3.40 +/- 2.10 VS. 1.26 +/- 1.44 microl/g/min). In the younger rats, however, 17beta-estradiol did not significantly affect the difference. Our data showed that 17beta-estradiol treatment failed to attenuate the BBB disruption in the cerebral ischemic cortex in the older or younger Fischer 344 rats. However, our data also suggest the possibility that 17beta-estradiol could aggravate the BBB disruption in older rats.     

Notoginsenoside R1 intervenes degradation and redistribution of tight junctions to ameliorate blood-brain barrier permeability by Caveolin-1/MMP2/9 pathway after acute ischemic stroke

BackgroundThe leakage of blood-brain barrier (BBB) is main pathophysiological change in acute stage of ischemic stroke, which not only deteriorates neurological function, but also increases the risk of hemorrhagic transformation after thrombolysis.Purpose/Study DesignThis article investigates the efficacy of Notoginsenoside R1, an active ingredient of Panax notoginseng, on BBB permeability and explores related mechanisms after acute ischemic stroke.MethodsIn vivo, male Sprague-Dawley rats (260–280 g) were selected and randomly divided into 6 groups: sham group, model group, low, middle and high doses of Notoginsenoside R1 groups and positive drug Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide group. Except for sham group, rats were performed with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion model in each group. Twelve hours later, rats were evaluated for Bederson neurological function, and BBB integrity by Evans blue leak imaging; Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was used to detect the volume of cerebral infarction. Frozen sections of rats’ brain tissue were prepared for detection of MMPs activity in situ zymography. Peripheral tissue of cerebral infarction was collected and tested the expression of MMP2, 9 and tight junction proteins (zo1, claudin5, occludin) by western blot. In vitro, transwell endothelial barrier model was established by bEnd.3 cells. Oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) was chosen to simulate the hypoxic environment. Suitable OGD stimulation time as well as Notoginsenoside R1 and Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide optimal dose concentrations were determined through transwell leakage and CCK8 assay. Furthermore, endothelial subcellular component proteins were extracted. The change of zo1, claudin5, occludin and caveolin1 was detected by western blot.ResultsNotoginsenoside R1 treatment significantly reduced BBB leakage and cerebral infarction volume, weakened neurological deficits in post-stroke rats. Moreover, it inhibited the activity of MMPs in infarcted cortex and striatum, down-regulated MMP2, 9 and up-regulated zo1 and claudin5 expressions in penumbra. In vitro, Notoginsenoside R1 treatment decreased OGD-induced endothelial barrier permeability, restored expressions of zo1, claudin5 on cellular membrane and cytoplasm, as well as mediated membrane redistribution of occludin and caveolin1 from actin cytoskeletal fraction.ConclusionsNotoginsenoside R1 treatment attenuates BBB permeability, cerebral infarction volume and neurological impairments in rats with acute cerebral ischemia. The mechanisms might be related to intervening degradation and redistribution of zo1, caludin5 and occludin by caveolin1/ MMP2/9 pathway. More effects and mechanisms of Notoginsenoside R1 on rehabilitation of stroke are worthy to be explored in the future.     

利用RNAi抑制PARs防治脑缺血性损伤的实验研究

目的：利用RNA干扰技术,通过重组腺病毒导入,抑制脑组织中PARs基因的表达,观察神经功能缺陷评分、缺血脑组织梗死体积的变化,为缺血性脑血管疾病的基因治疗提供实验依据。方法：雄性Wistar大鼠随机分组。以重组腺病毒介导的无序PARs基因shRNA片段、生理盐水进行干预,干预3天后以线栓法建立Wistar大鼠大脑中动脉永久闭塞模型,各组分别于线栓后24h、72h进行神经功能缺陷评分并断头取脑,应用4％TTC染色测脑梗死体积。结果：1．缺血后24h、72h同一时间点：①实验组分别与对照组、生理盐水组对比,神经功能缺陷评分明显降低（P〈0．05）,脑梗死体积明显减小（P〈0．05）;②对照组与生理盐水组对比,神经功能缺陷评分、脑梗死体积无明显差异（P〉0．05）。2．各组组内缺血后24h、72h对比,神经功能缺陷评分、脑梗死体积各组均有明显差异（P〈0．05）。结论：重组腺病毒介导的RNAi能有效抑制脑组织中PARs基因的表达,缩小脑梗死体积,改善神经功能缺陷评分。     

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。     

Hepatocyte growth factor attenuates cerebral ischemia-induced learning dysfunction

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) acts as an organotropic factor for regeneration and protection in various organs and has the ability to attenuate cerebral ischemia-induced cell death. However, the effect of HGF on learning and memory function after a cerebral ischemic event is unknown. We demonstrate here that administration of human recombinant HGF (hrHGF) into the ventricle reduced the prolongation of the escape latency in the acquisition and retention tests in the water maze task on days 12-28 after microsphere embolism-induced cerebral ischemia. In addition, disruption of the blood-brain barrier at the early stage after microsphere embolism, which was determined by FITC-albumin leakage, was markedly reduced by treatment with hrHGF. We demonstrated that this effect of hrHGF on the blood-brain barrier was associated with protection against the apoptotic death of the cerebral endothelial cells at the early stage after the ischemia. These results suggest that hrHGF can prevent the learning and memory dysfunction soon after sustained cerebral ischemia by protecting against injury to the endothelial cells. The use of HGF may be a potent strategy for the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, including cerebral infarct and vascular dementia.     

Normobaric hyperoxia inhibits NADPH oxidase-mediated matrix metalloproteinase-9 induction in cerebral microvessels in experimental stroke

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and NADPH oxidase contribute to blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption after ischemic stroke. We have previously shown that normobaric hyperoxia (NBO) treatment reduces MMP-9 and oxygen free radical generation in ischemic brain. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that NBO protects the BBB through inhibiting NADPH oxidase-mediated MMP-9 induction in transient focal cerebral ischemia. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 69) were given NBO (95% O2) or normoxia (21% O2) during 90-min filament occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Cerebral microvessels were isolated for analyzing MMP-9 and NADPH oxidase. BBB damage was non-invasively quantified with magnetic resonance imaging. In normoxic rats, both NADPH oxidase catalytic subunit gp91(phox) and MMP-9 expression were up-regulated in ischemic hemispheric microvessels after 90-min middle cerebral artery occlusion with 22.5 h reperfusion. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase with apocynin reduced the MMP-9 increase, indicating a causal link between NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide and MMP-9 induction. NBO treatment inhibited gp91(phox) expression, NADPH oxidase activity, and MMP-9 induction, which led to significantly less BBB damage and brain edema in the ischemic brain. These results suggest that gp91(phox) containing NADPH oxidase plays an important role in MMP-9 induction in ischemic BBB microvasculature, and that NBO treatment may attenuate MMP-9 induction and brain edema through inhibiting NADPH oxidase after transient cerebral ischemia.