Novel stable PACAP analogs with potent activity towards the PAC1 receptor

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a 38- or 27-amino acid neuropeptide with promising therapeutic applications for the treatment of several pathophysiological states related to neurodegenerative diseases. However, its use for therapeutic applications is actually limited by its restricted bioavailability and rapid degradation. Therefore, metabolically stable PACAP analogs represent promising tools to further investigate the physiological roles of PACAP and ascertain its usefulness in some clinical conditions. In this study, derivatives of PACAP27 and PACAP38 have been rationally designed to develop PAC1 receptor agonists resistant to peptidase action. Results showed that N-terminal modifications confer resistance to dipeptidyl peptidase IV, a major proteolytic process involved in PACAP degradation. Moreover, in vitro incubation of both PACAP isoforms in human plasma revealed that PACAP38 is rapidly metabolized, with a half-life of less than 5 min, while PACAP27 was stable in these experimental conditions. Hence, following the elucidation of its plasmatic metabolites, PACAP38 was modified at its putative endopeptidase and carboxypeptidase sites of cleavage. All peptide analogs were tested for their ability to bind the PAC1 receptor, as well as for their potency to induce calcium mobilization and inhibit PC12 cell proliferation through the PAC1 receptor. This approach revealed two leading compounds, i.e. acetyl-[Ala¹⁵, Ala²⁰]PACAP38-propylamide and acetyl-PACAP27-propylamide, which exhibited improved metabolic stability and potent biological activity. This study describes innovative data related to PACAP metabolism in human plasma and depicts the development of a metabolically stable PACAP38 analog, acetyl-[Ala¹⁵, Ala²⁰]PACAP38-propylamide, which behaves as a super-agonist towards the PAC1 receptor.     

Effect of middle cerebral artery occlusion on the passage of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide across the blood-brain barrier in the rat

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been shown to be a potent neuroprotective agent in global and focal ischemia. We demonstrated that PACAP could cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by a saturable transport system, and a systemic administration of PACAP reduced the infarct induced by unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Therefore, we studied whether this transport system is affected by MCAO in the rat. The entry of PACAP38 into the brain was compared in five groups: control, 4, 6, 24, and 48 h after MCAO. [(125)I]PACAP38 was injected intravenously and serum and various brain regions were collected 3 min later. The rate of entry into the brain of PACAP38 was also determined. We showed that PACAP entered the rat brain via a rapid transport system when the BBB is intact. After transient (2 h) unilateral MCAO, all regions of the brain, showed a selective increase in the passage of PACAP38 across the BBB after 4 h after the occlusion, which was not related to any generalized change in the permeability of the BBB, as measured with albumin. A significant decrease in the amount of PACAP38 entering the brain was observed in the 6- and 24-h groups, but it returned to the baseline level in the 48-h group. These results suggest that focal cerebral ischemia can selectively modify the passage of PACAP38 across the BBB, in both damaged and undamaged sides of the brain, and that these changes in influx are not solely due to the disruption of BBB. These findings imply the necessity of adjusting the dose of intravenously administered PACAP38 in order to maximize its therapeutic effect on the brain damage resulting from focal ischemia     

Neuroprotective effects of VEGF administration after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion: dose response and time window

Administration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to increase cerebral blood flow and reduce neurological damage after experimental ischemic brain injury. The purpose of this study was to examine the optimal dose and time window for the neuroprotective effect of VEGF when administrated after focal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbits. Focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method. In a dose response experiment, low (1.25 ng/μL), middle (2.5 ng/μL) and high (5.0 ng/μL) doses of VEGF were administered 2h after MCAO by the route of perifocal region. The VEGF at a dose of middle (2.5 ng/μL) displayed excellent effects on neuroprotective efficacy for focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. In another experiment, 2.5 ng/μL VEGF was administered at times varying from 2 to 8h after MCAO. Infarct volume, water content and neurological deficits were significantly reduced when VEGF was given at 2 and 3h after injury. The protective effect was less when the same dose was given at the later times. Thus, the present findings indicated that VEGF reduced ischemic neuronal danger with a therapeutic time window within the first 3h of transient MCAO and may be useful in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in humans.     

PACAP protects neuronal differentiated PC12 cells against the neurotoxicity induced by a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, rotenone

In vivo and in vitro studies have suggested a neuroprotective role for Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) against neuronal insults. Here, we showed that PACAP27 protects against neurotoxicity induced by rotenone, a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). The neuroprotective effect of PACAP27 was dose-dependent and blocked by its specific receptor antagonist, PACAP6-27. The effects of PACAP27 on rotenone-induced cell death were mimicked by dibutyryl-cAMP (db-cAMP), forskolin and prevented by the PKA inhibitor H89, the ERK inhibitor PD98059 and the p38 inhibitor SB203580. PACAP27 administration blocked rotenone-induced increases in the level of caspase-3-like activity, whereas could not restore mitochondrial activity damaged by rotenone. Thus, our results demonstrate that PACAP27 has a neuroprotective role against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in neuronal differentiated PC12 cells and the neuroprotective effects of PACAP are associated with activation of MAP kinase pathways by PKA and with inhibition of caspase-3 activity; the signaling mechanism appears to be mediated through mitochondrial-independent pathways.     

Propofol Protects Against Focal Cerebral Ischemia via Inhibition of Microglia-Mediated Proinflammatory Cytokines in a Rat Model of Experimental Stroke

Ischemic stroke induces microglial activation and release of proinflammatory cytokines, contributing to the expansion of brain injury and poor clinical outcome. Propofol has been shown to ameliorate neuronal injury in a number of experimental studies, but the precise mechanisms involved in its neuroprotective effects remain unclear. We tested the hypothesis that propofol confers neuroprotection against focal ischemia by inhibiting microglia-mediated inflammatory response in a rat model of ischemic stroke. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Propofol (50 mg/kg/h) or vehicle was infused intravenously at the onset of reperfusion for 30 minutes. In vehicle-treated rats, MCAO resulted in significant cerebral infarction, higher neurological deficit scores and decreased time on the rotarod compared with sham-operated rats. Propofol treatment reduced infarct volume and improved the neurological functions. In addition, molecular studies demonstrated that mRNA expression of microglial marker Cd68 and Emr1 was significantly increased, and mRNA and protein expressions of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 were augmented in the peri-infarct cortical regions of vehicle-treated rats 24 h after MCAO. Immunohistochemical study revealed that number of total microglia and proportion of activated microglia in the peri-infarct cortical regions were markedly elevated. All of these findings were ameliorated in propofol-treated rats. Furthermore, vehicle-treated rats had higher plasma levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein 24 h after MCAO, which were decreased after treatment with propofol. These results suggest that propofol protects against focal cerebral ischemia via inhibition of microglia-mediated proinflammatory cytokines. Propofol may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases associated with microglial activation.     

Perillaldehyde attenuates cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury-triggered overexpression of inflammatory cytokines via modulating Akt/JNK pathway in the rat brain cortex

Perillaldehyde (PAH), one of the major oil components in Perilla frutescens, has anti-inflammatory effects. Few studies have examined the neuroprotective effect of PAH on stroke. So the aim of our study is to investigate the effect of PAH on ischemia–reperfusion-induced injury in the rat brain cortex. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was selected to make cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury. Rats were assigned randomly to groups of sham, MCAO, and two treatment groups by PAH at 36.0, 72.0 mg/kg. Disease model was set up after intragastrically (i.g.) administering for 7 consecutive days. The neurological deficit, the cerebral infarct size, biochemical parameters and the relative mRNA and protein levels were examined. The results showed that the NO level, the iNOS activity, the neurological deficit scores, the cerebral infarct size and the expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were significantly decreased by PAH treatment. PAH also increased the Phospho-Akt level and decrease the Phospho-JNK level by Western blot analysis. Meanwhile, the PAH groups exhibited a dramatically decrease of apoptosis-related mRNA expression such as Bax and caspase-3. Our findings shown that PAH attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat brain cortex, and suggest its neuroprotective effect is relate to regulating the inflammatory response through Akt /JNK pathway. The activation of this signalling pathway eventually inhibits apoptotic cell death induced by cerebral ischemia–reperfusion.     

Characterization of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide 38 (PACAP38)-, PACAP27-, and Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide-Stimulated Responses in N1E-115 Neuroblastoma Cells

Abstract: In this study, the effects of three related peptides, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 38 (PACAP38), PACAP27, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), on cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation and intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) were compared in N1E-115 cells. PACAP38 and PACAP27 stimulated cAMP accumulation up to 60-fold with EC₅₀ values of 0.54 and 0.067 n M , respectively. The effect of VIP on cAMP accumulation was less potent. The binding of ¹²⁵I-PACAP27 to intact cells was inhibited by PACAP38 and PACAP27 (IC₅₀ values of 0.44 and 0.55 n M , respectively) but not by VIP. In fura-2-loaded cells, both PACAP38 and PACAP27 increased [Ca²⁺]_i with EC₅₀ values around 10 n M . The interactions of these three peptides with ionomycin, a Ca²⁺ ionophore, and 4β-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C, were also determined. Ionomycin increased the cAMP accumulation caused by all three peptides. With low concentrations of PACAP38 or PACAP27, the effect of PMA was inhibitory, whereas at higher concentrations of PACAP (>1 n M ), the effect of PMA was stimulatory. Similar to other agents that elevate cAMP, PACAP38 was an effective stimulator of neurite outgrowth. These results show that (a) PACAP27 and PACAP38 stimulate cAMP accumulation and increase [Ca²⁺]_i through the type I PACAP receptors in N1E-115 cells, (b) ionomycin enhances cAMP accumulation by all three peptides, and (c) activation of protein kinase C has a dose-dependent stimulatory or inhibitory effect on the PACAP38- or PACAP27-stimulated cAMP accumulation.     

NOD2 is Involved in the Inflammatory Response after Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Triggers NADPH Oxidase 2-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species

Background: Increasing evidences suggest that innate immunity is involved in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, but the liable innate immune receptors have not been completely elucidated. Here, we explored the role of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)2, a member of the cytosolic NOD-like receptor family, in acute focal cerebral I/R injury.Methods: An in vivo middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model that in wild type (WT) and NOD2 deficient (NOD2^-/-) mice and in vitro model of oxygen glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) in cultured primary microglia and astrocytes were used to investigate the expression of NOD2 and explore the roles of NOD2 in ischemic stroke.Results: Our results showed that NOD2 expression was significantly increased in microglia and astrocytes in response to the I/R insult. Pretreatment with muramyl dipeptide, an extrinsic ligand of NOD2, significantly increased the infarct volume and neurological dysfunction in mice subjected to MCAO. Genetic ablation of the NOD2 gene significantly improved stroke outcomes and reduced inflammation, as evidenced by a lower expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα in conjunction with attenuated activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) and JNK. Moreover, NOD2 deficiency prevented the upregulation of the NADPH oxidase (NOX) 2 and ROS generation induced by I/R. Mechanistically, NOD2-induced production of IL-6 in primary cultured microglia was mediated through activation of NOX2.Conclusions: This study showed the contribution of NOD2 to inflammatory response and provided direct evidence that NOX2-mediated oxidative stress as an important target molecule linked NOD2 to inflammatory damage in ischemic stroke. Pharmacological targeting of NOD2-mediated inflammatory response at multiple levels may help design a new approach to develop therapeutic strategies for prevention of deterioration of cerebral function and for the treatment of stroke.     

An Orally Active Allosteric GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Is Neuroprotective in Cellular and Rodent Models of Stroke

Diabetes is a major risk factor for the development of stroke. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists have been in clinical use for the treatment of diabetes and also been reported to be neuroprotective in ischemic stroke. The quinoxaline 6,7-dichloro-2-methylsulfonyl-3-N-tert- butylaminoquinoxaline (DMB) is an agonist and allosteric modulator of the GLP-1R with the potential to increase the affinity of GLP-1 for its receptor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of DMB on transient focal cerebral ischemia. In cultured cortical neurons, DMB activated the GLP-1R, leading to increased intracellular cAMP levels with an EC₅₀ value about 100 fold that of exendin-4. Pretreatment of neurons with DMB protected against necrotic and apoptotic cell death was induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). The neuroprotective effects of DMB were blocked by GLP-1R knockdown with shRNA but not by GLP-1R antagonism. In C57BL/6 mice, DMB was orally administered 30 min prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery. DMB markedly reduced the cerebral infarct size and neurological deficits caused by MCAO and reperfusion. The neuroprotective effects were mediated by activation of the GLP-1R through the cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway. DMB exhibited anti-apoptotic effects by modulating Bcl-2 family members. These results provide evidence that DMB, a small molecular GLP-1R agonist, attenuates transient focal cerebral ischemia injury and inhibits neuronal apoptosis induced by MCAO. Taken together, these data suggest that DMB is a potential neuroprotective agent against cerebral ischemia.     

Berberine Ameliorates MCAO Induced Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via Activation of the BDNF–TrkB–PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

Cerebral ischemic injury remains associated with high mortality rates and lacks effective therapeutic intervention. Berberine (BBR) possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor activities, as well as potent neuroprotective effects. Although recent studies have examined the neuroprotective effects of berberine, little is known regarding its usefulness in treating cerebral ischemia. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the possible effect and the mechanism of berberine against cerebral ischemic injury using the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, MCAO group, and MCAO?+?BBR group. Modified neurological severity score tests (mNSS) and infarct volumes were measured to determine the neuroprotective effects of berberine. Neuronal survival in striatum was examined by TUNEL staining and immunohistochemistry. Western blotting measured the expression of BDNF, TrkB, p-Akt and cleaved caspase-3. The results demonstrated that BBR could significantly protect against MCAO. Berberine also increased the expression of BDNF, TrkB, and p-Akt, which were reduced after MCAO. Furthermore, treatment with BBR declined the apoptosis-related proteins induced by MCAO. However, treatment with LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) reversed the BBR-induced increases in BDNF and p-Akt proteins and decreased cleaved caspase-3 protein expression in focal cerebral ischemic rats. In summary, our results demonstrated that BBR could exert neuroprotective effects through reduction of striatum apoptosis via the BDNF–TrkB–PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.     

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide protects cardiomyocytes against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) has well-known neuroprotective effects, and one of the main factors leading to neuroprotection seems to be its anti-apoptotic effects. The peptide and its receptors are present also in the heart, but whether PACAP can be protective in cardiomyocytes, is not known. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of PACAP on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. Our results show that PACAP increased cell viability by attenuating H2O2-induced apoptosis in a cardiac myocyte culture. PACAP also decreased caspase-3 activity and increased the expression of the anti-apoptotic markers Bcl-2 and phospho-Bad. These effects of PACAP were counteracted by the PACAP antagonist PACAP6-38. In summary, our results show that PACAP is able to attenuate oxidative stress-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.     

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide is up-regulated in cortical pyramidal cells after focal ischemia and protects neurons from mild hypoxic/ischemic damage

The protective effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in stroke models is poorly understood. We studied patterns of PACAP, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and the PACAP-selective receptor PAC1 after middle cerebral artery occlusion and neuroprotection by PACAP in cortical cultures exposed to oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD). Within hours, focal ischemia caused a massive, NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent up-regulation of PACAP in cortical pyramidal cells. PACAP expression dropped below the control level after 2 days and was normalized after 4 days. Vasoactive intestinal peptide expression was regulated oppositely to that of PACAP. PAC1 mRNA showed ubiquitous expression in neurons and astrocytes with minor changes after ischemia. In cultured cortical neurons PACAP27 strongly activated Erk1/2 at low and p38 MAP kinase at higher nanomolar concentrations via PAC1. In astrocyte cultures, effects of PACAP27 on Erk1/2 and p38 were weak. During OGD, neurons showed severely reduced Erk1/2 activity and dephosphorylation of Erk1/2-regulated Ser112 of pro-apoptotic Bad. PACAP27 stimulation counteracted Erk1/2 inactivation and Bad dephosphorylation during short-term OGD but was ineffective after expanded OGD. Consistently, PACAP27 caused MEK-dependent neuroprotection during mild but not severe hypoxic/ischemic stress. While PACAP27 protected neurons at 1–5 nmol/L, full PAC1 activation by 100 nmol/L PACAP exaggerated hypoxic/ischemic damage. PACAP27 stimulation of astrocytes increased the production of Akt-activating factors and conferred ischemic tolerance to neurons. Thus, ischemia-induced PACAP may act via neuronal and astroglial PAC1. PACAP confers protection to ischemic neurons by maintaining Erk1/2 signaling via neuronal PAC1 and by increasing neuroprotective factor production via astroglial PAC1.     

Antagonistic properties are shifted back to agonistic properties by further N-terminal shortening of pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating peptides in human neuroblastoma NB-OK-1 cell membranes.

N-terminally shortened analogs of the 27-amino-acid and 38-amino-acid forms of the pituitary-adenylate-cyclase-activating neuropeptide, PACAP(1-27) and PACAP(1-38), were synthesized by a solid-phase method. Systematic deletion of the first 13 amino acids of both PACAP was tested by evaluating their ability to occupy the specific and selective PACAP receptor of human neuroblastoma NB-OK-1 cell membranes and to stimulate adenylate cyclase or, when inactive per se, to inhibit PACAP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. For each peptide, the Kact (concentration required for half-maximal adenylate cyclase activation) or Ki [concentration required to shift the dose/response curve of PACAP(1-27) twofold to the right] was in good agreement with the corresponding IC50 [concentration inhibiting 50% of 125I-[AcHis1]PACAP(1-27) binding to membranes], suggesting interaction with the same homogeneous class of adenylate cyclase-coupled receptors. The deletion of the two first amino acids (His1 and Ser2) sufficed to decrease the affinity for receptors and to suppress the capacity to activate adenylate cyclase. The shorter fragments 3-27 and 3-38, 4-27 and 4-38, 5-27 and 5-38, 6-27 and 6-38, 7-27 and 7-38, 8-27 and 8-38, and 9-27 and 9-38 were all competitive antagonists of PACAP(1-27)-stimulated activity with the N-terminally shortened PACAP(1-38) derivatives being 4-30-fold more potent than the equivalent PACAP(1-27) derivatives. In this group PACAP(6-38) was the most potent antagonist (Ki 1.5 nM). Surprisingly, the N-terminally shorter fragments 10-27 and 10-38, 11-27 and 11-38, 12-27 and 12-38, 13-27 and 13-38, and 14-27 and 14-38 were again able to stimulate adenylate cyclase, the smallest fragments, PACAP(14-27) and PACAP(14-38), being the most potent and efficient (Kact 2 microM and 0.1 microM, respectively). In this group of agonists, PACAP(1-38) derivatives deleted at the N-terminus were also more potent than the equivalent PACAP(1-27) derivatives.     

Effects of pretreatment with PACAP on the infarct size and functional outcome in rat permanent focal cerebral ischemia

PACAP exerts neuroprotective effects under various neurotoxic conditions in vitro. In vivo, it reduces brain damage after global and transient focal ischemia. The present study investigated whether PACAP has neuroprotective effects when applied before the onset of permanent ischemia. Rats were given bolus injections of PACAP38 intracerebroventricularly, and then underwent permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. The results show that 2 μg of PACAP significantly reduced the infarct size measured 12 and 24 h after the onset of ischemia. No further reduction was obtained by a 7-day pretreatment. PACAP also ameliorated certain sensorimotor deficits. Our present study provides further evidence for the neuroprotective effects of PACAP, and implies that it might be a promising preventive therapeutic agent in ameliorating ischemic brain damage.     

Effects of Acupuncture at GV20 and ST36 on the Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase 2, Aquaporin 4, and Aquaporin 9 in Rats Subjected to Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Background/Purpose

Ischemic stroke is characterized by high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), aquaporin (AQP) 4, and AQP9 are linked to permeabilization of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI). BBB disruption, tissue inflammation, and MMP/AQP upregulation jointly provoke brain edema/swelling after CIRI, while acupuncture and electroacupuncture can alleviate CIRI symptoms. This study evaluated the hypothesis that acupuncture and electroacupuncture can similarly exert neuroprotective actions in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) by modulating MMP2/AQP4/APQ9 expression and inflammatory cell infiltration.

Methods

Eighty 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group S, MCAO model group M, acupuncture group A, electroacupuncture group EA, and edaravone group ED. The MCAO model was established by placement of a suture to block the middle carotid artery, and reperfusion was triggered by suture removal in all groups except group S. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture were administered at acupoints GV20 (governing vessel-20) and ST36 (stomach-36). Rats in groups A, EA, and ED received acupuncture, electroacupuncture, or edaravone, respectively, immediately after MCAO. Neurological function (assessed using the Modified Neurological Severity Score), infarct volume, MMP2/AQP4/AQP9 mRNA and protein expression, and inflammatory cell infiltration were all evaluated at 24 h post-reperfusion.

Results

Acupuncture and electroacupuncture significantly decreased infarct size and improved neurological function. Furthermore, target mRNA and protein levels and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly reduced in groups A, EA, and ED vs. group M. However, MMP2/AQP levels and inflammatory cell infiltration were generally higher in groups A and EA than in group ED except MMP2 mRNA levels.

Conclusions

Acupuncture and electroacupuncture at GV20 and ST36 both exercised neuroprotective actions in a rat model of MCAO, with no clear differences between groups A and EA. Therefore, acupuncture and electroacupuncture might find utility as adjunctive and complementary treatments to supplement conventional therapy for ischemic stroke.     

Modulation of Behavioral Deficits and Neurodegeneration by Tannic Acid in Experimental Stroke Challenged Wistar Rats

Oxidative stress and inflammatory responses play a critical contributing factor in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion, which lead to lipid peroxidation and neuronal dysfunction that may represent a target for therapeutic intervention. The present study was aimed to elucidate the neuroprotective effect of tannic acid (TA), a natural polyphenol with potential antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties on middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in rats. To test this hypothesis, male Wistar rats were pretreated with TA (50 mg/kg b.wt.) and then subjected to 2-h MCAO followed by 22 h of reperfusion. After 2-h MCAO/22-h reperfusion, neurological deficit, infarct sizes, activities of antioxidant enzymes, cytokine level, histology, and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in ischemic brain. The pretreatment of TA showed a marked reduction in infarct size, improved neurological function, suppressed neuronal loss, and downregulated the GFAP expression in MCAO rats. A significantly depleted activity of antioxidant enzymes and content of glutathione in MCAO group were protected significantly in MCAO group pretreated with TA. Conversely, the elevated level of thiobarbituric acid reactive species and cytokines in MCAO group was attenuated significantly in TA-pretreated group when compared with MCAO group. The results indicated that TA protected the brain from damage caused by MCAO, and this effect may thorough diminish the oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.     

银杏叶提取物促进脑缺血半暗带神经元自噬提高神经保护作用

银杏叶提取物(ginkgo biloba extract-761,EGb-761)注射液在中国常作为辅助药物被用于治疗脑卒中,但是,其潜在的细胞和药理机制尚未完全了解.该研究旨在探讨EGb-761是否通过调节缺血性脑卒中半暗带神经元的自噬从而发挥保护作用.采用雄性SD大鼠大脑中动脉闭塞(middle cerebral ...