Post-conditioning exacerbates the MnSOD immune-reactivity after experimental cerebral global ischemia and reperfusion in the rat brain hippocampus

This study monitored the effects of sub-lethal ischemia (post-conditioning) applied after a previous ischemic attack by way of the MnSOD immune-reactivity examined in CA1 and dentate gyrus of the rat hippocampus. The experimental 10 min transient cerebral ischemia was followed by 2 days of reperfusion, the rats then underwent a second ischemia (4 or 6 min post-conditioning). MnSOD immune-reactivity was evaluated after 5 h, 1 and 2 days. Results obtained by computer microdensitometric image analysis indicated that 4 min of ischemic post-conditioning caused higher MnSOD immune-reactivity than 6 min. However, higher viability of CA1 neurons after stronger (6 min) post-conditioning when production of MnSOD is lower, as well as differences between MnSOD in CA1 and dentate gyrus indicates another mechanism switching pro-apoptotic destination of CA1 neurons to anti-apoptotic.     

Effect of repeated allogeneic bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation on brain injury following transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Aims

Transplantation of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) exerts neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia. We examined the therapeutic timepoint of allogeneic BMMC transplantation in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia, and determined the effects of repeated transplantation outside the therapeutic window.

Main methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to 90 minute focal cerebral ischemia, followed by intravenous administration of 1 × 10⁷ allogeneic BMMCs or vehicle at 0, 3 or 6 h after reperfusion or 2 × 10⁷ BMMCs 6 h after reperfusion. Other rats administered 1 × 10⁷ BMMCs at 6 h after reperfusion received additional BMMC transplantation or vehicle 9 h after reperfusion. Infarct volumes, neurological deficit scores and immunohistochemistry were evaluated 24 or 72 h after reperfusion.

Key findings

Infarct volumes at 24 h were significantly decreased in transplantation rats at 0 and 3 h, but not at 6 h, after reperfusion, compared to vehicle-treatment. Even high dose BMMC transplantation at 6 h after reperfusion was ineffective. Repeated BMMC transplantation at 6 and 9 h after reperfusion reduced infarct volumes and significantly improved neurological deficit scores at 24 and 72 h. Immunohistochemistry showed repeated BMMC transplantation reduced ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine expression at 24 and 72 h after reperfusion.

Significance

Intravenous allogeneic BMMCs were neuroprotective following transient focal cerebral ischemia, and the therapeutic time window of BMMC transplantation was > 3 h and < 6 h after reperfusion in this model. Repeated transplantation at 6 and 9 h after reperfusion suppressed inflammation and oxidative stress in ischemic brains, resulting in improved neuroprotection.     

电针对局灶脑缺血／再灌注模型大鼠缺血海马区血管再生的影响及其机制

目的：探讨电针促进局灶脑缺血/再灌注后缺血海马区血管再生的机制。方法180只雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、电针组、CXCR4特异性拮抗剂AMD3100药物组、AMD3100＋电针组。线栓法制备右侧局灶脑缺血/再灌注模型。取大鼠“百会”穴（ GV 20）及左侧“四关”穴（合谷LI 4/太冲LR 3）为电针穴位,刺激时间为30 min/d。采用逆转录聚合酶链反应法（ RT-PCR）检测各组缺血海马区SDF-1α、CXCR4 mRNA表达,免疫荧光双标法检测CD34＋VEGFR2＋EPCs源性血管的表达。结果与假手术组比较,模型组与电针组SDF-1α、CX-CR4 mRNA表达明显增高（P＜0.05）,其中电针组各时间点相对模型组增高更为显著（P＜0.05）。 AMD3100＋电针组缺血海马SDF-1α、CXCR4 mRNA表达在再灌注后1 d时明显高于电针组（ P＜0.05）,但后逐渐下降,7 d时明显低于电针组（ P＜0.01）。与模型组比较,电针组再灌注3 d、7 d海马CD34＋VEGFR2＋EPCs源性血管表达明显增多（ P＜0.05）。与电针组比较,AMD3100＋电针组再灌注后7 d CD34＋VEGFR2＋EPCs源性血管表达明显下降（ P＜0.01）。 CD34＋VEGFR2＋血管表达变化与SDF-1α的表达变化显著相关（R＝0.784,P＜0.01）。结论电针可通过上调局灶脑缺血/再灌注大鼠缺血海马区SDF-1α/CXCR4的表达,促进血管再生。     

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester ameliorates cerebral infarction in rats subjected to focal cerebral ischemia

The effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an antioxidant derived from propolis, on the infarct volume elicited by focal cerebral ischemia were studied on Long-Evans rats. Cerebral infarction was induced by microsurgical procedures with ligation of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) and clipping of bilateral common carotid arteries (CCA) for 60 min. The rats were sacrificed 24 h later and serial brain slices of 2 mm thickness were taken and stained for the measurement of infarct area. CAPE was administered intravenously 15 min before MCA occlusion. Pretreatment of CAPE (0.1, 1 and 10 microg/kg) significantly reduced the total infarct volume from 169.6 +/- 14.5 mm3 (control) to 61.0 +/- 24.1 mm3 (0.1 microg/kg CAPE), 47.4 +/- 9.1 mm3 (1 microg/kg CAPE), and 42.4 +/- 8.7 mm3 (10 microg/kg CAPE), respectively. Plasma nitric oxide (NO) content was significantly increased in rats subjected to focal cerebral ischemia. It is concluded that CAPE possesses neuroprotective properties in focal cerebral ischemia injury in rats possibly through its antioxidant effect and/or via the upregulation of NO production.     

Dragon's blood dropping pills have protective effects on focal cerebral ischemia rats model

Dragon's blood is a bright red resin obtained from Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S.C.Chen (Yunnan, China). As a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, it has great traditional medicinal value and is used for wound healing and to stop bleeding. Its main biological activity comes from phenolic compounds. In this study, phenolic compounds were made into dropping pills and their protective effects were examined by establishing focal cerebral ischemia rats model used method of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO), and by investigating indexes of neurological scores, infarct volume, cerebral index, cerebral water content and oxidation stress. Compared to model group, high, middle and low groups of Dragon's blood dropping pills could improve the neurological function significantly (p < 0.01) and reduce cerebral infarct volume of focal cerebral ischemia rats remarkably (p < 0.05–0.01). Meanwhile, each group could alleviate cerebral water content and cerebral index (p < 0.05–0.01) and regulate oxidative stress of focal cerebral ischemia rats obviously (p < 0.05–0.01). Activities of middle group corresponded with that treated with positive control drug. The results obtained here showed that Dragon's blood dropping pills had protective effects on focal cerebral ischemia rats.     

Continuous oral administration of atorvastatin ameliorates brain damage after transient focal ischemia in rats

Aims

Pre-treatment with statins is known to ameliorate ischemic brain damage after experimental stroke, and is independent of cholesterol levels. We undertook pre- vs post-ischemic treatment with atorvastatin after focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Main methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats underwent transient 90-min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Atorvastatin (20 mg/kg/day) or vehicle was administered orally. Rats were divided into vehicle-treated, atorvastatin pre-treatment, atorvastatin post-treatment, and atorvastatin continuous-treatment groups. In the pre-treatment, rats were given atorvastatin or vehicle for 7 days before MCAO. In the post-treatment, rats received atorvastatin or vehicle for 7 days after MCAO. Measurement of infarct volume, as well as neurological and immunohistochemical assessments, were done 24 h and 7 days after reperfusion.

Key findings

Each atorvastatin-treated group demonstrated significant reductions in infarct and edema volumes compared with the vehicle-treated group 24 h after reperfusion. Seven days after reperfusion, infarct volumes in the post-treatment group and continuous-treatment group (but not the pre-treatment group) were significantly smaller than in the vehicle-treated group. Only the continuous-treatment group had significantly improved neurological scores 7 days after reperfusion compared with the vehicle group. Post-treatment and continuous-treatment groups had significantly decreased lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage, microglial activation, expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and neuronal damage in the cortical ischemic boundary area after 7 days of reperfusion.

Significance

These results suggest that continuous oral administration (avoiding withdrawal) with statins after stroke may reduce the extent of post-ischemic brain damage and improve neurological outcome by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.     

Augmentation of nitrite therapy in cerebral ischemia by NMDA receptor inhibition

Our recent work suggested that early infusion of nitrite might represent a novel therapeutic approach for acute ischemic stroke. In this study, we sought to examine the therapeutic time window of nitrite in an experimental stroke model, and to develop combined strategies for augmenting its protective effects. Nitrite was infused at various times after ischemia to rats subjected to transient or permanent focal ischemia. Nitrite was infused with memantine to prevent the potential toxicity. Infarct volumes, functional outcomes, microhypoxic areas, and oxidative stress were measured. Nitrite reduced the infarction volume and enhanced functional recovery when administered within 3 and 1.5 h in the transient and permanent model, respectively. Combined therapy with nitrite and memantine prolonged the time window up to 4.5 h. The potential oxidative toxicities of nitrite were significantly inhibited by memantine. The combination therapy of nitrite and memantine may be a feasible therapeutic approach for acute ischemic stroke.     

Selenium protects cerebral ischemia in rat brain mitochondria

Normal cellular metabolism produces oxidants that are neutralized by the cells' antioxidant enzymes and antioxidants taken from outside. An imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant has been postulated to lead to the neurodegeneration in the ischemic condition. In this study, we have demonstrated the prevention or slowdown of neuronal injury in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) by sodium selenite. Rats were pretreated with 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/kg body wt of sodium selenite for 7 d. The rats of group I (sham) and group II (ischemia) were pretreated with physiological saline for 7 d. On d 8, MCAO was induced for 2 h in, the right side of brain of group II, III, IV, and V rats. Brains were dissect out after 22 h of reperfusion and washed with chilled physiological saline. The right cerebral hemisphere was used for the preparation of mitochondria. The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and monoamine oxidase (MAO-A and MAO-B) was depleted significantly; conversely, the activity of poly(ADP-ribosyl) polymerase was elevated significantly as compared to the sham, and the pretreatment of the animals with different doses of sodium selenite has protected the activity of these enzymes significantly. The content of glutathione was decreased significantly, whereas the level of lipid peroxidation was increased significantly in the mitochondria of MCAO as compared to the sham group, and pretreatment with different doses of sodium selenite has protected their levels significantly as compared to the MCAO group. It is concluded that selenium, which is an essential part of our diet, might be helpful in protection against neurodegeneration in cerebral ischemia.     

Poppy seed oil protection of the hippocampus after cerebral ischemia and re-perfusion in rats

The brain is highly sensitive to hypoxia; this is true particularly of parts that are crucial for cognitive function. The effects of hypoxia are especially dramatic in the hippocampus. We evaluated the potential protective effects of poppy seed oil on the number of hippocampus cells and the serum antioxidant/oxidant status after cerebral ischemia and re-perfusion (CIR). Eighteen rats were divided into three equal groups. Group 1 served as the control group without CIR. Group 2 received poppy seed oil daily by oral gavage at a dose of 0.4 ml/kg, while group 3 was given 0.4 ml/kg saline solution by oral gavage per day; these treatments were continued for one month. Groups 2 and 3 were subjected to CIR induced by clamps on two points of both of the carotid arteries for 45 min followed by 45 min re-perfusion. There were significant decreases in the number of hippocampus cells between groups 1 and 2, and between groups 1 and 3. The mean cell number in group 2 was not significantly different from that of group 3. The serum nitric oxide levels in CIR groups were elevated significantly compared to controls, and were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 3. The glutathione levels were increased significantly in the poppy seed oil treated group compared to the saline CIR groups. The malondialdehyde levels were markedly increased in group 3 compared to both groups 1 and 2. Our study suggests that poppy seed oil can improve antioxidant defense capacity after CIR, although this treatment did not alter significantly the frequency of cell death.     

Effect of Sargentodoxa cuneata total phenolic acids on focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury rats model

Objective

Explore the possible protective effect of Sargentodoxa cuneata total phenolic acids on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury rats.

降痰宁神胶囊对血瘀性脑缺血大鼠脑组织代谢及抗氧化系统的影响

目的：研究降痰宁神胶囊对血瘀性脑缺血大鼠脑组织物质代谢、能量代谢及抗氧化系统的影响。方法：采用连续注射地塞米松后结扎双侧颈总动脉来复制血瘀性脑缺血大鼠模型,通过观测大鼠脑组织代谢水平及抗氧化系统,考查降痰宁神胶囊抗脑缺血的作用及其作用机制。结果：3．56g/ks降痰宁神胶囊可减缓血瘀性脑缺血大鼠体重的下降,1．78-3．56g/妇降痰宁神胶囊能提高模型大鼠脑组织中葡萄糖、总氨基酸、ATP、Na＋-K＋．ATPnse的含量以及超氧化物歧化酶与过氧化氢酶的活性;降低脑组织中乳酸、丙二醛的含量以及脑组织含水量（P〈0．05,O．01）。结论：降痰宁神胶囊具有一定的抗脑缺血作用,调节脑组织物质与能量代谢、抗氧化是其抗脑缺血机制之     

Oxidative damage of rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus,and changes in antioxidative defense systems caused by hyperoxia

In order to elucidate the oxidative damage in rat brain caused by oxidative stress, regional changes in the levels of lipid peroxidation products and antioxidative defense systems in cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and in their synapses, which modulate learning and memory functions in the brain, were studied. When rats were subjected to hyperoxia as an oxidative stress, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in the regions studied increased more than in normal rats by approximately 35%. The values in oxygen-unexposed vitamin E-deficient rats were also higher than in normal rats. It was found that the TBARS contents in synaptosomes isolated from both regions were remarkably higher than in the organs. These results imply that synapses are more susceptible to oxidative stress than the organ itself. This tendency was also observed in the content of conjugated diene. In response to oxidative stress, the status of the antioxidant defense system in each region, i.e. the concentration of vitamin E, and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, decreased remarkably. On the other hand, in oxygen-unexposed vitamin E-deficient rats, the activities of these enzymes in each region tended to increase, except for catalase activity. These results suggest that in response to the oxidative stress, the antioxidant defense systems may be consumed to prevent oxidative damage, and then, may be supplied through the antioxidant network.     

Antiaging effect of dietary chitosan supplementation on glutathione-dependent antioxidant system in young and aged rats

Aging has been defined as the changes that occur in living organisms with the passage of time that lead to functional impairment and ultimately to death. Free radical-induced oxidative damage has long been thought to be the most important consequence of the aging process. In the present study, an attempt has been made to study the salubrious effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan on glutathione-dependent antioxidant defense system in young and aged rats. The dietary supplementation of chitosan significantly reduced the age-associated dyslipidemic abnormalities noted in the levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol in plasma and heart tissue. Its administration significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated the oxidative stress in the heart tissue of aged rats through the counteraction of free radical formation by maintaining the enzymatic [glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR)] and non-enzymatic [reduced glutathione (GSH)] status at levels comparable to that of normal young rats. Our results conclude that dietary intake of chitosan restores the depleted myocardial antioxidant status and suggest that it could be an effective therapeutic agent in treatment of age-associated disorders where hypercholesterolemia and oxidative stress are the major causative factors.     

AMD3100对局灶脑缺血/再灌注大鼠大脑皮质血管再生的影响

目的探讨AMD3100阻断SDF-1/CXCR4轴后,对局灶脑缺血/再灌注大鼠缺血半暗带血管再生的影响。方法将SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(S组)、模型组(IR组)、AMD3100组(IRA组)、生理盐水组(IRN组)。采用线栓法制备大鼠局灶脑缺血/再灌注模型,缺血2h后将IR、IRA和IRN组分为再灌注12h,1、3和7d四个亚组。HE染色观察局灶脑缺血/再灌注后大脑皮质病理变化。免疫组化法检测CD31在缺血半暗带表达。荧光定量PCR检测外周血中AC133mRNA表达。结果与IRN组比较,IRA 12h外周血中AC133mRNA显著升高,第1d升高达峰值(P0.01),IRA 3dAC133mRNA表达比IRA1d显著减少(P0.05);与IRN组比较,IRA组CD31阳性血管密度在第1d无显著变化(P0.05),第3和7d血管密度显著减少(P0.01);IRA 7d梗死区由大量坏死神经细胞和泡沫细胞填充,坏死较严重。结论持续注射AMD3100能动员干/祖细胞快速进入外周血,但可能抑制局灶脑缺血/再灌注大鼠缺血半暗带血管再生,加重梗死区坏死。     

Ischemic post-conditioning protects brain and reduces inflammation in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

Ischemic post-conditioning (Post-cond) is a phenomenon in which intermittent interruptions of blood flow in the early phase of reperfusion can protect organ from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Recent studies demonstrated ischemic Post-cond reduced infarct size in cerebral I/R injury. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not completely understood. As inflammation is known to be detrimental to the neurological outcome during the acute phase after stroke, we investigated whether ischemic Post-cond played its protective role in preventing post-ischemic inflammation in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model. Rats were treated with ischemic Post-cond after 60 min of occlusion (beginning of reperfusion). The infarct volume and myeloperoxidase activity were assessed at 24 h. The lipid peroxidation levels was evaluated by malondialdehyde assay and the expressions of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 were studied by RT-PCR or western blotting. Ischemic Post-cond decreased myeloperoxidase activity and expressions of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1. Ischemic Post-cond also reduced infarct volume and lipid peroxidation levels. These findings indicated that ischemic Post-cond may be a promising neuroprotective approach for focal cerebral I/R injury and it is achieved, at least in part, by the inhibition of inflammation.     

The effects of dietary restriction on oxidative stress in rodents

Oxidative stress is observed during aging and in numerous age-related diseases. Dietary restriction (DR) is a regimen that protects against disease and extends life span in multiple species. However, it is unknown how DR mediates its protective effects. One prominent and consistent effect of DR in a number of systems is the ability to reduce oxidative stress and damage. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively examine the hypothesis that dietary restriction reduces oxidative stress in rodents by decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increasing antioxidant enzyme activity, leading to an overall reduction of oxidative damage to macromolecules. The literature reveals that the effects of DR on oxidative stress are complex and likely influenced by a variety of factors, including sex, species, tissue examined, types of ROS and antioxidant enzymes examined, and duration of DR. Here we present a comprehensive review of the existing literature on the effect of DR on mitochondrial ROS generation, antioxidant enzymes, and oxidative damage. In a majority of studies, dietary restriction had little effect on mitochondrial ROS production or antioxidant activity. On the other hand, DR decreased oxidative damage in the majority of cases. Although the effects of DR on endogenous antioxidants are mixed, we find that glutathione levels are the most likely antioxidant to be increased by dietary restriction, which supports the emerging redox-stress hypothesis of aging.     

脑缺血大鼠海马信号转导与转录激活子-3的激活及其调控

以往的研究表明,在脑缺血/再灌注的皮层和纹状体组织中信号转导与转录激活子-3(STAT3)被激活。本实验旨在研究SD大鼠四动脉结扎诱导的全脑缺血是否引起海马组织STAT3的快速激活及其调控机制。结果表明,脑缺血导致STAT3快速磷酸化激活及DNA结合活性增加。胞浆STAT3的磷酸化水平从缺血5min起就显著增高,10min达高峰(增加约1．7倍),然后开始下降。核内STAT3的磷酸化水平则逐渐增加,缺血30min时达高峰(增加约2．3倍)。电泳迁移率改变分析法显示,STAT3的DNA结合活性从缺血5min起就显著增加,30min达高峰(增加约3．2倍)。进一步的研究表明,缺血前20min腹腔注射给药,然后缺血30min,发现蛋白酪氨酸激酶抑制剂染料木黄酮和抗氧化剂N-乙酞半胱氨酸能显著地抑制核内STAT3的磷酸化水平及DNA结合活性的增加(磷酸化水平从2．3和2．5倍分别降为1．2和1．4倍,DNA结合活性则从2．8和3．7倍分别降为1．1和1．5倍),而蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶抑制剂矾酸钠则能明显地促进他们的增高(磷酸化水平从2．0倍增到3．4倍,DNA结合活性从3．1倍增为5．1倍)。这些结果提示,蛋白酪氨酸激酶和蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶可能共同参与了缺血诱导STAT3的激活调控,STAT3的激活可能有助于海马神经元适应氧化应激。     

Chronic exposure to 50Hz magnetic fields causes a significant weakening of antioxidant defence systems in aged rat brain

Several studies suggest that extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) may enhance the free radical endogenous production. It is also well known that one of the unavoidable consequences of ageing is an overall oxidative stress-based decline in several physiological functions and in the general resistance to stressors. On the basis of these assumptions, the aim of this study was to establish whether the ageing process can increase susceptibility towards widely present ELF-MF-mediated pro-oxidative challenges. To this end, female Sprague-Dawley rats were continuously exposed to a sinusoidal 50Hz, 0.1mT magnetic field for 10 days. Treatment-induced changes in the major antioxidant protection systems and in the neurotrophic support were investigated, as a function of the age of the subjects. All analyses were performed in brain cortices, due to the high susceptibility of neuronal cells to oxidative injury. Our results indicated that ELF-MF exposure significantly affects anti-oxidative capability, both in young and aged animals, although in opposite ways. Indeed, exposed young individuals enhanced their neurotrophic signalling and anti-oxidative enzymatic defence against a possible ELF-MF-mediated increase in oxygen radical species. In contrast, aged subjects were not capable of increasing their defences in response to ELF-MF treatment but, on the contrary, they underwent a significant decrease in the major antioxidant enzymatic activities. In conclusion, our data seem to suggest that the exposure to ELF-MFs may act as a risk factor for the occurrence of oxidative stress-based nervous system pathologies associated with ageing.     

Neuroprotection of paclitaxel against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain injury through JNK3 signaling pathway

In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of paclitaxel in transient cerebral ischemia and possible regulatory mechanism of these neuroprotection. Our data showed that paclitaxel can down-regulate the increased MLK3, JNK3, c-Jun, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 phosphorylation induced by ischemia injury. Cresyl violet staining and immunohistochemistry results demonstrated that paclitaxel had neuroprotective effect against ischemia/reperfusion-induced neuronal cell death. These results indicated that paclitaxel has neuroprotection in ischemic injury through JNK3 signaling pathway and provided a novel possible drug in therapeutics of brain ischemia.