Neural Stem Cells Enhance Nerve Regeneration after Sciatic Nerve Injury in Rats

With the development of tissue engineering and the shortage of autologous nerve grafts in nerve reconstruction, cell transplantation in a conduit is an alternative strategy to improve nerve regeneration. The present study evaluated the effects and mechanism of brain-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) on sciatic nerve injury in rats. At the transection of the sciatic nerve, a 10-mm gap between the nerve stumps was bridged with a silicon conduit filled with 5?×?10⁵ NSCs. In control experiments, the conduit was filled with nerve growth factor (NGF) or normal saline (NS). The functional and morphological properties of regenerated nerves were investigated, and expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and NGF was measured. One week later, there was no connection through the conduit. Four or eight weeks later, fibrous connections were evident between the proximal and distal segments. Motor function was revealed by measurement of the sciatic functional index (SFI) and sciatic nerve conduction velocity (NCV). Functional recovery in the NSC and NGF groups was significantly more advanced than that in the NS group. NSCs showed significant improvement in axon myelination of the regenerated nerves. Expression of NGF and HGF in the injured sciatic nerve was significantly lower in the NS group than in the NSCs and NGF groups. These results and other advantages of NSCs, such as ease of harvest and relative abundance, suggest that NSCs could be used clinically to enhance peripheral nerve repair.     

Changes in Ataxin-10 Expression after Sciatic Nerve Crush in Adult Rats

Ataxin-10 is a cytoplasmic protein that belongs to the family of armadillo repeat proteins and the ataxin proteins are ubiquitously expressed in nervous tissue. A loss of Ataxin-10 in primary neuronal cells causes increased apoptosis of cerebellar neurons. Knockdown of ATXN10 with siRNA in HeLa cells results in cytokinesis defects-multinucleation. Because of the essential role of Ataxin-10 in nervous system and cellular cytokinesis, we investigated the spatiotemporal expression of Ataxin-10 in a rat sciatic nerve crush (SNC) model. After never injury, we observed that Ataxin-10 had a significant up-regulation from 3d, peaked at day 5 and then gradually decreased to the normal level at 4 weeks. At its peak expression, Ataxin-10 expressed mainly in Schwann cells and macrophages of the distal sciatic nerve segment from injury, but had few co-localizations in axons. Besides, the peak expression of Ataxin-10 was in parallel with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and Ataxin-10 co-labeled with PCNA. Thus, all of our findings suggested that Ataxin-10 may be involved in the pathophysiology of sciatic nerve after SNC.     

Protective Effects of Curcumin Against Paclitaxel-Induced Spinal Cord and Sciatic Nerve Injuries in Rats

Neurochemical Research - Paclitaxel (PTX) is an antineoplastic agent commonly used in the treatment of solid tumors and is known to cause dose-limiting peripheral neurotoxicity. This study was...     

Chronic Constriction of the Sciatic Nerve and Pain Hypersensitivity Testing in Rats

Chronic neuropathic pain, resulting from damage to the central or peripheral nervous system, is a prevalent and debilitating condition, affecting 7-18% of the population^1,2. Symptoms include spontaneous (tingling, burning, electric-shock like) pain, dysaesthesia, paraesthesia, allodynia (pain resulting from normally non-painful stimuli) and hyperalgesia (an increased response to painful stimuli). The sensory symptoms are co-morbid with behavioural disabilities, such as insomnia and depression. To study chronic neuropathic pain several animal models mimicking peripheral nerve injury have been developed, one of the most widely used is Bennett and Xie''s (1988) unilateral sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI)³ (Figure 1). Here we present a method for performing CCI and testing pain hypersensitivity.CCI is performed under anaesthesia, with the sciatic nerve on one side exposed by making a skin incision, and cutting through the connective tissue between the gluteus superficialis and biceps femoris muscles. Four chromic gut ligatures are tied loosely around the sciatic nerve at 1 mm intervals, to just occlude but not arrest epineural blood flow. The wound is closed with sutures in the muscle and staples in the skin. The animal is then allowed to recover from surgery for 24 hrs before pain hypersensitivity testing begins.For behavioural testing, rats are placed into the testing apparatus and are allowed to habituate to the testing procedure. The area tested is the mid-plantar surface of the hindpaw (Figure 2), which falls within the sciatic nerve distribution. Mechanical withdrawal threshold is assessed by mechanically stimulating both injured and uninjured hindpaws using an electronic dynamic plantar von Frey aesthesiometer or manual von Frey hairs⁴. The mechanical withdrawal threshold is the maximum pressure exerted (in grams) that triggers paw withdrawal. For measurement of thermal withdrawal latency, first described by Hargreaves et al (1988), the hindpaw is exposed to a beam of radiant heat through a transparent glass surface using a plantar analgesia meter^5,6. The withdrawal latency to the heat stimulus is recorded as the time for paw withdrawal in both injured and uninjured hindpaws. Following CCI, mechanical withdrawal threshold, as well as thermal withdrawal latency in the injured paw are both significantly reduced, compared to baseline measurements and the uninjured paw (Figure 3). The CCI model of peripheral nerve injury combined with pain hypersensitivity testing provides a model system to investigate the effectiveness of potential therapeutic agents to modify chronic neuropathic pain. In our laboratory, we utilise CCI alongside thermal and mechanical sensitivity of the hindpaws to investigate the role of neuro-immune interactions in the pathogenesis and treatment of neuropathic pain.     

尾部悬吊对大鼠胸主动脉氧化应激水平的影响

目的:观察模拟失重对大鼠胸主动脉氧化应激水平的影响,探讨其可能机制。方法:采用3周尾部悬吊大鼠模型模拟失重状态,通过DHE荧光探针技术观察大鼠动脉血管超氧阴离子水平变化,通过比色法测定大鼠动脉血管丙二醛(MDA)含量,通过蛋白印记技术观察悬吊(SUS)大鼠和正常对照(CON)大鼠动脉血管NOX4、p22phox的表达变化。结果:尾部悬吊3周后,SUS组大鼠胸主动脉超氧阴离子水平较CON组明显增高,SUS组(0.849±0.023 nmol/mg protein)大鼠MDA含量较CON组(0.575±0.054nmol/mg protein)明显增加;SUS组大鼠胸主动脉的p22phox及NOX4蛋白表达均较CON组明显增强。结论:模拟失重3周可使大鼠胸主动脉氧化应激水平明显增高,p22phox及NOX4蛋白表达明显增多,结果提示,尾部悬吊模拟失重状态下氧化应激水平增高可能与NADPH氧化酶表达增高有关。     

Systemic Injections of Cannabidiol Enhance Acetylcholine Levels from Basal Forebrain in Rats

Cannabis sativa is a plant that contains more than 500 components, of which the most studied are Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Several studies have indicated that CBD displays neurobiological effects, including wake promotion. Moreover, experimental evidence has shown that injections of CBD enhance wake-related compounds, such as monoamines (dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine). However, no clear evidence is available regarding the effects of CBD on additional wake-related neurochemicals such as acetylcholine (ACh). Here, we demonstrate that systemic injections of CBD (0, 5, 10 or 30 mg/kg, i.p.) at the beginning of the lights-on period, increase the extracellular levels of ACh collected from the basal forebrain and measured by microdialysis and HPLC means. Moreover, the time course effects on the contents of ACh were present 5 h post-injection of CBD. Altogether, these data demonstrate that CBD increases ACh levels in a brain region related to wake control. This study is the first to show the effects of ACh levels in CBD-treated rats and suggests that the basal forebrain might be a site of action of CBD for wakefulness modulation.     

钙结合蛋白CR在坐骨神经压榨模型脊髓内的表达

目的：研究大鼠坐骨神经压榨模型的钙结合蛋白Calretinin（CR）在脊髓的时空变化规律,为探讨其在神经再生中的作用提供实验依据。方法：36只SD大鼠随机分为假手术对照组和坐骨神经压榨组,实验组压榨后分别存活1d到21d,免疫组化结合图像分析技术观察CR在脊髓分布和含量的变化。结果：在对照组,CR样阳性神经元主要分布于腰髓背角Ⅰ,Ⅱ层,Ⅲ～Ⅵ层只观察到一些散在分布的CR样阳性神经元,脊髓前角Ⅷ层和Ⅸ层内也可见一些多极的中间型阳性神经元。坐骨神经压榨1d后,分布于腰髓背角H层内的CR样阳性神经元比对照组有轻微增加。3d后,CR样阳性神经元与对照组相比没有明显改变。7d后,CR样阳性神经元有轻微的减少;14d后,CR的表达显著下降;至21d,CR的表达有所恢复,但仍低于7d纽。脊髓后角CR免疫阳性产物灰度值测定结果显示：术后14d后角CR表达最低,与对侧和对照组相比有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：坐骨神经压榨后CR表达变化呈现一定的时空模式,为进一步揭示CR在神经系统疾病中的作用提供实验依据。     

钙结合蛋白CR在坐骨神经压榨模型脊髓内的表达

目的:研究大鼠坐骨神经压榨模型的钙结合蛋白Calretinin(CR)在脊髓的时空变化规律,为探讨其在神经再生中的作用提供实验依据。方法:36只SD大鼠随机分为假手术对照组和坐骨神经压榨组,实验组压榨后分别存活1d到21d,免疫组化结合图像分析技术观察CR在脊髓分布和含量的变化。结果:在对照组,CR样阳性神经元主要分布于腰髓背角Ⅰ,Ⅱ层,Ⅲ～Ⅵ层只观察到一些散在分布的CR样阳性神经元,脊髓前角Ⅷ层和Ⅸ层内也可见一些多极的中间型阳性神经元。坐骨神经压榨1d后,分布于腰髓背角Ⅱ层内的CR样阳性神经元比对照组有轻微增加。3d后,CR样阳性神经元与对照组相比没有明显改变。7d后,CR样阳性神经元有轻微的减少;14d后,CR的表达显著下降;至21d,CR的表达有所恢复,但仍低于7d组。脊髓后角CR免疫阳性产物灰度值测定结果显示:术后14d后角CR表达最低,与对侧和对照组相比有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:坐骨神经压榨后CR表达变化呈现一定的时空模式,为进一步揭示CR在神经系统疾病中的作用提供实验依据。     

Diabetes Alters Aromatase Enzyme Levels in Sciatic Nerve and Hippocampus Tissues of Rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with increased risk of impaired cognitive function. Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common and important complications of DM. Estrogens prevent neuronal loss in experimental models of neurodegeneration and accelerate nerve regeneration. Aromatase catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens and expressed in a variety of tissues including neurons. Although insulin is known to regulate the activity of aromatase there is no study about the effects of diabetes on this enzyme. Present study was designed to investigate the effects of experimental diabetes on aromatase expression in nervous system. Gender-based differences were also investigated. Rats were injected with streptozotocin to induce diabetes. At the end of 4 and 12 weeks sciatic nerve and hippocampus homogenates were prepared and evaluated for aromatase proteins. Aromatase expressions in sciatic nerves of both genders were decreased in 4 weeks of diabetes, but in 12 weeks the enzyme levels were increased in females and reached to control levels in male animals. Aromatase levels were not altered in hippocampus at 4 weeks but increased at 12 weeks in female diabetic rats. No significant differences were observed at enzyme levels of hippocampus in male diabetic rats. Insulin therapy prevented all diabetes-induced changes. In conclusion, these results indicated for the first time that, DM altered the expression of aromatase both in central and peripheral nervous systems. Peripheral nervous system is more vulnerable to damage than central nervous system in diabetes. These effects of diabetes differ with gender and compensatory neuroprotective mechanisms are more efficient in female rats.     

Effects of Axotomy on Distribution and Concentration of Elements in Rat Sciatic Nerve

X-ray microprobe analysis was used to determine the effects of axotomy on distribution and concentration (millimoles of element per kilogram dry weight) of Na, P, Cl, K, and Ca in frozen, unfixed sections of rat sciatic nerve. Elemental concentrations were measured in axoplasm, mitochondria, and myelin at 8, 16, and 48 h after transection in small-, medium-, and large-diameter fibers. In addition, elemental composition was determined in extraaxonal space (EAS) and Schwann cell cytoplasm. During the initial 16 h following transection, axoplasm of small fibers exhibited a decrease in dry weight concentrations of K and Cl, whereas Na and P increased compared to control values. Similar changes were observed in mitochondria of small axons, except for an early, large increase in Ca content. In contrast, intraaxonal compartments of larger fibers showed increased dry weight levels of K and P, with no changes in Na or Ca concentrations. Both Schwann cell cytoplasm and EAS at 8 and 16 h after injury had significant increases in Na, K, and Cl dry weight concentrations, whereas no changes, other than an increase in Ca, were observed in myelin. Regardless of fiber size, 48 h after transection, axoplasm and mitochondria displayed marked increases in Na, Cl, and Ca concentrations associated with decreased K. Also at 48 h, both Schwann cell cytoplasm and EAS had increased dry weight concentrations of Na, Cl, and K. The results of this study indicate that, in response to nerve transection, elemental content and distribution are altered according to a specific temporal pattern. This sequence of change, which occurs first in small axons, precedes the onset of Wallerian degeneration in transected nerves.     

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Protects Oligpdendrocyte and Promotes Hindlimb Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Background

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a protein that stimulates differentiation, proliferation, and survival of cells in the granulocytic lineage. Recently, a neuroprotective effect of G-CSF was reported in a model of cerebral infarction and we previously reported the same effect in studies of murine spinal cord injury (SCI). The aim of the present study was to elucidate the potential therapeutic effect of G-CSF for SCI in rats.

Methods

Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the present study. Contusive SCI was introduced using the Infinite Horizon Impactor (magnitude: 200 kilodyne). Recombinant human G-CSF (15.0 µg/kg) was administered by tail vein injection at 1 h after surgery and daily the next four days. The vehicle control rats received equal volumes of normal saline at the same time points.

Results

Using a contusive SCI model to examine the neuroprotective potential of G-CSF, we found that G-CSF suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1 beta and TNF- alpha) in mRNA and protein levels. Histological assessment with luxol fast blue staining revealed that the area of white matter spared in the injured spinal cord was significantly larger in G-CSF-treated rats. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that G-CSF promoted up-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-Xl on oligpodendrocytes and suppressed apoptosis of oligodendrocytes after SCI. Moreover, administration of G-CSF promoted better functional recovery of hind limbs.

Conclusions

G-CSF protects oligodendrocyte from SCI-induced cell death via the suppression of inflammatory cytokines and up-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein. As a result, G-CSF attenuates white matter loss and promotes hindlimb functional recovery.     

Effects of Acrylamide on the Nervous Tissue Antioxidant System and Sciatic Nerve Electrophysiology in the Rat

To investigate the time-dependent effects of acrylamide (ACR) on the antioxidative status in rat nerve tissues, adult male Wistar rats were given ACR (40 mg/kg, i.p., 3 times/week) for 2, 4, 6 and 10 weeks, respectively. The time-dependent changes of the lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) and antioxidative status (glutathione, GSH; glutathione peroxidase, GSH-Px; glutathione reductase, GR; superoxide dismutase, SOD and anti-reactive oxygen species, anti-ROS) in nerve tissues were investigated. The electrophysiology indices (nerve conduction velocity, NCV; compound action potential duration, CAPD; compound action potential amplitude, CAPA; compound action potential latency, CAPL) in the sciatic nerve were determined using BL-420E Biologic Function Determining System. The results showed that MDA levels increased significantly (P < 0.05) in nerve tissues, while GSH levels markedly decreased (P < 0.05) in a time-dependent manner. SOD activity (in the spinal cord and sciatic nerve) and GR activity (in the sciatic nerve) increased significantly after 4 weeks ACR treatment (P < 0.01), but then decreased (P < 0.05). The anti-ROS activity in the sciatic nerve was markedly decreased at the end of week 6 and 10 (P < 0.01). The above indices changed most in the sciatic nerve. The levels of GSH, MDA and anti-ROS in rat sciatic nerve were in high correlation (P < 0.05, |r| > 0.80) with the electrophysiology indices according to the exposure time. Thus, ACR-induced neurotoxicity may be associated with the enhancement of lipid peroxidation and reduction of the antioxidative capacity. Depletion of neural GSH level might be one of the primary events in ACR-induced neuropathy. Ying-Jian Zhu and Tao Zeng––These authors contributed equally to this work.     

Phorbol Ester-Mediated Stimulation of Phospholipase D Activity in Sciatic Nerve from Normal and Diabetic Rats

Evidence for the presence of phospholipase D activity in sciatic nerve was obtained by incubation of 32P-prelabeled nerve segments in the presence of ethanol and measurement of [32P]phosphatidylethanol (PEth) formation expressed as a fraction of total phospholipid radioactivity. PEth synthesis was enhanced with increasing concentrations of ethanol (100 mM-2 M). 4-beta-Phorbol dibutyrate (100 nM-1 microM) stimulated PEth formation up to twofold in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The stimulatory effect evoked by 100 nM phorbol ester was completely abolished by Ro 31-8220 (compound 3), a selective protein kinase C inhibitor. Efforts to identify the phospholipid precursor of PEth were unsuccessful, suggesting this product arises from a small discrete precursor pool. On subcellular fractionation of nerve, the ratio of basal and 4-beta-phorbol dibutyrate-stimulated phospholipase D activity recovered in a myelin-enriched fraction, compared with a nonmyelin fraction, was 0.5 when results are expressed as a percentage of total phospholipid radioactivity. This ratio rises to 1.2 if the results are calculated assuming only phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine are potential precursors. The results suggest that myelin is a major locus of phospholipase D activity. Nerve from streptozotocin-induced diabetic and control animals displayed the same basal phospholipase D activity, but the enzyme in diabetic nerve was stimulated to a greater extent by a suboptimal concentration of 4-beta-phorbol dibutyrate. These results support the conclusion that protein kinase C modulates phospholipase D activity in nerve and suggest that in diabetic nerve the enzyme activation mechanism may possess increased sensitivity.     

Slowing of Motor Nerve Conduction Velocity in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats is Preceded by Impaired Vasodilation in Arterioles that Overlie the Sciatic Nerve

Diabetes mellitus produces marked abnormalities in motor nerve conduction, but the mechanism is not clear. In the present study we hypothesized that in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat impaired vasodilator function in arterioles that provide circulation to the region of the sciatic nerve is associated with reduced endoneural blood flow (EBF) and that these defects precede slowing of motor nerve conduction velocity, and thereby may contribute to nerve dysfunction. As early as three days after the induction of diabetes endoneural blood flow was reduced in the STZ-induced diabetic rat. Furthermore, after 1 week of diabetes acetylcholine- induced vasodilation was found to be impaired. This was accompanied by an increase in the superoxide level in arterioles that provide circulation to the region of the sciatic nerve as well as changes in the level of other markers of oxidative stress including an increase in serum levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and a decrease in lens glutathione level. In contrast to the vascular related changes that occur within 1 week of diabetes, motor nerve conduction velocity and sciatic nerve Na⁺/k⁺ ATPase activity were significantly reduced following 2 and 4 weeks of diabetes, respectively. These studies demonstrate that changes in vascular function in the STZ-induced diabetic rat precede the slowing of motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and are accompanied by an increase in superoxide levels in arterioles that provide circulation to the region of the sciatic nerve.     

大鼠脊神经压迫后早期痛阈与神经损伤程度的联系

目的观察大鼠脊神经压迫后早期痛阈改变与神经损伤程度的联系。方法雄性SD大鼠32只,随机分为4组（每组n=8）：正常组,假手术组,70 g压迫组和180 g压迫组。正常组不作任何处理,作为对照,假手术组模型制作过程和其它两个模型组相同,但不做神经压迫,70 g压迫组和180 g压迫组分别用70 g或180 g血管夹压迫大鼠右侧颈7脊神经15 min,制作神经急性压迫损伤模型。于术前2 d和术后1、35、、7 d测右侧前足机械性痛阈和热痛阈,术后7 d处死大鼠取右侧颈7脊神经,HE染色病理分级和扫描电镜观察,比较各组痛阈改变以及神经损伤程度的变化。结果与术前相比较,正常组和假手术组术后机械性痛阈和热痛阈无明显变化（P〉0.05）;与术前以及正常组和假手术组相比,70 g压迫组术后1～7 d机械性痛阈和热痛阈明显降低（P〈0.05）,180 g压迫组术后1 d痛阈无明显变化（P〉0.05）,术后3～7 d明显升高（P〈0.05）。正常组和假手术组均未出现神经损伤病理变化,而70 g压迫组和180g压迫组出现不同程度的神经损伤,损伤病理分级180 g压迫组高于70 g压迫组（P〈0.05）。结论70 g或180 g血管夹压迫大鼠颈7脊神经后大鼠痛阈降低或升高,其机制可能与不同的压力导致不同的神经损伤程度有关。     

Analgesic Effect of Piracetam on Peripheral Neuropathic Pain Induced by Chronic Constriction Injury of Sciatic Nerve in Rats

Despite immense advances in the treatment strategies, management of neuropathic pain remains unsatisfactory. Piracetam is a prototype of nootropic drugs, used to improve cognitive impairment. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of piracetam on peripheral neuropathic pain in rats. Neuropathic pain was induced by the chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve. Following this, piracetam was intraperitoneally administered for 2 weeks in doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, and pain was assessed by employing the behavioural tests for thermal hyperalgesia (hot plate and tail flick tests) and cold allodynia (acetone test). After the induction of neuropathic pain, significant development of thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia was observed. The administration of piracetam (50 mg/kg) did not have any significant effect on all the behavioural tests. Further, piracetam (100 mg/kg) also had no effect on the hot plate and tail flick tests; however it significantly decreased the paw withdrawal duration in the acetone test. Piracetam in a dose of 200 mg/kg significantly modulated neuropathic pain as observed from the increased hot plate and tail flick latencies, and decreased paw withdrawal duration (in acetone test). Therefore, the present study suggests the potential use of piracetam in the treatment of neuropathic pain, which merits further clinical investigation.