扩散性抑制对脑缺血后海马迟发性神经元死亡的影响

目的为了研究阻断大鼠局灶性脑缺血诱导的扩散性抑制对同侧海马迟发性神经元死亡的影响。方法颈内动脉插线法制备大鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注模型,采用电生理学方法记录扩散性抑制波,尼氏染色和TUNEL染色检测海马迟发性神经元死亡;观察阻断局灶性脑缺血再灌注诱导的扩散性抑制对海马迟发性神经元死亡的影响。结果不给予SD阻断剂,大脑中动脉缺血模型有39%的动物出现海马迟发性神经元死亡;用MK-801阻断扩散性抑制后仅10%的动物出现海马迟发性神经元死亡,机率明显减小。结论局灶性脑缺血引起的海马迟发性神经元死亡可能与扩散性抑制由缺血区不断向远隔部位播散有关。     

甘珀酸干预对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的影响

目的观察缝隙连接阻断剂甘珀酸对局灶性脑缺血/再灌注损伤的影响。方法采用大鼠大脑中动脉阻塞再灌流模型（MCAO）,将动物随机分为脑缺血60min再灌注（MCAO）组,脑缺血再灌注加甘珀酸干预（MCAO＋CBX）组和假手术组（sham）。采用尼氏染色显示脑梗死灶并计算梗死灶体积;应用免疫荧光与TUNEL染色法分别观察脑缺血后3d与7d不同时间点缺血边缘区胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）的表达和细胞凋亡情况。结果（1）缺血后3d、7d MCAO＋CBX组大鼠梗死体积小于MCAO组,3d、7d MCAO＋CBX组大鼠梗死体积较MCAO组分别缩小5%和4.6%;（2）缺血后3d、7d于缺血边缘区可见大量TUNEL阳性染色细胞,且MCAO组大鼠缺血边缘区细胞凋亡数目明显多于MCAO＋CBX大鼠（P〈0.001）;（3）缺血后3d和7d组缺血边缘区GFAP表达明显增强,3d的MCAO组与MCAO＋CBX组大鼠缺血边缘区GFAP的表达均较假手术组强（P〈0.05）,7d的MCAO＋CBX组大鼠缺血边缘区GFAP的表达较假手术组强（P〈0.001）,但明显弱于MCAO组大鼠（P〈0.01）;结论缝隙连接阻断剂甘珀酸可减少大鼠大脑中动脉阻塞后脑梗死体积,其机制可能与阻断缝隙连接后缺血边缘区神经元凋亡降低有关,星型胶质细胞的反应性变化参与了该过程。     

异丙酚对全脑缺血/再灌注大鼠海马iNOS表达的影响

目的观察异丙酚对全脑缺血/再灌注大鼠海马神经元诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)表达的影响,探讨异丙酚对迟发性脑神经元损伤保护作用机制。方法采用Pulsinelli-Brierley四血管阻断法制备全脑缺血模型。全脑缺血20min再灌注24h后断头取脑,采用Western blot方法检测大鼠海马iNOS的蛋白表达。结果与缺血/再灌注组相比较,异丙酚处理组大鼠海马iNOS蛋白表达明显降低,存活的神经元数目明显增加,统计结果差异均有显著性(P<0.05或0.01)。结论异丙酚通过抑制iNOS蛋白表达对大鼠脑迟发性神经元损伤起保护作用。     

CGRP和NGF对局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠海马HSP70蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨外源性降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)和神经生长因子(NGF)对局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠海马热休克蛋白70(HSP70)表达的影响.方法用线栓法制备大鼠大脑中动脉阻塞(MCAO)模型,应用免疫组化和显微图像分析方法检测局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠海马HSP70的表达.结果假手术组海马未见HSP70阳性细胞,缺血再灌注组海马HSP70阳性细胞数增多.分别注射CGRP或NGF后海马区HSP70阳性细胞平均光密度值明显高于缺血再灌注组(P<0.01),二者合用时平均光密度值较比单独应用高(P<0.05).结论CGRP和NGF上调缺血神经元HSP70的表达,二者合用作用更强,对缺血神经元恢复有促进作用.     

异丙酚对全脑缺血倡灌注大鼠海马iNOS表达的影响

目的：观察异丙酚对全脑缺血／再灌注大鼠海马神经元诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）表达的影响,探讨异丙酚对迟发性脑神经元损伤保护作用机制。方法：采用Pulsinelli-Brierley四血管阻断法制备全脑缺血模型。全脑缺血20rain再灌注24h后断头取脑,采用Western blot方法检测大鼠海马iNOS的蛋白表达。结果：与缺血／再灌注组相比较,异丙酚处理组大鼠海马iNOS蛋白表达明显降低,存活的神经元数目明显增加,统计结果差异均有显著性（P〈0.05或0.01）。结论：异丙酚通过抑制iNOS蛋白表达对大鼠脑迟发性神经元损伤起保护作用。     

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.     

大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤中iNOS在大脑皮层和海马的表达

目的研究局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤中iNOS在不同脑区的表达.方法用改良的血管内栓线技术制造大鼠局灶性脑缺血与再灌注模型,应用免疫组织化学技术检测脑组织中的iNOS的表达.结果 (1)脑缺血再灌注损伤24h后,缺血组缺血侧大脑皮层、海马CA1区、CA3区神经元iNOS的表达显著增强,与正常对照组比较有显著性差异(P<0.05);(2)脑缺血再灌注损伤24h后,缺血组对照侧大脑皮层、海马CA1区、CA3区神经元iNOS的表达也明显增强,与正常对照组比较有显著性差异(P<0.05);(3) 与对照侧比较,脑缺血再灌注大鼠缺血侧皮质的iNOS表达显著增强(P<0.05),而海马CA1区、CA3区缺血侧的iNOS表达与对照侧相比无显著性差异(P>0.05).结论局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤后,缺血侧皮层和海马iNOS表达显著升高,未缺血脑区(对照侧)iNOS反应性也较对照组者升高.     

丁基苯酞预处理对大鼠脑组织缺血/再灌注后HSP70表达的影响

目的:探讨丁基苯酞预处理对缺血/再灌注大鼠海马迟发性神经元死亡以及热休克蛋白70表达的影响。方法:126只大鼠分为实验对照组(36只)、脑缺血组(36只)、丁基苯酞组(6只)、丁基苯酞+脑缺血组(36只)、槲皮素+丁基苯酞+脑缺血组(6只)、DMSO+丁基苯酞+脑缺血组(6只)。建立大鼠全脑缺血/再灌注模型后。实验对照组、脑缺血组、丁基苯酞+脑缺血组下另加设5个亚组,为手术后6 h、12 h、1 d、3 d、5 d组。用硫堇以及免疫组织化学染色的方法观察丁基苯酞对缺血/再灌注大鼠海马神经元迟发性死亡以及HSP70表达的影响。结果:丁基苯酞预处理可以减轻大鼠全脑缺血/再灌注损伤引起的海马CA1区锥体神经元迟发性死亡,明显增加CA1区HSP70的阳性表达,且持续时间较长(6 h-5 d);应用HSP70抑制剂可以阻断丁基苯酞预处理诱导的大鼠脑缺血耐受。结论:丁基苯酞可能参与脑缺血/再灌注损伤的神经元保护作用,这一作用可能是通过上调HSP70的表达完成的。     

三七总皂苷对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后脑内NGF和bFGF表达的影响

目的:观察三七总皂苷(PNS)对局灶性脑缺血再灌注后脑组织神经生长因子(NGF)、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)蛋白表达的影响.方法:采用线栓法建立大鼠大脑中动脉栓塞局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型.实验动物随机分为假手术组、脑缺血再灌注模型组、模型 PNS治疗组和模型 尼莫地平治疗组.用免疫组织化学方法检测脑内皮质、海马等区域NGF和bFGF蛋白表达.结果:缺血2h再灌注46h后,脑内海马和皮质区的NGF表达降低,PNS能显著上调海马、皮质区及丘脑区域NGF的表达.缺血2h再灌注46h后,bFGF的表达各脑区无明显差异;但PNS能显著上调缺血再灌注损伤后胼胝体区域内bFGF的表达.结论:局灶性脑缺血再灌注后,PNS能上调缺血脑组织内NGF和bFGF表达,尤其是促进了NGF的表达,这可能是PNS对脑缺血后损伤神经元的保护机制之一.     

大鼠局灶性脑缺血后磷酸化的细胞周期相关蛋白的表达

目的探讨细胞周期对于大鼠局灶性脑缺血后神经元的影响。方法采用MCAO方法制作大鼠局灶性脑缺血模型,应用免疫荧光技术观察缺血后1d、3d、7d、14d大鼠缺血侧病灶周围神经元中磷酸化细胞周期蛋白CDK2、CDC2及磷酸化Rb的表达。结果与正常对照组相比,缺血后1d、3d组磷酸化CDK2和磷酸化Rb的表达量明显增加（P〈0．05）。缺血后7d、14d组磷酸化CDK2和磷酸化Rb的表达量无增加。磷酸化CDC2在正常组及缺血组均无明显表达。结论大鼠局灶性脑缺血后早期部分神经元再次进入细胞周期,提示细胞周期调控参与了大鼠局灶性脑缺血后神经元的凋亡。     

Bid-mediated mitochondrial pathway is critical to ischemic neuronal apoptosis and focal cerebral ischemia

We have investigated the role of the BH3-only pro-death Bcl-2 family protein, Bid, in ischemic neuronal death in a murine focal cerebral ischemia model. Wild-type and bid-deficient mice of inbred C57BL/6 background were subjected to 90-min ischemia induced by left middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 72-h reperfusion. The volume of ischemic infarct was significantly smaller in the bid-deficient brains than in the wild-type brains, suggesting that Bid participated in the ischemic neuronal death. Indeed, following the ischemic treatment there was a significant reduction of apoptosis in the ischemic areas, particularly in the inner infarct border zone (the penumbra), of the bid-deficient brains. In addition, activation of Bid in the wild-type brains could be readily detected at approximately 3 h after ischemia, as evidenced by its proteolytic cleavage and translocation to the mitochondria as determined using Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. Correspondingly, mitochondrial release of cytochrome c could be detected around the same time Bid was cleaved in the wild-type brains. However, no significant cytochrome c release was detected in the bid-deficient brains until 24 h later. This suggests that, although the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway might be activated by multiple mechanisms during focal cerebral ischemia, Bid is critical to its early activation. This notion was further supported by the finding that caspase-3 activation was severely impaired in the bid-deficient brains, whereas activation of caspase-8 was much less affected. Taken together, these data suggest that Bid is activated early in neuronal ischemia in a caspase-8-dependent fashion and that Bid is perhaps one of the earliest and most potent activators of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Thus, the role of Bid in the induction of ischemic neuronal death may render this molecule an attractive target for future therapeutic intervention.     

Acute connexin43 temporal and spatial expression in response to ischemic stroke

Connexin43 (Cx43) gap junctions expressed in astrocytes can significantly impact neuronal survival in stroke. However, little is known regarding Cx43 spatial and temporal expression during the initial stages of brain ischemia. Using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, we examined Cx43 spatial and temporal expression as a function of neuronal injury within the first 24 h after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO). Western blot analysis showed a significant increase in Cx43 protein expression in the core ischemic area at 2 and 3 h after pMCAO. However, after 6 h of pMCAO Cx43 levels were significantly reduced. This reduction was due to cell death and concomitant Cx43 degradation in the expanding focal ischemic region, while the peri-infarct zone revealed intense Cx43 staining. The neuronal cell-death marker Fluoro-Jade C labeled injured neurons faintly at 1 h post-pMCAO with a time-dependent increase in both intensity and size of punctate staining. In addition, decreased microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) immunoreactivity and thionin staining similarly indicated cell damage beginning at 1 h after pMCAO. Taken together, Cx43 expression is sensitive to neuronal injury and can be detected as early as 2 h post-pMCAO. These findings underscore Cx43 gap junction as a potential early target for therapeutic intervention in ischemic stroke.     

Role of ERK signaling in the neuroprotective efficacy of magnesium sulfate treatment during focal cerebral ischemia in the gerbil cortex

Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) ameliorates focal ischemia-induced neuronal death in the rat and gerbil models. However, the molecular mechanisms for this neuroprotection are not known. Focal cerebral ischemia was produced by unilateral occlusion of the right common carotid artery and the right middle cerebral artery (CCAO + MCAO) for 30 min or 60 min. Treatment with MgSO4 significantly increased the level of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 both in the non-ischemic (contralateral) and ischemic (ipsilateral) cortex. However, these effects were reversed by administration of U0126, a MEK kinase inhibitor. In the ipsilateral cortex, a significant increase in the level of the proapoptotic proteins Bax, Bad, BNIP3 and activated caspase 3 were detected at the end of focal ischemia compared to the non-ischemic cortex. Treatment of MgSO4 prevented these ischemia-induced activations of the death cascade. Collectively, these data indicate that the ERK-CREB-Bcl-2 signaling pathway might be involved in MgSO4-induced neuroprotection following focal ischemia. Moreover, MgSO4 treatment also resulted in a reduction in pro-apoptotic proteins. These results enhance our understanding on the role of MgSO4 in treating cerebral ischemia.     

Transient focal cerebral ischemia down-regulates glutamate transporters GLT-1 and EAAC1 expression in rat brain

Transient focal cerebral ischemia leads to extensive excitotoxic neuronal damage in rat cerebral cortex. Efficient reuptake of the released glutamate is essential for preventing glutamate receptor over-stimulation and neuronal death. Present study evaluated the expression of the glial (GLT-1 and GLAST) and neuronal (EAAC1) subtypes of glutamate transporters after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) induced focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Between 24h to 72h of reperfusion after transient MCAO, GLT-1 and EAAC1 protein levels decreased significantly (by 36% to 56%, p < 0.05) in the ipsilateral cortex compared with the contralateral cortex or sham control. GLT-1 and EAAC1 mRNA expression also decreased in the ipsilateral cortex of ischemic rats at both 24h and 72h of reperfusion, compared with the contralateral cortex or sham control. Glutamate transporter down-regulation may disrupt the normal clearance of the synaptically-released glutamate and may contribute to the ischemic neuronal death.     

Bcl-2 overexpression protects against neuron loss within the ischemic margin following experimental stroke and inhibits cytochrome c translocation and caspase-3 activity

Bcl-2 protects against both apoptotic and necrotic death induced by several cerebral insults. We and others have previously demonstrated that defective herpes simplex virus vectors expressing Bcl-2 protect against various insults in vitro and in vivo, including cerebral ischemia. Because the infarct margin may be a region that is most amenable to treatment, we first determined whether gene transfer to the infarct margin is possible using a focal ischemia model. Since ischemic injury with and without reperfusion may occur by different mechanisms, we also determined whether Bcl-2 protects against focal cerebral ischemic injury either with or without reperfusion in rats. Bax expression, cytochrome c translocation and activated caspase-3 expression were also assessed. Viral vectors overexpressing Bcl-2 were delivered to the infarct margin. Reperfusion resulted in larger infarcts than permanent occlusion. Bcl-2 overexpression significantly improved neuron survival in both ischemia models. Bcl-2 overexpression did not alter overall Bax expression, but inhibited cytosolic accumulation of cytochrome c and caspase-3 activation. Thus, we provide the first evidence that gene transfer to the infarct margin is feasible, that overexpression of Bcl-2 protects against damage to the infarct margin induced by ischemia with and without reperfusion, and that Bcl-2 overexpression using gene therapy attenuates apoptosis-related proteins. This suggests a potential therapeutic strategy for stroke.     

Neuroprotective Mechanism of Taurine due to Up-regulating Calpastatin and Down-regulating Calpain and Caspase-3 during Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Aims Taurine as an endogenous substance possesses a number of cytoprotective properties. In the study, we have evaluated the neuroprotective effect of taurine and investigated whether taurine exerted neuroprotection through affecting calpain/calpastatin or caspase-3 actions during focal cerebral ischemia, since calpain and caspase-3 play central roles in ischemic neuronal death. Methods Male Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo), and 22 h of reperfusion. Taurine was administrated intravenously 1 h after MCAo. The dose–responses of taurine to MCAo were determined. Next, the effects of taurine on the activities of calpain, calpastatin and caspase-3, the levels of calpastatin, microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) and αII-spectrin, and the apoptotic cell death in penumbra were evaluated. Results Taurine reduced neurological deficits and decreased the infarct volume 24 h after MCAo in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with 50 mg/kg of taurine significantly increased the calpastatin protein levels and activities, and markedly reduced the m-calpain and caspase-3 activities in penumbra 24 h after MCAo, however, it had no significant effect on μ-calpain activity. Moreover, taurine significantly increased the MAP-2 and αII-spectrin protein levels, and markedly reduced the ischemia-induced TUNEL staining positive score within penumbra 24 h after MCAo. Conclusions Our data demonstrate the dose-dependent neuroprotection of taurine against transient focal cerebral ischemia, and suggest that one of protective mechanisms of taurine against ischemia may be blocking the m-calpain and caspase-3-mediated apoptotic cell death pathways.     

The regulation and role of neuronal gap junctions during neuronal injury

In the mammalian CNS, excessive release of glutamate and overactivation of glutamate receptors are responsible for the secondary (delayed) neuronal death following neuronal injury, including ischemia, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and epilepsy. The coupling of neurons by gap junctions (electrical synapses) increases during neuronal injury. In a recent study with the use of in vivo and in vitro models of cortical ischemia in mice, we have demonstrated that the ischemic increase in neuronal gap junction coupling is regulated by glutamate via group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR). Specifically, we found that activation of group II mGluRs increases background levels of neuronal gap junction coupling and expression of connexin 36 (Cx36; neuronal gap junction protein), whereas inactivation of group II mGluRs prevents the ischemia-mediated increases in the coupling and Cx36 expression. Using the analysis of neuronal death, we also established that inactivation of group II mGluRs or genetic elimination of Cx36 both dramatically reduce ischemic neuronal death in vitro and in vivo. Similar results were obtained using in vitro models of TBI and epilepsy. Our study demonstrated that mechanisms for the injury-mediated increase in neuronal gap junction coupling are part of the mechanisms for glutamate-dependent neuronal death.     

The regulation and role of neuronal gap junctions during neuronal injury

In the mammalian CNS, excessive release of glutamate and overactivation of glutamate receptors are responsible for the secondary (delayed) neuronal death following neuronal injury, including ischemia, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and epilepsy. The coupling of neurons by gap junctions (electrical synapses) increases during neuronal injury. In a recent study with the use of in vivo and in vitro models of cortical ischemia in mice, we have demonstrated that the ischemic increase in neuronal gap junction coupling is regulated by glutamate via group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR). Specifically, we found that activation of group II mGluRs increases background levels of neuronal gap junction coupling and expression of connexin 36 (Cx36; neuronal gap junction protein), whereas inactivation of group II mGluRs prevents the ischemia-mediated increases in the coupling and Cx36 expression. Using the analysis of neuronal death, we also established that inactivation of group II mGluRs or genetic elimination of Cx36 both dramatically reduce ischemic neuronal death in vitro and in vivo. Similar results were obtained using in vitro models of TBI and epilepsy. Our study demonstrated that mechanisms for the injury-mediated increase in neuronal gap junction coupling are part of the mechanisms for glutamate-dependent neuronal death.