THE EFFECT OF LIGUSTRAZINE ON NEUROGENESIS IN CORTEX AFTER FOCAL CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA IN RATS

Objective To explore the effect of Ligustrazine on neurogenesis in cortex after focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Methods Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by left middle cerebral artery occlusion with a suture. Two hours later, injection of Ligustrazine （80 mg/kg, 1 time/d） was performed peritoneally. Four hours after the ischemia, 5-bromodeoxyuridine （BrdU） （50 mg/kg, 1 time/d） was injected peritoneally. At 7 d, 14 d and 21 d after ischemia, BrdU positive cells in the cortex were observed by cal staining. Results In ischemic model group, at 7 day, sparsely-distributed BrdU positive cells were observed in the Ⅱ-- Ⅵ layers of the ipsilateral cortex, with a bandlike distribution in ischemic penumbra. With the prolongation of ischemia, the number of BrdU positive cells increased. In Ligustrazine group, BrdU positive cells were also observed in theⅡ-- Ⅵ layers of the cortex, with an intense distribution in ischemic penumbra. The numbers of BrdU positive cells at 7 d, 14 d and 21 d were more than those in ischemic model group respectively. Conclusion Ligustrazine increases the proliferated cells in cortex after focal cerebral ischemia in rats. The results suggest that it may be useful for promoting self-repair after ischemia.     

Apoptosis of motor neurons in the spinal cord after ischemia reperfusion injury delayed paraplegia in rabbits

Objective To clarify the pathologic change of the motor neuron on spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury delayed paraplegia. Methods The infrarenal aorta of White New Zealand rabbits （n=24） was occluded for 26 minutes using two bulldog clamps. Rabbits were killed after 8, 24, 72, or 168 hours （n=6 per group）, respectively. The clamps was placed but never clamped in sham-operated rabbits （n=24）. The lumbar segment of the spinal cord （L5 to L7） was used for morphological studies, including hematoxylin and eosin staining, the expression of bcl-2 and bax proteins in spinal cord was detected with immunohistochemistry. The apoptotic neurons in spinal cord were measured with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling of DNA fragments （TUNEL） staining. Results Delayed paraplegia occurred in all rabbits of ischemia reperfusion group at 16-24 hours, but not in sham groups. Motor neurons were selectively lost at 7 days after transient ischemia. After ischemia, the positive expression of bcl-2 protein were in the sham controls but decreased significantly as compared with that of the IR group （P〈0.01）, especially in 72 hours reperfusion. The positive expression of bax protein were also in the sham controls, but increased in the IR group, especially in 72 hours reperfusion; In addition, TUNEL study demonstrated that no cells were positively labeled until 24 hours after ischemia, but nuclei of some motor neurons were positively labeled at peak after ischemia reperfusion at 72 hours. Oenclusion Spinal cord ischemia in rabbits induces morphological and biochemical changes suggestive of apoptosis. These data raise the possibility that apoptosis contributes to neuronal cell death after spinal cord ischemia reperfnsion.     

EFFECTS OF CEREBRAL CORTICAL CONCIS ON CELL PROLIFERATION OF THE SUBVENTRICULAR ZONE IN ADULT RATS

Mechanical injuries to the external regions ofthe brain including the cerebral cortex and otherparts of the telencephalon are common yet relativelyuntreatable[1].The predicament in recovery frombrain injury is that the adult central nervous systemis generally thought to be incapable of replacingdead neurons.As the SVZis nowknownto be neu-rogenic andis in close proxi mitytothe cerebral cor-tex and other functionally i mportant forebrain nu-clei,hope has risen that its neurogenesis may be co-op…     

Effects of rhubarb extracts on hyperexcitability of hippocampal CA1 neurons after fluid percussion injury

Objective To investigate the effects of rhubarb extracts, i.e. rhein and emodin, on the neuronal hyperexcitability and synaptic transmission, and to ,further reveal the mechanism of the secondary brain damage. Methods The fluid percussion injury （FPI） rat model and extracellular recording method were used. The evoked field potentials by stimulating Schaffer collaterals were collected from the ipsilateral （impact side） and the contralateral hippocampal CA1 areas of rat in vitro . And the field potentials, including the field excitatory postsynaptic potential and the population spike, were analyzed. Results After the impact was performed on the rat parietal cortex, the evoked field potentials in the ipsilateral hippocampus CA1 area were enhanced obviously. Rhubarb extracts reduced the slope of the field excitatory postsynaptic potential and the number of the population spike significantly while rhein and emodin increased the latency of the population spike obviously. Conclusion Rhubarb extracts, i.e. rhein and emodin, can depress the neuronal hyperexcitability, which suggests that rhein and emodin play an important role in protecting the central nervous system from neuronal damage after traumatic brain injury. FPI produces hyperexcitability of hippocampal CA1 neurons, probably by enhancing excitatory synaptic transmission.     

Reduction of Brain Injury After Stroke in Hyperglycemic Rats via Fasudil Pretreatment

Diabetes is usually associated with cerebrovascular disease, especially stroke. In practice, fasudil is widely accepted to be applied for the treatment of vascular disease. This article demonstrates the study concentrating on the effects of fasudil pretreatment on the prognosis of diabetic stroke. 250—300 g SpragueDawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, non-diabetic stroke group, diabetic stroke group, and fasudil pretreatment group. The rats of diabetes group were treated with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(60 mg/kg), in the meantime the same dose of citrate buffer was injected into those of the control group. The rats of the fasudil group received daily fasudil intraperitoneal injection at 10 mg/kg for three consecutive weeks. After four weeks, all the rats of the experimental group were treated with middle cerebral artery occlusion for 90 min. After sacrifice, the fresh brain samples were collected for following experiments, including infarct volume, edema volume,blood-brain barrier(BBB), which were detected by immunohistochemistry. Inflammatory factors were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) using tissue Ribonucleic Acid(RNA). The concentration of blood glucose is 15 mmol/L or more, which proved that the diabetes model was a success. Fasudil pretreatment decreases the percentage of stroke mortality of diabetes from 43.75% to 31.25%, while the infarction volume decreases from 52.95% ± 12.7% to 45.97% ± 6.7%. Gap formation of tight junction and Immunoglobulin G(Ig G) leakage were reduced(P 0.05), and the expression of inflammatory factors decreases(P 0.05) in fasudil pretreatment after diabetic stroke. Diabetes aggravates the mortality of cerebral ischemic rats. Prolonged fasudil pretreatment can reduce mortality of diabetic stroke, decrease cerebral infarction volume and undermine inflammatory factors expression, and protect the BBB.     

The development of an OxyHb animal model in mice and the study on OxyHb-induced apoptosis of mouse brain cells in vivo

Objective On the basis of developing a new animal model for oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) injection into subarachnoid space in mice, this research was to explore the temporal dependence and spatial distribution of OxyHb- induced apoptosis in the mouse brain cells in vivo and the mechanism of neurocyte injury induced by OxyHb. Methods The animal model for OxyHb injection into subarachnoid space in mice was developed. Mice were divided randomly into the experimental group (n=40) and the control group (n= 35). The control group received saline injection (50 μL ) and the experimental group received OxyHb injection (50 μL ), both into the subarachnoid space. The mice of the two groups were subdivided according to different postoperative time (3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h). The apoptosis or necrosis of cells was distinguished with microscopy (HE staining), transmission electron microscopy and TUNEL method. Results The distribution of apoptosis was mainly in the ipsilateral neocortex and bilateral hippocampal gyrus. The apoptotic mouse brain cells showed morphological changes in the experimental group by HE staining and transmission electron microscopy. The count of TUNEL-positive cells showed substantial increase in the experimental group, and there was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups, and the number of OxyHb- induced apoptotic cells decreased with time. Conclusion OxyHb in subarachnoid space in mice can induce apoptasis, but not necrosis of mouse brain cells in viro. The apoptotic brain cells show the pattern of temporal dependence and spatial distribution. It is suggested that the early treatment should be the method of first choice for treating the hemorrhagic brain injury.     

Pretreatment with candesartan protects brain against ischemia in normotensive rats

Objective Angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang-Ⅱ ） increases NADPH oxidase activity and stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species （ROS） including superoxide anion through Ang Ⅱ AT1-receptor （AT1-R） activation. ROS is involved in various pathological processes in brain ischemia. We investigated whether the AT1-R blocker （ARB） candesartan can protect normotensive rats against brain ischemia. Methods After 2-week pretreatment with candesartan, rats were subjected to 2 hours middle cerebral artery occlasion-reperfusion （MCAO-R） and 24 hours later, the infarct volume, iNOS, and eNOS mRNA in the internal carotid artery was recorded and compared. Results Candesartan pretreatment reduced cerebral ischemia and oxidative brain damage after MCAO-R in normotensive rats, resulting in a decreased cortical infarct volume [0.5 mg/kg candesartan, （46. 8±13.2）mm^3 ; 1.0 mg/kg candesartan, （ 19.3± 15.3） mm^3 vs. control, （ 111.7 ±14.3 ） mm^3 ; P〈 0.05, P〈 0.01, respectively]. Candesartan pretreatment increased the eNOS mRNA level in the internal carotid artery. Conclusion In normotensive rats exposed to MCAO-R, candesartan protectes against brain ischemia. This effect may represent a significant therapeutic advantage and may induce end-organ protection even at normal blood pressure.     

Role of candesartan against cerebral ischemia and oxidative damage in normotensive rats

Objective Angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ ) contributes to modulating blood pressure by stimulation of Ang Ⅱ AT1 receptors. We devised a rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model to assess whether oxidative damage is decreased after pretreatment with Angiotensin Ⅱ AT1 receptor blocker (ARB). Methods After 2 weeks pretreatment with ARB 0. 5 and 1 mg/kg, the male Wister rats were subjected to 2 h middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). At 24 h, the lumen diameter of middle cerebral artery, the plasma level of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and HIF-1 a levels were recorded and compared. Results After pretrcatment with ARB 0.5 and 1 mg/kg, blood pressure did not significantly change compared with that of controls. In the group of candesartan at 1 mg/(kg· day), the lumen diameter was significantly increased compared to that in control group [(86.0±5.0) μm vs. (69.0± 2.1) μm; P<0. 01, n = 6- 8]. The plasma 8-OHdG levels of ARB pretreatment groups were decreased. In immunohistochemical findings, 8-OHdG- and HIF-1α-containing cells in ARB pretreatment groups were decreased. Conclusion Brain ischemia and oxidative damage can be reversed by AT1 receptor blockade in normotensive rats after transient cerebral artery occlusion.     

An experimental study of pioglitazone in treating vascular dementia

Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of different doses of pioglitazone, a kind of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist, on vascular dementia and explore how pioglitazone affects cerebral ischemia. Methods Modified Pulsinelli's vessel ligation was used to establish a vascular dementia model in rats. Recognition, learning and memory were evaluated by Morris's water maze test. Immunoenzyme staining was used to determine the number of nerve cells. Immunofluorescence double-staining was used to examine the expression of PPARγ/nerve cells and PPARγ/astrocytes in different groups. Results Both in pioglitazone groups and sham-operation group, the latency was reduced significantly compared to that in control group (P<0.01). Sham-operation group had the largest number of neurons in the cortex, followed by low-dose pioglitazone group and high-dose pioglitazone group, and control group came last. Compared with control group, pioglitazone groups had more PPARγ expression in nerve cells, and the fluorescence intensity of PPARγ was stronger. Conclusion Pioglitazone can induce the expression of PPARγ in neuron endochylema and astrocyte endochylema to protect nerve cells, and then to improve spatial learning and memory function in VD rats.     

EFFECT OF SELENIUM ON IMMUNE FUNCTION OFERYTHROCYTE IN KASHIN-BECK DISEASE

Objective To investigate the relationship between erythrocyte immune function and selenium （Se） level. Methods Forty-nine Kashin-Beck patients in endemic area aged 13- 1 6 years were divided into two groups and were orally given either selenized yeast or sodium selenite to provide 200 μg selenium per day for12 weeks. Erythrocyte selenium level, glutathione peroxidase activity, the rosette formation rates of red blood cells complement receptor typeⅠ （CR1）, the immune function of red blood cells, and circulating immune complexes（CIC） were determined. Results After supplementing with selenium for 12 weeks, erythrocyte selenium level, glutathione peroxidase activity, the rosette formation rates of red blood cells CR1 were significantly increased. But the difference in rosette formation rates of IC and CIC content was not significant between before and after Se supplementation. Gonclusion The increase of the immune function of the erythrocyte by selenium-supplement may be one of the effective mechanisms for the prevention of Kashin-Beck disease.     

川芎嗪对大鼠局部脑缺血后空间学习和记忆的影响

目的探讨川芎嗪对大鼠局部脑缺血后空间学习记忆能力障碍的作用。方法线栓法制作大鼠大脑中动脉阻塞(MCAO)模型,术后2周内腹腔注射川芎嗪,第15天开始采用Morris水迷宫装置评价大鼠的空间学习记忆能力,脑切片尼氏染色观察皮质和海马的神经元数量变化。结果脑缺血对照组大鼠在定向航行试验和空间探索试验中均表现出明显的空间认知功能的障碍,川芎嗪治疗组大鼠平均逃避潜伏期与缺血对照组比较明显缩短(P<0.01)。在空间探索试验中,川芎嗪治疗组大鼠原平台象限停留时间百分比以及穿过原平台位置次数均大于脑缺血对照组(P<0.01)。在形态学观察中,川芎嗪治疗组大鼠缺血侧顶叶皮质神经元数量明显多于脑缺血对照组(P<0.01),各组动物海马神经元数量上无统计学差异。结论川芎嗪可以明显改善大鼠永久性局部脑缺血后空间学习记忆能力,其机制可能与川芎嗪对神经元的保护作用有关。     

脑缺血组织nestin蛋白重新表达及其与碱性成纤维细胞生长因子表达的关系

目的　研究缺血脑组织nestin蛋白重新表达和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子 (bFGF)表达的关系。方法　建立永久性脑缺血大鼠模型 ,采用免疫组化染色方法 ,观察脑缺血后 1、3、7、14、2 8d脑组织nestin蛋白和bFGF的表达。结果　缺血后 1～ 3d缺血灶附近nestin免疫阳性细胞大量出现 ,缺血 7d开始减少 ;而bFGF免疫阳性细胞在缺血 14d大量出现 ,缺血 2 8d开始减少。结论　缺血脑组织重新表达nestin蛋白不需要bFGF的营养和支持 ,缺血脑组织周围的nestin免疫阳性细胞来源于重演胚胎发育过程的星形胶质细胞     

川芎嗪对大鼠局灶性脑缺血损伤的神经保护作用

目的观察川芎嗪对局灶性脑缺血后脑损伤的保护作用。方法采用线栓法制作大鼠左侧大脑中动脉阻塞模型。氯化三苯基四氮唑(TTC)脑片染色测定脑梗死体积,干湿重法测定脑组织含水量,快速Golgi银染方法观察脑缺血周围区神经元的形态改变。结果川芎嗪能明显缩小脑梗死体积、降低脑组织含水量,随着川芎嗪剂量增大,作用更为明显,具有剂量依赖性。脑缺血后14 d Golgi银染显示,模型组在梗死周围区神经元明显减少,变性和正常神经元共存。变性神经元主要表现为突起断裂、增粗,突起有大的串珠,树突棘减少。川芎嗪组较模型组皮质梗死周围神经元变性较少。结论川芎嗪能缩小脑梗死体积、减轻脑水肿、保护缺血周围神经元,证实川芎嗪对脑缺血损伤有保护作用。     

大鼠脑缺血淋巴细胞浸润的免疫组化研究

目的 探讨脑缺血后淋巴细胞浸润情况。方法 用免疫组化方法检测了30只大鼠大脑中动脉局部脑缺血12h、24h、3d、7d和10d后损伤区CD3、CD4和CD8阳性淋巴细胞。结果 缺血12～24h即可见CD3阳性和CD8阳性细胞浸润，3d和7d组阳性细胞最多。这些浸润的淋巴细胞位于反应带以及坏死中心和反应带的交界处。位于坏死区周围的CD3阳性和CD8阳性细胞主要为圆形，有大细胞和小细胞两种形态；位于反应带的淋巴细胞为小圆细胞，呈弥散分布，也可在微血管周围形成血管套。CD4阳性淋巴细胞数量较少，形态多样，大小不一。结论 淋巴细胞及亚群可能参与缺血性脑损伤的病理过程。     

Identification and culture of neural stem cells isolated from adult rat subventricular zone following fluid percussion brain injury

Objective To analyze proliferation and differentiation of glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)- and nestin-positive (GFAP+/nestin+) cells isolated from the subventricular zone following fluid percussion brain injury to determine whether GFAP+/nestin+ cells exhibit characteristics of neural stem cells. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 12 weeks and weighing 200-250 g, were randomly and evenly assigned to normal control group and model group. In the model group, a rat model of fluid percussion brain injury was established. Five days later, subventricular zone tissue was resected from each group and made into single cell suspension. After serum-free neural stem cell medium culture and subsequent serum-induced differentiation, cell type, proliferation and differentiation capacities were determined by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. Results At 3-7 days after fluid percussion brain injury, nestin+/GFAP+ cells in the single cell suspension from the model group significantly outnumbered those from the normal control group (P<0.01). In the model group, an increased number of small neurospheres with smooth cell edge and bulged center formed after primary culture, and were clearly visible with the increase of culture time and medium replacement. After several passages, many clonal spheres were obtained, suggesting strong self-proliferatiing capacity. Neurospheres from the model group differentiated into astrocytes, neurons and oligodendrocytes. Conclusion GFAP+/nestin+ cells isolated from the adult rat subventricular zone after fluid percussion brain injury are thought to be neural stem cells because of their self-renewal and multi-differentiation capacities.     

局灶脑缺血再灌流后c-fos和bcl-2基因的表达

为探讨短暂局灶脑缺血后不同灌流期即刻早期基因（ＩＥＧｓ）与凋亡抑制基因在同一脑区的表达状况，采用不开颅血管腔内置线法制作鼠大脑中动脉阻塞（ＭＣＡ０）的局灶缺血再灌流模型，通过免疫组化法观察原癌基因ｃ－ｆｏｓ和ｂｃｌ－２蛋白在缺血３０ｍｉｎ再灌６ｈ和２４ｈ的表达。结果显示∶再灌６ｈ，二者在缺血同侧梨状皮层显著表达，而底节区表达很弱（Ｐ＜０．０１）；再灌２４ｈ，ｃ－ｆｏｓ蛋白在梨状皮层表达显著减弱（Ｐ＜０．０１）；ｂｃｌ－２蛋白表达仍显著（Ｐ＞０．０５），且在底节区的表达有增强（Ｐ＞０．０５）。因而推论∶ｃ－ｆｏｓ与ｂｃｌ－２蛋白的表达可能与缺血损害的内源性保护机制有关。     

大鼠脑发育过程中神经干细胞分布的免疫组织化学研究

目的　观察神经干细胞在大鼠不同发育时期不同脑区的分布。方法　应用免疫组织化学ABC法 ,对不同发育时期大鼠脑的嗅球、室管膜、室管膜下区、顶叶皮质、纹状体、海马齿状回进行nestin免疫组织化学染色及光镜观察。结果　nestin从胚胎 1 8d至出生后 7d在脑内表达较强 ,阳性细胞在所观察的部位较多 ,出生后 1月nestin阳性细胞数急剧下降 ,成年鼠和老年鼠仅在嗅球、室管膜、部分室管膜下区及海马齿状回分布有nestin阳性细胞。结论　嗅球、室管膜、室管膜下区及海马齿状回终生具有神经干细胞存在 ,可能具有神经再生功能     

锌对大鼠急性缺血心肌溶酶体膜的影响

本实验结扎大鼠冠状动脉，造成急性心肌梗塞模型，观察锌对缺血心肌溶酶体酶的影响。结果表明，心肌缺血１ｈ后，缺血区心肌溶酶体酸性磷酸酶、组织蛋白酶Ｄ游离酶（Ｆ）及游离酶／总酶比值（Ｆ／Ｔ）明显升高，ＧＳＨ－Ｐｘ活性显著降低，脂质过氧化产物丙二醛（ＭＤＡ）含量明显升高。而锌预处理大鼠心肌急性缺血后，Ｆ及Ｆ／Ｔ均显著下降，ＭＤＡ含量明显降低，但ＧＳＨ－Ｐｘ活性无明显改变。故锌可能通过ＧＳＨ－Ｐｘ以外的途径，增加溶酶体膜的稳定性，减轻心肌缺血性损伤。