Astrocyte proliferation in the rat hippocampus after middle cerebral artery occlusion

AIM: To study rat astrocyte proliferation in ipsilateral hippocampus following focal cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Ischemia was induced by temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). In hippocampus of rats at 3, 7 and 30 days after MCAO, the numbers and anatomic distribution of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein expression of GFAP and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the ipsilateral hippocampus were analyzed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Astrocytes appeared hypertrophic, with increased process thickness and numbers at 7 days after MCAO, and the highest density of astrocytes were seen at 30 days in the CA1, CA2 regions of the ipsilateral hippocampus. Western blot analysis revealed that GFAP levels were normal at 3 days, but increased by 7 days and remained elevation at 30 days. Western blot analysis of PCNA protein also revealed identified upregulation PCNA at 3 days after MCAO and the expression peaked at 7 days. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that focal cerebral ischemia in the rat results in a rapid response, a process often referred to as reactive astrogliosis or glial scarring, from resident astrocytes of the ipsilateral hippocampus to the side of ischemia.     

Differential regulating effect on estrogen receptor α and β expression in female rat hippocampus and cortex regions between different types of estrogen regents

AIM: To study the regulatory effect two different estrogen reagents on expressions of estrogen receptor α and β in female rat hippocampus and cortex regions. METHODS: 12 cycles after ovariectomy, female rats were orally injected with premarin or progynova for 3 cycles before sacrificed. Semiquantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the ERs mRNA expression and SP immunohistochemistry was performed to measure the ERs protein distribution and expression. RESULTS: In premarin group, ER α mRNA levels in both hippocampus and cortex tissues decreased significantly compared with control. ER α protein level in hippocampus was lower than that in the control. However, ER α protein level in cortex had no statistical difference. ER β mRNA in the two regions and ER β protein in cortex had no statistical differences compared with control, while ER β protein level in hippocampus was higher than that in the control. In progynova group, both mRNA and protein levels of ER β increased significantly in the two regions compared with the control, and ER α mRNA level also increased in hippocampus, but ER α mRNA level in cortex and ER α protein levels in the above two regions showed no statistical differences. CONCLUSION: There were differential regulatory effects on ER α and ER β expression in female rat cognitive regions between the two different types of estrogen reagents, which may be one of the mechanisms of varied effects in different estrogen replacement therapy reagents.     

Frozen mysids as an alternative to live Artemia in culturing seahorses Hippocampus abdominalis

This investigation examined the effects on growth and survival of seahorses Hippocampus abdominalis Leeson 1827 fed a 25% body weight (wet weight) daily ration of live Artemia sp. enriched with Algamac‐3050, frozen mysids Amblyops kempi or a combination of live enriched Artemia and frozen mysids. After 3 months there was no difference in seahorse length, wet weight, condition factor (CF), or food conversion ratios (FCR) between the treatments. Mean daily specific growth rate (SGR) was higher for the Artemia‐only treatment than for the mysid‐only treatment (P<0.05). FCRs ranged from 6.14 g to 8.72 g dry weight of food required to give a 1‐g dry weight increase in seahorses. There was no difference in survival between treatments. Fatty acid analysis revealed that mysids had a higher percentage composition of EPA, 20 : 5n‐3, and DHA, 22 : 6n‐3, but a lower composition of AA, 20 : 4n‐6, than enriched Artemia. Percentage n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in mysid levels were approximately twice that of Artemia. Proximate analysis revealed mysids to be higher than the enriched Artemia in protein and fats, and lower in water content. This experiment demonstrates that, although no growth advantage was derived from the use of frozen mysids, they can be used successfully as an alternative food to live enriched Artemia for H. abdominalis. The use of frozen mysids is highly recommended in commercial seahorse culture if the seahorses are to be sold into the live aquarium trade, as this may increase their chances of survival after sale.     

Fisheries and trade of seahorses, Hippocampus spp., in southern India

Abstract  Seahorses ( Hippocampus spp. ) are a major commodity fished from the shallow coastal seas of the south coast of India where there is an abundance of sea grasses, sponges and corals. They are in great demand for export as traditional medicines, curios and aquarium fish. Organised fishing and trade of seahorses exists in India along the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar coasts. At the Palk Bay coast, seahorses are targeted by divers along with sea cucumbers ( Holothuria spp. ) and gastropods (e.g. Murex spp., Xancus pyrum Hornell). In the Gulf of Mannar, most of the seahorses are landed as bycatch of shrimp trawling. Seahorses are also fished from Kerala as a bycatch of trawling, although no organised fishery and trade exists. Five species of seahorses were identified from the Palk Bay coast, whereas only two species were obtained from Kerala. Most seahorses from India are exported to Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. The volume of dried seahorse trade from India was estimated to be 9.75 t as derived from catch data in 2001, which was much higher than official statistics of 4.34 t during 2001–2002, suggesting the major part of the exports might be through non-conventional means and goes undeclared. Some aspects of the impact of large-scale fishing and trade on conservation of these seahorses are discussed.     

AQP-4在抑郁模型大鼠海马区含量的改变

目的探讨抑郁模型大鼠海马区AQP-4含量的改变．方法通过采用慢性不可预见性刺激和孤养相结合的方法,在应激前1天和应激第22天后对大鼠行为学观测,快速断头取海马组织,通过半定量PCR方式观察海马区AQP-4含量的变化．结果发现抑郁大鼠海马区AQP4mRNA的相对含量增加．结论AQP-4既参加调节抑郁模型大鼠海马区内环境,同时对抑郁模型大鼠海马区神经元的凋亡发挥作用,为研究抑郁症的发病机制奠定基础．     

Histopathological observation of cerebral cortex and hippocampus in the mouse with synthetic vascular dementia

AIM:To observe pathomorphological changes in cerebral cortex and hippocampus in the mouse with synthetic vascular dementia.METHODS:The synthetic vascular dementia model was produced in the mouse. Animals were killed 7 d, 15 d, and 30 d after the operation, brain tissues were removed and embedded in paraffin. Section of 8μm thickness were stained with hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Nissl methods, and observed with light microscope.RESULTS:The cerebral cortex in the mouse became thinner on the seventh day, karyopyknosis in partial nervous cells was formed, the number of local neurons was reduced, sieve structure was observed, and glial cells pro liferated, with the similar results 15 d and 30 d afteroperation.Model mouseπs hippocampal cells in CA₁ area were reduced and almost disappeared 30 d after operation.At the same time, glial cells were abundantly proliferated, tu bercles were formed.Cells in CA₂, CA₃ area were also reduced and hippocampal sclerosis occurred.CONCLUSION:Delayed necrosis of hippocampal pyramidal cells may be the pathological basis of ischemia cerebral vascular dementia.     

Influence of chronic corticosterone injection on depression-like behavior and brain glycogen levels in mice

AIM: To study the effect of chronic corticosterone (CORT) injection on the depression-like behaviors and the brain glycogen level in mice. METHODS: Male C57BL/6N mice (n=40) were randomly divided into normal control group and model group. The mice in model group were subcutaneously consecutively injected with CORT for 4 weeks. The mouse model of chronic stress depression was constructed. The forced swim test and open field experiment were conducted to prove chronic stress model. The serum level of CORT in the mice was measured by radioimmunoassay. The protein levels of hippocampal synaptophysin (SYP) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were detected by Western blot. Hippocampus glycogen, glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase were determined by indirect fluorescence measurement. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, the immobility time of the forced swim test in model group was significantly lengthened (P<0.01), and the ability of spontaneous activity was reduced (P<0.01), indicating that chronic CORT injection induced depression-like behaviors in mice. The CORT level increased significantly (P<0.01) in model group. CORT injection decreased the protein expression of hippocampal SYP and BDNF (P<0.01), reduced hippocampal glycogen level (P<0.05) and glycogen synthase activity (P<0.05), and increased glycogen phosphorylase activity (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Chronic CORT injection causes hippocampal neuron damage and induces the depression-like behaviors of mice, which may be associated with decreasing hippocampal glycogen level by CORT.     

Expression of EAAT3 in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in CPP reinstatement rats induced by morphine

AIM: To investigate the role of excitatory amino acid transporter 3(EAAT3) in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in morphine relapse by detecting the changes of EAAT3 expression in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in conditioned place preference (CPP) reinstatement rat model induced by morphine.METHODS: Forty adult male SD rats, weighing 200-250 g, were randomly divided into 5 groups with 8 rats each: control group, CPP establishment group (Es), CPP extinction group (Ex), reinstatement 2 h group (Re2) and reinstatement 4 h group (Re4).Intraperitoneal (ip) injection of morphine was applied at a constant dose (10 mg/kg) for 10 days to the established CPP model.Normal saline instead of morphine was used to induce CPP extinction for 10 days.CPP was reinstated following a single priming injection of morphine (2.5 mg/kg).After the CPP behavior test, the rats were sacrificed, and the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were collected for detecting the levels of EAAT3 by Western blotting.RESULTS: The accumulated time the rats spent in the drug-paired chamber was significantly longer in Es group, Re2 group and Re4 group than that in control group (P<0.05).Compared with control group, the expression of EAAT3 in prefrontal cortex significantly decreased both in Es group and Re4 group (P<0.05).No significant change of EAAT3 in hippocampus among groups was observed (P>0.05), while EAAT3 in hippocampal CA1 area significantly increased in Es group and Ex group as compared with control group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The expression of EAAT3 in prefrontal cortex decreases both in CPP establishment and reinstatement models, indicating that down-regulation of EAAT3 in prefrontal cortex may partly participate in the formation of opium relapse.     

线纹海马渊H ipp ocamp us erectus 冤不同养殖密度下 体理化因子和细菌数量的动态变化

研究线纹海马(Hippocampus erectus)在室内水泥池不同养殖密度下,水体环境因子和细菌数量的动态变化情况.结果表明,在一个倒池换水周期中,养殖组1和养殖组2的磷酸磷(pO434-p)、硝酸氮(NO3--N)、亚硝酸氮(NO2--N)和氨氮(NH4+-N)等离子物质的浓度和细菌、弧菌和异养菌数量均随着养殖时间的推移不断上升,通常在换水后9d或12d达到最高,再次换水后降到极低值.单因素方差分析结果表明,在不同养殖密度下,PO43--p、NO3--N、NO2--N和NH4+-N等离子浓度随着养殖密度的升高而升高;而低密度养殖池中细菌数比高密度养殖池的细菌数显著更高.养殖水体中的pO43--p浓度与异养细菌数呈负相关关系,NO2--N浓度与细菌数量和弧菌数呈正相关关系,NO3--N浓度与细菌数、异养菌数和弧菌数呈负相关关系,NH4+-N浓度与细菌数、异养菌数和弧菌数均呈正相关关系.研究结果可为科学开展海马室内规模化养殖提供理论参考.     

Influence of mitochondrial deficiency on expression of microtubule-associated proteins in primary cultured hippocampal neurons of neonatal rats

AIM: In order to study the relationship between mitochondrial deficiency and Alzheimer's disease(AD), we used sodium azide, a specific inhibitor of cytochrome C oxidase (COX), to develop a cell model of mitochondrial complex IV deficiency and investigated the impairment of microtubules and microtubule-associated proteins. METHODS: Primary cultured hippocampal neurons of hewborn rats were exposed to sodium azidethen cell viability was measured by MTT method; cell morphology, immunofluorecence-stained cellular microtubules and microtubule-associated proteins were observed by confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Primary cultured hippocampal neurons were exposed to 8-128 mmol/L sodium azide for 3-24 h, MTT absorbance decreased dose-and time-dependently. Exposed to 64 mmol/L sodium azide for 6 h, the processes of cells retracted, synapses disappeared, axons were shortened under contrast microscope. Meanwhile, microtubles were disassembled and became disorderly, the expression of microtubule-associated proteins were also reduced especially in the processes observed by confocal microscopy. CONCLUSION: Sodium azide inhibits the assembly and polymerization of tubulin in microtubules which may be reduced by low expression of microtubule-associated proteins in nerve cells. The damage of axons induced by microtubule collapse further blocks the intercellular signal transduction and intracellular material transportation which are important causes in cell death.