Effect of dexmedetomidine on astrocytes in rats with focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

AIM: To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on astrocytes in rats with focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. METHODS: Sixty female SD rats, weighing 230~250 g, were randomly divided into sham operation group, ischemia-reperfusion group, dexmedetomidine preconditioning group 1 and dexmedetomidine preconditioning group 2. The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established by thread embolism of middle cerebral artery. In sham operation group, the carotid arteries were exposed without performing MCAO. In ischemia-reperfusion group, NS was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. The rats in dexmedetomidine preconditioning group 1 and dexmedetomidine preconditioning group 2 received intraperitoneal injection of dexmedetomidine at doses of 20 μg/kg and 40 μg/kg, respectively. The neurological scores were studied, and the pathological changes were observed under microscope with HE staining. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in astrocytes was detected by the methods of immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting 24 h after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. RESULTS: No neurological change was observed in sham operation group. The neurological deficiency scores in ischemia-reperfusion group were markedly higher than those in dexmedetomidine preconditioning group 1 and group 2 (P<0.05). Compared with sham operation group, the expression of GFAP and TNF-α in astrocytes and the level of GFAP increased significantly 24 h after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Pretreatment with dexmedetomidine significantly attenuated the expression of GFAP and reduced the infarct size and inflammation. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine has a neuroprotective effect on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting the astrocytes.     

Effects of Astragalus injection on neuronal apoptosis and expression of JNK3 in rat hippocampus after cerebral ischemia reperfusion

AIM:To investigate the effects of Astragalus injection on neuronal apoptosis and expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3(JNK3) in the rat hippocampus after cerebral ischemia reperfusion. METHODS:The rat model of cerebral ischemia reperfusion was set up by a four-vessel occlusion method. The SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham operation group, cerebral ischemia reperfusion group(model group), cerebral ischemia reperfusion+Astragalus injection group(Astragalus injection group) and cerebral ischemia reperfusion+vehicle group(vehicle group). The rats in model group, Astragalus injection group and vehicle group after transient global cerebral ischemia(30 min) were then divided into 7 subgroups according to the reperfusion time of 0 h, 0.5 h, 2 h, 6 h, 24 h, 72 h and 120 h. The apoptosis of the neuron in the hippocampus was measured by the method of TUNEL staining. The expression of JNK3 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting,respectively. RESULTS:Compared with sham operation group, the number of apoptotic neurons increased in model group(P<0.05). Compared with model group, the number of apoptotic neurons decreased obviously in Astragalus injection group(P<0.05). Compared with sham operation group, the expression of JNK3 at mRNA and protein levels in the hippocampus increased obviously in model group at all time points except 120 h(P<0.05). Compared with model group, the expression of JNK3 at mRNA and protein levels in the hippocampus decreased obviously in Astragalus injection group at all time points except 120 h(P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Astragalus injection decreases neuronal apoptosis in rat hippocampus after cerebral ischemia reperfusion by inhibiting the expression of JNK3 at mRNA and protein levels.     

Relationship between apoptosis and change of P53 expression in mouse renal tissues after acute kidney injury

AIM: To investigate the relationship between renal cell apoptosis induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury and the activation of P53. METHODS: Eighteen mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation group, acute kidney injury (AKI) group and pifithrin-alpha(PFT-α) treatment group. The AKI model was established by clamping bilateral renal arteries for 45 min and then performing reperfusion. The mice in PFT-α group were intraperitoneally injected with PFT-α at dose of 2.2 mg/kg 5 min before AKI model was established. The changes of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were determined and renal pathological changes were observed 48 h after AKI. The P53 expression in the kidney was evaluated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence methods. Apoptosis of the renal cells was observed by TUNEL assay. The protein expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR), caspase-3 and Bcl-2 was detected by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: The levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen in AKI group and PFT-α group were higher than those in sham operation group. Compared with AKI group, the levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were significantlydecreased in PFT-α group. No pathological change of the kidney was observed in sham operation group. In AKI group, the pathological changes such as shedding of brush border, vacuolus and dropwise degeneration in the renal tissues were observed. These pathological changes were attenuated in PFT-α group as compared with AKI group. The protein was expression level of P53 and the apoptotic cells were much higher in AKI group than those in sham operation group, and P53 protein was mainly expressed in the renal cortex, while those were significantly decreased in PFT-α group as compared with AKI group. Compared with sham operation group, the expression levels of TNFR and caspase-3 were increased and the Bcl-2 levels was decreased. Compared with AKI group, the expression level of TNFR and caspase-3 decreased and Bcl-2 expression was increased. CONCLUSION: P53 protein is mainly expressed in the renal cortex and induces apoptosis by increasing the expression of caspase-3 and regulating the expression of TNFR and Bcl-2 in the kidney following ischemia/reperfusion injury.     

多头带绦虫Tm7基因的表达及间接ELISA检测方法的建立

以多头带绦虫Tm7重组蛋白为抗原,建立动物多头蚴病早期诊断方法.本研究从羊脑多头蚴原头节提取总RNA,采用RT-PCR技术首次扩增出Tm7基因的全序列,该基因的开放阅读框为207 bp,编码68个氨基酸.将此基因克隆到pET-32a(+)载体,构建重组表达质粒pET-32a-Tm7,经转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)后IPTG诱导表达,用SDS-PAGE和Western blot检测表达产物.以纯化后的表达蛋白作为抗原,建立检测羊脑多头蚴病抗体的重组蛋白间接ELISA方法.研究结果表明,Tm7基因在大肠杆菌中成功表达,表达产物为约27 ku的融合表达蛋白,该蛋白能识别羊脑多头蚴病阳性血清.建立的间接ELISA方法,检测敏感性可达93.3％,特异性达94.1％,研究结果表明Tm7重组蛋白可作为脑多头蚴病的诊断抗原.     

肺缺血再灌注损伤中氧化应激与Fas/FasL系统的关系

目的探讨肺缺血再灌注损伤中氧化应激与Fas/FasL系统的关系。方法采用在体兔单侧肺缺血再灌注损伤模型,日本大耳白兔40只,随机分为对照组,缺血再灌注1h、3h和5h组,每组10只。对比观察各组血浆超氧化物歧化酶活性、丙二醛含量和一氧化氮水平,以及肺组织细胞凋亡指数及Fas/FasL mRNA定位表达。结果缺血再灌注组肺组织凋亡指数明显高于对照组(P<0.01);再灌注后Fas、FasL mRNA在肺血管内皮细胞、肺泡上皮细胞及支气管上皮细胞等呈阳性表达,明显强于对照组(P<0.01);丙二醛含量随再灌注时间延长逐渐增加(P<0.01),而超氧化物歧化酶活性与一氧化氮则随再灌注时间延长有所降低(P<0.01)。结论肺缺血再灌注损伤期间,氧化应激参与Fas/FasL系统的激活。     

藏药五根散对缺血性脑损伤大鼠新皮质与海马中内皮素含量变化的影响

本文观察急性缺血性脑损伤饲喂藏药五根散后大鼠新皮质和海马中内皮素(ET)含量变化,旨在寻找藏药防治脑损伤的可行性。方法是用夹闭大鼠双侧颈总动脉制作急性脑缺血动物模型,然后给该大鼠喂服藏药,以放射免疫法测定脑组织(新皮质和海马)中ET含量,并与喂水组及正常组进行对比观察。结果表明:缺血性脑损伤后大鼠脑皮质与海马中ET含量明显升高,喂服藏药治疗组的ET含量比喂水组的明显下降(P<0.05)。表明缺血性脑损伤后大鼠新皮质及海马中的ET含量增加,而藏药可抑制ET合成使其含量下降,具有保护脑组织作用。     

Affecting factors of nylon monofilament induced focal cerebral ischemia in rats

AIM: To study factors affecting the stability of nylon monofilament for intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.METHODS:Successful rates and infarct volume of ischemic model were compared by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated and silicon coated nylon monofilament intraluminal occlusion of middle cerebral artery under condition of ligation and without ligation of peterygopalatine artery.RESULTS:The successful rates were 60% and 53% in two groups under condition of ligation of peterygopalatine artery, and 20% and 27% in other two groups under condition of without ligation of peterygopalatine artery respectively. The intracranial length of nylon monofilament were about 7 mm in successful model and 4 mm in failure model. Animals in the PVA coated nylon monofilament group showed neurological dificit signs earlier, and had a significantly larger infarct volume at 12 hours of ischemia than those in the silicon coated group.CONCLUSIONS:The ligation of peterygopalatine artery is critical in the success of making this kind of ischemic model. The appropriate position of nylon monofilament entering crania and the good expansibility of PVA play an important role in occlusion of blood flow. Because of the relatively lower successful rate, a new substitute with unique quality, proper hardness and better elasticity needs to be explored in the future.     

LY367385 attenuates neuronal apoptosis after cerebral vasospasm in mice by inhibiting extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway

AIM: To investigate the effects of LY367385,a selective antagonist of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1), on the apoptosis of neuron, and the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signal pathway after cerebral vasospasm (CVS) in mice. METHODS: The model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in mice was established by endovascular perforation without opening cranium. Male ICR mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation group, NS+SAH group and LY367385+SAH group. Ten minutes after SAH, 5 μL of LY367385 or NS was microinjected into lateral cerebral ventricle, and then the neurological scores of the animals were examined. At different time points (6 h, 24 h, 48 h) after operation, the pathological changes in the brain tissues were observed under light and electron microscopes. The mRNA expression of mGluR1 was detected using RT-PCR, and Western blotting was used to examine the protein levels of mGluR1 and p-ERK1/2. Apoptotic cell number was determined by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. RESULTS: In SAH+NS group, the scores of neurological function were significantly lower, while the mGluR1 mRNA, mGluR1 and p-ERK1/2 proteins and the number of apoptotic cells were significantly higher than those in sham operation group.Some neurons displayed histopathological changes of necrosis, myelin sheath internalization and disconnection. LY367385 decreased the mRNA expression of mGluR1 and protein levels of mGluR1 and ERK1/2.The neuronal apoptosis, neurological score and the ultrastructural changes were also improved. CONCLUSION: The increased expression of mGluR1 in hippocampus may induce apoptosis by activation of ERK1/2 signaling after CVS. LY367385 exerts good therapeutic effect on severe CVS.     

Role of caspase-3 dependent hepatocyte apoptosis in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in cirrhotic rats

AIM:To investigate whether hepatocyte apoptosis is contributed to liver ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and the relationship between liver caspase-3 activity and hepatocyte apoptosis in cirrhotic rats. METHODS:Liver ischemia-reperfusion is induced by Pringle maneuver. The cirrhotic rats were randomized into two groups: Group A: simple hepatic blood inflow occlusion (HBIO); Group B: HBIO + inhibitor, before HBIO, ZVAD-fmk 15 mg/kg was injected via dorsal penis vein; Group C: healthy rat, simple HBIO. The ischemia time was 30 min in these groups. Serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST), liver caspase-3 activity, and apoptotic hepatocytes were examined in the three groups. RESULTS: After 6 h of reperfusion, the liver caspase-3 activity was markedly elevated and reached its peak, which was statistically higher than that of before I/R . The same change occurred in hepatocyte apoptosis between 6 h of reperfusion and before I/R (20.9%±4.9% vs 0.5%±0.3%, P＜0.01). As the reperfusion prolonged, the caspase-3 activity and apoptotic hepatocyte decreased gradually. The 7th-day survival rate was 62.5% in group A. The serum AST, liver caspase-3 activity and apoptotic hepatocytes were significantly higher in group A than those in group B and C, representing the most severe liver injury among the three groups. CONCLUSION:Hepatocyte apoptosis is the major form of cell death in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in cirrhotic rats. Hepatoctye apoptosis induced by I/R is caspase-3 dependent, and inhibiting caspase-3 can alleviate liver injury. The caspase-3 dependent hepatocyte apoptosis is highly contributed to the pathological phenomenon that the ischemic sensitivity of cirrhotic liver is higher than normal liver.     

Application of laser scanning confocal microscope in the study of ischemic heart disease

This article reviewed the characteristics of the laser scanning confocal microscope and its application in the research of the ischemic heart disease, including the morphology, apoptosis and necrosis of the myocardium, the express of the adhesion molecule, and the Ca²⁺ ion in the myocardium.