Mechanisms underlying the protective effect of renal ischemic preconditioning on ischemia-reperfusion myocardium of rabbits

AIM: To investigate the mechanisms underlying the protective effect of kidney ischemic preconditioning on rabbit myocardium in case of ischemia-reperfusion and the possible role of oxygen free radicals in the process. METHODS: Animals were divided into four groups: ischemia/reperfusion(I/R), classical ischemic preconditioning(CIPC), kidney ischemic preconditioning (KIPC) and superoxide dismutase in combination with kidney ischemic preconditioning(SOD+KIPC). The endo genous myocardial pretective material, nitric oxide(NO) and 5'-nucleotidase(5'-NT) were checked in four groups. RESULTS: As compared with I/R group, both CIPC and KIPC could ameliorate left ventricular function, reduce plasma PLA₂ activity and arrhythogenic rate also, the myocardial 5'-NT and NO production were significantly higher than that of the rabbit of I/R group. However, the protective effect on rabbit myocardium was significantly weakened by the SOD administration before the ischemic preconditioning. CONCLUSION: Protective effect of KIPC on myocardium may be due to increase in endo genous myocardial protective materials, oxygen free radicals may play an important role in the endo genous myocardial protective material release.     

Tetramethylpyrazine combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation inhibits neuronal apoptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia

ATM: To investigate the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on neuronal apoptosis, and Bcl-2 and Bax expression in rats with cerebral ischemia. METHODS: The BMSCs were isolated by the whole bone marrow adherent method and cultured, and those in the 3rd passage were used for tail-vein transplantation. The rats were subjected to right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) using suture method, and the rats except sham group were randomly divided into model group, BMSCs (1×10⁹ cells/L) group, TMP (40 mg/kg) group and combination (TMP+BMSCs) group with 12 rats in each group. Neurological function was evaluated by modified neurological severity scoring (mNSS) on 1 d, 7 d and 14 d after cerebral ischemia. Toluidine blue staining was performed to detect cerebral infarct volume, HE staining was used to observe brain histopathological change, neuronal apoptosis was observed by TUNEL staining, and the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot at 14 d after cerebral ischemia. RESULTS: Compared with BMSCs group and TMP group, TMP combined with BMSCs significantly reduced the score of mNSS (P<0.01) and the infarct volume (P<0.01), alleviated the pathological damage in the peripheral area of cerebral ischemia, decreased the number of TUNEL positive cells (P<0.01), increased the expression of Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of Bax at mRNA and protein levels (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Tetramethylpyrazine combined with transplantation of BMSCs improves the functional recovery, reduces the infarct volume, relieves the ischemic injury of the brain tissue, and attenuates neuronal apoptosis in the rats with cerebral ischemia. The mechanism may be related to regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax.     

An experimental exploration of focal inflammatory response in cerebral ischemic foci in the rat

AIM: To study the pathological relationship of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression and monocyte/macrophage infiltration with focal brain ischemia. METHODS: Immunohistochemical technique and focal brain ischemia/reperfusion model were used in the study in order to explore profiles and time-course of VCAM-1 expression and monocyte macrophage (ED2 positive cell) infiltration in ischemic rat brain. RESULTS: VCAM-1 was up-regulated in microvascular endothelial cells in ischemic cortex at 1h postischemia, and continuously expressed during the time of reperfusion. ED2 positive cells infiltrated into ischemic cortex at 1h iscehmia/ 2h reperfusion and then ED2 positive cells increased gradually with the time of reperfusion, ED2 positive cell infiltration showed apparently relationship with VCAM-1 expression, and both of them exhibited the some changes of time-dependence. CONCLUSION: Cerebral ischemia induced VCAM-1 expression and ED2 positive cell infiltration and VCAM-1 may regulate the recruitment of ED2 positive cells in the ischemic brain region. The results suggested that VCAM-1 and ED2 positive cells may be participated in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemic injury.     

Effect of Fu-Sheng powder on NPY and its mRNA in brain of rats with hyperlipidemia after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion

AIM:To observe the changes in neuropeptide Y(NPY) and the effect of Fu-Sheng powder(FSP) on NPY in the rat brain in a steady cerebral ischemia and reperfusion(I/R) model. METHODS: The models of rat brain injury were established by repeated cerebral I/R in rats with hyperlipidemia. Radioimmunoassay was performed to determine the level of NPY, while NPY mRNA expression was observed by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: After 1 day of I/R, compared with control group, the content of NPY in the model animals were significantly increased by 51.86% (P＜0.01) and lasting 7 days after I/R, and the expression of NPY mRNA was greatly increased. FSP treatment decreased the contents of NPY (P＜0.05,P＜0.01) and its mRNA expression. CONCLUTION: There were obvious imbalances of NPY in the rat brain after cerebral I/R and the FSP might antagonize ischemia injury of brain through modulating NPY, which may be one of the mechanisms underlying FSP treatment for cerebral vascular diseases.     

Cell proliferation and nestin expression in cortex and SEZ of MCAO rats

AIM:To explore the effect of brain ischemia injury on cell proliferation and nestin expression in cortex and subependymal zone (SEZ).METHODS:Using a local brain ischemia model(MCAO), BrdU positive cells of cortex and subependymal zone (SEZ), also nestin positive cells, were observed by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:BrdU and nestin positive cells in SEZ of MCAO rats were obviously increased. In cortex, only nestin positive cells were observed.CONCLUSION:Neural stem cells in SEZ and cortex were activated after brain ischemia, it may be related with neural recovery after brain ischemia injury.     

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.     

Effect of DADLE on lung injury in rats with acute global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

AIM：To observe the effects of δ opioid receptor agonist DADLE on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by acute global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. METHODS：SD rats (n=30) were randomly divided into sham group, model (I/R) group and DADLE treatment group. Global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was established by a modified 2-vessel occlusion plus hypotension. DADLE (5 mg/kg) treatment was performed via the left jugular injection before reperfusion. After 120-min reperfusion, the pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed under light microscope and electronic microscope. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were detected. The partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) was also measured. RESULTS：In I/R group, widened alveolar septum, capillary dilatation and congestion, endovascular and perivascular cells in the lung with neutrophil infiltration, and significantly reduced type II epithelial cell surface microvilli, alveolar lumen cavity and trachea with serous exudate were observed. SOD activity decreased, but the MDA level increased. Compared with I/R group, the SOD activity increased and MDA level decreased in DADLE treatment group, with significantly reduced lung congestion, the degree of lung injury, and the infiltration of neutrophils. Compared with I/R group, the PaO2 and oxygenation index in DADLE treatment group were increased. CONCLUSION：Various degrees of pulmonary injury were observed in acute global cerebral ischemia reperfusion model. DADLE might have a protective effect on lung tissues of ALI in rats.     

Effects of Astragalus polysaccharide on expression of HSP70, PKB and P53 in rat cerebral cortex with cerebral ischemia and reperfusion

AIM:To explore the molecular effects of Astragalus polysaccharide(AP) on improving nervous functions and preventing neuronal apoptosis in rat cerebral cortex with cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS:One hundred and twenty male Wister rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(SOG), model groups(MG-1 d, 3 d and 7 d), low-dose AP treatment groups(L-APTG-1 d, 3 d and 7 d), and high-dose AP treatment groups(H-APTG-1 d, 3 d and 7 d). The right middle cerebral artery of the rats in MG and AGTG was intercepted by operation to induce ischemic brain injury. The rats in L-APTG and H-APTG were treated with AP at the doses of 5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection, respectively. On the 1st day, 3rd day and 7th day after operation, those animals were sacrificed to collect the brain specimens for the study after cerebral blood flow reperfusion and determination of neurological deficit scores. The structural changes of the neurons were observed under electron microscope. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of heat-shock protein 70(HSP70), protein kinase B(PKB) and P53 in cerebral corical neurons were determined by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. RESULTS:The neurological deficit scores and the apoptotic rate of cerebral cortical neurons in H-APTG were significantly lower than those in MG and L-APTG(P<0.05). The structures of the neurons in H-APTG, such as ribosome endoplasmic reticulum, nucleolus, Golgi complex, mitochondria, etc, were better than those in MG and L-APTG. On the 1st day, 3rd day and 7th day, the protein levels of HSP70 and PKB in cerebral cortical neurons in H-APTG were significantly higher than those in L-APTG, which were significantly higher than those in MG(P<0.05). However, the P53 protein level in H-APTG was significantly lower than that in L-APTG, which was significantly lower than that in MG(P<0.05). CONCLUSION:AP improves nervous functions and inhibits neuronal apoptosis during ischemia and reperfusion. The molecular mechanisms are associated with variations of protein expression in cerebral cortical neurons, such as promotion of HSP70 and PKB and inhibition of P53.     

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.