Irreversible Cell Damage Research Articles

Age-related change in the expression of NKCC1 in the cochlear lateral wall of C57BL/6J mice

Conclusions: Na+-K+-2Cl– co-transporter isoform 1 (NKCC1) mRNA and protein decrease with increasing age in the cochlear lateral wall of C57BL/6J (C57) mice. The down-regulation of NKCC1 may influence the K+ transport efficiency and the homeostasis of ion transport cells, and cause the irreversible damage of cochlear cells in old C57 mice. Our results indicate that NKCC1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of age-related hearing loss (AHL). Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the functional expression of NKCC1 transporter and the etiology of AHL. Methods: C57 mice were used and randomly divided into four groups according to age (4 weeks, 14 weeks, 26 weeks, and 52 weeks). Immunofluorescence technique, quantitative real-time PCR, and western blot were applied to detect the expression of NKCC1 in the cochlear lateral wall of C57 mice at the various ages. Results: In all four groups, the expression of NKCC1 was observed in the stria vascularis and type II fibrocytes of the spiral ligament. Also, the expression of NKCC1 appeared to decrease with age at both the transcriptional level and the protein level.

Induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response constitutes a pathogenic strategy of group A streptococcus.

The connection between bacterial pathogens and unfolded protein response (UPR) is poorly explored. In this review we highlight the evidence showing that group A streptococcus (GAS) induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and UPR through which it captures the amino acid asparagine (ASN) from the host. GAS acts extracellularly and during adherence to host cells it delivers the hemolysin toxins; streptolysin O (SLO) and streptolysin S (SLS). By poorly understood pathways, these toxins trigger UPR leading to the induction of the transcriptional regulator ATF4 and consequently to the upregulation of asparagine synthetase (ASNS) transcription leading to production and release of ASN. GAS senses ASN and alters gene expression profile accordingly, and increases the rate of multiplication. We suggest that induction of UPR by GAS and by other bacterial pathogens represent means through which bacterial pathogens gain nutrients from the host, obviating the need to become internalized or inflict irreversible cell damage.

Cytotoxicity of Eupatorium cannabinum L. ethanolic extract against colon cancer cells and interactions with Bisphenol A and Doxorubicin.

BackgroundEupatorium cannabinum L. has long been utilized in traditional medicine, however no information is available regarding cellular effects of full extracts. Here we assessed the effects of E. cannabinum ethanolic extract (EcEE) on the colon cancer line HT29. Potential interactions with bisphenol A (BPA) a synthetic phenolic compound to which humans are generally exposed and a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent, doxorubicin (DOX) were also evaluated.MethodsHT29 cells were exposed to different concentrations (0.5 to 50 μg/ml) of EcEE alone or in combination with BPA or DOX. Cell viability was analyzed through resazurin assay. Gene transcription levels for NCL, FOS, p21, AURKA and bcl-xl were determined through qRT-PCR. Cytological analysis included evaluation of nuclear and mitotic anomalies after DAPI staining, immunodetection of histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) and assessment of DNA damage by TUNEL assay.ResultsSevere loss of HT29 cell viability was detected for 50 μg/ml EcEE immediately after 24 h exposure whereas the lower concentrations assayed (0.5, 5 and 25 μg/ml) resulted in significant viability decreases after 96 h. Exposure to 25 μg/ml EcEE for 48 h resulted in irreversible cell damage leading to a drastic decrease in cell viability after 72 h recovery in EcEE-free medium. 48 h 25 μg/ml EcEE treatment also induced alteration of colony morphology, H3K9 hyperacetylation, transcriptional up regulation of p21 and down regulation of NCL, FOS and AURKA, indicating reduced proliferation capacity. This treatment also resulted in drastic mitotic and nuclear disruption accompanied by up-regulation of bcl-xl, limited TUNEL labeling and nuclear size increase, suggestive of a non-apoptocic cell death pathway. EcEE/BPA co-exposure increased mitotic anomalies particularly for the lowest EcEE concentration, although without major effects on viability. Conversely, EcEE/DOX co-exposure decreased cell viability in relation to DOX for all EcEE concentrations, without affecting the DOX-induced cell cycle arrest.ConclusionsEcEE has cytotoxic activity on HT29 cancer cells leading to mitotic disruption and non-apoptotic cell death without severe induction of DNA damage. Interaction experiments showed that EcEE can increase BPA aneugenic effects and EcEE synergistic effects with DOX supporting a potential use as adjuvant in chemotherapeutic approaches.

Modeling of cell culture damage and recovery leads to increased antibody and biomass productivity in CHO cell cultures.

The development of an efficient and productive cell-culture process requires a deep understanding of intracellular mechanisms and extracellular conditions for optimal product synthesis. Mathematical modeling provides an effective strategy to predict, control, and optimize cell performance under a range of culture conditions. In this study, a mathematical model is proposed for the investigation of cell damage of a Chinese hamster ovary cell culture secreting recombinant anti-RhD monoclonal antibody (mAb). Irreversible cell damage was found to be correlated with a reduction in pH. This irreversible damage to cellular function is described mathematically by a Tessier-based model, in which the actively growing fraction of cells is dependent on an intracellular metabolic product acting as a growth inhibitor. To further verify the model, an offline model-based optimization of mAb production in the cell culture was carried out, with the goal of minimizing cell damage and thereby enhancing productivity through intermittent refreshment of the culture medium. An experimental implementation of this model-based strategy resulted in a doubling of the yield as compared to the batch operation and the resulting biomass and productivity profiles agreed with the model predictions.

Ablation of colorectal liver metastases by irreversible electroporation: results of the COLDFIRE-I ablate-and-resect study.

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a new ablation technique that relies on high-voltage electrical pulses. This clinical study evaluates the pathological response of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) treated with IRE and the clinical safety and feasibility. Ten patients with resectable CRLM were included. During laparotomy, the metastases were treated with IRE and resected 60min later. Safety and feasibility were assessed based on adverse events, laboratory values, technical success and intra-operative ultrasound findings. Tissue response was assessed using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) vitality staining and (immuno)histochemical stainings (HE, complement-3d and caspase-3). Ten lesions with a mean diameter of 2.4cm were successfully electroporated and resected, on average, 84min later (range 51-153min). One minor transient cardiac arrhythmia occurred during IRE. Ultrasound showed a sharply demarcated hypoechoic ablation zone around the tumour. TTC showed avitality of all lesions, covering the complete tumour in 8/10 lesions. Although immunohistochemistry proved heterogeneous and difficult to interpret within the tumours, it confirmed irreversible cell damage in the tumour-free margin of all specimens. This ablate-and-resect study demonstrated avitality caused by IRE of CRLM in humans. Further characterisation of tissue- and tumour-specific electrical properties is warranted to improve ablation protocols for maximised tissue ablation. • Irreversible electroporation induces cell death in colorectal liver metastases within 1h. • The ablation zone shows a sharp demarcation between avital and vital tissue. • Apoptosis is involved in cell death of colorectal liver metastases after IRE. • Effects of IRE can be monitored real-time using intraoperative ultrasound. • Local electrical heterogeneities of tumour tissue may require tumour-specific ablation protocols.

Consequences of lipidic nanoemulsions on membrane integrity and ultrastructural morphology of Staphylococcus aureus

The present study divulges the consequences of lipidic nanoemulsions (cationized and non-cationized) on morphology and membrane integrity of Staphylococcus aureus using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images reveal that the cationized lipidic emulsions (CLEs) remained adhered even after the hostile treatment to remove nanoemulsions by centrifugation owing to electrostatic attraction between CLE and negatively charged bacterial surface. TEM images portray the extensive cell lyses owing to the release of cytoplasmic content when treated with both CLE and Non-CLE (NCLE). The AFM analysis of the NCLE and CLE treated S. aureus cells showed the root mean square roughness of 11.3 ± 2.8 nm and 17.7 ± 3.2 nm, respectively. The complete losses of bacterial colonies after 45 min of contact with NCLE were observed. No viable bacterial colonies were noticeable after 10 min of contact when treated with CLE, indicating better rate of killing with respect to NCLE. Similar results were obtained in the zone of inhibition studies. Significant (p < 0.05) increase of cytoplasmic material was observed both in NCLE (0.192 ± 0.003) and CLE (0.308 ± 0.012) as compared to control (0.019 ± 0.002). The present finding illustrates that the NCLE and CLE had caused significant membrane disorganization leading to release of cytoplasmic content causing irreversible cell damage, which is in accordance with the TEM, SEM and AFM studies.

Oxidative stress status in nutritionally stunted children

IntroductionOxidative stress is the imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants resulting in irreversible cell damage. ObjectiveTo assess the oxidative stress status in a sample of Egyptian malnourished stunted children and investigate the relations between oxidative stress markers and anthropometric measurements. Patients and methodsThis cross sectional descriptive analytical study was carried out on 50 malnourished stunted children (28 males and 22 females), aged from 6–9years and 50 healthy age and sex-matched controls. Blood oxidative stress biomarkers including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) malondialdehyde (MDA), plasma glutathione (GSH), total plasma proteins, total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and vitamin C were measured in patients and controls. Socio-economic status was assessed for patients. Body weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Patients were classified according to their height for age Z-scores (HAZ) into moderate and severe stunted. ResultsNutritionally stunted children showed significantly lower levels of the blood oxidative stress biomarkers including, CAT, SOD, plasma GSH, total plasma proteins, Cu, Zn and vitamin C and significantly higher levels of MDA compared with controls (p<0.001). There was significant difference in plasma levels of Vitamin C and Zn between patients with different social levels. No significant relationships were found between the degree of stunting and oxidative markers. ConclusionsNutritionally stunted children had an increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defense system compared with healthy controls. Oxidative stress, malnutrition and low social level might play an important role in the pathogenesis of stunting.

Mitochondrial iron-sulfur cluster dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease

Growing evidence supports a role for mitochondrial iron metabolism in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders such as Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) and Parkinson disease (PD) as well as in the motor and cognitive decline associated with the aging process. Iron–sulfur enzyme deficits and regional iron accumulation have been observed in each of these conditions. In spite of significant etiological, clinical and pathological differences that exist between FRDA and PD, it is possible that defects in mitochondrial iron–sulfur clusters (ISCs) biogenesis represent a common underlying mechanism leading to abnormal intracellular iron distribution with mitochondrial iron accumulation, oxidative phosphorylation deficits and oxidative stress in susceptible cells and specific regions of the nervous system. Moreover, a similar mechanism may contribute to the age-dependent iron accumulation that occurs in certain brain regions such as the globus pallidus and the substantia nigra. Targeting chelatable iron and reactive oxygen species appear as possible therapeutic options for FRDA and PD, and possibly other age-related neurodegenerative conditions. However, new technology to interrogate ISC synthesis in humans is needed to (i) assess how defects in this pathway contribute to the natural history of neurodegenerative disorders and (ii) develop treatments to correct those defects early in the disease process, before they cause irreversible neuronal cell damage.

Morphological changes of adrenal gland and heart tissue after varying duration of noise exposure in adult rat.

Noise was considered an environmental stressor causing a wide range of health effects such as acoustic, cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems. The present study was performed to examine the effects of a repeated noise exposure on adrenal gland and heart tissue. The results showed that exposure to moderate intensity sound (70 dB[A]) causes time-dependent changes in the morphological structure of the adrenal cortex that involve disarrangement of cells and modification in thickness of the different layers of the adrenal gland. The experiment revealed important changes depending on exposure duration in the morphological structure of heart tissue that causes irreversible cell damage leading to cell death or necrosis.

Disulfiram/copper causes redox-related proteotoxicity and concomitant heat shock response in ovarian cancer cells that is augmented by auranofin-mediated thioredoxin inhibition

A valuable strategy to develop new therapeutic options for a variety of diseases has been the identification of new targets and applications for already approved drugs, the so-called drug repositioning. Recurrent ovarian cancer is a nearly incurable malignancy for which new and effective treatments are urgently needed. The alcohol-deterring drug disulfiram has been shown to cause preferential cell death in a variety of cancer cells. In this study, it is shown that disulfiram mediates effective cell death in ovarian cancer cells by promoting a pro-oxidative intracellular environment in a copper-dependent mechanism. Within few hours of application, disulfiram caused irreversible cell damage associated with pronounced induction of the inducible heat shock proteins HSP70, HSP40, and HSP32. The small heat shock protein HSP27 was found to be covalently dimerized via oxidized disulfide bonds and precipitated in para-nuclear protein aggregates. Simultaneous inhibition of the cellular thioredoxin system by auranofin further enhanced the cytotoxic effect of disulfiram. These data indeed indicate that the combination of two approved drugs, the anti-alcoholic disulfiram and the anti-rheumatic auranofin, may be of interest for the treatment of recurrent and genotoxic drug-resistant ovarian cancer by inducing a proteotoxic cell death mechanism.

The Meniere attack: An ischemia/reperfusion disorder of inner ear sensory tissues

We believe Meniere attacks arise as a chance association of endolymphatic hydrops and vascular risk factors for intracerebral ischemia. Hydrops acts as a variable Starling resistor upon the inner ear vasculature that is capable of inducing ischemic attacks only in people with reduced perfusion pressure in the ear. The unique characteristics of the attacks (loss of vestibular response and hearing acutely followed by a return to apparent normalcy over hours) are explained by the differential sensitivity of the inner ear tissues to transient ischemia, with the sensory tissues (dendrites, hair cells) vulnerable to hours-long ischemia/reperfusion injury, and the stria vulnerable to ischemia due to its high metabolic rate. Permanent hearing loss and vestibular damage after many attacks would result when small areas of irreversible sensory cell damage accumulate and become confluent.This theory is supported by the strong correlation of hydrops with Meniere attacks, the finding that autoregulation of cochlear blood flow is impaired in the hydropic ear, and studies demonstrating that symptoms and signs in people and in animal models vary with conditions that alter perfusion pressure in the inner ear. Induction of Meniere attacks in animal models requires both hydrops and a mechanism that reduces perfusion pressure, such as epinephrine injection or head dependency. There is a strong clinical association between Meniere attacks and disorders that increase the risk for cerebrovascular ischemia, such as migraine. The excitable tissues in the sensory structures have long been known to be more vulnerable to ischemia than the remaining aural tissues, and are now known to be vulnerable to excitotoxicity induced by ischemia/reperfusion. This correlates well with autopsy evidence of damage to dendrites and hair cells and with strial atrophy in late Meniere disease cases.If this hypothesis is confirmed, treatment of vascular risk factors may allow control of symptoms and result in a decreased need for ablative procedures in this disorder. If attacks are controlled, the previously inevitable progression to severe hearing loss may be preventable in some cases.

Mitochondrial sequence variation in African-American primary open-angle glaucoma patients.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a major cause of blindness and results from irreversible retinal ganglion cell damage and optic nerve degeneration. In the United States, POAG is most prevalent in African-Americans. Mitochondrial genetics and dysfunction have been implicated in POAG, and potentially pathogenic sequence variations, in particular novel transversional base substitutions, are reportedly common in mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA) from POAG patient blood. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the spectrum of sequence variation in mtDNA from African-American POAG patients and determine whether novel nonsynonymous, transversional or other potentially pathogenic sequence variations are observed more commonly in POAG cases than controls. mtDNA from African-American POAG cases (n = 22) and age-matched controls (n = 22) was analyzed by deep sequencing of a single 16,487 base pair PCR amplicon by Ion Torrent, and candidate novel variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. Sequence variants were classified and interpreted using the MITOMAP compendium of polymorphisms. 99.8% of the observed variations had been previously reported. The ratio of novel variants to POAG cases was 7-fold lower than a prior estimate. Novel mtDNA variants were present in 3 of 22 cases, novel nonsynonymous changes in 1 of 22 cases and novel transversions in 0 of 22 cases; these proportions are significantly lower (p<.0005, p<.0004, p<.0001) than estimated previously for POAG, and did not differ significantly from controls. Although it is possible that mitochondrial genetics play a role in African-Americans’ high susceptibility to POAG, it is unlikely that any mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction is due to an abnormally high incidence of novel mutations that can be detected in mtDNA from peripheral blood.

Davallialactone Reduces Inflammation and Repairs Dentinogenesis on Glucose Oxidase–induced Stress in Dental Pulp Cells

IntroductionThe chronic nature of diabetes mellitus (DM) raises the risk of oral complication diseases. In general, DM causes oxidative stress to organs. This study aimed to evaluate the cellular change of dental pulp cells against glucose oxidative stress by glucose oxidase with a high glucose state. The purpose of this study was to test the antioxidant character of davallialactone and to reduce the pathogenesis of dental pulp cells against glucose oxidative stress. MethodsThe glucose oxidase with a high glucose concentration was tested for hydroxy peroxide (H2O2) production, cellular toxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, induction of inflammatory molecules and disturbance of dentin mineralization in human dental pulp cells. The anti-oxidant effect of Davallilactone was investigated to restore dental pulp cells' vitality and dentin mineralization via reduction of H2O2 production, cellular toxicity, ROS formation and inflammatory molecules. ResultsThe treatment of glucose oxidase with a high glucose concentration increased H2O2 production, cellular toxicity, and inflammatory molecules and disturbed dentin mineralization by reducing pulp cell activity. However, davallialactone reduced H2O2 production, cellular toxicity, ROS formation, inflammatory molecules, and dentin mineralization disturbances even with a long-term glucose oxidative stress state. ConclusionsThe results of this study imply that the development of oral complications is related to the irreversible damage of dental pulp cells by DM-induced oxidative stress. Davallialactone, a natural antioxidant, may be useful to treat complicated oral disease, representing an improvement for pulp vital therapy.

Is heart regeneration on the right track?

Myocardial infarction can cause irreversible heart muscle cell damage and lingering cardiac problems that can eventually lead to heart failure. For over a decade, researchers have been trying to coax stem cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes to repair damaged heart tissue, with limited success. In 'Bedside to Bench', Christine L. Mummery and Richard T. Lee lay out a framework for re-evaluating cardiac cell therapies in the context of two recent clinical trials, in which autologous cardiac stem cells derived from heart biopsies were transferred into patients, with promising, albeit difficult to interpret, results. Results from previous clinical trials using autologous bone marrow–derived adult stem cells to induce cardiac regeneration add to the debate about how to cautiously move forward in the cardiac regeneration field and to the questions that need to be urgently answered at the bench. In 'Bench to Bedside', Young-Jae Nam, Kunhua Song and Eric N. Olson discuss a number of recent studies in rodents showing that cardiac fibroblasts can be reprogrammed, via miRNAs and a transcription factor 'cocktail', to express cardiac genes, which resulted in improved cardiac function in the animals, suggesting a new way forward for fixing damaged heart tissue.

Complement C3 levels in chronic hepatitis C patients from India

Background and Aims: Complement is a collective term applied to a group of serum proteins which participate in antigen antibody reactions leading to irreversible cell damage and eventually lysis. The serum concentration of the third component of complement, C3, closely reflects the total complement activity. Individuals affected by homozygous C3 deficiency suffer from recurrent pyogenic infections such as pneumonia, septicemia, otitis media, and meningitis, and the absence of C3 is frequently lethal. This study aims to find out if there is any relation between chronic hepatitis C infection and levels of C3 in serum. Methods: The study included 132 chronic hepatitis C patients diagnosed as per American Association for Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) practice guidelines. Control groups comprised of 81 healthy blood donors who did not have any history of liver disorders. C3 levels in serum were determined utilizing commercially available kit. Results: Out of 132 chronic hepatitis C patients included, 81 were males and 51 were females with mean age± S.D. of 35.11±11.40. C3 level of the healthy group was 88.5±25.3 mg/dl whereas the C3 level of the chronic hepatitis C group was 56±18 mg/dl and was statistically significant (P <0.0005) indicating that in HCV infection there is lowering of complement system C3 components. Conclusion: The significant difference between the chronic hepatitis C patient and healthy control C3 level indicates need for including it as one of the factors that should be monitored during chronic hepatitis C infection and treatment.

Tympanic border cells are Wnt-responsive and can act as progenitors for postnatal mouse cochlear cells

Permanent hearing loss is caused by the irreversible damage of cochlear sensory hair cells and nonsensory supporting cells. In the postnatal cochlea, the sensory epithelium is terminally differentiated, whereas tympanic border cells (TBCs) beneath the sensory epithelium are proliferative. The functions of TBCs are poorly characterized. Using an Axin2(lacZ) Wnt reporter mouse, we found transient but robust Wnt signaling and proliferation in TBCs during the first 3 postnatal weeks, when the number of TBCs decreases. In vivo lineage tracing shows that a subset of hair cells and supporting cells is derived postnatally from Axin2-expressing TBCs. In cochlear explants, Wnt agonists stimulated the proliferation of TBCs, whereas Wnt inhibitors suppressed it. In addition, purified Axin2(lacZ) cells were clonogenic and self-renewing in culture in a Wnt-dependent manner, and were able to differentiate into hair cell-like and supporting cell-like cells. Taken together, our data indicate that Axin2-positive TBCs are Wnt responsive and can act as precursors to sensory epithelial cells in the postnatal cochlea.

Banting Memorial lecture 2012: reversing the twin cycles of type 2 diabetes.

It has become widely accepted that Type 2 diabetes is inevitably life-long, with irreversible and progressive beta cell damage. However, the restoration of normal glucose metabolism within days after bariatric surgery in the majority of people with Type 2 diabetes disproves this concept. There is now no doubt that this reversal of diabetes depends upon the sudden and profound decrease in food intake, and does not relate to any direct surgical effect. The Counterpoint study demonstrated that normal glucose levels and normal beta cell function could be restored by a very low calorie diet alone. Novel magnetic resonance methods were applied to measure intra-organ fat. The results showed two different time courses: a) resolution of hepatic insulin sensitivity within days along with a rapid fall in liver fat and normalisation of fasting glucose levels; and b) return of normal beta cell insulin secretion over weeks in step with a fall in pancreas fat. Now that it has been possible to observe the pathophysiological events during reversal of Type 2 diabetes, the reverse time course of events which determine the onset of the condition can be identified. The twin cycle hypothesis postulates that chronic calorie excess leads to accumulation of liver fat with eventual spill over into the pancreas. These self-reinforcing cycles between liver and pancreas eventually cause metabolic inhibition of insulin secretion after meals and onset of hyperglycaemia. It is now clear that Type 2 diabetes is a reversible condition of intra-organ fat excess to which some people are more susceptible than others.

New Concepts for Glaucoma Implants - Controlled Aqueous Humor Drainage, Encapsulation Prevention and Local Drug Delivery

Glaucoma is a common cause of blindness in industrialized countries and is the most frequent cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Since raised intraocular pressure (IOP) has been implicated as the major risk factor, the main goal of all glaucoma treatment is to reduce IOP sufficiently to prevent continuous irreversible retinal ganglion cell damage and progression of visual field loss. Pharmacological reduction of IOP is first-line therapy, followed by laser treatment of the trabecular meshwork and filtering glaucoma surgery, and cyclophotocoagulation of the ciliary body or allogenic implants. The most important glaucoma implants are presented (MOLTENO, AHMED, BAERVELDT, KRUPIN) together with more recent developments (Ex-Press, Eyepass, iStent, Gold micro shunt). Drainage into the suprachoroidal space is a promising option, but is also limited by scarring of the new created outflow route due to proliferation and adhesion of fibroblasts. A deeper understanding of fibroblasts in the related eye compartments is required. Characterization of scleral, choroidal, and, as a reference, Tenon fibroblast subtypes, is possible based on gene expression patterns. Alongside mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil, newer drugs to prevent fibrosis have been proposed, offering effects that are more specific and more physiological. Effectors involved in wound healing phases and signaling pathways are potential targets for pharmaceutical intervention. Downregulation of growth factors like TGF-ß and their downstream effectors may suppress proliferation and differentiation of fibroblasts, extracellular matrix deposition, wound contraction, and neovascularization. Furthermore, current approaches to local drug delivery in glaucoma implant technology are briefly summarized.

David Sherman Lecture 2012

Translational research has the aim to transform scientific discoveries into clinical applications. Molecular concepts are analyzed in in vitro experiments, tested in vivo in animal preparations, and then explored in human studies by which the applicability for clinical disease management—diagnosis, treatment, prevention—is tested. Pathophysiological studies in animal models traditionally applied invasive methods that could not be used in humans. On the other hand, the resolution capacity of modalities for functional and metabolic imaging in humans in the past did not allow detecting regional abnormalities in small experimental animals. With the advance of high-resolution tomographic devices, comparative studies of metabolic and molecular changes in pathological states could be performed noninvasively and repeatedly in animal models and in humans. Because positron emission tomography (PET) permits the quantitative determination of a large number of physiological, metabolic, and molecular variables, it was in the past and still is an appropriate tool for comparative pathophysiological studies in animal models and human disease. In the following, some examples of the role of PET for translational research in stroke are reviewed. ### The Concept of the Ischemic Penumbra and Identification by Imaging Experimental work on the ischemic flow thresholds of brain tissue demonstrated the existence of 2 critical levels of decreased perfusion: first, a level representing the flow threshold for reversible functional failure (functional threshold); and second, a lower threshold below which irreversible membrane failure and morphological damage occur. The range of perfusion values between those limits was called the “ischemic penumbra,”1 which was characterized by the potential for functional recovery without morphological damage provided that local blood flow can be re-established at a sufficient level. Whereas neuronal function is impaired immediately when blood flow drops below the threshold, the development of irreversible morphological damage is time-dependent. This interaction of severity and duration of ischemia in the development of irreversible cell damage was established in simultaneous recordings …

Improvement of oxygen supply by an artificial carrier in combination with normobaric oxygenation decreases the volume of tissue hypoxia and tissue damage from transient focal cerebral ischemia

Tissue hypoxia may play an important role in the development of ischemic brain damage. In the present study we investigated in a rat model of transient focal brain ischemia the neuroprotective effects of increasing the blood oxygen transport capacity by applying a semifluorinated alkane (SFA)-containing emulsion together with normobaric hyperoxygenation (NBO). The spread of tissue hypoxia was studied using pimonidazole given prior to filament-induced middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO, 2h). Treatment consisted of intravenous injection of saline or the SFA-containing emulsion (0.5 or 1.0ml/100g body weight; [SFA0.5 or SFA1.0]) either upon establishing MCAO (early treatment) or after filament removal (delayed treatment). After injection NBO was administered for 8h (early treatment) or 6h (delayed treatment). Experiments were terminated 8 or 24h after MCAO. In serial brain sections tissue hypoxia and irreversible cell damage were quantitatively determined. Furthermore, we studied hypoxia-related gene expression (VEGF, flt-1). Early treatment significantly (p<0.05) reduced the volumes of tissue damage (8h after MCAO: SFA1.0, 57±34mm³; controls, 217±70mm³; 24h after MCAO: SFA1.0, 189±82mm³; controls, 317±60mm³) and of P-Add immunoreactivity (8h after MCAO: SFA1.0, 261±37mm³; controls, 339±26mm³; 24h after MCAO: SFA1.0, 274±47mm³; controls, 364±46mm³). Delayed treatment was comparably successful. The volume of the hypoxic penumbra was not decreased by the treatment. Similarly, VEGF and flt-1 mRNA levels did not differ between the experimental groups. From these data we conclude that increasing the blood oxygen transport capacity in the plasma compartment provides a neuroprotective effect by alleviating the severity of hypoxia to a level sufficient to prevent cells from transition into irreversible damage.