Min Of Global Cerebral Ischemia Research Articles

Neuroprotective effect of meglumine cyclic adenylate against ischemia/reperfusion injury via STAT3-Ser727 phosphorylation

ObjectivesIschemia/reperfusion can induce neuronal apoptosis in the brain and lead to function deficits. The activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is neuroprotective against transient cerebral ischemia. The neuroprotective mechanisms of PKA mainly involve the regulation of gene transcription via the PKA/CREB pathway. The present study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of meglumine cyclic adenylate, an activator of PKA, under a rat model of global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and to reveal the underlying mechanism involving signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)-Ser727 phosphorylation and mitochondrion modulation. Materials and methodsMale Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 15 min global cerebral ischemia, and meglumine cyclic adenylate was treated through tail intravenous injection 30 min before ischemia. Cresyl violet staining was used to evaluate neuron injury at 5 d of reperfusion. Western blotting was used to detect p-Ser727-STAT3, total STAT3, cytochrome c (Cyt c) and active caspase-3 in the tissues of hippocampal CA1 region at 6 h of reperfusion. STAT3-S727A was overexpressed in HT22 cells to reveal the significance of STAT3-Ser727 phosphorylation in the neuroprotective effect of meglumine cyclic adenylate. ResultsPretreatment with meglumine cyclic adenylate not only significantly ameliorated neuron loss in CA1 region after global cerebral ischemia but also enhanced STAT3-Ser727 phosphorylation, increased mitochondrial STAT3, and decreased cytosolic Cyt c and active caspase-3. Overexpression of STAT3-S727A in HT22 cells eliminated meglumine cyclic adenylate-induced increase of p-Ser727-STAT3, mitochondrial STAT3, cytosolic Cyt c and active caspase-3. ConclusionMeglumine cyclic adenylate protects neurons against ischemia/reperfusion injury via promoting p-Ser727-STAT3-associated mitochondrion modulation and inhibiting apoptosis pathway.

Lack of Neuroprotection with a Single Intravenous Infusion of Human Amnion Epithelial Cells after Severe Hypoxia-Ischemia in Near-Term Fetal Sheep.

Background: Hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) around the time of birth results from loss of oxygen (hypoxia) and blood supply (ischemia). Exogenous infusion of multi-potential cells, including human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs), can reduce hypoxic–ischemic (HI) brain injury. However, there are few data on treatment of severe HI in large animal paradigms at term. The aim of the current study was to determine whether infusion of hAECs early after injury may reduce brain damage after ischemia in near-term fetal sheep. Methods: Chronically instrumented fetal sheep (0.85 gestation) received 30 min of global cerebral ischemia followed by intravenous infusion of hAECs from 2 h after the end of ischemia (ischemia-hAEC, n = 6) or saline (ischemia-vehicle, n = 7). Sham control animals received sham ischemia with vehicle infusion (sham control, n = 8). Results: Ischemia was associated with significant suppression of EEG power and spectral edge frequency until the end of the experiment and a secondary rise in cortical impedance from 24 to 72 h, which were not attenuated by hAEC administration. Ischemia was associated with loss of neurons in the cortex, thalamus, striatum and hippocampus, loss of white matter oligodendrocytes and increased microglial numbers in the white matter, which were not affected by hAEC infusion. Conclusions: A single intravenous administration of hAECs did not reduce electrographic or histological brain damage after 30 min of global cerebral ischemia in near-term fetal sheep.

Vitex negundo protects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in mouse via attenuating behavioral deficits and oxidative damage.

Global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I-R) injury often results in an irreparable brain damage like behavioral impairment and neuronal death. This neurological complication involves diverse intricate pathological mechanisms like oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Recently, the therapeutic value of plant-based polyphenols has gained researcher's attention. The present study focused on the putative neuroprotective role of negundoside on behavioral and oxidative stress status in an experimental model of global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion-induced brain injury. Negundoside was isolated from the leaves of Vitex negundo Linn. by chromatography for investigating its possible neurobehavioral and neuropharmacological implications. Healthy Balb/C mice of either sex were subjected to 10min of global cerebral ischemia (GCI) followed by 24-h reperfusion. Mice were pre-treated intraperitoneally with negundoside at varying doses (1, 3, 5, 10, and 15mg/kg) 60min before the induction of GCI. Mice were later subjected to a battery of behavioral tests for evaluating memory-related and motor abilities. Elevated plus maze (EPM) was used to determine the anxiety levels and short-term memory whereas motor abilities were evaluated by inclined beam-walking test, rotarod, and lateral push test. TBARS and reduced glutathione (GSH) content in brains were analyzed spectrophotometrically as oxidative stress markers. Behavioral study revealed enhanced anxiety-related responses and motor deficits in I-R injured mice. Additionally, GSH and TBARS levels were found to be altered following I-R-induced neuronal injury. Contrastingly, negundoside administration was able to alleviate the behavioral and biochemical alterations to the normal levels. Together, our findings provide preliminary evidence of neuroprotective role of negundoside against global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion-induced behavioral dysfunction and oxidative damage in mice brain.

Pharmacological connection of Histamine-1 (H1) Receptor Mediated Neuroprotective mechanism of Ischemic preconditioning in rat

Cerebral ischemia and ischemia-reperfusion is an essential contributor to acute cerebral stroke. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been proven to provide neuroprotection in ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, but their mechanism behind neuroprotection in cerebral stroke are still unclear. Central histaminergic pathway has crucial role in the pathogenesis of cerebral stroke, but their neuroprotective role in IPC is still unidentified. This research explores the role of histamine-1 receptor in IPC induced neuroprotection against ischemia-reperfusion induced cerebral injury. Rat were subjected to 17 min of global cerebral ischemia (GCI) by occluding both carotid arteries followed by reperfusion for 24 h, to produce ischemia-reperfusion induced cerebral injury. TTC staining was used to measure cerebral infarct size. Morris water maze test was used to assess memory. Inclined beam-walk, hanging wire, lateral push and rota-rod tests were used to assess degree of motor incoordination. Brain acetylcholinesterase activity, nitrite/nitrate, glutathione, TBARS and MPO levels were also examined. GCI has produced a significant increase in cerebral infarction, brain nitrite/nitrate, MPO, TBARS and AChE activity along with a reduction in glutathione content. Impairment of memory and motor coordination were also noted in GCI induced rat. IPC was employed that consist of 3 preceding episodes of ischemia (1 min) and reperfusion (1 min) both immediately before GCI significantly decreased cerebral infarction, motor incoordination, memory impairment and biochemical impairment. Pretreatment with L-histidine mimicked the neuroprotective effects of IPC. L-histidine induced neuroprotection were significantly abolished by chlorpheniramine, a H1 receptor antagonist. We conclude that neuroprotective effects of IPC, probably occurs through the central histaminergic pathway, and histamine-1 receptor could be a new target behind the neuroprotective mechanism of IPC.

CaMKII-dependent endoplasmic reticulum fission by whisker stimulation and during cortical spreading depolarization.

Cortical spreading depolarization waves, the cause underlying migraine aura, are also the markers and mechanism of pathology in the acutely injured human brain. Propagation of spreading depolarization wave uniquely depends on the interaction between presynaptic and postsynaptic glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). In the normally perfused brain, even a single wave causes a massive depolarization of neurons and glia, which results in transient loss of neuronal function and depression of the ongoing electrocorticographic activity. Endoplasmic reticulum is the cellular organelle of particular importance for modulation of neurotransmission. Neuronal endoplasmic reticulum structure is assumed to be persistently continuous in neurons, but is rapidly lost within 1 to 2 min of global cerebral ischaemia, i.e. the organelle disintegrates by fission. This phenomenon appears to be timed with the cardiac arrest-induced cortical spreading depolarizations, rather than ensuing cell death. To what extent NMDAR-dependent processes may trigger neuronal endoplasmic reticulum fission and whether fission is reversible in the normally perfused brain is unknown. We used two-photon microscopy to examine neuronal endoplasmic reticulum structural dynamics during whisker stimulation and cortical spreading depolarizations in vivo. Somatosensory stimulation triggered loss of endoplasmic reticulum continuity, a likely outcome of constriction and fission, in dendritic spines within less than 10 s of stimulation, which was spontaneously reversible and recovery to normal took 5 min. The endoplasmic reticulum fission was inhibited by blockade of NMDAR and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activated downstream of the NMDARs, whereas inhibition of guanosine triphosphate hydrolases hindered regain of endoplasmic reticulum continuity, i.e. fusion. In contrast to somatosensory stimulation, endoplasmic reticulum fission during spreading depolarization was widespread and present in dendrites and spines, and was preceded by dramatic rise in intracellular Ca2+. The endoplasmic reticulum fission during spreading depolarization was more persistent, as 1 h after the depolarization cortical neurons still exhibited loss of endoplasmic reticulum continuity. Notably, endoplasmic reticulum fission was accompanied with loss of electrocorticographic activity, whereas subsequent regain of synaptic function paralleled the organelle fusion. Furthermore, blocking CaMKII activity partly rescued endoplasmic reticulum fission and markedly shortened the recovery time of brain spontaneous activity. Thus, prevention of endoplasmic reticulum fission with CaMKII inhibitors may be a novel strategy to rescue brain function in patients with migraine and a promising therapeutic avenue in the acutely injured brain.

Social interaction modulates the neuroinflammatory response to global cerebral ischemia in male mice

Social isolation is a risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, although the underlying mechanisms remain underspecified. Considering the potential of microglia to become sensitized by stressors and their role in neuroinflammation, we hypothesized that social isolation primes microglia, resulting in an exaggerated neuroimmune response to experimental cerebral ischemia. First, major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) gene expression, an indicator of microglial priming, was compared between mice that were socially isolated or pair-housed. MHC II increased in the hippocampus and cortex of socially isolated mice, which is suggestive of isolation-induced microglial priming. In experiment 2, isolated and pair-housed mice underwent ∼8min of global cerebral ischemia. Hippocampal mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) was significantly increased among both isolated and pair-housed ischemia groups relative to sham controls. Hippocampal expression of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and cortical TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, were significantly increased 24-h post ischemia in isolated mice, but not pair-housed mice, relative to controls. Ischemia-induced increases in microglial cell body area and percent area fraction of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) positive staining were also observed in isolated, but not pair-housed mice, relative to controls. For experiment 3, brain sections from socially isolated and pair-housed mice underwent 15min of oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD), an ex vivo model of cerebral ischemia. IL-6 gene expression was significantly elevated following OGD only in hippocampi from mice that had been socially isolated, indicating that isolation prior to ischemia is sufficient to modulate the neuroinflammatory response. Together, these data suggest microglial priming as a possible mechanism underlying the detrimental effects of social isolation on cerebral ischemia outcome.

How long is sufficient for optimal neuroprotection with cerebral cooling after ischemia in fetal sheep?

The optimal duration of mild “therapeutic” hypothermia for neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is surprisingly unclear. This study assessed the relative efficacy of cooling for 48 h versus 72 h. Fetal sheep (0.85 gestation) received sham ischemia (n = 9) or 30 min global cerebral ischemia followed by normothermia (n = 8) or delayed hypothermia from 3 h to 48 h (n = 8) or 72 h (n = 8). Ischemia was associated with profound loss of electroencephalogram (EEG) power, neurons in the cortex and hippocampus, and oligodendrocytes and myelin basic protein expression in the white matter, with increased Iba-1-positive microglia and proliferation. Hypothermia for 48 h was associated with improved outcomes compared to normothermia, but a progressive deterioration of EEG power after rewarming compared to 72 h of hypothermia, with impaired neuronal survival and myelin basic protein, and more microglia in the white matter and cortex. These findings show that head cooling for 48 h is partially neuroprotective, but is inferior to cooling for 72 h after cerebral ischemia in fetal sheep. The close association between rewarming at 48 h, subsequent deterioration in EEG power and increased cortical inflammation strongly suggests that deleterious inflammation can be reactivated by premature rewarming.

A modified method to reduce variable outcomes in a rat model of four-vessel arterial occlusion

Objectives: Rat models of global cerebral ischemia (GCI) are essential to study potential treatment strategies against stroke in humans. However, nonvisual electrocoagulation of vertebral arteries often leads to incomplete occlusion that may prevent the creation of a successful model.Methods: Therefore, we used a modified method in which the vertebral arteries were safely visualized and electrocauterized between the first and second transverse processes through a dorsal incision. Twenty-four hours later, GCI was induced by transient bilateral common carotid arterial occlusion using microvascular clips. The clips were removed after 10, 20, or 30 min of four-vessel occlusion.Results: Digital subtraction angiography demonstrated complete occlusion of the rat vertebral arteries. In the 20-min GCI group, the rats were monitored for 1, 3, 5, or 7 days followed by histological analysis. The results showed that neuronal death in the CA1 subregion occurred almost linearly between 1 and 3 days of recovery. Tape removal test was used for up to 7 days after 20 min of GCI or sham operation. The latency time was found to be significantly increased 1 to 7 days after GCI compared with sham.Conclusions: In conclusion, this modified model provides a reliable tool for ischemic stroke research.

Activation of CRHR1 receptors regulates social and depressive-like behaviors and expression of BDNF and TrkB in mesocorticolimbic regions following global cerebral ischemia

Increased HPA axis activation and CRH release characterize the brain's response to global cerebral ischemia. Recently, CRH via activation of CRH type 1 receptors (CRHR1) has been shown to regulate Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) secretion and emotional behavior. The current study investigates the impact of CRHR1 blockade on BDNF/TrkB signaling expression in the mesolimbic circuitry, and social and depressive-like behavior following global ischemia. Adult male Wistar rats were injected with Antalarmin (2μg/μl) or a vehicle 30min prior to 10min global cerebral ischemia (4VO model) or sham occlusion. The Three Chamber Social Approach Test (SIT) assessed sociability and preference for social novelty, and the novelty suppressed feeding test (NSFT), forced swim test (FST), and sucrose preference test characterized anxiety and depression. Corticosterone levels and organ (thymus, seminal and adrenal glands) weights were determined as additional physiological indices of stress. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and Rt-PCR were used to assess BDNF and TrkB receptor levels in subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) 30days post-ischemia. Our findings indicate reduced BDNF and TrkB protein and mRNA expression in the mPFC post-ischemia, while heightened levels were found in the NAc. Ischemia increased immobility in the FST and reduced sucrose preference and led to reduced latency to feed in the NSFT and heightened sociability and social novelty preference in the SIT. Antalarmin treatment normalized post-ischemic biochemical/behavioral changes. Our findings support lasting effects of CRHR1 activation on brain plasticity markers, likely playing a role in emotional impairments following cardio- or cerebro-vascular accidents.

Spontaneous Pre-Existing Hypoxia Does Not Affect Brain Damage after Global Cerebral Ischaemia in Late-Gestation Fetal Sheep

There is considerable evidence that a mild, non-injurious insult can protect (precondition) against a subsequent injurious insult. Typically, protection is seen when the gap between insults is several days to a week. However, the effect of mild but persistent hypoxia is unknown. In this study we examined the hypothesis that mild pre-existing hypoxia (PaO₂ <17 mm Hg) would reduce neural injury in chronically instrumented late-gestation (0.85 gestation) fetal sheep exposed to 30 min of global cerebral ischaemia induced by bilateral carotid artery occlusion (normoxia: n = 9 vs. pre-existing hypoxia: n = 9) or normoxia plus sham ischaemia (sham controls: n = 9). Histopathology was assessed after 7 days of recovery. Fetuses with pre-existing hypoxia had lower PaO₂ values (16.1 ± 0.6 vs. 26.0 ± 1.1 mm Hg) and were lighter at post-mortem (4,033 ± 412 vs. 5,261 ± 238 g) compared to normoxic fetuses. Cerebral ischaemia was associated with secondary cortical oedema and seizures, reduced final EEG power, loss of sleep state cycling, and significant loss of neurons and oligodendrocytes, with no significant effect of pre-existing hypoxia. Pre-existing hypoxia was associated with a significantly attenuated rise in mean arterial pressure between 18 and 36 h and slower resolution of cortical oedema between 96 and 150 h after ischaemia. These data suggest that chronic hypoxia is not associated with a significant preconditioning effect.

Curcumin improves the impaired working memory in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines

To investigate the ameliorative effect of curcumin pretreatment against impaired spatial working memory on global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats and to explore its mechanism. After trained on a modified T-maze, 120 adult SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham group (S group), cerebral ischemia-reperfusion group (IR group), curcumin group (C group), LPS group (L group) and curcumin+LPS group (C+L group). Rats were treated with drugs or vehicles 1 h before 10 min global cerebral ischemia. Six rats in each group 7 days after reperfusion were tested in T-maze. Six rats in each group were sacrificed at 2 h, 1, 3 and 7 d after reperfusion and their serum or brains were harvested. Brain sections were stained with HE or toluidine blue and neuronal damage was quantified by the average neuronal density of CA1 area. Immunohistochemical staining for hippocampal IL-1β and TNF-α was carried out, levels of serum IL-1β and TNF-α was detected using ELISA procedure. Compared with S group, percentage of T-maze correct responses was decreased (88% ± 12% vs 69% ± 8%, P < 0.05), an extensive pyramidal neurons loss in CA1 area was observed, level of IL-1β (0.26 ± 0.04 vs 0.53 ± 0.06, P < 0.05;48 ± 13 vs 161 ± 31, P < 0.05) and TNF-α (40.244 ± 0.025 vs 0.418 ± 0.036, P < 0.05; 33 ± 4 vs 85 ± 15, P < 0.05) in hippocampi or serum was increased in IR group. Compared with IR group, percentage of T-maze correct responses was increased (78% ± 13%) and average pyramidal neuronal density in CA1 area was increased with an decrease in hippocampi or serum IL-1β (0.44 ± 0.09, 72 ± 19) and TNF-α (0.307 ± 0.047, 57 ± 14) in C group(P < 0.05). Compared with IR group, percentage of T-maze correct responses (61% ± 6%) was decreased with IL-1β (0.86 ± 0.13, 331 ± 51), TNF-α (0.735 ± 0.059, 185 ± 20) in hippocampi and serum was increased in L group (P < 0.05). Compared with L group, percentage of T-maze correct responses (69% ± 12%) and average pyramidal neuronal density in CA1 area was increased with IL-1β (0.69 ± 0.09, 246 ± 24), TNF-α(0.586 ± 0.047, 105 ± 25) in hippocampi and serum was decreased in C+L group (P < 0.05). Curcumin pretreatment improves the impaired spatial working memory in global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines.

Abstract W P206: Analysis of SUMO3-Modified Proteome in Post-Ischemic Mouse Brain

Background and Purpose: Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation modulates many key cellular processes. Transient cerebral ischemia dramatically activates SUMO2/3 conjugation, and this is believed to be a protective stress response. It is, therefore, of tremendous clinical interest to characterize the SUMO-modified proteome regulated by transient ischemia. We generated a novel SUMO transgenic mouse and performed the first SUMO proteomics study using post-ischemic brain samples. Methods: CAG-loxP-STOP-loxP-SUMO (CAG-SUMO) mice were generated in which His-SUMO1, HA-SUMO2, and FLAG-SUMO3 were expressed from a single multicistronic transgene in a Cre-dependent manner. CAG-SUMO mice were mated with Emx1 Cre/Cre mice to generate double transgenic CAG-SUMO/Emx1-Cre mice as experimental mice and Emx1 Cre/+ mice as control mice. Double transgenic mice were subjected to 10 min global cerebral ischemia followed by 1 h reperfusion or sham operation. FLAG-SUMO3-conjugated proteins were enriched from cortical tissues and analyzed. Results: Characterization of double transgenic mice demonstrated that exogenous expressed tagged SUMO paralogues were functionally intact and did not perturb the endogenous SUMOylation machinery in the brain. FLAG pulldown of cortical samples from sham and ischemia mice followed by GeLC-MS/MS analysis identified 91 candidates whose SUMOylation states were up-regulated in ischemic samples. Data analysis revealed several potentially important processes in which SUMO3 conjugation may play a key role during ischemia/reperfusion, including the cross-talk between SUMOylation and ubiquitination, glucocorticoid receptor signaling, and modulation of posttranscriptional mRNA processing. Conclusions: SUMO proteomic analysis identified important processes and pathways modulated by SUMOylation in the post-ischemic brain that warrant future investigations, since they could be the key to understand the overall impact of SUMOylation on the fate and functions of post-ischemic neurons. The conditional SUMO transgenic mouse will be an invaluable tool for in-depth in vivo analysis of the SUMO-modified proteome in various pathological states.

Epsilon PKC Increases Brain Mitochondrial SIRT1 Protein Levels via Heat Shock Protein 90 following Ischemic Preconditioning in Rats

Ischemic preconditioning is a neuroprotective mechanism whereby a sublethal ischemic exposure is protective against a subsequent lethal ischemic attack. We previously demonstrated that SIRT1, a nuclear localized stress-activated deacetylase, is vital for ischemic preconditioning neuroprotection. However, a recent study demonstrated that SIRT1 can also localize to the mitochondria. Mitochondrial localized SIRT1 may allow for a direct protection of mitochondria following ischemic preconditioning. The objective of this study was to determine whether ischemic preconditioning increases brain mitochondrial SIRT1 protein levels and to determine the role of PKCɛ and HSP90 in targeting SIRT1 to the mitochondria. Here we report that preconditioning rats, with 2 min of global cerebral ischemia, induces a delayed increase in non-synaptic mitochondrial SIRT1 protein levels which was not observed in synaptic mitochondria. This increase in mitochondrial SIRT1 protein was found to occur only in neuronal cells and was mediated by PKCε activation. Inhibition of HSP90, a protein chaperone involved in mitochondrial protein import, prevented preconditioning induced increases in mitochondrial SIRT1 and PKCε protein. Our work provides new insights into a possible direct role of SIRT1 in modulating mitochondrial function under both normal and stress conditions, and to a possible role of mitochondrial SIRT1 in activating preconditioning induced ischemic tolerance.

HuR Function and Translational State Analysis Following Global Brain Ischemia and Reperfusion

Prolonged translation arrest in post-ischemic hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons precludes translation of induced stress genes and directly correlates with cell death. We evaluated the regulation of mRNAs containing adenine- and uridine-rich elements (ARE) by assessing HuR protein and hsp70 mRNA nuclear translocation, HuR polysome binding, and translation state analysis of CA1 and CA3 at 8 h of reperfusion after 10 min of global cerebral ischemia. There was no difference between CA1 and CA3 at 8 h of reperfusion in nuclear or cytoplasmic HuR protein or hsp70 mRNA, or HuR polysome association, suggesting that neither mechanism contributed to post-ischemic outcome. Translation state analysis revealed that 28 and 58 % of unique mRNAs significantly different between 8hR and NIC, in CA3 and CA1, respectively, were not polysome-bound. There was significantly greater diversity of polysome-bound mRNAs in reperfused CA3 compared to CA1, and in both regions, ARE-containing mRNAs accounted for 4-5 % of the total. These data indicate that posttranscriptional ARE-containing mRNA regulation occurs in reperfused neurons and contributes to post-ischemic outcome. Understanding the differential responses of vulnerable and resistant neurons to ischemia will contribute to the development of effective neuroprotective therapies.

Unfolded protein response to global ischemia following 48 h of reperfusion in the rat brain: the effect of age and meloxicam

The unfolded protein response (UPR) in the hippocampal regions Cornu Ammonis 1 hippocampal region, Cornu Ammonis 3 hippocampal region, and dentate gyrus, as well as in the cerebral cortex of 3-month-old and 18-month-old rats were studied in a model of 15min of global cerebral ischemia followed by 48h of reperfusion. UPR was measured by quantifying the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP), GRP78 and GRP94 transcripts using qPCR and the amounts of PDI and GRP78 by western blot. The study shows how the mRNA levels of these genes were similar in 3-month-old and 18-month-old sham-operated animals, but the ischemic insult elicited a noticeable increase in the expression of these genes in young animals that was scarcely appreciable in older animals. The striking increase in the mRNA levels of these genes in 3-month-old animals was abolished or even reverted by treatment with meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory agent. Western blot assays showed that the UPR was still detectable 48h after ischemia in some of the studied areas, and provided evidence that the UPR is different between young and older animals. Western blot assays carried out in young animals also showed that meloxicam elicited different effects on the levels of PDI and GRP78 in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. We conclude that the UPR response to ischemic/reperfusion insult is age- and probably inflammation-dependent and could play an important role in ischemic vulnerability. The UPR appears to be strongly decreased in aged animals, suggesting a reduced ability for cell survival. In this study, we conclude that the unfolded protein response (UPR) to ischemic/reperfusion insult is age- and probably inflammation-dependent and could play an important role in ischemic vulnerability. The UPR strongly decreased in aged rats, suggesting a reduced ability for cell survival. The increase in the mRNA levels of UPR gene transcripts in 3-month-old animals was abolished or even reverted by treatment with meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory agent.

Hypothermia protects the brain from transient global ischemia/reperfusion by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum response-induced apoptosis through CHOP.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in the pathology of cerebral ischemia. Apoptotic cell death occurs during prolonged period of stress or when the adaptive response fails. Hypothermia blocked the TNF or Fas-mediated extrinsic apoptosis pathway and the mitochondria pathway of apoptosis, however, whether hypothermia can block endoplasmic reticulum mediated apoptosis is never known. This study aimed to elucidate whether hypothermia attenuates brain cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) damage by suppressing ER stress-induced apoptosis. A 15 min global cerebral ischemia rat model was used in this study. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) positive cells in hippocampus CA1 were assessed after reperfusion of the brain. The expressions of C/EBP-homolo gous protein (CHOP) and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in ischemic hippocampus CA1 were measured at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after reperfusion. The results showed that hypothermia significantly attenuated brain I/R injury, as shown by reduction in cell apoptosis, CHOP expression, and increase in GRP78 expression. These results suggest that hypothermia could protect brain from I/R injury by suppressing ER stress-induced apoptosis.

Fundamental interstrain differences in cortical activity between Wistar and Sprague–Dawley rats during global ischemia

Four-vessel occlusion (4VO), a frequently used model of global cerebral ischemia in rats, results in a dysfunction in wide brain areas, including the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. However, there are pronounced differences in response to global ischemia between the laboratory rat strains used in these studies. In the present work, the immediate acute effects of 4VO-induced global ischemia on the spontaneous electrocorticogram (ECoG) signals were analyzed in Wistar and Sprague–Dawley rats. The ECoG was isoelectric during the 10min of global cerebral ischemia in Wistar rats and the first burst (FB) was seen 10–13min after the start of reperfusion. In Sprague–Dawley rats, the FB was detected immediately after the start of 4VO or a few seconds later. The burst suppression ratio (BSR) in Wistar rats decreased to 45% in 5min after FB, and after 25min it was approximately 40%. In Sprague–Dawley rats, the BSR was 55% immediately after the FB and it decreased steeply to reach 0% by 10min. There was also a significant difference between the two strains in the frequency composition of the ECoG pattern. The power spectral densities of the two strains differed virtually throughout the post-ischemic state. The histological results (Evans Blue, Cresyl Violet and Fluoro Jade C stainings) supplemented the electrophysiological data: the neuronal damage in the CA1 pyramids in Wistar rats was severe, whereas in the Sprague–Dawley animals it was only partial. These observations clearly demonstrate that the use of different rat strains (e.g. Wistar vs. Sprague–Dawley) can be a source of considerable variability in the results of acute experiments on global ischemia and it is important that the laboratory rats used in such experiments should be carefully chosen.

Delayed ischemic postconditioning protects hippocampal CA1 neurons by preserving mitochondrial integrity via Akt/GSK3β signaling

Delayed ischemic postconditioning (Post C), which involves a brief ischemia followed by reperfusion 2 days after 8–10 min global cerebral ischemia (GCI), has been shown to exert a remarkable protection of the vulnerable hippocampal CA1 region of the brain and attenuation of behavioral deficits, although the mechanisms remain poorly understood. The purpose of the current study was to explore the effect of Post C upon mitochondrial integrity, cytochrome c release and Bax translocation as a potential key mechanism for Post C protection of the critical hippocampal CA1 region neurons. The results of the study revealed that ischemic Post C (3 min) administered 2 days after 8-min GCI exerted a robust preservation from GCI injury, as evidenced by the increase of NeuN-positive and the decrease of TUNEL-positive cells, as well as morphological features of mitochondrial integrity in the hippocampal CA1 region. We also found that Post C significantly blocked inner mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, as shown by JC-1 staining, and attenuates cytochrome c release and Bax translocation induced by GCI. Pre-treatment of the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, 20 min prior to Post C, significantly attenuated Post C-induced elevation of p-Akt and p-GSK3β, as well as prevented Post C enhancement of mitochondrial integrity and Post C neuroprotection. The results suggest that phosphorylation of Akt and subsequent inactivation of GSK3β signaling is critical in mediating Post C beneficial effects upon mitochondrial integrity, function and neuroprotection following GCI injury.

Single, high-dose 17β-estradiol therapy has anti-apoptotic effect and induces cerebral plasticity following transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils (Short communication)

Although much is known about the protective effect of acute estrogen therapy in cerebral ischemia, relatively little is known about the importance of apoptosis and cerebral plasticity in this mechanism. In this work 10 min global cerebral ischemia was produced by transient bilateral carotid occlusion in 4-month-old ovariectomized female gerbils. In every of our experimental group (sham for ischemia group, ischemia group and ischemia + a high, single dose 17β-estradiol pre-treatment group) apoptotic (bcl-Xl, bax) and cerebral plasticity (GAP-43, synapsin-I, nestin) hippocampal genes' expression was measured four days after surgery. Expression of the anti-apoptotic bcl-Xl (p<0.01) and the cerebral plasticity marker synapsin-I and nestin (p<0.01) increased with acute estrogen pretreatment in ischemic animals. No change, however, in bax or GAP-43 expression was detected in estrogen treated animals compared to ischemic gerbils. These results suggest that acute estrogen therapy has anti-apoptotic effect and increases cerebral plasticity, which play an important role in cytoprotection or cerebroprotection.

Comparative Ultrastructural Analysis of Mitochondria in the CA1 and CA3 Hippocampal Pyramidal Cells Following Global Ischemia in Mongolian Gerbils

Post-ischemic injury of the hippocampus unrolls at different levels and has both functional and structural implications. The deficiency in neuron energy metabolism is an initiating factor. We performed transmission electron microscopic (TEM) comparative analysis of mitochondria in excitatory spine synapses in CA1 stratum radiatum and CA3 hippocampal areas after 5 min of global cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils, 4 and 7 days after reperfusion. Electron microscopy and unbiased morphometric methods were used to evaluate synaptic plasticity, and the number and size of mitochondria in synaptic terminals. We compared the morphological organization of mitochondria in presynaptic terminals between CA1 and CA3 areas in control and post-ischemic condition according to the following morphometric parameters: mitochondrial volume fraction, mitochondrial frequency in CA1 and CA3 terminals, mean number of mitochondria per presynaptic terminal, frequency of damaged mitochondria in terminals, and density of presynaptic terminals. Our ultrastructural study revealed statistically significant differences in morphometric parameters between CA1 and CA3 areas in control conditions, as well as in post-ischemic conditions. Also, we found temporal differences in measured parameters obtained 4 and 7 days after reperfusion. This study showed significant morphological differences in the organization of mitochondria in excitatory spine synapses between CA1 and CA3 areas, which corresponded with already known differences in functionality and sensitivity to the ischemic insult. Our conclusion is that revealed post-ischemic changes in mitochondrial distribution in presynaptic CA1 and CA3 terminals could be an indicator of hippocampal metabolic dysfunction and synaptic plasticity.