Cerebral Ischemic Neuronal Damage Research Articles

Exploring the neuroprotection of the combination of astragaloside A, chlorogenic acid and scutellarin in treating chronic cerebral ischemia via network analysis and experimental validation

Chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) primarily causes cognitive dysfunction and other neurological impairments, yet there remains a lack of ideal therapeutic medications. The preparation combination of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge and Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz have been utilized to ameliorate neurological dysfunction following cerebral ischemia, but material basis of its synergy remains unclear. The principal active ingredients and their optimal proportions in this combination have been identified through the oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) cell model, including astragaloside A, chlorogenic acid and scutellarin (ACS), and its efficacy in enhancing the survival of OGD PC12 cells surpasses that of the combination preparation. Nevertheless, mechanism of ACS against CCI remains elusive. In this study, 63 potential targets of ACS against CCI injury were obtained by network pharmacology, among which AKT1, CASP3 and TNF are the core targets. Subsequent analysis utilizing KEGG and GO suggested that PI3K/AKT pathway may play a crucial role for ACS in ameliorating CCI injury. Then, a right unilateral common carotid artery occlusion (rUCCAO) mouse model and an OGD PC12 cell model were established to replicate the pathological processes of CCI in vivo and in vitro. These models were utilized to explore the anti-CCI effects of ACS and its regulatory mechanisms, particularly focusing on PI3K/AKT pathway. The results showed that ACS facilitated the restoration of cerebral blood flow in CCI mice, enhanced the function of the central cholinergic nervous system, protected against ischemic nerve cell and mitochondrial damage, and improved cognitive function and other neurological impairments. Additionally, ACS upregulated the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-GSK3β and Bcl-2, and diminished the expression of Cyto-c, cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax significantly. However, the PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) partially reversed the downregulation of Bax, Cyto-c and cleaved Caspase-3 expression as well as the upregulation of p-AKT/AKT, p-GSK3β/GSK3β, and Bcl-2/Bax ratios. These findings suggest that ACS against neuronal damage in cerebral ischemia may be closely related to the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway. These results declared first time ACS may become an ideal candidate drug against CCI due to its neuroprotective effects, which are mediated by the activated PI3K/AKT pathway mitigates mitochondrial damage and prevents cell apoptosis.

Circular RNA circEfnb2 promotes cell injury after cerebral infarction by sponging miR-202-5p and regulating TRAF3 expression

BackgroundExogenous neural cell transplantation may be therapeutic for stroke, cerebral ischemic injury. Among other mechanisms, increasing findings indicated circular RNAs (circRNAs) regulate the pathogenesis progression of cerebral ischemia. Mmu_circ_0015034 (circEfnb2) was upregulated in focal cortical infarction established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in mice. Our study was designed to probe the molecular mechanism of circEfnb2 in the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-induced neuronal damage in cerebral ischemia. MethodsWe established an in vitro OGD/R cell model. CircEfnb2 and microRNA-202-5p (miR-202-5p) levels were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using specific kits. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels were examined using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry analysis evaluated cell apoptosis. Protein levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 related X protein (Bax), cleaved caspase 3, and Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) were determined using Western blot assay. ResultsOverall, circEfnb2 was highly expressed whereas miR-202-5p was decreased in OGD/R-treated mouse hippocampal neuronal HT22 cells compared to normal controls (both p > 0.05). From an in vitro functional perspective, circEfnb2 knockdown attenuated an OGD/R-triggered neuronal injury compared to controls (p > 0.05). Mechanically, circEfnb2 acted as a sponge of miR-202-5p; downregulation of miR-202-5p annulled the inhibitory roles of circEfnb2 silencing in an OGD/R-caused neuronal injury model. Our analysis showed that miR-202-5p directly targeted TRAF3 as enhanced TRAF3 abolished the effects of miR-202-5p in the OGD/R-induced neuronal injury. In vivo, lentivirus with a short hairpin (sh)-circEfnb2 inhibited cerebral injury, when injected into cerebral cortex in MCAO mice (p > 0.05). ConclusionOur results suggest that circEfnb2 deficiency may decrease OGD/R-induced HT22 cell damage by modulating the miR-202-5p/TRAF3 axis. This explanation may provide a new direction for cerebral infarction potential therapeutic targets.

The Protective Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide New Donor Methyl S-(4-Fluorobenzyl)-N-(3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzoyl)-l-Cysteinate on the Ischemic Stroke.

In this paper, we report the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel S-allyl-l-cysteine (SAC) and gallic acid conjugate S-(4-fluorobenzyl)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-l-cysteinate (MTC). We evaluate the effects on ischemia-reperfusion-induced PC12 cells, primary neurons in neonatal rats, and cerebral ischemic neuronal damage in rats, and the results showed that MTC increased SOD, CAT, GPx activity and decreased LDH release. PI3K and p-AKT protein levels were significantly increased by activating PI3K/AKT pathway. Mitochondrial pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bim levels were reduced while anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 levels were increased. The levels of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 were also reduced in the plasma. The endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) was decreased, which in turns the survival rate of nerve cells was increased, so that the ischemic injury of neurons was protected accordingly. MTC activated the MEK-ERK signaling pathway and promoted axonal regeneration in primary neurons of the neonatal rat. The pretreatment of MEK-ERK pathway inhibitor PD98059 and PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002 partially attenuated the protective effect of MTC. Using a MCAO rat model indicated that MTC could reduce cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and decrease the expression of proinflammatory factors. The neuroprotective effect of MTC may be due to inhibition of the over-activation of the TREK-1 channel and reduction of the current density of the TREK1 channel. These results suggested that MTC has a protective effect on neuronal injury induced by ischemia reperfusion, so it may have the potential to become a new type of neuro-ischemic drug candidate.

Circular RNA circ_HECTD1 regulates cell injury after cerebral infarction by miR-27a-3p/FSTL1 axis

ABSTRACT Cerebral infarction is a common cerebrovascular disease caused by neural cell injury, with high mortality worldwide. Circular RNAs HECT domain E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase 1 (circ_HECTD1) has been reported to be related to the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-caused neuronal damage in cerebral ischemia. This study is designed to explore the role and mechanism of circ_HECTD1 in OGD/R-induced cell injury in cerebral ischemia. Circ_HECTD1, microRNA-27a-3p (miR-27a-3p), and Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) level were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The localization of circ_HECTD1 was analyzed by subcellular fractionation assay. Cell proliferative ability and apoptosis were assessed by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU), 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), and flow cytometry assays. The protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 related X protein (Bax), Cleaved poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and FSTL1 were examined by western blot assay. The binding relationship between miR-27a-3p and circ_HECTD1 or FSTL1 was predicted by starbase 3.0 then verified by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Circ_HECTD1 and FSTL1 were highly expressed, and miR-27a-3p was decreased in OGD/R-treated HT22 cells. Moreover, circ_HECTD1 knockdown could boost cell proliferative ability and repress apoptosis in OGD/R-triggered HT22 cells in vitro. Mechanical analysis discovered that circ_HECTD1 could regulate FSTL1 expression by sponging miR-27a-3p. Circ_HECTD1 deficiency could mitigate OGD/R-induced HT22 cell damage by modulating the miR-27a-3p/FSTL1 axis, providing a promising therapeutic target for cerebral infarction treatment.

Activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 after cerebral ischemia upregulates cerebral sodium-glucose transporter type 1

Cerebral ischemic stress increases cerebral sodium-glucose transporter type 1 (SGLT-1). However, the mechanism by which cerebral ischemia leads to the up-regulation of SGLT-1 remains unclear. In peripheral tissue, the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) increases SGLT-1. MAPK pathways [c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK, and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)] are activated by cerebral ischemic stress. Therefore, we confirmed the involvement of MAPKs in the up-regulation of cerebral SGLT-1 after cerebral ischemia. Male ddY mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Protein expression was assessed by western blotting. Mice received an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of SP600125 (JNK inhibitor), SB203580 (p38 inhibitor), and PD98059 (MEK inhibitor) immediately after reperfusion. The infarction and behavioral abnormalities were assessed on days 1 and 3 after MCAO. The MAPK inhibitors suppressed the activation of JNK, p38, and ERK 3 h after MCAO. SP600125 and SB203580 administration ameliorated cerebral ischemic neuronal damage, whereas PD98059 administration exacerbated cerebral ischemic neuronal damage. SP600125 and SB203580 significantly suppressed the increase in SGLT-1 12 h after MCAO. PD98059 had no effect on SGLT-1 expression after MCAO. Our results indicate that the activation of JNK and p38 participate in the up-regulation of cerebral SGLT-1 after MCAO.

Potential of the Cerebral Sodium-Glucose Transporter as a Novel Therapeutic Target in Cerebral Ischemia

Cerebral ischemic stress often induces a hyperglycemic condition. This postischemic hyperglycemia exacerbates the development of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage, although the mechanism of this exacerbation remains to be clarified. We previously discovered that the cerebral sodium-glucose transporter (SGLT) was closely involved in the development of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage. SGLT is a member of the glucose transporter family and moves glucose together with sodium ions. SGLT-1, -3, -4, and -6 are distributed in the brain. We conducted further experiments to elucidate the detailed mechanism of the exacerbation of cerebral ischemia by cerebral SGLT. The results clarified: 1) the relationship between cerebral SGLT and postischemic hyperglycemia; 2) the involvement of cerebral SGLT-1 (a cerebral SGLT isoform) in cerebral ischemic neuronal damage; and 3) the effects of sodium influx through cerebral SGLT on the development of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage. This paper presents our data on the involvement of cerebral SGLT in the exacerbation of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage.

Sodium influx through cerebral sodium-glucose transporter type 1 exacerbates the development of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage

We recently reported that cerebral sodium-glucose transporter type 1 (SGLT-1) plays a role in exacerbation of cerebral ischemia. However, the mechanism by which cerebral SGLT-1 acts remains unclear. Here we demonstrated that sodium influx through cerebral SGLT-1 exacerbates cerebral ischemic neuronal damage. SGLT-specific sodium ion influx was induced using α-methyl-D-glucopyranoside (α-MG). Intracellular sodium concentrations in primary cortical neurons were estimated using sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate fluorescence. SGLT-1 knockdown in primary cortical neurons and mice was achieved using SGLT-1 siRNA. The survival rates of primary cultured cortical neurons were assessed using biochemical assays 1 day after treatment. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used to generate a focal cerebral ischemic model in SGLT-1 knockdown mice. The change in fasting blood glucose levels, infarction development, and behavioral abnormalities were assessed 1 day after MCAO. Treatment with 200mM α-MG induced a continuous increase in the intracellular sodium concentration, and this increase was normalized after α-MG removal. Neuronal SGLT-1 knockdown had no effect on 100µM H2O2-induced neuronal cell death; however, the knockdown prevented the neuronal cell death induced by 17.5mM glucose and the co-treatment of 100µM H2O2/8.75mM glucose. Neuronal SGLT-1 knockdown also suppressed the cell death induced by α-MG alone and the co-treatment of 100µM H2O2/0.01mM α-MG. Our in vivo results showed that the exacerbation of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage induced by the intracerebroventricular administration of 5.0µg α-MG/mouse was ameliorated in cerebral SGLT-1 knockdown mice. Thus, sodium influx through cerebral SGLT-1 may exacerbate cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal damage.

Neuroprotective effects of clarithromycin against neuronal damage in cerebral ischemia and in cultured neuronal cells after oxygen-glucose deprivation

AimsRats subjected to transient focal ischemia and cultured neuronal cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) were treated with clarithromycin (CAM) to evaluate the effects of CAM in protecting against neuronal damage. Main methodsSprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 90min and then reperfused. Each animal was given an oral dose clarithromycin (CAM, 100mg/kg) or vehicle alone just after the ischemia was commenced. The infarct volume, edema index and neurological performance were assessed after 24 and 72h of reperfusion. The cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured with an MRI system at 90min after MCAO. After 24 and 72h, oxidative stress (4-HNE, 8-OHdG) and inflammation (Iba-1, TNF-α) were assessed by immunohistochemical analyses and degenerative cells were assessed in the cortex by Fluoro-Jade C (FJC) labeling. The cultured neuronal cells were also used to examine the effects of CAM exposure on the viability of the cells after OGD. Key findingsCBF was unchanged between the two groups. Significant reductions of the infarct volume and edema index, an improved neurological deficit score, a significant suppression of 4-HNE and 8-OHdG expression, marked reductions of Iba-1 and TNF-α expression, and a significant reduction of FJC-positive cells were also observed in the CAM-treated animals at both time points. Treatment with 10μM and 100μM CAM in vitro significantly reduced cell death after OGD. SignificanceCAM appears to provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and protect against neuronal damage after cerebral ischemia and OGD.

Functional vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia: mechanisms and consequences of cerebral autoregulatory dysfunction, endothelial impairment, and neurovascular uncoupling in aging.

Increasing evidence from epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies indicate that age-related cerebromicrovascular dysfunction and microcirculatory damage play critical roles in the pathogenesis of many types of dementia in the elderly, including Alzheimer's disease. Understanding and targeting the age-related pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) are expected to have a major role in preserving brain health in older individuals. Maintenance of cerebral perfusion, protecting the microcirculation from high pressure-induced damage and moment-to-moment adjustment of regional oxygen and nutrient supply to changes in demand are prerequisites for the prevention of cerebral ischemia and neuronal dysfunction. This overview discusses age-related alterations in three main regulatory paradigms involved in the regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF): cerebral autoregulation/myogenic constriction, endothelium-dependent vasomotor function, and neurovascular coupling responses responsible for functional hyperemia. The pathophysiological consequences of cerebral microvascular dysregulation in aging are explored, including blood-brain barrier disruption, neuroinflammation, exacerbation of neurodegeneration, development of cerebral microhemorrhages, microvascular rarefaction, and ischemic neuronal dysfunction and damage. Due to the widespread attention that VCID has captured in recent years, the evidence for the causal role of cerebral microvascular dysregulation in cognitive decline is critically examined.

Hydroxysafflor Yellow A Protects Neurons From Excitotoxic Death through Inhibition of NMDARs.

Excessive glutamate release causes overactivation of N-methyl d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), leading to excitatory neuronal damage in cerebral ischemia. Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), a compound extracted from Carthamus tinctorius L., has been reported to exert a neuroprotective effect in many pathological conditions, including brain ischemia. However, the underlying mechanism of HSYA's effect on neurons remains elusive. In the present study, we conducted experiments using patch-clamp recording of mouse hippocampal slices. In addition, we performed Ca2+ imaging, Western blots, as well as mitochondrial-targeted circularly permuted yellow fluorescent protein transfection into cultured hippocampal neurons in order to decipher the physiological mechanism underlying HSYA's neuroprotective effect.Through the electrophysiology experiments, we found that HSYA inhibited NMDAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents without affecting α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor and γ-aminobutyric acid A-type receptor-mediated currents. This inhibitory effect of HSYA on NMDARs was concentration dependent. HSYA did not show any preferential inhibition of either N-methyl d-aspartate receptor subtype 2A- or N-methyl d-aspartate receptor subtype 2B- subunit-containing NMDARs. Additionally, HSYA exhibits a facilitatory effect on paired NMDAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents. Furthermore, HSYA reduced the magnitude of NMDAR-mediated membrane depolarization currents evoked by oxygen-glucose deprivation, and suppressed oxygen-glucose deprivation–induced and NMDAR-dependent ischemic long-term potentiation, which is believed to cause severe reperfusion damage after ischemia. Through the molecular biology experiments, we found that HSYA inhibited the NMDA-induced and NMDAR-mediated intracellular Ca2+ concentration increase in hippocampal cultures, reduced apoptotic and necrotic cell deaths, and prevented mitochondrial damage. Together, our data demonstrate for the first time that HSYA protects hippocampal neurons from excitotoxic damage through the inhibition of NMDARs. This novel finding indicates that HSYA may be a promising pharmacological candidate for the treatment of brain ischemia.

Effects of rapamycin pretreatment on blood-brain barrier disruption in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is essential in neuronal survival and repair in cerebral ischemia. Decreases in blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption are associated with a decrease in neuronal damage in cerebral ischemia. This study was performed to investigate how pre-inhibition of the mTOR pathway with rapamycin would affect BBB disruption and the size of the infarcted cortical area in the early stage of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion using quantitative analysis of BBB disruption. Rats were treated with 20mg/kg of rapamycin i.p. once a day for 2days (Rapamycin Group) or vehicle (Control Group) before transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. After one hour of MCA occlusion and two hours of reperfusion, the transfer coefficient (Ki) of 14C-α-aminoisobutyric acid (14C-AIB) to measure the degree of BBB disruption and the size of the cortical infarct were determined. Ischemia-reperfusion increased the Ki in the Rapamycin treated (+15%) as well as in the untreated control group (+13%). However, rapamycin pretreatment moderately decreased Ki in the contralateral (−30%) as well as in the ischemic-reperfused (−29%) cortex when compared with the untreated control group. Rapamycin pretreatment substantially increased the percentage of cortical infarct compared with the control group (+56%). Our data suggest that activation of mTOR pathway is necessary for neuronal survival in the early stage of cerebral ischemia-perfusion and that the reason for the enlarged cortical infarct by rapamycin pretreatment may be related to its non-BBB effects on the mTOR pathway.

Adenosine kinase facilitated astrogliosis-induced cortical neuronal death in traumatic brain injury.

Adenosine kinase (ADK) plays a pivotal role in regulating brain function by regulating adenosine level, and ADK inhibition protects against neuronal damage in cerebral ischemia and epilepsy; however, the effects of ADK in traumatic brain injury (TBI) have not been investigated. For exploring its effects, we generated a blade-induced rat focal brain injury model. Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescent staining suggested that ADK was up-regulated after TBI, and it was temporally and spatially associated with astrogliosis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated-dUTP nick-end labeling showed that neuronal apoptosis was paralleled with TBI-induced ADK up-regulation and astrogliosis. For further investigating the role of ADK in astrogliosis-induced neuronal death, primary cultured astrocytes and neurons were utilized, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was employed to mediate astrogliosis, and condition medium (CM) of reactive astrocytes was used to treat neurons. The results showed that astrocytes increased iNOS expression and secreted pro-inflammatory cytokines after LPS treatment, and CM of reactive astrocytes resulted neuronal death. Additionally, ADK knock-down didn't ameliorate LPS-induced astrocyte proliferation, but it protected against neuronal death by reducing iNOS expression, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β secretion of reactive astrocytes. Taken together, ADK was associated with astrogliosis after TBI, its inhibition in reactive astrocytes ameliorated astrogliosis-induced neuronal death. Our findings extended the current knowledge on the role of ADK in astrogliosis, and also provided new evidence for the TBI treatment.

Activation of cerebral sodium-glucose transporter type 1 function mediated by post-ischemic hyperglycemia exacerbates the development of cerebral ischemia

The regulation of post-ischemic hyperglycemia plays an important role in suppressing neuronal damage in therapeutic strategies for cerebral ischemia. We previously reported that the cerebral sodium-glucose transporter (SGLT) was involved in the post-ischemic hyperglycemia-induced exacerbation of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage. Cortical SGLT-1, one of the cerebral SGLT isoforms, is dramatically increased by focal cerebral ischemia. In this study, we focused on the involvement of cerebral SGLT-1 in the development of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage. It was previously reported that activation of 5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) increases SGLT-1 expression. Moreover, ischemic stress-induced activation of AMPK exacerbates cerebral ischemic neuronal damage. Therefore, we directly confirmed the relationship between cerebral SGLT-1 and cerebral AMPK activation using in vitro primary culture of mouse cortical neurons. An in vivo mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia was generated using a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The development of infarct volume and behavioral abnormalities on day 3 after MCAO were ameliorated in cerebral SGLT-1 knock down mice. Cortical and striatal SGLT-1 expression levels were significantly increased at 12h after MCAO. Immunofluorescence revealed that SGLT-1 and the neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) were co-localized in the cortex and striatum of MCAO mice. In the in vitro study, primary cortical neurons were cultured for five days before each treatment with reagents. Concomitant treatment with hydrogen peroxide and glucose induced the elevation of SGLT-1 and phosphorylated AMPK/AMPK ratio, and this elevation was suppressed by compound C, an AMPK inhibitor in primary cortical neurons. Moreover, compound C suppressed neuronal cell death induced by concomitant hydrogen peroxide/glucose treatment in primary cortical neurons. Therefore, we concluded that enhanced cerebral SGLT-1 function mediated by post-ischemic hyperglycemia exacerbates the development of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage. One of the mechanisms of cerebral SGLT-1 up-regulation may be involved in the AMPK activation after cerebral ischemia.

Relationship between cerebral sodium–glucose transporter and hyperglycemia in cerebral ischemia

Post-ischemic hyperglycemia exacerbates the development of cerebral ischemia. To elucidate this exacerbation mechanism, we focused on sodium–glucose transporter (SGLT) as a mediator that lead hyperglycemia to cerebral ischemia. SGLT transport glucose into the cell, together with sodium ion, using the sodium concentration gradient. We have previously reported that suppression of cerebral SGLT ameliorates cerebral ischemic neuronal damage. However, detail relationship cerebral between SGLT and post-ischemic hyperglycemia remain incompletely defined. Therefore, we examined the involvement of cerebral SGLT on cerebral ischemic neuronal damage with or without hyperglycemic condition. Cell survival rate of primary cultured neurons was assessed by biochemical assay. A mouse model of focal ischemia was generated using a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Neuronal damage was assessed with histological and behavioral analyses. Concomitant hydrogen peroxide/glucose treatment exacerbated hydrogen peroxide alone-induced cell death. Although a SGLT family-specific inhibitor, phlorizin had no effect on developed hydrogen peroxide alone-induced cell death, it suppressed cell death induced by concomitant hydrogen peroxide/glucose treatment. α-MG induced a concentration-dependent and significant decrease in neuronal survival. PHZ administered on immediately after reperfusion had no effect, but PHZ given at 6h after reperfusion had an effect. Our in vitro study indicates that SGLT is not involved in neuronal cell death in non-hyperglycemic condition. We have already reported that post-ischemic hyperglycemia begins to develop at 6h after MCAO. Therefore, current our in vivo study show post-ischemic hyperglycemic condition may be necessary for the SGLT-mediated exacerbation of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage.

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 by Piroxicam confer neuroprotection in cerebral ischemia: An in silico evaluation of the hypothesis

Matrix metalloproteinases are zinc-containing endopeptidases that are involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling cascade in many neurological disorders, including cerebral ischemia (CI). Remodeling of the ECM followed by disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is one of the major factors contributing to the ultimate neurodegeneration in CI. BBB disruption causes a cascade of pathophysiologies that trigger Anoikis-like cell death. While inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 decreases the extent of neuronal damage in CI, MMP-2/9 knock-out mice have reduced infarct volume in experimental animal models of CI. Piroxicam, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has been demonstrated to be protective against aquaporin-4 and acid-sensing ion channel 1a – mediated neurodegeneration in CI. However, no report exists on the inhibitory action of Piroxicam on MMPs. We tested the hypothesis that Piroxicam, with its larger molecular size and more number of interacting pharmacophores, can inhibit MMP-2 and MMP-9. A comparative study on the inhibitory potential of Piroxicam with other reported MMP-inhibitors, viz., Aspirin, Melatonin and Doxycycline, has also been performed. Since the drug has already been reported to be neuroprotective through its inhibitory action in other pathways, it can be the drug of choice in the therapeutic management and prevention of neurodegeneration in CI.

Role of orexin-A-mediated communication system between brain and peripheral tissues on the development of post-ischemic glucose intolerance-induced neuronal damage

I recently found that cerebral ischemic stress per se causes hyperglycemia (i.e., post-ischemic glucose intolerance) and suppression of post-ischemic glucose intolerance might be important to improve prognosis. Here, I analyzed the efficacy of suppression of post-ischemic glucose intolerance using orexin-A (OXA) endogenous neuropeptide as a novel therapeutic strategy against cerebral ischemic neuronal damage. OXA in hypothalamus plays a role in many physiological functions including regulation of glucose metabolism. I previously found that the development of post-ischemic glucose intolerance is suppressed by OXA. Other reports have shown that the communication system between brain and peripheral tissues through the autonomic nervous system is important for maintaining glucose and energy metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine the involvement of the hepatic vagus nerve on hypothalamic OXA-mediated suppression of post-ischemic glucose intolerance and neuronal damage. Intrahypothalamic administration of OXA significantly suppressed the development of post-ischemic glucose intolerance on day 1 and of neuronal damage on day 3 after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). In the liver, MCAO-induced decrease in insulin receptors and increase in gluconeogenic enzymes on day 1 was recovered to control levels by OXA; these effects were reversed by hepatic vagotomy. In the medulla oblongata, OXA induced co-localization of the cholinergic neuronal marker choline acetyltransferase with orexin-1 receptor and c-Fos. These results suggest that the vagus nerve projecting from the medulla oblongata plays an important role in the recovery of post-ischemic glucose intolerance and mediates neuroprotection by hypothalamic OXA.

Sodium-glucose transporter type 3-mediated neuroprotective effect of acetylcholine suppresses the development of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage

Cerebral ischemia can be exacerbated by post-ischemic hyperglycemia, which may involve the cerebral sodium-glucose transporter (SGLT). However, the contribution of each SGLT isoform in cerebral ischemia is still unclear. SGLT-1, -3, -4, and -6 have been reported to be expressed in various brain regions. Among these isoforms, only SGLT-3 does not transport glucose, but depolarizes the plasma membrane when glucose is bound, suggesting that SGLT-3 is a glucose sensor. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the involvement of cerebral SGLT-3 in the development of ischemia. The mouse model of focal ischemia was generated by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Neuronal damage was assessed by histological and behavioral analyses. Fasting blood glucose levels on day 1 after MCAO were not affected in SGLT-3 siRNA-mediated knockdown of SGLT-3. The development of infarct volume and behavioral abnormalities on day 1 after MCAO were exacerbated in SGLT-3 knockdown mice (control group: n=7, 94.2±21.8mm3, 2 (1.6–2.4), SGLT-3 knockdown group: n=6, 1414.8±492.4mm3, 6 (5.8–6.3), P<0.05). Moreover, SGLT-3 expression levels were significantly decreased in the striatum (65.0±8.1%, P<0.05) on day 1, and in the hippocampus (67.6±7.2%, P<0.05) and hypothalamus (47.5±5.1%, P<0.01) on day 3 after MCAO (n=12–13). These effects were significantly inhibited by donepezil (DPZ) treatment (SGLT-3 knockdown group: n=6, 1419.0±181.5mm3, 3.6 (3.4–3.7), SGLT-3 knockdown and 3mg/kg DPZ-treated group: n=5, 611.3±205.3mm3, 1.5 (1.4–1.8), P<0.05). Immunofluorescence revealed that SGLT-3 and choline acetyltransferase were co-localized in the cortex. Our results indicated that cerebral SGLT-3 suppressed neuronal damage by the activation of cholinergic neurons, which are neuroprotective. In contrast, other cerebral SGLT isoforms may be involved in the development of ischemia.

Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein mediates neuroinflammation in cerebral ischemia

BackgroundNeuroinflammation is a key cascade after cerebral ischemia. Excessive production of proinflammatory mediators in ischemia exacerbates brain injury. Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) is a newly discovered proinflammatory mediator that can be released into the circulation during hemorrhage or septic shock. Here, we examine the involvement of CIRP in brain injury during ischemic stroke. MethodsStroke was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). In vitro hypoxia was conducted in a hypoxia chamber containing 1% oxygen. CIRP and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. ResultsCIRP is elevated along with an upregulation of TNF-α expression in mouse brain after MCAO. In CIRP-deficient mice, the brain infarct volume, induction of TNF-α, and activation of microglia are markedly reduced after MCAO. Using microglial BV2 cells, we demonstrate that hypoxia induces the expression, translocation, and release of CIRP, which is associated with an increase of TNF-α levels. Addition of recombinant murine (rm) CIRP directly induces TNF-α release from BV2 cells and such induction is inhibited by neutralizing antisera to CIRP. Moreover, rmCIRP activates the NF-κB signaling pathway in BV2 cells. The conditioned medium from BV2 cells exposed to hypoxia triggers the apoptotic cascade by increasing caspase activity and decreasing Bcl-2 expression in neural SH-SY5Y cells, which is inhibited by antisera to CIRP. ConclusionExtracellular CIRP is a detrimental factor in stimulating inflammation to cause neuronal damage in cerebral ischemia. General significanceDevelopment of an anti-CIRP therapy may benefit patients with brain ischemia.

Orexin-A Suppresses Postischemic Glucose Intolerance and Neuronal Damage through Hypothalamic Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Orexin-A (a glucose-sensing neuropeptide in the hypothalamus) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; a member of the neurotrophin family) play roles in many physiologic functions, including regulation of glucose metabolism. We previously showed that the development of postischemic glucose intolerance is one of the triggers of ischemic neuronal damage. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was an interaction between orexin-A and BDNF functions in the hypothalamus after cerebral ischemic stress. Male ddY mice were subjected to 2 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Neuronal damage was estimated by histologic and behavioral analyses. Expression of protein levels was analyzed by Western blot. Small interfering RNA directed BDNF, orexin-A, and SB334867 [N-(2-methyl-6-benzoxazolyl)-N'-1,5-naphthyridin-4-yl urea; a specific orexin-1 receptor antagonist] were administered directly into the hypothalamus. The level of hypothalamic orexin-A, detected by immunohistochemistry, was decreased on day 1 after MCAO. Intrahypothalamic administration of orexin-A (1 or 5 pmol/mouse) significantly and dose-dependently suppressed the development of postischemic glucose intolerance on day 1 and development of neuronal damage on day 3. The MCAO-induced decrease in insulin receptor levels in the liver and skeletal muscle on day 1 was recovered to control levels by orexin-A, and this effect of orexin-A was reversed by the administration of SB334867 as well as by hypothalamic BDNF knockdown. These results suggest that suppression of postischemic glucose intolerance by orexin-A assists in the prevention of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage. In addition, hypothalamic BDNF may play an important role in this effect of orexin-A.

Post-ischemic hyperglycemia exacerbates the development of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage through the cerebral sodium-glucose transporter

Post-ischemic hyperglycemia may be one of the triggers of ischemic neuronal damage. However, the detailed mechanisms of this injury process are still unknown. Here, we focused on the involvement of the sodium-glucose transporter (SGLT), which transports glucose together with Na+ ions, and generates inward currents while transporting glucose into cells, resulting in depolarization and increased excitability. The aim of this study was to determine the involvement of the SGLT in the development of cerebral ischemic stress-induced neuronal damage. Male ddY mice were subjected to 2h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured using the glucose pilot. Neuronal damage was estimated by histological and behavioral analyses. Phlorizin and glucose were administered by intraperitoneal (i.p.) or intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection. Administration of phlorizin (40, 120 or 200mg/kg, i.p.) significantly and dose-dependently suppressed the elevation of FBG and ischemic neuronal damage. In contrast, phlorizin (10 or 40μg/mouse, i.c.v.) significantly and dose-dependently suppressed ischemic neuronal damage without reducing the elevation of FBG. Moreover, the development of neuronal damage was significantly and dose-dependently exacerbated following i.c.v. administration of glucose (10% or 25% (w/v)), and its exacerbation was suppressed by i.c.v. administration of phlorizin (40μg/mouse). These results suggest that cerebral SGLT is activated by post-ischemic hyperglycemia and may be involved in the exacerbation of ischemic neuronal damage.