ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study was performed to determine whether recombinant human angiopoietin-1 (rhAng-1) decreases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion rats, whether RhAng-1 opens the BBB by affecting tight junction associated proteins zonnula occludin-1 (ZO-1), occludin and adherens junction protein vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rats were divided into eight groups randomly( n = 10): (1) sham-operated group; (2) ischemia group; (3)-(5) ischemia/reperfusion (middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) 12 h, 48 h, and 7 days) and 0.9% saline groups; (6)-(8) ischemia/reperfusion (MCAO/R 12 h, 48 h, and 7 days) and rhAng-1 groups. The Bee permeability was assessed by Evans blue extravasation. The messenger RNA and protein expressions of ZO-1, occludin, and VE-cadherin were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry assays.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The BBB permeability and the brain infarct volume were significantly decreased after rhAng-1 injection. The expressions of ZO-1, occludin, and VE-cadherin were increased after rhAng-1 injection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>rhAng-1 may decrease the permeability of BBB in MCAO/R rats by upregulation of ZO-1, occludin, and VE-cadherin.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Male , Rats , Angiopoietin-1 , Pharmacology , Antigens, CD , Metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier , Cell Biology , Metabolism , Brain Ischemia , Metabolism , Cadherins , Metabolism , Endothelium, Vascular , Cell Biology , Occludin , Metabolism , Rats, Wistar , Recombinant Proteins , Pharmacology , Reperfusion Injury , Metabolism , Zonula Occludens-1 Protein , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of aluminum on the integrity of blood brain barrier in juvenile rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 40-day old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to aluminium chloride by intraperitoneal injection, at a dose of Al3+ 0 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, respectively. Morris water amaze system was used to test the learning and memory ability. The Evans blue content in brain was analyzed after injection. The ultrastructure's change of the blood brain barrier (BBB) was observed with transmission electron microscope. The expression of occluding protein in BBB was determined by Western blot method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As compared with control group, the permeability of BBB in mid-level Al and high-level Al was enhanced (P <0.01), the expression of occluding protein was descended (P <0.01). The ultrastructures of the BBB were changed. No differences between every group on learning and memory ability (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Short time and low dose of Al might not change the ability of learning and memory in juvenile rats, however the permeability and ultrastructures of the BBB might be significantly changed.</p>