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【Objective】 To investigate scalp acupuncture’s protective effect on brain neurons and its effect on motor function in ischemic stroke rats and the possible mechanisms. 【Methods】 The rat model of ischemic stroke was prepared by the modified Longa suture method； the rats were randomly divided into model group， scalp acupuncture treatment group， inhibitor group， scalp acupuncture treatment + inhibitor group， and sham operation group. After a series of interventions， we evaluated the neurological， behavioral and motor functions of rats in each group after the treatment was over. TTC staining was used to detect cerebral infarction area. Neuron morphology was observed by Nissl staining. qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of genes related to phosphatidyl inositol-3-kinase （PI3K）/serine-threonine protein kinase （AKt） pathway in the ischemic brain tissue of the rats. 【Results】 In the inhibitor group， the model group， the scalp acupuncture treatment group， and the scalp acupuncture treatment+inhibitor group， the neurological impairment and motor function score gradually decreased， the escape latency gradually shortened， the target quadrant residence time prolonged， the proportion of cerebral infarction area decreased， the number of Nissl bodies increased， the relative expressions of PI3K and AKt mRNA and protein increased （P<0.05）， and the neuronal morphology improved. 【Conclusion】 Scalp acupuncture can protect cerebral neurons of rats with ischemic stroke and enhance their motor function. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of PI3K/AKt signaling pathway.
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Objective To investigate whether Hainan papayas has protective effects in an Aβ40-induced primary neuron injury model and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods Cultured primary neurons from the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 20 μM Aβ40 peptide, 100 μg/L Hainan papaya water extract, peptide plus extract, or culture medium for 24 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and neuronal apoptosis was evaluated by DAPI staining. ERK signaling pathway-associated molecule activation and changes in Bax expression were analyzed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Results A cell viability rate of (44.11 ± 6.59)% in the Aβ40 group was rescued to (79.13 ± 6.64)% by adding different concentrations of the extract. DAPI showed pyknotic nuclei in 39.5% of Aβ40-treated cells; the fraction dropped to 17.4% in the 100 μg/L extract group. ERK phosphorylation was observed in the Aβ40 group but was ameliorated by pretreatment with 100 μg/L extract. Hainan papaya water extract also prevented Aβ40-induced phosphorylation of MEK, RSK1 and CREB associated with ERK signaling and downregulated Bax expression in the neurons. Conclusion The results suggest that Hainan papaya water extract has protective effects on neurons; the mechanism may be related to suppression of ERK signaling activation.
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate whether Hainan papayas has protective effects in an Aβ40-induced primary neuron injury model and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism.@*METHODS@#Cultured primary neurons from the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 20 μM Aβ40 peptide, 100 μg/L Hainan papaya water extract, peptide plus extract, or culture medium for 24 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and neuronal apoptosis was evaluated by DAPI staining. ERK signaling pathway-associated molecule activation and changes in Bax expression were analyzed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence.@*RESULTS@#A cell viability rate of (44.11 ± 6.59)% in the Aβ40 group was rescued to (79.13 ± 6.64)% by adding different concentrations of the extract. DAPI showed pyknotic nuclei in 39.5% of Aβ40-treated cells; the fraction dropped to 17.4% in the 100 μg/L extract group. ERK phosphorylation was observed in the Aβ40 group but was ameliorated by pretreatment with 100 μg/L extract. Hainan papaya water extract also prevented Aβ40-induced phosphorylation of MEK, RSK1 and CREB associated with ERK signaling and downregulated Bax expression in the neurons.@*CONCLUSION@#The results suggest that Hainan papaya water extract has protective effects on neurons; the mechanism may be related to suppression of ERK signaling activation.
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@#Objective To investigate the possible protective effect of neurotropin on the corresponding spinal cord motoneuron after sciatic nerve injury early in rats.Methods 108 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided randomly into Groups A,B and C with 36 animals in each group,and all animals were cut both side of sciatic nerve,instantly make the operation of end-to-end anastomose of epineurium for abscised sciatic nerve.Group A was control group.Group B was treated with neurotropin and Group C was treated with normal saline after operation.The rats were sacrificed on 1st d,4th d,9th d,14th d,21st d and 28th d after operation.The corresponding spinal cord segments(L4～L6)were gotten to make Bcl-2 and Bax immunohistochemical staining and TUNEL staining.Results The values of Bcl-2/Bax on 9th d,14th d and 21st d after operation of Group B were different from that of Group A and Group C.The number of positive cells stained by TUNEL staining on 9th d was significantly different among Group A,Group B and Group C(v<0.05).The expression of positive TUNEL staining cells reached a peak on 14th d after operation,the number of Group B was less than that of Group A and Group C.Conclusion After instantly make the operation of end-to-end anastomose of epineurium for abscised sciatic nerve,neurotropin can protect the spinal cord motoneurons to avoid apoptosis excessively in some extent.
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Objective To study the role of phosphorylation at Serine 129 in regulating the neurotoxicity of ?-synuclein. Methods Wild type and phosphomimic mutant ?-synuclein genes were over-expressed in mouse dopaminergic cells MN9D using retrovirus. The cell viability was examined using CCK-8 assay and cell morphology was observed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Results The result of real time PCR showed that WT/?-SYN and S129D/?-SYN genes were overexpressed in MN9D as compared to uninfected MN9D and vector control group(P
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Objective To observe the protective effects of Baicalin(BAC)on myelin in rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE).Methods Rats were randomly divided into groups normal control(NC),EAE,Dexamethasone(DXM)and Baicalin(BAC).7 d post immunization,DXM or BAC were given intraperitoneally in groups DXM or BAC respectively once a day for 1 week;Incidence was observed postimmunization daily.The spinal cords were removed 14 d postimmunization,and stained with hematoxylin and eosin.MBP of spinal cords was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results(1)The onset of EAE latency phase were 9.62 d,11.0 d and 9.85 d in groups EAE,DXM and BAC espectively.There was significant longer in group DXM than group EAE(P
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Objective: To investigate the effect of muscone on infarction volume and neuronal glutamate transporter EAAC1 mRNA expression in rats. Methods: Rats were divided randomly, focal ischemic models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were achieved by inserting nylon surgical thread through the internal carotid artery(ICA) into the anterior cerebral artery(ACA). The rats were sacrificed, the brain was stained by TTC and the area of infarcton was measured. The expression of EAACl mRNA in the hippocampal regions was assessed by RT PCR. Results: Muscone could remarkably reduce tbe infarction volume and expression of EAAC1 mRNA. Conclusion: Muscone plays a significant role in against local cerebral ischemia, the mechanism may be related to reducing EEACl mRNA expression.