Rotigotine in the treatment of primary restless legs syndrome: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The aim of this study was to summarize the efficacy and tolerability of rotigotine in the treatment of primary restless legs syndrome (RLS). PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched for English-language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effectiveness of rotigotine for RLS. The pooled mean change from baseline in International RLS (IRLS) Study Group Rating Scalescore and relative risk (RR) of response based on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale score were applied to evaluate the outcomes. The pooled proportions of adverse events (AEs) were also estimated. Six RCTs were included. The meta-analysis showed a favorable effectiveness of rotigotine versus placebo on RLS [mean change on IRLS score: mean difference (MD)=-4.80; 95% confidence interval (CI): -5.90 to -3.70; P<0.00001 and RR of response on CGI-I was 2.19; 95% CI: 1.86 to 2.58, P<0.00001]. The most common AEs were application site reactions, nausea, headache and fatigue. In general, rotigotine was well-tolerated in patients with primary RLS. Based on the findings from the meta-analysis, rotigotine was more significantly efficacious in the treatment of RLS than placebo. Nevertheless, long-term studies and more evidence of comparisons of rotigotine with other dopamine agonists are needed.

Rotigotine in the treatment of primary restless legs syndrome: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The aim of this study was to summarize the efficacy and tolerability of rotigotine in the treatment of primary restless legs syndrome (RLS). PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched for English-language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effectiveness of rotigotine for RLS. The pooled mean change from baseline in International RLS (IRLS) Study Group Rating Scalescore and relative risk (RR) of response based on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale score were applied to evaluate the outcomes. The pooled proportions of adverse events (AEs) were also estimated. Six RCTs were included. The meta-analysis showed a favorable effectiveness of rotigotine versus placebo on RLS [mean change on IRLS score: mean difference (MD)=-4.80; 95% confidence interval (CI): -5.90 to -3.70; P<0.00001 and RR of response on CGI-I was 2.19; 95% CI: 1.86 to 2.58, P<0.00001]. The most common AEs were application site reactions, nausea, headache and fatigue. In general, rotigotine was well-tolerated in patients with primary RLS. Based on the findings from the meta-analysis, rotigotine was more significantly efficacious in the treatment of RLS than placebo. Nevertheless, long-term studies and more evidence of comparisons of rotigotine with other dopamine agonists are needed.

Changes of c-fos, malondialdehyde and lactate in brain tissue after global cerebral ischemia under different brain temperatures / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Under global cerebral ischemia, the effect of different brain temperature on cerebral ischemic injury was studied. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normothermic (37-38°C) ischemia, mild hypothermic (31-32°C) ischemia, hyperthermic (41-42°C) ischemia and sham-operated groups. Global cerebral ischemia was established using the Pulsinelli four-vessel occlusion model and brain temperature was maintained at defined level for 60 min after 20-min ischemia. The expression of c-fos protein and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate in brain regions were detected by immunochemistry and spectrophotometrical methods, respectively. C-fos positive neurons were found in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex after cerebral ischemia reperfusion. Mild hypothermia increased the expression of c-fos protein in both areas, whereas hyperthermia decreased the expression of c-fos protein in the hippocampus at 24 h reperfusion, and the cerebral cortex at 48 h reperfusion when compared to normothermic conditions. In normothermic, mild hypothermic and hyperthermic ischemia groups, the levels of MDA and lactate in brain tissue were increased at 24, 48 and 72 h reperfusion following 20-min ischemia as compared with the sham-operated group (P<0.01). The levels of MDA and lactate in mild hypothermic group were significantly lower than those in normothermic group (P<0.01). It is suggested that brain temperature influences the translation of the immunoreactive protein product of c-fos after global cerebral ischemia, and MDA and lactate are also affected by hypothermia and hyperthermia.

Changes of c-fos, malondialdehyde and lactate in brain tissue after global cerebral ischemia under different brain temperatures / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Under global cerebral ischemia, the effect of different brain temperature on cerebral ischemic injury was studied. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normothermic (37-38°C) ischemia, mild hypothermic (31-32°C) ischemia, hyperthermic (41-42°C) ischemia and sham-operated groups. Global cerebral ischemia was established using the Pulsinelli four-vessel occlusion model and brain temperature was maintained at defined level for 60 min after 20-min ischemia. The expression of c-fos protein and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate in brain regions were detected by immunochemistry and spectrophotometrical methods, respectively. C-fos positive neurons were found in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex after cerebral ischemia reperfusion. Mild hypothermia increased the expression of c-fos protein in both areas, whereas hyperthermia decreased the expression of c-fos protein in the hippocampus at 24 h reperfusion, and the cerebral cortex at 48 h reperfusion when compared to normothermic conditions. In normothermic, mild hypothermic and hyperthermic ischemia groups, the levels of MDA and lactate in brain tissue were increased at 24, 48 and 72 h reperfusion following 20-min ischemia as compared with the sham-operated group (P<0.01). The levels of MDA and lactate in mild hypothermic group were significantly lower than those in normothermic group (P<0.01). It is suggested that brain temperature influences the translation of the immunoreactive protein product of c-fos after global cerebral ischemia, and MDA and lactate are also affected by hypothermia and hyperthermia.

Effects of small interfering RNA targeting sphingosine kinase-1 gene on the animal model of Alzheimer's disease / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that occurs gradually and results in memory, behavior, and personality changes. Abnormal sphingolipid metabolism was reported in AD previously. This study aimed to investigate whether sphK1 could exacerbate the accumulation of amyloid protein (Aβ) and sharpen the learning and memory ability of the animal model of AD using siRNA interference. An adenovirus vector expressing small interfering RNA (siRNA) against the sphK1 gene (sphK1-siRNA) was designed, and the effects of sphK1-siRNA on the APP/PS1 mouse four weeks after treatment with sphK1-siRNA hippocampal injection were examined. SphK1 protein expression was confirmed by using Western blotting and ceramide content coupled with S1P secretion was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Aβ load was detected by immunohistochemical staining and ELISA. Morris water maze was adopted to test the learning and memory ability of the APP/PS1 mice. A significant difference in the expression of sphK1 protein and mRNA was observed between the siRNA group and the control group. Aβ load in transfected mice was accelerated in vivo, with significant aggravation of the learning and memory ability. The sphK1 gene modulation in the Aβ load and the learning and memory ability in the animal model of AD may be important for the treatment of AD.

Effects of small interfering RNA targeting sphingosine kinase-1 gene on the animal model of Alzheimer's disease / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that occurs gradually and results in memory, behavior, and personality changes. Abnormal sphingolipid metabolism was reported in AD previously. This study aimed to investigate whether sphK1 could exacerbate the accumulation of amyloid protein (Aβ) and sharpen the learning and memory ability of the animal model of AD using siRNA interference. An adenovirus vector expressing small interfering RNA (siRNA) against the sphK1 gene (sphK1-siRNA) was designed, and the effects of sphK1-siRNA on the APP/PS1 mouse four weeks after treatment with sphK1-siRNA hippocampal injection were examined. SphK1 protein expression was confirmed by using Western blotting and ceramide content coupled with S1P secretion was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Aβ load was detected by immunohistochemical staining and ELISA. Morris water maze was adopted to test the learning and memory ability of the APP/PS1 mice. A significant difference in the expression of sphK1 protein and mRNA was observed between the siRNA group and the control group. Aβ load in transfected mice was accelerated in vivo, with significant aggravation of the learning and memory ability. The sphK1 gene modulation in the Aβ load and the learning and memory ability in the animal model of AD may be important for the treatment of AD.

1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid protects primary neurons from amyloid β 1-42-induced apoptosis via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Recently, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (1,5-DQA), a caffeoylquinic acid derivative isolated from Aster scaber, was found to have neuroprotective effects. However, the protective mechanisms of 1,5-DQA have not yet been clearly identified. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective mechanisms of 1,5-DQA on neuronal culture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We investigated the neuroprotective effects of 1,5-DQA against amyloid β(1-42) (Aβ(42))-induced neurotoxicity in primary neuronal culture. To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of 1,5-DQA, primary cultured cortical neurons from neonate rats were pretreated with 1,5-DQA for 2 hours and then treated with 40 µmol/L Aβ(42) for 6 hours. Cell counting kit-8, Hoechst staining and Western blotting were used for detecting the protective mechanism. Comparisons between two groups were evaluated by independent t test, and multiple comparisons were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1,5-DQA treated neurons showed increased neuronal cell viability against Aβ(42) toxicity in a concentration-dependent manner, both phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) were activated by 1,5-DQA with stimulating their upstream tyrosine kinase A (Trk A). However, the neuroprotective effects of 1,5-DQA were blocked by LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, but not by PD98059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase. Furthermore, 1,5-DQA's anti-apoptotic potential was related to the enhanced inactivating phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and the modulation of expression of apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2/Bax.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results suggest that 1,5-DQA prevents Aβ(42)-induced neurotoxicity through the activation of PI3K/Akt followed by the stimulation of Trk A, then the inhibition of GSK3β as well as the modulation of Bcl-2/Bax.</p>

Effects of immediate and delayed mild hypothermia on endogenous antioxidant enzymes and energy metabolites following global cerebral ischemia / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The optimal time window for the administration of hypothermia following cerebral ischemia has been studied for decades, with disparity outcomes. In this study, the efficacy of mild brain hypothermia beginning at different time intervals on brain endogenous antioxidant enzyme and energy metabolites was investigated in a model of global cerebral ischemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a sham-operated group, a normothermia (37°C - 38°C) ischemic group and a mild hypothermic (31°C - 32°C) ischemia groups. Rats in the last group were subdivided into four groups: 240 minutes of hypothermia, 30 minutes of normothermia plus 210 minutes of hypothermia, 60 minutes of normothermia plus 180 minutes of hypothermia and 90 minutes of normothermia plus 150 minutes of hypothermia (n = 8). Global cerebral ischemia was established using the Pulsinelli four-vessel occlusion model for 20 minutes and mild hypothermia was applied after 20 minutes of ischemia. Brain tissue was collected following 20 minutes of cerebral ischemia and 240 minutes of reperfusion, and used to measure the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), reduced glutathione (GSH) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Mild hypothermia that was started within 0 to 60 minutes delayed the consumption of SOD, GSH-Px, GSH, and ATP (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) in ischemic tissue, as compared to a normothermic ischemia group. In contrast, mild hypothermia beginning at 90 minutes had little effect on the levels of SOD, GSH-Px, GSH, and ATP (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Postischemic mild brain hypothermia can significantly delay the consumption of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and energy metabolites, which are critical to the process of cerebral protection by mild hypothermia. These results show that mild hypothermia limits ischemic injury if started within 60 minutes, but loses its protective effects when delayed until 90 minutes following cerebral ischemia.</p>

Magnetic resonance imaging character in chronic injury of the elbows in athletes / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To introduce the experiences of applying MR to diagnose the imaging characters in chronic injury of the elbows in athletes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From September 2005 to May 2008, 40 elbows of 34 athletes, included 21 males and 13 females,aged from 6 to 16 years old, averaged (12.3 +/- 3.1) years were taken axial, saggital and coronal planes MR Imaging.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Magnetic resonance imaging showed thickening and effusion of olecranon synovial plicaes, bone marrow edema of lower humeral ossification, radial head, olecranon, ulna coronoid, ulnar collateral ligament trauma in chronic injury of the elbow joint.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MRI is a susceptible method for the diagnoses of chronic injury of the elbow.</p>

Thrombin-induced microglial activation contributes to the degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons in vivo / 神经科学通报·英文版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the role of thrombin-activated microglia in the neurodegeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons in the rat substantia nigra (SN) in vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After stereotaxic thrombin injection into unilateral SN of rats, immunostaining, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and biochemical methods were used to observe tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive positive cells, microglia activation, nitric oxide (NO) amount and inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Selective damage to dopaminergic neurons was produced after thrombin injection, which was evidenced by loss of TH immunostaining in time-dependent manner; (2) Strong microglial activation was observed in the SN; (3) RT-PCR demonstrated the early and transient expression of neurotoxic factors iNOS mRNA in the SN. Immunofluorescence results found that thrombin induced expression of iNOS in microglia. The NO production in the thrombin-injected rats was significantly higher than that of controls (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Thrombin intranigral injection can injure the dopaminergic neurons in the SN. Thrombin-induced microglia activation precedes dopaminergic neuron degeneration, which suggest that activation of microglia and release of NO may play important roles in dopaminergic neuronal death in the SN.</p>

Involvement of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in up-regulation of 14-3-3 protein induced by hydrogen peroxide preconditioning in PC12 cells / 神经科学通报·英文版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effects of hydrogen peroxide preconditioning (HPP) on the pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells treated with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) and to explore the potential mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, respectively. The expressions of 14-3-3 protein and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were determined by Western blot. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the activity of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cell viability decreased and the number of apoptotic cells increased dramatically in MPP(+) group compared with that in Control group. HPP induced a significant increase in cell viability and a marked decrease in population of apoptotic cells of the MPP(+)-treated PC12 cells, accompanied with up-regulation of 14-3-3 protein and increase of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activities. The 14-3-3 protein expression was positively correlated with the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Furthermore, inhibition of the ERK1/2 with PD98059 abolished the 14-3-3 protein up-regulation in PC12 cells induced by HPP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HPP protects PC12 cells against MPP(+) toxicity by up-regulating 14-3-3 protein expression through the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.</p>

Protective effect of erythropoietin against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced neurodegenaration in PC12 cells / 神经科学通报·英文版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The neuroprotective effect of erythropoietin (EPO) against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-induced oxidative stress in cultured PC12 cells, as well as the underlying mechanism, were investigated.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PC12 cells impaired by MPP(+) were used as the cell model of Parkinson's disease. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) was used to assay the viability of the PC12 cells exposed to gradient concentrations of EPO, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay was used to analyze the apoptosis ratio of PC12 cells. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in PC12 cells were examined by Western blot, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS), the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and the activity of caspase-3 in each group were detected by spectrofluorometer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Treatment of PC12 cells with MPP(+) caused the loss of cell viability, which may be associated with the elevation in apoptotic rate, the formation of ROS and the disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential. It was also shown that MPP(+) significantly induced the upregulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the activation of caspase-3. In contrast, EPO significantly reversed these responses and had the maximum protective effect at 1 U/mL.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The inhibitive effect of EPO on the MPP(+)-induced cytotoxicity may be ascribed to its anti-oxidative property and anti-apoptotic activity, and EPO may provide a useful therapeutic strategy for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.</p>

Overexpression of 14-3-3 protein protects pheochromocytoma cells against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium toxicity / 神经科学通报·英文版

Objective To investigate the effects of 14-3-3 protein overexpression on the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) induced pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell death and the potential mechanisms. Methods pcDNA3.1(+)-14-3-3 plasmids, which could be expressed in mammalian cell, were constructed and transfected into PC12 cells with Lipofectamine 2000. The expression of 14-3-3 protein, Bcl-2 protein, and BAD protein were determined by western blot. 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, microplate reader, and flow cytometric analysis were used to measure cell viability, the caspase activity, and apoptotic ratio respectively. Results (1) The expression of 14-3-3 protein increased significantly three weeks after pcDNA3.1 (+)-14-3-3 plasmids transfected into PC12 cells. (2) MPP(+) caused a decrease of cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. At 100 mu mol/L MPP(+), cell viability reduced approximately 50%. (3) The caspase activity increased along with the MPP(+) concentrations rising and reached its maximum value (0.34 mu mol/mg protein) at 100 mu mol/L MPP(+). However caspase activity decreased significantly when the MPP(+) concentration exceeded 100 mu mol/L. (4) Overexpression of 14-3-3 protein decreased the apoptosis ratio of PC12 cells treated with 100 mu mol/L MPP(+) from 26.5% to 8.6%. (5) Bcl-2 protein tended to decrease but BAD protein tended to increase after treatment of PC12 cells with 100 mu mol/L MPP(+). Overexpression of 14-3-3 protein significantly increased the cellular level of Bcl-2 protein and decreased that of BAD protein. Conclusion Overexpression of 14-3-3 protein may reduce MPP(+)-induced apoptotic cell death in PC12 cells by up-regulating the Bcl-2 expression and down-regulating the BAD expression. These results may provide a promising target for treatment of Parkinson' s disease.

alpha-Synuclein redistributed and aggregated in rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease rats / 神经科学通报·英文版

Objective To observe the influence of rotenone on the distribution of alpha-synuclein (ASN) in rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups and received 2 mg/kg rotenone (s.c.) or sunflower oil (as control group) for about 4 weeks. The hippocampus, substantia nigra and striatum of brain were observed. Hematoxylin and eosin stain were used to observe the Lewy body like inclusion. The expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or ASN protein was determined by anti-TH or anti-alpha-synuclein immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results In control rats, ASN protein distributed widely in brain, especially in hippocampus, cortex and striatum. Rotenone obviously increased TH positive neurons and fibers loss in substantia nigra and striatum (P < 0.05). In rotenone treated rats, ASN positive cells increased in global brain but not distributed in an even manner. In substantia nigra, ASN positive stuff was found aggregate in both cytoplasm and nucleus, and some formed spherical inclusion; in striatum, ASN positive neurites end aggregated and agglomerated around neurons; and in hippocampus, few dot-like ASN were aggregated in cell body, and no notable change was found in nucleus. Conclusion In rotenone administrated PD rats, ASN protein aggregated in several brain regions but most obviously in striatum and substantia nigra, and the distribution region of ASN was changed from peri-synapse to the cytoplasm and nucleus of dopaminergic neuron.

Mechanism of over-activation in direct pathway mediated by dopamine D₁ receptor in rats with levodopa-induced dyskinesia / 神经科学通报·英文版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes of prodynorphin (PDyn) gene expression and dopamine and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein of 32 kDa (DARPP-32) phosphorylation in rats with levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID), and to explore the mechanism of over-activation in direct pathway mediated by dopamine D₁ receptor.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Parkinson's disease (PD) rats were received levodopa (10 mg/kg, i.p.) for 28 d to get the LID rats. According to the behavior scale, LID rats were divided into mild (n = 8) and severe (n = 16) groups. On day 29, 8 rats in severe LID group were given an acute intraperitoneal injection of MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg) 15 min before levodopa treatment (MK-801 group, n = 8). The normal rats received same course and dosage of levodopa as the control group (n = 8). Hybridization in situ was used to measure the expression of PDyn mRNA in striatum. Protein and mRNA levels of total DARPP-32 and phospho-Thr-34 DARPP-32 level were measured by immunoblotting and RT-PCR, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of PDyn mRNA and phospho-Thr-34 DARPP-32 increased significantly in LID rats compared with control rats (P < 0.01), and they also increased markedly in severe LID group compared with mild group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Phospho-Thr-34 DARPP-32 level was increased in LID rats, which contributed to the over-activation of direct pathway mediated by dopamine D₁ receptor.</p>

Effect of thrombin on blood brain barrier permeability and its mechanism / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Previous studies have indicated that thrombin (TM) may play a major role in brain edema after intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs). However, the mechanism of TM-induced brain edema is poorly understood. In this study, we explored the effect of TM on the permeability of the blood brain barrier (BBB) and investigated its possible mechanism, aiming at providing a potential target for brain edema therapy after ICHs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>TM or TM + cathepsin G (CATG) was stereotaxically injected into the right caudate nucleus of Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo. BBB permeability was measured by Evans-Blue extravasation. Brain water content was determined by the dry-wet weight method. Brain microvascular endothelial cells were then cultured in vitro. After TM or TM + CATG was added to the endothelial cell medium, changes in the morphology of cells were dynamically observed by phase-contrast light microscopy, and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) protein was measured by immunohistochemical method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BBB permeability increased at 6 hours after a TM injection into the ipsilateral caudate nucleus (P < 0.05), peaked between 24 hours (P < 0.01) and 48 hours (P < 0.05) after the injection, and then declined. Brain water content changed in parallel with the changes in BBB permeability. However, at all time points, BBB permeability and brain water content after a TM + CATG injection were not significantly different from the respective parameters in the control group (P > 0.05). TM induced endothelial cell contraction in vitro in a time-dependent manner and enhanced the expression of MMP-2 protein. After incubation with TM + CATG, cell morphology and MMP-2 expression did not change significantly as compared to the control group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Increased BBB permeability may be one of the mechanisms behind TM-induced cerebral edema. TM induces endothelial cell contraction and promotes MMP-2 expression by activating protease activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), possibly leading to the opening of the BBB.</p>

The mechanism of synapse changes in the region around a cerebral infarct after mobility training / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To investigate how mobility training affects the synapses and their functioning in the region around a cerebral infarct.Methods One hundred and fifty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:a mo- tor training group,a normal saline group,an Ara-c inhibition group,a mevastatin group and a control group.Cere- bral infarcts were surgically induced in all 150 rats,and the level of either glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)or synaptophysin,and the cholesterol content around the infarct were observed at 7,21 and 42 days using immunohisto- chemical staining and high performance liquid chromatography.Results At 7,21 and 42 days after the infarct model was induced,significant differences in the optical density of either GFAP or synaptophysin and in cholesterol levels were noted between the motor training group and the control group.Ara-c inhibition was also significantly high- er in the controls.The optical density of synaptophysin and the cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the me- vastatin group than in the motor training group.Conclusion Motor skill training can improve synapse redefinition in rats with a model of acute cerebral infarct.Astrocytes may play a crucial role by means of the secretion of choles- terol in the region around the infarct.

Effects of endoplasmic reticulum stress and its related apoptosis on selective death of dopaminergic neurons / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To explore the effects of endoplasmic reticulum stress response(ERS) and its related apoptosis on dopaminergic neurons death.Methods NGF treated-PC12 cells were treated with 6-OHDA,MPP+ and rotenone.MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to measure the cell viability and the rate of cells apoptosis induced by those neurotoxins at different concentrations and times.The expressions of ERS-related gene XBP1,Grp78,CHOP,caspase-12 in drug-treated group and reserpine preincubation group were determined by RT-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry.Results After exposing to different concentration toxins,the vitality of PC12 cells was decreased by 52% at 100?mol/L 6-OHDA,by 44% at 75?mol/L MPP~+,and by 40% at 20 nmol/L rotenone for 24 hours respectively and ws decreased in a dose dependent manner. FCM assay confirmed time-dependent cell apoptosis.The apoptotic cells ratio of 24 h groups were (31.22?3.21)%,(27.46?2.35)%,(29.26?2.53)%,respectively(P＜0.01).In 6-OHDA groups,the gene expressions of XBP1,Grp78 were approximately 2-fold increased after 8 h exposure, CHOP reached peak level at 16 h(149.5?3.3% vs 35.9?1.8%,P＜0.01).The transcription level of caspase-12 was significantly higher than normal control at 16h[(95.4?2.8% vs(23.8?3.0)%, P＜0.01],but was alleviated by reserpine prcincubation(62.15?4.3%,P＜0.05).The increased expressions of Grp78 and CHOP after drug exposure were confirmed by immunochemistry stain.The similar results were observed in MPP~+ and rotenone groups.Conclusions The excessive ERS and ERS-activated cell apoptosis pathway may be involved in selective death of dopaminergic neurons.

Protective effect of ginkgo biloba extract on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on dynamic equilibrium of free radicals and amino-acids in cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and its influence and characteristics to intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in primary cultured hippocampal neuron of rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Amino-acids were quantified by high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis. Concentration of MDA and GSH-Px were determined by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) technique. SOD was assayed through xanthine method, and microfluoremetric technique was used to assay the change of [Ca2+]i and its characteristics.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the non-treated groups, at all time points (3 hrs after ischemia, 1 and 2 hrs after I/R separately), in the GbE treated groups, the levels of Glu, Asp and MDA were lower and SOD and GSH-Px were higher (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), the GABA and Gly levels were lower in groups treated with middle (10 mg/kg) or high dosage (15 mg/kg) of GbE (P < 0.05). Compared with the group treated with small dosage GbE (5 mg/kg), Glu, Asp and MDA were lower and GABA, Gly, SOD and GSH-Px were higher in the groups treated with middle or high dosage of GbE (P < 0.05), while the difference in the latter two groups was insignificant. Level of [Ca2+]i in cultured neurons treated with 1 x 10(-5) mol/L glutamate combined 25 micrograms/ml GbE for 20s was lower with lower peak value and longer time for reaching the peak than that in neurons treated with 1 x 10(-5) mol/L glutamate alone. Besides, the time of decline phase was also shorter in the former, so the flatform stage was prolonged. The response was recovered by re-applying of glutamate after [Ca2+]i back to base line.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GbE can protect damaged neurons through keeping the balance of inhibitory/excitatory amino-acids, enhancing free radicals scavengers system, and inhibiting the effect of glutamate to [Ca2+]i.</p>

Prelimilary experimental study of manganese enhanced-functional MR imaging on cat model about acute epilepsy caused by pentylenetetrazol / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore the activated brain region of acute epilepsy in cat model induced by pentylenetetrazol(FFZ)with manganese enhanced-functional MR imaging(ME-fMRI),and evaluate the application of ME-fMRI on localization of the activated brain.Methods Forty cats were divided into 4 groups by random number table method as epileptic A and B groups as well as control A and B groups. Cats of epileptic groups were injected with PTZ(55 mg/kg)intramuscularly,and those of control groups were injected with the saline at same dose.The behavior change in the epileptic and control group A was observed and electroencephalogram(EEG)was also undertaken.Cats of epileptic and control group B were performed ME-fMRI,and the percentage of the enhanced signal intensity was then calculated.Results After injection with PTZ(55 mg/kg)intramuscularly,epileptic seizure was all evoked,and then EEG recording showed spike-wave and polyspike-wave complexes.The neocortex of cats of epileptic group B was diffusely phanero-enhanced on ME-fMRI.The percent enhancement of signal intensity in cortex of frontal lobe,parietal lobe and occipital lobe was(34.6?5.7)% and that in cortex of temporal lobe with(22.9? 6.5)%,whereas those of control group B with(14.9?4.5)% and(11.6?3.2)% respectively.And there was significant difference between the above different localization of the brain in the two groups (t=-10.43,-5.46 respectively,P