Efficient Heat Shock Response Affects Hyperthermia-Induced Radiosensitization in a Tumor Spheroid Control Probability Assay.

Hyperthermia (HT) combined with irradiation is a well-known concept to improve the curative potential of radiotherapy. Technological progress has opened new avenues for thermoradiotherapy, even for recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Preclinical evaluation of the curative radiosensitizing potential of various HT regimens remains ethically, economically, and technically challenging. One key objective of our study was to refine an advanced 3-D assay setup for HT + RT research and treatment testing. For the first time, HT-induced radiosensitization was systematically examined in two differently radioresponsive HNSCC spheroid models using the unique in vitro "curative" analytical endpoint of spheroid control probability. We further investigated the cellular stress response mechanisms underlying the HT-related radiosensitization process with the aim to unravel the impact of HT-induced proteotoxic stress on the overall radioresponse. HT disrupted the proteome's thermal stability, causing severe proteotoxic stress. It strongly enhanced radiation efficacy and affected paramount survival and stress response signaling networks. Transcriptomics, q-PCR, and western blotting data revealed that HT + RT co-treatment critically triggers the heat shock response (HSR). Pre-treatment with chemical chaperones intensified the radiosensitizing effect, thereby suppressing HT-induced Hsp27 expression. Our data suggest that HT-induced radiosensitization is adversely affected by the proteotoxic stress response. Hence, we propose the inhibition of particular heat shock proteins as a targeting strategy to improve the outcome of combinatorial HT + RT.

Mathematical model for the thermal enhancement of radiation response: thermodynamic approach.

Radiotherapy can effectively kill malignant cells, but the doses required to cure cancer patients may inflict severe collateral damage to adjacent healthy tissues. Recent technological advances in the clinical application has revitalized hyperthermia treatment (HT) as an option to improve radiotherapy (RT) outcomes. Understanding the synergistic effect of simultaneous thermoradiotherapy via mathematical modelling is essential for treatment planning. We here propose a theoretical model in which the thermal enhancement ratio (TER) relates to the cell fraction being radiosensitised by the infliction of sublethal damage through HT. Further damage finally kills the cell or abrogates its proliferative capacity in a non-reversible process. We suggest the TER to be proportional to the energy invested in the sensitisation, which is modelled as a simple rate process. Assuming protein denaturation as the main driver of HT-induced sublethal damage and considering the temperature dependence of the heat capacity of cellular proteins, the sensitisation rates were found to depend exponentially on temperature; in agreement with previous empirical observations. Our findings point towards an improved definition of thermal dose in concordance with the thermodynamics of protein denaturation. Our predictions well reproduce experimental in vitro and in vivo data, explaining the thermal modulation of cellular radioresponse for simultaneous thermoradiotherapy.

Hypothesis and Theory: A Pathophysiological Concept of Stroke-Induced Acute Phase Response and Increased Intestinal Permeability Leading to Secondary Brain Damage.

Gut integrity impairment leading to increased intestinal permeability (IP) is hypothesized to be a trigger of critically illness. Approximately 15-20% of human ischemic stroke (IS) victims require intensive care, including patients with impaired level of consciousness or a high risk for developing life-threatening cerebral edema. Local and systemic inflammatory reactions are a major component of the IS pathophysiology and can significantly aggravate brain tissue damage. Intracerebral inflammatory processes following IS have been well studied. Until now, less is known about systemic inflammatory responses and IS consequences apart from a frequently observed post-IS immunosuppression. Here, we provide a hypothesis of a crosstalk between systemic acute phase response (APR), IP and potential secondary brain damage during acute and subacute IS stages supported by preliminary experimental data. Alterations of the acute phase proteins (APPs) C-reactive protein and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and serum level changes of antibodies directed against Escherichia coli-cell extract antigen (IgA-, IgM-, and IgG-anti-E. coli) were investigated at 1, 2, and 7 days following IS in ten male sheep. We found an increase of both APPs as well as a decrease of all anti-E. coli antibodies within 48 h following IS. This may indicate an early systemic APR and increased IP, and underlines the importance of the increasingly recognized gut-brain axis and of intestinal antigen release for systemic immune responses in acute and subacute stroke stages.

Lesional and perilesional tissue characterization by automated image processing in a novel gyrencephalic animal model of peracute intracerebral hemorrhage.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is an important stroke subtype, but preclinical research is limited by a lack of translational animal models. Large animal models are useful to comparatively investigate key pathophysiological parameters in human ICH. To (i) establish an acute model of moderate ICH in adult sheep and (ii) an advanced neuroimage processing pipeline for automatic brain tissue and hemorrhagic lesion determination; 14 adult sheep were assigned for stereotactically induced ICH into cerebral white matter under physiological monitoring. Six hours after ICH neuroimaging using 1.5T MRI including structural as well as perfusion and diffusion, weighted imaging was performed before scarification and subsequent neuropathological investigation including immunohistological staining. Controlled, stereotactic application of autologous blood caused a space-occupying intracerebral hematoma of moderate severity, predominantly affecting white matter at 5 h post-injection. Neuroimage post-processing including lesion probability maps enabled automatic quantification of structural alterations including perilesional diffusion and perfusion restrictions. Neuropathological and immunohistological investigation confirmed perilesional vacuolation, axonal damage, and perivascular blood as seen after human ICH. The model and imaging platform reflects key aspects of human ICH and enables future translational research on hematoma expansion/evacuation, white matter changes, hematoma evacuation, and other aspects.

Comparison of Different Calibration Methods in a Non-invasive ICP Assessment Model.

OBJECTIVE: Previously we described the method of continuous intracranial pressure (ICP) estimation using arterial blood pressure (ABP) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV). The model was constructed using reference patient data. Various individual calibration strategies were used in the current attempt to improve the accuracy of this non-invasive ICP (nICP) assessment tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients (mean, 52 years; range, 18-77 years) with severe brain injuries were studied. CBFV in the middle cerebral artery (MCA), ABP and invasively assessed ICP were simultaneously recorded for 1 h. Recording was repeated at days 2, 4 and 7. In the first recording, invasively assessed ICP was recorded to calibrate the nICP procedure by means of either a constant shift of nICP (snICP), a constant shift of nICP/ABP ratio (anICP) or by including this recording for a model reconstruction (cnICP). At follow-up days, the calibrated nICP procedures were applied and the results compared to the original nICP. RESULTS: In 76 follow-up recordings, the mean differences (Bias), the SD and the mean absolute differences (ΔICP) between ICP and the nICP methods were (in mmHg): nICP, -5.6 ± 5.72, 6.5; snICP, +0.7 ± 6.98, 5.5, n.s.; anICP, +1.0 ± 7.22, 5.6, n.s.; cnICP, -3.4 ± 5.68, 5.4, p < 0.001. In patients with craniotomy (n = 19), the nICP was generally higher than ICP. This overestimation could be reduced by cnICP calibration, but not completely avoided. DISCUSSION: Constant shift calibrations (snICP, anICP) decrease the Bias to ICP, but increase SD and, therefore, increase the 95% confidence interval (CI = 2 × SD). This calibration method cannot be recommended. Compared to nICP, the cnICP method reduced the Bias and slightly reduced SD, and showed significantly decreased ΔICP. Compared to snICP and anICP, the Bias was higher. This effect was probably caused by the patients with craniotomy. CONCLUSION: The cnICP calibration method using initial recordings for model reconstruction showed the best results.

Ischaemia- and excitotoxicity-induced CaMKII-Mediated neuronal cell death: The relative roles of CaMKII autophosphorylation at T286 and T253.

Ischaemia/excitotoxicity produces persistent activation of CaMKII (Ca2+-calmodulin stimulated protein kinase II) that initiates cell death. This study investigated the involvement of CaMKII phosphorylation at T286 and T253 in producing this persistent activation. In T286A-αCaMKII transgenic mice that lack the ability to phosphorylate αCaMKII at T286, transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 90 min resulted in no significant difference in infarct size compared to normal littermate controls. Overexpression of the phospho-mimic mutant T286D-αCaMKII in differentiated neuroblastoma cell lines did not enhance excitotoxicity-induced cell death compared to overexpression of wild type αCaMKII. By contrast, overexpression of the phospho-mimic mutant T253D-αCaMKII significantly enhanced excitotoxicity-induced cell death whereas overexpression of the phospho-null mutant T253V-αCaMKII produced no enhancement. These results indicate that T286 phosphorylation does not play a significant role in ischaemia/excitotoxicity induced CaMKII-mediated cell death and suggest that T253 phosphorylation is required to produce the persistent activation of CaMKII involved in ischaemia/excitotoxicity induced cell death.

Recent progress in translational research on neurovascular and neurodegenerative disorders.

The already established and widely used intravenous application of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator as a re-opening strategy for acute vessel occlusion in ischemic stroke was recently added by mechanical thrombectomy, representing a fundamental progress in evidence-based medicine to improve the patient's outcome. This has been paralleled by a swift increase in our understanding of pathomechanisms underlying many neurovascular diseases and most prevalent forms of dementia. Taken together, these current advances offer the potential to overcome almost two decades of marginally successful translational research on stroke and dementia, thereby spurring the entire field of translational neuroscience. Moreover, they may also pave the way for the renaissance of classical neuroprotective paradigms.This review reports and summarizes some of the most interesting and promising recent achievements in neurovascular and dementia research. It highlights sessions from the 9th International Symposium on Neuroprotection and Neurorepair that have been discussed from April 19th to 22nd in Leipzig, Germany. To acknowledge the emerging culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and research, special emphasis is given on translational stories ranging from fundamental research on neurode- and -regeneration to late stage translational or early stage clinical investigations.

Immunosuppression for in vivo research: state-of-the-art protocols and experimental approaches.

Almost every experimental treatment strategy using non-autologous cell, tissue or organ transplantation is tested in small and large animal models before clinical translation. Because these strategies require immunosuppression in most cases, immunosuppressive protocols are a key element in transplantation experiments. However, standard immunosuppressive protocols are often applied without detailed knowledge regarding their efficacy within the particular experimental setting and in the chosen model species. Optimization of such protocols is pertinent to the translation of experimental results to human patients and thus warrants further investigation. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding immunosuppressive drug classes as well as their dosages and application regimens with consideration of species-specific drug metabolization and side effects. It also summarizes contemporary knowledge of novel immunomodulatory strategies, such as the use of mesenchymal stem cells or antibodies. Thus, this review is intended to serve as a state-of-the-art compendium for researchers to refine applied experimental immunosuppression and immunomodulation strategies to enhance the predictive value of preclinical transplantation studies.

Intracranial Pressure Elevation 24 h after Ischemic Stroke in Aged Rats Is Prevented by Early, Short Hypothermia Treatment.

Stroke is predominantly a senescent disease, yet most preclinical studies investigate treatment in young animals. We recently demonstrated that short-duration hypothermia-treatment completely prevented the dramatic intracranial pressure (ICP) rise seen post-stroke in young rats. Here, our aim was to investigate whether a similar ICP rise occurs in aged rats and to determine whether short-duration hypothermia is an effective treatment in aged animals. Experimental middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo-3 h occlusion) was performed on male Wistar rats aged 19-20 months. At 1 h after stroke-onset, rats were randomized to 2.5 h hypothermia-treatment (32.5°C) or normothermia (37°C). ICP was monitored at baseline, for 3.5 h post-occlusion, and at 24 h post-stroke. Infarct and edema volumes were calculated from histology. Baseline pre-stroke ICP was 11.2 ± 3.3 mmHg across all animals. Twenty-four hours post-stroke, ICP was significantly higher in normothermic animals compared to hypothermia-treated animals (27.4 ± 18.2 mmHg vs. 8.0 ± 5.0 mmHg, p = 0.03). Infarct and edema volumes were not significantly different between groups. These data demonstrate ICP may also increase 24 h post-stroke in aged rats, and that short-duration hypothermia treatment has a profound and sustained preventative effect. These findings may have important implications for the use of hypothermia in clinical trials of aged stroke patients.

Ischemic penumbra as a trigger for intracranial pressure rise - A potential cause for collateral failure and infarct progression?

We have recently shown that intracranial pressure (ICP) increases dramatically 24 h after minor intraluminal thread occlusion with reperfusion, independent of edema. Some of the largest ICP rises were observed in rats with the smallest final infarcts. A possible alternate mechanism for this ICP rise is an increase of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume secondary to choroid plexus damage (a known complication of the intraluminal stroke model used). Alternatively, submaximal injury may be needed to induce ICP elevation. Therefore, we aimed to determine (a) if choroid plexus damage contributes to the ICP elevation, (b) if varying the patency of an important internal collateral supply to the middle cerebral artery (MCA), the anterior choroidal artery (AChA), produces different volumes of ischemic penumbra and (c) if presence of ischemic penumbra (submaximal injury) is associated with ICP elevation. We found (a) no association between choroid plexus damage and ICP elevation, (b) animals with a good internal collateral supply through the AChA during MCAo had significantly larger penumbra volumes and (c) ICP elevation at ≈24 h post-stroke only occurred in rats with submaximal injury, shown in two different stroke models. We conclude that active cellular processes within the ischemic penumbra may be required for edema-independent ICP elevation.

Autoregulation monitoring and outcome prediction in neurocritical care patients: Does one index fit all?

Indexes PRx and Mx have been formerly introduced to assess cerebral autoregulation and have been shown to be associated with 3-month clinical outcome. In a mixed cohort of neurocritical care patients, we retrospectively investigated the impact of selected clinical characteristics on this association. Forty-one patients (18-77 years) with severe traumatic (TBI, N = 20) and non-traumatic (N = 21) brain injuries were studied. Cerebral blood flow velocity, arterial blood pressure and intracranial pressure were repeatedly recorded during 1-h periods. Calculated PRx and Mx were correlated with 3-month clinical outcome score of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) in different subgroups with specific clinical characteristics. Both PRx and Mx correlated significantly with outcome (PRx: r = 0.38, p < 0.05; AUC = 0.64, n.s./Mx: r = 0.48, p < 0.005; AUC = 0.80, p < 0.005) in the overall group, and in patients with hemicraniectomy (N = 17; PRx: r = 0.73, p < 0.001; AUC = 0.89, p < 0.01/Mx: r = 0.69, p < 0.005; AUC = 0.87, p < 0.05). Mx, not PRx, correlated significantly with mRS in patients with heart failure (N = 17; r = 0.69, p < 0.005; AUC = 0.92, p < 0.005), and in non-traumatic patients (r = 0.49, p < 0.05; AUC = 0.79, p < 0.05). PRx, not Mx, correlated significantly with mRS in TBI patients (r = 0.63, p < 0.01; AUC = 0.89, p < 0.01). Both indexes did not correlate with mRS in diabetes patients (N = 15), PRx failed in hypocapnic patients (N = 26). Both PRx and Mx were significantly associated with 3-month clinical outcome, even in patients with hemicraniectomy. PRx was more appropriate for TBI patients, while Mx was better suited for non-traumatic patients and patients with heart failure. Prognostic values of indexes were affected by diabetes (both Mx and PRx) and hypocapnia (PRx only).

Intracranial pressure elevation after ischemic stroke in rats: cerebral edema is not the only cause, and short-duration mild hypothermia is a highly effective preventive therapy.

Correction to: Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism (2015) 35, 592­600; doi:10.1038/jcbfm.2014.230; published online 17 December 2014. Following the publication of this article, the authors noticed the following error: The Results section of the article contains a typographical error under subheading 'Study III-Effect of Mild Hypothermia, Hematoxylin and Eosin Edema'. . The edema volumes of '3.1±0.65 mm3 versus 27.9±6.5 mm3' should read '0.7±1.2 mm3 versus 6.5 ± 9.2 mm3.'

Intracranial pressure elevation reduces flow through collateral vessels and the penetrating arterioles they supply. A possible explanation for 'collateral failure' and infarct expansion after ischemic stroke.

Recent human imaging studies indicate that reduced blood flow through pial collateral vessels ('collateral failure') is associated with late infarct expansion despite stable arterial occlusion. The cause for 'collateral failure' is unknown. We recently showed that intracranial pressure (ICP) rises dramatically but transiently 24 hours after even minor experimental stroke. We hypothesized that ICP elevation would reduce collateral blood flow. First, we investigated the regulation of flow through collateral vessels and the penetrating arterioles arising from them during stroke reperfusion. Wistar rats were subjected to intraluminal middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion (MCAo). Individual pial collateral and associated penetrating arteriole blood flow was quantified using fluorescent microspheres. Baseline bidirectional flow changed to MCA-directed flow and increased by >450% immediately after MCAo. Collateral diameter changed minimally. Second, we determined the effect of ICP elevation on collateral and watershed penetrating arteriole flow. Intracranial pressure was artificially raised in stepwise increments during MCAo. The ICP increase was strongly correlated with collateral and penetrating arteriole flow reductions. Changes in collateral flow post-stroke appear to be primarily driven by the pressure drop across the collateral vessel, not vessel diameter. The ICP elevation reduces cerebral perfusion pressure and collateral flow, and is the possible explanation for 'collateral failure' in stroke-in-progression.

Intracranial pressure elevation after ischemic stroke in rats: cerebral edema is not the only cause, and short-duration mild hypothermia is a highly effective preventive therapy.

In both the human and animal literature, it has largely been assumed that edema is the primary cause of intracranial pressure (ICP) elevation after stroke and that more edema equates to higher ICP. We recently demonstrated a dramatic ICP elevation 24 hours after small ischemic strokes in rats, with minimal edema. This ICP elevation was completely prevented by short-duration moderate hypothermia soon after stroke. Here, our aims were to determine the importance of edema in ICP elevation after stroke and whether mild hypothermia could prevent the ICP rise. Experimental stroke was performed in rats. ICP was monitored and short-duration mild (35 °C) or moderate (32.5 °C) hypothermia, or normothermia (37 °C) was induced after stroke onset. Edema was measured in three studies, using wet-dry weight calculations, T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, or histology. ICP increased 24 hours after stroke onset in all normothermic animals. Short-duration mild or moderate hypothermia prevented this rise. No correlation was seen between ΔICP and edema or infarct volumes. Calculated rates of edema growth were orders of magnitude less than normal cerebrospinal fluid production rates. These data challenge current concepts and suggest that factors other than cerebral edema are the primary cause of the ICP elevation 24 hours after stroke onset.

Allopregnanolone and its precursor progesterone do not reduce injury after experimental stroke in hypertensive rats - role of postoperative temperature regulation?

Allopregnanolone is a neurosteroid synthesized from progesterone in brain. It increases inhibition through modulation of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA-A) receptor. Both agents are putative neuroprotectants after ischemic stroke. We sought to confirm their effectiveness in a hypertensive rat stroke model, with intra- and post-operative temperature regulation. The primary study compared allopregnanolone, progesterone or vehicle control treatments, administered 105 minutes after induction of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Temperature was controlled intraoperatively and a heat mat used in the 6 hours postoperatively to permit animal temperature self-regulation. The primary outcome was infarct volume and secondary outcomes were tests of sensory and motor function. There was no significant effect of treatment on any outcome measure. Given prior reports of GABA-A receptor agonists causing hypothermia, follow-up experiments were conducted to examine postoperative temperature regulation. These did not reveal a difference in postoperative temperature in neurosteroid-treated animals compared to control. However, in all rats maintained postoperatively in ambient temperature, moderate hypothermia was observed. This was in contrast to rats maintained over a heat mat. The lowest mean postoperative temperature was between 34.4-34.9°C in all 3 groups. These data do not support a neuroprotective effect of allopregnanolone or progesterone in ischemic stroke in hypertensives in the setting of normothermia. Given previous evidence of synergy between neuroprotective agents and hypothermia, demonstration of neuroprotective effect of these agents in the absence of postoperative hypothermia would be prudent before consideration of these agents for further clinical investigation.

Cerebrospinal fluid is drained primarily via the spinal canal and olfactory route in young and aged spontaneously hypertensive rats.

BACKGROUND: Many aspects of CSF dynamics are poorly understood due to the difficulties involved in quantification and visualization. In particular, there is debate surrounding the route of CSF drainage. Our aim was to quantify CSF flow, volume, and drainage route dynamics in vivo in young and aged spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) using a novel contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) method. METHODS: ICP was recorded in young (2-5 months) and aged (16 months) SHR. Contrast was administered into the lateral ventricles bilaterally and sequential CT imaging was used to visualize the entire intracranial CSF system and CSF drainage routes. A customized contrast decay software module was used to quantify CSF flow at multiple locations. RESULTS: ICP was significantly higher in aged rats than in young rats (11.52 ± 2.36 mmHg, versus 7.04 ± 2.89 mmHg, p = 0.03). Contrast was observed throughout the entire intracranial CSF system and was seen to enter the spinal canal and cross the cribriform plate into the olfactory mucosa within 9.1 ± 6.1 and 22.2 ± 7.1 minutes, respectively. No contrast was observed adjacent to the sagittal sinus. There were no significant differences between young and aged rats in either contrast distribution times or CSF flow rates. Mean flow rates (combined young and aged) were 3.0 ± 1.5 µL/min at the cerebral aqueduct; 3.5 ± 1.4 µL/min at the 3rd ventricle; and 2.8 ± 0.9 µL/min at the 4th ventricle. Intracranial CSF volumes (and as percentage total brain volume) were 204 ± 97 µL (8.8 ± 4.3%) in the young and 275 ± 35 µL (10.8 ± 1.9%) in the aged animals (NS). CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated a contrast-enhanced CT technique for measuring and visualising CSF dynamics in vivo. These results indicate substantial drainage of CSF via spinal and olfactory routes, but there was little evidence of drainage via sagittal sinus arachnoid granulations in either young or aged animals. The data suggests that spinal and olfactory routes are the primary routes of CSF drainage and that sagittal sinus arachnoid granulations play a minor role, even in aged rats with higher ICP.

Inadvertent occlusion of the anterior choroidal artery explains infarct variability in the middle cerebral artery thread occlusion stroke model.

Intraluminal occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAo) in rodents is perhaps the most widely used model of stroke, however variability of infarct volume and the ramifications of this on sample sizes remains a problem, particularly for preclinical testing of potential therapeutics. Our data and that of others, has shown a dichotomous distribution of infarct volumes for which there had previously been no clear explanation. When studying perfusion computed tomography cerebral blood volume (CBV) maps obtained during intraluminal MCAo in rats, we observed inadvertent occlusion of the anterior choroidal artery (AChAo) in a subset of animals. We hypothesized that the combined occlusion of the MCA and AChA may be a predictor of larger infarct volume following stroke. Thus, we aimed to determine the correlation between AChAo and final infarct volume in rats with either temporary or permanent MCA occlusion (1 h, 2 h, or permanent MCAo). Outbred Wistar rats (n = 28) were imaged prior to and immediately following temporary or permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Presence of AChAo on CBV maps was shown to be a strong independent predictor of 24 h infarct volume (ß = 0.732, p <0.001). This provides an explanation for the previously observed dichotomous distribution of infarct volumes. Interestingly, cortical infarct volumes were also larger in rats with AChAo, although the artery does not supply cortex. This suggests an important role for perfusion of the MCA territory beyond the proximal occlusion through AChA-MCA anastomotic collateral vessels in animals with a patent AChAo. Identification of combined MCAo and AChAo will allow other investigators to tailor their stroke model to reduce variability in infarct volumes, improve statistical power and reduce sample sizes in preclinical stroke research.

Differential effects of inhaled methacholine on circumferential wall and vascular smooth muscle of third-generation airways in awake sheep.

Evolution and natural selection ensure that specific mechanisms exist for selective airway absorption of inhaled atmospheric molecules. Indeed, nebulized cholinoceptor agonists used in asthma-challenge tests may or may not enter the systemic circulation. We examined the hypothesis that inhaled cholinoceptor agonists have selective access. Six sheep were instrumented under general anesthesia (propofol 5 mg/kg iv, 2-3% isoflurane-oxygen), each with pulsed-Doppler blood flow transducers mounted on the single bronchial artery and sonomicrometer probes mounted on the intrapulmonary third-generation lingula lobe bronchus. Continuous measurements were made of bronchial blood flow (Q(br)), Q(br) conductance (C(br)), bronchial hemicircumference (CIRC(br)), and bronchial wall thickness (WALL TH(br)) in recovered, standing, awake sheep. Methacholine (MCh; 0.125-2.0 µg/kg iv), at the highest dose, caused a 233% rise in Q(br) (P < 0.05) and a 286% rise in C(br) (P < 0.05). CIRC(br) fell to 90% (P < 0.05); WALL TH(br) did not change. In contrast, nebulized MCh (1-32 mg/ml), inhaled through a mask at the highest dose, caused a rise in ventilation and a rise in Q(br) proportional to aortic pressure without change in C(br). CIRC(br) fell to 91% (P < 0.01), and WALL TH(br) did not change. Thus inhaled MCh has access to cholinoceptors of bronchial circumferential smooth muscle to cause airway lumen narrowing but effectively not to those of the systemic bronchovascular circulation. It is speculated that the mechanism is selective neuroparacrine inhibition of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M3 bronchovascular cholinoceptors) by prostanoids released by intense MCh activation of epithelial and mucosal cells lining the airway.

Epidural intracranial pressure measurement in rats using a fiber-optic pressure transducer.

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is a significant problem in several forms of ischemic brain injury including stroke, traumatic brain injury and cardiac arrest. This elevation may result in further neurological injury, in the form of transtentorial herniation(1,2,3,4), midbrain compression, neurological deficit or increased cerebral infarct(2,4). Current therapies are often inadequate to control elevated ICP in the clinical setting(5,6,7). Thus there is a need for accurate methods of ICP measurement in animal models to further our understanding of the basic mechanisms and to develop new treatments for elevated ICP. In both the clinical and experimental setting ICP cannot be estimated without direct measurement. Several methods of ICP catheter insertion currently exist. Of these the intraventricular catheter has become the clinical 'gold standard' of ICP measurement in humans(8). This method involves the partial removal of skull and the instrumentation of the catheter through brain tissue. Consequently, intraventricular catheters have an infection rate of 6-11%(9). For this reason, subdural and epidural cannulations have become the preferred methods in animal models of ischemic injury. Various ICP measurement techniques have been adapted for animal models, and of these, fluid-filled telemetry catheters(10) and solid state catheters are the most frequently used(11,12,13,14,15). The fluid-filled systems are prone to developing air bubbles in the line, resulting in false ICP readings. Solid state probes avoid this problem (Figure 1). An additional problem is fitting catheters under the skull or into the ventricles without causing any brain injury that might alter the experimental outcomes. Therefore, we have developed a method that places an ICP catheter contiguous with the epidural space, but avoids the need to insert it between skull and brain. An optic fibre pressure catheter (420LP, SAMBA Sensors, Sweden) was used to measure ICP at the epidural location because the location of the pressure sensor (at the very tip of the catheter) was found to produce a high fidelity ICP signal in this model. There are other manufacturers of similar optic fibre technologies(13) that may be used with our methodology. Alternative solid state catheters, which have the pressure sensor located at the side of the catheter tip, would not be appropriate for this model as the signal would be dampened by the presence of the monitoring screw. Here, we present a relatively simple and accurate method to measure ICP. This method can be used across a wide range of ICP related animal models.