[Dual role of NF-κB and its target gene iNOS in cerebral ischemic tolerance induced by focal ischemic preconditioning].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of focal cerebral ischemic preconditioning on the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and its target gene inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and to explore its role in ischemic tolerance in rats. METHODS: A total of 32 SD rats were divided into 4 groups. The control group received sham surgery (SS) twice only. The IPC + SS group received 10 minutes of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) followed by SS 3 days later. And the other two groups received 2 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 22 hours of reperfusion with or without IPC 3 days before. The ultrastructure, NF-κB activation and iNOS mRNA transcription were evaluated in each group by electron microscope, immunohistochemistry staining and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively. RESULTS: (1) In contrast with the SS + SS group, there was a lower NF-κB immunoreactivity (57.3 ± 6.3) and iNOS mRNA level (29.1% ± 3.1%) in the IPC + SS group while no ultrastructural abnormality was identified. (2) The expression of NF-κB/iNOS was down-regulated in the IPC + MCAO group (81.2% ± 7.3%/89.0% ± 5.3%) than in the SS + MCAO group (98.9% ± 9.4%/132.8% ± 7.9%, P < 0.01) with minor ultrastructure abnormality. CONCLUSION: A down-regulated expression of NF-κB/iNOS is a key event in the molecular mechanism of cerebral ischemic tolerance. And the NF-κB/iNOS pathway might play a dual role in endogenous neuroprotection induced by focal IPC.

A novel mutation of the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene in a Chinese family with myoclonus-dystonia syndrome.

In a Chinese myoclonus-dystonia syndrome (MDS) family presented with a phenotype including a typical MDS, cervical dystonia, and writer's cramp, genetic analyses revealed a novel 662 + 1insG heterozygous mutation in exon 5 in the epsilon-sarcoglycan (SGCE) gene, leading to a frameshift with a down stream stop codon. Low SGCE mRNA levels were detected in the mutation carriers by real-time PCR, suggesting that the nonsense mutation might interfere with the stability of SGCE mRNA. This is the first report on Chinese with a SGCE mutation leading to MDS. Our data support the fact that same mutation of SGCE gene can lead to a varied phenotype, even in the same family.

[A study on the protective efficacy of magnesium against anoxic damage to cultured neurons of rats].

OBJECTIVE: This is an in vitro study aimed to assess the influence of magnesium on cultured anoxic cortical neurons of rats. METHODS: After being treated with MgSO4 and Mg(2+)-ATP respectively, the cortical neurons of rats were given mixture of 97.5% N2 and 2.5% CO2 continuously to set up the model of anoxic cortical neuron of rats at different time points. The mortality of neurons, the levels of Ca2+ within nerve cells (marked by Fluo-3, detected by laser confocal microscopy), and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), K+ and neuron specific enolase (NSE) in the culture fluid were investigated at 1,2,4 hours after the inception of anoxia. RESULTS: MgSO4 and Mg(2+)-ATP reduced the calcium influx of anoxic cortical neuron (P<0.05), lowered the level of LDH, K+, NSE in the culture fluid (P<0.05) and significantly decreased the mortality of neurons (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: The protective efficacy of magnesium against the anoxic damage to cultured cortical neurons of rats is corroborated.

[Effects of three-stage rehabilitation treatment on acute cerebrovascular diseases: a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of tertiary rehabilitation treatment on acute cerebrovascular diseases. METHODS: Fifteen tertiary rehabilitation networks were set up throughout the country. 1078 patients with acute cerebrovascular diseases were randomly divided into 2 groups: rehabilitation group and control group, out of which 19 patients died, 157 dropped out, and 7 successive evaluations were completed in 902 patients that. 439 of the remaining 902 patients in the rehabilitation group, 266 males and 173 females, aged 61 +/- 11, 278 cases with cerebral infarction and 161 with cerebral hemorrhage, received routine treatment and early rehabilitation for 28 days in the ward of neurology, and then went home and received community rehabilitation for 6 months or underwent specialized reinforcement training for 2 months and after that went home and received community rehabilitation for 4 months. The 463 patients in the control group, 281 males and 182 females, aged 60 +/- 11, 291 of which with cerebral infarction and 172 with cerebral hemorrhage, received only routine treatment and early rehabilitation for 28 days in the ward of neurology, and then went home to conduct rehabilitation training by themselves or their family members for 6 months. Evaluation was conducted 7 times, with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Fugl-Meyer motor function scale, Barthel index, SF-36 scale, Lowenstein occupational therapy cognitive assessment (LOTCA), Westen aphasia battery, Hamilton depression scale, and modified Ashworth spasm scale, one week after the onset and by the ends of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months after the onset respectively. RESULTS: The scores of clinical neurological impairment, Fugl-Meyer scores, SF-36 scores, incidence of PSD, and modified Ashworth scores (for upper and lower limbs) were lower, and LOTCA scores and Barthel indexes were higher at different time points in the rehabilitation group than in the control group; and the differences were statistically significant since the 2nd month after the onset. By the end of the 6th month, the patients of the rehabilitation group basically re-achieved the ability of self-care in daily activities with a Barthel index of 84 +/- 33. The patients of the control group also recovered to a certain degree, however, to a smaller extent in comparison with the rehabilitation group. CONCLUSION: Tertiary rehabilitation treatment of cerebrovascular diseases is effective in improving motor function, ability of daily living activities, and quality of life and reducing the incidence rates of secondary complications.