OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have suggested that S100B protein play an important role in the pathogenesis and progress of schizophrenia. In the present study, we evaluate the serum levels of S100B in the patients with schizophrenia, and compare them with those of healthy controls. METHOD: The serum S100B levels were measured by lectrochemiluminescence immunoassay in 21 schizophrenic patients(8 males, 13 females) and 27 normal controls(11 males, 16 females). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS) was used to evaluate the symptoms of the patients with schizophrenia, and the correlation between PANSS subscale scores and serum S100B levels was examined. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the serum S100B levels of the schizophrenic patients(0.074+/-0.039ng/ml) and those of the normal controls(0.072+/-0.030ng/ml)(p=0.925). Correlationships between the high serum S100B level with high negative symptom scores(p=0.065) or with the low positive symptom scores(p=0.080) did not exist. CONCLUSION: The relation between serum S100B level and schizophrenia was not found in the present study. However, to confirm this result, further studies, such as measurement of S100 protein level in CSF, postmortem study, long-term follow-up study, and studies with other neurotrophic proteins are needed.
Humans ; Immunoassay ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) on regeneration of facial nerve defects by autogenous facial vein conduit.

METHODSThirty-six rabbits were used in this study and 10 mm-length facial nerve defects were made on both sides of all animals. The nerve gaps were bridged using autogenous posterior facial vein graft of the same side. The animals received injection of either saline (group A, n=16) or GDNF (group B, n=16) into the veins. Nerve function was evaluated by evoking nerve action potential immediately after operation and 4, 8 and 16 weeks after operation. Regenerated nerve samples were harvested at 4, 8, and 16 weeks after operation and processed for histology and transmitting electron microscopic examination (TEM).

RESULTSAction potential did not exist immediately after operation but it was evoked at 4, 8, and 16 weeks in both groups. At 4 and 8 weeks after operation, the amplitude and width of action potential were significantly higher in group B than group A (P < 0.01), except wave width at 4 weeks, which showed no significant differences, while the latency period was significantly shorter in group B than that in group A (P < 0.01). At 16 weeks, action potential was similar between two groups, except wave amptitude, which was higher in group B than group A (P < 0.01). Morphologic and TEM examinations showed more matured myelinated nerve fibers and active Schwann's cells in group B when compared group A during the whole regeneration process.

CONCLUSIONGDNF can promote nerve regeneraat early stage during reconstruction of facial nerve defects by autogenous facial vein conduit and combination of GDNF and autogenous vein graft provides a valuable method for clinical reconstruction of facial nerve defects.

Diabetic neuropathy is a broad term that encompasses many destructive syndromes that various kinds of neuronal population is affected in diabetes mellitus. Diabetic neuropathy has been postulated to occur by diverse pathogenetic mechanisms. Recent studies suggest that the reduction of neurotrophic factors is one of the causes of diabetic neuropathy. This study was performed to identify the effect of nerve growth factor on Schwann cell in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats morphologically. Sprague-Dawley rats (weighed about 200 gm) were rendered diabetes by injection of streptozotocin (STZ 65 mg/kg) and nerve growth factor was administered for 4 weeks. The result obtained are as followed: 1. Degenerations in cytoplasmic organelles of Schwann cell of the myelinated nerve fibers in diabetic rats were identified. 2. Degenerations in cytoplasmic organelles of the Schwann cell of the unmyelinated nerve fibers in diabetic rats were identified and abnormal axons were appeared. 3. Nerve growth factor had an effect on the recovery of degeneration and it was more effective in myelinated nerve fibers. These results suggest that early administration of nerve growth factor have the effect of protection of diabetic neuropathy by morphological study.
Animals ; Axons ; Cytoplasm ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Neuropathies* ; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated ; Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated ; Nerve Growth Factor* ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Neurons ; Organelles ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Streptozocin

Previous studies have shown that the sciatic nerve has neurotrophic activity, and nerve regeneration, differentiation, and axon outgrowth can be modulated by different sciatic nerve preparations. However, numerous animals may have to be sacrificed to obtain enough sciatic nerves to make a sciatic nerve preparation. Some studies have demonstrated that the role of sciatic nerve preparations in neural differentiation depends on the neurotrophins that Schwann cells secrete, and these factors are highly conserved among different species. To reduce the use of experimental animals, in this study, we made a leachate by using the sciatic nerve of cattle and explored its effect on neuronal differentiation of rat PC12 cells (a useful model for studying neuronal differentiation). Results showed the neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells treated with the cattle sciatic nerve leachate for 3, 6, and 9 days was significantly improved, and the expressions of β3-tubulin and microtubule-associated protein 2 (two neuron-specific proteins) were increased. Moreover, the ERK1/2 signaling pathway was activated after PC12 cells were incubated with cattle sciatic nerve leachate for 9 days. Thus, a sciatic nerve leachate obtained from cattle can effectively induce neuronal differentiation of rat PC12 cells via ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Axons ; Cattle ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Nerve Regeneration ; Neurites ; Neurons ; PC12 Cells ; Rats ; Schwann Cells ; Sciatic Nerve

BACKGROUND: The effect of chronic administration of 4-methylcatechol known as a neurotrophic factor inducer on the allodynia and spinal neurotrophic factors was investigated in chronic constrictive injury of sciatic nerve in rats. METHODS: With the Sprague Dawly rat, sciatic nerve was loosely ligated with 4-0 chromic catgut and neuropathic pain model was made. The threshold for tactile allodynia was measured with von Frey hair by up-down method and cold allodynia was measured by dropping 20microliter of 100% acetone on the dorsum of the injured foot. 4-Methylcatechol (100microgram/kg, intraperitoneal) was injected once a day for 14 days and the effect on allodynia was compared with saline injected group. At 3, 7 and 14 days after injection, lumbar spinal cord was harvested and the mRNA content of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was measure by real time PCR. RESULTS: Mechanical and cold allodynia improved from 7 days after 4-methylcatechol administration. NGF and BDNF in spinal cord decreased compared to sham operated group. BDNF in lumbar spinal cord has increased tendency after treatment without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic intraperitoneal administration of 4-methylcatechol may improve tactile and cold allodynia in chronic constrictive injury rat model of neuropathic pain. The BDNF mRNA in spinal cord might increase after 4-methylcatechol treatment.
Acetone ; Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Catechols ; Catgut ; Cold Temperature ; Foot ; Hair ; Hyperalgesia ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Neuralgia ; Rats ; RNA, Messenger ; Salicylamides ; Sciatic Nerve ; Spinal Cord

PURPOSE: The expression of nerve growth factor-beta (NGF-beta) is related to cardiac nerve sprouting and sympathetic hyper innervation. We investigated the changes of plasma levels of NGF-beta and the relationship to follow-up heart rate variability (HRV) after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 147 patients with AF (117 men, 55.8+/-11.5 years, 106 paroxysmal AF) who underwent RFCA. The plasma levels of NGF-beta were quantified using double sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method before (NGF-beta(pre)) and 1 hour after RFCA (NGF-beta(post-1hr)). HRV at pre-procedure (HRV(pre)), 3 months (HRV(post-3mo)), and 1 year post-procedure (HRV(post-1yr)) were analyzed and compared with plasma levels of NGF-beta. RESULTS: 1) The plasma levels of NGF-beta significantly increased after RFCA (20.05+/-11.09 pg/mL vs. 29.60+/-19.43 pg/mL, p<0.001). The patients who did not show increased NGF-beta(post-1hr) were older (p=0.023) and had greater left atrial volume index (p=0.028) than those with increased NGF-beta(post-1hr). 2) In patients with NGF-beta(pre) >18 pg/mL, low frequency components (LF)/high-frequency components (HF) (p=0.003) and the number of atrial premature contractions (APCs, p=0.045) in HRV(post-3mo) were significantly higher than those with < or =18 pg/mL. 3) The LF/HF at HRV(post-3mo) was linearly associated with the NGF-beta(pre) (B=4.240, 95% CI 1.114-7.336, p=0.008) and the NGF-beta(post-1hr) (B=7.617, 95% CI 2.106-13.127, p=0.007). 4) Both NGF-beta(pre) (OR=1.159, 95% CI 1.045-1.286, p=0.005) and NGF-beta(post-1hr) (OR=1.098, 95% CI 1.030-1.170, p=0.004) were independent predictors for the increase of LF/HF at HRV(post-3mo). CONCLUSION: AF catheter ablation increases plasma level of NGF-beta, and high plasma levels of NGF-beta(pre) was associated with higher sympathetic nerve activity and higher frequency of APCs in HRV(post-3mo).
Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation/physiopathology/*surgery ; Catheter Ablation/*methods ; Female ; *Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/*metabolism ; Treatment Outcome

Degenerative and regnerative changes are occurred in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells after the peripheral nerve injury. This experiment aimed to study the changes of neurotrophic factors and their receptors mRNA expressions in the regenerating sensory neurons after nerve crush injury. To study the regenration process of DRG neurons, the peripheral nerve was crushed rather than transection. mRNA expression was examined by in situ hybridization with oligonucleotide probes to nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin 3 (NT-3), nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), trkA, trkB and trkC. The results are as following: 1. After the peripheral nerve crush injury, the number of NGF and BDNF mRNA containing neurons are increased for 5 weeks with peak at 1 day and 3 days, respectively. NGFR mRNA containing neurons are transiently decreased during several days after the lesion but return to normal within 1 week. 2. The number of trkA and trkB mRNA containing neurons are not altered by nerve crush. 3. NT-3 and trkC mRNA containing neurons are not observed in the control and lesioned DRG. This study provides the morphological evidences of neurotrophins and their receptors mRNAs changes in the DRG neurons in response to crush nerve injury.
Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Diagnosis-Related Groups ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; In Situ Hybridization ; Nerve Crush ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Nerve Growth Factors* ; Neurons ; Neurotrophin 3 ; Oligonucleotide Probes ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries* ; Peripheral Nerves* ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; Spinal Nerve Roots*

Peripheral nerve impairment is a common complication in surgery, clinical researchers always do nerve sutrure using microsurgical technique and adjuvant treatment to improve peripheral nerve regeneration. Western medicine used usually adjuvant drugs, such as neurotrophic factors,are limited by their defects in clinical application. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) classifies peripheral nerve impair as flaccidity Zheng and arthromyodynia, and considers that it is the result of stagnant blood block in the meridians and vessels, deficient of Qi and blood and disuse of bones and muscles. So, drugs usually have the function of invigorating vital energy, activating blood circulation and dredging collaterals. Mono-drugs include astragalus, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Astragali Radix, Epimedii Folium and so on. Extracts of TCMs have Ginkgo Folium, Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, and so on. To be ready for further study and development, TCMs which can promote the peripheral nerve regeneration were reviewed by the literatures of the latest years.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Nerve Growth Factors ; pharmacology ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Peripheral Nerves ; drug effects ; physiology

Animals ; Heart ; growth & development ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Nerve Growth Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in patients with age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Twenty eyes of 20 patients diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration who underwent intravitreal anti-VEGF injection were studied. Postinjection RNFL thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography. Average thickness, four-quadrant RNFL thicknesses, and intraocular pressure (IOP) in affected eyes were measured before and 6 and 12 months after anti-VEGF injection for comparison. RNFL thickness and IOP in affected and normal fellow eyes were also compared. Given that macular lesions can affect RNFL thickness, the changes in thickness were evaluated by dividing the 12 clock-hour RNFL into the pathologic areas adjacent to the lesion and the non-pathologic area. RESULTS: The mean clock-hour segment in the pathologic area was 4.8 hours. A significantly thicker RNFL was exhibited in temporal quadrants and pathologic areas (p = 0.043 and 0.048, respectively) in affected eyes before injection compared to the baseline RNFL thickness in normal eyes. No significant differences were found in RNFL thickness or IOP between affected and normal eyes after injection. The changes over time in the temporal and pathologic areas were statistically significant at 6 and 12 months after injection compared to baseline data (p < 0.05). No significant differences were displayed in RNFL thickness in the other three quadrants or in non-pathologic areas in either affected or normal eyes. Sequential changes in RNFL thickness in affected eyes were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Repeat intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment did not have a significant effect on RNFL thickness. RNFL thickness significantly decreased with time in the pathologic areas and in the temporal segment adjacent to exudative macular lesions. The reduction in RNFL thickness was most likely associated with changes in the macular lesion rather than with anti-VEGF injection.
Endothelial Growth Factors* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Macular Degeneration ; Nerve Fibers* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Tomography, Optical Coherence