The infiltrating macrophages selectively invade into infarcted cerebral tissue for mediating gene therapy is a problem worthy of exploration. The article reviews macrophages and gene therapy, the theoretical basis of application of macrophages in gene therapy for cerebral infarction and the problems that have to be solved.

BACKGROUND: Olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation can promote the recovery of neurological function in rats with cerebral infarction, while the migratory pattern of transplanted OECs and the relationship between OECs migrated to various encephalic regions and plasticity upregulation and recovery of neurological function of the encephalic region are still unknown.OBJECTIVE: To observe the migratory pattern and therapeutic value of OEC transplantation in rats with cortical cerebral infarction.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Randomized, controlled, cell transplantation observation experiment was conducted between June 2002 and January 2004 at the Laboratory of Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yet-San University and Animal Experimental Center of SUN YET-SEN University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.MATERIALS: Sprague-Dowley rats, 2.5-month-old, were used for olfactory ensheathing cell culture. 150 Sprague-Dowley rats,60-90 days, were used to replicate stroke-prone reuovascular hypertensive rat model using two-kidney two-clip method.METHODS: We purified OECs with differential time adherent method and labeled OECs with Hoechst 33342 before transplantation. Seventy stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rats were used to prepare middle cerebral artery occlusion model.model rats were randomly allocated to 3 groups to receive OEC transplantation: peri-mfarct cortex transplantation group,contralateral cortex transplantation group and bilateral transplantation group.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The recovery of motor and sensory function was observed at 2 weeks and 6 weeks after transplantation with behavior and sensory function examination; the survival and distribution conditions of transplanted ceils were observed under the fluorescence microscope.RESULTS: The recovery condition of motor and sensory function of rats in bilateral transplantation group was obviously better than that of rats in peri-infarct cortex transplantation group and contralateral cortex transplantation group (P ＜ 0.01), nerve fiber number and positive signal value of growth associated protein-43 in the marginal zone of cerebral infarction were also more than that in peri-infarct cortex transplantation group and contralateral cortex transplantation group. Transplanted cells in peri-infarct cortex transplantation group migrated to infarct and contralateral cortex along corpus callosum, transplanted cells in contralateral cortex transplantation group migrated to midline and infarct cortex along corpus callosum, transplanted ceils in bilateral transplantation group migrated along corpus callosum and could be seen in bilateral cortices while more in infarct cortex.CONCLUSION: Transplanted OECs can survive for a long time period, and these cells not only confine to injection point but also can migrate to infarct and contralateral cortex along corpus caliosum to promote the recovery of neurological function of rats with cerebral infarction, the effect is more significant in bilateral transplantation.

Objective To confirm the protective effect of berberine (BBR) on cold ischemia reperfusion (I/R)-induced liver injury and to show whether the hepatic protection conferred by BBR involves the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) / protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signal pathway.Method Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned randomly to four groups:BBR group (BBR was intragastrically administered at a dose of 100 mg·kg-1 · d-1 2 weeks before hepatic cold I/R treatment),dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group (BBR was replaced by DMSO,and others were the same as BBR group),I/R group (BBR was replaced by normal saline,and others were the same as BBR group) and sham group (normal saline was administered 2 weeks before opening and closing abdomen treatment).Then the rats were sacrificed at 3,6,and 24 h after reperfusion.The liver function,oxidative stress level,apoptosis rate,and the expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR related pathway proteins were assayed.Result As compared with sham group,the I/R-induced liver tissue displayed severe lobular distortion with widespread necrosis,high level of oxidative stress and apoptosis rate.As compared with I/R group,BBR dramatically attenuated the histopathologic damage,restored the liver function and decreased the oxidative stress level.Simultaneously,BBR significantly ameliorated the apoptosis by decreasing the apoptosis rate,increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and inhibiting caspase-3 activity in rats subjected to hepatic I/R.The expression of p-Akt was effectively upregulated with the inhibited expression of p-mTOR.Conclusion Our result provides robust in vivo evidence that BBR can prevent I/R-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis.The mechanisms involved can be attributed to the activation of P]3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway.

Objective To evaluate the role of silent information regulator fac tor 2-related enzyme 1 (SIRT1)/Forkhead Box O3 (FoxO3a) signaling pathway in berberine pretreatment-induced reduction of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-caused injury to hepatic parenchymnal cells.Methods Hepatic parenchymal cells obtained from AML12 mice were cultured and seeded in 6-well plates (2 ml/well) and in 96-well plates (200 μl/well) at the density of l×l06 cells/ml.The cells were divided into 4 groups (n=36 each)using a randomn number table:control group (group C),group H/R,berberine pretreatment group (group BP) and SIRT1-siRNA group (group SS).The cells were cultured in normal culture atmosphere (5％ CO2-21％ O2-74％ N2) in group C.In H/R,BP and SS groups,the cells were exposed to hypoxic air (5％ CO2-1％ O2-94％ N2) for 12 h,followed by 6 h reoxygenation in normal culture atmosphere (5％ CO2-21％ O2-74％ N2).In group SS,small interference RNA targeting SIRT1 (SIRT1-siRNA) was added to the culture medium at 24 h prior to hypoxia.Berberine (final concentration 5 μmol/L) was added at 2 h prior to hypoxia in BP and SS groups.At the end of reoxygenation,the cell viability was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay,the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,the expression of SIRT1 and FoxO3α was detected by Western blot,and the acetylation of FoxO3α was measnred by using immunoprecipitation.Apoptotic rate was calculated.Results Compared with group C,the cell viability was significantly decreased,the MDA content was increased,the SOD activity was decreased,apoptotic rate was increased,the expression of SIRT1 and ratio of FoxO3α expression in nucleus/in cytoplasma were increased,and the acetylation of FoxO3α in the nucleus was increased in H/ R,BP and SS groups (P＜ 0.05).Compared with group H/R,the cell viability was significantly increased,the MDA content was decreased,the SOD activity was increased,apoptotic rate was decreased,the expression of SIRT1 and ratio of FoxO3α expression in nucleus/in cytoplasma were increased,and the acetylation of FoxO3α in the nucleus was increased in group BP (P＜0.05).Compared with group BP,the cell viability was significantly decreased,the MDA content was increased,the SOD activity was decreased,apoptotic rate was increased,the expression of SIRT1 and ratio of FoxO3α expression in nucleus/in cytoplasma were decreased,and the acetylation of FoxO3α in the nucleus was decreased in group SS (P＜O.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which berberine pretreatment attenuates H/R-caused injury to hepatic parenchymal cells is related to promotion of SIRT1 expression in cells and inhibition of FoxO3α acetylation in the nucleus.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on myocardial injury in pediatric patients undergoing living-related liver transplantation. Methods Fifty-eight pediatric patients of both sexes,aged 5-20 months,weighing 4.5-15.0kg,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅲ or Ⅳ,scheduled for elective living-related liver transplantation,were divided into 2 groups(n=29 each)using a random number table:control group(group C)and dexmedetomidine group(group D).In group D,dexmedetomidine was intravenously infused at a dose of 0.5 μg/kg over 10min starting from the time point immediately before skin incision,followed by an infusion of 0.8 μg·kg-1·h-1 until the end of surgery. The equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group C. Immediately before skin incision(baseline,T0),at 10min of anhepatic phase(T1),at 30min of neohepatic phase(T2)and at the end of surgery(T3),blood samples were obtained from the central vein for determination of serum cardiac troponin I(cTnI),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase(α-HBDH),interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-10 concentrations. The changing rate of serum cTnI concentrations were calculated at T2. The occurrence of myocardial ischemia and ventricular premature beat and requirement for dopamine were recorded during surgery. Results Compared with the baseline at T0,the serum concentrations of cTnI,LDH and α-HBDH were significantly increased at T2,3,and the serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 were increased at T1-3 in both groups(P<0.05).Compared with group C,the serum concentrations of cTnI,LDH,α-HBDH and IL-6 were significantly decreased at T2,3,the serum concentration of IL-10 was increased at T1-3,the changing rate of serum cTnI concentrations was decreased(P<0.05),and no significant change was found in the incidence of myocardial ischemia and ventricular premature beat and requirement for dopamine in group D(P>0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can attenuate the myocardial injury to some extent in pediatric patients undergoing living-related liver transplantation.

Objective To investigate the effect of berberine pretreatment on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced apoptosis in human renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods The human renal tubular epithelial cells were cultured and seeded in culture dishes (2 ml/dish) or 96-well plates (200 μl/well) with the density of 1 ×106/ml.The cells were then randomly divided into 4 groups (n =30 each):normal control group (group C),berberine group (group B),H/R group and H/R + berberine group (H/R + B group).In groups B and H/R + B,berberine 10 μmol/L was added to the culture medium and the cells were incubated for 2 h.Groups H/R and H/R + B were then exposed to 94％ N2-5％ CO2-1％ O2 for 24 h followed by 3 h reoxygenation.The cell viability,apoptotic rate and level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected.The expression of caspase-3,activated caspase-3,cytochrome c,glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) was determined.The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was calculated.Results Compared with group C,the cell viability,SOD activity and caspase-3 expression were significantly decreased,the apoptotic rate,Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and concentration of MDA were increased,and the expression of activated caspase-3,cytochrome c,GRP78 and CHOP was up-regulated in groups H/R and H/R + B (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group H/R,the cell viability,SOD activity and caspase-3 expression were significantly increased,the apoptotic rate,Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and concentration of MDA were decreased,and the expression of activated caspase-3,cytochrome c,GRP78 and CHOP was down-regulated in group H/R + B (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Berberine pretreatment can inhibit H/R-induced apoptosis in human renal tubular epithelial cells,and inhibition of mitochondrial stress pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway is involved in the mechanism.

Objective To investigate the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) / heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway in reduction of acute kidney injury following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) by hydrogen-rich saline in rats.Methods Thirty-two healthy adult male SpragueDawley rats,weighing 220-250 g,were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group),OLT group,hydrogen-rich saline group (HS group),and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) group.Laparotomy was performed,and the related blood vessels were isolated in group S.The model of orthotopic autologous liver transplantation was established in OLT,HS and ATRA groups.Normal saline and hydrogen-rich saline 6 ml/kg were injected through the inferior vena cava at 5 min before the portal vein was clamped in OLT and HS groups,respectively.In group ATRA,Nrf2 inhibitor ATRA 7 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally once a day for 2 consecutive days,the model of orthotopic autologous liver transplantation was established at 16 h after the last injection of ATRA,and the other treatments were similar to those previously described in group HS.At 6 h of reperfusion,blood samples were collected for determination of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN),creatinine (Cr),interleukin10 (1L-10) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations.After blood sampling,the lungs were removed for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content,superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity,expression of HO-1,Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA (by using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction),and HO-1 protein expression in lung tissues (by Western blot) and for microscopic examination.The damage to the renal tubules was scored.Results Compared with group S,the serum BUN,Cr and TNF-α concentrations were significantly increased,the serum IL-10 concentrations were decreased,the MDA content and renal tubular damage score were increased,the SOD activity was decreased,and the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA,and Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA was up-regulated in group OLT (P＜ 0.05).Compared with group OLT,the serum BUN,Cr and TNF-α concentrations were significantly decreased,the serum IL-10 concentrations were increased,the MDA content and renal tubular damage score were decreased,the SOD activity was increased,the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA and Bcl-2 mR-NA was up-regulated,and the expression of Bax mRNA was down-regulated in group HS (P＜0.05).Compared with group HS,the serum BUN,Cr and TNF-α concentrations were significantly increased,the serum IL-10 concentrations were decreased,the MDA content and renal tubular damage score were increased,the SOD activity was decreased,the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA and Bcl-2 mRNA was down-regulated,and the expression of Bax mRNA was up-regulated in group ATRA (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which hydrogen-rich saline reduces acute kidney injury following OLT is probably associated with activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in rats.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the "prominent laterality of the posterior cerebral artery (PLPCA)" found on magnetic resonance angiography (MCA) and the size and distribution of cerebral infarction and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)scores in patients with occlusion of the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA).Methods Fifty patients with acute cerebral infarction caused by the occlusion of the M1 segment of MCA were divided into PLPCA positive group (n =24) and PLPCA negative group (n =26) according to MRA manifestation.the NIHSS scores,size of cerebral infarction scores,and constituent ratios of distribution in all the feeding subregions of MCA in both groups were compared.Results The proportions of the patients with ≥3 risk factors (9/24 vs.18/26,P =0.046),NIHSS scores (5.4 4.4 vs.10.4 ±4.9,t = -3.690,P =0.001),and the size of cerebral infarction scores (1.92 ± 1.10vs.2.88 ± 1.37,t = -3.690,P =0.001) in the PLPCA positive group were significantly lower than those in the PLPCA negative group.The proportions of the patients with cerebral infarction involying the middle branch of the MCA territory (6/24 vs.19/26,P =0.002) and the posterior branch of the MCA territory (2/24 vs.5/26,P ＜0.001) in the PLPCA positive group were significantly lower than those in the PLPCA negative group.The proportions of the patients whose infarction involving the area of the posterior watershed zone were significantly higher than those in the PLPCA negative group (6/24 vs.1/26,P =0.045),and the proportions of complete infarction were significantly lower than those in the PLPCA negative group (0/24 vs.6/26,P =0.023).Conclusions When MCA M1segment was occluded,if PLPCA were observed on MRA,it indicated that the infarct size was smaller and the NIHSS score was lower.The infarction was less involved in the middle and post branches of MCA,and it is prone to have posterior watershed infarction.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on kidney injury induced by liver ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Twenty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 220-250 g,aged 8-10 weeks,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=8 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S);liver I/R group (group I/R);dexmedetomidine group (group D).In group I/R,liver I/R model was established by clamping the portal vein,hepatic artery,supra-and infra-hepatic vena cava for 40 min,followed by 6 h of reperfusion in anesthetized rats.In group D,dexmedetomidine 100 μg/kg was injected intraperitoneally at 30 min before skin incision.The equal volume of normal saline was given instead of dexmedetomidine in S and I/R groups.At 6 h of reperfusion,blood samples were collected from the infra-hepatic vena cava for determination of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations (by automatic biochemical analyzer) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentrations in serum (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).After blood sampling,the rats were sacrificed,and kidneys were harvested for examination of histopathological changes (with light microscope) and for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content (using thiobarbituric acid method) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (by xanthine oxidase method),expression of activated caspase-3 (by immuno-histochemistry),and apoptotic cells (using TUNEL).Apoptotic rate was calculated.Results Compared with group S,the serum BUN,Cr and TNF-α concentrations were significantly increased,the concentration of serum IL-10 was decreased,the MDA content and apoptotic rate were increased,the SOD activity was decreased,and the expression of activated caspase-3 was up-regulated in I/R and D groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group I/R,the serum BUN,Cr and TNF-α concentrations were significantly decreased,the concentration of serum IL-10 was increased,MDA content and apoptotic rate were increased,the SOD activity was decreased,the expression of activated caspase-3 was down-regulated (P＜0.05),and the histopathological changes of renal tissues were attenuated in group D.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can reduce kidney injury induced by liver I/R in rats,and the mechanism is probably related to inhibition of inflammatory responses,lipid peroxidation and cell apoptosis.

Objective To evaluate the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway in attenuation of ischemia injury by hydrogen-rich University of Wisconsin (HRUW) solution during cold storage of rat donor kidneys.Methods Forty healthy adult male Wistar rats,weighing 200-250 g,were divided into 4 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),University of Wisconsin (UW) solution group (group UW),HRUW solution group (group HRUW) and Nrf2 inhibitor all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) group (group ATRA).ATRA 7 mg/kg was intraperitioneally injected once a day for 2 consecutive days,kidneys were isolated and underwent cold storage at 8 h after the last administration,and kidneys were stored in HRUW solution for 48 h at 4 ℃C in group ATRA.In UW and HRUW groups,the equal volume of normal saline was intraperitioneally injected instead,and isolated kidneys were stored in UW solution and HRUW solution for 48 h at 4 ℃C,respectively.Kidney specimens were obtained for microscopic examination and for determination of tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-α),interleukin-lbeta (IL-1β3),high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1),IL-10 and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) contents (by enzyme-linked immunosorlbent assay),superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities (using spectrophotometry),and expression of Nrf2,heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1),Bcl-2,Bax and caspase-3 in renal tissues (by using Western blot).The damage to the renal tubules was scored.Results Compared with group C,renal tubular damage scores were signifieantly increased,TNF-α,IL-1β,HMGB1 and 8-iso-PGF2α contents were increased,IL-10 contents were decreased,the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was up-regulated,SOD and CAT activities were decreased,the expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated,and the expression of Bax and caspase-3 was upregulated in group UW (P＜0.05 or 0.01).Compared w,ith group UW,renal tubular damage scores were significantly decreased,TNF-α,IL-1β,HMGB1 and 8-iso-PGF2α contents were decreased,IL-10 contents were increased,the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was up-regulated,SOD and CAT activities were increased,the expression of Bcl-2 was up-regulated,and the expression of Bax and caspase-3 was down-regulated in group HRUW,and the expression of Nrf2 and Bcl-2 was up-regulated (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the other parameters in group ATRA (P＞0.05).Compared witb group HRUW,renal tubular damage seores were significantly increased,TNF-α,IL-1β,HMGB1 and 8-iso-PGF2α contents were increased,IL-10 contents were decreased,the expression of HO-1 and Bcl-2 was down-regulated,SOD and CAT activities were decreased,and the expression of Bax and caspase-3 was up-regulated in group ATRA.Conclusion HRUW solution reduces inflammatory responses,oxidative damage and cell apoptosis during cold storage of rat donor kidneys,and the mechanism by which HRUW solution attenuates ischemia injury is related to activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.