1.Effect of Xiaoxuming Decoction on synaptic plasticity following acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats.
Xue-Qin FU ; Rui LAN ; Yong ZHANG ; Man-Man WANG ; Xu-Huan ZOU ; Wei-Wei WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(14):3882-3889
This study aims to explore the effect of Xiaoxuming Decoction on synaptic plasticity in rats with acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. A rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO). Rats were randomly assigned into a sham group, a MCAO group, and a Xiaoxuming Decoction(60 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) group. The Longa score was rated to assess the neurological function of rats with cerebral ischemia for 1.5 h and reperfusion for 24 h. The 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining were employed to observe the cerebral infarction and the pathological changes of brain tissue after cerebral ischemia, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to detect the structural changes of neurons and synapses in the ischemic penumbra, and immunofluorescence, Western blot to determine the expression of synaptophysin(SYN), neuronal nuclei(NEUN), and postsynaptic density 95(PSD95) in the ischemic penumbra. The experimental results showed that the modeling increased the Longa score and led to cerebral infarction after 24 h of ischemia-reperfusion. Compared with the model group, Xiaoxuming Decoction intervention significantly decreased the Longa score and reduced the formation of cerebral infarction area. The modeling led to the shrinking and vacuolar changes of nuclei in the brain tissue, disordered cell arrangement, and severe cortical ischemia-reperfusion injury, while the pathological damage in the Xiaoxuming Decoction group was mild. The modeling blurred the synaptic boundaries and broadened the synaptic gap, while such changes were recovered in the Xiaoxuming Decoction group. The modeling decreased the fluorescence intensity of NEUN and SYN, while the intensity in Xiaoxuming Decoction group was significantly higher than that in the model group. The expression of SYN and PSD95 in the ischemic penumbra was down-regulated in the model group, while such down-regulation can be alleviated by Xiaoxuming Decoction. In summary, Xiaoxuming Decoction may improve the synaptic plasticity of ischemic penumbra during acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by up-regulating the expression of SYN and PSD95.
Rats
;
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Brain Ischemia/drug therapy*
;
Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*
;
Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery
;
Neuronal Plasticity
;
Reperfusion
2.Endogenous FGF21 attenuates blood-brain barrier disruption in penumbra after delayed recanalization in MCAO rats through FGFR1/PI3K/Akt pathway.
Wen ZHENG ; Wenjun LI ; Yini ZENG ; Hui YUAN ; Heng YANG ; Ru CHEN ; Anding ZHU ; Jinze WU ; Zhi SONG ; Wenguang YAN
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2023;48(5):648-662
OBJECTIVES:
Restoration of blood circulation within "time window" is the principal treating goal for treating acute ischemic stroke. Previous studies revealed that delayed recanalization might cause serious ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, plenty of evidences showed delayed recanalization improved neurological outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. This study aims to explore the role of delayed recanalization on blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the penumbra (surrounding ischemic core) and neurological outcomes after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).
METHODS:
Recanalization was performed on the 3rd day after MCAO. BBB disruption was tested by Western blotting, Evans blue dye, and immunofluorescence staining. Infarct volume and neurological outcomes were evaluated on the 7th day after MCAO. The expression of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), and serine/threonine kinase (Akt) in the penumbra were observed by immunofluorescence staining and/or Western blotting.
RESULTS:
The extraversion of Evans blue, IgG, and albumin increased surrounding ischemic core after MCAO, but significantly decreased after recanalization. The expression of Claudin-5, Occludin, and zona occludens 1 (ZO-1) decreased surrounding ischemic core after MCAO, but significantly increased after recanalization. Infarct volume reduced and neurological outcomes improved following recanalization (on the 7th day after MCAO). The expressions of Claudin-5, Occludin, and ZO-1 decreased surrounding ischemic core following MCAO, which were up-regulated corresponding to the increases of FGF21, p-FGFR1, PI3K, and p-Akt after recanalization. Intra-cerebroventricular injection of FGFR1 inhibitor SU5402 down-regulated the expression of PI3K, p-Akt, Occludin, Claudin-5, and ZO-1 in the penumbra, which weakened the beneficial effects of recanalization on neurological outcomes after MCAO.
CONCLUSIONS
Delayed recanalization on the 3rd day after MCAO increases endogenous FGF21 in the penumbra and activates FGFR1/PI3K/Akt pathway, which attenuates BBB disruption in the penumbra and improves neurobehavior in MCAO rats.
Animals
;
Rats
;
Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism*
;
Brain Ischemia
;
Claudin-5/metabolism*
;
Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/metabolism*
;
Ischemic Stroke/metabolism*
;
Occludin/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/metabolism*
;
Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*
3.Forsythiaside B inhibits cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative stress injury in mice via the AMPK/DAF-16/FOXO3 pathway.
Xing CHEN ; Kai Fang WANG ; De Hai CHU ; Yu ZHU ; Wen Bing ZHANG ; Hui Ping CAO ; Wen Yu XIE ; Chuan Hao LU ; Xia LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2023;43(2):199-205
OBJECTIVE:
To study the protective effect of forsythiaside B (FB) against cerebral oxidative stress injury induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in mice and explore the underlying mechanism.
METHODS:
Ninety C57BL/6 mice were randomized into sham-operated group, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model group, and low-, medium and highdose (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, respectively) FB groups. The expression levels of MDA, ROS, PCO, 8-OHdG, SOD, GSTα4, CAT and GPx in the brain tissue of the mice were detected using commercial kits, and those of AMPK, P-AMPK, DAF-16, FOXO3 and P-FOXO3 were detected with Western blotting. Compound C (CC), an AMPK inhibitor, was used to verify the role of the AMPK pathway in mediating the therapeutic effect of FB. In another 36 C57BL/6 mice randomized into 4 sham-operated group, MCAO model group, FB (40 mg/kg) treatment group, FB+CC (10 mg/kg) treatment group, TTC staining was used to examine the volume of cerebral infarcts, and the levels of ROS and SOD in the brain were detected; the changes in the protein expressions of AMPK, P-AMPK, DAF-16, FOXO3 and P-FOXO3 in the brain tissue were detected using Western blotting.
RESULTS:
In mice with cerebral IR injury, treatment with FB significantly reduced the levels of ROS, MDA, PCO and 8-OHdG, increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, GSTα4, CAT and GPx, and enhanced phosphorylation of AMPK and FOXO3 and DAF-16 protein expression in the brain tissue (P < 0.01). Compared with FB treatment alone, the combined treatment with FB and CC significantly reduced phosphorylation of AMPK and FOXO3, lowered expression of DAF-16 and SOD activity, and increased cerebral infarction volume and ROS level in the brain tissue of the mice (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION
FB inhibits oxidative stress injury caused by cerebral I/R in mice possibly by enhancing AMPK phosphorylation, promoting the downstream DAF-16 protein expression and FOXO3 phosphorylation, increasing the expression of antioxidant enzymes, and reducing ROS level in the brain tissue.
Mice
;
Animals
;
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
Antioxidants/metabolism*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Brain Ischemia
;
Oxidative Stress
;
Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery
;
Reperfusion Injury
;
Reperfusion
;
Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*
4.Soybean isoflavones alleviate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammatory cascade reaction.
Shai LI ; Li LI ; Si Min MIN ; Sai Sai LIU ; Zhi Wen QIN ; Zhi Shang XIONG ; Jian Guo XU ; Bo Wen WANG ; Du Shan DING ; Shi Di ZHAO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2023;43(2):323-330
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanism that mediates the effect of soybean isoflavones (SI) against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in light of the regulation of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), ferroptosis, inflammatory response and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability.
METHODS:
A total of 120 male SD rats were equally randomized into sham-operated group (Sham group), cerebral I/R injury group and SI pretreatment group (SI group). Focal cerebral I/R injury was induced in the latter two groups using a modified monofilament occlusion technique, and the intraoperative changes of real-time cerebral cortex blood flow were monitored using a laser Doppler flowmeter (LDF). The postoperative changes of cerebral pathological morphology and the ultrastructure of the neurons and the BBB were observed with optical and transmission electron microscopy. The neurological deficits of the rats was assessed, and the severities of cerebral infarction, brain edema and BBB disruption were quantified. The contents of Fe2+, GSH, MDA and MPO in the ischemic penumbra were determined with spectrophotometric tests. Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1βwere analyzed using ELISA, and the expressions of GPX4, MMP-9 and occludin around the lesion were detected with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS:
The rCBF was sharply reduced in the rats in I/R group and SI group after successful insertion of the monofilament. Compared with those in Sham group, the rats in I/R group showed significantly increased neurological deficit scores, cerebral infarction volume, brain water content and Evans blue permeability (P < 0.01), decreased Fe2+ level, increased MDA level, decreased GSH content and GPX4 expression (P < 0.01), increased MPO content and serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β (P < 0.01), increased MMP-9 expression and lowered occludin expression (P < 0.01). All these changes were significantly ameliorated in rats pretreated with IS prior to I/R injury (P < 0.05 or 0.01).
CONCLUSION
SI preconditioning reduces cerebral I/R injury in rats possibly by improving rCBF, inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammatory response and protecting the BBB.
Rats
;
Male
;
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism*
;
Soybeans/metabolism*
;
Occludin/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
;
Ferroptosis
;
Blood-Brain Barrier/ultrastructure*
;
Brain Ischemia/metabolism*
;
Cerebral Infarction
;
Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*
;
Isoflavones/therapeutic use*
;
Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery
5.Chrysin alleviates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting ferroptosis in rats.
Jin-Feng SHANG ; Jia-Kang JIAO ; Qian-Nan LI ; Ying-Hui LU ; Jing-Yi WANG ; Ming-Xue YAN ; Yin-Lian WEN ; Gui-Jin-Feng HUANG ; Xiao-Lu ZHANG ; Xin LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(6):1597-1605
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether chrysin reduces cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI) by inhi-biting ferroptosis in rats. Male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group, a model group, high-, medium-, and low-dose chrysin groups(200, 100, and 50 mg·kg~(-1)), and a positive drug group(Ginaton, 21.6 mg·kg~(-1)). The CIRI model was induced in rats by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion(tMCAO). The indexes were evaluated and the samples were taken 24 h after the operation. The neurological deficit score was used to detect neurological function. The 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining was used to detect the cerebral infarction area. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological structure of brain tissues. Prussian blue staining was used to observe the iron accumulation in the brain. Total iron, lipid pero-xide, and malondialdehyde in serum and brain tissues were detected by biochemical reagents. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR), immunohistochemistry, and Western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of solute carrier fa-mily 7 member 11(SLC7A11), transferrin receptor 1(TFR1), glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4), and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2) in brain tissues. Compared with the model group, the groups with drug intervention showed restored neurological function, decreased cerebral infarction rate, and alleviated pathological changes. The low-dose chrysin group was selected as the optimal dosing group. Compared with the model group, the chrysin groups showed reduced content of total iron, lipid peroxide, and malondialdehyde in brain tissues and serum, increased mRNA and protein expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4, and decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of TFR1, PTGS2, and ACSL4. Chrysin may regulate iron metabolism via regulating the related targets of ferroptosis and inhibit neuronal ferroptosis induced by CIRI.
Rats
;
Male
;
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Ferroptosis
;
Signal Transduction
;
Brain Ischemia/metabolism*
;
Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism*
;
RNA, Messenger
;
Cerebral Infarction
;
Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*
;
Malondialdehyde
;
Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery
6.Effect of Xiaoxuming Decoction on activation of astrocytes in acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Xue-Qin FU ; Man-Man WANG ; Rui LAN ; Yong ZHANG ; Xu-Huan ZOU ; Wei-Wei WANG ; Chen TANG ; Shuang LIU ; Hong-Yu LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(21):5830-5837
This study investigated the effect of Xiaoxuming Decoction(XXMD) on the activation of astrocytes after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) injury. The model of cerebral IR injury was established using the middle cerebral artery occlusion method. Fluorocitrate(FC), an inhibitor of astrocyte activation, was applied to inhibit astrocyte activation. Rats were randomly divided into a sham group, a model group, a XXMD group, a XXMD+FC group, and a XXMD+Vehicle group. Neurobehavioral changes at 24 hours after cerebral IR injury, cerebral infarction, histopathological changes observed through HE staining, submicroscopic structure of astrocytes observed through transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence intensity of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and thrombospondin 1(TSP1) measured through immunofluorescence, and expression of GFAP and TSP1 in brain tissue measured through Western blot were evaluated in rats from each group. The experimental results showed that neurobehavioral scores and cerebral infarct area significantly increased in the model group. The XXMD group, the XXMD+FC group, and the XXMD+Vehicle group all alleviated neurobehavioral changes in rats. The pathological changes in the brain were evident in the model group, while the XXMD group, the XXMD+FC group, and the XXMD+Vehicle group exhibited milder cerebral IR injury in rats. The submicroscopic structure of astrocytes in the model group showed significant swelling, whereas the XXMD group, the XXMD+FC group, and XXMD+Vehicle group protected the submicroscopic structure of astrocytes. The fluorescence intensity and protein expression of GFAP and TSP1 increased in the model group compared with those in the sham group. However, the XXMD group, the XXMD+FC group, and XXMD+Vehicle group all down-regulated the expression of GFAP and TSP1. The combination of XXMD and FC showed a more pronounced effect. These results indicate that XXMD can improve cerebral IR injury, possibly by inhibiting astrocyte activation and down-regulating the expression of GFAP and TSP1.
Rats
;
Animals
;
Astrocytes
;
Brain Ischemia/metabolism*
;
Brain
;
Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*
;
Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery
7.Acacetin protects rats from cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
Lan-Ming LIN ; Zheng-Yu SONG ; Jin HU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(22):6107-6114
This study aims to investigate the mechanism of acacetin in protecting rats from cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury via the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway. Wistar rats were randomized into sham, model, low-and high-dose acacetin, and nimodipine groups, with 10 rats in each group. The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) was established with the improved suture method in other groups except the sham group. The neurological deficit score and cerebral infarction volume of each group were evaluated 24 h after modeling. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), malondialdehyde(MDA), supe-roxide dismutase(SOD), and glutathione(GSH). Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of B-cell lymphonoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), and TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway-related proteins(TLR4, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, NLRP3, pro-caspase-1, cleaved caspase-1, pro-IL-1β, and cleaved IL-1β) in the rat brain tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was employed to reveal the histopathological changes in the ischemic area. Compared with the sham group, the modeling of MCAO increased the neurological deficit score and cerebral infarction volume, elevated the IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA levels and lowered the SOD and GSH levels in the brain tissue(P<0.05). Compared with the MCAO model group, low-and high-dose acacetin and nimodipine decreased the neurological deficit score and cerebral infarction volume, lowered the IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA levels and elevated the SOD and GSH levels in the brain tissue(P<0.05). Compared with the sham group, the model group showed up-regulated protein levels of Bax, TLR4, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, NLRP3, pro-caspase-1, cleaved caspase-1, pro-IL-1β, and cleaved IL-1β and down-regulated protein level of Bcl-2 in the brain tissue(P<0.05). Compared with the MCAO model group, the acacetin and nimodipine groups showed down-regulated protein levels of Bax, TLR4, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, NLRP3, pro-caspase-1, cleaved caspase-1, pro-IL-1β, and cleaved IL-1β and up-regulated protein level of Bcl-2 in the brain tissue(P<0.05). In conclusion, acacetin regulates the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway to inhibit neuroinflammatory response and oxidative stress, thus exerting the protective effect on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.
Rats
;
Animals
;
NF-kappa B/metabolism*
;
bcl-2-Associated X Protein
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Caspase 1/metabolism*
;
Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism*
;
Nimodipine/pharmacology*
;
Interleukin-6
;
Rats, Wistar
;
Signal Transduction
;
Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery
;
Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control*
;
Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*
8.Exploration of mechanism of "simultaneous treatment of brain and heart" of Naoxintong Capsules based on Toll-like receptor signaling pathway.
Qian-Nan LI ; Jin-Feng SHANG ; Ting-Yue JIANG ; Lei BI ; Jia-Kang JIAO ; Ying-Hui LU ; Qi SONG ; Shabuer-Jiang LIZHA ; Xin LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2022;47(15):4110-4118
This study aims to explore the mechanism of "simultaneous treatment of the brain and the heart" of Naoxintong Capsules(NXT) under cerebral ischemia based on Toll-like receptor(TLR) signaling pathway.Male SD rats were randomized into sham operation group, model group, NXT group, and positive drug group.Middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) model rats were used in model group, NXT group, and positive drug group, respectively.Neurological function was scored with the Bederson scale, and brain infarct rate was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining.Brain edema was detected with wet-dry weight method.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL) staining were used to observe and count apoptotic cardiocytes.In addition, serum myocardial enzymes were measured.The expression of 8 TLR signaling pathway-related proteins interferon-α(IFN-α), interferon regulatory factor-3(IRF3), interferon regulatory factor-7(IRF7), TLR2, TLR4, TLR7, TLR9, and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in the cerebral cortex and heart of rats was detected by Western blot. Brain infarct rate, neurological function score, and brain water content in NXT group decreased significantly compared with those in the model group. At the same time, the reduction in apoptosis rate of cardiocytes and the content of serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), creatine kinase(CK), and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) were decreased in the NXT group.Systems pharmacological results and previous research showed that TLR signaling pathway played an important role in immune inflammatory response.The study of TLR signaling pathway and related proteins is helpful to elucidate the mechanism of "simultaneous treatment of the brain and the heart". Western blot results showed that NXT significantly inhibited the expression of IRF3, IRF7, TLR2, TLR7, and TNF-α in cerebral cortex and heart under cerebral ischemia.Cerebral ischemia influences cardiac functions, and TLR signaling pathway is one of the pathways for "simultaneous treatment of the brain and the heart" of NXT.
Animals
;
Brain/metabolism*
;
Brain Ischemia/metabolism*
;
Capsules
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
;
Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/drug therapy*
;
Male
;
Myocytes, Cardiac
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Signal Transduction
;
Toll-Like Receptor 2/metabolism*
;
Toll-Like Receptor 7/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
9.Effect of ethanol extract of Gastrodiae Rhizoma on mitochondrial dysfunction in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Yuan LUO ; Pu CHEN ; Li-Ping YANG ; Xiao-Hua DUAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2022;47(20):5564-5573
This study observed the effects of ethanol extract of Gastrodiae Rhizoma(GE) on multiple aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction by investigating the mitochondria isolated from rat brains subjected to focal middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R). SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group(Sham), a model group(MCAO/R), low-and high-dose ethanol extract of GE groups(262.3 and 524.6 mg·kg~(-1)), and a nimodipine group(Nim, 15 mg·kg~(-1)). After continuous intragastric administration for 7 days, the MCAO/R model was induced in rats by the suture method. The neurological function and percentage of cerebral infarction volume were measured 24 h after reperfusion, and mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed under an electron microscope. Mitochondria were separated by gradient centrifugation and detected for reactive oxygen species(ROS), malondialdehyde(MDA), respiratory chain enzyme complex Ⅰ-Ⅳ activity, mitochondrial permeability transition pore(mPTP), mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP), and mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate(ATP) content. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the expression of cytochrome C(Cyt C) in different sites. TUNEL staining was used to observe the apoptosis of brain tissues in each group, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax) in brain tissues. The experimental results revealed that compared with the Sham group, the MCAO/R group showed evident neurological dysfunction and cerebral infarction(P<0.01) accompanied by mitochondrial swelling and crest disappearance, increased ROS level and MDA content, inhibited activity of respiratory chain enzyme complex Ⅰ-Ⅳ, abnormal opening of mPTP, and reduced MMP and mitochondrial ATP(P<0.01). Besides, many Cyt C was released from mitochondria into the cytoplasm to induce apoptosis(P<0.01). The ethanol extract of GE positively affected the behavior deficit and mitochondrial health of MCAO/R rats, with the manifestations of decreased production of ROS and MDA(P<0.01), potentiated activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme complex Ⅰ-Ⅳ, and restored the level of mPTP(P<0.05). In addition, the ethanol extract of GE reduced the loss of MMP and the escape of Cyt C to the cytoplasm(P<0.05), reduced the number of TUNEL positive cells(P<0.01) accompanied by the decrease in Bax and the up-regulation of Bcl-2(P<0.01), and increased the level of ATP(P<0.01). In conclusion, GE ethanol extract has a protective effect against MCAO/R-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of oxidative stress, maintenance of functional morphology of mitochondria, and inhibition of endogenous apoptosis.
Animals
;
Rats
;
bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Ethanol
;
1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/pharmacology*
;
Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*
;
Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery
;
Mitochondria
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism*
;
Apoptosis
;
Cytochromes c/metabolism*
;
Adenosine Triphosphate/pharmacology*
10.Echinacoside Alleviates Cognitive Impairment in Cerebral Ischemia Rats through α 7nAChR-Induced Autophagy.
Ling DING ; Hong YE ; Long-Dian GU ; An-Qing DU ; Xin-Lu YUAN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2022;28(9):809-816
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the effect of echinacoside (ECH) on cognitive dysfunction in post cerebral stroke model rats.
METHODS:
The post stroke cognitive impairment rat model was created by occlusion of the transient middle cerebral artery (MCAO). The rats were randomly divided into 3 groups by a random number table: the sham group (sham operation), the MCAO group (received operation for focal cerebral ischemia), and the ECH group (received operation for focal cerebral ischemia and ECH 50 mg/kg per day), with 6 rats in each group. The infarct volume and spatial learning were evaluated by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining and Morris water maze. The expression of α7nAChR in the hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry. The contents of acetylcholine (ACh), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), activities of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and catalase (CAT) were evaluated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The neural apoptosis and autophagy were determined by TUNEL staining and LC3 staining, respectively.
RESULTS:
ECH significantly lessened the brain infarct volume and ameliorated neurological deficit in infarct volume and water content (both P<0.01). Compared with MCAO rats, administration of ECH revealed shorter escape latency and long retention time at 7, 14 and 28 days (all P<0.01), increased the α7nAChR protein expression, ACh content, and ChAT activity, and decreased AChE activity in MCAO rats (all P<0.01). ECH significantly decreased MDA content and increased the GSH content, SOD, and CAT activities compared with MCAO rats (all P<0.05). ECH suppressed neuronal apoptosis by reducing TUNEL-positive cells and also enhanced autophagy in MCAO rats (all P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
ECH treatment helped improve cognitive impairment by attenuating neurological damage and enhancing autophagy in MCAO rats.
Acetylcholinesterase
;
Animals
;
Autophagy
;
Brain Ischemia/metabolism*
;
Cerebral Infarction
;
Cognitive Dysfunction/drug therapy*
;
Glutathione/metabolism*
;
Glycosides
;
Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/drug therapy*
;
Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use*
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Reperfusion Injury/drug therapy*
;
Stroke/drug therapy*
;
Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*
;
alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

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