Intraventricular brain-derived neurotrophic factor reduces infarct size after focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), acting through the high-affinity receptor tyrosine kinase (TrkB), is widely distributed throughout the central nervous system and displays in vitro trophic effects on a wide range of neuronal cells, including hippocampal, cerebellar, and cortical neurons. In vivo, BDNF rescues motorneurons, hippocampal, and substantia nigral dopaminergic cells from traumatic and toxic brain injury. After transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), upregulation of BDNF-mRNA in cortical neurons suggests that BDNF potentially plays a neuroprotective role in focal cerebral ischemia. In the current study, BDNF (2.1 micrograms/d) in vehicle or vehicle alone (controls) was delivered intraventricularly for 8 days, beginning 24 hours before permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion by intraluminal suture in Wistar rats (n = 13 per group). There were no differences in physiological variables recorded during surgery for the two groups. Neurological deficit (0 to 4 scale), which was assessed on a daily basis, improved in BDNF-treated animals compared with controls (P < 0.05; analysis of variance and Scheffe's test). There were no significant differences in weight in BDNF-treated animals and controls during the experiment. After elective killing on day 7 after MCAO, brains underwent 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining for calculation of the infarct volume and for histology (hematoxylin and eosin and glial fibrillary acid protein). The mean total infarct volume was 83.1 +/- 27.1 mm3 in BDNF-treated animals and 139.2 +/- 56.4 mm3 in controls (mean +/- SD; P < 0.01, unpaired, two-tailed t-test). The cortical infarct volume was 10.8 +/- 7.1 mm3 in BDNF-treated animals and 37.9 +/- 19.8 mm3 in controls (mean +/- SD; P < 0.05; unpaired, two-tailed t-test), whereas ischemic lesion volume in caudoputaminal infarction was not significantly different. These results show that pretreatment with intraventricular BDNF reduces infarct size after focal cerebral ischemia in rats and support the hypothesis of a neuroprotective role for BDNF in stoke.     

Pretreatment with intravenous FGF-13 reduces infarct volume and ameliorates neurological deficits following focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Oocyte growth within the follicle is preponderantly due to the accumulation of hepatically derived yolk protein (vitellogenin, VTG) by receptor-mediated endocytosis; once in the oocyte, VTG is partially processed and stored in yolk globules. In some pelagic egg-laying marine teleosts, additional cleavages of yolk proteins followed by a pronounced water uptake occur concomitantly with final oocyte maturation. The aim of this study was to establish the lysosomal enzymes involved in these two proteolytic processes that characterize oocyte maturation of seabream Sparus aurata. The enzymatic activities of several cathepsins were assessed in the various classes of oocytes. Changes in cathepsin B, D, and L activity were found depending on the oocyte maturation stage; cathepsin B and D were found to be at maximum level in early-vitellogenesis oocytes, and cathepsin L in mid-vitellogenesis ones. Cathepsin D and L were purified from seabream ovary, and their roles in VTG and lipovitellin (LV) proteolysis, respectively, were analyzed. Here we demonstrate directly that one of the catalysts for the intraoocytic processing of VTG in yolk proteins is cathepsin D; however, we cannot exclude also a role of cathepsin B in the same process. On the other hand, cathepsin L is responsible for the second proteolytic cleavage of the LV components. We postulate that the acquisition of buoyancy by eggs through the hydration process may be regulated by enzymatic activation at the appropriate time of oocyte maturation, this process probably being the key event in the reproduction of this marine pelagic egg spawner.     

Fastigial stimulation increases ischemic blood flow and reduces brain damage after focal ischemia

Electrical stimulation of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) increases CBF and reduces brain damage after focal ischemia. We studied whether FN stimulation "protects" the brain from ischemic damage by increasing blood flow to the ischemic territory. Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized (halothane 1-3%) and artificially ventilated through a tracheal cannula inserted transorally. CBF was monitored by a laser-Doppler probe placed over the convexity at a site corresponding to the area spared from infarction by FN stimulation. Arterial pressure (AP), blood gases, and body temperature were controlled, and the electroencephalogram (EEG) was monitored. The stem of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was occluded. After occlusion, the FN was stimulated for 60 min (100 microA; 50 Hz; 1 s on-1 s off) while AP was maintained at 97 +/- 11 mm Hg (mean +/- SD) by controlled hemorrhage. Rats were then allowed to recover, and infarct volume was determined 24 h later in thionin-stained sections. In unstimulated rats (n = 7), proximal MCA occlusion reduced CBF and the amplitude of the EEG. One day later, these rats had infarcts involving neocortex and striatum. FN stimulation after MCA occlusion (n = 12) enhanced CBF and EEG recovery [61 +/- 34 and 73 +/- 43%, respectively at 60 min; p < 0.05 vs. unstimulated group; analysis of variance (ANOVA)] and reduced the volume of the cortical infarct by 48% (p < 0.05). In contrast, hypercapnia (PCO2 = 64 +/- 4; n = 7) did not affect CBF and EEG recovery or infarct volume (p > 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cytosolic redistribution of cytochrome c after transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Recent in vitro cell-free studies have shown that cytochrome c release from mitochondria is a critical step in the apoptotic process. The present study examined the expression of cytochrome c protein after transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats, in which apoptosis was assumed to contribute to the expansion of the ischemic lesion. In situ labeling of DNA breaks in frozen sections after 90 minutes of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion showed a significant number of striatal and cortical neurons, which were maximized at 24 hours after ischemia, exhibiting chromatin condensation, nuclear segmentation, and apoptotic bodies. Cytosolic localization of cytochrome c was detected immunohistochemically in the ischemic area as early as 4 hours after 90 minutes of MCA occlusion. Western blot analysis of the cytosolic fraction revealed a strong single 15-kDa band, characteristic of cytochrome c, only in the samples from the ischemic hemisphere. Western blot analysis of the mitochondrial fraction showed a significant amount of mitochondrial cytochrome c in nonischemic brain, which was decreased in ischemic brain 24 hours after ischemia. These results provide the first evidence that cytochrome c is being released from mitochondria to the cytosol after transient focal ischemia. Although further evaluation is necessary to elucidate its correlation with DNA fragmentation, our results suggest the possibility that cytochrome c release may play a role in DNA-damaged neuronal cell death after transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats.     

Immunologic tolerance to myelin basic protein decreases stroke size after transient focal cerebral ischemia

Immune mechanisms contribute to cerebral ischemic injury. Therapeutic immunosuppressive options are limited due to systemic side effects. We attempted to achieve immunosuppression in the brain through oral tolerance to myelin basic protein (MBP). Lewis rats were fed low-dose bovine MBP or ovalbumin (1 mg, five times) before 3 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). A third group of animals was sensitized to MBP but did not survive the post-stroke period. Infarct size at 24 and 96 h after ischemia was significantly less in tolerized animals. Tolerance to MBP was confirmed in vivo by a decrease in delayed-type hypersensitivity to MBP. Systemic immune responses, characterized in vitro by spleen cell proliferation to Con A, lipopolysaccharide, and MBP, again confirmed antigen-specific immunologic tolerance. Immunohistochemistry revealed transforming growth factor beta1 production by T cells in the brains of tolerized but not control animals. Systemic transforming growth factor beta1 levels were equivalent in both groups. Corticosterone levels 24 h after surgery were elevated in all sham-operated animals and ischemic control animals but not in ischemic tolerized animals. These results demonstrate that antigen-specific modulation of the immune response decreases infarct size after focal cerebral ischemia and that sensitization to the same antigen may actually worsen outcome.     

Calcitonin gene-related peptide reduces brain injury in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Calcitonin gene-related peptide is an endogenous vasodilating neuropeptide with a dense concentration in the trigeminocerebrovascular system. It is hypothesized that depletion of this peptide contributes to delayed cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage and that an exogenous supply of calcitonin gene-related peptide will augment ischemic cerebral blood flow and reduce neuronal injury. METHODS: In this study we have investigated the effect of an intravenous infusion of calcitonin gene-related peptide (100 ng/kg per minute), started 1 hour before and continued throughout 4 hours of focal cerebral ischemia, on cerebral blood flow and the volume of brain injury in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. RESULTS: Calcitonin gene-related peptide produces a significant improvement in ischemic cerebral blood flow (32 +/- 2 compared with 13 +/- 2 mL/100 g per minute in the controls; t = 6.92, P < .0001) with a concomitant reduction in the volume of ischemic brain injury (102 +/- 22 compared with 234 +/- 19 mm3; t = 4.47, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings lend support for the potential use of this peptide in the prophylactic treatment of delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.     

Cortical spreading depression protects against subsequent focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Specific, high-affinity angiotensin II (A II) receptors were observed on granulosa and thecal cells of preovulatory ovarian follicles from immature PMSG-treated rabbits. Scatchard analysis of 125I-[Sar1,Ile8]A II binding to freshly prepared cells was indicative of only one class of binding sites. Kd values were 0.26 +/- 0.11 nM and 0.18 +/- 0.02 nM, densities of A II receptors were 0.06 +/- 0.02 fmol/10(5) cells and 0.08 +/- 0.01 fmol/10(5) cells for granulosa and thecal cells, respectively. When cells were incubated for 48 h with hCG, Kd values were of the same order of magnitude, but the amount of A II receptors was increased 2-fold in granulosa and 4-fold in theca. Using subtype specific ligands (Losartan for AT1 and PD 123319 for AT2) in competitive binding experiments, A II receptors were found to be of the AT1 type on both granulosa and thecal cells freshly prepared or incubated 48 h in vitro. These results establishing the existence of high affinity AT1 receptors on the two cell types of the rabbit preovulatory follicles contrast with previous observations showing the presence of AT2 receptors on granulosa or theca from several species.     

Intraluminal increase of superoxide anion following transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats

OBJECTIVES: We studied the triggering mechanism for neurally mediated syncope. BACKGROUND: Although increased transient sympathetic tone is thought to be necessary for the development of neurally mediated syncope, little is known about the triggering mechanism for neurally mediated syncope. METHODS: Plasma epinephrine (EP) and norepinephrine (NE) levels were assessed in 20 syncope patients during tilt test (80 degrees, 15 min) with and without isoproterenol (ISP, 0.01, 0.02 microg/kg/min). If syncope occurred, propranolol (0.1 mg/kg) was injected. RESULTS: Eight patients experienced syncope during tilting alone, and 9 patients required ISP for syncope. In the negative response without ISP, NE showed a small statistical 1.7-fold increase at end of tilting and EP did not change during tilting. When syncope occurred during tilting alone, a significant 11.7-fold increase in EP at syncope was registered concomitant with a small 2.5-fold increase in NE. When patients experienced syncope during tilting with ISP, a significant 5.0-fold increase in EP at syncope was registered concomitant with a small 1.7-fold increase in NE. In patients without ISP, propranolol did not interrupt syncope. In patients with ISP, six of eight receiving propranolol responded to tilting negatively. CONCLUSIONS: An increase of NE levels may result in inhibition of syncope and an EP surge may be a triggering mechanism for neurally mediated syncope. Comparatively low levels of EP may be enough to induce syncope during tilting with ISP compared with tilting alone. Propranolol is not effective in patients without ISP, but it frequently inhibits syncope in patients with ISP. Propranolol (0.1 mg/kg) may be insufficient to block the actions of high levels of circulating EP.     

Matrix metalloproteinase and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor expression in endometrial stromal cells during progestin-initiated decidualization and menstruation-related progestin withdrawal

Estradiol (E) primes human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) for the decidualizing effects of progesterone in vivo and in vitro. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression was evaluated in confluent HESCs incubated in control medium, and in medium supplemented with either E, or the synthetic progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate (P), or E + P. Measurements with a specific ELISA indicated that basal pro-MMP-1 output was unaffected by E, whereas E + P, which induces the expression of several decidualization-related markers, produced a time-dependent inhibition in HESC-secreted levels of pro-MMP-1. Consistent with progestin inhibition of MMP-1 protein expression in the HESCs, P but not E, reduced steady state levels of MMP-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) as determined by Northern analysis. By contrast, mRNA levels for MMP-2 and the MMP inhibitor TIMP-1 were not altered by either P or E. Steroid withdrawal studies indicated that after MMP-1 expression was suppressed by incubation of the HESCs with E + P, 4 days of exposure to the antiprogestin RU 486 (mifepristone) significantly up-regulated MMP-1 levels in the conditioned medium by severalfold compared with cultures maintained in E + P. The change to steroid-free control medium required a more prolonged period of withdrawal to attain up regulatory effects that were comparable with those evoked by RU 486. The ELISA measurements were validated by immunoblot analysis with a specific MMP-1 antibody, which showed corresponding changes in a band at the expected mobility of about 50 kDa. Moreover, Northern analysis revealed parallel changes in MMP-1 mRNA levels, whereas neither MMP-2 nor TIMP-1 mRNA levels were modulated by adding or withdrawing steroids. The contrast between regulated MMP-1 expression and constitutive MMP-2 expression observed in the cultured HESCs is consistent with the demonstrated presence on the MMP-1 promoter of regulatory elements such as AP-1 and PEA-3 that are absent from the MMP-2 promoter. Extrapolation of these in vitro changes in HESCs to in vivo endometrial events suggests that: 1) inhibition of MMP-1 expression by E and progesterone would stabilize the perivascular endometrial ECM to prevent local hemorrhage during endovascular invasion by the implanting trophoblast; 2) enhanced expression of MMP-1 evoked by steroid withdrawal would mediate endometrial ECM degradation leading to sloughing of the functional layer during menstruation.     

Postischemic infusion of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase or SOD:Tet451 reduces cerebral infarction following focal ischemia/reperfusion in rats

Oxygen-free radicals play a major role in neuronal cell injury following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. The free-radical scavenging enzyme, Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD-1), ameliorates various types of brain injury resulting from temporary CNS ischemia. We have compared the cerebroprotective properties of human SOD-1 (hSOD-1) with a novel recombinant SOD-1 hybrid protein, SOD:Tet451, composed of hSOD-1 linked to the neuronal binding fragment of tetanus toxin (TTxC). Following 2 h of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion, rats infused with equivalent activities of either hSOD-1 or SOD:Tet451 for the initial 3 h of reperfusion showed reductions in cerebral infarct volume of 43 and 57%, respectively, compared to saline-treated controls (P < 0.01). Serum hSOD-1 concentrations in rats receiving SOD:Tet451 were seven-fold higher than those in rats receiving the native enzyme. Animals treated with SOD:Tet451 also demonstrated an extended persistence of hSOD-1 in the bloodstream during drug washout as compared to animals given free enzyme. Immunohistochemical examination of brain sections from an SOD:Tet451-treated ischemic rat showed positive immunoreactivity in the ipsilateral cerebral cortex using either anti-TTxC or anti-human SOD-1 antibodies. Our results document that both hSOD-1 and SOD:Tet451 significantly reduce brain infarct volume in a model of transient focal ischemia/reperfusion in rats. Additionally, our findings suggest that the cerebroprotective effects of SOD-1 may be enhanced by neuronal targeting as seen with the hybrid protein SOD:Tet451.     

Preconditioning with 15-minute ischemia extends myocardial infarct size after subsequent 30-minute ischemia in rabbits

In an attempt to compare the morphology of the resin-dentin interface in areas where the dentinal tubules run perpendicularly or at an angle to the cavity surface with that of areas where they run parallel to it, we studied a dentin adhesive system using transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy. The design of the study included the simulation of the normal hydrostatic pressure within the pulp and the dentinal tubules. Following acid etching of the dentinal surface with maleic acid/HEMA, the smear layer was removed, and a superficial zone was demineralized in such a way that the exposed collagenous dentin matrix retained its integrity. Confocal laser scanning microscopal investigations using primer labeled with rhodamine B showed that the penetration of the primer occurred not only vertically via surface porosities, but mainly laterally, via the dentinal tubules. The adhesive resin labeled with fluorescein completely infiltrated the demineralized layer, thereby forming a hybrid layer. The orientation of the dentinal tubules had a profound effect on the formation of the hybrid layer. In areas with perpendicular tubule orientation, the layer was 3.2 +/- 0.8 microns thick, showing solid 27.2 +/- 0.8 microns long resin tags in the dentinal tubules, and a network of tiny tags in their side-branches. In areas with parallel tubule orientation the layer was significantly thinner (1.3 +/- 0.6 microns) and resin tags were absent.     

Diuretic response to cyclophosphamide in rats bearing a matrix metalloproteinase-9-producing tumour

When cyclophosphamide (CY) (100-120 mg kg(-1)) was administered intravenously (i.v.) to normal F-344 rats, oliguria occurred over the 5-day observation period. Conversely, in rats bearing matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) producing 13762NF mammary adenocarcinoma (MTLn3 clone), polyuria occurred chiefly during the first 24 h after CY treatment. In parallel with urine volume, a decrease in the urinary excretion of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) was observed during the first 5 days after CY treatment in normal rats, but it increased in MTLn3-bearing rats. No elevation in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or serum creatinine (Cr) values was observed for either group. Both urine volume and urinary excretion of NAG after CY treatment were lower in rats bearing the MTC clone (lower production of MMP-9) than for those bearing the MTLn3 clone. In the case of treatment with cisplatin (CDDP, 4-6 mg kg(-1)), urine volume, urinary NAG excretion and BUN and serum Cr values all increased in normal rats and were all found to be higher in MTLn3-bearing rats than in normal rats. The diuretic response to these drugs in tumour-bearing (TB) rats may be associated with MMP-9 produced by the tumour cells. This report suggests that the nephrotoxicity due to anti-cancer drugs may change when the drugs are used for the treatment of patients bearing a MMP-9-producing tumour.     

Postischemic application of lipid peroxidation inhibitor U-101033E reduces neuronal damage after global cerebral ischemia in rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The lipid peroxidation inhibitor U-101033E was examined for effects on cerebral blood flow (CBF), cortical tissue hemoglobin oxygen saturation (HbSo2), and neuronal damage. METHODS: Fifteen minutes of global cerebral ischemia was induced by two-vessel occlusion and hypobaric hypotension. Wistar rats (n = 25) were randomized to receive vehicle (n = 9) or 40 mg/kg U-101033E (n = 9) intraperitoneally during 2 hours of reperfusion. A sham group (n = 7) had neither ischemia nor therapy. Histology was evaluated 7 days after ischemia. RESULTS: During late hyperperfusion (at 17 minutes), vehicle-treated animals had a higher (P = 0.044) cortical tissue HbSo2 (72.0 +/- 1.4%) than did U-101033E-treated animals (65.8 +/- 2.5%). Neuronal counts in the superficial cortex layer found after 7 days correlated negatively with rCBF (r = -0.76; P < 0.001) or cortical tissue HbSo2 (r = -0.56; P = 0.028) assessed during the late hyperperfusion phase. U-101033E reduced neuronal damage in hippocampal CA1 from 64.3 +/- 9.2% to 31.2 +/- 8.4% (P = 0.020), as well as in the superficial cortical layer from 53.5 +/- 14.6% to 12.8 +/- 11.7% (P = 0.046). While animals in the vehicle group had reduced counts in all four examined cortex layers (P < 0.05 versus sham group), there was significant cortical neuron loss in the U-101033E group in only one of four areas. U-101033E had no effect on resting CBF or CO2 reactivity. CONCLUSIONS: Postischemic application of U-101033E protects hippocampal CA1 and cortical neurons after 15 minutes of global cerebral ischemia. The results indicate that free radical-induced lipid peroxidation contributes to reperfusion injury, a process that can be inhibited by antioxidants such as U-101033E.     

Cyclosporine A limits myocardial infarct size even when administered after onset of ischemia

OBJECTIVE: The role of the immunosuppressant cyclosporine A as a preconditioning-mimetic in the rabbit heart was examined. METHODS: Cyclosporine A, a potent protein 2B or calcium/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase (PP) inhibitor, was administered isolated rabbit hearts starting either 15 min prior to or 10 or 20 min after the onset of a 30 min period of regional ischemia and continuing until the onset of reperfusion. The effect of pretreatment with a second PP2B antagonist, FK-506, was also examined. In an additional protocol L-NAME was perfused for 50 min starting 5 min before the 45-min infusion of cyclosporine A. After 2 h of reperfusion infarct size was measured with triphenyltetrazolium chloride. In a second study left ventricular biopsies of isolated rabbit hearts were obtained to measure the effect of cyclosporine A on dephosphorylation of [32P] phosphorylase kinase by calcium/calmodulin-dependent phosphatases. RESULTS: Pretreatment with cyclosporine A resulted in only 10.0%, infarction of the risk zone, significantly less than that in untreated control hearts (28.7%, p < 0.001) but comparable to the extent of infarction in ischemically preconditioned hearts (10.0% p < 0.001 vs. control). Equivalent protection was also observed in hearts with treatment delayed for 10 min following the onset of ischemia (10.4% infarction, p < 0.001 vs. control). However, protection waned when cyclosporine A was administered only during the last 10 min of the 30-min ischemic period (25.5% infarction, p = n.s. vs. control). Pretreatment with FK-506 also resulted in myocardial salvage (10.4% infarction, p < 0.001 vs. control). When hearts were exposed to a co-infusion of L-NAME and cyclosporine A, protection was still evident (18.1% infarction, p < 0.05 vs. L-NAME), although not as robust as that seen with the PP2B blocker alone. In hearts pretreated with cyclosporine A dephosphorylation of [32P] phosphorylase kinase by calcium/calmodulin-dependent phosphatases was inhibited by 67%. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclosporine A and FK-506, potent PP2B inhibitors, can protect the ischemic rabbit heart, and at least cyclosporine A continues to be effective when infusion is delayed until after the onset of ischemia. The mechanism of this protection may be related to inhibition of phosphatases and prolongation of the phosphorylation state of ischemic cells.     

Matrix metalloproteinase expression during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and effects of a combined matrix metalloproteinase and tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor

Diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHb Baxter Healthcare Corp., Round Lake, IL, USA), a hemoglobin-based blood substitute has been found to be an effective resuscitative agent following hemorrhage in animals. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of DCLHb on microvascular perfusion in the brain and kidney following hemorrhage in anaesthetized, male Sprague Dawley rats using laser Doppler flowmetry. Hemorrhage was induced by withdrawal of arterial blood at a rate of 0.5 to 1.0 ml/min until blood pressure of 35-40 mmHg was achieved. This was maintained for up to 30 min. The arterial blood pH, pO2, pCO2 and total hemoglobin (THb) were monitored. Hemorrhage significantly decreased pH, pCO2 and THb and increased pO. Hemorrhage significantly decreased (26%) brain blood perfusion due to a decrease (17%) in the concentration of moving red blood cells (CMBC). In the kidney there was a greater decrease (65%) in blood perfusion due to a significant decrease in both CMBC (28%) and red blood cell velocity (49%). Resuscitation with vehicle (Ringer's lactate, 4 ml/kg, i.v.) did not produce any improvement in cerebral and renal blood perfusion. Resuscitation with DCLHb (400 mg/kg, i.v.) improved perfusion in the brain (112%) due to an increase in the CMBC (69%) and the velocity of red blood cells (33%). Similarly, in the kidney, DCLHb increased perfusion (178%) by increasing CMBC (55%) and red blood cell velocity (89%) of hemorrhaged rats. The increase in renal blood perfusion was more marked (p < 0.001) than the changes in cerebral blood perfusion following resuscitation with DCLHb in hemorrhaged rats. It is concluded that DCLHb can significantly increase cerebral and renal blood perfusion of hemorrhaged rats and this effect may contribute to its efficacy as a resuscitative solution.     

Postsurgical wound progression monitored by temporal changes in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9

It is important to monitor the early stages of postoperative wound repair in order to identify those problems associated with impaired healing. Many of the crucial cellular responses of early wound healing, such as inflammatory infiltration, angiogenesis and re-epithelialization, are made possible through the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 is elevated in acute wounds, and still greater levels are found in chronic wounds, indicating that uncontrolled proteolysis is a characteristic of retarded healing. Therefore, comparative measurements of MMPs may be used to monitor the progression of early wound healing. To investigate this, wound fluids and sera were collected from mastectomy and colectomy patients throughout early stages of repair, and the temporal expression profile established. Wounds which were healing were expressed maximal levels of MMP-9 at 24 h, followed by a significant decline by 48 h. Persistent elevation of MMP-9 expression was associated with infected and chronic wounds, and was identified in postoperative wounds by the absence of the significant decline between 24 and 48 h. Measurement of MMP-9 in postoperative wound fluids, therefore, provides an early indicator of impaired healing, which may be evaluated non-invasively within 48 h of closure.     

Optimal depth and duration of mild hypothermia in a focal model of transient cerebral ischemia: effects on neurologic outcome, infarct size, apoptosis, and inflammation

BACKGROUND and PURPOSE: Mild hypothermia is possibly the single most effective method of cerebroprotection developed to date. However, many questions regarding mild hypothermia remain to be addressed before its potential implementation in the treatment of human stroke. Here we report the results of 2 studies designed to determine the optimal depth and duration of mild hypothermia in focal stroke and its effects on infarct size, neurological outcome, programmed cell death, and inflammation. METHODS: Rats underwent a 2-hour occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery. In the first study (I) animals were kept (intraischemically) at either 37 degreesC (n=8), 33 degreesC (n=8), or 30 degreesC (n=8). Study II consisted of 4 groups: (1) controls (37 degreesC, n=10), (2) 30 minutes of hypothermia started at ischemic onset (33 degreesC, n=9), (3)1 hour (33 degreesC, n=8), and (4) 2 hours (33 degreesC, n=8). Brain temperature was measured by a thermocouple probe placed in the contralateral cortex. After suture removal, all animals were rewarmed and reperfused for 22 hours (I) or 70 hours (II). RESULTS: Mild hypothermia to 33 degreesC or 30 degreesC was neuroprotective (17+/-7% and 27+/-6%, respectively) relative to controls (53+/-8%, P<0.02), but 33 degreesC was better tolerated and recovery from anesthesia was faster. The neurological score of hypothermic animals was significantly better than that of controls (I & II) at both 24 and 72 hours postischemia except for the 30-minute group (II), which showed no improvement. In Study II, 2 hours of hypothermia reduced injury by 59%, 1 hour reduced injury by 84% whereas 30 minutes did not reduce injury. Normalized for infarct size, 2 hours of mild hypothermia decreased neutrophil accumulation by 57% whereas both 1 hour and 30 minutes had no effect. At 72 hours, 1 and 2 hours of mild hypothermia decreased transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining by 78% and 99%, respectively, and 30 minutes of hypothermia had no effect. CONCLUSIONS: Intraischemic mild hypothermia must be maintained for 1 to 2 hours to obtain optimal neuroprotection against ischemic cell death due to necrosis and apoptosis.     

Effect of ascorbic acid on infarct size in experimental focal cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion in a primate model

The iliac artery-ureteral fistula is a rare complication which becomes symptomatic with life-endangering bleeding. A typical feature is its intermittent occlusion, which makes diagnosis very difficult. Without knowledge of the correct diagnosis the rate of morbidity, through functional loss of the kidneys, and of mortality can be extremely high. In the following a case is described in which, after radiotherapy and chemotherapy following sigmoid resection due to carcinoma, urinary congestion of the remaining functional kidney occurred during the course of treatment. Following the placing of an endoureteral stent an iliac-ureteral fistula with massive bleeding developed. It was demonstrated by means of angiography. For the first time, therapy with endoluminal stent grafts was successfully applied.     

Regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and inhibition of tumor invasion by the membrane-anchored glycoprotein RECK

A human fibroblast cDNA expression library was screened for cDNA clones giving rise to flat colonies when transfected into v-Ki-ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells. One such gene, RECK, encodes a membrane-anchored glycoprotein of about 110 kDa with multiple epidermal growth factor-like repeats and serine-protease inhibitor-like domains. While RECK mRNA is expressed in various human tissues and untransformed cells, it is undetectable in tumor-derived cell lines and oncogenically transformed cells. Restored expression of RECK in malignant cells resulted in suppression of invasive activity with concomitant decrease in the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a key enzyme involved in tumor invasion and metastasis. Moreover, purified RECK protein was found to bind to, and inhibit the proteolytic activity of, MMP-9. Thus, RECK may link oncogenic signals to tumor invasion and metastasis.