Long-term effects of environmental stimulation following hypoxia–ischemia on the oxidative state and BDNF levels in rat hippocampus and frontal cortex

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a neonatal condition that occurs as a consequence of perinatal asphyxia, which is caused by a number of factors, commonly via compression of the umbilical cord, placental abruption, severe meconium aspiration, congenital cardiac or pulmonary anomalies and birth trauma. Experimental studies have confirmed that male rat pups show a higher resistance to HIE treatment. Moreover, the long-term consequences of hypoxia in male are more severe in comparison to female rat pups. These sex differences can be attributed to the pathophysiology of hypoxia-ischemia, whereby studies are beginning to establish such gender-specific distinctions. The current and sole treatment for HIE is hypothermia, in which a reduction in temperature prevents long-term effects, such as cerebral palsy or seizures. However, in most cases hypothermia is not a sufficient treatment as indicated by a high mortality rate. In the present review, we discuss the gender differences within the pathophysiology of hypoxia-ischemia and delve into the role of gender in the incidence, progression and severity of the disease. Furthermore, this may result in the development of potential novel treatment approaches for targeting and preventing the long-term consequences of HIE.

Download Full-text

Lithium-Mediated Long-Term Neuroprotection in Neonatal Rat Hypoxia–Ischemia is Associated with Antiinflammatory Effects and Enhanced Proliferation and Survival of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells

Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism ◽

10.1038/jcbfm.2011.75 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 31 (10) ◽

pp. 2106-2115 ◽

Cited By ~ 73

Author(s):

Hongfu Li ◽

Qian Li ◽

Xiaonan Du ◽

Yanyan Sun ◽

Xiaoyang Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lithium Treatment ◽

Lipid Binding ◽

Neonatal Rat ◽

Male Rats ◽

Tissue Loss ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Hypoxia Ischemia ◽

Galectin 3 ◽

Neural Stem Progenitor Cells

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of lithium treatment on neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, inflammation, and neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) proliferation and survival. Nine-day-old male rats were subjected to unilateral hypoxia–ischemia (HI) and 2 mmol/kg lithium chloride was injected intraperitoneally immediately after the insult. Additional lithium injections, 1 mmol/kg, were administered at 24-hour intervals for 7 days. Animals were killed 6, 24, 72 hours, or 7 weeks after HI. Lithium reduced total tissue loss by 69%, from 89.4±14.6 mm3 in controls ( n = 15) to 27.6 ±6.2 mm3 in lithium-treated animals ( n = 14) 7 weeks after HI ( P<0.001). Microglia activation was inhibited by lithium treatment, as judged by Iba-1 and galectin-3 immunostaining, and reduced interleukin-1β and CCL2 levels. Lithium increased progenitor, rather than stem cell, proliferation in both nonischemic and ischemic brains, as judged by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine labeling 24 and 72 hours as well as by phospho-histone H3 and brain lipid-binding protein labeling 7 weeks after HI. Lithium treatment also promoted survival of newborn NSPCs, without altering the relative levels of neuronal and astroglial differentiation. In summary, lithium conferred impressive, morphological long-term protection against neonatal HI, at least partly by inhibiting inflammation and promoting NSPC proliferation and survival.

Download Full-text

Another view of stress

Papers on Philosophy Psychology Sociology and Pedagogy ◽

10.15291/radovifpsp.2714 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (7) ◽

Author(s):

Ilija Manenica

Keyword(s):

Dynamic Interaction ◽

Stress Process ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Word Stress ◽

Matching Process ◽

Considerable Confusion ◽

Environmental Stimulation ◽

The Subject

A brief consideration of some stress definitions and models, revealed a considerable confusion in the way the term “stress” is currently used. It is argued that what is usually called “stress” at present should be called “stress process”, implying several stages of it. The model, proposed by the autor, limits the extent of word stress to the environmental stimulation and the processes up to perceptual level. Not every kind of supraoptimal stimulation should be considered as stressful, but only the stimulation associated with unpleasantness. The model emphasizes the role of matching process between the results of menial elaboration of the situation and the assessment of subject's own capacities to cope with the situation. The model also gives provision for a dynamic interaction of the subject with the stress source, and long term effects of persistent psychophysiological reactions to stress.

Download Full-text