Cerebrolysin and Aquaporin 4 Inhibition Improve Pathological and Motor Recovery after Ischemic Stroke

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 299-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bogdan Catalin ◽  
Otilia-Constantina Rogoveanu ◽  
Ionica Pirici ◽  
Tudor Adrian Balseanu ◽  
Adina Stan ◽  
...  

Background: Edema represents one of the earliest negative markers of survival and consecutive neurological deficit following stroke. The mixture of cellular and vasogenic edema makes treating this condition complicated, and to date, there is no pathogenically oriented drug treatment for edema, which leaves parenteral administration of a hypertonic solution as the only non-surgical alternative. Objective: New insights into water metabolism in the brain have opened the way for molecular targeted treatment, with aquaporin 4 channels (AQP4) taking center stage. We aimed here to assess the effect of inhibiting AQP4 together with the administration of a neurotropic factor (Cerebrolysin) in ischemic stroke. Methods: Using a permanent medial cerebral artery occlusion rat model, we administrated a single dose of the AQP4 inhibitor TGN-020 (100 mg/kg) at 15 minutes after ischemia followed by daily Cerebrolysin dosing (5ml/kg) for seven days. Rotarod motor testing and neuropathology examinations were next performed. Results: We showed first that the combination treatment animals have a better motor function preservation at seven days after permanent ischemia. We have also identified distinct cellular contributions that represent the bases of behavior testing, such as less astrocyte scarring and a larger neuronalsurvival phenotype rate in animals treated with both compounds than in animals treated with Cerebrolysin alone or untreated animals. Conclusion: Our data show that water diffusion inhibition and Cerebrolysin administration after focal ischemic stroke reduces infarct size, leading to a higher neuronal survival in the peri-core glial scar region.

ASN NEURO ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 175909142096055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Cui ◽  
Shuwei Jia ◽  
Jiawei Yu ◽  
Dongyang Li ◽  
Tong Li ◽  
...  

In ischemic stroke, vasopressin hypersecretion is a critical factor of cerebral swelling and brain injury. To clarify neural mechanisms underlying ischemic stroke-evoked vasopressin hypersecretion, we observed the effect of unilateral permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats on astrocytic plasticity and vasopressin neuronal activity in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) as well as their associated cerebral injuries. MCAO for 8 hr caused cerebral infarction in the MCAO side where water contents also increased. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the percentage of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (pERK1/2)-positive vasopressin neurons in the SON of MCAO side was significantly higher than that in non-MCAO side and in sham group. In the cortex, pERK1/2 and aquaporin 4 expressions increased significantly in the infarction area, while glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) reduced significantly compared with the noninfarction side in brain cortex. Microinjection of N-(1,3,4-Thiadiazolyl)nicotinamide-020 [TGN-020, a specific blocker of aquaporin 4] into the SON blocked MCAO-evoked increases in pERK1/2 in the SON as well as the reduction of GFAP and the increase in pERK1/2 and aquaporin 4 in the infarction area of the cortex. Finally, oxygen and glucose deprivation reduced GFAP expression and the colocalization and molecular association of GFAP with aquaporin 4 in the SON in brain slices. These effects were blocked by TGN-020 and/or phloretin, a blocker of astrocytic volume-regulated anion channels. These findings indicate that blocking aquaporin 4 in the SON may reduce the activation of vasopressin neurons and brain injuries elicited by vasopressin during ischemic stroke.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 718
Author(s):  
Miki Tanaka ◽  
Masaho Fujikawa ◽  
Ami Oguro ◽  
Kouichi Itoh ◽  
Christoph F. A. Vogel ◽  
...  

Microglia are activated after ischemic stroke and induce neuroinflammation. The expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has recently been reported to elicit cytokine expression. We previously reported that microglial activation mediates ischemic edema progression. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the role of AhR in inflammation and edema after ischemia using a mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. MCAO upregulated AhR expression in microglia during ischemia. MCAO increased the expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and then induced edema progression, and worsened the modified neurological severity scores, with these being suppressed by administration of an AhR antagonist, CH223191. In THP-1 macrophages, the NADPH oxidase (NOX) subunit p47phox was significantly increased by AhR ligands, especially under inflammatory conditions. Suppression of NOX activity by apocynin or elimination of superoxide by superoxide dismutase decreased TNFα expression, which was induced by the AhR ligand. AhR ligands also elicited p47phox expression in mouse primary microglia. Thus, p47phox may be important in oxidative stress and subsequent inflammation. In MCAO model mice, P47phox expression was upregulated in microglia by ischemia. Lipid peroxidation induced by MCAO was suppressed by CH223191. Taken together, these findings suggest that AhR in the microglia is involved in neuroinflammation and subsequent edema, after MCAO via p47phox expression upregulation and oxidative stress.


2016 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imad S. Khan ◽  
Mitchell Odom ◽  
Moneeb Ehtesham ◽  
Daniel Colvin ◽  
C. Chad Quarles ◽  
...  

OBJECT Matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) plays a critical role in infarct progression, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and vasogenic edema. While systemic administration of MMP-9 inhibitors has shown neuroprotective promise in ischemic stroke, there has been little effort to incorporate these drugs into endovascular modalities. By modifying the rodent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model to allow local intraarterial delivery of drugs, one has the ability to mimic endovascular delivery of therapeutics. Using this model, the authors sought to maximize the protective potential of MMP-9 inhibition by intraarterial administration of an MMP-9 inhibitor, norcantharidin (NCTD). METHODS Spontaneously hypertensive rats were subjected to 90-minute MCAO followed immediately by local intraarterial administration of NCTD. The rats’ neurobehavioral performances were scored according to the ladder rung walking test results and the Garcia neurological test for as long as 7 days after stroke. MRI was also conducted 24 hours after the stroke to assess infarct volume and BBB disruption. At the end of the experimental protocol, rat brains were used for active MMP-9 immunohistochemical analysis to assess the degree of MMP-9 inhibition. RESULTS NCTD-treated rats showed significantly better neurobehavioral scores for all days tested. MR images also depicted significantly decreased infarct volumes and BBB disruption 24 hours after stroke. Inhibition of MMP-9 expression in the ischemic region was depicted on immunohistochemical analysis, wherein treated rats showed decreased active MMP-9 staining compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS Intraarterial NCTD significantly improved outcome when administered at the time of reperfusion in a spontaneously hypertensive rat stroke model. This study suggests that supplementing endovascular revascularization with local neuroprotective drug therapy may be a viable therapeutic strategy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (45) ◽  
pp. 4763-4770
Author(s):  
Angel Cespedes ◽  
Mario Villa ◽  
Irene Benito-Cuesta ◽  
Maria J. Perez-Alvarez ◽  
Lara Ordoñez ◽  
...  

: Stroke is an important cause of death and disability, and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide. In humans, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) is the most common cause of ischemic stroke. The damage occurs due to the lack of nutrients and oxygen contributed by the blood flow. : The present review aims to analyze to what extent the lack of each of the elements of the system leads to damage and which mechanisms are unaffected by this deficiency. We believe that the specific analysis of the effect of lack of each component could lead to the emergence of new therapeutic targets for this important brain pathology.


Author(s):  
Yong-Ming Zhu ◽  
Liang Lin ◽  
Chao Wei ◽  
Yi Guo ◽  
Yuan Qin ◽  
...  

AbstractNecroptosis initiation relies on the receptor-interacting protein 1 kinase (RIP1K). We recently reported that genetic and pharmacological inhibition of RIP1K produces protection against ischemic stroke-induced astrocytic injury. However, the role of RIP1K in ischemic stroke-induced formation of astrogliosis and glial scar remains unknown. Here, in a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) rat model and an oxygen and glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/Re)-induced astrocytic injury model, we show that RIP1K was significantly elevated in the reactive astrocytes. Knockdown of RIP1K or delayed administration of RIP1K inhibitor Nec-1 down-regulated the glial scar markers, improved ischemic stroke-induced necrotic morphology and neurologic deficits, and reduced the volume of brain atrophy. Moreover, knockdown of RIP1K attenuated astrocytic cell death and proliferation and promoted neuronal axonal generation in a neuron and astrocyte co-culture system. Both vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) and its receptor VEGFR-3 were elevated in the reactive astrocytes; simultaneously, VEGF-D was increased in the medium of astrocytes exposed to OGD/Re. Knockdown of RIP1K down-regulated VEGF-D gene and protein levels in the reactive astrocytes. Treatment with 400 ng/ml recombinant VEGF-D induced the formation of glial scar; conversely, the inhibitor of VEGFR-3 suppressed OGD/Re-induced glial scar formation. RIP3K and MLKL may be involved in glial scar formation. Taken together, these results suggest that RIP1K participates in the formation of astrogliosis and glial scar via impairment of normal astrocyte responses and enhancing the astrocytic VEGF-D/VEGFR-3 signaling pathways. Inhibition of RIP1K promotes the brain functional recovery partially via suppressing the formation of astrogliosis and glial scar. Graphical Abstract


Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Christoforidis ◽  
Cameron Rink ◽  
Nitn Garg ◽  
Shahid Khan ◽  
Chandan Sen

Objective: In order to assess the impact of reperfusion on the degree of subsequent cerebral edema following cerebral ischemia, this work sought to compare 24 hour infarct volume progression between permanent and transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in a canine model. Methods: Using a previously published endovascular transient MCAO method, 5 mongrel canines underwent 1-hour transient MCAO and 5 underwent permanent MCAO. Model parameters were altered to result in varying infarct volumes. Magnetic resonanace imaging (MRI) (3T Achieva, Philips) was performed one hour and 24 hours following reperfusion as well as 60 minutes following permanent occlusion. Infarct volumes were calculated using a previously published threshold technique by two observers using 1 hour mean diffusivity (MD) maps and 24hour FLAIR MRI. Reproducibility was assessed using Bland-Altman statistic. Average infarct volumes between the observers were calculated. Bivariate linear fit analysis were used to assess the correlation between immediate and 24 hours infarct volume determinations. Results: R square (r2) for linear fit was 0.964 (p=0.0005) for permanent occlusion and 0.971 (p= 0.0022) for transient occlusion ( figure 1 ). The infarct volumes measured at 1 hour increased by a factor of 1.42 relative to 24 hour infarct volumes for permanent occlusion and 2.05 for transient occlusion. Bland-Altman statistic indicates that reproducibility using the MD maps (15.9%) and FLAIR images (13.3%) is not substantially different. None of the animals demonstrated hemorrhagic conversion by 24 hours. Conclusion: MD maps generated one hour post reperfusion following transient and permanent MCAO in a canine model can serve as a reliable assessment for infarct volume determination. Increase in infarct volume at 24 hours, presumably due to vasogenic edema, was greater in reperfused infarctions than with permanent occlusion. Figure 1: Bivariate linear fit analysis comparing immediate and 24-hour infarct volume calculations for permanent and transient occlusions.


2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Akhmedov ◽  
Remo D Spescha ◽  
Francesco Paneni ◽  
Giovani G Camici ◽  
Thomas F Luescher

Background— Stroke is one of the most common causes of death and long term disability worldwide primarily affecting the elderly population. Lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor 1 (LOX-1) is the receptor for oxidized LDL identified in endothelial cells. Binding of OxLDL to LOX-1 induces several cellular events in endothelial cells, such as activation of transcription factor NF-kB, upregulation of MCP-1, and reduction in intracellular NO. Accumulating evidence suggests that LOX-1 is involved in endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, atherogenesis, myocardial infarction, and intimal thickening after balloon catheter injury. Interestingly, a recent study demonstrated that acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), which could prevent ischemic stroke, inhibited Ox-LDL-mediated LOX-1 expression in human coronary endothelial cells. The expression of LOX-1 was increased at a transient ischemic core site in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model. These data suggest that LOX-1 expression induces atherosclerosis in the brain and is the precipitating cause of ischemic stroke. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to investigate the role of endothelial LOX-1 in stroke using experimental mouse model. Methods and Results— 12-week-old male LOX-1TG generated recently in our group and wild-type (WT) mice were applied for a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model to induce ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) brain injury. LOX-1TG mice developed 24h post-MCAO significantly larger infarcts in the brain compared to WT (81.51±8.84 vs. 46.41±10.13, n=7, p < 0.05) as assessed morphologically using Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Moreover, LOX-1TG showed higher neurological deficit in RotaRod (35.57±8.92 vs. 66.14±10.63, n=7, p < 0.05) and Bederson tests (2.22±0.14 vs. 1.25±0.30, n=9-12, p < 0.05) - two experimental physiological tests for neurological function. Conclusions— Thus, our data suggest that LOX-1 plays a critical role in the ischemic stroke when expressed at unphysiological levels. Such LOX-1 -associated phenotype could be due to the endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, LOX-1 may represent novel therapeutic targets for preventing ischemic stroke.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitch Paro ◽  
Daylin Gamiotea Turro ◽  
Leslie Blumenfeld ◽  
Ketan R Bulsara ◽  
Rajkumar Verma

Background and Purpose: No effective treatment is available for most patients who suffer ischemic stroke. Development of novel treatment options is imperative. The brain attempts to self-heal after ischemic stroke via various mechanism mediated by restored blood circulation in affected region of brain but this process is limited by inadequate angiogenesis or neoangiogenesis. Encephalomyosynangiosis (EMS) is a neurosurgical procedure that achieves angiogenesis with low morbidity in patients with moyamoya disease, reducing risk of stroke. However, EMS, surgery has never been studied as an therapeutic option after ischemic stroke. Here we described a novel procedure and feasibility data for EMS after ischemic stroke in mice. Methods: A 60 mins of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) was used to induce ischemic stroke in mice. After 3-4 hours of MCAo onset/sham, EMS was performed. Mortality of EMS, MCAo and. MCAo+EMS mice was recorded up to 21 days after surgery. Graft tissue viability was measured using a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced tetrazolium reductase assay. Results: EMS surgery after ischemic stroke does not increase mortality compared to stroke alone. Graft muscle tissue remained viable 21 days after surgery. Conclusions: This novel protocol is effective and well-tolerated, may serve as novel platform for new angiogenesis and thus recovery after ischemic stroke. If successful in mice, EMS can a very feasible and novel treatment option for ischemic stroke in humans.


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