scholarly journals Glutathione Suppresses Cerebral Infarct Volume and Cell Death after Ischemic Injury: Involvement of FOXO3 Inactivation and Bcl2 Expression

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juhyun Song ◽  
Joohyun Park ◽  
Yumi Oh ◽  
Jong Eun Lee

Ischemic stroke interrupts the flow of blood to the brain and subsequently results in cerebral infarction and neuronal cell death, leading to severe pathophysiology. Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant with cellular protective functions, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging in the brain. In addition, GSH is involved in various cellular survival pathways in response to oxidative stress. In the present study, we examined whether GSH reduces cerebral infarct size after middle cerebral artery occlusionin vivoand the signaling mechanisms involved in the promotion of cell survival after GSH treatment under ischemia/reperfusion conditionsin vitro. To determine whether GSH reduces the extent of cerebral infarction, cell death after ischemia, and reperfusion injury, we measured infarct size in ischemic brain tissue and the expression of claudin-5 associated with brain infarct formation. We also examined activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, inactivation of FOXO3, and expression of Bcl2 to assess the role of GSH in promoting cell survival in response to ischemic injury. Based on our results, we suggest that GSH might improve the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke by attenuating cerebral infarction and cell death.

Author(s):  
Ani Kartini ◽  
Mansyur Arif ◽  
Hardjoeno Hardjoeno

Coagulation activation and thrombosis frequently exist in ischemic stroke, thrombus formation can be detected early by the presence of fibrin monomer. The purpose of this study was to know the correlation of fibrin monomer level with cerebral infarct size in acute ischemic stroke patients. This was a cross sectional study with a total of 39 samples. The fibrin monomer level was determined by immunoturbidimetry method using STA-Compact and the measurement of the infarct size was done by CT scan of the head using Broderick formula. The results of this study showed that the median level of fibrin monomer in acute ischemic stroke with nonlacunar infarct type and lacunar infarct type were 14.46 μg/mL and 4.29 μg/mL, respectively. Mann-Whitney test showed there was a significant difference of fibrin monomer levels between nonlacunar infarct type and the lacunar type, p=0.000. The cut-off point analysis result of the fibrin monomer level was 5.96 μg/mL with a sensitivity of 88.9% and specificity of 76.4%, respectively. Spearman correlation test showed that fibrin monomer level was positively correlated with cerebral infarct volume in acute ischemic stroke (r=0.56, p=0.000). Based on this study, it can be concluded that fibrin monomer level can be used as a marker to predict the type of cerebral infarct and volume of acute ischemic stroke as well.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Valle Raleigh ◽  
Adolfo G Mauro ◽  
Carlo Marchetti ◽  
Jun He ◽  
Stefano Toldo ◽  
...  

Background: The preconditioning-like infarct-sparing and anti-inflammatory effects of the peptide hormone relaxin following ischemic injury have been studied in the heart. Whether reperfusion therapy with recombinant human relaxin (serelaxin, SRLX) reduces myocardial infarct size and attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome formation/caspase-1 activation and subsequent loss of functional myocardium following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is unknown. Methods and Results: After baseline echocardiography, adult male C57BL (WT) or eNOS knockout (KO) mice underwent myocardial infarction (MI) by coronary artery ligation for 30 minutes followed by 24 h reperfusion. Mice were treated with either SRLX (10 μg/Kg; sc) or saline 5 minutes before reperfusion. SRLX improved survival at 24 h post MI in WT mice (79%) as compared with controls (42%), whereas there was no difference in survival between SRLX- and saline-treated eNOS KO mice. Moreover, SRLX significantly reduced infarct size, measured with TTC staining, and preserved LV fractional shortening (FS) and end-systolic diameter (LVESD) in WT mice as compared with controls. Interestingly, cardiac caspase-1 activity was markedly reduced in SRLX-treated mice compared with controls at 24 h post MI (Figure A-D). Genetic deletion of eNOS abolished the infarct-sparing and anti-inflammatory effects of SRLX as well as functional preservation. SRLX plasma levels were assessed 5 min. after treatment using ELISA and the results demonstrate therapeutic levels comparable to plasma relaxin during the first trimester of pregnancy (Figure E). Conclusion: Reperfusion therapy with SRLX attenuates myocardial I/R injury and NLRP3 inflammasome formation via eNOS-dependent mechanism. We propose that SRLX possesses an anti-inflammatory effect preventing caspase-1 activation and inflammatory complications following MI, which may shed some light on the mechanism behind the survival benefit observed in the RELAX-AHF trial.


Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas M Bennion ◽  
Lauren Donnangelo ◽  
David Pioquinto ◽  
Robert Regenhardt ◽  
Mohan K Raizada ◽  
...  

Background: Toward discovering novel stroke therapies, recent research has shown that activation of the newly-discovered angiotensin converting enzyme 2/angiotensin-(1-7)/mas (ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas) pathway, a counter-regulatory axis of the brain renin-angiotensin system, is neuroprotective in ischemic stroke in rats. Specifically, intraventricular administration of the novel ACE2 activator diminazine aceturate (DIZE) before and during an ischemic stroke decreases cerebral infarct and neurologic deficits. Efficacy must now be demonstrated using minimally-invasive methods if this therapy is to be translated to the care of human patients. In this study, we assessed the hypothesis that systemic administration of DIZE post ischemic stroke would be neuroprotective. Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent ischemic stroke by endothelin-1 induced middle cerebral artery occlusion and were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=9-10/set): 1) intraperitoneal (IP) administrations of DIZE (7.5 mg/kg) at 4, 24, and 48 h after stroke; 2) IP administrations of 0.9% saline vehicle at the same time points. At 24 and 72 h after stroke, rats underwent blinded neurologic assessments. Immediately following the 72 h tests, animals were sacrificed, cerebral infarct volumes assessed by TTC staining, and IL-1β expression in the stroke region analyzed by rt-PCR. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM with significance inferred at p<0.05. Results: Mean infarct volume was significantly decreased by IP injections of DIZE (9.4% ± 4.35) as compared to control (22.8%±3.6, p=0.039). At 24 h post stroke, neurologic deficits (Garcia Scale) were significantly improved in the DIZE treated group (16.7±0.40) versus the saline group (15.22±0.57, p=0.037). Although DIZE tended to improve neurologic deficits 72 h post stroke, this trend was not significant. Finally, DIZE treatment significantly reduced mRNA expression of IL-1β (0.43 ± 0.14) in the cerebral cortical stroke region as compared to saline treatment (1.47±0.08, p=0.001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that targeting the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis post stroke can improve function, decrease inflammation, and reduce infarct volume - a significant translational step in brain renin-angiotensin system research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Koichi Sato ◽  
Ayaka Tobo ◽  
Chihiro Mogi ◽  
Masayuki Tobo ◽  
Nobuhiro Yamane ◽  
...  

Abstract Extracellular acidification in the brain has been observed in ischemia; however, the physiological and pathophysiological implications of the pH reduction remain largely unknown. Here, we analyzed the roles of proton-sensing G protein-coupled receptors, including T-cell death-associated gene 8 (TDAG8), ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 (OGR1), and G protein-coupled receptor 4 (GPR4) in a mouse ischemia reperfusion model. Cerebral infarction and dysfunctional behavior with transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) and subsequent reperfusion were exacerbated by the deficiency of TDAG8, whereas no significant effect was observed with the deficiency of OGR1 or GPR4. We confirmed that the pH of the predicted infarction region was 6.5. TDAG8 mRNA was observed in Iba1-positive microglia in the mouse brain. The tMCAO increased the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere and evoked morphological changes in microglia in an evolving cerebral injury. These tMCAO-induced actions were significantly enhanced by the TDAG8 deficiency. Administration of minocycline, which is known to inhibit microglial activation, improved the cerebral infarction and dysfunctional behavior induced by tMCAO in the TDAG8-deficient mouse. Thus, acidic pH/TDAG8 protects against cerebral infarction caused by tMCAO, at least due to the mechanism involving the inhibition of microglial functions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (05) ◽  
pp. 1043-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Tien Chang ◽  
Chang-Qing Li ◽  
Chin-Wan Hsu ◽  
Chunpei Lee ◽  
Hsien-Hao Huang ◽  
...  

Baicalein is a natural flavonoid with anti-oxidant activities protecting against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Previous studies suggest that oxidative burst early after reperfusion accelerates cell death. We therefore investigated the critical therapeutic window of baicalein by examining the timing of baicalein treatment in relation to its oxidant modulating and cytoprotective effects. Using an established chick cardiomyocyte model of I/R, we administered baicalein at various time points after reperfusion and assessed cell viability and the profiles of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and Akt phosphorylation. Baicalein administered at the onset of reperfusion resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction of cell death (25 [Formula: see text]M [Formula: see text]%, 50[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M [Formula: see text]%, 100[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M [Formula: see text]%, vs. I/R control [Formula: see text]%, all [Formula: see text]). Baicalein (100[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M) timely and effectively scavenged ROS burst and enhanced NO production in the early reperfusion phase. Cotreatment with NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor l-NAME (200[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M) partially abrogated the cytoprotective effect. Baicalein (100[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M) given after reperfusion lost protective effect in a time-dependent manner with cytoprotection completely lost if [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]min. Even with only 15-min delay after reperfusion, the ROS scavenging effect was abolished and the NO enhancing effect markedly reduced. The phosphorylation of Akt, an upstream regulator of eNOS, also diminished as the delay lengthened. In conclusion, baicalein treatment after reperfusion confers cardioprotection in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The critical therapeutic window lies in the early reperfusion phase, during which ROS scavenging and Akt-eNOS mediated NO signaling are most effective.


2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 1306-1317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa H Brait ◽  
Katherine A Jackman ◽  
Anna K Walduck ◽  
Stavros Selemidis ◽  
Henry Diep ◽  
...  

Cerebral infarct volume is typically smaller in premenopausal females than in age-matched males after ischemic stroke, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study we provide evidence in mice that this gender difference only occurs when the ischemic brain is reperfused. The limited tissue salvage achieved by reperfusion in male mice is associated with increased expression of proinflammatory proteins, including cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), Nox2, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and infiltration of Nox2-containing T lymphocytes into the infarcted brain, whereas such changes are minimal in female mice after ischemia–reperfusion (I-R). Infarct volume after I-R was no greater at 72 h than at 24 h in either gender. Infarct development was Nox2 dependent in male but not in female mice, and Nox2 within the infarct was predominantly localized in T lymphocytes. Stroke resulted in an ∼15-fold increase in Nox2-dependent superoxide production by circulating, but not spleen-derived, T lymphocytes in male mice, and this was ∼sevenfold greater than in female mice. These circulating immune cells may thus represent a major and previously unrecognized source of superoxide in the acutely ischemic and reperfused brain of males (and potentially in postmenopausal females). Our findings provide novel insights into mechanisms that could be therapeutically targeted in acute ischemic stroke patients who receive thrombolysis therapy to induce cerebral reperfusion.


2010 ◽  
Vol 298 (5) ◽  
pp. H1510-H1517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wobbe Bouma ◽  
Mio Noma ◽  
Shinya Kanemoto ◽  
Muneaki Matsubara ◽  
Bradley G. Leshnower ◽  
...  

The female sex has been associated with improved myocardial salvage after ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Estrogen, specifically 17β-estradiol, has been demonstrated to mediate this phenomenon by limiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis. We sought to quantitatively assess the effect of sex, ovarian hormone loss, and I/R on myocardial Bax, Bcl-2, and apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain (ARC) expression. Male ( n = 48), female ( n = 26), and oophorectomized female ( n = 20) rabbits underwent 30 min of regional ischemia and 3 h of reperfusion. The myocardial area at risk and infarct size were determined using a double-staining technique and planimetry. In situ oligo ligation was used to assess apoptotic cell death. Western blot analysis was used to determine proapoptotic (Bax) and antiapoptotic (Bcl-2 and ARC) protein levels in all three ischemic groups and, additionally, in three nonischemic groups. Infarct size (43.7 ± 3.2%) and apoptotic cell death (0.51 ± 0.10%) were significantly attenuated in females compared with males (56.4 ± 1.6%, P < 0.01, and 4.29 ± 0.95%, P < 0.01) and oophorectomized females (55.7 ± 3.4%, P < 0.05, and 4.36 ± 0.51%, P < 0.01). Females expressed significantly higher baseline ARC levels (3.62 ± 0.29) compared with males (1.78 ± 0.18, P < 0.01) and oophorectomized females (1.08 ± 0.26, P < 0.01). Males expressed a significantly higher baseline Bax-to-Bcl-2 ratio (4.32 ± 0.99) compared with females (0.65 ± 0.13, P < 0.01) and oophorectomized females (0.42 ± 0.10, P < 0.01). I/R significantly reduced Bax-to-Bcl-2 ratios in males. In all other groups, ARC levels and Bax-to-Bcl-2 ratios did not significantly change. These results support the conclusion that in females, endogenous estrogen limits I/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by producing a baseline antiapoptotic profile, which is associated with estrogen-dependent high constitutive myocardial ARC expression.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei Bing ◽  
Chunjie Song ◽  
Zhengjiang Zhang ◽  
Shen Xin ◽  
Cui Qian

Abstract BackgroundCerebral stroke, known as a cerebral vascular accident (CVA), is one of the leading causes of long-term disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Despite amounts of advances that have been achieved in terms of the treatment of ischemic stroke. But thus far, clinically effective neuroprotectants remain elusive, which may mainly due to the lack of a complete understanding of molecular mechanisms of the stroke. Previous studies have been revealed that catestatin (Cst) is closely related to cardiovascular ischemia/reperfusion injuries. However, little is known about whether Cst is involved in the regulation of neuronal death processes during ischemia. MethodsIn the present study, we revealed a protective function of Cst on Rat neuron cell death in the setting of ischemia/reperfusion injury. ResultsWe found that Cst treatment significantly attenuated the deficits of hippocampal related behaviors. On mechanism, our data revealed that Cst administration remarkably reduced ER-stress and mitochondrial dysfunction caused by I/R injury, and subsequently protected brain cells from apoptosis. ConclusionIn sum, our results demonstrate that Cst ameliorates I/R injury-induced hippocampal-related behaviors deficits by protecting the neurons from I/R injury-induced ER-stress and mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Our findings may provide a promising novel neuroprotectant for ischemic stroke therapy.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Kyu Lee ◽  
Sarah E. Wetzel-Strong ◽  
David L. Aylor ◽  
Douglas A. Marchuk

AbstractIschemic stroke is caused by a disruption of the blood supply to the brain leading to neuronal cell death. Genetic studies of ischemic stroke have identified numerous gene variants that increase the risk to develop stroke. In stark contrast, genetic studies of stroke outcomes, such as the infarct territory size, are confounded by many uncontrollable variables, leading to a paucity of gene targets for treatment of an incipient stroke. Using genetically diverse inbred strains of mice and a surgically-induced model of ischemic stroke, we used quantitative trait locus mapping to identify novel gene targets modulating infarct size, which varies greatly across inbred strains. Although infarct size is largely determined by the extent of collateral vessel connection between arteries in the brain that enables reperfusion of the ischemic territory, we have identified strain pairs that do not vary in this phenotype, but which nonetheless exhibit large differences in infarct size. In this study we performed QTL mapping in mice from an intercross between two such strains, WSB/EiJ and C57BL/6J. We identified a strong locus on chromosome 8 that overlaps with a locus of similar direction and effect previously mapped in an intercross between C3H/HeJ and C57BL/6J strains. To identify causative genes within the overlapping genetic interval, we surveyed nonsynonymous coding SNPs and performed RNA sequencing data analysis for all three mapping strains. We identified Macrophage Scavenger Receptor 1 (Msr1) as a strong candidate gene that harbors multiple coding SNPs predicted to be damaging. Using Msr1-deficient mice, we demonstrated that cerebral infarct volume after stroke induction is dramatically increased in a strain background where reperfusion effects due to collateral vessels is blunted. Significantly, the identification of neuroprotective genes such as Msr1 provides new genes for future mechanistic studies of infarction following ischemic stroke and provides novel gene/protein targets for therapeutic development.Author summaryThe most common form of stroke arises when a blockage occurs in a blood vessel of the brain, thereby preventing delivery of oxygen and nutrients to areas supplied by the affected vessel, leading to tissue death. The main treatment for this form of stroke is medication to dissolve the blockage; however, more treatment options are required to better reduce the death and disability associated with stroke. In this study, we sought to identify genes that can decrease the amount of damage to brain tissue following a stroke, with a specific focus on examining genes that work to directly protect the neurons, rather than returning blood flow to the affected area. Since it is impossible to precisely control the nature of stroke and the genetic variability in humans, we used mice identify a genetic region that is associated with the amount of tissue damage following stroke. Within this genetic region, we identified a list of candidate genes, including the gene Msr1, which we found is important for controlling tissue damage in one genetic population of mice after stroke. The genes identified here require further follow-up to determine the impact on stroke outcomes and the usefulness of these candidates as therapeutic targets.


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