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25 August 2012, Volume 7 Issue 24 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Yizhijiannao Granule and a combination of its effective monomers, icariin and Panax notoginseng saponins, inhibit early PC12 cell apoptosis induced by beta-amyloid (25-35) Ting Zhang, Zhanwei Zhang, Keli Dong, Guangcheng Li, Hong Zhu 2012, 7 (24):  1845-1850.  Abstract ( 171 )   PDF (238KB) ( 920 )   Save null References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Effects of wind-dispelling drugs and deficiency-nourishing drugs of Houshiheisan compound prescription on astrocyte activation and inflammatory factor expression in the corpus striatum of cerebral ischemia rats Qiuxia Zhang, Hui Zhao, Lei Wang, Qi Zhang, Haizheng Wang 2012, 7 (24):  1851-1857.  Abstract ( 195 )   PDF (272KB) ( 802 )   Save This study explored protective effects of Houshiheisan and its compound prescription of wind-dispelling drugs and deficiency-nourishing drugs on cerebral ischemia in terms of astrocyte activation and inflammatory factor expression. Results suggested that Houshiheisan lessened neuronal degeneration in the corpus striatum on the ischemic side of rats following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, contributed to astrocyte activation and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in the corpus striatum and decreased the levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α. Factor analysis results demonstrated that deficiency-nourishing drugs were more beneficial in protecting neurons and upregulating glial fibrillary acidic protein expression than wind-dispelling drugs. However, wind-dispelling drugs were more effective in increasing the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells and reducing inflammatory factor expression than deficiency-nourishing drugs. These indicate that different ingredients of Houshiheisan suppress cerebral ischemic injury by promoting astrocyte activation and diminishing inflammatory factor expression. Related Articles | Metrics

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Pre-ischemia electro-acupuncture potentiates the expression of Bcl-2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 in rat brains Ka Keung Yip, Samuel CL Lo, Kwok-fai So, Dora MY Poon, Mason CP Leung 2012, 7 (24):  1859-1865.  Abstract ( 247 )   PDF (149KB) ( 1001 )   Save The expression of the anti-apoptotic molecules Bcl-2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 is known to confer protective effects on the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. The current study investigated the expression levels of Bcl-2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 in response to multiple pre-ischemia electro-acupuncture at acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Fengchi (GB20) stimulation. Rats were divided into five groups: uninjured, control, non-acupoint, GB20 and ST36. Rats in the non-acupoint, GB20 and ST36 groups received 30 minutes (3 times or 18 times) of electro-acupuncture stimulation before experimental cerebral ischemia was induced. Bcl-2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 were found to be significantly increased in the ST36 groups with either 3 or 18 electro-acupuncture treatments (P < 0.05). The production was higher with 18 electro-acupuncture treatments in the ST36 groups (P < 0.05). In the GB20 groups, significant increase was only observed in transforming growth factor-beta 1 with 18 electro-acupuncture treatments (P < 0.05). No significant elevation of the level of transforming growth factor-beta 1 was observed in the non-acupoint groups. However, the production of Bcl-2 increased with 18 treatments in the non-acupoint groups (P < 0.05). The data suggest that multiple pre-ischemia electro-acupuncture at ST36 was effective in conferring neuroprotective effect on the brain by means of upregulation of Bcl-2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 and the effect was increase with the number of treatment. Related Articles | Metrics

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Acupuncture activates signal transduction pathways related to brain-tissue restoration after ischemic injury Haomei Tian, Hong Zhang, Junbao Zhu, Juan Zhang, Hening Cai, Yuchen Zhang, Chutao Chen 2012, 7 (24):  1866-1872.  Abstract ( 296 )   PDF (157KB) ( 850 )   Save A middle cerebral artery occlusion-model was established in rats using the improved thread em-bolism method. Rats were treated with acupuncture at either Dazhui (DU14), Renzhong (DU26), Baihui (DU20), or a non-meridian point. Detection with protein-chip technology showed that the level of protein phosphorylation in both groups was upregulated or downregulated depending on the signaling pathway compared with the model group that did not receive acupuncture. Analysis of proteins showing downregulated phosphorylation revealed that five signaling pathways were activated in the acupuncture-treatment group, while only two were activated in the acupuncture- control group. In contrast, analysis of proteins showing upregulated phosphorylation revealed only one pathway was activated in the acupuncture-treatment group, whereas four pathways were activated in the acupuncture-control group. Furthermore, the number of activated proteins in the acupuncture-treatment group was not only higher than the acupuncture-control group, but unlike the acupuncture-control group, the majority of activated proteins were key proteins in the signaling pathways. Our findings indicate that acupuncture at specific points can activate multiple signaling pathways to promote the restoration of brain tissue following ischemic injury, and that this is based on a combination of effects resulting from multiple pathways, targets, and means. Related Articles | Metrics

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Therapeutic effect of nerve growth factor on cerebral infarction in dogs using the hemisphere anomalous volume ratio of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging Yong Wang, Hui Zhang, Zhe Wang, Zuojun Geng, Huaijun Liu, Haiqing Yang, Peng Song, Qing Liu 2012, 7 (24):  1873-1880.  Abstract ( 191 )   PDF (164KB) ( 912 )   Save A model of focal cerebral ischemic infarction was established in dogs through middle cerebral artery occlusion of the right side. Thirty minutes after occlusion, models were injected with nerve growth factor adjacent to the infarct locus. The therapeutic effect of nerve growth factor against cerebral infarction was assessed using the hemisphere anomalous volume ratio, a quantitative index of diffusion-weighted MRI. At 6 hours, 24 hours, 7 days and 3 months after modeling, the hemisphere anomalous volume ratio was significantly reduced after treatment with nerve growth factor. Hema-toxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and neurological function scores showed that infarct defects were slightly reduced and neurological function significantly improved after nerve growth factor treatment. This result was consistent with diffusion-weighted MRI measurements. Experimental findings indicate that nerve growth factor can protect against cerebral infarction, and that the hemisphere anomalous volume ratio of diffusion-weighted MRI can be used to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Related Articles | Metrics

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Imaging changes in neural circuits in patients with depression using 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and diffusion tensor imaging Shaoqiong Chen, Lisha Lai, Zhuang Kang, Xiao Luo, Jiansheng Zhang, Jianfang Li 2012, 7 (24):  1881-1888.  Abstract ( 305 )   PDF (196KB) ( 822 )   Save 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging and diffusion tensor imaging were performed in 19 patients with mild depression and in 13 controls. The mean age of the patients was 31 years. The mean Hamilton depression score of the patients was 22.5 ± 13.2. N-acetylaspartate, choline and creatine concentrations and the average diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy values were measured in the bilateral hippocampus, striatum, thalamus and prefrontal deep white matter. Compared with the control group, the mild depressed patients had: (1) a higher choline/creatine ratio and a negative correlation between the choline/creatine ratio and the average diffusion coefficient in the hippocampus; (2) a lower choline/creatine ratio and a higher fractional anisotropy in the striatum; (3) a lower fractional anisotropy and a positive correlation between the fractional anisotropy and the choline/creatine ratio in the prefrontal deep white matter; and (4) a higher average diffusion coefficient and a positive correlation between the choline/creatine ratio and the N-acetylaspartate/creatine ratio in the thalamus, as well as positive correlation between the cho-line/creatine ratio and Hamilton depression scores. These data suggest evidence of abnormal connectivity in neurofibrotic microstructures and abnormal metabolic alterations in the lim-bic-cortical-striatal-pallidal-thalamic neural circuit in patients with mild depression. Related Articles | Metrics

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Onsite-effects of dual-hemisphere versus conventional single-hemisphere transcranial direct current stimulation Yong Hyun Kwon, Sung Ho Jang 2012, 7 (24):  1889-1894.  Abstract ( 261 )   PDF (151KB) ( 873 )   Save null References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Protective effect of insulin and glucose at different concentrations on penicillin-induced astrocyte death on the primer astroglial cell line Mehmet Bülent Özdemir, Hakan Akça, Çağdaş Erdoğan, Onur Tokgün, Aydın Demiray, Fenkçi Semin, Cem Becerir 2012, 7 (24):  1895-1899.  Abstract ( 195 )   PDF (210KB) ( 827 )   Save Astrocytes perform many functions in the brain and spinal cord. Glucose metabolism is important for astroglial cells and astrocytes are the only cells with insulin receptors in the brain. The common antibiotic penicillin is also a chemical agent that causes degenerative effect on neuronal cell. The aim of this study is to show the effect of insulin and glucose at different concentrations on the astrocyte death induced by penicillin on primer astroglial cell line. It is well known that intracranial penicillin treatment causes neuronal cell death and it is used for experimental epilepsy model commonly. Previous studies showed that insulin and glucose might protect neuronal cell in case of proper concentrations. But, the present study is about the effect of insulin and glucose against astrocyte death induced by penicillin. For this purpose, newborn rat brain was extracted and then mechanically dissociated to astroglial cell suspension and finally grown in culture medium. Clutters were maintained for 2 weeks prior to being used in these experiments. Different concentrations of insulin (0, 1, 3 nM) and glucose (0, 3, 30 mM) were used in media without penicillin and with       2 500 μM penicillin. Penicillin decreased the viability of astroglial cell seriously. The highest cell viability appeared in medium with 3 nM insulin and 3 mM glucose but without penicillin. However, in medium with penicillin, the best cell survival was in medium with 1 nM insulin but without glucose. We concluded that insulin and glucose show protective effects on the damage induced by penicillin to primer astroglial cell line. Interestingly, cell survival depends on concentrations of insulin and glucose strongly. The results of this study will help to explain cerebrovascular pathologies parallel to insulin and glucose conditions of patient after intracranial injuries. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Outcomes of early physiotherapy in patients with cerebral aneurysms treated by surgical clipping or endovascular embolization Arzu Guclu-Gunduz, Sevil Bilgin, Nezire Köse, Hakan Oruckaptan 2012, 7 (24):  1900-1905.  Abstract ( 197 )   PDF (130KB) ( 1131 )   Save Early physiotherapy was given to 124 patients with ruptured or unruptured cerebral aneurysms who were treated by surgical clipping or endovascular embolization. Patients were divided into four groups according to their Hunt and Hess grade at admission and aneurysm treatment modality: Group 1, Hunt and Hess grade ≤ II and surgical clipping; Group 2, Hunt and Hess grade ≤ II and endovascular embolization; Group 3, Hunt and Hess grade ≥ III and surgical clipping; Group 4, Hunt and Hess grade ≥ III and endovascular embolization. Level of consciousness was evaluated using the Glasgow Coma Scale, functional status using the Glasgow Outcome Scale, level of the mobility using the Mobility Scale for acute stroke patients, and independence in activities of daily living using the Barthel Index. After early physiotherapy, the level of consciousness and functional status improved significantly in Groups 1, 3, and 4; mobility improved significantly in all groups; and independence in activities of daily living improved significantly in Groups 1 and 3. At discharge, Groups 1 and 2 had better functional status than Groups 3 and 4. Level of consciousness, functional status, mobility and independence in activities of daily living improved after early physiotherapy. These findings suggest that early physiotherapy improved the prognosis of patients with cerebral aneurysms who were treated by surgical clipping or endovascular embolization. Patients with a worse clinical status at presentation had a poorer functional status at discharge. The outcome of physiotherapy was not affected by whether surgical clipping or endovascular embolization was chosen for treatment of the aneurysm. Related Articles | Metrics

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Changes of auditory evoked magnetic fields in patients after acute cerebral infarction using magnetoencephalography Zhanyong Sun, Chunfeng Song, Jilin Sun, Ling Li, Yanhong Dong, Jianhua Wang, Jie Wu, Wenzhu Cui, Yujin Wu, Peiyuan Lv 2012, 7 (24):  1906-1913.  Abstract ( 225 )   PDF (213KB) ( 744 )   Save Auditory evoked magnetic fields were recorded from 15 patients with acute cerebral infarction and 11 healthy volunteers using magnetoencephalography. The auditory stimuli of 2 kHz pure tone were binaurally presented with an interstimulus interval of 1 second. The intensity of stimuli was 90 dB and the stimulus duration was 8 ms. The results showed that the M100 was the prominent response, peaking approximately 100 ms after stimulus onset in all subjects. It originated from the area close to Heschl’s gyrus. In the patient group, the peak latency of M100 responses was significantly prolonged, and the mean strength of equivalent current dipole was significantly smaller in the affected hemisphere. The three-dimensional inter-hemispheric difference of the M100 positions was increased in the patient group. Our experimental findings suggested that impairment of cerebral function in patients with acute ischemic stroke can be detected using magnetoencephalography with the higher spatial resolution and temporal resolution. Magnetoencephalography could provide objective and sensitive indices to estimate auditory cortex function in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Related Articles | Metrics

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No association between a polymorphism of the adenylate cyclase type IX gene and major depressive disorder in the Chinese Han population Suxia Cao, Xiaofeng Zhao, Hengfen Li 2012, 7 (24):  1914-1919.  Abstract ( 216 )   PDF (157KB) ( 1013 )   Save Previous studies have demonstrated that a missense single-nucleotide polymorphism variant (2316A>G; rs2230739) of the adenylate cyclase type IX gene was associated with bipolar disorder and affective disorder. We determined genotype and allele frequencies using a ligase detection reaction method in 315 patients with major depressive disorder and 278 unrelated, sex-matched healthy control subjects. We did not detect any statistically significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies between patients and healthy control subjects. Furthermore, we found no significant difference between genders in major depressive disorder, nor between patients and controls in the same gender. These results suggest that 2316A>G (rs2230739) may not be a risk factor for increasing susceptibility to major depressive disorder in the Chinese Han population. Related Articles | Metrics