Anatol Manaenko

Comparison Evans Blue injection routes: Intravenous versus intraperitoneal, for measurement of blood-brain barrier in a mice hemorrhage model.

AIMS Intracerebral hemorrhage is one of the most devastating subtypes of stroke, leaving survivors with severe neurological deficits. Disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB) following hemorrhage results in the development of vasogenic brain edema, a most life-threatening event after such events as intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The Evans Blue assay is a popular method for the quantification of BBB disruption. Although this method is in common use, there are several protocols of the assay in the literature which vary in the route of administration, as well as the circulation time of the stain. In this study, we compared the amounts of accumulated stain in brain tissue following intraperitoneal versus intravenous injection at 0.5, 3 and 24h of circulation time. METHODS 58 CD-1 mice were used. Animals were divided into ICH (N=42), sham groups (N=6) and naïve (N=10). ICH animals received stereotactic injection of collagenase type VII into the right basal ganglia. Sham animals received only needle trauma. Evans Blue stain was injected 24h after collagenase injection or needle trauma. The consistency of ICH produced was characterized by estimation of hematoma volume via hemoglobin assay and neurological evaluation. RESULTS The produced hematoma and neurological deficits were well comparable between different experimental groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the results of the Evans Blue assay with regard to administration route. CONCLUSIONS The amount of Evans Blue stain accumulated in the brains of mice after ICH produced by collagenase injection was independent of the stain administration route.

Fingolimod reduces cerebral lymphocyte infiltration in experimental models of rodent intracerebral hemorrhage.

T-lymphocytes promote cerebral inflammation, thus aggravating neuronal injury after stroke. Fingolimod, a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor analog, prevents the egress of lymphocytes from primary and secondary lymphoid organs. Based on these findings, we hypothesized fingolimod treatment would reduce the number of T-lymphocytes migrating into the brain, thereby ameliorating cerebral inflammation following experimental intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We investigated the effects of fingolimod in two well-established murine models of ICH, implementing intrastriatal infusions of either bacterial collagenase (cICH) or autologous blood (bICH). Furthermore, we tested the long term neurological improvements by Fingolimod in a collagenase-induced rat model of ICH. Fingolimod, in contrast to vehicle administration alone, improved neurological functions and reduced brain edema at 24 and 72 h following experimental ICH in CD-1 mice (n=103; p<0.05). Significantly fewer lymphocytes were found in blood and brain samples of treated animals when compared to the vehicle group (p<0.05). Moreover, fingolimod treatment significantly reduced the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), interferon-γ (INF-γ), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the mouse brain at 72 h post-cICH (p<0.05 compared to vehicle). Long-term neurocognitive performance and histopathological analysis were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats between 8 and 10 weeks post-cICH (n=28). Treated rats showed reduced spatial and motor learning deficits, along with significantly reduced brain atrophy and neuronal cell loss within the basal ganglia (p<0.05 compared to vehicle). We conclude that fingolimod treatment ameliorated cerebral inflammation, at least to some extent, by reducing the availability and subsequent brain infiltration of T-lymphocytes, which improved the short and long-term sequelae after experimental ICH in rodents.

α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist PNU-282987 Attenuates Early Brain Injury in a Perforation Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats

Background and Purpose— Early brain injury is an important pathological process after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The goal of this study was to evaluate whether the &agr;7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (&agr;7nAChR) agonist PNU-282987 attenuates early brain injury after SAH and whether &agr;7nAChR stimulation is associated with down-regulation of caspase activity via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt signaling. Methods— The perforation model of SAH was performed, and neurological score, body weight loss, and brain water content were evaluated 24 and 72 hours after surgery. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used for quantification and localization of phosphorylated Akt and cleaved caspase 3. Neuronal cell death was quantified with TUNEL staining. &agr;7nAChR antagonist methylcaconitine and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin were used to manipulate the proposed pathway, and results were quantified with Western blot. Results— PNU-282987 improved neurological deficits both 24 and 72 hours after surgery and reduced brain water content in left hemispheres 24 hours after surgery. PNU-282987 significantly increased phosphorylated Akt levels and significantly decreased cleaved caspase 3 levels in ipsilateral hemispheres after SAH. Methylcaconitine and wortmannin reversed effects of treatment. Phosphorylated Akt and cleaved caspase 3 were colocalized to neurons in the ipsilateral basal cortex. Phosphorylated Akt was mainly localized in TUNEL-negative cells. PNU-282987 significantly reduced neuronal cell death in the ipsilateral basal cortex. Conclusions— &agr;7nAChR stimulation decreased neuronal cell death and brain edema and improved neurological status in a rat perforation model of SAH. &agr;7nAChR stimulation is associated with increasing phosphorylation of Akt and decreasing cleaved caspase 3 levels in neurons.

Hydrogen gas reduced acute hyperglycemia-enhanced hemorrhagic transformation in a focal ischemia rat model.

Hyperglycemia is one of the major factors for hemorrhagic transformation after ischemic stroke. In this study, we tested the effect of hydrogen gas on hemorrhagic transformation in a rat focal cerebral ischemia model. Sprague-Dawley rats (n=72) were divided into the following groups: sham; sham treated with hydrogen gas (H(2)); Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO); and MCAO treated with H(2) (MCAO+H(2)). All rats received an injection of 50% dextrose (6 ml/kg i.p.) and underwent MCAO 15 min later. Following a 90 min ischemic period, hydrogen was inhaled for 2 h during reperfusion. We measured the level of blood glucose at 0 h, 0.5 h, 4 h, and 6 h after dextrose injection. Infarct and hemorrhagic volumes, neurologic score, oxidative stress (evaluated by measuring the level of 8 Hydroxyguanosine (8OHG), 4-Hydroxy-2-Nonenal (HNE) and nitrotyrosine), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/MMP-9 activity were measured at 24 h after ischemia. We found that hydrogen inhalation for 2 h reduced infarct and hemorrhagic volumes and improved neurological functions. This effect of hydrogen was accompanied by a reduction of the expression of 8OHG, HNE, and nitrotyrosine and the activity of MMP-9. Furthermore, a reduction of the blood glucose level from 500+/-32.51 to 366+/-68.22 mg/dl at 4 h after dextrose injection was observed in hydrogen treated animals. However, the treatment had no significant effect on the expression of ZO-1, occludin, collagen IV or aquaporin4 (AQP4). In conclusion, hydrogen gas reduced brain infarction, hemorrhagic transformation, and improved neurological function in rats. The potential mechanisms of decreased oxidative stress and glucose levels after hydrogen treatment warrant further investigation.

Vascular Adhesion Protein-1 Inhibition Provides Antiinflammatory Protection after an Intracerebral Hemorrhagic Stroke in Mice:

The systemic immune response has a vital role in propagating the damage of an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1), a semicarbazide (SCZ)-sensitive-amine-oxidase, was found in previous studies to have a role in migration of immune cells. In this study, we hypothesize that VAP-1 inhibition may decrease brain injury by attenuating the transmigration of immune cells to the injury site, and by doing so, reduce cerebral edema and improve neurobehavioral function in mice. Two VAP-1 inhibitors, LJP1586 and SCZ were given 1 hour after ICH induction by either collagenase or autologous blood injection. The VAP-1 siRNA, a VAP-1 gene silencer, and human recombinant AOC3 protein, a VAP-1 analogue, were delivered by intracerebroventricular injection. Postassessment included neurobehavioral testing, brain edema measurement, quantification of neutrophil infiltration and microglia/macrophage activation, and measurement of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), P-selectin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression 24 hours after ICH. We found that LJP1586 and SCZ reduced brain edema and neurobehavioral deficits 24 hours after ICH induction. These two drugs were also found to decrease levels of ICAM-1, MCP-1, TNF-α, and inhibit neutrophilic infiltration and microglia/macrophage activation. We conclude that VAP-1 inhibition provided antiinflammation effect by reducing adhesion molecule expression and immune cell infiltration after ICH.

Non-hypoxic Stabilization of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Alpha (HIF-α): Relevance in Neural Progenitor/Stem Cells

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) plays an important role in neural progenitor cell (NPC) propagation and dopaminergic differentiation. In the presence of oxygen and iron, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) is rapidly degraded via the prolyl hydroxylase (PHD)/VHL pathway. In addition to hypoxia, various non-hypoxic stimuli can stabilize HIF-1α in NPCs and influence the transcription of HIF-regulated genes. Here, we investigate various hypoxia mimetics: deferoxamine (DFO), ciclopirox olamine (CPX), dimethyloxallyl glycine (DMOG), a novel HIF-PHD inhibitor (FG-4497) and cobalt chloride (CoCl2) with respect to their ability to enhance in vitro proliferation, neurogenesis and dopaminergic differentiation of human fetal mesencephalic NPCs (hmNPCs) in ambient oxygen (21%). Although able to stabilize HIF-1α, iron chelators (DFO and CPX) and DMOG were toxic to hmNPCs. CoCl2 was beneficial only towards neuronal and dopaminergic differentiation, while FG-4497 enhanced proliferation, neurogenesis and dopaminergic differentiation of hmNPCs. Both CoCl2 and FG-4497 were protective to human dopaminergic neurons. Finally, exposure to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) also stabilized HIF-1α in hmNPCs and induced neurogenesis in vitro. These findings suggest that several HIF stabilizing agents or conditions can rescue impaired neurons and promote neurogenesis in vitro.

Protective Effect of Melatonin upon Neuropathology, Striatal Function, and Memory Ability after Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Rats

Since free radicals play a role in the mechanisms of brain injury after hemorrhagic stroke, the effect of melatonin (a potent antioxidant and free-radical scavenger) on outcomes was investigated after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats. ICH was induced by clostridial collagenase infusion into the right caudate putamen, and several time points and doses of melatonin were studied. Brain edema and neurological function at 24 h were unchanged in comparison with vehicle-treated groups, in spite of oxidative stress reductions. Repeated treatment with the lower dose of melatonin (5 mg/kg) given at 1 h and every 24 h thereafter for 3 days after ICH, led to normalization of striatal function and memory ability over the course of 8 weeks, and less brain atrophy 2 weeks later. These results suggest that melatonin is safe for use after ICH, reduces oxidative stress, provides brain protection, and could be used for future investigations of free radical mechanisms after cerebral hemorrhage.

Rodent neonatal germinal matrix hemorrhage mimics the human brain injury, neurological consequences, and post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus

Germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH) is the most common neurological disease of premature newborns. GMH causes neurological sequelae such as cerebral palsy, post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, and mental retardation. Despite this, there is no standardized animal model of spontaneous GMH using newborn rats to depict the condition. We asked whether stereotactic injection of collagenase type VII (0.3 U) into the ganglionic eminence of neonatal rats would reproduce the acute brain injury, gliosis, hydrocephalus, periventricular leukomalacia, and attendant neurological consequences found in humans. To test this hypothesis, we used our neonatal rat model of collagenase-induced GMH in P7 pups, and found that the levels of free-radical adducts (nitrotyrosine and 4-hyroxynonenal), proliferation (mammalian target of rapamycin), inflammation (COX-2), blood components (hemoglobin and thrombin), and gliosis (vitronectin and GFAP) were higher in the forebrain of GMH pups, than in controls. Neurobehavioral testing showed that pups with GMH had developmental delay, and the juvenile animals had significant cognitive and motor disability, suggesting clinical relevance of the model. There was also evidence of white-matter reduction, ventricular dilation, and brain atrophy in the GMH animals. This study highlights an instructive animal model of the neurological consequences after germinal matrix hemorrhage, with evidence of brain injuries that can be used to evaluate strategies in the prevention and treatment of post-hemorrhagic complications.

FTY720 is Neuroprotective and Improves Functional Outcomes After Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Mice

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 20% of all strokes and is the most devastating form across all stroke types. Lymphocytes have been shown to potentiate cerebral inflammation and brain injury after stroke. FTY720 (Fingolimod) is an immune-modulating drug that prevents the egress of peripheral lymphocytes from peripheral stores. We hypothesized that FTY720 would reduce peripheral circulating lymphocytes, resulting in reduced brain injury and improved functional outcomes. CD-1 mice were anesthetized and then injected with collagenase into the right basal ganglia. Animals were divided into three groups: sham, ICH+Vehicle, and ICH+FTY720, by the intra-peritoneal route at 1 h after ICH induction. Brain water content was measured at 24 and 72 h. Neurobehavioral tests included corner test, forelimb use asymmetry, paw placement, wire-hang test, beam balance test, and a Neuroscore. FTY720 significantly reduced brain edema and improved neurological function at all time points tested. Lymphocyte modulation with FTY720 is an effective neuroprotective strategy to reduce brain injury and promote functional recovery after ICH.

Arginine-vasopressin V1a receptor inhibition improves neurologic outcomes following an intracerebral hemorrhagic brain injury

Cerebral edema is a devastating consequence of brain injury leading to cerebral blood flow compromise and worsening parenchyma damage. In the present study, we investigated the effects of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) V(1a) receptor inhibition following an intracerebral hemorrhagic (ICH) brain injury in mice and closely assessed the role it played in cerebral edema formation, neurobehavioral functioning, and blood-brain-barrier (BBB) disruption. To support our investigation, SR49059, an AVP V(1a) receptor competitive antagonist, and NC1900, an arginine-vasopressin analogue, were used. Male CD1 mice (n=205) were randomly assigned to the following groups: naïve, sham, ICH, ICH with SR49059 at 0.5 mg/kg, ICH with SR49059 at 2mg/kg, ICH with NC1900 at 1 ng/kg, ICH with NC1900 at 10 ng/kg, and ICH with a combination of SR49059 at 2 mg/kg and NC1900 at 10 ng/kg. ICH was induced by using the collagenase injection model and treatment was given 1h after surgery. Post assessment was conducted at 6, 12, 24, and 72 h after surgery and included brain water content, neurobehavioral testing, Evans Blue assay, western blotting, and hemoglobin assay. The study found that inhibition of the AVP V(1a) receptor significantly reduced cerebral edema at 24 and 72 h post-ICH injury and improved neurobehavioral function while reducing BBB disruption at 72 h. Western blot analysis demonstrated increased protein expression of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in vehicle, which was reduced with AVP V(1a) receptor inhibition. Our study suggests that blockage of the AVP V(1a) receptor, is a promising treatment target for improving ICH-induced brain injury. Further studies will be needed to confirm this relationship and determine future clinical direction.