The goal of this study was to assess the expression of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in the hippocampal CA1 region, and to find out whether nigranoic acid treatment exhibits protective effects on brain through PARP/AIF signaling pathway in cerebral ischemia–reperfusion animal model. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: Sham-surgery, ischemia–reperfusion, and nigranoic acid-treated. Rat models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were prepared using a way of thread occlusion. Rats in the nigranoic acid group were administered with 1 mg/kg intragastric nigranoic acid 6 and 2 h before brain ischemia, respectively. Following reperfusion, samples were collected at different time-points (6, 24, and 72 h) and each group was further divided into three subgroups. Apoptosis was measured using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling method. The protein expression levels of AIF and PARP were detected using Western blot and AIF mRNA quantity was evaluated using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Apoptosis, levels of AIF and PARP protein expression, and levels of AIF mRNA expression were significantly increased in the ischemia–reperfusion group compared with the sham-surgery group. However, apoptosis and the expression levels of AIF protein, PARP protein, and AIF mRNA at different time-points were significantly decreased in the nigranoic acid-treated group compared with the model group. We can judge that nigranoic acid has a strong protective effect on rat cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury, and acts by downregulating nerve cell apoptosis by preventing the overactivation of PARP and AIF nuclear translocation.
Oxidative stress plays a vital role in the initiation and progression of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Ameliorating oxidative damage is therefore considered as a beneficial strategy for the treatment of age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Probucol (Prob), a lipid-lowering prototype agent, was reported to treat cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus. However, whether Prob has an effect on age-related neurodegenerative diseases remains unknown. In the study, it was found that Prob ameliorated D-galactose (D-gal) induced cognitive deficits and neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1 region. Moreover, Prob alleviated ROS and MDA levels by elevating SOD, GSH-PX and HO-1 mRNA and protein expressions, and improving plasmic and cerebral SOD and GSH-PX activities in D-gal treated mice. Furthermore, Prob promoted the dissociation of Keap1/Nrf2 complex leading to the accumulation of Nrf2 in nucleus, implying that the improved anti-oxidant property of Prob is mediated by Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. The study firstly demonstrates the favorable effects of Prob against cognitive impairments in a senescent mouse model, rendering this compound a promising agent for the treatment or prevention of age-related neurodegenerative disease.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disease that seriously affects brain function. Currently, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat PTSD clinically but have decreased efficiency and increased side effects. In this study, nasal cannabidiol inclusion complex temperature-sensitive hydrogels (CBD TSGs) were prepared and evaluated to treat PTSD. Mice model of PTSD was established with conditional fear box. CBD TSGs could significantly improve the spontaneous behavior, exploratory spirit and alleviate tension in open field box, relieve anxiety and tension in elevated plus maze, and reduce the freezing time. Hematoxylin and eosin and c-FOS immunohistochemistry slides showed that the main injured brain areas in PTSD were the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus CA1. CBD TSGs could reduce the level of tumor necrosis factor- α caused by PTSD. Western blot analysis showed that CBD TSGs increased the expression of the 5-HT1A receptor. Intranasal administration of CBD TSGs was more efficient and had more obvious brain targeting effects than oral administration, as evidenced by the pharmacokinetics and brain tissue distribution of CBD TSGs. Overall, nasal CBD TSGs are safe and effective and have controlled release. There are a novel promising option for the clinical treatment of PTSD.
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