Exosomes in Vascular/Neurological Disorders and the Road Ahead.

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), stroke, and aneurysms, are characterized by the abnormal accumulation and aggregation of disease-causing proteins in the brain and spinal cord. Recent research suggests that proteins linked to these conditions can be secreted and transferred among cells using exosomes. The transmission of abnormal protein buildup and the gradual degeneration in the brains of impacted individuals might be supported by these exosomes. Furthermore, it has been reported that neuroprotective functions can also be attributed to exosomes in neurodegenerative diseases. The potential neuroprotective functions may play a role in preventing the formation of aggregates and abnormal accumulation of proteins associated with the disease. The present review summarizes the roles of exosomes in neurodegenerative diseases as well as elucidating their therapeutic potential in AD, PD, ALS, HD, stroke, and aneurysms. By elucidating these two aspects of exosomes, valuable insights into potential therapeutic targets for treating neurodegenerative diseases may be provided.

Complement C3a Receptor (C3aR) Mediates Vascular Dysfunction, Hippocampal Pathology, and Cognitive Impairment in a Mouse Model of VCID.

Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) secondary to chronic mild-moderate cerebral ischemia underlie a significant percentage of cases of dementia. We previously reported that either genetic deficiency of the complement C3a receptor (C3aR) or its pharmacological inhibition protects against cerebral ischemia in rodents, while others have implicated C3aR in the pathogenesis seen in rodent transgenic models of Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we evaluated the role of complement C3a-C3aR signaling in the onset and progression of VCID. We utilized the bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) model to induce VCID in male C57BL/6 wild-type and C3aR-knockout (C3aR-/-) mice. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes, hippocampal atrophy (HA), white matter degeneration (WMD), and ventricular size were assessed at 4 months post-BCAS using laser speckle contrast analysis (LSCI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cognitive function was evaluated using the Morris water maze (MWM), and novel object recognition (NOR), immunostaining, and western blot were performed to assess the effect of genetic C3aR deletion on post-VCID outcomes. BCAS resulted in decreased CBF and increased HA, WMD, and neurovascular inflammation in WT (C57BL/6) compared to C3aR-/- (C3aR-KO) mice. Moreover, C3aR-/- mice exhibited improved cognitive function on NOR and MWM relative to WT controls. We conclude that over-activation of the C3a/C3aR axis exacerbates neurovascular inflammation leading to poor VCID outcomes which are mitigated by C3aR deletion. Future studies are warranted to dissect the role of cell-specific C3aR in VCID.

Complement C3a receptor-mediated vascular dysfunction: a complex interplay between aging and neurodegeneration.

Vascular dysfunction resulting in compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity is evident in aging and disease. Although the complement C3a/C3a receptor (C3a/C3aR) axis influences normal brain aging and disease progression, the mechanisms governing endothelial C3aR-mediated neurovascular inflammation and BBB permeability remain unexplored. In this issue of the JCI, Propson et al. investigated endothelial C3a/C3aR signaling in normal, aged, and neurodegenerative mouse models. Endothelial C3aR signaling modulated age-dependent increases in VCAM1, initiated peripheral lymphocyte infiltration, and enhanced microglial activity. Increased calcium release downstream of C3aR signaling disrupted the vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) junctions, increased BBB permeability, and degraded vascular structure and function. Mice lacking C3aR (C3ar1-/-) and mice treated with a C3aR antagonist showed attenuated age-related microglial reactivity and neurodegeneration. These results confirm that complement-mediated signaling impacts vascular health and BBB function in normal aging and neurodegenerative disease, suggesting that complement inhibitors represent a therapeutic option for cerebral microvascular dysfunction.

Remote Ischemic Post-Conditioning Therapy is Protective in Mouse Model of Traumatic Optic Neuropathy.

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is characterized by visual dysfunction after indirect or direct injury to the optic nerve following blunt head trauma. TON is associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation resulting in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Remote ischemic post-conditioning (RIC) has been shown to enhance endogenous protective mechanisms in diverse disease models including stroke, vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), retinal injury and optic nerve injury. However, the protective mechanisms underlying the improvement of retinal function and RGC survival after RIC treatment remain unclear. Here, we hypothesized that RIC therapy may be protective following TON by preventing RGC death, oxidative insult and inflammation in the mouse retina. To carry out the study, mice were divided in three different groups (Control, TON and TON + RIC). We harvested retinal tissue 5 days after TON induction for western blotting and histochemical analysis. We observed increased TON-induced retinal cell death compared with controls by cleaved caspase-3 immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the TON cohort demonstrated increased TUNEL positive cells which were significantly attenuated by RIC. Immunofluorescence data showed that oxidative stress markers dihydroethidium (DHE), NOX-2 and nitrotyrosine expression were elevated in the TON group relative to controls and RIC therapy significantly reduced the expression level of these markers. Next, we found that the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α was increased and anti-inflammatory IL-10 was decreased in plasma of TON animals, and RIC therapy reversed this expression level. Interestingly, western blotting of retinal tissue showed that RGC marker Brn3a and tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and Occludin), and AMPKα1 expression were downregulated in the TON group compared to controls. However, RIC significantly increased the expression levels of these proteins. Together these data suggest that RIC therapy activates endogenous protective mechanisms which may attenuate TON-induced oxidative stress and inflammation, and improves BRB integrity.

C3a receptor antagonist therapy is protective with or without thrombolysis in murine thromboembolic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) after stroke enhances C3a generation, which may abrogate the benefits of reperfusion. The C3aR antagonist SB290157 is neuroprotective following transient but not permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). SB290157 remains untested in thromboembolic (TE) models, which better approximate human stroke and also facilitate testing in combination with IVT. We hypothesized SB290157 would confer neuroprotection in TE stroke with and without "late" IVT. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We used two different models of TE stroke to examine the efficacy of SB290157 alone and in combination with late IVT. We evaluated the benefit of SB290157 in attenuating post-ischaemic behavioural deficits, infarction, brain oedema and haemorrhage. KEY RESULTS: Plasma C3a was elevated 6 hr after TE stroke alongside increased cerebrovascular C3aR expression, which was sustained to 4 weeks. Increased C3aR expression also was visualized in human ischaemic brain. In a photothrombotic (PT) stroke model, which exhibits rapid spontaneous reperfusion, SB290157 given at 1 hr post-PT significantly improved neurofunction and reduced infarction at 48 hr. In an embolic (eMCAo) model, SB290157 administered at 2 hr improved histological and functional outcomes. Conversely, late IVT administered 4.5 hr post-eMCAo was ineffective likely due to increased haemorrhage and brain oedema. However, SB290157 administered prior to late IVT ameliorated haemorrhage and oedema and improved outcomes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: We conclude that SB290157 is safe and effective with and without late IVT following TE stroke. Therefore, C3a receptor antagonist therapy represents a promising candidate for clinical translation in stroke, particularly as an adjuvant to IVT.

Acetyl-11-keto-ß-boswellic acid (AKBA) Attenuates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Complement Activation and Cell Death in Brain Endothelial Cells Following OGD/Reperfusion.

Brain endothelial cells play an important role in maintaining blood flow homeostasis in the brain. Cerebral ischemia is a major cause of endothelial dysfunction which can disrupt the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)/reperfusion promote cell death and BBB breakdown in brain endothelial cells. Acetyl-11-keto-ß-boswellic acid (AKBA), a biologically active phytoconstituent of the medicinal plant Boswellia serrata, has been shown to be protective against various inflammatory diseases as well as ischemic brain injury. The molecular mechanisms underlying these beneficial characteristics of AKBA are poorly understood. We subjected bEND.3 cells to OGD/reperfusion to investigate the protective role of AKBA in this model. We found that AKBA treatment attenuated endothelial cell death and oxidative stress assessed by means of TUNEL assay, cleaved-caspase-3, and dihydroethidium (DHE) staining. Furthermore, OGD downregulated tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin levels, and increased the expressions of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, ICAM-1, and complement C3a receptor (C3aR). We also noticed the increased phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in bEND.3 cells in OGD group. AKBA treatment significantly attenuated expression levels of these inflammatory proteins and prevented the degradation of ZO-1 and Occludin following OGD. In conclusion, AKBA treatment provides protection against endothelial cell dysfunction following OGD by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation.

C3a Receptor Inhibition Protects Brain Endothelial Cells Against Oxygen-glucose Deprivation/Reperfusion.

The complement cascade is a central component of innate immunity which plays a critical role in brain inflammation. Complement C3a receptor (C3aR) is a key mediator of post-ischemic cerebral injury, and pharmacological antagonism of the C3a receptor is neuroprotective in stroke. Cerebral ischemia injures brain endothelial cells, causing blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption which further exacerbates ischemic neuronal injury. In this study, we used an in vitro model of ischemia (oxygen glucose deprivation; OGD) to investigate the protective effect of a C3aR antagonist (C3aRA, SB290157) on brain endothelial cells (bEnd.3). Following 24 hours of reperfusion, OGD-induced cell death was assessed by TUNEL and Caspase-3 staining. Western blot and immunocytochemistry were utilized to demonstrate that OGD upregulates inflammatory, oxidative stress and antioxidant markers (ICAM-1, Cox-2, Nox-2 and MnSOD) in endothelial cells and that C3aRA treatment significantly attenuate these markers. We also found that C3aRA administration restored the expression level of the tight junction protein occludin in endothelial cells following OGD. Interestingly, OGD/reperfusion injury increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and C3aR inhibition significantly reduced the activation of ERK suggesting that endothelial C3aR may act via ERK signaling. Furthermore, exogenous C3a administration stimulates these same inflammatory mechanisms both with and without OGD, and C3aRA suppresses these C3a-mediated responses, supporting an antagonist role for C3aRA. Based on these results, we conclude that C3aRA administration attenuates inflammation, oxidative stress, ERK activation, and protects brain endothelial cells following experimental brain ischemia.

The Role of Complement C3a Receptor in Stroke.

The complement system is a key regulator of the innate immune response against diseased tissue that functions across multiple organ systems. Dysregulation of complement contributes to the pathogenesis of a number of neurological diseases including stroke. The C3a anaphylatoxin, via its cognate C3a receptor (C3aR), mediates inflammation by promoting breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and the massive infiltration of leukocytes into ischemic brain in experimental stroke models. Studies utilizing complement deficient mice as well as pharmacologic C3aR antagonists have shown a reduction in tissue injury and mortality in murine stroke models. The development of tissue-specific C3aR knockout mice and more specific C3aR antagonists is warranted to facilitate our understanding of the role of the C3aR in brain ischemia with the ultimate goal of clinical translation of therapies targeting C3aR in stroke patients.

Combined deficiency of Senataxin and DNA-PKcs causes DNA damage accumulation and neurodegeneration in spinal muscular atrophy.

Chronic low levels of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein cause spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMN is ubiquitously expressed, but the mechanisms underlying predominant neuron degeneration in SMA are poorly understood. We report that chronic low levels of SMN cause Senataxin (SETX)-deficiency, which results in increased RNA-DNA hybrids (R-loops) and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), and deficiency of DNA-activated protein kinase-catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), which impairs DSB repair. Consequently, DNA damage accumulates in patient cells, SMA mice neurons and patient spinal cord tissues. In dividing cells, DSBs are repaired by homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathways, but neurons predominantly use NHEJ, which relies on DNA-PKcs activity. In SMA dividing cells, HR repairs DSBs and supports cellular proliferation. In SMA neurons, DNA-PKcs-deficiency causes defects in NHEJ-mediated repair leading to DNA damage accumulation and neurodegeneration. Restoration of SMN levels rescues SETX and DNA-PKcs deficiencies and DSB accumulation in SMA neurons and patient cells. Moreover, SETX overexpression in SMA neurons reduces R-loops and DNA damage, and rescues neurodegeneration. Our findings identify combined deficiency of SETX and DNA-PKcs stemming downstream of SMN as an underlying cause of DSBs accumulation, genomic instability and neurodegeneration in SMA and suggest SETX as a potential therapeutic target for SMA.

Deregulation of ZPR1 causes respiratory failure in spinal muscular atrophy.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by the low levels of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein and is characterized by motor neuron degeneration and muscle atrophy. Respiratory failure causes death in SMA but the underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. The zinc finger protein ZPR1 interacts with SMN. ZPR1 is down regulated in SMA patients. We report that ZPR1 functions downstream of SMN to regulate HoxA5 levels in phrenic motor neurons that control respiration. Spatiotemporal inactivation of Zpr1 gene in motor neurons down-regulates HoxA5 and causes defects in the function of phrenic motor neurons that results in respiratory failure and perinatal lethality in mice. Modulation in ZPR1 levels directly correlates and influences levels of HoxA5 transcription. In SMA mice, SMN-deficiency causes down-regulation of ZPR1 and HoxA5 that result in degeneration of phrenic motor neurons. Identification of ZPR1 and HoxA5 as potential targets provides a paradigm for developing strategies to treat respiratory distress in SMA.

Anti-inflammatory role of sesamin in STZ induced mice model of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the common cause of diabetic vascular complications that leads to the blindness in the working age population throughout the world. Free radicals mediated oxidative stress and inflammation play a significant role in pathophysiology of DR. To find a new and safe drug to treat DR is still challenging and for that purpose the natural compounds may be therapeutic agents. Here we show that sesamin (SES), which is the main component of sesame seed and its oil, and has been reported as potent antioxidant and neuroprotective, could be a therapeutic agent in DR. In the present study, we investigated protective effect of SES in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced DR in mice. The mice were divided into three groups (Control, DR and DR+SES) for the study. After two weeks post-diabetic establishment, mice were treated with SES (30mg/kg BW, i.p, alternate day) for four weeks. Mice body weight and blood glucose level were measured from each group. The microglial activation of retina was determined by immunohistochemistry analysis by using Iba-1 as a microglia marker. Retinal mRNA levels of Iba-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1) were examined by qRT-PCR. The level of iNOS protein expression was examined by immunoblotting. Together these data demonstrate that SES treatment lowered the progression of diabetic retinal injury by: 1) decreasing blood glucose level, 2) suppressing microglia activation, 3) reducing retinal TNF-α and ICAM-1 levels and 4) quenching iNOS expression. In conclusion, the results suggest that SES treatment may be of therapeutic benefit in reducing the progression of DR by ameliorating hyperglycemia and inflammation in diabetic retina.

Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive motor neuron disease with a high incidence and is the most common genetic cause of infant mortality. SMA is primarily characterized by degeneration of the spinal motor neurons that leads to skeletal muscle atrophy followed by symmetric limb paralysis, respiratory failure, and death. In humans, mutation of the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene shifts the load of expression of SMN protein to the SMN2 gene that produces low levels of full-length SMN protein because of alternative splicing, which are sufficient for embryonic development and survival but result in SMA. The molecular mechanisms of the (a) regulation of SMN gene expression and (b) degeneration of motor neurons caused by low levels of SMN are unclear. However, some progress has been made in recent years that have provided new insights into understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of SMA pathogenesis. In this review, we have briefly summarized recent advances toward understanding of the molecular mechanisms of regulation of SMN levels and signaling mechanisms that mediate neurodegeneration in SMA.

Hemodynamic responses to acute angiotensin II infusion are exacerbated in male versus female spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We previously reported that male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) are more sensitive to chronic angiotensin (Ang) II-induced hypertension compared with female rats. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that anesthetized male SHRs are also more responsive to acute Ang II-induced increases in blood pressure and renal hemodynamic changes when compared with female SHRs. Baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) was higher in male SHRs than in female SHRs (135 ± 2 vs. 124 ± 4 mmHg, P < 0.05). Acute intravenous infusion of Ang II (5 ng/kg/min) for 60 minutes significantly increased MAP to 148 ± 2 mmHg in male SHRs (P < 0.05) without a significant change in MAP in female SHRs. Baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was also higher in male SHRs than in female SHRs (2.6 ± 0.3 vs. 1.3 ± 0.1 mL/min, P < 0.05). Ang II infusion for 60 min significantly decreased GFR in male SHRs (2.0 ± 0.2 mL/min; P < 0.05) without significant changes in urine flow rate, sodium, or chloride excretion. In contrast, Ang II infusion increased GFR in female SHRs (1.9 ± 0.2 mL/min; P < 0.05). The increase in GFR upon Ang II infusion in female SHRs was associated with increases in urine flow rate (4.3 ± 0.3 to 7.1 ± 0.9 µL/min), sodium excretion (0.16 ± 0.04 to 0.4 ± 0.1 µmol/min), and chloride excretion (0.7 ± 0.08 to 1.1 ± 0.1 µmol/min; for all P < 0.05). These findings support the hypothesis that there is sex difference in response to acute Ang II infusion in SHRs with females being less responsive to Ang II-induced elevations in blood pressure and decreases in GFR relative to male SHRs.

Meta-analysis reveals PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphism confers susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis in Caucasian but not in Asian population.

The PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphism is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, reports from the Asian populations are conflicting in nature and lacks consensus. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between the PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphism and RA in Asian and Caucasian subjects by carrying out a meta-analysis of Asian and Caucasian data. A total of 27 205 RA cases and 27 677 controls were considered in the present meta-analysis involving eight Asian and 35 Caucasian studies. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) were performed for the allele, dominant, and recessive genetic model. No statistically significant association was found between the PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphism and risk of RA in Asian population (allele genetic model: OR = 1.217, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.99-1.496, p value 0.061; dominant genetic model: OR = 1.238, 95% CI = 0.982-1.562, p value 0.071; recessive genetic model: OR = 1.964, 95% CI = 0.678-5.693, p value 0.213). A significant association with risk of RA in Caucasian population suggesting that T-- allele does confer susceptibility to RA in this subgroup was observed (allele genetic model: OR = 1.638, 95% CI = 1.574-1.705, p value < 0.0001; dominant genetic model: OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.598-1.745, p value < 0.0001; recessive genetic model: OR = 2.65, 95% CI = 2.273-3.089, p value < 0.0001). The PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphism is not associated with RA risk in Asian populations. However, our meta-analysis confirms that the PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphism is associated with RA susceptibility in Caucasians.

Inhibition of adenosine kinase attenuates inflammation and neurotoxicity in traumatic optic neuropathy.

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is associated with apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells. Local productions of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory mediators from activated microglial cells have been hypothesized to underlie apoptotic processes. We previously demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory effect of adenosine, through A2A receptor activation had profound protective influence against retinal injury in traumatic optic neuropathy. This protective effect is limited due to rapid cellular re-uptake of adenosine by equilibrative nucleotside transporter-1 (ENT1) or break down by adenosine kinase (AK), the key enzyme in adenosine clearance pathway. Further, the use of adenosine receptors agonists are limited by systemic side effects. Therefore, we seek to investigate the potential role of amplifying the endogenous ambient level of adenosine by pharmacological inhibition of AK. We tested our hypothesis by comparing TON-induced retinal injury in mice with and without ABT-702 treatment, a selective AK inhibitor (AKI). The retinal-protective effect of ABT-702 was demonstrated by significant reduction of Iba-1, ENT1, TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS/nNOS protein or mRNA expression in TON as revealed by western blot and real time PCR. TON-induced superoxide anion generation and nitrotyrosine expression were reduced in ABT-702 treated mice retinal sections as determined by immunoflourescence. In addition, ABT-702 attenuated p-ERK1/2 and p-P38 activation in LPS induced activated mouse microglia cells. The results of the present investigation suggested that ABT-702 had a protective role against marked TON-induced retinal inflammation and damage by augmenting the endogenous therapeutic effects of site- and event-specific accumulation of extracellular adenosine.

Sesamin attenuates neurotoxicity in mouse model of ischemic brain stroke.

Stroke is a severe neurological disorder characterized by the abrupt loss of blood circulation into the brain resulting into wide ranging brain and behavior abnormalities. The present study was designed to evaluate molecular mechanism by which sesamin (SES) induces neuroprotection in mouse model of ischemic stroke. The results of this study demonstrate that SES treatment (30 mg/kg bwt) significantly reduced infarction volume, lipid per-oxidation, cleaved-caspase-3 activation, and increased GSH activity following MCAO in adult male mouse. SES treatment also diminished iNOS and COX-2 protein expression, and significantly restored SOD activity and protein expression level in the ischemic cortex of the MCAO animals. Furthermore, SES treatment also significantly reduced inflammatory and oxidative stress markers including Iba1, Nox-2, Cox-2, peroxynitrite compared to placebo MCAO animals. Superoxide radical production, as studied by DHE staining method, was also significantly reduced in the ischemic cortex of SES treated compared to placebo MCAO animals. Likewise, downstream effects of superoxide free radicals i.e. MAPK/ERK and P38 activation was also significantly attenuated in SES treated compared to placebo MCAO animals. In conclusion, these results suggest that SES induces significant neuroprotection, by ameliorating many signaling pathways activated/deactivated following cerebral ischemia in adult mouse.

Habb-e-Asgand, polyherbal Unani formulation, protects liver and antioxidative enzymes against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity.

Abstract Context: Habb-e-Asgand, a polyherbal Homeopathy/Unani drug from Hamdard Wakf Laboratory, India, used in arthritis, gout and joint pain, is a mixture of many herbal medicinal plants. Scientific attempts to test and validate its efficacy are meager. Objective: To evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidative potential of Habb-e-Asgand against paracetamol toxicity. Materials and methods: Swiss albino male mice (n = 5/group) were treated with Habb-e-Asgand (250 mg/kg, body weight (b.w.) in normal saline orally for 14 days followed by a single dose of paracetamol (400 mg/kg b.w./normal saline) intraperitoneally 24 h before euthanization. We estimated liver function (LFTs) using diagnostic kits, while antioxidant enzymes, cytochrome P450 (CYP) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were measured using spectrophotometric methods. Results: Paracetamol alone induced LFTs enzymes significantly (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, 0.001), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT, ∼70%), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT, ∼20%), alkaline phosphatase (ALP, ∼20%), total bilirubin (∼30%), CYP activity (∼50%) and LPO (∼45%), while it significantly inhibited the activity of antioxidant enzymes glutathione reductase (GR, ∼35%), glutathione peroxidase (GPx, ∼40%), glutathione S-tranferase (GST, ∼16%), catalase (CAT, ∼84%) and glutathione (GSH, ∼30%) contents. Habb-e-Asgand alone and in combination of paracetamol significantly (p < 0.05, 0.01, 0.001) decreased LFT levels (20-25%), CYP activity (∼45%) and LPO level (∼25%), while it induced antioxidant enzyme activity (GR, ∼15%; GPx, ∼17%; GST, ∼20% and CAT, ∼60%). Discussion: Paracetamol metabolites may be mediating production of reactive oxidant species (ROS) and liver injury, which are attenuated by Habb-e-Asgand antioxidant constituents. Conclusion: Habb-e-Asgand may be used as a prophylaxis for ROS related liver injury.

Remote ischemic perconditioning is effective after embolic stroke in ovariectomized female mice.

Remote ischemic conditioning is neuroprotective in young male rodents after experimental stroke. However, it has never been tested in females whom remain at higher risk of stroke injury after menopause. We tested remote ischemic perconditioning therapy (RIPerC) at 2 h after embolic stroke in ovariectomized (OVX) female mice with and without intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) treatment. We assessed cerebral blood flow (CBF), neurobehavioral outcomes, infarction, hemorrhage, edema, and survival. RIPerC therapy with and without IV-tPA improved the CBF and neurobehavioral outcomes and reduced the infarction, hemorrhage, and edema significantly. Late IV-tPA alone at 4 h post-stroke neither improved the neurobehavior nor reduced the infarction but aggravated hemorrhage and mortality in OVX mice. RIPerC therapy prevented the increased mortality during late IV-tPA. Our study demonstrates for the first time that RIPerC therapy is effective in OVX females.

Sex differences in angiotensin-converting enzyme modulation of Ang (1-7) levels in normotensive WKY rats.

BACKGROUND: Levels of the vasodilatory peptide angiotensin (Ang) (1-7) have been reported to be greater in females than in males, although the molecular mechanism responsible for this is unknown. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), ACE2, and neprilysin are key enzymes regulating Ang (1-7) formation. We conducted a study to determine the effect of sex on the activities of ACE, ACE2, and neprilysin in the kidneys of normotensive rats. We hypothesized that greater ACE2 or neprilysin activity in females would result in enhanced Ang (1-7) formation as compared with that in males. METHODS: We measured the enzymatic activities of ACE, ACE2, and neprilysin in the renal cortex and medulla of 12-week-old male and female WKY rats. We treated additional rats with vehicle or enalapril (10 mg/kg/day in drinking water) for 14 days, and measured their Ang II and Ang (1-7) levels. RESULTS: Renal cortical activity of ACE was greater in female than in male WKY rats (P < 0.05), but the activity of ACE in the renal medulla was not significantly different in the two sexes. Renal cortical and medullary ACE2 and neprilysin activities were comparable in male and female WKY rats. Treatment with enalapril significantly decreased Ang II levels in the renal cortex and medulla of male and female WKY rats as compared with those in vehicle-treated controls (P < 0.05); enalapril did not change the plasma levels of Ang II. Cortical levels of Ang (1-7) were higher in vehicle-treated females than in vehicle-treated males (P < 0.05), and treatment with enalapril decreased Ang (1-7) levels only in females (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data supports a role for ACE in the formation of renal cortical Ang (1-7) in female WKY rats that is absent in males.