Steroid receptor RNA activator affects the development of poststroke depression by regulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ signaling pathway.

The long noncoding RNA, steroid receptor RNA activator (SRA), has been reported to be involved in the development of many types of disease in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether SRA was associated with poststroke depression (PSD). A PSD rat model was established, and depression-like behaviors and sucrose consumption in rats with PSD were analyzed. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-PCR), western blot and luciferase dual reporter assay analyses were performed to detect the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) expression following SRA small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment. Compared with the control, the horizontal and vertical movement scores and consumption of sucrose solution were decreased in the PSD, PSD + LV-SRA and PSD + pioglitazone groups at 7 days post-SRA-siRNA treatment, while they were increased in the PSD + LV-SRA and PSD + pioglitazone groups. Furthermore, SRA expression in the PSD, PSD + LV-SRA and PSD + pioglitazone groups was lowered compared with the control group at 7 days postinjection. SRA increased the reported luciferase activity, but pioglitazone had no effect on the luciferase activity induced by SRA. SRA upregulated PPARγ mRNA and protein expression, whereas SRA siRNA significantly downregulated its expression. No significant differences in characteristics were identified between rats with and without PSD. SRA was more highly expressed in rats with PSD than rats without PSD. Collectively, this study suggests that SRA is associated with PSD through PPARγ signaling, indicating a potential therapeutic target of SRA for controlling PSD.

Effects of transsylvian-transinsular approach to hypertensive putaminal hematoma operation and electroacupuncture on motor recovery.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, a comparison of motor recovery on hypertensive putaminal hematoma (HPH) with 30 mL or more has been made between conventional treatment and decompressive craniectomy (DC) combined with electroacupuncture (EA). This study aims to examine whether transsylvian-transinsular approach (TTA) to HPH evacuation, DC, and EA have additional value to post-cerebral hemorrhage motor rehabilitation. METHODS: One hundred twenty patients with HPH of 30-mL volume or greater, who were admitted within 6 hours after ictus, were included in this study. Of the 120 patients, 80 were operated on for hematoma evacuation DC through TTA. The postoperative patients were divided into combined therapy group (CTG) and operation with exercises group (OEG). Combined therapy group (n = 40) was treated with EA, functional exercises from 1 to 3 days after hematoma evacuation DC through TTA, twice each day, and OEG (n = 40) accepted only the same operation and functional exercises. Another 40 patients were classified as functional exercises group to be treated conservatively and with functional exercises only after their relatives declined authorization for surgery and EA. The habilitation effects were assessed by blinded assessors at weeks 0 and 8. Outcome measures included Fugl-Meyer assessment, Barthel Index, and Functional Independence Measure. RESULTS: The statistical difference on the motor recovery was considerable (P < 0.05) between CTG and OEG. Significant differences were observed between CTG and physical therapy group (P < 0.01), and we also found statistical difference (P < 0.05) between OEG and functional exercises group. Surgically treated patients received significantly better motor recovery than did the conservatively treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgical treatment via TTA of HPH and postoperative EA at an early stage result in improved outcome of motor recovery. Transsylvian-transinsular approach for HPH operation and postoperative EA at an early stage are advocated.