Neuroprotective effect of pseudoginsenoside-F11 on permanent cerebral ischemia in rats by regulating calpain activity and NR2A submit-mediated AKT-CREB signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) have been demonstrated to play central roles in stroke pathology and recovery, including dual roles in promoting either neuronal survival or death with their different subtypes and locations. PURPOSE: We have previously demonstrated that pseudoginsenoside-F11 (PF11) can provide long-term neuroprotective effects on transient and permanent ischemic stroke-induced neuronal damage. However, it is still needed to clarify whether NMDAR-2A (NR2A)-mediated pro-survival signaling pathway is involved in the beneficial effect of PF11 on permanent ischemic stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PF11 was administrated in permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO)-operated rats. The effect of PF11 on oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-exposed primary cultured neurons were further evaluated. The regulatory effect of PF11 on NR2A expression and the activation of its downstream AKT-CREB pathway were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence in the presence or absence of a specific NR2A antagonist NVP-AAM077 (NVP) both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: PF11 dose- and time-dependently decreased calpain1 (CAPN1) activity and its specific breakdown product α-Fodrin expression, while the expression of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II alpha (CaMKII-α) was significantly upregulated in the cortex and striatum of rats at 24 h after the onset of pMCAO operation. Moreover, PF11 prevented the downregulation of NR2A, p-AKT/AKT, and p-CREB/CREB in both in vivo and in vitro stroke models. Finally, the results indicated treatment with NVP can abolish the effects of PF11 on alleviating the ischemic injury and activating NR2A-mediated AKT-CREB signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that PF11 can exert neuroprotective effects on ischemic stroke by inhibiting the activation of CAPN1 and subsequently enhancing the NR2A-medicated activation of AKT-CREB pathway, which provides a mechanistic link between the neuroprotective effect of PF11 against cerebral ischemia and NR2A-associated pro-survival signaling pathway.

[Effects of Eupolyphaga Sinensis Walker on erythrocyte's CR1 activity and anti-cardiolipin antibody level in rats with stagnation of blood].

AIM: To study the effect of Eupolyphaga Sinensis Walker(ESW) on red blood cell immune adherence (RCIA) and serum anticardiolipin antibody level in rat model of Yin-deficiency Huo-excess with chronic blood stasis. METHODS: The model was made by i.m. injection of dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) and adrenaline (0.84 mg/kg). The serum anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACA) ACA-IgG, ACA-IgA and ACA-IgM and the plasma D-dimmer levels were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The body and organ weight of the rats were measured. RESULTS: For rats of Yin-deficiency Huo-excess, rosette rates of red blood cell C3b receptors (RBC-C3b RR) and red blood cell cancer (RBC-CaR) decreased, the serum ACA-IgG, ACA-IgA, ACA-IgM and the plasma D-dimmer levels markedly increased, body weight and the weight of spleen and thymus all decreased. ESW (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg) increased RBC-C3bRR and RBC-CaR, reduced serum ACA-IgG, ACA-IgA, ACA-IgM and plasma D-dimmer levels, and increased spleen weight of the rats. CONCLUSION: ESW can boost the immune function in rats of Yin-deficiency Huo-excess with chronic blood stasis.