ß-asarone induces viability and angiogenesis and suppresses apoptosis of human vascular endothelial cells after ischemic stroke by upregulating vascular endothelial growth factor A.

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a disease with a high mortality and disability rate worldwide, and its incidence is increasing per year. Angiogenesis after IS improves blood supply to ischemic areas, accelerating neurological recovery. ß-asarone has been reported to exhibit a significant protective effect against hypoxia injury. The ability of ß-asarone to improve IS injury by inducing angiogenesis has not been distinctly clarified. The experimental rats were induced with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model cells were constructed using human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1) cells. Cerebral infarction and pathological damage were first determined via triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Then, cell viability, apoptosis, and angiogenesis were assessed by utilizing cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, spheroid-based angiogenesis, and tube formation assays in OGD HMEC-1 cells. Besides, angiogenesis and other related proteins were identified with western blot. The study confirms that ß-asarone, like nimodipine, can ameliorate cerebral infarction and pathological damage. ß-asarone can also upregulate vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and induce phosphorylation of p38. Besides, the study proves that ß-asarone can protect against IS injury by increasing the expression of VEGFA. In vitro experiments affirmed that ß-asarone can induce viability and suppress apoptosis in OGD-mediated HMEC-1 cells and promote angiogenesis of OGD HMEC-1 cells by upregulating VEGFA. This establishes the potential for ß-asarone to be a latent drug for IS therapy.

[Clinical trials of treatment of post-stroke foot drop by fire-needling plus stuck-needle-stretching].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect of fire-needling plus stuck-needle-stretching and conventional acupuncture for post-stroke foot drop, so as to provide a reference foundation for optimizing clinical treatment regimen. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with post-stroke foot drop were equally randomized into a treatment group and a control group. In the treatment group, fire-needling plus stuck-needle-stretching was applied to acupoint pairs Jiexi (ST41)-Taichong (LR3), Xiajuxu (ST39)-ST41, Fenglong (ST40)-ST39, shangjuxu (ST37)-ST40, Zusanli (ST36)-ST37, Dubi (ST35)-ST36, Xuanzhong (GB39)-Qiuxu (GB40) on the affected side, and Chengshan (BL57) and Ashi points were swiftly pricked with red-hot filiform needle without needle retaining. In the conventional acupuncture group, the same acupoints were needled with filiform needles, and the treatment for both groups was given once a day, 6 times a week, for consecutive 4 weeks. The spasm severity of posterior triceps of the lower leg was evaluated using modified Ashworth scale, the tibial anterior muscle strength was measured using Lovett' and Martin's methods, the activities of daily living were assessed using modified Barthel's index, the walking ability was evaluated using Holden walking rating scale and the lower limb motor function assessed using Fugl-Meyer assessment scale, and the severity of foot drop was assessed in reference to Garceau criteria. RESULTS: After the treatment, the score of the modified Ashworth scale was significantly reduced (P<0.01), and those of Lovett muscle strength scale, Barthel index, Holden walking rating scale and Fugl-Meyer lower limb motor function scale were considerably increased in both groups versus their own pre-treatment (P<0.01). The therapeutic effect of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group in reducing Ashworth scale score and in increasing the scores of Lovett muscle strength test, Barthel index, Holden walking function scale and Fugl-Meyer lower limb motor function scale (P<0.01). Of the two 30 cases in the control and treatment groups, 10(33.33%)and 14(46.67%) experienced a remarkable improvement, 10(33.33%)and 12(40.00%)were improved, 7(23.33%)and 3(10.00%)had a mild progress, 3(10.00%) and 1(3.33%) failed, with the excellent plus good effective rates being 66.67% and 86.67%, respectively, but without significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Both fire-needling plus stuck-needle-stretching and conventional acupuncture are effective in the treatment of post-stroke foot drop, but the former is relatively better.