[The effects of Erigeron breviscapus preparation on the imaging and neuronal metabolites at the early time points after reperfusion following the ischemic cerebral injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Erigeron breviscapus preparation on the imaging and neuronal metabolites after reperfusion in the ischemic cerebral injury in rats. METHOD: Twenty-three male Sprague Dawley rats with an average body weight of (165 +/- 15) g (mean +/- S) were used, and were randomly divided into two groups: group A rats (n = 11) underwent an operation of ischemic brain injury, group B rats (n = 12) underwent the same operation and received the treatment of Erigeron breviscapus preparation (1.5 mg.kg-1 weight, i.p.). The right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) of rats in both groups was induced by 5/0 nylon suture for 2 hours. The reperfusion was conducted for four hours and six hours respectively following MCAO. T2 weighted-imaging (T2WI) and 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) were performed, to study the changes of the imaging and the neuronal metabolites N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine/phosphocreatine (Cr/PCr), choline (Cho) and lactose (Lac) in cerebrum following cerebral ischemia. RESULT: The hyperintense signals in the right cerebrum in group B decreased compared with those in group A, the T2 values decreased, the level of NAA increased, the ratio of Cr/NAA and Cho/NAA decreased, and no lactose was observed. The brain surface vessels of rats in group B were in the state of dilation. CONCLUSION: Erigeron breviscapus preparation is beneficial to the reestablishment of the blood circulation in the ischemic brain, and to the improvement of the neuronal metabolism and survival.

[Effects of Angelica sinensis treatment on the expression of flt-1 and flk-1 mRNA after the ischemic brain injury in rats].

AIM: To investigate the effects of Angelica sinensis on the expression of Flt-1, Flk-1 mRNA after the ischemic brain injury in rats. METHODS: Wistar rats randomly divided into two groups: group A rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 hours by suture, group B rats underwent MCAO for 2 hours meanwhile received treatment with Angelica sinensis (5g/kg). At 1 st d, 3 rd d and 7 th d after reperfusion, 36 rats( n = 18 in each group) were assessed by neurological scale and brain tissue was taken to assess the lesion ration with 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The other rats (n = 3 at different time points in each group) were decapitated at 3 h, 6 h, 12 h , 1 st d, 3 rd d, 7 th d after reperfusion. Quantitative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was used to examine the gene expression of Flt-1, Flk-1. RESULTS: The neurologic deficit score of rats in group B decreased significantly compared with group A at the same time point (P < 0.05). The infarct volume of group A was significant greater than group B at the same time point after reperfusion (P < 0.01). The results of RT-PCR revealed that the gene expression of Flt-1, Flk-1 in the two groups increased from 3 h after reperfusion and reached its peak at the time of 3 rd d after reperfusion, then declined gradually. The gene expression of Flt-1, Flk-1 in the group B was significantly increased than group A at the same time point (P < 0.01). The gene expression of Flk-1 was positive correlated with Flt-1 in two groups (r = 0.957). CONCLUSION: The increasing amount of Flt-1, Flk-1 expression was enhanced by Angelica sinensis following transient interruption of cerebral blood flow in rats.

[Effects of Angelica sinensis injection on the neuronal metabolites and blood flow speed within reperfusion following the ischemic cerebral injury in rats].

AIM: To investigate the effects of Angelica sinensis injection on the neuronal metabolites and blood flow speed within reperfusion in the ischemic cerebral injury of rats. METHODS: Sixty-nine male Sprague Dawley rats with an average body weight of 150 to 170 g were used, and were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group (n = 4), ischemia injury group (n = 30) underwent an operation of ischemic brain injury, Angelica-treated group (n = 35) underwent the same operation and received the treatment of Angelica sinensis injection (5 g/kg bw, i. p). The right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) of both ischemia injury group and Angelica-treated group rats was induced by 5/0 nylon suture for 2 hours. The reperfusion was conducted for three to four hours and five to six hours respectively following MCAO. T2 weighted-imaging (T2WI) and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) were performed, to study the changes in imaging and neuronal metabolites N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine/phosphocreatine (Cr/ PCr) and choline (Cho) following cerebral ischemia. The changes in blood flow speed were measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. The surface vascular density in right hemisphere were calculated. RESULTS: The hyperintense signals and volume in the right cerebrum in Angelica-treated group decreased compared with those of the ischemia injury group, the T2 values were decreased, and the level of NAA increased, the ratio of Cr/NAA and Cho/NAA decreased. The blood flow speed in Angelica-treated group was improved. The length of brain surface vessels in group C increased. CONCLUSION: The Angelica sinensis injection enhanced the blood circulation in the ischemic brain, improved the neuronal metabolisms.