Branched-chain Amino Acids are Beneficial to Maintain Growth Performance and Intestinal Immune-related Function in Weaned Piglets Fed Protein Restricted Diet

As a novel approach for disease control and prevention, nutritional modulation of the intestinal health has been proved. However, It is still unknown whether branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) is needed to maintain intestinal immune-related function. The objective of this study was to determine whether BCAA supplementation in protein restricted diet affects growth performance, intestinal barrier function and modulates post-weaning gut disorders. One hundred and eight weaned piglets (7.96±0.26 kg) were randomly fed one of the three diets including a control diet (21% crude protein [CP], CON), a protein restricted diet (17% CP, PR) and a BCAA diet (BCAA supplementation in the PR diet) for 14 d. The growth performance, plasma amino acid concentrations, small intestinal morphology and intestinal immunoglobulins were tested. First, average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p<0.05) of weaned pigs in PR group were lower, while gain:feed ratio was lower than the CON group (p<0.05). Compared with PR group, BCAA group improved ADG (p<0.05), ADFI (p<0.05) and feed:gain ratio (p<0.05) of piglets. The growth performance data between CON and BCAA groups was not different (p>0.05). The PR and BCAA treatments had a higher (p<0.05) plasma concentration of methionine and threonine than the CON treatment. The level of some essential and functional amino acids (such as arginine, phenylalanine, histidine, glutamine etc.) in plasma of the PR group was lower (p<0.05) than that of the CON group. Compared with CON group, BCAA supplementation significantly increased BCAA concentrations (p<0.01) and decreased urea concentration (p<0.01) in pig plasma indicating that the efficiency of dietary nitrogen utilization was increased. Compared with CON group, the small intestine of piglets fed PR diet showed villous atrophy, increasing of intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IELs) number (p<0.05) and declining of the immunoglobulin concentration, including jejunal immunoglobulin A (IgA) (p = 0.04), secreted IgA (sIgA) (p = 0.03) and immunoglobulin M (p = 0.08), and ileal IgA (p = 0.01) and immunoglobulin G (p = 0.08). The BCAA supplementation increased villous height in the duodenum (p<0.01), reversed the trend of an increasing IELs number. Notably, BCAA supplementation increased levels of jejunal and ileal immunoglobulin mentioned above. In conclusion, BCAA supplementation to protein restricted diet improved intestinal immune defense function by protecting villous morphology and by increasing levels of intestinal immunoglobulins in weaned piglets. Our finding has the important implication that BCAA may be used to reduce the negative effects of a protein restricted diet on growth performance and intestinal immunity in weaned piglets.

Inflammatory dentigerous cyst of mandibular first premolar associated with endodontically treated primary first molar: a rare case report

AIM

Inflammatory dentigerous cysts usually occur in the mixed dentition. It has been reported that inflammatory lesions from the root area of a deciduous tooth bring about the development of dentigerous cysts around the unerupted permanent tooth bud. Endodontic treatment is a common and successful procedure for periapical inflammation in children. An inflammatory dentigerous cyst can occur in conjunction with endodontically treated primary tooth.

CASE REPORT

This article reports a case of 6 years and 6 months old boy, with a single, well-defined, unilocular, radiolucent area enclosing the first right unerupted mandibular premolar, accidentally discovered on the panoramic radiograph. The first right primary molar had received a root canal treatment 18 months prior. Clinical findings combined with radiographic and microscopic examinations confirmed the diagnosis of inflammatory dentigerous cyst. As treatment, enucleation of the cyst with removal of the involved permanent tooth was chosen and a removable partial denture was supplied to the patient after surgery. The 5-year follow-up revealed good healing of the bony lesion and displaced teeth.

CONCLUSION

This case presented a severe and rare complication of endodontically treated primary tooth, and the recommendation includes: (1) early diagnosis of dentigerous cysts, which is essential to prevent extensive treatment; (2) more information on the adverse side effects of an endodontic treatment should be given to patients and parents; (3) patients should be informed about the importance of follow-ups and radiographic follow-up should be routinised.

Effect of γ-Aminobutyric Acid-producing Lactobacillus Strain on Laying Performance, Egg Quality and Serum Enzyme Activity in Hy-Line Brown Hens under Heat Stress

Heat-stress remains a costly issue for animal production, especially for poultry as they lack sweat glands, and alleviating heat-stress is necessary for ensuring animal production in hot environment. A high γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producer Lactobacillus strain was used to investigate the effect of dietary GABA-producer on laying performance and egg quality in heat-stressed Hy-line brown hens. Hy-Line brown hens (n = 1,164) at 280 days of age were randomly divided into 4 groups based on the amount of freeze-dried GABA-producer added to the basal diet as follows: i) 0 mg/kg, ii) 25 mg/kg, iii) 50 mg/kg, and iv) 100 mg/kg. All hens were subjected to heat-stress treatment through maintaining the temperature and the relative humidity at 28.83±3.85°C and 37% to 53.9%, respectively. During the experiment, laying rate, egg weight and feed intake of hens were recorded daily. At the 30th and 60th day after the start of the experiment, biochemical parameters, enzyme activity and immune activity in serum were measured. Egg production, average egg weight, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and percentage of speckled egg, soft shell egg and misshaped egg were significantly improved (p<0.05) by the increasing supplementation of the dietary GABA-producer. Shape index, eggshell thickness, strength and weight were increased linearly with increasing GABA-producer supplementation. The level of calcium, phosphorus, glucose, total protein and albumin in serum of the hens fed GABA-producing strain supplemented diet was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the hens fed the basal diet, whereas cholesterol level was decreased. Compared with the basal diet, GABA-producer strain supplementation increased serum level of glutathione peroxidase (p = 0.009) and superoxide dismutase. In conclusion, GABA-producer played an important role in alleviating heat-stress, the isolated GABA-producer strain might be a potential natural and safe probiotic to use to improve laying performance and egg quality in heat-stressed hens.

PCDD/Fs in air and soil around an e-waste dismantling area with open burning of insulated wires in south China

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in ambient air and farmland soil sampled in 2006 around an e-waste dismantling area with open burning of insulated wires in Longtang in south China were investigated. The total toxic equivalent concentrations of PCDD/Fs were 3.2-31.7 pg/m(3) in air and 5.8 12.4 ng/kg in farmland soil at an e-waste site and 0.063-0.091 pg/m(3) in air at a background site. PCDD/Fs in the air at the e-waste site were characterized with dominant 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF and OCDF and higher concentrations of furans than dioxins, suggesting open burning of insulated wires was likely to be the main source of PCDD/Fs. Compared with the results in this study, the level of PCDD/F tended to lessen with the average TEQ concentration decreasing by 41 % and the pattern changed to be dominated by OCDD in the air of Longtang in 2010 when insulated wires were openly burned in only a small scale. Our results indicate that the lower chlorinated congeners with higher vapor pressures have enhanced atmospheric transport tendencies.

Two-dimensional longitudinal strains and torsion analysis to assess the protective effects of ischemic postconditioning on myocardial function: a speckle tracking echocardiography study in rabbits

The reperfusion injury that occurs in the early reperfusion often results in myocardial dysfunction. This study evaluated global and regional left ventricular (LV) function using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in a rabbit ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model with and without ischemic postconditioning (I-PostC). The aim is to investigate the potential benefit of I-PostC for myocardial function and validate whether regional longitudinal strain is an appropriate index to indicate myocardial dysfunction. Forty rabbits were divided into an ischemia-reperfusion group (group I) and an I-PostC group (group II). After the coronary arteries were ligated, LV systolic strain and twist parameters decreased, and absolute value of strain rate of isovolumetric relaxation period (SRivr) and post-systolic strain index (PSI) increased significantly in both groups (all p<0.05). After reperfusion, regional longitudinal systolic strain rate (SRsys), systolic strain (Ssys), LV twist and untwisting rate increased, and SRivr and PSI decreased in group II. These changes were not seen in group I. All STE parameters were correlated with area of necrosis (AN)/area at risk (AR) (all p<0.05). The correlations were morerelevant between SRsys and AN/AR (r=-0.673) and between Ssys and AN/AR (r=-0.777) (both p<0.001). The intra- and inter-observer repeatability of STE parameters were good with correlation coefficients (CCs) >0.8 or 0.6. The sensitivities of GSRsys, GSsys, SRsys, Ssys, and LV twist to detect the myocardial infarction were 81.3%, 62.5%, 87.5%, 93.8% and 81.3%, respectively. And the specificities of those parameters were 75.0%, 81.2%, 75.0%, 87.5% and 68.7%. These results indicate that STE is useful for quantitative detection on myocardial function improvement induced by I-PostC in a rabbit I/R model. The regional index-Ssys is an appropriate parameter to indicate myocardial dysfunction because of its sensitivity, specificity, and repeatability.

Dimethyl fumarate attenuates 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells and in animal model of Parkinson's disease by enhancing Nrf2 activity

Oxidative stress is central to the pathology of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), and therapeutics designed to enhance antioxidant potential could have clinical value. In this study, we investigated whether dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has therapeutic effects in cellular and animal model of PD, and explore the role of nuclear transcription factor related to NF-E2 (Nrf2) in this process. Treatment of animals and dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells with DMF resulted in increased nuclear levels of active Nrf2, with subsequent upregulation of antioxidant target genes. The cytotoxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was reduced by pre-treatment with DMF in SH-SY5Y cells. The increase in the reactive oxygen species caused by 6-OHDA treatment was also attenuated by DMF in SH-SY5Y cells. The neuroprotective effects of DMF against 6-OHDA neurotoxicity were dependent on Nrf2, since treatment with Nrf2 siRNA failed to block against 6-OHDA neurotoxicity and induce Nrf2-dependent cytoprotective genes in SH-SY5Y cells. In vivo, DMF oral administration was shown to upregulate mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2 and Nrf2-regulated cytoprotective genes, attenuate 6-OHDA induced striatal oxidative stress and inflammation in C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, DMF ameliorated dopaminergic neurotoxicity in 6-OHDA-induced PD animal models as evidenced by amelioration of locomotor dysfunction, loss in striatal dopamine, and reductions in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and striatum. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that DMF may be beneficial for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like PD.

The association of new inflammatory markers with type 2 diabetes mellitus and macrovascular complications: a preliminary study

AIM

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is not simply a disease of hyperglycemia, but also is an inflammatory disorder. This study aimed to observe the expression of inflammation-related factors in elderly T2DM patients with or without macrovascular disease (MVD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 64 T2DM patients participated in this study, including 31 patients with MVD (group A) and 33 patients without MVD (group B); and 30 healthy volunteers were recruited as normal control (group C). The levels of serum irisin, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and adiponectin expression were all detected and compared between groups.

RESULTS

The demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between T2DM patients and healthy volunteers. For patients in group A, the serum levels of irisin, RBP4 and adiponectin were 12.05 ± 2.12 pg/mL, 2.13 ± 0.83 µg/mL and 45.65±20.13 ng/mL, respectively. While the corresponding parameters were 26.11 ± 4.09 pg/ml, 1.54 ± 0.54 µg/ml and 57.93 ± 23.47 ng/mL for patients in group B; and were 40.25 ± 2.73 pg/mL, 0.98 ± 0.36 µg/mL and 60.03 ± 20.26 ng/mL for healthy volunteers in group C, respectively. As compared to healthy volunteers, the levels of irisin, RBP4 and adiponectin were all significantly changed in T2DM patients; and the difference in irisin, RBP4 and adiponectin between T2DM patients with and without MVD were all significant (p = 0.000, p = 0.001, and p = 0.029, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis showed that irisin and RBP4 are both independent predictors for MVD in T2DM patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory disorder is significantly in T2DM patients with MVD, and serum irisin and RBP4 would be reasonable new markers of MVD.

Guanabenz delays the onset of disease symptoms, extends lifespan, improves motor performance and attenuates motor neuron loss in the SOD1 G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a relentlessly progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons in the motor cortex, brain stem and spinal cord. Currently, there is no cure for this lethal disease. Although the mechanism underlying neuronal cell death in ALS remains elusive, growing evidence supports a crucial role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the pathogenesis of ALS. Recent reports show that guanabenz, a novel inhibitor of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) dephosphorylation, possesses anti-prion properties, attenuates ER stress and reduces paralysis and neurodegeneration in mTDP-43 Caenorhabditis elegans and Danio rerio models of ALS. However, the therapeutic potential of guanabenz for the treatment of ALS has not yet been assessed in a mouse model of ALS. In the present study, guanabenz was administered to a widely used mouse model of ALS expressing copper zinc superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) with a glycine to alanine mutation at position 93 (G93A). The results showed that the administration of guanabenz significantly extended the lifespan, delayed the onset of disease symptoms, improved motor performance and attenuated motor neuron loss in female SOD1 G93A mice. Moreover, western blotting results revealed that guanabenz dramatically increased the levels of phosphorylated-eIF2α (P-eIF2α) protein, without affecting total eIF2α protein levels. The results also revealed a significant decrease in the levels of the ER chaperone glucose-regulated protein 78 (BiP/Grp78) and markers of another two ER stress pathways, activating transcription factor 6α (ATF6α) and inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1). In addition, guanabenz increased the protein levels of anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma/lewkmia-2 (Bcl-2), and down-regulated the pro-apoptotic protein levels of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) and cytochrome C in SOD1 G93A mice. Our findings indicate that guanabenz may represent a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of ALS, a lethal human disease with an underlying mechanism involving the attenuation of ER stress and mitochondrial stress via prolonging eIF2α phosphorylation.

Radix Astragali lowers kidney oxidative stress in diabetic rats treated with insulin

Fluctuations in glucose levels in diabetic patients can result in oxidative stress, resulting in an increased risk for diabetic complications. We investigated whether antioxidation would protect the kidney from oxidative stress in diabetic rats treated with insulin and provide evidence for the efficacy of antioxidant treatment in diabetes management. Diabetes was induced by injection of Streptozotocin intraperitoneally in male Wistar rats. Diabetic rats received either insulin, both insulin and Radix Astragali (RA), RA, or no treatment. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in kidney were determined. The changes of blood glucose levels and body weight were monitored. The levels of serum creatinine (Scr) were determined. The expression of PKCα was determined by western blot. NF-κB activation in kidney was assessed using EMSA. Compared to diabetic rats treated with insulin alone, the diabetic rats treated with combination of insulin and RA showed: (1) significantly lower levels of MDA, IL-6, TNF-α, and Scr (p < 0.05); (2) significantly higher SOD and GSH-Px activities (p < 0.05); (3) significantly lower NF-κB activation and lower expression levels of PKCα (p < 0.05); (4) significantly smaller kidney-to-body weight ratio (p < 0.05). RA is an effective agent in lowering oxidative stress in diabetic rats treated with insulin. Antioxidation is beneficial in reducing the risk of kidney damage due to oxidative stress in diabetic patients.

Force-induced optical nonlinearity and Kerr-like coefficient in opto-mechanical ring resonators

This paper demonstrates the optical nonlinearity in opto-mechanical ring resonators that consist of a bus waveguide and two ring resonators, which is induced by the optical gradient force and characterized by the Kerr-like coefficient. Each ring resonator has a free-hanging arc that is perpendicularly deformable by an optical gradient force and subsequently this deformation changes the effective refractive index (ERI) of the ring resonator. The change of the ERI induces optical nonlinearity into the system, which is described by an equivalent Kerr coefficient (Kerr-like coefficient). Based on the experimental results, the Kerr-like coefficient of the ring resonator system falls in the range from 7.64 × 10(-12) to 2.01 × 10(-10) m(2)W(-1), which is at least 6-order higher than the silicon's Kerr coefficient. The dramatically improved optical nonlinearity in the opto-mechanical ring resonators promises potential applications in low power optical signal processing, modulation and bio-sensing.

Characteristics and risk factors for hyperglycemia in Chinese female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

The aim of the study was to investigate the characteristics and risk factors for hyperglycemia in Chinese female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). One hundred and forty-six female SLE patients without a history of diabetes underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test to evaluate glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta cell function. According to the 1999 World Health Organization criteria, all patients were divided into three groups: normal glucose regulation, impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus. Glucocorticoid doses, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta cell function were compared among these groups. Risk factors for hyperglycemia were analyzed by univariate and multi-variate regression analysis. Our results showed that 46 of the 146 female SLE patients (31.5 %) were hyperglycemic, including 21 (14.4%) diabetes mellitus patients and 25 (17.1%) impaired glucose tolerance patients. These female SLE patients with hyperglycemia were characterized by insulin resistance and reduced pancreatic beta cell function, and they were relatively young. Age ≥35 years and high glucocorticoid doses were risk factors for hyperglycemia in Chinese female SLE patients. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance are quite high in Chinese female SLE patients. It is suggested that plasma glucose concentration should be monitored regularly and oral glucose tolerance test should be recommended for SLE patients who have risk factors for hyperglycemia.

Identification of a bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 isolated from cattle in China

The identification and characterization of bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 (BVDV-2) strain SD-06 isolated from cattle in China is reported. We performed sequence analysis of 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) and E2 sequences and the identity at the nucleotide and amino acid level indicated that the isolate was closely related to BVDV-2. The BVDV-2 strain New York'93 showed the highest sequence homology with the isolate SD-06. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate SD-06 belonged to BVDV-2a subtype. Furthermore, immunofluorescence assay with the monoclonal antibody specific for BVDV-2 glycoprotein E2 confirmed this identification. Thus, the strain SD-06 was the first isolate of BVDV-2 identified in China.

PBDD/Fs in surface sediments from the East River, China

The contamination status of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) was preliminarily investigated in surface sediments from the East River. The concentrations of eight 2,3,7,8-substituted tetra- to hexa- PBDD/Fs were found to be in the range of 0.32-110 (mean 13) pg g(-1) and the corresponding TEQ concentrations were 0.087-18 (mean 2) pg I-TEQ g(-1). All sediments were characterized by the dominant PBDFs. 2,3,4,7,8-PeBDF was the most important TEQ contributor, accounting for 47%-77% of the total I-TEQ of PBDD/Fs. PCDD/Fs contributed dominantly to the total TEQs of PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in most samples except of the sediment from the Shima River. The higher PBDD/F concentrations in the Shima River may be attributed to the use of BFRs in the electrical and electronics industries, which posed a potential risk of dioxins on ecological system.

Genomic sequencing and characterization of a Chinese isolate of Bovine viral diarrhea virus 2

The complete genomic sequencing and characterization of Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) isolate XJ-04 originated from cattle in China was described. The genomic RNA of the isolate was 12,284 nt long and contained short 5'- untranslated region (UTR), 3'-non-coding regions (NCR), and one open reading frame (ORF) encoding a large polyprotein of 3,895 amino acids with 20 potential N-glycosylation sites. The identity of the isolate XJ-04 with reference strains NADL (BVDV-1) and 890 (BVDV-2) in autoprotease (N(pro)) gene and structural genes (C, E(rns), E1, E2) was analyzed. The percentage of nt and aa identity in analyzed genes indicated that the isolate XJ-04 was closer to the reference strain 890 (BVDV-2) than to NADL (BVDV-1). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate belonged to BVDV-2a subtype. Furthermore, comparison analysis indicated that the isolate XJ-04 did not contain any genomic insertions that can be directly related to the cytopathic phenotype.

Combined lithium and valproate treatment delays disease onset, reduces neurological deficits and prolongs survival in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mouse model

Lithium and valproic acid (VPA) are two primary drugs used to treat bipolar disorder, and have been shown to have neuroprotective properties in vivo and in vitro. A recent study demonstrated that combined treatment with lithium and VPA elicits synergistic neuroprotective effects against glutamate excitotoxicity in cultured brain neurons, and the synergy involves potentiated inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) activity through enhanced GSK-3 serine phosphorylation [Leng Y, Liang MH, Ren M, Marinova Z, Leeds P, Chuang DM (2008) Synergistic neuroprotective effects of lithium and valproic acid or other histone deacetylase inhibitors in neurons: roles of glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibition. J Neurosci 28:2576-2588]. We therefore investigated the effects of lithium and VPA cotreatment on the disease symptom onset, survival time and neurological deficits in cooper zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) G93A mutant mice, a commonly used mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The G93A ALS mice received twice daily i.p. injections with LiCl (60 mg/kg), VPA (300 mg/kg) or lithium plus VPA, starting from the 30(th) day after birth and continuing until death. We found that combined treatment with lithium and VPA produced a greater and more consistent effect in delaying the onset of disease symptoms, prolonging the lifespan and decreasing the neurological deficit scores, compared with the results of monotreatment with lithium or VPA. Moreover, lithium in conjunction with VPA was more effective than lithium or VPA alone in enhancing the immunostaining of phospho-GSK-3beta(Ser9) in brain and lumbar spinal cord sections. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of enhanced neuroprotection by a combinatorial approach using mood stabilizers in a mouse ALS model. Our results suggest that clinical trials using lithium and VPA in combination for ALS patients are a rational strategy.

Short-term lithium treatment promotes neuronal survival and proliferation in rat striatum infused with quinolinic acid, an excitotoxic model of Huntington's disease

We assessed the ability of lithium to reduce neurodegeneration and to stimulate cell proliferation in a rat model of Huntington's disease in which quinolinic acid (QA) was unilaterally infused into the striatum. LiCl (0.5-3.0 mEq/kg) was injected subcutaneously 24 h before and 1 h after QA infusion. At 7 days after QA injection, lithium significantly diminished the loss of neurons immunostained for Neuronal Nuclei (NeuN) in the injured striatum, but failed to prevent the reduction of NADPH-diaphorase-positive striatal interneurons. Lithium also reduced the number of neurons showing DNA damage or activated caspase-3. This neuroprotection was associated with an upregulation of Bcl-2 protein levels in the striatal tissue and an increase in the number and density of Bcl-2 immunostaining in striatal neurons. Bromodeoxyuridinie (BrdU) labeling in the lithium-treated injured striatum revealed the presence of large numbers of proliferating cells near the QA-injection site, with a reduction of BrdU-labeled cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ). All BrdU-labeled cells in the SVZ and the majority of BrdU-labeled cells near the QA-injection site were negative for either NeuN or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), suggesting that they are undifferentiated progenitor cells. However, a small number of BrdU-positive cells found in the QA-injected and lithium-treated striatum site were positive for either NeuN or GFAP. Our results suggest that lithium is neuroprotective in the QA-injection model of Huntington's disease not only due to its ability to inhibit apoptosis but also because it can stimulate neuronal and astroglial progenitor proliferation in the QA-injected striatum or their migration from the SVZ.