Role of NMDA receptor-dependent activation of SREBP1 in excitotoxic and ischemic neuronal injuries

Neuroprotective effects of magnesium-sulfate on ischemic injury mediated by modulating the release of glutamate and reduced of hyperreperfusion

This study examined the neuroprotective effects of magnesium-sulfate (MgSO(4)) on the cerebral blood flow (CBF) and extracellular glutamate concentration in an eleven vessel occlusion (11VO) rat model. Twenty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-350g) were used for the 11VO ischemic model, which was induced by a 10-min transient occlusion. The animals were divided into 3 groups, including ischemic-induced animals (ischemia group), ischemic-induced and MgSO(4) treated animals (MgSO(4) group), and sham animals for comparison. The real-time extracellular glutamate concentration was measured using a microdialysis biosensor, and the CBF was monitored by laser Doppler flowmetry. Neuronal cell death in the hippocampal region was observed 72h after ischemia by several stains (Nissl, DAPI, NeuN, and cleaved caspase3). A significant decrease in %CBF was observed in both the ischemia and MgSO(4) groups, such as ~10% during the ischemic period. However, the MgSO(4) group showed a significant decrease in the initial reperfusion %CBF compared to the ischemia group. A significantly lower level of glutamate release was observed in the MgSO(4) group than in the ischemia group during the ischemic and reperfusion episode. Our staining results revealed a significant decrease in neuronal cell death in the hippocampus in the MgSO(4) group compared to the ischemia group. These results suggest that MgSO(4) is responsible for the protection of neuronal cells by suppressing the release of extracellular glutamate under ischemic conditions and the CBF response during the initial reperfusion period.

Modes of Neuronal Calcium Entry and Homeostasis following Cerebral Ischemia

One of the major instigators leading to neuronal cell death and brain damage following cerebral ischemia is calcium dysregulation. The neuron's inability to maintain calcium homeostasis is believed to be a result of increased calcium influx and impaired calcium extrusion across the plasma membrane. The need to better understand the cellular and biochemical mechanisms of calcium dysregulation contributing to neuronal loss following stroke/cerebral ischemia is essential for the development of new treatments in order to reduce ischemic brain injury. The aim of this paper is to provide a concise overview of the various calcium influx pathways in response to ischemia and how neuronal cells attempts to overcome this calcium overload.

Blocking the deadly effects of the NMDA receptor in stroke

Excessive activation of NMDA glutamate receptors contributes to neuronal death after stroke. In this issue, Tu et al. (2010) demonstrate that ischemic injury promotes the association of death-associated protein kinase 1 with the NMDA receptor, thereby potentiating its activity, and show that disrupting this association reduces damage to the brain.