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Du L, He X, Xiong X, Zhang X, Jian Z, Yang Z. Vagus nerve stimulation in cerebral stroke: biological mechanisms, therapeutic modalities, clinical applications, and future directions. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1707-1717. [PMID: 38103236 PMCID: PMC10960277 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.389365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a major disorder of the central nervous system that poses a serious threat to human life and quality of life. Many stroke victims are left with long-term neurological dysfunction, which adversely affects the well-being of the individual and the broader socioeconomic impact. Currently, post-stroke brain dysfunction is a major and difficult area of treatment. Vagus nerve stimulation is a Food and Drug Administration-approved exploratory treatment option for autism, refractory depression, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease. It is expected to be a novel therapeutic technique for the treatment of stroke owing to its association with multiple mechanisms such as altering neurotransmitters and the plasticity of central neurons. In animal models of acute ischemic stroke, vagus nerve stimulation has been shown to reduce infarct size, reduce post-stroke neurological damage, and improve learning and memory capacity in rats with stroke by reducing the inflammatory response, regulating blood-brain barrier permeability, and promoting angiogenesis and neurogenesis. At present, vagus nerve stimulation includes both invasive and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation. Clinical studies have found that invasive vagus nerve stimulation combined with rehabilitation therapy is effective in improving upper limb motor and cognitive abilities in stroke patients. Further clinical studies have shown that non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation, including ear/cervical vagus nerve stimulation, can stimulate vagal projections to the central nervous system similarly to invasive vagus nerve stimulation and can have the same effect. In this paper, we first describe the multiple effects of vagus nerve stimulation in stroke, and then discuss in depth its neuroprotective mechanisms in ischemic stroke. We go on to outline the results of the current major clinical applications of invasive and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation. Finally, we provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of cerebral ischemia and provide an outlook on the developmental trends. We believe that vagus nerve stimulation, as an effective treatment for stroke, will be widely used in clinical practice to promote the recovery of stroke patients and reduce the incidence of disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Du
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xuan He
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaoxing Xiong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhihong Jian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhenxing Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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Xiao Y, Zhang S, Ren Q. The New Orientation of Postoperative Analgesia: Remote Ischemic Preconditioning. J Pain Res 2024; 17:1145-1152. [PMID: 38524690 PMCID: PMC10959302 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s455127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose of Review Postoperative analgesia is currently a significant topic in anesthesiology. Currently, the predominant approach for achieving multimodal analgesia involves the utilization of pharmacotherapy and regional anesthesia procedures. The primary objectives of this approach are to mitigate postoperative pain, enhance patient satisfaction, and diminish overall opioid usage. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of research on the use of remote ischemia preconditioning aimed at mitigating postoperative pain. Recent Findings Transient stoppage of blood flow to an organ has been found to elicit remote ischemia preconditioning (RIPC), which serves as a potent intrinsic mechanism for protecting numerous organs. In addition to its established role in protecting against reperfusion injury, RIPC has recently been identified as having potential benefits in the context of postoperative analgesia. Summary In addition to traditional perioperative analgesia, RIPC provides perioperative analgesia and organ protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyu Xiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hangzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311225, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shaofeng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hangzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311225, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiusheng Ren
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hangzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311225, People’s Republic of China
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Jelinek M, Lipkova J, Duris K. Vagus nerve stimulation as immunomodulatory therapy for stroke: A comprehensive review. Exp Neurol 2024; 372:114628. [PMID: 38042360 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Stroke is a devastating cerebrovascular pathology with high morbidity and mortality. Inflammation plays a central role in the pathophysiology of stroke. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a promising immunomodulatory method that has shown positive effects in stroke treatment, including neuroprotection, anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, reduced infarct volume, improved neurological scores, and promotion of M2 microglial polarization. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the vagus nerve's immunomodulatory effects through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) and provide a comprehensive assessment of the available experimental literature focusing on the use of VNS in stroke treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matyas Jelinek
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jolana Lipkova
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Duris
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Neurosurgery, The University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Andalib S, Divani AA, Ayata C, Baig S, Arsava EM, Topcuoglu MA, Cáceres EL, Parikh V, Desai MJ, Majid A, Girolami S, Di Napoli M. Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Ischemic Stroke. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2023; 23:947-962. [PMID: 38008851 PMCID: PMC10841711 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-023-01323-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for neurological and psychiatric disorders. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in VNS for treating ischemic stroke. This review discusses the evidence supporting VNS as a treatment option for ischemic stroke and elucidates its underlying mechanisms. RECENT FINDINGS Preclinical studies investigating VNS in stroke models have shown reduced infarct volumes and improved neurological deficits. Additionally, VNS has been found to reduce reperfusion injury. VNS may promote neuroprotection by reducing inflammation, enhancing cerebral blood flow, and modulating the release of neurotransmitters. Additionally, VNS may stimulate neuroplasticity, thereby facilitating post-stroke recovery. The Food and Drug Administration has approved invasive VNS (iVNS) combined with rehabilitation for ischemic stroke patients with moderate to severe upper limb deficits. However, iVNS is not feasible in acute stroke due to its time-sensitive nature. Non-invasive VNS (nVNS) may be an alternative approach for treating ischemic stroke. While the evidence from preclinical studies and clinical trials of nVNS is promising, the mechanisms through which VNS exerts its beneficial effects on ischemic stroke are still being elucidated. Therefore, further research is needed to better understand the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of nVNS in ischemic stroke. Moreover, large-scale randomized clinical trials are necessary to determine the optimal nVNS protocols, assess its long-term effects on stroke recovery and outcomes, and identify the potential benefits of combining nVNS with other rehabilitation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasan Andalib
- Research Unit of Neurology, Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Afshin A Divani
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
| | - Cenk Ayata
- Neurovascular Research Unit, Department of Radiology and Stroke Service, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Sheharyar Baig
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Ethem Murat Arsava
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | | | - Vinay Parikh
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Masoom J Desai
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Arshad Majid
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sara Girolami
- Neurological Service, SS Annunziata Hospital, Sulmona, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Mario Di Napoli
- Neurological Service, SS Annunziata Hospital, Sulmona, L'Aquila, Italy
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Kaplan A, Lakkis B, El-Samadi L, Karaayvaz EB, Booz GW, Zouein FA. Cooling Down Inflammation in the Cardiovascular System via the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2023; 82:241-265. [PMID: 37539950 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000001455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Inflammation is a major player in many cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. In many individuals, these conditions coexist and mutually exacerbate each other's progression. The pathophysiology of these diseases entails the active involvement of both innate and adaptive immune cells. Immune cells that possess the α7 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor on their surface have the potential to be targeted through both pharmacological and electrical stimulation of the cholinergic system. The cholinergic system regulates the inflammatory response to various stressors in different organ systems by systematically suppressing spleen-derived monocytes and chemokines and locally improving immune cell function. Research on the cardiovascular system has demonstrated the potential for atheroma plaque stabilization and regression as favorable outcomes. Smaller infarct size and reduced fibrosis have been associated with improved cardiac function and a decrease in adverse cardiac remodeling. Furthermore, enhanced electrical stability of the myocardium can lead to a reduction in the incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia. In addition, improving mitochondrial dysfunction and decreasing oxidative stress can result in less myocardial tissue damage caused by reperfusion injury. Restoring baroreflex activity and reduction in renal damage can promote blood pressure regulation and help counteract hypertension. Thus, the present review highlights the potential of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activation as a natural approach to alleviate the adverse consequences of inflammation in the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Kaplan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Cardiology, Kemer Public Hospital, Kemer, Antalya, Turkey
- The Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolic Diseases Research Center of Excellence, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Bachir Lakkis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lana El-Samadi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ekrem Bilal Karaayvaz
- Department of Cardiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - George W Booz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS; and
| | - Fouad A Zouein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
- The Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolic Diseases Research Center of Excellence, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS; and
- Department of Signaling and Cardiovascular Pathophysiology, UMR-S 1180, Inserm, Université Paris-Saclay, France
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Wang X, Ding Q, Li T, Li W, Yin J, Li Y, Li Y, Zhuang W. Application of vagus nerve stimulation on the rehabilitation of upper limb dysfunction after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1189034. [PMID: 37416314 PMCID: PMC10321132 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1189034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to elucidate the efficacy, safety, and long-term implications of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as a viable therapeutic option for patients with upper limb dysfunction following a stroke. Methods Data from the following libraries were searched from inception to December 2022: PubMed, Wanfang, Scopus, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Embase, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine Disc, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Outcomes included indicators of upper limb motor function, indicators of prognosis, and indicators of safety (incidence of adverse events [AEs] and serious AEs [SAEs]). Two of the authors extracted the data independently. A third researcher arbitrated when disputes occurred. The quality of each eligible study was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Meta-analysis and bias analysis were performed using Stata (version 16.0) and RevMan (version 5.3). Results Ten trials (VNS combined with rehabilitation group vs. no or sham VNS combined with rehabilitation group) with 335 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Regarding upper extremity motor function, based on Fugl-Meyer assessment scores, VNS combined with other treatment options had immediate (mean difference [MD] = 2.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.78-3.91, I2 = 62%, p < 0.00001) and long-term (day-30 MD = 4.20, 95% CI = 2.90-5.50, p < 0.00001; day-90 MD = 3.27, 95% CI = 1.67-4.87, p < 0.00001) beneficial effects compared with that of the control treatment. Subgroup analyses showed that transcutaneous VNS (MD = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.78-3.91, I2 = 62%, p < 0.00001) may be superior to invasive VNS (MD = 3.56, 95% CI = 1.99-5.13, I2 = 77%, p < 0.0001) and that VNS combined with integrated treatment (MD = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.78-3.91, I2 = 62%, p < 0.00001) is superior to VNS combined with upper extremity training alone (MD = 2.24, 95% CI = 0.55-3.93, I2 = 48%, p = 0.009). Moreover, lower frequency VNS (20 Hz) (MD = 3.39, 95% CI = 2.06-4.73, I2 = 65%, p < 0.00001) may be superior to higher frequency VNS (25 Hz or 30 Hz) (MD = 2.29, 95% CI = 0.27-4.32, I2 = 58%, p = 0,03). Regarding prognosis, the VNS group outperformed the control group in the activities of daily living (standardized MD = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.10-1.90, I2 = 0%, p < 0.00001) and depression reduction. In contrast, quality of life did not improve (p = 0.51). Safety was not significantly different between the experimental and control groups (AE p = 0.25; SAE p = 0.26). Conclusion VNS is an effective and safe treatment for upper extremity motor dysfunction after a stroke. For the functional restoration of the upper extremities, noninvasive integrated therapy and lower-frequency VNS may be more effective. In the future, further high-quality studies with larger study populations, more comprehensive indicators, and thorough data are required to advance the clinical application of VNS. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42023399820.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qixin Ding
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tianshu Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wanyue Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jialin Yin
- Department of Rehabilitation, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yakun Li
- Department of Rehabilitation, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuefang Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weisheng Zhuang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
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Hasan MY, Siran R, Mahadi MK. The Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Animal Models of Stroke-Induced Injury: A Systematic Review. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040555. [PMID: 37106754 PMCID: PMC10136363 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and poses a great burden to society and the healthcare system. There have been many recent advances in the treatment of ischemic stroke, which usually results from the interruption of blood flow to a particular part of the brain. Current treatments for ischemic stroke mainly focus on revascularization or reperfusion of cerebral blood flow to the infarcted tissue. Nevertheless, reperfusion injury may exacerbate ischemic injury in patients with stroke. In recent decades, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has emerged as an optimistic therapeutic intervention. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that VNS is a promising treatment for ischemic stroke in various rat models through improved neural function, cognition, and neuronal deficit scores. We thoroughly examined previous evidence from stroke-induced animal studies using VNS as an intervention until June 2022. We concluded that VNS yields stroke treatment potential by improving neurological deficit score, infarct volume, forelimb strength, inflammation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. This review also discusses potential molecular mechanisms underlying VNS-mediated neuroprotection. This review could help researchers conduct additional translational research on patients with stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Yusuf Hasan
- Centre for Drug Herbal and Development, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
| | - Rosfaiizah Siran
- Neuroscience Research Group (NRG), Faculty of Medicine, Jalan Hospital, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Sungai Buloh 47000, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Kaisan Mahadi
- Centre for Drug Herbal and Development, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
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Burda R, Burda J, Morochovič R. Ischemic Tolerance—A Way to Reduce the Extent of Ischemia–Reperfusion Damage. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060884. [PMID: 36980225 PMCID: PMC10047660 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Individual tissues have significantly different resistance to ischemia–reperfusion damage. There is still no adequate treatment for the consequences of ischemia–reperfusion damage. By utilizing ischemic tolerance, it is possible to achieve a significant reduction in the extent of the cell damage due to ischemia–reperfusion injury. Since ischemia–reperfusion damage usually occurs unexpectedly, the use of preconditioning is extremely limited. In contrast, postconditioning has wider possibilities for use in practice. In both cases, the activation of ischemic tolerance can also be achieved by the application of sublethal stress on a remote organ. Despite very encouraging and successful results in animal experiments, the clinical results have been disappointing so far. To avoid the factors that prevent the activation of ischemic tolerance, the solution has been to use blood plasma containing tolerance effectors. This plasma is taken from healthy donors in which, after exposure to two sublethal stresses within 48 h, effectors of ischemic tolerance occur in the plasma. Application of this activated plasma to recipient animals after the end of lethal ischemia prevents cell death and significantly reduces the consequences of ischemia–reperfusion damage. Until there is a clear chemical identification of the end products of ischemic tolerance, the simplest way of enhancing ischemic tolerance will be the preparation of activated plasma from young healthy donors with the possibility of its immediate use in recipients during the initial treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rastislav Burda
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Rastislavova 43, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Louis Pasteur University Hospital, Rastislavova 43, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
- Correspondence:
| | - Jozef Burda
- Institute of Neurobiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Radoslav Morochovič
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Rastislavova 43, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Louis Pasteur University Hospital, Rastislavova 43, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
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Yu LH, Jia GW, Liu YL, Wang SR, Ma JX. Vagus nerve stimulation is a potential treatment for ischemic stroke. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:825-831. [DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.350698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Arsava EM, Topcuoglu MA, Ay I, Ozdemir AO, Gungor IL, Togay Isikay C, Nazliel B, Kozak HH, Ozturk S, Yilmaz İA, Dora B, Ay H, Ozel T, Sorgun MH, Bahadır EA, Peker E, Aykac O, Mehdiyev Z, Caglayan HZB, Gurses AA, Pektezel MY, Yilmaz E, Oge DD, Parlak S, Bugrul A, Ozguner H, Seker AC, Ozdemir G, Ongun G, Yilmaz SE, Ozguncu C, Turan Isik SM, Ildiz OF, Mammadli A, Yildogan AT, McClure C. Assessment of safety and feasibility of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for treatment of acute stroke. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:1467-1474. [PMID: 36356829 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) using a hand-held stimulator placed on the neck is an FDA-approved treatment for primary headache disorders. The safety of nVNS is unknown in stroke patients. OBJECTIVE To assess the safety and feasibility of nVNS for the acute treatment of stroke. METHODS TR-VENUS (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03733431) was a randomized, sham-controlled, open-label, multicenter trial conducted in patients with acute ischemic stroke (IS) or intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Patients were randomly assigned to standard-dose nVNS, high-dose nVNS, or sham stimulation. The primary endpoint was a composite safety outcome defined as bradycardia or reduction in mean arterial blood pressure during treatment or progression of neurological or death within 24 h of treatment. The feasibility endpoints were the proportion of eligible subjects receiving nVNS within 6 h of symptom onset and the proportion completing all pre-specified treatment doses. Efficacy assessments included infarct growth from baseline to 24 h after treatment. RESULTS Sixty-nine patients (61 IS, 8 ICH) completed the study. The composite safety outcome was achieved in 32.0% in sham and 47.7% in nVNS group (p = 0.203). Treatment was initiated in all but two randomized patients. All dosed subjects received 100% of prespecified stimulations. A non-significant reduction in infarct growth was observed in the high-dose nVNS group (184.2% in sham vs. 63.3% in high-dose nVNS; p = 0.109). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that nVNS may be safe and feasible in the setting of acute stroke. These findings support further development of nVNS as a potential treatment for acute ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ilknur Ay
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Bijen Nazliel
- Department of Neurology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | | | | | - Babur Dora
- Department of Neurology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Hakan Ay
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Cheng K, Wang Z, Bai J, Xiong J, Chen J, Ni J. Research advances in the application of vagus nerve electrical stimulation in ischemic stroke. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1043446. [PMID: 36389255 PMCID: PMC9650138 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1043446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke seriously endangers human well-being and brings a severe burden to family and society. Different post-stroke dysfunctions result in an impaired ability to perform activities of daily living. Standard rehabilitative therapies may not meet the requirements for functional improvement after a stroke; thus, alternative approaches need to be proposed. Currently, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is clinically applied for the treatment of epilepsy, depression, cluster headache and migraine, while its treatment of various dysfunctions after an ischemic stroke is still in the clinical research stage. Recent studies have confirmed that VNS has neuroprotective effects in animal models of transient and permanent focal cerebral ischemia, and that its combination with rehabilitative training significantly improves upper limb motor dysfunction and dysphagia. In addition, vagus-related anatomical structures and neurotransmitters are closely implicated in memory–cognition enhancement processes, suggesting that VNS is promising as a potential treatment for cognitive dysfunction after an ischemic stroke. In this review, we outline the current status of the application of VNS (invasive and non-invasive) in diverse functional impairments after an ischemic stroke, followed by an in-depth discussion of the underlying mechanisms of its mediated neuroprotective effects. Finally, we summarize the current clinical implementation challenges and adverse events of VNS and put forward some suggestions for its future research direction. Research on VNS for ischemic stroke has reached a critical stage. Determining how to achieve the clinical transformation of this technology safely and effectively is important, and more animal and clinical studies are needed to clarify its therapeutic mechanism.
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Li L, Wang D, Pan H, Huang L, Sun X, He C, Wei Q. Non-invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Cerebral Stroke: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:820665. [PMID: 35250458 PMCID: PMC8888683 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.820665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke poses a serious threat to human health and burdens both society and the healthcare system. Standard rehabilitative therapies may not be effective in improving functions after stroke, so alternative strategies are needed. The FDA has approved vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for the treatment of epilepsy, migraines, and depression. Recent studies have demonstrated that VNS can facilitate the benefits of rehabilitation interventions. VNS coupled with upper limb rehabilitation enhances the recovery of upper limb function in patients with chronic stroke. However, its invasive nature limits its clinical application. Researchers have developed a non-invasive method to stimulate the vagus nerve (non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation, nVNS). It has been suggested that nVNS coupled with rehabilitation could be a promising alternative for improving muscle function in chronic stroke patients. In this article, we review the current researches in preclinical and clinical studies as well as the potential applications of nVNS in stroke. We summarize the parameters, advantages, potential mechanisms, and adverse effects of current nVNS applications, as well as the future challenges and directions for nVNS in cerebral stroke treatment. These studies indicate that nVNS has promising efficacy in reducing stroke volume and attenuating neurological deficits in ischemic stroke models. While more basic and clinical research is required to fully understand its mechanisms of efficacy, especially Phase III trials with a large number of patients, these data suggest that nVNS can be applied easily not only as a possible secondary prophylactic treatment in chronic cerebral stroke, but also as a promising adjunctive treatment in acute cerebral stroke in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Li
- Rehabilitation Medicine Center and Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongxia Pan
- Rehabilitation Medicine Center and Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liyi Huang
- Rehabilitation Medicine Center and Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Sun
- Rehabilitation Medicine Center and Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengqi He
- Rehabilitation Medicine Center and Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Quan Wei
- Rehabilitation Medicine Center and Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Quan Wei,
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Brougher J, Aziz U, Adari N, Chaturvedi M, Jules A, Shah I, Syed S, Thorn CA. Self-Administration of Right Vagus Nerve Stimulation Activates Midbrain Dopaminergic Nuclei. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:782786. [PMID: 34975384 PMCID: PMC8716493 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.782786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Left cervical vagus nerve stimulation (l-VNS) is an FDA-approved treatment for neurological disorders including epilepsy, major depressive disorder, and stroke, and l-VNS is increasingly under investigation for a range of other neurological indications. Traditional l-VNS is thought to induce therapeutic neuroplasticity in part through the coordinated activation of multiple broadly projecting neuromodulatory systems in the brain. Recently, it has been reported that striking lateralization exists in the anatomical and functional connectivity between the vagus nerves and the dopaminergic midbrain. These emerging findings suggest that VNS-driven activation of this important plasticity-promoting neuromodulatory system may be preferentially driven by targeting the right, rather than the left, cervical nerve. Objective: To compare the effects of right cervical VNS (r-VNS) vs. traditional l-VNS on self-administration behavior and midbrain dopaminergic activation in rats. Methods: Rats were implanted with a stimulating cuff electrode targeting either the right or left cervical vagus nerve. After surgical recovery, rats underwent a VNS self-administration assay in which lever pressing was paired with r-VNS or l-VNS delivery. Self-administration was followed by extinction, cue-only reinstatement, and stimulation reinstatement sessions. Rats were sacrificed 90 min after completion of behavioral training, and brains were removed for immunohistochemical analysis of c-Fos expression in the dopaminergic ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), as well as in the noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC). Results: Rats in the r-VNS cohort performed significantly more lever presses throughout self-administration and reinstatement sessions than did rats in the l-VNS cohort. Moreover, this appetitive behavioral responding was associated with significantly greater c-Fos expression among neuronal populations within the VTA, SNc, and LC. Differential c-Fos expression following r-VNS vs. l-VNS was particularly prominent within dopaminergic midbrain neurons. Conclusion: Our results support the existence of strong lateralization within vagal-mesencephalic signaling pathways, and suggest that VNS targeted to the right, rather than left, cervical nerve preferentially activates the midbrain dopaminergic system. These findings raise the possibility that r-VNS could provide a promising strategy for enhancing dopamine-dependent neuroplasticity, opening broad avenues for future research into the efficacy and safety of r-VNS in the treatment of neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson Brougher
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Umaymah Aziz
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Nikitha Adari
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Muskaan Chaturvedi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Aryela Jules
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Iqra Shah
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Saba Syed
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Catherine A Thorn
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
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14
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Saccaro LF, Aimo A, Emdin M, Pico F. Remote Ischemic Conditioning in Ischemic Stroke and Myocardial Infarction: Similarities and Differences. Front Neurol 2021; 12:716316. [PMID: 34764925 PMCID: PMC8576053 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.716316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although reperfusion therapies have greatly improved the outcomes of patients with these conditions, many patients die or are severely disabled despite complete reperfusion. It is therefore important to identify interventions that can prevent progression to ischemic necrosis and limit ischemia-reperfusion injury. A possible strategy is ischemic conditioning, which consists of inducing ischemia – either in the ischemic organ or in another body site [i.e., remote ischemic conditioning (RIC), e.g., by inflating a cuff around the patient's arm or leg]. The effects of ischemic conditioning have been studied, alone or in combination with revascularization techniques. Based on the timing (before, during, or after ischemia), RIC is classified as pre-, per-/peri-, or post-conditioning, respectively. In this review, we first highlight some pathophysiological and clinical similarities and differences between cardiac and cerebral ischemia. We report evidence that RIC reduces circulating biomarkers of myocardial necrosis, infarct size, and edema, although this effect appears not to translate into a better prognosis. We then review cutting-edge applications of RIC for the treatment of ischemic stroke. We also highlight that, although RIC is a safe procedure that can easily be implemented in hospital and pre-hospital settings, its efficacy in patients with ischemic stroke remains to be proven. We then discuss possible methodological issues of previous studies. We finish by highlighting some perspectives for future research, aimed at increasing the efficacy of ischemic conditioning for improving tissue protection and clinical outcomes, and stratifying myocardial infarction and brain ischemia patients to enhance treatment feasibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi F Saccaro
- Neurology and Stroke Care Unit, Versailles Hospital, Le Chesnay, France.,Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Aimo
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.,Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michele Emdin
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.,Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fernando Pico
- Neurology and Stroke Care Unit, Versailles Hospital, Le Chesnay, France.,Neurology Department, Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and Paris Saclay University, Versailles, France
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15
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Danková M, Domoráková I, Fagová Z, Stebnický M, Mechírová E. Induction of ischemic tolerance by remote perconditioning or postconditioning as neuroprotective strategy for spinal cord motor neurons. Life Sci 2021; 283:119789. [PMID: 34256043 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The study is focused on the investigation of the mechanisms leading to ischemic tolerance acquisition in the spinal cord neurons via application of non-invasive method of remote conditioning. MATERIAL AND METHODS We have verified the possibility of neuroprotection of spinal cord in rabbit by using remote perconditioning (PerC) applied during last 12 min of spinal cord ischemia (SC-ischemia) or postconditioning (PostC) applied after 1st (early) or 3rd (late) h of reperfusion. Spinal cord ischemia was induced by occlusion of the aorta below the left renal artery for 20 min. Reperfusion period was 24 or 72 h. Remote conditioning was induced by compression of left forelimb with a tourniquet in 3 cycles of 2 min of ischemia, each followed by 2 min of reperfusion. Damaged neurons were detected by Fluoro Jade B method and the modified Tarlov score was used for functional assessment. KEY FINDINGS The remote conditioning significantly attenuated degeneration of motor neurons in all remote conditioned groups versus both SC-ischemia groups. We detected significant changes in number of Hsp70 positive motor neurons. At 72time point, in the group with remote late PostC we observed significant increase (p < 0.001) of Hsp70 positive motor neurons versus SC- ischemia group and sham control. There was a trend towards improvement of hindlimbs movement. SIGNIFICANCE This study showed the effectiveness of remote conditioning as a neuroprotective strategy, evidenced by induction of ischemic tolerance leading to decrease of motor neuron degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Danková
- Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Histology and Embryology, Sasinkova 4, 811 04 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Iveta Domoráková
- Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Šrobárova 2, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Zuzana Fagová
- Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Šrobárova 2, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Milan Stebnický
- Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Šrobárova 2, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic; Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Faculty of Medicine, 2nd Department of Surgery and L. Pasteur University Hospital, Rastislavova 43, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic.
| | - Eva Mechírová
- Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Šrobárova 2, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic
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16
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Wang Y, Zhan G, Cai Z, Jiao B, Zhao Y, Li S, Luo A. Vagus nerve stimulation in brain diseases: Therapeutic applications and biological mechanisms. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:37-53. [PMID: 33894241 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Brain diseases, including neurodegenerative, cerebrovascular and neuropsychiatric diseases, have posed a deleterious threat to human health and brought a great burden to society and the healthcare system. With the development of medical technology, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an alternative treatment for refractory epilepsy, refractory depression, cluster headaches, and migraines. Furthermore, current evidence showed promising results towards the treatment of more brain diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and stroke. Nonetheless, the biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of VNS in brain diseases remain only partially elucidated. This review aims to delve into the relevant preclinical and clinical studies and update the progress of VNS applications and its potential mechanisms underlying the biological effects in brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Gaofeng Zhan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Ziwen Cai
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Bo Jiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yilin Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Shiyong Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Ailin Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Wei M, Huang Q, Liu Z, Luo Y, Xia J. Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction Participates in the Pathophysiology of Ischemic Stroke. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2021; 20:401-416. [PMID: 33749565 DOI: 10.2174/1871527320666210322115808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is a major organ for the body to absorb nutrients, water and electrolytes. At the same time, it is a tight barrier to resist the invasion of harmful substances and maintain the homeostasis of the internal environment. Destruction of the intestinal barrier is linked to the digestive system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system and other systemic diseases. Mounting evidence suggests that ischemic stroke not only changes the intestinal microbes, but also increases the permeability of the intestinal barrier, leading to bacterial translocation, infection, and even sepsis. The intestinal barrier, as part of the gut-brain axis, has also been proven to participate in the pathophysiological process of ischemic stroke. However, little attention has been paid to it. Since ischemic stroke is a major public health issue worldwide, there is an urgent need to know more about the disease for better prevention, treatment and prognosis. Therefore, understanding the pathophysiological relationship between ischemic stroke and the intestinal barrier will help researchers further uncover the pathophysiological mechanism of ischemic stroke and provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Here, we review the physiology and pathology between ischemic stroke and intestinal barrier based on related articles published in the past ten years about the relationship between ischemic stroke, stroke risk factors and intestinal flora, intestinal barrier, and discuss the following parts: the intestinal barrier; possible mechanisms of intestinal barrier destruction in ischemic stroke; intestinal barrier destruction caused by stroke-related risk factors; intestinal barrier dysfunction in ischemic stroke; targeting the intestinal barrier to improve stroke; conclusions and perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minping Wei
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008. China
| | - Qin Huang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008. China
| | - Zeyu Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008. China
| | - Yunfang Luo
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008. China
| | - Jian Xia
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008. China
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Targeting the Autonomic Nervous System for Risk Stratification, Outcome Prediction and Neuromodulation in Ischemic Stroke. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052357. [PMID: 33652990 PMCID: PMC7956667 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is a worldwide major cause of mortality and disability and has high costs in terms of health-related quality of life and expectancy as well as of social healthcare resources. In recent years, starting from the bidirectional relationship between autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction and acute ischemic stroke (AIS), researchers have identified prognostic factors for risk stratification, prognosis of mid-term outcomes and response to recanalization therapy. In particular, the evaluation of the ANS function through the analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) appears to be a promising non-invasive and reliable tool for the management of patients with AIS. Furthermore, preclinical molecular studies on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of stroke damage have shown an extensive overlap with the activity of the vagus nerve. Evidence from the application of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on animal models of AIS and on patients with chronic ischemic stroke has highlighted the surprising therapeutic possibilities of neuromodulation. Preclinical molecular studies highlighted that the neuroprotective action of VNS results from anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiapoptotic mechanisms mediated by α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Given the proven safety of non-invasive VNS in the subacute phase, the ease of its use and its possible beneficial effect in hemorrhagic stroke as well, human studies with transcutaneous VNS should be less challenging than protocols that involve invasive VNS and could be the proof of concept that neuromodulation represents the very first therapeutic approach in the ultra-early management of stroke.
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Mesencephalic Electrical Stimulation Reduces Neuroinflammation after Photothrombotic Stroke in Rats by Targeting the Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031254. [PMID: 33514001 PMCID: PMC7865599 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is crucial in the pathophysiology of stroke and thus a promising therapeutic target. High-frequency stimulation (HFS) of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) reduces perilesional inflammation after photothrombotic stroke (PTS). However, the underlying mechanism is not completely understood. Since distinct neural and immune cells respond to electrical stimulation by releasing acetylcholine, we hypothesize that HFS might trigger the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway via activation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAchR). To test this hypothesis, rats underwent PTS and implantation of a microelectrode into the MLR. Three hours after intervention, either HFS or sham-stimulation of the MLR was applied for 24 h. IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1α were quantified by cytometric bead array. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)+ CD4+-cells and α7nAchR+-cells were quantified visually using immunohistochemistry. Phosphorylation of NFĸB, ERK1/2, Akt, and Stat3 was determined by Western blot analyses. IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1α were decreased in the perilesional area of stimulated rats compared to controls. The number of ChAT+ CD4+-cells increased after MLR-HFS, whereas the amount of α7nAchR+-cells was similar in both groups. Phospho-ERK1/2 was reduced significantly in stimulated rats. The present study suggests that MLR-HFS may trigger anti-inflammatory processes within the perilesional area by modulating the cholinergic system, probably via activation of the α7nAchR.
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20
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van der Meij A, van Walderveen MAA, Kruyt ND, van Zwet EW, Liebler EJ, Ferrari MD, Wermer MJH. NOn-invasive Vagus nerve stimulation in acute Ischemic Stroke (NOVIS): a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial. Trials 2020; 21:878. [PMID: 33106174 PMCID: PMC7586413 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04794-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Secondary damage due to neurochemical and inflammatory changes in the penumbra in the first days after ischemic stroke contributes substantially to poor clinical outcome. In animal models, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) inhibits these detrimental changes and thereby reduces tissue injury. The aim of this study is to investigate whether non-invasive cervical VNS (nVNS) in addition to the current standard treatment can improve penumbral recovery and limit final infarct volume. Methods NOVIS is a single-center prospective randomized clinical trial with blinded outcome assessment. One hundred fifty patients will be randomly allocated (1:1) within 12 h from clinical stroke onset to nVNS for 5 days in addition to standard treatment versus standard treatment alone. The primary endpoint is the final infarct volume on day 5 assessed with MRI. Discussion We hypothesize that nVNS will result in smaller final infarct volumes as compared to standard treatment due to improved penumbral recovery. The results of this study will be used to assess the viability and approach to power a larger trial to more definitively assess the clinical efficacy of nVNS after stroke. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.govNCT04050501. Registered on 8 August 2019
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne van der Meij
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Nyika D Kruyt
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Erik W van Zwet
- Department of Medical Statistics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Michel D Ferrari
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke J H Wermer
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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21
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Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Modulates EEG Microstates and Delta Activity in Healthy Subjects. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10100668. [PMID: 32992726 PMCID: PMC7599782 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10100668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is an alternative non-invasive method for the electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve with the goal of treating several neuropsychiatric disorders. The objective of this study is to assess the effects of tVNS on cerebral cortex activity in healthy volunteers using resting-state microstates and power spectrum electroencephalography (EEG) analysis. Eight male subjects aged 25–45 years were recruited in this randomized sham-controlled double-blind study with cross-over design. Real tVNS was administered at the left external acoustic meatus, while sham stimulation was performed at the left ear lobe, both of them for 60 min. The EEG recording lasted 5 min and was performed before and 60 min following the tVNS experimental session. We observed that real tVNS induced an increase in the metrics of microstate A mean duration (p = 0.039) and an increase in EEG power spectrum activity in the delta frequency band (p < 0.01). This study confirms that tVNS is an effective way to stimulate the vagus nerve, and the mechanisms of action of this activation can be successfully studied using scalp EEG quantitative metrics. Future studies are warranted to explore the clinical implications of these findings and to focus the research of the prognostic biomarkers of tVNS therapy for neuropsychiatric diseases.
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22
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Hao Y, Xin M, Feng L, Wang X, Wang X, Ma D, Feng J. Review Cerebral Ischemic Tolerance and Preconditioning: Methods, Mechanisms, Clinical Applications, and Challenges. Front Neurol 2020; 11:812. [PMID: 33071923 PMCID: PMC7530891 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and it is increasing in prevalence. The limited therapeutic window and potential severe side effects prevent the widespread clinical application of the venous injection of thrombolytic tissue plasminogen activator and thrombectomy, which are regarded as the only approved treatments for acute ischemic stroke. Triggered by various types of mild stressors or stimuli, ischemic preconditioning (IPreC) induces adaptive endogenous tolerance to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by activating a multitude cascade of biomolecules, for example, proteins, enzymes, receptors, transcription factors, and others, which eventually lead to transcriptional regulation and epigenetic and genomic reprogramming. During the past 30 years, IPreC has been widely studied to confirm its neuroprotection against subsequent I/R injury, mainly including local ischemic preconditioning (LIPreC), remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPreC), and cross preconditioning. Although LIPreC has a strong neuroprotective effect, the clinical application of IPreC for subsequent cerebral ischemia is difficult. There are two main reasons for the above result: Cerebral ischemia is unpredictable, and LIPreC is also capable of inducing unexpected injury with only minor differences to durations or intensity. RIPreC and pharmacological preconditioning, an easy-to-use and non-invasive therapy, can be performed in a variety of clinical settings and appear to be more suitable for the clinical management of ischemic stroke. Hoping to advance our understanding of IPreC, this review mainly focuses on recent advances in IPreC in stroke management, its challenges, and the potential study directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulei Hao
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Meiying Xin
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Liangshu Feng
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Di Ma
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiachun Feng
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Vagus nerve stimulation as a promising adjunctive treatment for ischemic stroke. Neurochem Int 2019; 131:104539. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.104539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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24
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Zhou D, Ding J, Ya J, Pan L, Wang Y, Ji X, Meng R. Remote ischemic conditioning: a promising therapeutic intervention for multi-organ protection. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 10:1825-1855. [PMID: 30115811 PMCID: PMC6128414 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of formidable exploration, multi-organ ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) encountered, particularly amongst elderly patients with clinical scenarios, such as age-related arteriosclerotic vascular disease, heart surgery and organ transplantation, is still an unsettled conundrum that besets clinicians. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC), delivered via transient, repetitive noninvasive IR interventions to distant organs or tissues, is regarded as an innovative approach against IRI. Based on the available evidence, RIC holds the potential of affording protection to multiple organs or tissues, which include not only the heart and brain, but also others that are likely susceptible to IRI, such as the kidney, lung, liver and skin. Neuronal and humoral signaling pathways appear to play requisite roles in the mechanisms of RIC-related beneficial effects, and these pathways also display inseparable interactions with each other. So far, several hurdles lying ahead of clinical translation that remain to be settled, such as establishment of biomarkers, modification of RIC regimen, and deep understanding of underlying minutiae through which RIC exerts its powerful function. As this approach has garnered an increasing interest, herein, we aim to encapsulate an overview of the basic concept and postulated protective mechanisms of RIC, highlight the main findings from proof-of-concept clinical studies in various clinical scenarios, and also to discuss potential obstacles that remain to be conquered. More well designed and comprehensive experimental work or clinical trials are warranted in future research to confirm whether RIC could be utilized as a non-invasive, inexpensive and efficient adjunct therapeutic intervention method for multi-organ protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.,Department of China-America Institute of Neuroscience, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayue Ding
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.,Department of China-America Institute of Neuroscience, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyuan Ya
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.,Department of China-America Institute of Neuroscience, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Liqun Pan
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.,Department of China-America Institute of Neuroscience, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.,Department of China-America Institute of Neuroscience, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Xunming Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.,Department of China-America Institute of Neuroscience, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Meng
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.,Department of China-America Institute of Neuroscience, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Beijing, China
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Improved Outcomes of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Rats Treated With Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Its Potential Mechanism. Shock 2019; 49:698-703. [PMID: 28800036 DOI: 10.1097/shk.0000000000000962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Studies have demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) reduces ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of VNS in a rat model of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We further investigated whether the beneficial effects of VNS were dependent on the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR). Forty animals were randomized into four groups and all underwent CPR (n = 10 each): CPR alone (control); VNS during CPR; α7nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine citrate (MLA) with VNS; α7nAChR agonist 3-(2, 4-dimethoxybenzylidene) anabaseine (GTS-21 dihydrochloride) without VNS. The right vagus nerve was exteriorized in all animals. Ventricular fibrillation was induced and untreated for 8 min. Defibrillation was attempted after 8 min of CPR. VNS was initiated at the beginning of precordial chest compressions and continued for 4 h after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in both the VNS and MLA groups. Hemodynamic measurements and myocardial function, including ejection fraction and myocardial performance index, were assessed at baseline, 1 and 4 h after ROSC. The neurological deficit score was measured at 24-h intervals for a total of 72 h. The heart rate was reduced in the VNS and MLA groups, while no difference was found in mean arterial pressure between the four groups. Better post-resuscitation myocardial and cerebral function and longer duration of survival were observed in the VNS-treated animals. The protective effects of VNS could be abolished by MLA and imitated by GTS-21. In addition, VNS decreased the number of electrical shocks and the duration of CPR required. VNS improves multiple outcomes after CPR.
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Zhang Y, Song Y, Shu T, Liang L, Shao W, Guo L, Sun P. Ultrasound improves the outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in rats by stimulating the cholinergic anti‑inflammatory pathway. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:2675-2684. [PMID: 31524261 PMCID: PMC6691235 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of the ultrasound (US), a noninvasive technique, on ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The animals used in the present study were randomized into five groups (n=8 per group) as follows: i) The CPR group, where the rats underwent 6 min of untreated ventricular fibrillation (VF) followed by CPR and defibrillation; ii) the US group, in which the treatment was identical to the CPR group with the exception that rats were exposed to US treatment 24 h prior to CPR; iii) the MLA group, in which the treatment was identical to the US group with the exception that the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) antagonist MLA (4 mg/kg) was administered 30 min prior to US and VF respectively; iv) the GTS group, in which the treatment was identical to the CPR group with the exception that the α7nAChR agonist GTS-21 (4 mg/kg) was injected 30 min prior to VF; and v) the SHAM group, in which the rats were exposed to surgical preparation without CPR and US application. At 1 day prior to CPR, the US treatment was administered to the left kidney by US pulses (contrast general mode with 9 MHz) with a bursting mechanical index of 0.72 for 2 min. Following treatment of the left kidney, the right kidney was exposed to identical US treatment for an additional 2 min. The results demonstrated that US preconditioning decreased the number of defibrillations required and shortened the duration of CPR. US also suppressed tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 levels following resuscitation (P<0.05), and a significantly longer overall survival time was observed in the US-treated animals (P<0.01). In addition, US attenuated neuronal injury and promoted the expression of α7nAChR in hippocampal neurons (P<0.05). However, the protective effects of US were abolished by MLA and imitated by GTS-21. The results of the present study demonstrated that prior exposure to US may improve animal outcomes following CPR, and the protective effects of US may be dependent on the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) via α7nAChR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Yue Song
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Tingting Shu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Licai Liang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Weijing Shao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Lang Guo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Peng Sun
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
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Li H, Dong X, Cheng W, Jin M, Zheng D. Neuroprotective mechanism involved in spinal cord stimulation postconditioning. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2019; 159:813-824.e1. [PMID: 31030961 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2019.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Delayed paraplegia developed postoperatively after thoracoabdominal aneurysm surgery is primarily associated with spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury. Our previous study suggested that spinal cord stimulation postconditioning protected the spinal cord from ischemia/reperfusion injury through microglia inhibition. In this study, we further investigated whether α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors were involved in the neuroprotective mechanism of spinal cord stimulation. METHODS Rabbits were randomly assigned to sham, control, 2 Hz, α-bungarotoxin, and 2 Hz-α-bungarotoxin groups (n = 24/group). Transient spinal cord ischemia was performed on all rabbits except rabbits in the sham group. Rabbits in the control group received no further intervention, rabbits in the 2 Hz group were given 2 Hz spinal cord stimulation, rabbits in the α-bungarotoxin group received prescribed intrathecal α-bungarotoxin (α-bungarotoxin, a specific α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist) injections, and rabbits in the 2 Hz-α-bungarotoxin group received both α-bungarotoxin injections and 2 Hz spinal cord stimulation. Hind-limb neurologic function was assessed, and spinal cord histologic examination, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining, and microglia staining were performed at 8 hours, 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days of reperfusion. RESULTS Rabbits in the 2 Hz group had significantly better neurologic functions, more α-motor neurons, and lower terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling-positive neuron rates and microglia area/anterior horn area ratios (microglia area ratios) than the control group. The neurologic functions of the α-bungarotoxin group were significantly worse than those of the control group, whereas other results were not significantly different from the control group. The results of the 2 Hz-α-bungarotoxin group were insignificant to the control group except for the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling-positive neuron rates, which were significantly lower than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS The neuroprotective effects of spinal cord stimulation postconditioning against spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury were partially mediated by activating α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixian Li
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Hospital of Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuhua Dong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Weiping Cheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Mu Jin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Deqiang Zheng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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28
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Wong R, Lénárt N, Hill L, Toms L, Coutts G, Martinecz B, Császár E, Nyiri G, Papaemmanouil A, Waisman A, Müller W, Schwaninger M, Rothwell N, Francis S, Pinteaux E, Denés A, Allan SM. Interleukin-1 mediates ischaemic brain injury via distinct actions on endothelial cells and cholinergic neurons. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 76:126-138. [PMID: 30453020 PMCID: PMC6363965 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a key contributor to neuroinflammation and brain injury, yet mechanisms by which IL-1 triggers neuronal injury remain unknown. Here we induced conditional deletion of IL-1R1 in brain endothelial cells, neurons and blood cells to assess site-specific IL-1 actions in a model of cerebral ischaemia in mice. Tamoxifen treatment of IL-1R1 floxed (fl/fl) mice crossed with mice expressing tamoxifen-inducible Cre-recombinase under the Slco1c1 promoter resulted in brain endothelium-specific deletion of IL-1R1 and a significant decrease in infarct size (29%), blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown (53%) and neurological deficit (40%) compared to vehicle-treated or control (IL-1R1fl/fl) mice. Absence of brain endothelial IL-1 signalling improved cerebral blood flow, followed by reduced neutrophil infiltration and vascular activation 24 h after brain injury. Conditional IL-1R1 deletion in neurons using tamoxifen inducible nestin-Cre mice resulted in reduced neuronal injury (25%) and altered microglia-neuron interactions, without affecting cerebral perfusion or vascular activation. Deletion of IL-1R1 specifically in cholinergic neurons reduced infarct size, brain oedema and improved functional outcome. Ubiquitous deletion of IL-1R1 had no effect on brain injury, suggesting beneficial compensatory mechanisms on other cells against the detrimental effects of IL-1 on endothelial cells and neurons. We also show that IL-1R1 signalling deletion in platelets or myeloid cells does not contribute to brain injury after experimental stroke. Thus, brain endothelial and neuronal (cholinergic) IL-1R1 mediate detrimental actions of IL-1 in the brain in ischaemic stroke. Cell-specific targeting of IL-1R1 in the brain could therefore have therapeutic benefits in stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Wong
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, M13 9PT Manchester, UK
| | - Nikolett Lénárt
- "Momentum" Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony u. 43, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Laura Hill
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, M13 9PT Manchester, UK
| | - Lauren Toms
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, M13 9PT Manchester, UK
| | - Graham Coutts
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, M13 9PT Manchester, UK
| | - Bernadett Martinecz
- "Momentum" Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony u. 43, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Császár
- "Momentum" Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony u. 43, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Nyiri
- Laboratory of Cerebral Cortex Research, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony u. 43, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Athina Papaemmanouil
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, M13 9PT Manchester, UK
| | - Ari Waisman
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Werner Müller
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, M13 9PT Manchester, UK
| | - Markus Schwaninger
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, 23538 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Nancy Rothwell
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, M13 9PT Manchester, UK
| | - Sheila Francis
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, S10 2RX Sheffield, UK
| | - Emmanuel Pinteaux
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, M13 9PT Manchester, UK
| | - Adam Denés
- "Momentum" Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony u. 43, 1083 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Stuart M Allan
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, M13 9PT Manchester, UK.
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Chen X, He X, Luo S, Feng Y, Liang F, Shi T, Huang R, Pei Z, Li Z. Vagus Nerve Stimulation Attenuates Cerebral Microinfarct and Colitis-induced Cerebral Microinfarct Aggravation in Mice. Front Neurol 2018; 9:798. [PMID: 30319530 PMCID: PMC6168656 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral cortical microinfarct (CMI) is common in patients with dementia and cognitive decline. Emerging studies reported that intestinal dysfunction influenced the outcome of ischemic stroke and that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) protected against ischemic stroke. However, the effects of intestinal dysfunction and VNS on CMI are not clear. Therefore, we examined the influence of colitis and VNS on CMI and the mechanisms of VNS attenuating CMI in mice with colitis. CMI was induced using a two-photon laser. Colitis was induced using oral dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). The cervical vagus nerve was stimulated using a constant current. In vivo blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability was evaluated using two-photon imaging. Infarct volume, microglial and astrocyte activation, oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokine levels were assessed using immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical staining. The BBB permeability, infarct volume, activation of microglia and astrocytes and oxidative stress increased significantly in mice with colitis and CMI compared to those in mice with CMI. However, these processes were reduced in CMI mice when VNS was performed. Brain lesions in mice with colitis and CMI were significantly ameliorated when VNS was performed during the acute phase of colitis. Our study demonstrated that VNS alleviated CMI and this neuroprotection was associated with the suppression of BBB permeability, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Also, our results indicated that VNS reduced colitis-induced microstroke aggravation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Chen
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiaofei He
- Department of Neurology, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shijian Luo
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yukun Feng
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Fengyin Liang
- Department of Neurology, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Taotao Shi
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Ruxun Huang
- Department of Neurology, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhong Pei
- Department of Neurology, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhendong Li
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
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30
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Yang Y, Yang LY, Orban L, Cuylear D, Thompson J, Simon B, Yang Y. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation reduces blood-brain barrier disruption in a rat model of ischemic stroke. Brain Stimul 2018; 11:689-698. [PMID: 29496430 PMCID: PMC6019567 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2018.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) significantly reduces infarct volume in rat models of cerebral ischemia, but the mechanism of this protective effect remains open. HYPOTHESIS This study tested the hypothesis that non-invasive VNS (nVNS), during transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), protects the blood-brain barrier (BBB), leading to reduced infarct size in ischemic brain. METHODS Spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) were subjected to a 90 min MCAO. nVNS treated rats received 5 stimulations (duration: 2 min; every 10 min) on the skin overlying the cervical vagus nerve in the neck beginning 30 min after MCAO onset. Control rats received the same stimulations on the quadriceps femoris muscle. Twenty-four hours after MCAO onset, MRI and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed for analyses of infarct size and BBB leakage. RESULTS Compared with the control group, anatomic MRI T2-weighted images showed significantly smaller infarct sizes in the nVNS group. Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI showed a significantly decreased BBB transfer rate (Ki map) in the lesion area in the nVNS group, which was spatially correlated with the attenuation of the infarct size. Furthermore, significantly lower serum IgG leakage, visualized by IHC, was seen in the ischemic hemisphere in nVNS treated rats. nVNS also protected vascular tight junction proteins from disruption in microvessels, and reduced expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2/9 in reactive astrocytes surrounding the compromised vessels in the ischemic hemispheres. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the neuroprotective role of a series of nVNS administrations during MCA occlusion, spatially correlates with protection of BBB integrity from damage and reduction of infarct extent induced by ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yirong Yang
- College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Lisa Y Yang
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Lilla Orban
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Darnell Cuylear
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Jeffrey Thompson
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Bruce Simon
- ElectroCore LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
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Neurostimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy: a systematic review of clinical evidence for efficacy, safety, contraindications and predictors for response. Curr Opin Neurol 2018; 31:198-210. [DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Growth differentiation factor 11 improves neurobehavioral recovery and stimulates angiogenesis in rats subjected to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Brain Res Bull 2018; 139:38-47. [PMID: 29432795 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2017] [Revised: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The recent suggestion that growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) acts as a rejuvenation factor has remained controversial. However, in addition to its role in aging, the relationship between GDF11 and cerebral ischemia is still an important area that needs more investigation. Here we examined effects of GDF11 on angiogenesis and recovery of neurological function in a rat model of stroke. Exogenous recombinant GDF11 (rGDF11) at different doses were directly injected into the tail vein in rats subjected to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Neurobehavioral tests were performed, the proliferation of endothelial cells (ECs) and GDF11 downstream signal activin-like kinase 5 (ALK5) were assessed, and functional microvessels were measured. Results showed that rGDF11 at a dosage of 0.1 mg/kg/day could effectively activate cerebral angiogenesis in vivo. In addition, rGDF11 improved the modified neurological severity scores and the adhesive removal somatosensory test, promoted proliferation of ECs, induced ALK5 and increased vascular surface area and the number of vascular branch points in the peri-infarct cerebral cortex after cerebral I/R. These effects were suppressed by blocking ALK5. Our novel findings shed new light on the role of GDF11. Our results strongly suggest that GDF11 improves neurofunctional recovery from cerebral I/R injury and that this effect is mediated partly through its proangiogenic effect in the peri-infarct cerebral cortex, which is associated with ALK5. Thus, GDF11/ALK5 may represent new therapeutic targets for aiding recovery from stroke.
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Free Radical Damage in Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: An Obstacle in Acute Ischemic Stroke after Revascularization Therapy. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:3804979. [PMID: 29770166 PMCID: PMC5892600 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3804979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 278] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Acute ischemic stroke is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and endovascular thrombectomy are the main revascularization therapies for acute ischemic stroke. However, ischemia-reperfusion injury after revascularization therapy can result in worsening outcomes. Among all possible pathological mechanisms of ischemia-reperfusion injury, free radical damage (mainly oxidative/nitrosative stress injury) has been found to play a key role in the process. Free radicals lead to protein dysfunction, DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation, resulting in cell death. Additionally, free radical damage has a strong connection with inducing hemorrhagic transformation and cerebral edema, which are the major complications of revascularization therapy, and mainly influencing neurological outcomes due to the disruption of the blood-brain barrier. In order to get a better clinical prognosis, more and more studies focus on the pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical neuroprotective therapies against free radical damage. This review discusses the pathological mechanisms of free radicals in ischemia-reperfusion injury and adjunctive neuroprotective therapies combined with revascularization therapy against free radical damage.
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Pan J, Li X, Peng Y. Remote ischemic conditioning for acute ischemic stroke: dawn in the darkness. Rev Neurosci 2018; 27:501-10. [PMID: 26812782 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2015-0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Stroke is a leading cause of disability with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Of all strokes, 87% are ischemic. The only approved treatments for acute ischemic stroke are intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase within 4.5 h and thrombectomy within 8 h after symptom onset, which can be applied to just a few patients. During the past decades, ischemic preconditioning has been widely studied to confirm its neuroprotection against subsequent ischemia/reperfusion injury in the brain, including preconditioning in situ or in a remote organ (such as a limb) before onset of brain ischemia, the latter of which is termed as remote ischemic preconditioning. Because acute stroke is unpredicted, ischemic preconditioning is actually not suitable for clinical application. So remote ischemic conditioning performed during or after the ischemic duration of the brain was then designed to study its neuroprotection alone or in combination with alteplase in animals and patients, which is named as remote ischemic perconditioning or remote ischemic postconditioning. As expected, animal experiments and clinical trials both showed exciting results, indicating that an evolution in the treatment for acute ischemic stroke may not be far away. However, some problems or disputes still exist. This review summarizes the research progress and unresolved issues of remote ischemic conditioning (pre-, per-, and post-conditioning) in treating acute ischemic stroke, with the hope of advancing our understanding of this promising neuroprotective strategy for ischemic stroke in the near future.
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Lu XX, Hong ZQ, Tan Z, Sui MH, Zhuang ZQ, Liu HH, Zheng XY, Yan TB, Geng DF, Jin DM. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Alpha7 Subunit Mediates Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Induced Neuroprotection in Acute Permanent Cerebral Ischemia by a7nAchR/JAK2 Pathway. Med Sci Monit 2017; 23:6072-6081. [PMID: 29274273 PMCID: PMC5747934 DOI: 10.12659/msm.907628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha7 subunit (a7nAchR) in the treatment of acute cerebral ischemia by VNS has not been thoroughly clarified to date. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the specific role of a7nAchR and explore whether this process is involved in the mechanisms of VNS-induced neuroprotection in rats undergoing permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (PMCAO) surgery. Material/Methods Rats received a7nAChR antagonist (A) or antagonist placebo injection for control (AC), followed by PMCAO and VNS treatment, whereas the a7nAChR agonist (P) was utilized singly without VNS treatment but only with PMCAO pretreatment. The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: sham PMCAO, PMCAO, PMCAO+VNS, PMCAO+VNS+A, PMCAO+VNS+AC, and PMCAO+P. Neurological function and cerebral infarct volume were measured to evaluate the level of brain injury at 24 h after PMCAO or PMCAO-sham. Moreover, the related proteins levels of a7nAChR, p-JAK2, and p-STAT3 in the ischemic penumbra were assessed by Western blot analysis. Results Rats pretreated with VNS had significantly improved neurological function and reduced cerebral infarct volume after PMCAO injury (p<0.05). In addition, VNS enhanced the levels of a7nAchR, p-JAK2, and p-STAT3 in the ischemic penumbra (p<0.05). However, inhibition of a7nAchR not only attenuated the beneficial neuroprotective effects induced by VNS, but also decreased levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3. Strikingly, pharmacological activation of a7nAchR can partially substitute for VNS-induced beneficial neurological protection. Conclusions These results suggest that a7nAchR is a pivotal mediator of VNS-induced neuroprotective effects on PMCAO injury, which may be related to suppressed inflammation via activation of the a7nAchR/JAK2 anti-inflammatory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Xin Lu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland).,Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China (mainland)
| | - Zhong-Qiu Hong
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Zhi Tan
- Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Ming-Hong Sui
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital (The Sixth People's Hospital of Shenzhen), Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Zhi-Qiang Zhuang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland).,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Rehabilitation and Elderly Care, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Hui-Hua Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland).,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Rehabilitation and Elderly Care, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Xiu-Yuan Zheng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland).,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Rehabilitation and Elderly Care, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Tie-Bin Yan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland).,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Rehabilitation and Elderly Care, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Deng-Feng Geng
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Dong-Mei Jin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland).,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Rehabilitation and Elderly Care, Guangdong, China (mainland)
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Ouahchi Y, Duclos C, Marie JP, Verin E. Implication of the vagus nerve in breathing pattern during sequential swallowing in rats. Physiol Behav 2017; 179:434-441. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Chen S, Bennet L, McGregor AL. Delayed Varenicline Administration Reduces Inflammation and Improves Forelimb Use Following Experimental Stroke. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2017; 26:2778-2787. [PMID: 28797614 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2017.06.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 05/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacological activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP), specifically by activating α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, has been shown to confer short-term improvements in outcome. Most studies have investigated administration within 24 hours of stroke, and few have investigated drugs approved for use in human patients. We investigated whether delayed administration of varenicline, a high-affinity agonist at α7 nicotinic receptors and an established therapy for nicotine addiction, decreased brain inflammation and improved functional performance in a mouse model of experimental stroke. METHODS CSF-1R-EGFP (MacGreen) mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and administered varenicline (2.5 mg/kg/d for 7 days) or saline (n = 10 per group) 3 days after stroke. Forelimb asymmetry was assessed in the Cylinder test every 2 days after surgery, and structural lesions were quantified at day 10. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and growth associated protein 43 (GAP43) immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the effect of varenicline on inflammation and axonal regeneration, respectively. RESULTS Varenicline-treated animals showed a significant increase in impaired forelimb use compared with saline-treated animals 10 days after stroke. Varenicline treatment was associated with reduced EGFP expression and increased GAP43 expression in the striatum of MacGreen mice. CONCLUSION Our results show that delayed administration of varenicline promotes recovery of function following experimental stroke. Motor function improvements were accompanied by decreased brain inflammation and increased axonal regeneration in nonpenumbral areas. These results suggest that the administration of an exogenous nicotinic agonist in the subacute phase following stroke may be a viable therapeutic strategy for stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyi Chen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Laura Bennet
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ailsa L McGregor
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Division of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Li H, Sun J, Zhang D, Omire-Mayor D, Lewin PA, Tong S. Low-intensity (400 mW/cm 2, 500 kHz) pulsed transcranial ultrasound preconditioning may mitigate focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Brain Stimul 2017; 10:695-702. [PMID: 28279642 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2017.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preconditioning methods, which could increase tolerance of brain to subsequent ischemic injuries with a small dose of non-injury stimuli, have gained attention. Capitalizing on noninvasiveness and safety of ultrasound modality, the pulsed transcranial ultrasound stimulation (pTUS) approach may provide a novel treatment for patients with high risk of stroke. OBJECTIVE This study's goal was to investigate whether the risk of stroke could be minimized or eliminated by prior exposure to low-intensity, pulsed transcranial ultrasound stimulation (pTUS). METHODS Rats were randomly assigned to control (n = 12) and pTUS preconditioning (pTUS-PC) groups (n = 14). The animals in pTUS-PC group were exposed to transcranial ultrasound stimulation before the induction of photothrombotic stroke, whereas control animals were handled identically but without the ultrasound stimulation. Cerebral blood flow was monitored using laser speckle imaging in both groups during stroke induction, as well as 24 and 48 h after stroke, respectively. Also, infarct volumes and edema were measured at 48 h after stroke. RESULTS pTUS-PC rats had smaller ischemic areas during stroke induction, and 24 and 48 h after the stroke, and smaller infarct volume (1.770 ± 0.169%) than the controls (3.215 ± 0.401%) (p < 0.01). Moreover, the pTUS-PC group experienced lower volume of brain edema than the control group (pTUS-PC rats: 6.658 ± 1.183%; control rats: 12.48 ± 1.386%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION These results support the hypothesis that transcranial ultrasound stimulation applied before photothrombosis could provide neuroprotection by increasing the brain's tolerance to subsequently induced focal ischemic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangdao Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA19104, USA
| | - Junfeng Sun
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Daqu Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Daryl Omire-Mayor
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA19104, USA
| | - Peter A Lewin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA19104, USA.
| | - Shanbao Tong
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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Zhang L, Ma J, Jin X, Jia G, Jiang Y, Li C. L-PGDS Mediates Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Induced Neuroprotection in a Rat Model of Ischemic Stroke by Suppressing the Apoptotic Response. Neurochem Res 2016; 42:644-655. [PMID: 27900597 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-2121-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The role of lipocalin prostaglandin D2 synthase (L-PGDS) in brain ischemia has not been fully clarified to date. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, but the mechanisms involved need further exploration. This study investigated the role of L-PGDS in cerebral I/R and whether this process was involved in the mechanism of VNS-mediated neuroprotection. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with a lentiviral vector (LV) through intracerebroventricular injection, followed by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and VNS treatment. The expression of L-PGDS in the peri-infarct cortex was examined. The localization of L-PGDS was determined using double immunofluorescence staining. Neurologic scores, infarct volume and neuronal apoptosis were evaluated at 24 h after reperfusion. The expression of apoptosis-related molecules was measured by western blot analysis. The expression of L-PGDS in the peri-infarct cortex increased at 12 h, reached a peak at 24 h after reperfusion, and lasted up to 3 days. VNS treatment further enhanced the expression of L-PGDS following ischemic stroke. L-PGDS was mainly expressed in neurons in the peri-infarct cortex. I/R rats treated with VNS showed better neurological deficit scores, reduced infarct volume, and decreased neuronal apoptosis as indicated by the decreased levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 as well as increased levels of Bcl-2. Strikingly, the beneficial effects of VNS were weakened after L-PGDS down-regulation. In general, our results suggest that L-PGDS is a potential mediator of VNS-induced neuroprotection against I/R injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, #76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Jingxi Ma
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, #76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Xinhao Jin
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, #76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Gongwei Jia
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, #76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, #6 Tian Tan Xi Li Street, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Changqing Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, #76 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China.
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Ma J, Zhang L, He G, Tan X, Jin X, Li C. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation regulates expression of growth differentiation factor 11 and activin-like kinase 5 in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats. J Neurol Sci 2016; 369:27-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Jiang Y, Li L, Ma J, Zhang L, Niu F, Feng T, Li C. Auricular vagus nerve stimulation promotes functional recovery and enhances the post-ischemic angiogenic response in an ischemia/reperfusion rat model. Neurochem Int 2016; 97:73-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2016.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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42
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Guiraud D, Andreu D, Bonnet S, Carrault G, Couderc P, Hagège A, Henry C, Hernandez A, Karam N, Le Rolle V, Mabo P, Maciejasz P, Malbert CH, Marijon E, Maubert S, Picq C, Rossel O, Bonnet JL. Vagus nerve stimulation: state of the art of stimulation and recording strategies to address autonomic function neuromodulation. J Neural Eng 2016; 13:041002. [PMID: 27351347 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2560/13/4/041002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neural signals along the vagus nerve (VN) drive many somatic and autonomic functions. The clinical interest of VN stimulation (VNS) is thus potentially huge and has already been demonstrated in epilepsy. However, side effects are often elicited, in addition to the targeted neuromodulation. APPROACH This review examines the state of the art of VNS applied to two emerging modulations of autonomic function: heart failure and obesity, especially morbid obesity. MAIN RESULTS We report that VNS may benefit from improved stimulation delivery using very advanced technologies. However, most of the results from fundamental animal studies still need to be demonstrated in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Guiraud
- Inria, DEMAR, Montpellier, France. University of Montpellier, DEMAR, Montpellier, France
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Abstract
About half of patients survive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), but most are left with significant disability. Rehabilitation after ICH is the mainstay of treatment to reduce impairment, improve independence in activities, and return patients to meaningful participation in the community. The authors discuss the neuroplastic mechanisms underlying recovery in ICH, preclinical and clinical interventional studies to augment recovery, and the rehabilitative and medical management of post-ICH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Saulle
- Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Heidi M Schambra
- Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York
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Effects of vagus nerve stimulation on cognitive functioning in rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion. J Transl Med 2016; 14:101. [PMID: 27118204 PMCID: PMC4847184 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-0858-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has become the most common non-pharmacological treatment for intractable drug-resistant epilepsy. However, the contribution of VNS to neurological rehabilitation following stroke has not been thoroughly examined. Therefore, we investigated the specific role of acute VNS in the recovery of cognitive functioning and the possible mechanisms involved using a cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury model in rats. Methods The I/R-related injury was modeled using occlusion and reperfusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO/R) in Sprague–Dawley rats. VNS was concurrently applied to the vagus nerve using a stimulation intensity of 1 mA at a fixed frequency of 20 Hz with a 0.4-ms bipolar pulse width. The stimulation duration and inter-train interval were both 3 s. Next, Morris water maze and shuttle-box behavioral experiments were conducted to assess the effects of VNS on the recovery of learning, memory, and inhibitory avoidance following I/R injury. Intracerebroventricular injection of N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine hydrochloride (DSP-4), a selective neurotoxin for noradrenergic neurons, was used to evaluate the role of norepinephrine (NE) as a mediator of therapeutic effects of VNS on cognitive recovery. Results Compared with the MCAO/R group, the VNS+MCAO/R group had improved spatial memory as indicated by swimming path lengths and escape latencies in the Morris water maze, and fear memory, as indicated by the avoidance conditioned response rate, mean shock duration, and avoidance time in shuttle-box behavior experiments. Compared with the VNS+MCAO/R group, the DSP-4+VNS+MCAO/R group, which had reduced NE levels in cortical and hippocampal brain regions, showed a reversal of the VNS-induced benefits on spatial and fear memory performance. Conclusions VNS improves spatial and fear memory in a rat model of MCAO/R injury. However, a reduction in NE from the administration of DSP-4 blocks these protective effects, suggesting that NE may contribute to the influence exhibited by VNS on memory performance in rats with cerebral I/R-related injury.
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Ay I, Nasser R, Simon B, Ay H. Transcutaneous Cervical Vagus Nerve Stimulation Ameliorates Acute Ischemic Injury in Rats. Brain Stimul 2015; 9:166-73. [PMID: 26723020 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2015.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct stimulation of the vagus nerve in the neck via surgically implanted electrodes is protective in animal models of stroke. We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of a non-invasive cervical VNS (nVNS) method using surface electrodes applied to the skin overlying the vagus nerve in the neck in a model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). METHODS nVNS was initiated variable times after MCAO in rats (n = 33). Control animals received sham stimulation (n = 33). Infarct volume and functional outcome were assessed on day 7. Brains were processed by immunohistochemistry for microglial activation and cytokine levels. The ability of nVNS to activate the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) was assessed using c-Fos immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Infarct volume was 43.15 ± 3.36 percent of the contralateral hemisphere (PCH) in control and 28.75 ± 4.22 PCH in nVNS-treated animals (p < 0.05). The effect of nVNS on infarct size was consistent when stimulation was initiated up to 4 hours after MCAO. There was no difference in heart rate and blood pressure between control and nVNS-treated animals. The number of c-Fos positive cells was 32.4 ± 10.6 and 6.2 ± 6.3 in the ipsilateral NTS (p < 0.05) and 30.4 ± 11.2 and 5.8 ± 4.3 in the contralateral NTS (p < 0.05) in nVNS-treated and control animals, respectively. nVNS reduced the number of Iba-1, CD68, and TNF-α positive cells and increased the number of HMGB1 positive cells. CONCLUSIONS nVNS inhibits ischemia-induced immune activation and reduces the extent of tissue injury and functional deficit in rats without causing cardiac or hemodynamic adverse effects when initiated up to 4 hours after MCAO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilknur Ay
- MGH/MIT/HMS Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
| | - Rena Nasser
- MGH/MIT/HMS Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | | | - Hakan Ay
- MGH/MIT/HMS Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA; Stroke Service, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Khodaparast N, Kilgard MP, Casavant R, Ruiz A, Qureshi I, Ganzer PD, Rennaker RL, Hays SA. Vagus Nerve Stimulation During Rehabilitative Training Improves Forelimb Recovery After Chronic Ischemic Stroke in Rats. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2015; 30:676-84. [PMID: 26542082 DOI: 10.1177/1545968315616494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability. Currently, there are no consistently effective rehabilitative treatments for chronic stroke patients. Our recent studies demonstrate that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitative training improves recovery of function in multiple models of stroke. Here, we evaluated the ability of VNS paired with rehabilitative training to improve recovery of forelimb strength when initiated many weeks after a cortical and subcortical ischemic lesion in subjects with stable, chronic motor deficits. METHODS Rats were trained to perform an automated, quantitative measure of voluntary forelimb strength. Once proficient, rats received injections of endothelin-1 to cause a unilateral cortical and subcortical ischemic lesion. Then, 6 weeks after the lesion, rats underwent rehabilitative training paired with VNS (Paired VNS; n = 10), rehabilitative training with equivalent VNS delivered 2 hours after daily rehabilitative training (Delayed VNS; n = 10), or rehabilitative training without VNS (Rehab, n = 9). RESULTS VNS paired with rehabilitative training significantly improved recovery of forelimb function compared with control groups. The Paired VNS group displayed an 86% recovery of strength, the Rehab group exhibited 47% recovery, and the Delayed VNS group exhibited 42% recovery. Improvement in forelimb function was sustained in the Paired VNS group after the cessation of stimulation, potentially indicating lasting benefits. No differences in intensity of rehabilitative training, lesion size, or MAP-2 expression were observed between groups. CONCLUSION VNS paired with rehabilitative training confers significantly greater recovery of forelimb function after chronic ischemic stroke in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Andrea Ruiz
- The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080-3021, USA
| | - Iqra Qureshi
- The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080-3021, USA
| | - Patrick D Ganzer
- The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080-3021, USA
| | | | - Seth A Hays
- The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080-3021, USA
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Xiang YX, Wang WX, Xue Z, Zhu L, Wang SB, Sun ZH. Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve protects against cerebral ischemic injury through an anti-infammatory mechanism. Neural Regen Res 2015; 10:576-82. [PMID: 26170817 PMCID: PMC4424749 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.155430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation exerts protective effects against ischemic brain injury; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia was established using the occlusion method, and the right vagus nerve was given electrical stimulation (constant current of 0.5 mA; pulse width, 0.5 ms; frequency, 20 Hz; duration, 30 seconds; every 5 minutes for a total of 60 minutes) 30 minutes, 12 hours, and 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days after surgery. Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve substantially reduced infarct volume, improved neurological function, and decreased the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in rats with focal cerebral ischemia. The experimental findings indicate that the neuroprotective effect of vagus nerve stimulation following cerebral ischemia may be associated with the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Xian Xiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Xin Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Xue
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Electric Power Hospit, Beijng, China
| | - Sheng-Bao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng-Hui Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Jiang Y, Li L, Tan X, Liu B, Zhang Y, Li C. miR-210 mediates vagus nerve stimulation-induced antioxidant stress and anti-apoptosis reactions following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. J Neurochem 2015; 134:173-81. [PMID: 25783636 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Revised: 03/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) exerts neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and modulates redox status, potentially through the activity of miR-210, an important microRNA that is regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor and Akt-dependent pathways. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms of VNS- and miR-210-mediated hypoxic tolerance. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were preconditioned with a miR-210 antagomir (A) or with an antagomir control (AC), followed by middle cerebral artery occlusion and VNS treatment. The animals were divided into eight groups: sham I/R, I/R, I/R+AC, I/R+A, sham I/R+VNS, I/R+VNS, I/R+VNS+AC, and I/R+VNS+A. Activation of the endogenous cholinergic a7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (a7nAchR) pathway was identified using double immunofluorescence staining. miR-210 expression was measured by PCR. Behavioral outcomes, infarct volume, and neuronal apoptosis were observed at 24 h following reperfusion. Markers of oxidative stress were detected using ELISA. Rats treated with VNS showed increased miR-210 expression as well as decreased apoptosis and antioxidant stress responses compared with the I/R group; these rats also showed increased p-Akt protein expression and significantly decreased levels of cleaved caspase 3 in the ischemic penumbra, as measured by western blot and immunofluorescence analyses, respectively. Strikingly, the beneficial effects of VNS were attenuated following miR-210 knockdown. In conclusion, our results indicate that miR-210 is a potential mediator of VNS-induced neuroprotection against I/R injury. Our study highlights the neuroprotective potential of VNS, which, to date, has been largely unexplored. Since approved by the FDA in 1997, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has proven to be a safe and effective treatment for refractory epilepsy and resistant depression. Recent studies have found that VNS also provided neuroprotective effects against ischemic injury in a rat stroke model. We showed that miR-210 played an important role in the antioxidant stress and anti-apoptosis responses induced by VNS. This is the first report showing the effects of VNS at the mRNA level. Therefore, VNS represents a promising candidate treatment for ischemic stroke patients. Schematic view of the role of miR210 mediated in the protective effects of the VNS on the acute cerebral ischemia. VNS acts to activate neuronal and astrocytes a7nAchR , inhibits the apoptosis and oxidant stress responses possibly associated with increased Akt phosphorylation and miR210 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Jiang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Longling Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaodan Tan
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanhong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Changqing Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Xiao Y, Hafeez A, Zhang Y, Liu S, Kong Q, Duan Y, Luo Y, Ding Y, Shi H, Ji X. Neuroprotection by peripheral nerve electrical stimulation and remote postconditioning against acute experimental ischaemic stroke. Neurol Res 2015; 37:447-53. [PMID: 25819636 DOI: 10.1179/1743132815y.0000000032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Local electrical stimulation (ES) was reported to protect the brain during ischaemic injury, while the protective effect of limb remote ischaemic postconditioning (RIPostC) was confirmed. The aim of this study was to explore whether remote peripheral nerve ES exerted neuroprotection and whether this procedure shared the same neuroprotective mechanism underlying RIPostC. METHODS Stroke in Sprague-Dawley rats was induced by distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO). Rats were divided into five groups: dMCAO, RIPostC, ES, nerve resection (NR) + ES and RIPostC+ES. Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, rats were examined for neurobehavioural function, including forelimb fault placing test, Ludmila Belayev 12 score test, and infarct volume. The expression of Bcl-2 and cleaved-caspase-3 in ischaemic cortex was assessed by Western blot. RESULTS In forelimb fault placing test, as compared to the highest score in the stroke-only group, RIPostC, ES and RIPostC+ES groups showed a significantly (P < 0.01) lower score. The results were similar for the Ludmila Belayev 12 score test. The infarct volume of the treatment groups also exhibited significant (P < 0.01) reduction as compared to the stroke-only group. The volume of infarct tissue in the combination of RIPostC+ES was significantly less than RIPostC and ES alone (P < 0.05). Furthermore, NR blocked the ES's protection (P < 0.05) as compared to the ES group by using above-mentioned methods. Bcl-2 was upregulated, while cleaved-caspase-3 was downregulated in the experimental groups as compared to the control group. No difference was found among the experimental groups. DISCUSSION Peripheral nerve ES appears to have a neuroprotective effect in a rat dMCAO model. This effect may indicate a neural protective mechanism underlying beneficial effect of RIPostC.
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Capone F, Assenza G, Di Pino G, Musumeci G, Ranieri F, Florio L, Barbato C, Di Lazzaro V. The effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on cortical excitability. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2014; 122:679-85. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-014-1299-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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