Intestinal epithelial stem cell transplants as a novel therapy for cerebrovascular stroke

Almost 2/3rds of stroke survivors exhibit vascular cognitive impairment and a third of stroke patients will develop dementia 1-3 years after stroke. These dire consequences underscore the need for effective stroke therapies. In addition to its damaging effects on the brain, stroke rapidly dysregulates the intestinal epithelium, resulting in elevated blood levels of inflammatory cytokines and toxic gut metabolites due to a 'leaky' gut. We tested whether repairing the gut via intestinal epithelial stem cell (IESC) transplants would also improve stroke recovery. Organoids containing IESCs derived from young rats transplanted into older rats after stroke were incorporated into the gut, restored stroke-induced gut dysmorphology and decreased gut permeability, and reduced circulating levels of endotoxin LPS and the inflammatory cytokine IL-17A. Remarkably, IESC transplants also improved stroke-induced acute (4d) sensory-motor disability and chronic (30d) cognitive-affective function. Moreover, IESCs from older animals displayed senescent features and were not therapeutic for stroke. These data underscore the gut as a critical therapeutic target for stroke and demonstrate the effectiveness of gut stem cell therapy.

Use of a solid reagent in the triphenyl tetrazolium chloride test for bacteriuria

The use of a solid reagent in the triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (T.T.C.) test for significant bacteriuria is described. The reagent gave a positive result with 108 (86%) of 126 specimens of urine containing over 100,000 organisms per ml. In comparison with the standard T.T.C. test the modified test gave comparable results. Some possible reasons for the varying results obtained by different users of the T.T.C. test are discussed.