Navegando por Assunto "Astrócitos"

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Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Adenosina modula os níveis extracelulares de glutamato induzido por hiperosmolaridade em cultura de astrócitos hipotalâmicos
(Universidade Federal do Pará, 2016-04-29) BRAGA, Danielle Valente; DINIZ, Domingos Luiz Wanderley Picanço; http://lattes.cnpq.br/9601463988942971; SILVA, Anderson Manoel Herculano Oliveira da; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8407177208423247
Recent studies have shown that glutamate release by hypothalamic glial cells is an important physiological response to hyperosmolarity. Furthermore, previous studies point out an accentuated increase of the adenosine levels in renal interstitial fluid after the intake sodium increases. This study aims to evaluate the possible relationship between the adenosine and glutamate releases in primary cultures of astrocytes exposed to hyperosmolarity conditions. Hypothalamic astrocytes cultures of Wistar rats at the first two days after birth were exposed to hypertonic sodium solution (340mOsm/L) in different times (3, 5, 10 e 15 min). After this stimulus, the incubation medium was harvested and the extracellular levels of glutamate and adenosine were determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. In order to evaluate the relationship between these compounds in hyperosmotic conditions, we have used treatment of the cultures with adenosine, with R-PIA (an agonist of the A1 receptor), as well as with glutamate (an agonist of the NMDA receptor). Our results showed a significant increase of the extracellular levels of glutamate after the hyperosmotic stimulus with a peak at 5 min. Similarly, we have seen an increase of the adenosine levels in the incubation medium after 10 and 15 min. The treatment with glutamate induced an increase in extracellular levels of adenosine after 15 and 20 minutes in isosmotic medium. The exposure to the NMDA receptor did not induce the release of adenosine in none of the concentrations utilized. The pretreatment with adenosine and R-PIA A1 agonist blocked the release of glutamate induced by hyperosmolarity. Our results also showed that the effect of the stimulus on the release of glutamate and adenosine is sodium-dependent and presents a specific response for hypothalamic astrocytes, which can be modulated by the adenosine A1 receptor activation.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Alterações da formação hipocampal do Calidris pusilla associadas à migração outonal de longa distância
(Universidade Federal do Pará, 2017-08-31) MAGALHÃES, Nara Gyzely de Morais; DINIZ, Cristovam Guerreiro; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1025250990755299; DINIZ, Cristovam Wanderley Picanço; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2014918752636286
After breeding in the upper Arctic tundra, shorebirds affected by migratory restlessness trace an inherited preliminary route and use compasses, maps and visual landmarks, until they reach, in the northern hemisphere, stopover sites that have the necessary nutritional resources for fast and high gain of energy reserves for migratory journey, as in the Bay of Fundy-Canada. Following this stopover site that is used by 75% of the population of Calidris pusilla, the long-distance autumn migratory experience continues with uninterrupted 6-day non-stop flights over the Atlantic until these birds reach South America and then the island of Canela-Brazil. To test the hypothesis that the long-distance migratory process would influence neurogenesis, astrogenesis and activation of earlier-expression genes, we captured 12 individuals in full migratory activity in the Bay of Fundy and 9 individuals in the Island of Canela in Brazil. After selective immunostaining for mature neurons (NeuN), immature neurons (Dcx), astrocytes (GFAP), and neuronal activation by early genes (c-Fos), we quantified these markers in the hippocampal formation and compared the results of this quantification of the individuals in migration (Bay of Fundy) with those of wintering birds (Canela Island). We used quantitative stereological analyzes to estimate the total number of cells of hippocampal formation, number of active cells, total number of astrocytes and young and mature neurons. To verify if the differences found were statistically significant, we used the Student t test. Our results confirmed that autumnal migration alone, caused hippocampal changes in Calidris pusilla. After migration, we detected that the hippocampal formation has fewer activated cells and fewer astrocytes, more new neurons and greater relative volume in the quantified hemisphere (left hemisphere). However, this process did not influence the number of total cells and mature neurons. We suggest that the difference found between the volume and number of new neurons, of the full migration and wintering individuals, possibly occurred due to the migratory process in combination with local conditions found during the beginning of the wintering period. Taken together our findings demonstrate long-distance migratory shorebirds offer a unique opportunity to investigate many issues related to the cellular neurobiology of migration in general, and, on the neural plasticity associated with hippocampal neuronal and neurogenesis in adult birds.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Ativação microglial, perda neuronal e astrocitose em um modelo experimental de epilepsia do lobo temporal
(Universidade Federal do Pará, 2011-05-12) FERREIRA, Elane de Nazaré Magno; LEAL, Walace Gomes; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2085871005197072
Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent serious chronic neurological conditions worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 45-50 cases in 100,000 habitants in developed countries, rising to 122 to 190, in developing countries, including Brazil. There are no risk factors in relation to gender, race or age, but it is believed that some gene mutations are associated with an increased risk to develop the disease. The pathophysiology of epilepsy involves complex factors such as loss inhibition and increased neuronal excitability in different brain regions, but mainly at the hippocampus. Mutations in ion channels and in both receptor and neurotransmitter transporters may underlie disease pathogenesis. The inflammatory response plays an important role on epilepsy pathophysiology. Recent experimental evidence suggests a major role for both microglia and astrocyte activation on the seizure exacerbation. In this dissertation, we describe the general patterns of microgial and astrocyte activation and neuronal loss in CA1, CA3, hippocampal hylus, peririnal, lateral entorrinal and motor cortices and amigdaloid complex in the first week following “Status Epilepticus” induced by pilocarpine injection. Immunohistochemistry was performed to label neurons (anti-NeuN), microglia in general (anti-Iba1), activated microglia/macrophages (anti-ED1) and astrocytes (anti-GFAP). Numbers of neurons and activated microglia were counted in the hippocampus. There was intense microglia and astrocyte activation in all motor and limbic regions studied, mainly at 3 and 7 days post SE. Minocycline treatment reduced microglia activation in the hippocampus (p<0.05), without affecting astrocytosis. There was considerable inflammation in regions outside the hippocampus with an early inflammatory response. There was no neuronal loss in the hippocampus in the first week following SE, although sporadic alterations on neuronal morphology have been observed. These results suggest that the inflammatory response is an early and generalized histopathological event in several motor and limbic structures following pilocarpine-induced SE, even in the absence of conspicuous cell loss. The patterns of microglia and astrocyte activation can be used as markers of the progressive tissue impairment in the experimental models of epilepsy.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Curso temporal da degradação e restauração de redes perineuronais após a ação da enzima chabc entregue via implante de biomembrana no córtex cerebral de ratos
(Universidade Federal do Pará, 2020-03-18) REIS, Rafaela Martins; BAHIA, Carlomagno Pacheco; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0910507988777644; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3794-4710
The chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) founded on the extracellular matrix (ECM) of nervous tissue are the main components related to the restriction of neuroplasticity. When condenserd, they form the perineuronal nets (PNNs) and their appearance coincides with the end of the critical period of plasticity and reduction of the reorganization potencial of the central nervous system (CNS). The degradation of PNNs by the enzyme chondroitinase ABC has been used as a tool for reopening periods of neuroplasticity in adult nervous system.. In this work, we analyzed the temporal dynamics of PNNs degradation and restoration in the primary somesthetic cortex (S1) after degradation by the enzyme ChABC in an in vivo experimental model using a biomembrane vehicle for focal delivery and without damaging nervous tissue. In this way, we used adult Wistar rats that were submitted to the implantation of the biomembrane made with ethylene-vinyl-acetate saturated with the enzyme ChABC, with 1, 3 and 7 days of survival time after implantation, using the non implanted side cerebral hemisphere as a control. Our results demonstrated that degradation via implantation of the biomembrane saturated with ChABC was efficient from day 1, with a drastic reduction in the implanted hemisphere (LH) of mature PNNs. There was also a significant increase in the number of immature PNNs in the HD even 7 days after implantation. Neither the biomembrane or the enzyme triggered signs of a neuroinflammatory process or glial activation, but the removal of ECM components interfered with the immunostaining of nerve cells 7 days after the implantation of the biomembrane with ChABC. Therefore, we concluded that the ethylene-vinyl-acetate polymer biomembrane was efficient for focal delivery of the ChABC enzyme and promoted degradation of PNNs in the S1 area of adult rats, did not cause mechanical damage to the nervous tissue, nor activated glial reactivity and the area of enzymatic degradation decreases over time (from 1 to 7 days).
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Efeitos protetores da prolactina em cultivo glial de córtex de ratos expostos ao metilmercúrio
(Universidade Federal do Pará, 2008-04-04) SANTOS, Andréa Cristina Monteiro dos; DINIZ, Domingos Luiz Wanderley Picanço; http://lattes.cnpq.br/9601463988942971
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a compound highly neurotoxic and its degenerative mechanisms are not very clear yet. In Central Nervous System, MeHg is mostly uptake by astrocytes, decreasing neuronal exposition. Studies demonstrated that prolactin (PRL) has mitogenic effects on astrocytes and it can regulate pro-inflammatories cytokines expression. The aim of this work was to verify the protective effects of PRL on disturbs provoked by MeHg on cellular viability, morphology, GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) expression, mitogenesis and release of interleukin-1β in glia primary culture of cerebral cortex of newborn rats, with astrocytes in focus. Glia primary culture were exposed to differents concentrations of MeHg (0,1, 1, 5 e 10 μM) in differents time intervals (2, 4, 6, 18 e 24 h) in medium with fetal bovine serum 10%. Results demonstrated progressive decreasing of 20% e 62% on cellular viability after exposed to 5 e 10 μM MeHg for 24 h, respectively, by MTT [3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay and disturbs in the GFAP expression and distribution. Differents concentrations of PRL (0.1, 1 e 10 nM) were added in free serum medium to evaluate it proliferative action. This was confirmed by mitogenesis induction around 4.5x in 18h at 10 mM PRL. In this conditions (free serum) were evaluated the effects of co-treatment of 1 nM PRL + 5 μM MeHg on cellular viability, morphology, GFAP expression, mitotic index and release of IL-1β. PRL attenuated disturbs caused by MeHg, increasing viability in 33%, GFAP expression, cellular proliferation (4x), and attenuating morphologic alterations like nuclear picnosis and lisis. These findings prove that PRL can act like a cytoprotective agent in primary culture of glia, particularly in astrocytes, in addition to its mitogenic effects.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Encefalite viral induzida pelo vírus da dengue em camundongos suíços albinos: a resposta inflamatória do sistema nervoso central do hospedeiro neonato
(Universidade Federal do Pará, 2011-10-14) TURIEL, Maíra Catherine Pereira; DINIZ, Cristovam Wanderley Picanço; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2014918752636286
To study the innate immune response produced specifically within the developing CNS, avoiding the influence of the immune system, employ viral infection model induced by intracerebral inoculation of dengue virus in neonatal mice. Eight newborn mice two days old of the species Mus musculus and Swiss albino variety were inoculated intracerebrally with brain homogenate infected with Flavivirus species (DENV3 genotype III). Another group of animals was used as control (uninfected) and inoculated with an equal volume of non-infectious brain homogenate and maintained under the same conditions of those infected. After 7 days after infection the mice were sacrificed and patients have had their brains processed for immunostaining of astrocytes and microglia. We quantified the glial and astrocitic immune response in the stratum lacunosum molecular (Lac Mol), radiatum (Rad) and pyramidale (Pir) of hippocampus and in the stratum molecular of dentate gyrus (DGMol) using the optical ractionator to estimate the number of microglias and astrocytes in the hippocampus of infected and control animals. Intense reactive astrocytosis and microglial activation were associated with clinical signs of meningoencephalitis in neonate subjects. Although the number of activated microglia to be higher in infected than in control subjects in the GDMol (Inf:738,95 } 83,07 vs Cont: 232,73 } 70,38; p = 0,0035), Rad (Inf: 392,49 } 44,13 vs Cont: 62,76 } 15,86; p = 0,0004) the number of total microglias (activated or not) was different only in the stratum radiatum (Inf: 6.187,49 } 291,62; Cont: 4.011,89 } 509,73;p = 0,01). On the other hand the total number of astrocytes was higher in control than in infected subjects only in the DGMol (Inf: 8.720,17 } 903,11; Cont: 13.023,13 }1.192,14; p = 0,02). Taken together the results suggest that the immune innate response in neonate mice after encephalitis induced by DENV3 genotype III is associated with a higher increase in the activated microglias than astrocytes in a regional and laminardependent fashion. The patophysiology implications of these events remain to be investigated.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Enriquecimento ambiental reduz as alterações astrocitárias e a progressão da doença prion em modelo murino: ensaios morfométricos, estereológicos e comportamentais
(Universidade Federal do Pará, 2014-11-26) TORRES NETO, João Bento; DINIZ, Cristovam Wanderley Picanço; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2014918752636286
It is well established that a sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for a number of chronic diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. The neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease is characterized by amyloid deposits, neuronal loss, reactive gliosis, and vacuolization of the neuropil. Prion disease has been widely used as an experimental model for studying cellular and molecular aspects of chronic neurodegeneration much similar to that described in Alzheimer's disease. The impoverished environment of standard laboratory cages have been used to mimic a sedentary life whereas enriched environment has been used to mimic an active lifestyle. To test the hypothesis that an enriched environment can help to slow down the time course of chronic neurodegeneration associated with prion disease we induced prion disease in twenty Swiss albino female mice which had been housed at six months of age in an enriched environment (EE) or in a standard (SE) environment for five months. After this period bilateral stereotactic intracerebral injection of normal (NBH, n = 10) or infected brain homogenate (ME7, n = 10) were done. Infected brain homogenate was obtained from mice with clinical signs of terminal prion disease. The injected animals returned to their cages and housing conditions and grouped as follow: SE = NBH 5, EE = NBH 5, ME7 SE = 5, ME7 EE = 5. After three weeks post-injections the burrowing test was initiated. Burrowing is a sensitive task to hippocampal damage. 18 weeks after inoculation memory tests of object recognition was carried out. After behavioral tests animals were euthanized and their brains were histologically processed targeting astrocytic immunostaining of areas of interest. The progressive reduction of the activity of burrowing began in the thirteenth week after injection in group ME7 SE but only in the fifteenth week in ME7 EE group. The ability to recognize the displaced object in spatial memory test was impaired in ME7 SE group but remained normal in the other experimental groups. The test of discrimination between the new object and the family revealed no abnormalities. Quantitative analysis of GFAP immunostained cells were performed in the dorsal stratum radiatum of CA3 and in the polymorphic layer of the dorsal dentate gyrus. The stereological estimates of the total number of astrocytes and the volume of the cell body revealed that the number of astrocytes did not change but a significant hypertrophy occurs in CA3 cell bodies of ME7 SE and ME7 EE groups as compared to their respective controls. The average volume of the cell bodies of the ME7 EE group was smaller than that of the group ME7 SE. However similar analysis applied to the polymorphic layer revealed a significant increase in the number of astrocytes in the ME7 SE group in relation to NBH SE group and in ME7 EE compared to NBH EE. The volume of the cell body was also significantly higher in ME7 groups compared to their respective control groups. The three-dimensional morphometric analysis revealed significant increase in volume and surface area of the segments of astrocytic trees in diseased groups compared to controls. Environmental enrichment reduced swelling observed in the branches of ME7 group and increased the number of intersections of the distal branches in NBH EE group relative to NBH SE and the proximal branches in the group ME7 EE compared with ME7 SE. The use of cluster analysis and discriminant allowed the identification of morphometric parameters that contributed most to the distinction between the groups. To test the hypothesis that there are subfamilies of morphologically distinct astrocytes within each experimental group, we applied cluster and discriminant analysis to each experimental group and these analysis resulted in the formation of two distinct families in NBH SE group, three families in NBH EE and ME7 EE groups and four families in the ME7 SE group. The molecular and cellular changes, which lead to the formation of new families of astrocytes, and to the neuroprotection associated with an enriched environment slowing down the progression of the prion disease, remain to be investigated.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Envelhecimento, declínio cognitivo e plasticidade astroglial em ca3
(Universidade Federal do Pará, 2011-11-18) TOKUHASHI, Tatyana Pereira; DINIZ, Cristovam Wanderley Picanço; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2014918752636286
A few studies investigated in detail possible relationships between aging cognitive decline and hippocampal astroglial plasticity. In the present report we investigated in murine model possible relationships between performances in object recognition tests and the astrocytes laminar distribution in CA3. To do so, young (6 months old, n = 7) and old (20 months old, n= 5) C57Bl6 mice, were maintained in standard cages and assessed in object recognition hippocampal-dependent tasks. Isolated or integrated (episodic-like memory) tests were applied and revealed that object identity (What?), place (Where?) and time (When?), were impaired in old subjects, whereas in young mice only spatial memory was impaired. After behavioral tests all subjects were sacrificed and perfused with aldehyde fixatives had their brains removed and processed for glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistry, a selective marker for astrocytes. To avoid sample bias we used the optical fractionator, a stereological method that is no affected by histological procedures. The results on behavioral isolated or integrated tests revealed that aging significantly impairs object, spatial and time recognition (two-tail t-test, p<0.05). As compared to young subjects, old mice showed laminar changes in the astrocytes distribution with proportional increase of the astrocytes number in the pyramidal layer of dorsal and ventral CA3 and a reduction in the lacunosum molecular layer of dorsal CA3. Coherently, the total number of CA3 astrocytes showed significant reorganization of its laminar distribution as a function of age with reduction of its numbers in the stratum oriens. No significant differences were detected in the mean values of laminar volumes suggesting that aging induced changes directly affected astroglial plasticity in CA3. Finally, a linear inverse correlation was found between the estimations of pyramidal cell layer astrocytes and performances in the behavioral tasks. Further direct evidences of this correlation with altered CA3 astrocytes and possible molecular mechanisms to explain aging cognitive decline remains to be investigated.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Estudo da neuropatologia induzida pelo vírus Marabá em modelo murino
(Universidade Federal do Pará, 2014-02-28) FARIAS, Alexandre Maia de; DINIZ, Cristovam Wanderley Picanço; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2014918752636286; DINIZ JUNIOR, José Antônio Picanço; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3850460442622655
The Marabá virus (Be AR 411459) is an Vesiculovirus (VSV), member of the Rhabdoviridae family, isolated in 1983 from a pool of sandflies captured in Marabá - PA by Section Arbovirus the Evandro Chagas Institute. In literature There are few studies on experimental neuropathology Marabá virus induced, despite 30 years of isolation. A single study, however, revealed that viral infection in newborn mice causes necrosis and pyknosis in neurons in several regions of the central nervous system (CNS). The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution of Marabá virus in the CNS, reactive microglia and astrocytes, histopathologic features, and the expression of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO), in Marabá virus-induced encephalitis in BALB / c mice. Thus was performed processing of samples for histopathological examination; Immunohistochemistry for observation of microglia, astrocytes and viral antigen; tests for quantification of cytokines and NO, and statistical analyzes. The results showed that infected animals (Ai) 3 days after inoculation (d.p.i.) with discrete labeling of viral antigen, as well as the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the CNS. Moreover , in Ai 6 d.p.i. marking the viral antigen was observed in almost all brain regions, with intense microglial activation in these locations, although was less astrogliosis. Edema, necrosis and apoptosis of neurons were mainly observed in the olfactory bulb, septum and frontal cortex of Ai 6 d.p.i. Quantification of IL - 12p40, IL- 10, IL- 6, TNF- α, INF- ү, MCP-1 and NO, showed significant increases in Ai 6 d.p.i., when compared with controls animals and Ai 3 d.p.i. On the other hand, TGF-β, important immunosuppressant, has not been significant in all groups and evaluated times (3 and 6 d.p.i.). These results indicate that Marabá virus can infect various CNS regions of BALB /c mouse adult 6 d.p.i., producing anatomical and pathological changes and strong inflammatory immune response that can be lethal to the animal.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Influências do ambiente e da idade sobre a complexidade morfológica dos astrócitos do giro denteado de camundongos suíços albinos
(Universidade Federal do Pará, 2015-05-14) FÔRO, César Augusto Raiol; SOSTHENES, Marcia Consentino Kronka; http://lattes.cnpq.br/7881527576747420; DINIZ, Cristovam Wanderley Picanço; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2014918752636286
During our previous study (Diniz et al., 2010), mice (Mus musculus) maintained in an impoverished environment that mimicked a sedentary lifestyle from weaning generally performed worse on spatial memory tasks (the Morris water maze) and did not distinguish between old and recent or between displaced and stationary objects in episodic-like memory tests. In contrast, mice maintained in enriched cages for equal time preserved those abilities. These behavioral outcomes were associated with layer-dependent, numerical astrocytic changes. Using the same serial anatomical sections selectively immunolabeled for glial fibrillary acid protein from the previous study, we tested the hypothesis that environmental impoverishment would reduce the morphological complexity of astrocytes, and that such changes would be associated with learning and memory decline. We used three-dimensional microscopic reconstructions and unbiased systematic and random sampling approaches to select astrocytes from the polymorphic, granular, and molecular layers of the dentate gyrus. Cluster and discriminant analysis of three-dimensional astrocytic morphometric features from each layer and experimental group revealed two main morphological phenotypes. Type I astrocytes were more complex than type II; they exhibited larger tree areas, larger tree volumes, more segments, and more vertices. Integrated analysis with previous behavioral findings from the same animals revealed that the reductions in morphological complexity observed in young mice from impoverished and aged mice from enriched environments were observed in both astrocyte types in all layers of the dentate gyrus. We suggest that long-term environmental impoverishment and aging effects on astrocyte plasticity may represent at least part of the circuitry changes underlying learning and memory decline.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Influências do tamanho da ninhada e da atividade física sobre a plasticidade glial na formação hipocampal em modelo murino
(Universidade Federal do Pará, 2014-02-07) VIANA, Lane Coelho; DINIZ, Cristovam Wanderley Picanço; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2014918752636286
Previous studies have shown significant effects of perinatal stress on cognitive performance in adulthood and during aging. However remains to be studied in detail as exercise at different stages of life helps to reduce these deficits. This is particularly true if we consider previous descriptions of extracellular matrix and glial cell changes, largely ignored in these studies. Thus, the aim of the present report is to investigate possible influences of litter size and physical activity on object recognition memory at adulthood and whether or not these influences affect glial plasticity and extracellular matrix of the hippocampal formation. To that end, we changed the litter size of Wistar rats to accentuate the degree of competition among siblings by functional teats and decrease the amount of maternal care per individual. During the suckling period, we have quantified the maternal care in litters of different sizes. At various time windows we submitted selected subjects to physical exercise on a treadmill, for 5 weeks, adopting the same training protocol. After exercise, some groups of adults and senile animals were submitted to the hippocampal-dependent object recognition memory test, sacrificed, and processed for selective microglia immunolabeling. Other groups of adult animals not subjected to behavioral tests were also euthanized and had one hemisphere used to record diffusional parameters in the hippocampal parenchyma while the other was used for selective immunolabeling to detect astrocytes, NG2 cells and reelin.We found that an increase in litter size was related to the reduction of maternal care, cognitive decline, altered morphology and proliferation of microglia, astrocytes and NG2 cells, as well as to a change in diffusion patterns in the hippocampal stroma. We also demonstrated that these changes may be reversed, at least partially, by physical activity and the extent of these beneficial effects are more pronounced in younger subjects. Finally, we demonstrated that ageing exacerbates microglial morphological changes induced by increased litter size and reduces memory performance.The molecular mechanisms associated to these effects remain to be investigated.
Acesso aberto (Open Access)
Perda neuronal, ativação glial, neurogênese e alterações sensório-motoras após isquemia focal no córtex somestésico de ratos adultos
(Universidade Federal do Pará, 2012-09-26) CORRÊA, Vania Castro; LEAL, Walace Gomes; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2085871005197072
Stroke is considered one of the most important causes of death and functional deficits in the world. Few neurological conditions are so complex and devastating, resulting in severe neurological deficits and death in the survivors. The cortical regions are commonly affected by stroke, resulting in sensory and motor loss. The establishment of neuropathological patterns in cortical regions, including the somatosensory area, is critical for the investigation of possible therapeutic interventions. In the present study, we investigated the patterns of neuronal loss, microgliosis, astrocytosis, neurogenesis and functional deficits in the primary somatosensory cortex of adult rats submitted to focal ischemia induced by microinjections of 40 pmol of endothelin-1 (ET-1). A total of 30 young adult Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) of Wistar, weighing between 250-280g were used in the study. The animals were divided into ischemic (N = 21) and control (N = 9) groups. They were perfused at survival times of 1, 3 and 7 days. The 7 days animals were submitted to behavioral tests to evaluate sensorimotor impairment. Sections were stained with cresyl violet, cytochrome oxidase and immunostained to identify neurons (anti-NeuN), activated and non-activated microglia (Iba-1), activated macrophages/microglia (ED-1), astrocytes (GFAP) and neuroblasts (DCX ). Statistical comparisons between groups were made by one analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey post-hoc test. The animals showed ischemic sensorimotor deficits revealed by Bederson Neurological Scale, Paw Placement and corner tests. Microinjections of ET-1 induced focal ischemic lesion in the primary somatosensory cortex with neuronal loss and progressive astrocytosis and microgliosis mainly in the late survival times. The cytochrome oxidase histochemistry revealed the barrel fields, but unexpectedly marked a population of inflammatory cells with macrophage characteristics in the ischemic region. Increased numbers of SVZ neuroblasts were observed mainly in late survival times of ipsilateral hemisphere in comparison to contralateral side and control animals. There was no significant migration of neuroblasts to the ischemic cortex. The results show that microinjections of ET-1 are an effective method for inducing tissue loss and sensorymotor deficits in the primary somatosensory cortex of adult rats. It was evident that the SVZ is influenced by distant ischemic events distant and that macrophage populations seem to increase the cytochrome oxidase expression. The implemented experimental model can be used in future studies, in which potential neuroprotective drugs can be tested to minimize the described neuropathological alterations.