| 1. |
- Holm, Lovisa, et al.
(författare)
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Changes in galanin and GalR1 gene expression in discrete brain regions after transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in female rats
- 2012
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Ingår i: Neuropeptides. - : Elsevier. - 0143-4179 .- 1532-2785. ; 46:1, s. 19-27
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Injury to neurons results in upregulation of galanin in some central and peripheral systems, and it has been suggested that this neuropeptide may play a protective and trophic role, primarily mediated by galanin receptor 2 (GalR2). The objective of the present study was to investigate galanin, GalR1, GalR2 and GalR3 gene expression in the female rat brain seven days after a 60-min unilateral occlusion of the middle cerebral artery followed by reperfusion. Quantitative real-time PCR was employed in punch-biopsies from the locus coeruleus, somatosensory cortex and dorsal hippocampal formation including sham-operated rats as controls. Galanin gene expression showed a ~2.5-fold increase and GalR1 a ~1.5-fold increase in the locus coeruleus of the ischemic hemisphere compared to the control side. Furthermore, the GalR1 mRNA levels decreased by 35% in the cortex of the ischemic hemisphere. The present results indicate that a stroke-induced forebrain lesion upregulates synthesis of galanin and GalR1 in the locus coeruleus, a noradrenergic cell group projecting to many forebrain areas, including cortex and the hippocampal formation. These results support the notion that galanin may play a role in the response of the central nervous system to injury and have trophic eff ects.
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| 2. |
- Holm, Lovisa, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of intracerebroventricular galanin or a galanin receptor 2/3 agonist on the lesion induced by transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in female rats
- 2011
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Ingår i: Neuropeptides. - : Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam. - 0143-4179 .- 1532-2785. ; 45:1, s. 17-23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several studies have shown that injury to the central and peripheral nervous system can increase expression of galanin, a 29 amino acid neuropeptide. Moreover, there is evidence that galanin, especially through its galanin receptor 2 (GalR2) receptor, plays a neuroprotective role in different injury models. However, direct studies of a possible neuroprotective effect of galanin in experimental stroke models are lacking. Galanin, a GalR2/3 agonist or artificial CSF was continuously infused intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) in naive female rats after a 60 min transient and focal occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. The animals were sacrificed, and the ischemic lesion was visualized using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium hydrochloride (TTC) staining. The lesion was 98% larger after i.c.v, administration of the GalR2/3 agonist (2.4 nmol/day) seven days after occlusion compared to artificial CSF (p = 0.023). No statistically significant differences were found after seven days in the groups treated with galanin in three different concentrations (0.24, 2.4 and 24 nmol/day; p = 0.939, 0.715 and 0.977, respectively). There was no difference in the size of the ischemic lesions measured after three days in the galanin-treated group (2.4 nmol/d) compared to artificial CSF (p = 0.925). The present results show, surprisingly, that a GalR2/3 agonist doubled the size of the ischemic lesion. Whether this effect primarily reflects the properties of the current model, species, gender and/or the mode of galanin administration, e.g. causing desensitization, or whether galanin indeed lacks neuroprotective effect of its own, remains to be corroborated.
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| 3. |
- Holm, Lovisa, 1962-
(författare)
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Focal ischemic reperfusion stroke model in rats and the role of galanin
- 2011
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Stroke is the third most common cause for mortality in industrialised countries and amongst the major causes of long- time morbidity. While the mortality due to myocardial infarction has been dramatically reduced during the last 10-15 years, mortality due to stroke remains almost the same, despite the fact that the two share similar basic pathogenic mechanisms including atherosclerosis, hypertension and diabetes. Treatment modalities of reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke, including the use of tissue plasminogen activator for thrombolysis and endovascular treatments, are eff ective if applied early after onset of the first symptoms. The more frequent use of reperfusion therapy, especially in the most common type of stroke aff ecting the middle cerebral artery (MCA), increase the clinical relevance and demand for experimental models of temporary and focal ischemia of the brain. The primary goal of the present work was to develop a model in rats for studying the mechanisms underlying focal and temporary ischemia in brain regions supplied by the MCA.We have modified the intracranial method of occluding the MCA originally described by Tamura et al. in the early 1980es by introducing a microclip to occlude the artery and induce reperfusion under direct visual control through an operating microscope. The goal was to create a mild ischemia model with low morbidity and mortality, optimizing conditions for the animals postoperatively and allowing longterm (weeks) observation periods of high relevance for human stroke. Morbidity and mortality in experimental stroke models are crucial confounders. Change of anesthesia from intraperitoneally administrated chloral hydrate to isoflurane inhalation anesthesia with endotracheal intubation and controlled ventilation reduced mortality markedly from 25% to ~10%. Improved overall skills in anesthesia and surgical techniques further reduced mortality to <3%.Hypothermia reduces brain lesions caused by ischemia not only when administered before and during the ischemic episode, but also afterwards. Several studies have shown that galanin concentrations are increased in response to various types of lesions to the nervous system, and galanin may be amongst the factors supporting neuronal survival and functions. We therefore investigated whether or not hypothermia-induced alterations in galanin concentrations could constitute a part of the established neuroprotective effect of hypothermia in our rat stroke model. Hypothermia induced an overall increase in the concentrations of immunoreactive galanin (p < 0.001). The elevated galanin levels were predominantly found in the non-ischemic control hemisphere. The galanin concentrations were lower in the ischemic hemisphere in both the normo- and hypothermic animals compared to the corresponding contralateral intact hemisphere (p = 0.049). The hypothermia and not the ischemic/reperfusion lesions explained the major part of the observed changes in galanin concentrations. Hypothermia-induced elevation in galanin concentration is therefore not likely to be amongst the major protective mechanisms of hypothermia. Our results support the notion that hypothermia-induced increase in tissue concentrations of galanin in the brain are the result of changes from optimal homeostatic conditions – the hypothermia-induced stress – rather than the ischemic/reperfusion lesion- induced changes in galanin concentrations.Whether the lesion-induced increase in galanin concentrations is primarily a signal that a lesion has occurred, a consequence of the lesion or a mechanism for facilitating neuronal survival is an open question. We therefore infused three different concentrations of galanin intracerebroventricularly in a direct attempt to investigate whether or not galanin has neuroprotective properties in a rat model of MCA occlusion. Furthermore, we infused the GalR2/3 agonist Gal(2-11) (AR-M1896) shown to subserve neuroprotective functions. The lesion was 98% larger seven days after a 60 min transient MCA occlusion and continuous administration of the GalR2/3 agonist Gal(2-11). No differences were found after seven days in the groups treated with galanin in three different concentrations (0.24, 2.4 and 24 nmol/day; p = 0.939, 0.715 and 0.977, respectively). There was also no difference in the size of the ischemic lesion measured after three days in the galanin-treated group (2.4 nmol/d) compared to artificial cerebrospinal fl uid (p = 0.925).The expression of the galanin, GalR1, GalR2 and GalR3 receptor genes were investigated in the female rat brain seven days after a 60-min unilateral occlusion/reperfusion of the MCA. Galanin gene expression showed a 2.5-fold increase and GalR1 a 1.5-fold increase in the locus coeruleus of the ischemic hemisphere compared to the control side, and the GalR1 mRNA levels decreased by 35% in the cortex of the ischemic hemisphere. Thus, stroke-induced forebrain lesion upregulates synthesis of galanin and GalR1 in the locus coeruleus, a noradrenergic cell group projecting to many forebrain areas, including cortex and the hippocampal formation, supporting the notion that galanin may play a role in the response of the central nervous system to injury and have trophic effects.
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| 4. |
- Ingberg, Edvin, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
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Methods for long-term 17β-estradiol administration to mice
- 2012
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Ingår i: General and Comparative Endocrinology. - Maryland Heigths, USA : Elsevier. - 0016-6480 .- 1095-6840. ; 175:1, s. 188-193
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rodent models constitute a cornerstone in the elucidation of the effects and biological mechanisms of 17β-estradiol. However, a thorough assessment of the methods for long-term administration of 17β-estradiol to mice is lacking. The fact that 17β-estradiol has been demonstrated to exert different effects depending on dose emphasizes the need for validated administration regimens. Therefore, 169 female C57BL/6 mice were ovariectomized and administered 17β-estradiol using one of the two commonly used subcutaneous methods; slow-release pellets (0.18 mg, 60-day release pellets; 0.72 mg, 90-day release pellets) and silastic capsules (with/without convalescence period, silastic laboratory tubing, inner/outer diameter: 1.575/3.175 mm, filled with a 14 mm column of 36 μg 17β-estradiol/mL sesame oil), or a novel peroral method (56 μg 17β-estradiol/day/kg body weight in the hazelnut cream Nutella). Forty animals were used as ovariectomized and intact controls. Serum samples were obtained weekly for five weeks and 17β-estradiol concentrations were measured using radioimmunoassay. The peroral method resulted in steady concentrations within--except on one occasion--the physiological range and the silastic capsules produced predominantly physiological concentrations, although exceeding the range by maximum a factor three during the first three weeks. The 0.18 mg pellet yielded initial concentrations an order of magnitude higher than the physiological range, which then decreased drastically, and the 0.72 mg pellet produced between 18 and 40 times higher concentrations than the physiological range during the entire experiment. The peroral method and silastic capsules described in this article constitute reliable modes of administration of 17β-estradiol, superior to the widely used commercial pellets.
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| 5. |
- Isaksson, Ida-Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Methods for 17 beta-oestradiol administration to rats
- 2011
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation. - : Informa Healthcare. - 0036-5513 .- 1502-7686. ; 71:7, s. 583-592
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several studies indicate that the beneficial or harmful effects of oestrogens in stroke are dose-dependent. Rats are amongst the most frequently used animals in these studies, which calls for thoroughly validated methods for administering 17 beta-oestradiol to rats. In an earlier study we characterised three different administration methods for 17 beta-oestradiol over 42 days. The present study assesses the concentrations in a short time perspective, with the addition of a novel peroral method. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomised and administered 17 beta-oestradiol by subcutaneous injections, silastic capsules, pellets and orally (in the nut-cream Nutella (R)), respectively. One group received 17 beta-oestradiol by silastic capsules without previous washout time. Blood samples were obtained after 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 168 hours and serum 17 beta-oestradiol (and oestrone sulphate in some samples) was subsequently analysed. For long-term characterisation, one group treated perorally was blood sampled after 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days. At sacrifice, uterine horns were weighed and subcutaneous tissue samples were taken for histological assessment. The pellets, silastic capsule and injection groups produced serum 17 beta-oestradiol concentrations that were initially several orders of magnitude higher than physiological levels, while the peroral groups had 17 beta-oestradiol levels that were within the physiological range during the entire experiment. The peroral method is a promising option for administering 17 beta-oestradiol if physiological levels or similarity to womens oral hormone therapy are desired. Uterine weights were found to be a very crude measure of oestrogen exposure.
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| 6. |
- Isaksson, Ida-Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Methods for 17β-oestradiol administration to rats.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation. - London, United Kingdom : Informa Healthcare. - 0036-5513 .- 1502-7686. ; 71:7, s. 583-592
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several studies indicate that the beneficial or harmful effects of oestrogens in stroke are dose-dependent. Rats are amongst the most frequently used animals in these studies, which calls for thoroughly validated methods for administering 17β-oestradiol to rats. In an earlier study we characterised three different administration methods for 17β-oestradiol over 42 days. The present study assesses the concentrations in a short time perspective, with the addition of a novel peroral method. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomised and administered 17β-oestradiol by subcutaneous injections, silastic capsules, pellets and orally (in the nut-cream Nutella(®)), respectively. One group received 17β-oestradiol by silastic capsules without previous washout time. Blood samples were obtained after 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 168 hours and serum 17β-oestradiol (and oestrone sulphate in some samples) was subsequently analysed. For long-term characterisation, one group treated perorally was blood sampled after 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days. At sacrifice, uterine horns were weighed and subcutaneous tissue samples were taken for histological assessment. The pellets, silastic capsule and injection groups produced serum 17β-oestradiol concentrations that were initially several orders of magnitude higher than physiological levels, while the peroral groups had 17β-oestradiol levels that were within the physiological range during the entire experiment. The peroral method is a promising option for administering 17β-oestradiol if physiological levels or similarity to women's oral hormone therapy are desired. Uterine weights were found to be a very crude measure of oestrogen exposure.
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| 7. |
- Ström, Jakob, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of high and low 17 beta-estradiol doses on focal cerebral ischemia: negative results
- 2013
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The reasons why some animal studies indicate that estrogens increase focal cerebral ischemic damage while others show estrogen-induced neuroprotection has hitherto not been fully elucidated. Recent evidence indicates that discrepancies in hormone administration paradigms, resulting in highly different serum hormone concentrations, may account for the dichotomy. The current study aimed to test this hypothesis. Sixty ovariectomized female rats were randomized into three groups differing in 17 beta-estradiol regimens, and transient focal cerebral ischemia was subsequently induced. All animals were subjected to a small functional testing battery, and three days after MCAo they were sacrificed for infarct size assessment. Infarct sizes did not differ between groups, however clear discrepancies were seen in body weight and feeding behavior. In comparison to sham-operated animals, ovariectomized rats rapidly increased in body weight, whereas the opposite was seen in rats receiving 17beta-estradiol. The weight gain in the ovariectomized rats was paralleled by an increased food intake.
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| 8. |
- Ström, Jakob, et al.
(författare)
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Mechanisms of estrogens' dose-dependent neuroprotective and neurodamaging effects in experimental models of cerebral ischemia
- 2011
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Ingår i: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. - Basel, Switzerland : MDPI AG. - 1661-6596 .- 1422-0067. ; 12:3, s. 1533-1562
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ever since the hypothesis was put forward that estrogens could protect against cerebral ischemia, numerous studies have investigated the mechanisms of their effects. Despite initial studies showing ameliorating effects, later trials in both humans and animals have yielded contrasting results regarding the fundamental issue of whether estrogens are neuroprotective or neurodamaging. Therefore, investigations of the possible mechanisms of estrogen actions in brain ischemia have been difficult to assess. A recently published systematic review from our laboratory indicates that the dichotomy in experimental rat studies may be caused by the use of insufficiently validated estrogen administration methods resulting in serum hormone concentrations far from those intended, and that physiological estrogen concentrations are neuroprotective while supraphysiological concentrations augment the damage from cerebral ischemia. This evidence offers a new perspective on the mechanisms of estrogens actions in cerebral ischemia, and also has a direct bearing on the hormone replacement therapy debate. Estrogens affect their target organs by several different pathways and receptors, and the mechanisms proposed for their effects on stroke probably prevail in different concentration ranges. In the current article, previously suggested neuroprotective and neurodamaging mechanisms are reviewed in a hormone concentration perspective in an effort to provide a mechanistic framework for the dose-dependent paradoxical effects of estrogens in stroke. It is concluded that five protective mechanisms, namely decreased apoptosis, growth factor regulation, vascular modulation, indirect antioxidant properties and decreased inflammation, and the proposed damaging mechanism of increased inflammation, are currently supported by experiments performed in optimal biological settings.
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| 9. |
- Ström, Jakob, et al.
(författare)
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Method parameters’ impact on mortality and variability in rat stroke experiments : a meta-analysis
- 2013
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Ingår i: BMC Neuroscience. - London, United Kingdom : BioMed Central. - 1471-2202. ; 14:41
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundEven though more than 600 stroke treatments have been shown effective in preclinical studies, clinically proven treatment alternatives for cerebral infarction remain scarce. Amongst the reasons for the discrepancy may be methodological shortcomings, such as high mortality and outcome variability, in the preclinical studies. A common approach in animal stroke experiments is that A) focal cerebral ischemia is inflicted, B) some type of treatment is administered and C) the infarct sizes are assessed. However, within this paradigm, the researcher has to make numerous methodological decisions, including choosing rat strain and type of surgical procedure. Even though a few studies have attempted to address the questions experimentally, a lack of consensus regarding the optimal methodology remains.MethodsWe therefore meta-analyzed data from 502 control groups described in 346 articles to find out how rat strain, procedure for causing focal cerebral ischemia and the type of filament coating affected mortality and infarct size variability.ResultsThe Wistar strain and intraluminal filament procedure using a silicone coated filament was found optimal in lowering infarct size variability. The direct and endothelin methods rendered lower mortality rate, whereas the embolus method increased it compared to the filament method.ConclusionsThe current article provides means for researchers to adjust their middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) protocols to minimize infarct size variability and mortality.
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| 10. |
- Ström, Jakob O, et al.
(författare)
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Different methods for administering 17 beta-estradiol to ovariectomized rats result in opposite effects on ischemic brain damage
- 2010
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Ingår i: BMC Neuroscience. - London, United Kingdom : BioMed Central. - 1471-2202. ; 11, s. 39-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Numerous stroke studies have controversially shown estrogens to be either neuroprotective or neurodamaging. The discordant results observed in rat brain ischemia models may be a consequence of discrepancies in estrogen administration modes resulting in plasma concentration profiles far from those intended. To test this hypothesis we reproduced in detail and extended an earlier study from our lab using a different mode of 17 beta-estradiol administration; home-made silastic capsules instead of commercial slow-release 17 beta-estradiol pellets. Four groups of female rats (n = 12) were ovariectomized and administered 17 beta-estradiol or placebo via silastic capsules. All animals underwent MCAo fourteen days after ovariectomy and were sacrificed three days later.Results: In contrast to our earlier results using the commercial pellets, the group receiving 17 beta-estradiol during the entire experiment had significantly smaller lesions than the group receiving placebo (mean +/- SEM: 3.85 +/- 0.70% versus 7.15 +/- 0.27% of total slice area, respectively; p = 0.015). No significant neuroprotection was found when the 17 beta-estradiol was administered only during the two weeks before or the three days immediately after MCAo.Conclusions: The results indicate that different estrogen treatment regimens result in diametrically different effects on cerebral ischemia. Thus the effects of estrogens on ischemic damage seem to be concentration-related, with a biphasic, or even more complex, dose-response relation. These findings have implications for the design of animal experiments and also have a bearing on the estrogen doses used for peri-menopausal hormone replacement therapy.
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