Journal of molecular neuroscience : MN
-
This study was performed to determine whether recombinant human angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) decreases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion rats, whether Ang-1 opens the BBB by affecting tight junction associated proteins zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1), occludin and adherens junction protein vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, and whether the protein kinase C (PKC)α/myosin light chain (MLC) signaling pathway involves in it. The rats were divided into eight groups randomly: (1) sham-operated group, (2) ischemia group, (3-5) ischemia-reperfusion (middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) 12 h, 48 h, and 7 days) and 0.9% saline groups, (6-8) ischemia-reperfusion (MCAO/R 12 h, 48 h, and 7 days) and Ang-1 groups. The BBB permeability was assessed by Evans blue extravasation. ⋯ PKCα and phosphorylated MLC (p-MLC) expressions were decreased after Ang-1 injection. This study demonstrated that Ang-1 may decrease the permeability of BBB in MCAO/R rat by upregulation of ZO-1, occludin, and VE-cadherin. The decreased expressions of PKCα and p-MLC induced by Ang-1 also involved in this process.
-
Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels, such as TRP vanilloid 1 and ankyrin repeat domain 1 (TRPV1 and TRPA1), are expressed on primary sensory neurons. Lutein, a natural tetraterpene carotenoid, can be incorporated into membranes and might modulate TRP channels. Therefore, the effects of the water-soluble randomly methylated-β-cyclodextrin (RAMEB) complex of lutein were investigated on TRPV1 and TRPA1 activation. ⋯ Myeloperoxidase activity indicating non-neurogenic granulocyte accumulation in the ear was not influenced by RAMEB-lutein in either case. It is concluded that lutein inhibits TRPA1, but not TRPV1 stimulation-induced responses on cell bodies and peripheral terminals of sensory neurons in vitro and in vivo. Based on these distinct actions and the carotenoid structure, the ability of lutein to modulate lipid rafts in the membrane around TRP channels can be suggested.