Brain research
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In the present study, the rat sciatic nerve was constricted to varying degrees using only one ligature with a very thin polyethylene sheath placed between nerve and ligature thread. Complete nerve transection was studied for comparison. With a 40-80% constriction of the nerve we observed allodynia to a similar extent as in the so-called Bennett model based on four loose ligatures. ⋯ These results indicate that similar peptide and receptor changes occur in this model as after axotomy and in other nerve injury models, although the immunohistochemical and behavioral changes seem to be dependent on the degree of constriction of the nerve. Thus, it seems relevant to monitor the degree of constriction when evaluating pain and other post-injury events. The possibility that some of the changes in NPY-ergic neurotransmission are related to the generation of allodynia is discussed; as well as the possibility to use this mononeuropathic model based on a single ligature nerve constriction (SLNC) as a complementary approach to other widely used pain models.
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Comparative Study
Combination therapy of stroke in rats with a nitric oxide donor and human bone marrow stromal cells enhances angiogenesis and neurogenesis.
We tested the hypothesis that intravenous infusion of human marrow stromal cells (hMSC) with a nitric oxide donor, (Z)-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl) aminio] diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (DETA/NONOate), enhances angiogenesis, neurogenesis and neurological functional recovery after stroke in rats compared to individual therapy. Experimental groups consist of rats subjected to 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and at 24 h after MCAo intravenous injection of (n=10/group): Group 1: phosphate buffered saline (PBS 1 ml) for control. Group 2: NONOate alone (0.4 mg/kg). ⋯ Combination treatment promoted increased, BrdU positive cell number in the subventricular zone (SVZ), migrating neuronal doublecortin immunoreactive cells and VEGF and bFGF expression in the ischemic boundary area compared to individual treatment. The functional therapeutic enhancement of combination treatment may be attributed to increased plasticity induced by the combination of a nitric oxide donor and hMSC therapy. These data suggest that pharmacological and cellular therapy may provide an additive therapeutic benefit after stroke.
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Comparative Study
Sleep deprivation induced by the modified multiple platform technique: quantification of sleep loss and recovery.
Vigilance status was continually monitored in socially stable groups of rats exposed to the modified multiple platform (MMP) technique for sleep deprivation. For comparison, sleep parameters were also monitored in socially isolated rats deprived of sleep by the single platform (SP) method. In all cases, sleep was continuously recorded during baseline, during 96 h of sleep deprivation and during 4 days of recovery. ⋯ Sleep loss in both control groups may reflect residual effect of stress that remain in the platform technique. These findings indicate that the MMP technique is effective in inducing PS deprivation (PSD). However, the fact that SWS is also affected may have implications for conclusions on paradoxical sleep function based upon paradoxical sleep deprivation.