Journal of the neurological sciences
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Gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage is an important and sometimes serious complication in critically ill neurological patients who suffered from stroke and head injury and those in intensive care. There is no study evaluating frequency, severity and risk factors of GI haemorrhage in patients with primary intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). ⋯ GI haemorrhage is more likely present in patients with larger haematoma having septicemia. Our study highlights the importance of septicemia, which is an important and modifiable risk factor for GI bleeding in ICH patients.
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Comparative Study
Protection of dopaminergic neurons with a novel astrocyte modulating agent (R)-(-)-2-propyloctanoic acid (ONO-2506) in an MPTP-mouse model of Parkinson's disease.
We examined the neuroprotective effects of a novel astrocyte-modulating agent, (R)-(-)-2-propyloctanoic acid (ONO-2506), in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Male C57BL/6 mice received four intraperitoneal injections of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) (10 mg/kg) at 1-h intervals. Dopamine content in the striatum, measured with HPLC 3 days after MPTP injection, was reduced to 23% of control. ⋯ The MPTP injection led to reactive astrocytosis in the striatum after 7 days, but ONO-2506 induced earlier, moderate astrocytic activation after 3-7 days. These findings show that ONO-2506 protects dopaminergic neurons against MPTP neurotoxicity probably through facilitating astrocytic support for neuronal recovery from injury. Pharmacological modulation of astrocytes may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease.