title: Activation of ERK and JNK MAP kinases in optic nerves of rats exposed to global cerebral ischemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the influence of global cerebral ischemia on the activation of extracellular-regulated kinases (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) in optic nerves of rats exposed to different reperfusion periods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transient global cerebral ischemia (20-min duration) was induced by the four-vessel occlusion method. After different reperfusion periods (5 and 10 min; 1; 6 and 12 h after ischemia), optic nerves were extracted and ERK and JNK activation signals were determined by Western immunoblot analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The activation signals of ERK and JNK were detected within first 10 min of reperfusion, but striking activation for both enzymes was found 1 h after ischemia. After a transient decrease, the activation of ERK returned to peak level after 12 h of reperfusion in the second wave of kinase activation. In that period, a slight increase of JNK activation was registered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrated for the first time that ERK and JNK were activated in rat optic nerves during early and later periods of reperfusion, suggesting their potential active role in the response of cerebral white matter tissue to ischemic injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia. Jasenka.Mrsic@medri.hr
authors.forename: Jasenka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mrsić-Pelcić
authors.forename: Goran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pelcić
authors.forename: Dinko
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vitezić
authors.forename: Dulijano
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ljubicić
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zupan
authors.forename: Ante
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simonić
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000235:genetics; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar / Q000235:genetics; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases