Transneuronal Degeneration of Thalamic Nuclei following Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rats.
Objective. Postinfarction transneuronal degeneration refers to secondary neuronal death that occurs within a few days to weeks following the disruption of input or output to synapsed neurons sustaining ischemic insults. The thalamus receives its blood supply from the posterior circulation; however, infarctions of the middle cerebral arterial may cause secondary transneuronal degeneration in the thalamus. In this study, we presented the areas of ischemia and associated transneuronal degeneration following MCAo in a rat model. Materials and Methods. Eighteen 12-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive middle cerebral artery occlusion surgery for 1, 7, and 14 days. Cerebral atrophy was assessed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium hydrochloride staining. Postural reflex and open field tests were performed prior to animal sacrifice to assess the effects of occlusion on behavior. Results. Myelin loss was observed at the lesion site following ischemia. Gliosis was also observed in thalamic regions 14 days following occlusion. Differential degrees of increased vascular endothelial growth factor expression were observed at each stage of infarction. Increases in myelin basic protein levels were also observed in the 14-day group. Conclusion. The present rat model of ischemia provides evidence of transneuronal degeneration within the first 14 days of occlusion. The observed changes in protein expression may be associated with self-repair mechanisms in the damaged brain.
School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Li-Non Street, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
Shu-Jen
0000-0001-6203-057X
SJ
Chang
Department and Graduate Institute of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, No. 161, Section 6, Minquan E. Road, Taipei 114, Taiwan.
Juin-Hong
0000-0002-7722-6134
JH
Cherng
School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Li-Non Street, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
Ding-Han
0000-0003-3314-6113
DH
Wang
Department and Graduate Institute of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, No. 161, Section 6, Minquan E. Road, Taipei 114, Taiwan.
Shu-Ping
0000-0003-0222-2136
SP
Yu
Department and Graduate Institute of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, No. 161, Section 6, Minquan E. Road, Taipei 114, Taiwan.
Nien-Hsien
0000-0001-5998-8701
NH
Liou
School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Li-Non Street, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
Ming-Lun
0000-0001-6753-0485
ML
Hsu
D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; D008297:Male; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013787:Thalamic Nuclei / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology