Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly rats dependent on NLRP3 activation.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), a complication following procedures such as orthopedic surgery, is associated with a worsened prognosis, especially in the elderly population. Several mechanisms have been proposed for communication between the immune system and the brain after surgery. In an experimental tibial fracture (TF) model, we aimed to understand the role of the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) on oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction as mechanisms underlying POCD in aged and adult rats.

Sepsis compromises post-ischemic stroke neurological recovery and is associated with sex differences.

Aims: Infection is a complication after stroke and outcomes vary by sex. Thus, we investigated if sepsis affects brain from ischemic stroke and sex involvement.

Main Methods: Male and female Wistar rats, were submitted to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and after 7 days sepsis to cecal ligation and perforation (CLP).

Protection of blood brain barrier integrity and modulation of inflammatory mediators during treatment of pneumococcal meningitis with daptomycin or ceftriaxone.

Pneumococcal meningitis is associated with neurologic sequelae, such as learning and memory impairment. Most recently, a nonbacteriolytic antibiotic has been investigated to minimise the inflammatory host response and prevent cognitive damage. In this study, we compared daptomycin (DPTO) or ceftriaxone (CFX) treatment on the inflammatory parameters and on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in experimental pneumococcal meningitis.