Down-regulation of brain-pancreas relative protein in diabetic rats and by high glucose in PC12 cells: prevention by calpain inhibitors.

Brain-pancreas relative protein (BPRP) is a novel protein that we found in our laboratory. Previously we demonstrated that it is involved in ischemia and depression. In light of the putative association between diabetes and clinical depression, and the selective expression of BPRP in brain and pancreas, the present study examined whether BPRP levels are affected by induction of diabetes by alloxan injection in rats and exposure to high glucose levels in PC12 cells.

[Effects of insulin on the diseases of central nervous system].

There are increasing experimental evidence and clinical data showing that insulin plays an important role in the CNS. Insulin can be found at high level in the brain of some animals. Insulin receptors and insulin-second messengers systems are present in neurons and glial cells.

[Protective effects and its mechanism of panaxatriol saponins isolated from Panax notoginseng on cerebral ischemia].

Objective: To study the protective effects and its mechanism of Panaxatriol Saponins isolated from Panax notoginseng (PTS) on focal cerebral ischemia in rat brain.

Method: The influences of PTS on cerebral water content and three specific proteins (VEGF, HSP70 and transferrin) related with cerebral ischemia were studied with unilateral occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) and Western Blot.

Result: PTS 12.

Identification of a key protein associated with cerebral ischemia.

The biochemical effects of permanent focal ischemia following unilateral occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in rats were studied by determining the content of specific proteins of the affected areas in the cerebral hemisphere. Brain proteins were prepared 72 h after the occlusion and analyzed by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A significant increase in 66 and 80 kDa components and a paradoxical decrease in 260 kDa protein occurred in the ischemic brain tissues.