Forced limb-use enhanced neurogenesis and behavioral recovery after stroke in the aged rats. (12th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qu, H.L.; Zhao, M.; Zhao, S.S.; Xiao, T.; Song, C.G.; Cao, Y.P.; Jolkkonen, J.; Zhao, C.S.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 286(2015)
• Page Start: 316
• Page End: 324
• Publication Date: 2015-02-12
• Subjects: BrdU 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine -- CIMT constraint-induced movement therapy -- DCX doublecortin -- DG dentate gyrus -- ET-1 endothelin-1 -- GFAP glial fibrillary acidic protein -- HPF high-power field -- NeuN neuronal nuclei -- SGZ subgranular zone -- SVZ subventricular zone -- TUNEL TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling; aging -- behavioral recovery -- forced limb-use -- neurogenesis -- stroke; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.11.040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Highlights: Forced limb-use enhanced neurogenesis in the aged rats. Forced limb-use suppressed apoptosis in the aged rats. Forced limb-use is effective in behavioral recovery after stroke in the aged rats. Abstract: Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) after stroke enhances not only functional reorganization but also structural plasticity of the brain in the adult rats. We examined whether forced limb-use which mimicked CIMT could influence ischemia-induced neurogenesis, apoptosis and behavioral recovery in the aged rats. Aged rats were divided into a sham group, an ischemia group, and an ischemia group with forced limb-use. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by injection of endothelin-1. Forced limb-use began on post-stroke day 7 by fitting a plaster cast around the unimpaired upper limbs of rats for 3 weeks. Behavioral recovery was evaluated by tapered/ledged beam-walking test on postoperative day 32. The expression of doublecortin, neuronal nuclei, glial fibrillary acidic protein and Iba-1 were measured by single or double immunohistochemistry, and apoptosis was measured by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The production of neuroblasts in the subventricular zone (SVZ) was significantly increased after stroke. Forced limb-use enhanced the proliferation of newborn neurons in the SVZ, as well as increased the long-term survival of newborn neurons. Furthermore, forced limb-use suppressed apoptosis and improved the motor functions after stroke in the aged rats. Forced limb-use exerted few effects on inflammation. Neither the number nor dendritic complexity of newborn granule cells in the hippocampus was affected by forced limb-use. Forced limb-use is effective in enhancing neurogenesis and behavioral recovery after stroke even in the aged rats.