Thalidomide reduced both the number of TUNEL-positive cells and the oxidative damage. However, post-treatment of thalidomide [20 mg/kg, three times (at just after, 1 h after, 3 h after MCAO)] did not reduce the infarct volume. In an in vitro study, we examined the effects of thalidomide on lipid peroxidation in mouse brain homogenates and on the production of various radical species. Thalidomide inhibited both the lipid peroxidation and the production of H(2)O(2) and O(2).(-) (but not HO(-)) radicals. 3-deazaneplanocin A ic50 We also measured the brain concentration of TNF-alpha by ELISA. The TNF-a level in the brain was significantly increased at 9-24 h after MCAO. However, thalidomide

did not reduce the elevated TNF-a BYL719 purchase level at either 12 or 24 h after MCAO. These findings indicate that thalidomide has neuroprotective effects against ischemic neuronal damage in mice, and that an inhibitory action of thalidomide against oxidative

stress may be partly responsible for these neuroprotective effects. (C) 2009 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) is a chronic interstitial lung disease with a complex etiology that can occur after cumulative dust exposure. A case-control study was conducted to test the hypothesis that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within CASPASE-8 (CASP8) promoter involved in resolution of inflammatory processes modulate the risk of CWP development. The study population consisted of 619 underground coal miners in the 5 coal mines of Xuzhou Mining Business Group Co. Ltd., China, of whom 315 were diagnosed with CWP. The association study between CASP8 -652 6N ins/del polymorphism with CWP by multiple logistic regression

analysis showed a significant association of the genotype del/del with CWP compared with to ins/ins genotypes, and showed that the risk was significantly higher for stage I CWP. Further analysis showed that in subjects with the del/del genotype there was significantly increased risk for CWP occurrence among younger individuals (66 yr) or those with longer duration dust exposure (26 Glutathione peroxidase yr). These findings suggested that CASP8-652 6N ins/del polymorphism may contribute to the genetic susceptibility for CWP development.”
“The aim of this study was to investigate whether nicotine acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed in a more pronounced way in astrocytes co-cultured with microvascular endothelial cells from adult rat brain, compared with monocultured astrocytes, as a sign of a more developed signal transduction system. Also investigated was whether nicotine plays a role in the control of neuroinflammatory reactivity in astrocytes. Ca2+ imaging experiments were performed using cells loaded with the Ca2+ indicator Fura-2/AM.