Abstract. The aim of the present study was to assess the neuroprotective effect of berberine against learning and memory deficits in diffuse axonal injury (DAI). DAI rats were orally gavaged with berberine at a dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight for 4 weeks. Behavioral tests were used to analyze the neuroprotective effect of berberine against DAI-induced learning and memory deficits. In the present study, treatment with berberine significantly protected against DAI-induced inhibition of learning and memory in rats. Notably, berberine significantly suppressed the levels of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1β and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, as well as reduced the protein expression levels of nuclear factor-κB, Bcl-2-associated X protein and cytochrome c in DAI rats. In addition, berberine significantly suppressed the protein expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, activating transcription factor 2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in DAI rats. These results suggested that berberine exhibited a neuroprotective effect against learning and memory deficits in severe DAI through the suppression of inflammation, angiogenesis and apoptosis in a rat model.
BackgroundBoth stent retriever (SR) and contact aspiration (CA) are widely used as first-line strategies for acute posterior circulation strokes (PCS). However, it is still unclear how CA and SR compare as the first-line treatment of acute PCS. Several new studies have been published recently, so we aimed to perform an updated meta-analysis.MethodsThe meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) statement. Random-effects models were performed to pool the outcomes and the value of I2 was calculated to assess the heterogeneity.ResultsTen observational studies with 1189 patients were included, among whom 492 received first-line CA and 697 received first-line SR. The pooled results revealed that first-line CA could achieve a significantly higher proportion of modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2b/3 (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.33 to 2.71, I2=0%), mTICI 3 (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.31, I2=59.6%), first-pass effect (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.51 to 5.58, I2=0%), lower incidence of new-territory embolic events (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.83, I2=0%), and shorter procedure time (mean difference −29.4 min, 95% CI −46.8 to −12.0 min, I2=62.8%) compared with first-line SR. At 90-day follow-up, patients subjected to first-line CA showed a higher functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2; OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.87, I2=23.5%) and a lower mortality (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.00, p=0.050, I2=0%) than those subjected to first-line SR.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that the first-line CA strategy could achieve better recanalization and clinical outcomes for acute PCS than first-line SR. Limited by the quality of included studies, this conclusion should be drawn with caution.
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