Taizen Nakase

Gap junctions may play an important role in astrocytic activation. Reactive astrocytes may reduce neuronal apoptosis under ischemia by regulating extracellular conditions through their gap junction.

Astrocytes support neurons not only physically but also chemically by secreting neurotrophic factors and energy substrates. Moreover, astrocytes establish a glial network and communicate through gap junctions in the brain. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is one of major component proteins in astrocytic gap junctions. Heterozygote Cx43 KO mice and astrocyte specific Cx43 KO mice exhibited amplified brain damage after ischemic insults, suggesting a neuroprotective role for astrocytic gap junctions. However, so

The role of astrocytic gap junctions in ischemia remains controversial. Several studies support that astrocytic gap junctions play a role in the spread of hypoxic injury, while other reports have demonstrated that blocking astrocytic gap junctions increases neuronal death. Using a stroke model on animals in which the astrocytic gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) was compromised, we explored the neuroprotective role of astrocytic gap junctions. A focal brain stroke was performed on heterozygo

Edaravone treatment reduced the volume of the infarct and improved neurological deficits during the subacute period, especially in the small-vessel occlusion strokes.

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are reported to regulate mitochondrial respiration and energy metabolism during hibernation. Recently, it has been reported that UCP2 and UCP5 might reduce free radical stress in the ischemic condition in in vitro models, suggesting both as potential neuroprotective agents. We therefore investigated the levels of UCP2 and UCP5 expression in the lesion of human brain infarction. Brain slice sections were prepared from pathological samples collected at our hospital. Embo

Although the function of astrocytic gap junctions under ischemia is still under debate, increased expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) has been observed in ischemic brain lesions, suggesting that astrocytic gap junctions could provide neuronal protection against ischemic insult. Moreover, different connexin subtypes may play different roles in pathological conditions. We used immunohistochemical analysis to investigate alterations in the expression of connexin subtypes in human stroke brains. Seven

Even in acute ischemic stroke patients, both apixaban and dabigatran equally showed the anticoagulation activity. The reduction of inflammatory response might be prominent in apixaban, whereas the inhibition of platelet aggregation activity might be evident in dabigatran.

There is a significant correlation between constipation and faster progression of AD symptoms along with expansion of DWMLs.

We investigated hemostatic abnormalities in 37 patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (PE patients) and in 40 patients with DVT without PE (DVT patients). Plasma fibrinogen, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), plasmin-plasmin inhibitor complex, fibrin-D-dimer, activated protein C (APC)-protein C inhibitor (PCI) complex, von Willebrand factor (vWf), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), PA inhibitor-I (PAI-1), and thrombomodulin levels in both PE and DVT patients wer

Poststroke depression (PSD) is a critical complication which might lead to unfavorable outcomes. However, most cases of PSD in the acute phase, during the 2 or 3 weeks following a stroke, are neglected because of the variable comorbid conditions. In this study, aimed at revealing the outstanding symptoms of PSD during the acute phase, consecutive patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or brain infarction (BI) were asked to fill out a depression questionnaire (Quick Inventory of Depressive S