Original scientific paper

ACTIVATION OF ERK AND JNK MAP KINASES IN OPTIC NERVES OF RATS EXPOSED TO GLOBAL CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA

Jasenka Mršić Pelčić ; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia
Goran Pelčić ; Clinics for Ophtalmology, University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Dinko Vitezić ; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia
Đulijano Ljubičić ; Clinics for Psychiatry, University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Gordana Župan ; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia
Ante Simonić ; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

SUMMARY
Objectives: To determine the influence of global cerebral ischemia on the activation of extracellular-regulated kinases (ERK) and c-Jun N terminal kinases (JNK) in optic nerves of rats exposed to different reperfusion periods.
Materials and methods: Transient global cerebral ischemia (20-min duration) was induced by the four-vessel occlusion method. After different reperfusion periods (5 and 10 min; 1; 6 and 12 h after ischemia), optic nerves were extracted and ERK and JNK activation signals were determined by Western immunoblot analyses.
Results: The activation signals of ERK and JNK were detected within first 10 min of reperfusion, but striking activation for both enzymes was found 1 h after ischemia. After a transient decrease, the activation of ERK returned to peak level after 12 h of reperfusion in the second wave of kinase activation. In that period, a slight increase of JNK activation was registered.
Conclusion: Our results demonstrated for the first time that ERK and JNK were activated in rat optic nerves during early and later periods of reperfusion, suggesting their potential active role in the response of cerebral white matter tissue to ischemic injury.

Keywords

ERK; JNK; optic nerves; global cerebral ischemia; rat

Hrčak ID:

29072

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/29072

Publication date:

6.11.2008.

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