Neuroprotective effect of atorvastatin involves suppression of TNF-α and upregulation of IL-10 in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Abstract

We evaluated the neuroprotective effects of atorvastatin (2, 5, and 10 mg/kg) on experimentally induced intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in adult rats; controls were administered PBS. Plasma TNF-α and IL-10 levels before and after ICH were analyzed at various time points by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and neurological behavior of rats was assessed by climbing scores. At 3-days postoperatively, brain water contents and TNF-α/IL-10 expression in brain tissue were determined. Histopathological changes and microglial cells in the brain tissue were evaluated by light-microscopy. Post-ICH neurological deficits differed significantly between sham-operated group A and experimental-ICH group B (P < 0.05). Brain water contents were significantly less in group A than in group B (P < 0.05). Significant differences (P < 0.05) between two groups were observed regarding activated microglia, TNF-α and IL-10 levels. Compared with group B, neurological deficits, brain water contents, pathological changes, and activated microglia were reduced (P < 0.05) in groups C (Experimental-ICH + atorvastatin 2 mg/kg), D (Experimental-ICH + atorvastatin 5 mg/kg) and E (Experimental-ICH + atorvastatin 10 mg/kg). Atorvastatin-induced a dose-dependent reduction of TNF-α and increase of IL-10 levels (P < 0.05). Therefore, it was concluded that atorvastatin improved neurofunctional rehabilitation in rats through the suppression of cytokines-mediated inflammatory response and attenuation of brain damage following intracerebral hemorrhage.

• Authors: Tu Ewen, Liu Qiuting, Tang Chaogang, Tang Tao, Wu Jun, Tan Liming, Xiang Guanghong
• Journal: Cell biochemistry and biophysics (Cell Biochem Biophys) Vol. 66 Issue 2 Pg. 337-46 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 1559-0283 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23090788 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Heptanoic Acids
• Neuroprotective Agents
• Pyrroles
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Interleukin-10
• Atorvastatin

Topics

• Animals
• Atorvastatin
• Behavior, Animal (drug effects)
• Brain Edema (metabolism, pathology)
• Cerebral Hemorrhage (drug therapy, metabolism, pathology)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Heptanoic Acids (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Interleukin-10 (metabolism)
• Male
• Microglia (pathology)
• Neuroprotective Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Pyrroles (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (metabolism)
• Up-Regulation (drug effects)