Delayed progesterone treatment reduces brain infarction and improves functional outcomes after ischemic stroke: a time-window study in middle-aged rats.

ABSTRACT: We evaluated the neuroprotective effects of delayed progesterone (PROG) treatment against ischemic stroke-induced neuronal death, inflammation, and functional deficits. We induced transient focal cerebral ischemia in male rats and administered PROG (8 mg/kg) or vehicle intraperitoneally at 3, 6, or 24 hours post occlusion, subcutaneously 5 hours later and then every 24 hours for 7 days. Behavioral outcomes were evaluated over 22 days. Infarct size and other biomarkers of injury were evaluated by cresyl violet staining, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by immunofluorescence. Progesterone treatment started at 3 and 6 hours post occlusion significantly (P<0.05) improved behavioral performance at all t

SUBMITTER: Yousuf S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3915207 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature