Rho-Kinase inhibition decreases focal cerebral ischemia-induced glial activation in rats.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rho-kinase inhibition in a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model is reported to improve neurological functions and decrease infarction size.

Objective

The objective of this study is to investigate the underlying mechanisms of such improvement by evaluating the effects of Rho-kinase inhibition on astrocytes and microglial accumulation and activation in this condition.

Methods

Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to generate the MCAO model, which received an I.P injection of a chemical Rho-kinase inhibitor (Fasudil- 5 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (PBS) for 2 and 4 days.

Results

Fasudil treatment significantly decreased the stroke volumes and water content in the lesion areas, as revealed by MRI. Immunostaining and Western blotting results

SUBMITTER: Sheikh AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9465613 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature