Erythropoietin exerts neuroprotective effect in neonatal rat model of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury

Aydin A., Genc K., Akhisaroglu M., Yorukogluc K., Gokmen N., Gonullu E.

BRAIN & DEVELOPMENT, vol.25, no.7, pp.494-498, 2003 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 25 Issue: 7
  • Publication Date: 2003
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/s0387-7604(03)00039-1
  • Journal Name: BRAIN & DEVELOPMENT
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.494-498
  • Keywords: hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, erythropoietin, animal model, neonatal rat, CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM, APOPTOSIS, RECEPTOR, DAMAGE, LOCALIZATION, NEURONS, DEATH
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy seen in survivors of perinatal asphyxia is a frequently encountered and a major clinical problem for which there is currently no effective treatment. Hematopoietic neuroprotective agents, such as erythropoietin (EPO) may rescue neurons from cell death in this setting. EPO is a cytokine hormone that has neuroprotective effect in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we evaluated the effect of posthypoxic EPO administration in an animal model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic injury. Our results show that a single intracerebroventricular injection of EPO immediately after hypoxic-ischemic insult in neonatal rat model of hypoxic-ischemia reduced the extent of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. The mean infarct volume assessed 7 days after hypoxia was significantly smaller in EPO-treated group than in the control group. These findings suggest that EPO may provide benefit after hypoxic-ischemic events in the developing brain, a major contributor to static encephalopathy and cerebral palsy. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.