Neuroprotective effects of Aceglutamide on motor function in a rat model of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion

Purpose: To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of Aceglutamide on motor dysfunction in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 2 h transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Aceglutamide or vehicle was intraperitoneally given to rats at 24 h after reperfusion and lasted for 14 days. Subsequently functional recovery was assessed and number of Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons in substantia nigra (SN) was analyzed. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1(TRAF1), P-Akt and Bcl-2/Bax were determined in mesencephalic tissue by Western blot method. PC12 cells and primary cultured mesencephalic neurons were employed to further investigate the mechanism of Aceglutamide.

Results: Aceglutamide treatment improved behavioral functions, reduced the infarction volume, and elevated the number of TH-positive neurons in the SN. Moreover, Aceglutamide significantly attenuated neuronal Apoptosis in the SN. Meanwhile Aceglutamide treatment significantly inhibited the expression of TRAF1 and up-regulated the expression of P-Akt and Bcl-2/Bax ratio both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions: Aceglutamide ameliorated motor dysfunction and delayed neuronal death in the SN after ischemia, which involved the inhibition of pro-apoptotic factor TRAF1 and activation of Akt/Bcl-2 signaling pathway. These data provided experimental information for applying Aceglutamide to ischemic stroke treatment.

Aceglutamide; TNF receptor associated factor 1 (TRAF1); apoptosis; cerebral ischemia and reperfusion; motor function; neuroprotection; substantia nigra.