Abstract
Objective
The
combination of pharmacological hypothermia - dihydrocapsaicin (DHC) and
intra-arterial regional cooling infusions (RCI) was found to enhance
the efficiency of hypothermia and efficacy of hypothermia-induced
neuroprotection in acute ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to
explore whether the combination could induce a long-term neuroprotective
effects, as well as the underlying mechanism.
Methods
Sprague-Dawley
rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2?h
using intraluminal hollow filament. The ischemic rats were randomized to
receive pharmacological hypothermia by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection
of DHC, physical hypothermia by RCI of 6?ml cold saline (4℃), the
combination, and no treatment. Over a 21-day period, brain damage was
determined by infarct volume with MRI, and neurological deficit with
grid-walking and beam balance tests. Blood brain barrier (BBB) was
assessed by Evans-Blue (EB) contents. Inflammatory cytokines were
determined in peri-infarct area by antibody array and ELISA.
Results
The combination of DHC and RCI reduced (p?
Conclusions
The
combination approach enhanced the efficacy of hypothermia-induced
neuroprotection following ischemic stroke. Our findings provide a hint
to translate the combination method from bench to bedside.