Abstract TP268: Combination Therapy of Normobaric Oxygen With Hypothermia or Ethanol Modulates Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex in Thromboembolic Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract

Background and Hypothesis: Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDH) is a brain mitochondrial matrix enzyme that is inactivated during stroke injury. PDH impairment after stroke can be particularly devastating given PDH’s critical role in the conversion from anaerobic to aerobic energy metabolism. In this study, we evaluated the restoration of oxidative metabolism by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and energy regulation by characterizing modulation of PDH and its inhibitor, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), with therapeutic combination of normobaric oxygen (NBO) plus either hypothermia (Hypo) or ethanol (EtOH). Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion induced with an autologous embolus, the more clinically relevant stroke model. One hour after occlusion, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) was administered alone or with NBO (60%), EtOH (1.0g/kg) or Hypo (33°C), either singly or in combination. PDH activity and ROS levels were measured at 3 and 24 hours after t-PA administration. Western blotting was used to detect PDH and PDK protein expression levels. Results: Administration of 60% NBO alone after reperfusion by t-PA treatment did not affect PDH activity. Under t-PA, compared to EtOH or Hypo alone, combined administration of NBO plus either EtOH or Hypo produced the greatest increases in PDH activity and protein expression levels, as well as the greatest decrease in PDK expression. Combination therapy also provided the most significant decline in ROS generation compared to any monotherapeutic approach. Conclusions: Reperfusion with t-PA followed by 60% NBO improves the efficacy of EtOH or Hypo in neuroprotection by ameliorating oxidative injury and improving metabolic regulation with PDH. Comparable neuroprotective effects were found when treating with either EtOH or Hypo, suggesting a similar mechanism and the possibility of substituting EtOH for Hypo in the clinical setting.