Effect of atorvastatin on blood-brain barrier of traumatic brain injury mice

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of atorvastatin administration on the blood-brain barrier of traumatic brain injury(TBI) mice, and study the role of atorvastatin in the treatment of TBI. Methods 120 adult male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into the sham group, atorvastatin group and saline group, 40 each. The atorvastatin group and saline group were given hydraulic combat to establish TBI models.The sham group mice underwent the same surgical procedure without being exposed to percussion injury. The atorvastatin group mice were treated with atorvastatin (orally, 1 mg/kg)1 h after TBI and then daily for 14 consecutive days.The saline group mice were given saline orally.The modified neurological severity scores(m NSS) test was conducted at 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th day after TBI.Brain edema was measured at 1st,3rd,and 7th day after TBI.The leakage of blood-brain barrier was detected by Evans Blue method at 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after TBI.The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) was detected by immunohistochemical staining at 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after TBI, and that of Claudin-5 by Western blotting at 3rd day after TBI. Results The m NSS was statistically significant between atorvastatin group and saline group at 7th, and 14th day after TBI(6. 33±0. 71 vs.8. 33±0. 70, and 3. 44±0. 73 vs.6. 11±0. 60,P< 0. 05).The content of water[(80. 06±0. 15)% vs.(82. 10±0. 26)%], evans blue(EB, 2. 23±0. 06 vs.2. 57± 0. 05)and Claudin-5(0. 61±0. 01 vs.0. 29±0. 01) showed statistically significant difference between atorvastatin group and saline group at 3rd day after TBI(P< 0. 05).The MMP-9 was statistically significant between atorvastatin group and saline group at 3rd, and 7th day after TBI(220. 16 ±9. 70 vs.311. 67±5. 99, and 203. 00±4. 94 vs.288. 83±8. 52,P< 0. 05). Conclusion Atorvastatin may improve neural function of TBI mice by influencing the blood-brain barrier. Key words: Atorvastatin; Traumatic brain injury; Blood-brain barrier