Effects of butylphthalide on brain edema, blood-brain barrier permeability and RhoA expression in cortex in focal cerebral infarction in rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of butylphthalide on brain edema,blood-brain barrier permeability and RhoA expression in cortex in focal cerebral infarction in rats.Methods A total of 220 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into a control,a model and a butylphthalile group （40 mg/kg,once a day,gavage） according to the random number table method.A model of rat focal cerebral infarction was induced by photochemical method.At 3,12,24,72,and 144 h after modeling,wet-dry weight method and Evans blue extravasation method were used to detect the brain water content and blood-brain barrier permeability.At 24 h after modeling,immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were used to detect the expression of RhoA protein in the periinfarction cortex.Results Compared to the control group,the brain water content （except at 6 h） and blood-brain barrier permeability in the model group and the butylphthalide group were increased significantly （all P 〈 0.05）.The immunohistochemical staining and Western blot suggested that the RhoA expression in the periinfarction cortex was upregulated significantly （all P 〈 0.05）.Compared to the model group,the brain water content and blood-brain barrier permeability at different time points in the butylphthalide group were decreased significantly （all P 〈 0.05）.The expression levels of RhoA were also decreased significantly （P 〈 0.05）.Conclusions Butylphthalide may reduce the brain edema of focal cerebral infarction in rats,inhibit disruption of the blood-brain barrier,and down-regulate the expression of RhoA. Key words: Brain Ischemia; rho GTP-Binding Proteins; Brain Edema; Blood-Brain Barrier; Benzofurans; 3-n-butylphthalide; Disease Models,Animal; Rats