Neuroprotective effect of [Gly14]-humanin in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage

Abstract

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect of [Gly14]-humanin (HNG) in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods Thirty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, namely the sham operated group (10 rats) with needle insertion only, ICH model group (10 rats) with injection of autologous whole blood into the right caudate nucleus, and HNG treatment group (10 rats) with HNG injection into the lateral cerebral ventricle after simulated ICH as in the model group. The changes in the glial cells and cell apoptosis around the hematoma were detected 72 h after the operation. Results The astrocytes and microglial cells in rats receiving HNG injection into the cerebral ventricles showed smaller cell size and shorter and thinner cell processes than those in ICH model group. The numbers of cells positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and OX42 and the apoptotic cells (as found by TUNEL assay) around the hematoma were significantly reduced in comparison with those in the ICH model group (P<0.05), but still remained significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group (P<0.05). Conclusion HNG can ameliorate the inflammatory response occurring in and around the hematoma and provide some neuroprotection in rats with ICH. Key words: [Gly14]-humanin; Intracerebral hemorrhage; Microglia; Apoptosis