Neuritin attenuates early brain injury in rats after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Early brain injury (EBI) is central to the pathological progress of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In this study, we determined if neuritin protects the brain against EBI in rats and discussed the role of apoptosis pathway mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress in this neuroprotective route. Methods: A total of 96 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control, sham, SAH and SAH + neuritin groups. The rat SAH model was induced by injection 0.3 mL of nonheparinized arterial blood into the prechiasmatic cistern. Mortality assay, neurological scores, brain water content measurement, Evans blue dye assay, TUNEL stain assay and Western blot analysis were performed. Results: Neuritin significantly improved the neurological scores, brain water content, blood-brain barrier (BBB) and apoptosis compared with the control and sham groups within 24 h after SAH. TUNEL staining assay results demonstrated that apoptosis was ameliorated, MMP-9 expression was reduced, whereas GRP78, CHOP, caspase-12 and ASK1 levels were markedly preserved after neuritin application. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that neuritin plays a neuroprotective role on EBI after SAH by attenuating BBB disruption, brain edema and apoptosis.

KEYWORDS:

• Neuritin
• subarachnoid hemorrhage
• endoplasmic reticulum stress
• early brain injury
• apoptosis

Disclosure statement

No competing financial interests exist.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 81360185].

Notes on contributors

Hang Zhang

Hang Zhang is a graduate student in the Medical College, Shihezi University. He is studying on treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Xuejun He

Xuejun He is a surgeon of Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Shihezi University. He is studying on treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Yezhong Wang

Yezhong Wang is a professor at Shihezi University and a surgeon of Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Shihezi University. He is the head of the Department of Neurosurgery Laboratory.

Xiaokun Sun

Xiaokun Sun is a Graduate student in the Medical College, Shihezi University. He is studying on treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Licang Zhu

Licang Zhu is a senior lecturer and a surgeon of Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Shihezi University.

Chao Lei

Chao Lei is a graduate student in the Medical College, Shihezi University. He is studying on treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Jiangwen Yin

Jiangwen Yin is an anesthesiologist of Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Shihezi University. He is our anesthesia instructor on the subject.

Xiaotian Li

Xiaotian Li is a surgeon of Department of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Weifang People's Hospital Weifang, Shandong, China. He is our collaborator on this subject.

Fandi Hou

Fandi Hou is a Graduate student in the Medical College, Shihezi University. He is studying on treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Wengao He

Wengao He is a Graduate student in the Medical College, Shihezi University. He is studying on treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Dong Zhao

Dong Zhao is a professor at Shihezi University and the chief surgeon of Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Shihezi University. He work on project like:treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage (National Natural Science Foundation of China). He is also a member of Chinese Department of Neurosurgery Association.