RLIPostC protects against cerebral ischemia through improved synaptogenesis in rats

ABSTRACT

Objective: Remote limb ischemic post-conditioning (RLIPostC) has been shown to be neuroprotective in cerebral ischemia, whereas the effect of RLIPostC on synaptogenesis remains elusive. In the present study, we investigated the effects of RLIPostC on synaptogenesis in an experimental stroke rat model.

Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and were randomly divided into a control group, an RLIPostC group and a sham group. The RLIPostC group received three cycles of RLIPostC treatment immediately after reperfusion (ten minutes ischemia and ten minutes reperfusion in bilateral femoral artery). The neurological function was assessed by neurological deficit scores and the foot fault test at days 7 and 14 after MCAO. At day 14 after MCAO, the infarct volume and oedema were determined by cresyl violet (CV) staining and by measuring brain water content, respectively. Synaptogenesis was evaluated by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining.

Results: Our results showed that RLIPostC treatment significantly promoted the recovery of behavioural function, reduced infarct volume and brain oedema, and increased the expressions of SYN1, PSD95 and GAP43.

Conclusions: These results confirmed that RLIPostC treatment for cerebral ischemia was safe and effective. A possible molecular mechanism of the beneficial effects of RLIPostC treatment may be the promotion of synaptogenesis.

KEYWORDS:

• Remote limb ischemic post-conditioning
• Cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion
• Synaptogenesis
• Recovery of behavioural function

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Chinese National Natural Science Foundation [Nos. 81660613 and 81160401].