Neuroprotective Effects of Resveratrol on Cerebral Ischemia-Induced Neuron Loss Mediated by Free Radical Scavenging and Cerebral Blood Flow Elevation

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry Vol. 54; no. 8; pp. 3126 - 3131
• Main Authors: Lu, Kwok Tung, Chiou, Robin Y. Y, Chen, Li Ging, Chen, Ming Hsiang, Tseng, Wan Ting, Hsieh, Hsiang Tsang, Yang, Yi Ling
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 19.04.2006
• Subjects: Animals; antioxidant activity; Biological and medical sciences; blood flow; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Brain Ischemia - drug therapy; Brain Ischemia - pathology; Brain Ischemia - physiopathology; central nervous system diseases; cerebrum; Food industries; Free Radical Scavengers; free radicals; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heart Rate - drug effects; hippocampus; Hippocampus - blood supply; Hippocampus - chemistry; hydroxyl radicals; intravenous injection; ischemia; Male; neurons; Neurons - pathology; Neuroprotective Agents - therapeutic use; neuroprotective effect; nitric oxide; Rats; Rats, Wistar; resveratrol; Stilbenes - therapeutic use; Superoxide Dismutase; vasodilation; Phytoestrogen; neuronal damage; free radicals; Nitric oxide; Resveratrol; Damage; Free radical; Blood; ischemia
• DOI: 10.1021/jf053011q
• ISSN: 0021-8561

Resveratrol is a natural phytoestrogen and possesses many biological functions such as anti-inflammatory activity and protection against atherosclerosis and myocardial infraction. The present study was carried out to elucidate the neuroprotective effect and possible mechanism of resveratrol on cerebral ischemia-induced hippocampus neuron loss. Sixty adult male rats underwent general anesthesia (urethane, 1.4 g/kg, i.p.) and were divided into three groups:  sham operation, ischemia treatment, and ischemia combined with resveratrol administration (20 mg/kg, i.v.). The carotid artery was bilaterally ligated to induce cerebral ischemia. Microdialysis and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to analyze dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) that reflected the hippocampal hydroxyl radical level. Hippocampal nitric oxide was assayed among different groups. During cerebral ischemia, the hydroxyl radical levels were elevated in rats and animals displayed severe neuronal loss. A single dose of resveratrol significantly increased the nitric oxide level and decreased the hydroxyl radical level. The reduction of cerebral blood flow and neuronal loss were also attenuated by resveratrol treatment. The results demonstrated that a single infusion of resveratrol could elicit neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia-induced neuron damage through free radical scavenging and cerebral blood elevation due to NO release. Keywords: Phytoestrogen; ischemia; free radicals; nitric oxide; neuronal damage