Thymosin β4 for the treatment of acute stroke in aged rats

Publication date: 17 October 2017 Source:Neuroscience Letters, Volume 659 Author(s): Daniel C. Morris, Wing Lee Cheung, Richard Loi, Talan Zhang, Mei Lu, Zheng G. Zhang, Michael Chopp Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a 5K peptide which influences cellular migration by inhibiting organization of the actin-cytoskeleton. Tβ4 has neurorestorative properties and is a potential candidate for the treatment of sub-acute stroke. Previous research demonstrated that Tβ4 improved neurological outcome in a young (3 months) rat model of embolic stroke. We hypothesized that Tβ4 would improve neurological outcome in an aged rat model of embolic stroke when administered 24h after embolic stroke. Aged Male Wistar rats (Charles River, France 18–21 months) were subjected to embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Rats were randomized to receive Tβ4 (12mg/kg, RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.) or control 24h after MCAo and then every 3days for 4 additional doses. The dose of 12mg/kg was the maximal dose of Tβ4 that showed functional improvement in a young rat model of embolic stroke. Functional tests (adhesive-removal test (ART), foot fault test (FFT) and the modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS)) were performed weekly. The rats were sacrificed 56days after MCAo and lesion volumes were measured. Immunohistochemical analysis for oligodendrogenesis, myelination and gliosis was also performed. Twenty-three rats were included in the study: control group (n=12) and Tβ4 group (n=1...
Source: Neuroscience Letters - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research