Nesfatin-1 Improve Spatial Memory Impairment Following Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion via Inhibiting Microglial and Caspase-3 Activation

In this study, we aimed to assay the neuroprotective effects of Nesfatin-1 after brain ischemia/reperfusion. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly selected and allocated in the form of four groups (sham, Nesfatin-1, ischemia, ischemia+Nesfatin-1). Ischemia was created by obstruction couple common carotid arteries in 20-min period. Saline as a vehicle and Nesfatin-1 (20  μg/kg, intraperitoneally) were injected at the time of reperfusion. Spatial memory performances were evaluated by the Morris water maze. The level of protein expression was determined by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. Nesfatin-1 significantly reduced caspase-3 (P <  0.01) and microglial activation (P <  0.01) and improved spatial memory impairments (P <  0.05) induced by brain ischemia. Nesfatin-1 has significant neuroprotective effects and can be introduced as a therapeutic agent against cerebral ischemia-induced injuries.

Source: Journal of Molecular Neuroscience - June 28, 2018 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research