Pre-ischemic Interventions with Recombinant Human Chemerin Diminish Brain Injury and Spatial Memory Dysfunction in an Experimental Model of Stroke

We have already found that post-ischemic intervention with recombinant human chemerin (rh-chemerin) can protect neurons against cerebral ischemic.

In this study, we tested whether pretreatment with rh-chemerin could reduce brain damage and spatial memory impairment in a model of stroke in mice.

A stroke model was produced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 60 minutes and 24 hours reperfusion in mice. In the present research, 23 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, including the sham-operated group (surgery + no MCAO; n = 7), control group (MCAO + saline; n = 8), treatment group (MCAO + rh-chemerin; n = 8). Rh-chemerin (800 ng/mouse) was given intranasally for 7 consecutive days before MCAO. Infarct size and spatial learning and memory were assessed by the 2,3,5- triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining method and radial arm water maze (RAWM) device, respectively, at 24 hours after ischemia.

The blockade of MCA caused severe brain damage in the control group, which was associated with impairment in neurological and spatial memory functions. Pre-ischemic treatment with rh-chemerin significantly diminished infarct size and improved spatial memory and neurological performance (P < 0.001).

Our data indicated that rh-chemerin could help reduce brain damage if used as a pretreatment approach in a rodent model of stroke. This suggests that rh-chemerin may be potentially useful in patients at risk for stroke. However, the possibility of the application of rh-chemerin as a prophylaxis strategy in high-risk people needs to be clarified.