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Neuroprotective Effect of Low Dose Alcohol Consumption Against Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Author(s) -
McCarter Kimberly DeShon,
Sun Hong,
Li Chun
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.693.3
Subject(s) - medicine , neuroprotection , ischemia , stroke (engine) , wine , anesthesia , ethanol , reperfusion injury , microglia , brain damage , alcohol , middle cerebral artery , inflammation , pharmacology , biochemistry , biology , mechanical engineering , food science , engineering
Background Ischemic stroke, which accounts for 87% of diagnosed strokes, is a leading cause of long‐term disability and mortality worldwide. Chronic alcohol abuse is a risk factor for ischemic stroke and worsens the prognosis of ischemic stroke. On the other hand, increasing evidence suggest that chronic low‐dose alcohol consumption (LAC) reduces the incidence of ischemic stroke and improves the functional outcome of ischemic stroke. Our goal is to delineate the molecular basis whereby LAC alters the incidence and prognosis of ischemic stroke. We hypothesize that LAC protects the brain against its ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by suppressing postischemic inflammation. Methods Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups, an ethanol group, a wine group, and a control group and fed with ethanol, wine (Castle Rock Pinot Noir), or volume‐matched water via gavage for 8 weeks. Ethanol and wine consumption was 1.4g/kg/day. The animals were then subjected to a 2‐hour middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and sacrificed at 24 hours of reperfusion after neurological evaluation. Cerebral I/R injury, microglial activation and neutrophil infiltration were evaluated by TTC staining and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Expression of adhesion molecules were analyzed using western blot analysis. Pro‐inflammatory molecules were measured using ELISA. Results Cerebral infarct volume is significantly reduced in ethanol‐ and wine‐fed rats compared to control rats. There is no significant difference in infarct volume between ethanol‐fed and wine‐fed rats. Sensory‐motor functions were significantly improved in ethanol‐fed rats when compared to control rats. Transient focal cerebral ischemia increased neutrophil infiltration, microglial activation and the expression of adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), vascular cellular adhesion molecule (VCAM), E‐selectin and P‐selectin. However, the magnitude of microglial activation and ICAM and E‐selectin expression was significantly reduced in ethanol‐fed rats while neutrophil infiltration and the magnitude of the increased expression of P‐selectin were significantly reduced in wine‐fed rats when compared to control rats. VCAM expression after ischemia was significantly increased in ethanol fed rats when compared to control rats. Conclusions Our findings suggest that LAC may protect the brain against its I/R injury by suppressing postischemic inflammation. Support or Funding Information National Institute of Health Grant; Malcolm Feist PreDoctoral Award (Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, LSU Health Sciences Shreveport)