Effect of Erythropoietin on Inflammatory Response and Ischemic Brain Damage after Carotid Artery clamp in Rat

Abstract

Vascular diseases are one of the most common problems in human societies and are one of major problem of health care system. Carotid artery stenosis in most cases is secondary to fat deposits in the plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis). Some studies mentioned that erythropoietin (EPO) can reduce the toxic effects of glutamate on neurons and relieve hypoxic damage in neurons. The aim of present study was to evaluate effect of EPO on inflammatory response and ischemic brain damage after carotid artery clamp in rat.

Methods & Materials:

In a trial study, 50 adult male Wistar rats with weight of 250 to 300 g randomly were allocated in two groups (intervention & control) using Rand list version 1.2 software. Intervention group received intraperitoneal injection of EPO (5000 U/kg) and control group received intraperitoneal injection of placebo (normal saline). Then, in both groups of rats, both common carotid arteries were clamped by special MicroClavers for 20 minutes. Nissl staining used to determine the amount of cell death, and the rate of ischemic injury in both groups of rats was determined.

Results:

Levels of inflammatory markers including CPK, IL-6, IL-1B and TNF-a in the intervention group were significantly lower than the control group. Mean percentage of ischemic region in the intervention group was 4.30±2.15%, and in control group was 11.20±2.35%. The percentage of ischemic region in the intervention group was significantly lower than the control group (P=0.023).