Neuroprotective effects of metformin on cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury by regulating PI3K/Akt pathway

Abstract Metformin (Met) is a commonly used drug in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Currently, it has been found that Met can effectively reduce the incidence of stroke and exert anti‐inflammatory effects. However, its role in ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R)‐induced nerve injury remains unclear. This s...

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Main Authors: Cailian Ruan, Hongtao Guo, Jiaqi Gao, Yiwei Wang, Zhiyong Liu, Jinyi Yan, Xiaoji Li, Haixia Lv
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-10-01
Series:Brain and Behavior
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2335
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author Cailian Ruan
Hongtao Guo
Jiaqi Gao
Yiwei Wang
Zhiyong Liu
Jinyi Yan
Xiaoji Li
Haixia Lv
author_facet Cailian Ruan
Hongtao Guo
Jiaqi Gao
Yiwei Wang
Zhiyong Liu
Jinyi Yan
Xiaoji Li
Haixia Lv
author_sort Cailian Ruan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Metformin (Met) is a commonly used drug in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Currently, it has been found that Met can effectively reduce the incidence of stroke and exert anti‐inflammatory effects. However, its role in ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R)‐induced nerve injury remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Met in I/R‐induced neuron injury as well as the underlying mechanism. A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, which were then treated with different doses of Met. Neurological deficits of rats were measured at different times post‐surgery. TTC staining was done to observe the volume of cerebral infarction. HE staining was performed to observe pathological changes of brain tissues. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the expression of inflammatory factors in the cerebral tissues. qRT‐PCR method was used to detect the relative expression of PI3K, Akt mRNA in cells after 24 h of drug action. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of PI3K, p‐PI3K, Akt, and p‐Akt in hippocampus. What is more, in vitro experiments were performed on BV2 microglia to verify the role of Met against oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD). As a result, Met dose‐dependently attenuated neurological deficits and neuronal apoptosis. Besides, Met administration also significantly reduced BV2 cells apoptosis and inflammatory response. Mechanistically, Met inactivated PI3K/Akt pathway induced by I/R and OGD, while it upregulated PI3K. In conclusion, Met protected rats from cerebral I/R injury via reducing neuronal apoptosis and microglial inflammation through PI3K/Akt pathway.
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spelling doaj.art-5d1e2de6bf1b4a9cbdd3c4c16324f64c2022-12-21T21:31:38ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792021-10-011110n/an/a10.1002/brb3.2335Neuroprotective effects of metformin on cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury by regulating PI3K/Akt pathwayCailian Ruan0Hongtao Guo1Jiaqi Gao2Yiwei Wang3Zhiyong Liu4Jinyi Yan5Xiaoji Li6Haixia Lv7Department ofMedicine Xi'an Jiaotong University No. 76 Yanta West Road Xi'an shannxi 710061 P. R. ChinaCollege of Medicine Yan'an University Yan'an shannxi 716000 P. R. ChinaCollege of Medicine Yan'an University Yan'an shannxi 716000 P. R. ChinaCollege of Medicine Yan'an University Yan'an shannxi 716000 P. R. ChinaCollege of Medicine Yan'an University Yan'an shannxi 716000 P. R. ChinaCollege of Medicine Yan'an University Yan'an shannxi 716000 P. R. ChinaCollege of Medicine Yan'an University Yan'an shannxi 716000 P. R. ChinaDepartment ofMedicine Xi'an Jiaotong University No. 76 Yanta West Road Xi'an shannxi 710061 P. R. ChinaAbstract Metformin (Met) is a commonly used drug in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Currently, it has been found that Met can effectively reduce the incidence of stroke and exert anti‐inflammatory effects. However, its role in ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R)‐induced nerve injury remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Met in I/R‐induced neuron injury as well as the underlying mechanism. A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, which were then treated with different doses of Met. Neurological deficits of rats were measured at different times post‐surgery. TTC staining was done to observe the volume of cerebral infarction. HE staining was performed to observe pathological changes of brain tissues. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the expression of inflammatory factors in the cerebral tissues. qRT‐PCR method was used to detect the relative expression of PI3K, Akt mRNA in cells after 24 h of drug action. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of PI3K, p‐PI3K, Akt, and p‐Akt in hippocampus. What is more, in vitro experiments were performed on BV2 microglia to verify the role of Met against oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD). As a result, Met dose‐dependently attenuated neurological deficits and neuronal apoptosis. Besides, Met administration also significantly reduced BV2 cells apoptosis and inflammatory response. Mechanistically, Met inactivated PI3K/Akt pathway induced by I/R and OGD, while it upregulated PI3K. In conclusion, Met protected rats from cerebral I/R injury via reducing neuronal apoptosis and microglial inflammation through PI3K/Akt pathway.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2335cerebral ischemia‐reperfusioninflammationmetforminPI3K/Akt
spellingShingle Cailian Ruan
Hongtao Guo
Jiaqi Gao
Yiwei Wang
Zhiyong Liu
Jinyi Yan
Xiaoji Li
Haixia Lv
Neuroprotective effects of metformin on cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury by regulating PI3K/Akt pathway
Brain and Behavior
cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion
inflammation
metformin
PI3K/Akt
title Neuroprotective effects of metformin on cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury by regulating PI3K/Akt pathway
title_full Neuroprotective effects of metformin on cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury by regulating PI3K/Akt pathway
title_fullStr Neuroprotective effects of metformin on cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury by regulating PI3K/Akt pathway
title_full_unstemmed Neuroprotective effects of metformin on cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury by regulating PI3K/Akt pathway
title_short Neuroprotective effects of metformin on cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury by regulating PI3K/Akt pathway
title_sort neuroprotective effects of metformin on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury by regulating pi3k akt pathway
topic cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion
inflammation
metformin
PI3K/Akt
url https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2335
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AT jiaqigao neuroprotectiveeffectsofmetforminoncerebralischemiareperfusioninjurybyregulatingpi3kaktpathway
AT yiweiwang neuroprotectiveeffectsofmetforminoncerebralischemiareperfusioninjurybyregulatingpi3kaktpathway
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