Erythropoietin increases glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity and decreases lipid peroxidation levels in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats.
BACKGROUND
We have previously shown that erythropoietin (Epo) exerts neuroprotective effects in the Rice-Vannucci model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. However, the mechanisms of Epo protection in this model are still unclear.


OBJECTIVE
In the present study, we studied the effects of systemically administered Epo on lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) activities following hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats.


METHODS
Seven-day-old Wistar rat pups were subjected to left carotid artery occlusion followed by 2.5 h of hypoxic exposure. Brain lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured in the injured hemispheres 24 h after the hypoxic-ischemic insult.


RESULTS
Hypoxic-ischemic injury significantly increased the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels in the injured hemispheres as compared to the control group. In addition, glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly elevated in Epo-treated animals compared to saline-treated animals and the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that Epo exerts neuroprotective effects against hypoxic-ischemic brain injury at least partially via the modulation of antioxidant enzyme activity.
Kumral
Abdullah
A
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti, Izmir, Turkey.
Gonenc
Sevil
S
Acikgoz
Osman
O
Sonmez
Atac
A
Genc
Kursad
K
Yilmaz
Osman
O
Gokmen
Necati
N
Duman
Nuray
N
Ozkan
Hasan
H
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis
D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D004921:Erythropoietin; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase