Multitargeted effects of statin-enhanced thrombolytic therapy for stroke with recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator in the rat.
BACKGROUND
Microvascular dysfunction posttreatment of stroke with recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator (rht-PA) constrains the therapeutic window to 3 hours. Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) promote vascular thrombolysis and reduce the inflammation response. We therefore investigated the neuroprotective effects of a combination of atorvastatin and delayed rht-PA treatment in a rat model of embolic stroke.


RESULTS
Rats subjected to embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion were treated with atorvastatin in combination with rht-PA 4 hours after stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging measurements revealed that combination treatment with atorvastatin and rht-PA blocked the expansion of the ischemic lesion, which improved neurological function compared with saline-treated rats. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of single endothelial cells isolated by laser-capture microdissection from brain tissue and immunostaining showed that combination treatment downregulated expression of tissue factor, von Willebrand factor, protease-activated receptor-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, which concomitantly reduced cerebral microvascular thrombosis and enhanced microvascular integrity. Combination treatment did not increase cerebrovascular endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) levels or eNOS activity, and inhibition of NOS activity with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester did not block the beneficial effects of combination treatment on stroke. Furthermore, combination treatment compared with thrombolytic monotherapy increased cerebral blood flow and reduced infarct volume in eNOS-null mice.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that combination treatment with atorvastatin and rht-PA exerts a neuroprotective effect when administered 4 hours after stroke and that the therapeutic benefits are likely attributed to its multitargeted effects on cerebrovascular patency and integrity.
Zhang
Li
L
Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Zhang
Zheng Gang
ZG
Ding
Guang Liang
GL
Jiang
Quan
Q
Liu
Xianshuang
X
Meng
He
H
Hozeska
Ann
A
Zhang
Chunling
C
Li
Lian
L
Morris
Dan
D
Zhang
Rui Lan
RL
Lu
Mei
M
Chopp
Michael
M
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000188:drug therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000187:drug effects
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator