title: Mitochondrial involvement in transhemispheric diaschisis following hypoxia-ischemia: Clomethiazole-mediated amelioration.
abstract: Mitochondria play a central role in both the physiological and pathophysiological regulation of cell survival/death. Increasing evidence places mitochondrial dysfunction at the center of many neuropathological conditions. The present study investigates the extent of mitochondrial dysfunction in cortical, hippocampal and cerebellar tissues in a rat model of hypoxia-ischemia (HI). We hypothesized that; mitochondrial dysfunction in situ may be prevented by treatment with clomethiazole (CMZ), a GABA(A) receptor agonist. Assessment of mitochondrial FAD-linked respiration at both 1- and 3-day post-HI revealed a marked decrease in activity from ipsilateral cortical and hippocampal regions (P<0.001). In addition, small changes were seen in contralateral cortical and hippocampal tissues as well as in the cerebellum at 3-days (P<0.05). Assessment of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (complexes I-V), and mitochondrial markers of integrity (citrate synthase) and oxidative stress (aconitase) confirmed mitochondrial impairment in ipsilateral regions following HI. Complexes I, II-III, V and citrate synthase were also impaired in contralateral regions and cerebellum 3-days post-HI. Treatment with CMZ (414 mg/kg/day via minipumps) provided marked protection to all aspects of neuronal tissue assessed. Circulating cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1alpha, IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF], IL-4 and IL-10) levels were also assessed in these animals 3-days post-HI. Plasma IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and GM-CSF levels were significantly increased post-HI. Treatment with CMZ ameliorated the increases in IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and GM-CSF levels while increasing plasma IL-4 and IL-10 levels. This study provides evidence of the extent of mitochondrial damage following an HI-insult. In addition, we have shown that protection afforded by CMZ extends to preservation of mitochondrial function and integrity via anti-inflammatory mediated pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. andrew.clarkson@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Clarkson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clarkson
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Sammut
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002719:Chlormethiazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000187:drug effects*; D007118:Immunoassay; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007511:Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D002719:Chlormethiazole