title: L-theanine administration results in neuroprotection and prevents glutamate receptor agonist-mediated injury in the rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.
abstract: While the neuroprotective effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) might be explained by the presence of amino acid L-theanine in the tea leaves, it is not known whether postischemic administration of L-theanine could also provide neuroprotection. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of L-theanine (1 and 4 mg/kg) administered at 3, 12, and 24 h after reperfusion in the rat model of stroke. We also studied the effect of L-theanine on brain injury caused by exogenous administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionate/kainate receptor agonists during reperfusion. Rats were subjected to 30-min middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 48-h reperfusion. Neurological deficit and infarct size were determined at the end of reperfusion. At 3 and 12 h, but not at 24 h of reperfusion, L-theanine substantially reduced the size of brain infarct. Neurological status was improved when L-theanine was administered 3, 12, and 24 h after reperfusion. Repeated intrastriatal injections of L-theanine at a total dose of 800 µg/kg during reperfusion prevented brain injury caused by glutamate receptor agonists. In conclusion, L-theanine at reperfusion exerts neuroprotective effect in the in vivo rat model of stroke. Local treatment with L-theanine at reperfusion prevents glutamate receptor agonist-mediated brain injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology, I. P. Pavlov Federal Medical University, St-Petersburg, Russian Federation.
authors.forename: Mavdzhuda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zukhurova
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prosvirnina
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daineko
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simanenkova
authors.forename: Nikolay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Petrishchev
authors.forename: Dmitry
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sonin
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galagudza
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shamtsyan
authors.forename: Lekh R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Juneja
authors.forename: Timur
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vlasov
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000737:chemistry; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005971:Glutamates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000009:adverse effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000378:metabolism; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; D005971:Glutamates; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D013662:Tea; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; C026166:theanine
keywords: L-theanine; brain ischemia; neuroprotection; rat; reperfusion