ABSTRACT
Aim To study whether GLGZD exerts brain protection by affecting the activation of cortical microglia in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats. Methods The nylon thread plug was used to establish the MCAO model. After GLGZD treatment for seven days, mNSS was used to evaluate the neurological function of each group of rats, MRI to detect cerebral infarction volume in rats, TUNEL to detect the apoptotic rate of nerve cells, immunohistochemistry to detect TNF-α protein expression in ischemic cortical brain tissues, and RT-qPCR to detect mRNA expression of neuron-microglia interaction-related factors TWEAK, Fnl4, NIK, Rel B, CCL21, CXCR3 and microglial activation marker IBA-1 in ischemic cortical brain tissues. Results GL-GZD could significantly improve the neurological function of MCAO rats, and markedly reduce the infarct volume and apoptosis of ischemic cortical neurons in MCAO rats. It also could significantly down-regulate the expressions of TNF-a protein and TWEAK, Fnl4, NIK, Rel B, CCL21, CXCR3 and IBA-1 mRNA in ischemic cortex of MCAO rats. Conclusions GLGZD can significantly improve cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, which may be related to inhibition of microglial cell activation by affecting TWEAK/Fn14/ CCL21/CXCR3 signaling pathway.