Effect of vagus nerve stimulation on serum level of pentraxin-3 at focal transient cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in adult male new zealand rabbits

ABSTRACT

Regarding that oxidative stress, distinguished by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species [ROS], has been implicated in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia. Pentraxin-3 [PTX-3] plays an important role in innate immune responses and in inflammatory disease. However, no study has evaluated PTX3 in animal models with cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Aim of the work is to assess the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effect of vagus nerve stimulation [VNS] on focal model of transient cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Focal transient cerebral I/R was induced by occlusion of right common carotid artery [CCA] for 30 minutes followed by reperfusion for one hour. Stimulating electrodes were implanted on the cervical part of the right vagus nerve. VNS started 15 min after right CCA ligation and lasted 15 min after reperfusion and delivered for 30 s at every 5 min. All the procedures were duplicated but no stimulus was delivered in the control group. Serum level of pentraxin-3, lipid peroxide and total thiols were determined at baseline, at end of ischemia and at end of reperfusion and the animal decapitated and neuronal damage was evaluated. VNS causes reduction of the ischemic features with revival of the cell shape and size, increased serum levels of pentraxin-3 and total thiols whereas the level of lipid peroxide was diminished. The observed diversity in pentraxin-3, lipid peroxide and total thiols levels in cerebral I/R, which may reflect relative roles in the bioactivity of the animal. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant role of vagus nerve stimulation in cerebral I/R in rabbits, may represent a marker of altered cerebral function, that provide potential therapeutic applications