Pinocembrin attenuates blood-brain barrier injury induced by global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption is a major consequence of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Several studies have reported the neuroprotection of pinocembrin on cerebral ischemia in vivo and in vitro, but the effects of pinocembrin on BBB and its underlying mechanisms are not clear. In this study, we investigated the effects of pinocembrin on BBB functions in the global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (GCI/R) model in rats. Neurological scores and brain edema were evaluated. BBB permeability was assessed by detecting the concentrations of Evan's blue (EB) and fluorescein sodium (NaF) in brain tissue. The pathological changes of BBB ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured by laser Doppler flowmetery. The effects of pinocembrin on primary cultured rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (RCMECs) against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) were also investigated. The results showed pinocembrin decreased neurological score and lessened brain edema induced by GCI/R. Pinocembrin also reduced the concentrations of EB and NaF in brain tissue of the GCI/R rats. And pinocembrin alleviated the ultrastructural changes of cerebral microvessels, astrocyte end-feet and neurons, and improved CBF in the GCI/R rats. In addition, pinocembrin increased the viability and mitochondrial membrane potential of cultured RCMECs induced by OGD/R. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that pinocembrin alleviates blood-brain barrier injury induced by GCI/R in rats. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.