GSK-3 inhibitor TDZD-8 reduces neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in mice

AimsGlycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) is activated following hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury. TDZD-8 is a specific GSK-3 inhibitor. Currently, the impact of inhibiting GSK-3 in neonatal HI injury is unknown. We aimed to investigate the effect of TDZD-8 following neonatal HI brain injury. MethodsUnilateral common carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxia was used to induce HI injury in postnatal day 7 mouse pups pretreated with TDZD-8 or vehicle. The infarct volume, whole-brain imaging, Nissl staining, and behavioral tests were used to evaluate the protective effect of TDZD-8 on the neonatal brain and assess functional recovery after injury. Western blot was used to evaluate protein levels of phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt), GSK-3, and cleaved caspase-3. Protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, neuronal marker, and glial fibrillary acidic protein were detected through immunohistochemistry. ResultsPretreatment with TDZD-8 significantly reduced brain damage and improved neurobehavioral outcomes following HI injury. TDZD-8 reversed the reduction of phosphorylated Akt and GSK-3, and the activation of caspase-3 induced by hypoxia-ischemia. In addition, TDZD-8 suppressed apoptotic cell death and reduced reactive astrogliosis. ConclusionTDZD-8 has the therapeutic potential for hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonates. The neuroprotective effect of TDZD-8 appears to be mediated through its antiapoptotic activity and by reducing astrogliosis.