Abstract TP111: Activation of the Brain Renin-Angiotensin System by Translational Approaches Following Stroke Onset Is Neuroprotective in a Rat Model of Ischemic Stroke

• Published in: Stroke (1970) 2013-02, Vol.44 (suppl_1)
• Main Authors: Bennion, Douglas M, Donnangelo, Lauren, Pioquinto, David, Regenhardt, Robert, Raizada, Mohan K, Sumners, Colin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0039-2499; 1524-4628
• DOI: 10.1161/str.44.suppl_1.ATP111

Abstract only Background: Toward discovering novel stroke therapies, recent research has shown that activation of the newly-discovered angiotensin converting enzyme 2/angiotensin-(1-7)/mas (ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas) pathway, a counter-regulatory axis of the brain renin-angiotensin system, is neuroprotective in ischemic stroke in rats. Specifically, intraventricular administration of the novel ACE2 activator diminazine aceturate (DIZE) before and during an ischemic stroke decreases cerebral infarct and neurologic deficits. Efficacy must now be demonstrated using minimally-invasive methods if this therapy is to be translated to the care of human patients. In this study, we assessed the hypothesis that systemic administration of DIZE post ischemic stroke would be neuroprotective. Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent ischemic stroke by endothelin-1 induced middle cerebral artery occlusion and were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=9-10/set): 1) intraperitoneal (IP) administrations of DIZE (7.5 mg/kg) at 4, 24, and 48 h after stroke; 2) IP administrations of 0.9% saline vehicle at the same time points. At 24 and 72 h after stroke, rats underwent blinded neurologic assessments. Immediately following the 72 h tests, animals were sacrificed, cerebral infarct volumes assessed by TTC staining, and IL-1β expression in the stroke region analyzed by rt-PCR. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM with significance inferred at p