Neuroprotection by the soy isoflavone, genistein, via inhibition of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathways and reactive oxygen induced-NF-κB activation in a cerebral ischemia mouse model

• Published in: Neurochemistry international 2012-06, Vol.60 (8), p.759-767
• Main Authors: Qian, Yisong, Guan, Teng, Huang, Menghao, Cao, Liangxun, Li, Yunman, Cheng, Hao, Jin, Hangxia, Yu, Deyue
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis - drug effects; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; Brain Ischemia - enzymology; Brain Ischemia - metabolism; Brain Ischemia - pathology; Caspase 3 - metabolism; Caspase-3 activation; Cytochrome C release; Cytochromes c - metabolism; Disease Models, Animal; Enzyme Activation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genistein; Genistein - pharmacology; Glutathione Peroxidase - metabolism; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Isoflavone; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; MCAO; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mitochondria - drug effects; Mitochondria - physiology; Neurology; Neuron apoptosis; Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; NF-kappa B - metabolism; NF-κB; Reactive oxygen species; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Superoxide Dismutase; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
• ISSN: 0197-0186; 1872-9754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2012.03.011

► We investigate the neuroprotection of genistein in a cerebral ischemia mouse model. ► Genistein exerts neuroprotective and anti-oxidative effect in transient focal ischemia. ► Genistein pretreatment prevents the neuron damage through mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway. ► Genistein suppresses ROS-dependent NF-κB activation. Recently, the treatment of stroke has focused on antioxidant therapies, where oxidative stress is implicated. The preventive and therapeutic potential of plant compounds on ischemic stroke has been intensively studied because many of them contain antioxidant properties. Genistein, one of the active ingredients in soybean, possesses many bioactivities. In this study, we investigated the potential neuroprotective effects of genistein and its possible mechanism of action in a cerebral ischemia mouse model. Mice were pretreated with genistein (2.5, 5, and 10mg/kg) or vehicle orally once daily for 14 consecutive days before transient middle cerebral artery occlusion was performed. Genistein at doses of 2.5–10mg/kg significantly reduced the infarct volume, improved the neurological deficit and prevented cell apoptosis after ischemia. In addition, genistein pretreatment was shown to inhibit the ischemia-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, enhance the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and decrease levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in stroke mice. Moreover, genistein reversed the mitochondria dysfunction after ischemia, as evidenced by decreasing mitochondria ROS levels, preventing cytochrome C release to the cytoplasm and inhibiting caspase-3 activation. Western blotting showed ischemia activated the ROS-dependent nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and genistein suppressed phosphorylation and activation of the NF-κB p65 subunit, as well as the phosphorylation and degradation of the inhibitor protein of κBα (IκBα). Our findings suggested that genistein has a neuroprotective effect in transient focal ischemia, which may involve regulation of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathways and suppression of ROS-induced NF-κB activation.