Tat-DJ-1 Protects Neurons from Ischemic Damage in the Ventral Horn of Rabbit Spinal Cord Via Increasing Antioxidant Levels

• Published in: Neurochemical research 2014-01, Vol.39 (1), p.187-193
• Main Authors: Kim, Woosuk, Kim, Dae Won, Jeong, Hoon Jae, Yoo, Dae Young, Jung, Hyo Young, Nam, Sung Min, Kim, Jong Hwi, Choi, Jung Hoon, Won, Moo-Ho, Yoon, Yeo Sung, Moon, Seung Myung, Choi, Soo Young, Hwang, In Koo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Catalase - biosynthesis; Cell Biology; Hindlimb - physiology; Lipid Peroxidation - drug effects; Male; Neurochemistry; Neurology; Neurosciences; Oncogene Proteins - therapeutic use; Original Paper; Rabbits; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - therapeutic use; Reperfusion Injury - physiopathology; Spinal Cord - drug effects; Spinal Cord - metabolism; Spinal Cord Ischemia - prevention & control; Superoxide Dismutase - biosynthesis
• ISSN: 0364-3190; 1573-6903
• DOI: 10.1007/s11064-013-1205-y

The DJ-1 gene is highly conserved in diverse species and DJ-1 is known as an anti-oxidative stress factor. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of DJ-1 against ischemic damage in the rabbit spinal cord. Tat-DJ-1 fusion proteins were constructed to facilitate the penetration of DJ-1 protein into the neurons. Tat-1-DJ-1 fusion protein was administered to the rabbit 30 min after ischemia/reperfusion, and transient spinal cord ischemia was induced by occlusion of the aorta at the subrenal region for 15 min. The administration of Tat-DJ-1 significantly improved the Tarlov score compared to that in the Tat (vehicle)-treated group at 24, 48 and 72 h after ischemia/reperfusion. At 72 h after ischemia/reperfusion, the number of cresyl violet-positive neurons was significantly increased in the Tat-DJ-1-treated group compared to that in the vehicle-treated group. Lipid peroxidation as judged from the malondialdehyde levels was significantly decreased in the Tat-DJ-1-treated group compared to that in the vehicle-treated group. In contrast, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were significantly increased in the Tat-DJ-1-treated group compared to that in the vehicle-treated group. This result suggests that DJ-1 protects neurons from ischemic damage in the ventral horn of the spinal cord via its antioxidant effects.