The aim of this study was to investigate whether Cyclosporine A (CsA) attenuates early brain injury by alleviating matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) associated blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A standard intravascular perforation model was used to produce the experimental SAH in C57B6J mice. Dosages of 5mg/kg, 10mg/kg and 15mg/kg CsA were evaluated for effects on neurological score, brain water content, Evans blue extravasation and fluorescence, P-p65, MMP-9 and BBB components' alterations after SAH. We found that CsA 15mg/kg is effective in attenuating BBB disruption, lowering edema, and improving neurological outcomes. In addition, Collagen IV, ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin 5 expressions in ipsilateral/left hemisphere were downregulated after SAH, but increased after CsA treatment. Our results suggest that CsA exert a neuroprotective role in SAH pathophysiology, possibly by alleviating MMP-9 associated BBB disruption.
Keywords: Blood-brain barrier; Cyclosporine A; Early brain injury; Matrix metalloproteinase 9; Subarachnoid hemorrhage.
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