The role of oxidative stress in hemorrhagic stroke and restorative effects of Mexidol

Author:
T.A. VORONINA, V.A. KRAINEVA, N.N. ZOLOTOV, S.O. KOTEL’NIKOVA, E.A. VAL’DMAN

Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology, Moscow, Russia

Summary:
Objective. Identification of the role of oxidative stress in the development of disorders that occur in hemorrhagic stroke (HS, post-traumatic intracerebral hematoma), and the study of the effects of Mexidol on neurological and cognitive deficits in HS with an analysis of the relationship between the therapeutic effects of the drug in HS with its antioxidant effect. Material and methods. The study was carried out on mature outbred male rats weighing 260—280 g. HS was created by destruction of the brain tissue in the area of the capsula interna, with the introduction of blood into the site of injury. On the 1st, 7th, and 14th days after HS modeling, death, neurological deficits (McGrow scale, rotating rod), convulsive manifestations, and cognitive impairment were recorded in rats; blood plasma and homogenates of the cerebral cortex of rats. Mexidol was administered after the HS operation: first at a dose of 150 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, for 3 days and then 75 mg/kg, orally (from the 4th to the 14th day). Results. Mexidol in rats with HS significantly increases the survival rate of animals, reduces the manifestations of neurological deficits according to the McGrow scale (playpen movements, paresis of 1—4 limbs, paralysis of the lower limbs, lateral position), eliminates individual motor convulsive manifestations, restores impaired coordination of movements (rotating rod test) and improves, impaired HS, learning and memory processes. Mexidol normalizes the concentration of TBA-active products in the blood of animals and homogenates of the cerebral cortex of rats, both a day and 7 days after HS modeling. Conclusion. The data obtained indicate the involvement of oxidative stress as a chain of pathogenesis in the development of disorders in HS and the ability of Mexidol to alleviate neurological deficits, convulsive manifestations and cognitive impairment in HS, which is accompanied by a decrease in oxidative stress. All this justifies the importance of the use of Mexidol in patients with hemorrhagic stroke, posttraumatic intracerebral hematoma and determines the features of its therapeutic effects.

Keywords: hemorrhagic stroke, intracerebral hematoma, oxidative stress, Mexidol, neurological deficit, seizures, cognitive impairment.