Abstract
Effects of EPA-E on brain protection were examined using a rat transient focal cerebral ischemia model. Rats were subjected to 90 min ischemia following daily administration of EPA-E (100 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 7 days. EPA-E treated animals showed reduction in decreased ADC area just prior to reperfusion and infarct volume reduction as well as neurological improvement at 24 and 72 hours after reperfusion. In addition, p-adducin and vWF positive vessel densities, 8-OHdG and 4-HNE positive cells and TUNEL positive cells within the cortical boundary zone were decreased in EPA-E treated animals. Pretreatment with EPA-E for more than 5 days demonstrated infarct volume reduction and neurological improvement, and withdrawal of EPA-E for less than 3 days following 7 day-pretreatment was also neuroprotective. Continuous administration of EPA-E may be important for brain protection, and decrease in endothelial damage, inhibition in Rho-kinase activation and reduction in tissue oxidative stress may be involved in the protective mechanisms of EPA-E.
