Effect and Mechanism of Resveratrol on Neurovascular Units in Rats with Acute Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract

Abstract: The current study aimed to investigate the protective effect of resveratrol (RSV) on neurovascular units (NVUs) in rats induced by acute cerebral ischemia. RSV could reduce the damage to I/R rats, and the optimal concentration was 40 mg/kg/d. RSV may improve the permeability of the BBB and the destruction of its ultrastructure by upregulating ZO-1, claudin-5, and occludin to reduce the degree of brain edema after IR. Many structures in the NVUs were also damaged after I/R. RSV was found to have a protective effect on NeuN, GFAP, and LN in the NVUs. With the extension of RSV administration time, the protective effect became more significant. This protective effect may be related to the upregulation of NeuN and LN and the inhibition of the expression of GFAP. RSV could reduce neuronal apoptosis by upregulating XIAP and downregulating Smac and caspase-9. The inhibition of RSV on the increase in glial cells may be related to the inhibition of connexin 43 protein expression. RSV could inhibit the content of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the brain tissue of IR rats. RSV has a protective effect on the NVUs-induced injury, which may be related to the regulation of apoptosis and inflammatory signal pathway.