Article
Exogenous ubiquitin shows neuroprotective properties after Controlled Cortical Impact Injury (CCI) in rats
Die Gabe von Ubiquitin zeigt einen neuroprotektiven Effekt nach Controlled Cortical Impact Injury in der Ratte
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Published: | April 11, 2007 |
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Objective: Beyond its intracellular properties in the proteasome pathway, the protein ubiquitin also possesses extracellular anti-inflammatory cytokine-like properties. Following traumatic brain injury, the restitution of blood brain barrier disruption by ubiquitin was described. We investigated the effect of ubiquitin on posttraumatic brain edema and contusion volume after CCI in rats.
Methods: 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomised to receive either ubiquitin (1.5 mg/kg iv) or placebo (NaCl: 1.5 ml/ kg iv) following Controlled Cortical Impact injury (CCI: 1.5 mm impact depth; 7 mm bolt, 7 m/s velocity). Arterial blood gases (ABG), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and intracranial pressure (ICP) were recorded at different time points. Contusion volume was calculated after TTC staining at 7 days and brain edema was quantified gravimetrically 24 hours after trauma.
Results: ABG, MABP and ICP did not reveal any significant differences between groups. Contusion volume was significantly lower in the ubiquitin group compared to placebo (32.88±2.1mm3 vs. 43.96±4.56mm3, p=0.025). Hemispheric water content of the traumatized hemisphere tended to decrease in verum animals versus placebo animals (79.97±0.29% vs. 81.11±0.52%; p=0.08).
Conclusions: Exogenous ubiquitin significantly lowers contusion volume without influencing the physiologic parameters after CCI in rats. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the mechanism of action and possible effect on immuncompetent cells.