Pre-ischemic Interventions with Recombinant Human Chemerin Diminish Brain Injury and Spatial Memory Dysfunction in an Experimental Model of Stroke

Background: We have already found that post-ischemic intervention with recombinant human chemerin (rh-chemerin) can pro- tect neurons against cerebral ischemic. Objectives: In this study, we tested whether pretreatment with rh-chemerin could reduce brain damage and spatial memory im- pairment in a model of stroke in mice. Methods: A stroke model was produced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 60 minutes and 24 hours reperfusion in mice. In the present research, 23 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, including the sham-operated group (surgery + no MCAO; n = 7), control group (MCAO + saline; n = 8), treatment group (MCAO + rh-chemerin; n = 8). Rh-chemerin (800 ng/mouse) was given intranasally for 7 consecutive days before MCAO. Infarct size and spatial learning and memory were assessed by the 2,3,5- triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining method and radial arm water maze (RAWM) device, respectively, at 24 hours after is- chemia. Results: The blockade of MCA caused severe brain damage in the control group, which was associated with impairment in neuro- logical and spatial memory functions. Pre-ischemic treatment with rh-chemerin significantly diminished infarct size and improved spatial memory and neurological performance (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data indicated that rh-chemerin could help reduce brain damage if used as a pretreatment approach in a rodent model of stroke. This suggests that rh-chemerin may be potentially useful in patients at risk for stroke. However, the possibility of the application of rh-chemerin as a prophylaxis strategy in high-risk people needs to be clarified.